MAGNIFICENT FRENCH PROVINCIAL ESTATE 

Discover the eighth wonder of the world in this magnificent estate situated on nearly three acres of stunning gardens in the heart of Lake Forest. No detail has been overlooked in the custom design of this three-year old French Provincial, offering incomparable design throughout 11,000 square feet of the ultimate in living space. With its stunning stone exterior, antique wrought iron accents, copper gutters and downspouts, this home offers state of the art home technology and all the benefits of newer construction, yet remains a remarkable portrait of old world charm, grandeur and elegance.

Enter the drive by way of private gates and discover sprawling and meticulously groomed gardens framing the home. A wall of climbing roses in pale pink complements the light stone exterior, while boxwood topiary gardens regale the welcoming courtyard of gravel and stone. True to the French Provincial style, dormers and French doors with real shutters surround the home, inviting in the natural light, and providing stunning views of the award-winning gardens that surround the home.

An impressive hand-carved, inlaid wood door with original hardware was acquired from an old estate in and today stands as a formidable guardian to the home’s main entrance. Beyond the threshold discover the home’s main gallery where you are introduced to the heated limestone floors of various complementary patterns that are featured throughout the first floor. Morning sunlight floods the gallery from 12-foot paned French doors, reverently illuminating the residence. Softly colored, wide baseboard moldings beautifully accent rooms throughout. With just one foot in the threshold, your front door guests will be treated to impressive back yard views and beautiful western sunsets, owing to expansive doors and windows that lie just beyond the formal dining area.

A walk-in guest closet with Dutch door works nicely as a family closet or as a coat check for large formal occasions. The guest powder room offers a lounge area and is superbly appointed with Herbeau fixtures, a custom vanity, antique wall sconces, and a separate water closet.

A magnificent living room features a coffered ceiling, crystal chandelier and other antique wall sconces and fixtures carefully selected from various French and California estates creating the perfect ambience for entertaining. But you will feel equally as comfortable curling up with a book on one of three oversized window seats as you enjoy views of side gardens with their blossoming fruit trees and spectacular plantings.

Put a blazing fire in fire in the 12 foot high hand-carved see through fireplace for added warmth and elegance; then enjoy it from the living room or from the voluminous two-story library that adjoins it. Offering two built in custom bookshelves with secretary desks, the library lends itself well to quiet gatherings, reading, studying or simply quiet reflection.

French doors from the living room open to a beautiful covered outdoor stone porch for sheltered yet open air entertaining. Overhead there’s a white beaded ceiling topped by a Ludowicci tile roof. Famous world over, Ludowicci is known as premier maker of the finest in clay tiles. Complete with a charming stone fireplace as its centerpiece, this private retreat is a refuge from chilly evenings or a light summer rain, where you can regale in the uncompromising beauty of your home’s back yard gardens, pool and patios.

The spacious sitting room features beamed ceilings with decorative touches, a lovely patterned limestone floor and a handsome limestone fireplace. After partaking in an aperitif in this lovely room, your guests can move easily into the adjacent large formal dining room. As the sun sets in the west, antique wrought iron and crystal light fixtures from France will illuminate the room as guests repast in an ambiance of elegance and old world charm.

Off of the dining room and providing convenient access to the gourmet kitchen, you will find an extraordinary butler’s pantry featuring hand-painted cabinetry topped with a 3-inch thick marble slab. Showcase your finest stemware, china and silver in old-fashioned style built-ins. Coffee lovers and passionate gourmet entertainers, take note. At your fingertips you’ll discover a fabulous commercial quality Italian LaCimbali MS expresso machine that will provide an unforgettable steamy, frothy java experience at a moment’s notice. Add biscotti, close your eyes, and you are relaxing in a quaint European cafe!

Discover culinary happiness and entertain your gourmet, and food loving friends with a feast prepared in your DiGuilio Kitchen. This showcase room offers a LaCornue unit with 60 inch hooded stove, double ovens, grill, griddle, and storage, along with pot rack, utensils and assorted kitchen accessories. And should you have a taste for a roasted dinner, simply prepare it in the impressive built-in LaCornue rotisserie.

Behind the hand painted wood doors of what appears more like a charming armoire, is an integrated side by side sub-zero freezer and refrigerator, each offering two additional drawers.

The oversized center island provides a convenient and attractive venue for food preparation or service of a buffet-style gathering. Topped with one enormous dazzling slab of marble, it features open shelving, storage and a built-in microwave.

No European kitchen is complete without a hearth! On cold winter evenings, delight in the cozy warmth and flickering light provided by a stunning 6 foot high in fireplace.

Custom built-ins on either side of the fireplace provide additional opportunities to showcase your favorite pieces, as well as excellent storage space.

A magnificent oversized marble- topped breakfast table with wrought iron base provides ample seating for a dozen people to partake in a less formal meal where they will delight in lovely views of the gardens, pool and patios.

For a real treat, take your celebration out back where you and your guests can enjoy incomparable privacy from any one of the property’s four antique brick patios. Relax under one of the two stunning pergolas – one offering pool-side lounge seating, the other a marble topped table with wrought iron base that’s perfect for a barbecue prepared on the nearby built-in grill.

A sloping and meticulously groomed topiary garden serves as an invitation to the beautifully designed pool area where sunlight dances off the water. The accompanying pool house features limestone floors, custom hammered sink, dishwasher, refrigerator, shower and changing area.

From the back of the property behold the breathtaking beauty of this estate. Enjoy the setting sun as it illuminates the residence and gardens, as well as a magnificent copula that so majestically crowns this stunning residence.

Other first floor amenities just off of the kitchen include a walk-in pantry, a second powder room and a back staircase with access to the second level. The mudroom offers limestone floors in black and white checkerboard, and lockers with oversized antique brassware. Custom built-ins, including a planning desk, provide great storage as well as a wonderful area to schedule activities and appointments of a busy family. From the mudroom, access the home’s 3-car heated garage with epoxy floors and added space for storage.

A charming guest suite off of the kitchen featuring wide-planked wood floors and full bath could be used as a maid’s quarters.

Second Floor

From the home’s front gallery, ascend a winding hardwood floor stair case with wrought iron banisters to a bright and cheerful upstairs gallery adorned with lanterns.

Retreat to the master wing where you will find your self in spacious and romantic bedroom with hand carved limestone fireplace, custom built-ins, crystal light fixtures and a walkout balcony overlooking the gardens.

The bedroom opens gracefully into a very large and handsomely appointed bath area offering 2 custom marble top vanities, a claw-footed tub and sinks with Perrine & Rowe plumbing fixtures, and an oversized shower with multiple sprays. Both the tub and shower sparkle with hand-glazed ceramic tiles. Mosaic marble floors, separate his and hers water closets and heated towel bars complete the grand picture.

Finding the right accessory for any outfit is easy when you display your finest handbag or shoe collection in the custom built glass display cabinets in your private dressing room. As you peer at the reflection you find in the floor to ceiling 3-way mirror, refresh yourself with a cup of coffee or glass of wine from the marble-topped morning bar, complete with refrigerator and dishwasher.

Visit the adjacent master closet and you are guaranteed to feel like you’ve just flown half-way round the world and are now in the midst of an upscale Parisian boutique.

Light streams into the room from dormers and windows on three sides of the room, and sparkles on the two center marble-topped islands with built in drawers and cabinets. Apparel and accessories can be easily organized, beautifully displayed, and readily accessed.

The upstairs laundry, accessible from the master closet as well as from the hallway, features a front-loading Miele washer and dryer, over sized ironing table and custom sink, and it is conveniently located in close proximity to the home’s 3 upstairs linen closets.

Three additional bedroom suites complete the second level. Waking up in the first of these suites, your guests might first think they drifted off in an old world hotel, With a charming European style bath with mosaic marble floors and a claw-footed tub, and access by French doors to a large outdoor terrace adorned with antique wrought iron banisters overlooking the gardens you are able to offer your guests the ultimate retreat.

The two identical children/teen suites are guaranteed to please kids of all ages who will delight in climbing the ladder to discover a large loft with queen size bed. What is left below is a full room for relaxation, entertainment, study and play. Each suite offers a private bath with shower.

Lower level

The home’s lower level gallery is reminiscent of a quaint European village sidewalk. Offering arched doorways to adjoining rooms and soft light from wall mounted fixtures, it flows beautifully and speaks gently to its visitors.

The lovely wine tasting room features a magnificent marble-topped bar as well as a marble-topped table and counter tops, built in storage, refrigerator and dishwasher. Showcasing your private collection is a temperature controlled walk in wine cellar.

The sidewalls of the soundproofed movie theatre are lined with crystal sconces, making it at once practical and elegant. Designed for comfortable seating, this professional theatre includes custom built-ins to house media equipment and accessories.

For the health conscious, there is a fully equipped exercise room, complete with Pilates reformers. Oversized window wells designed with stone and wrought iron allow in plenty of natural light.

After your workout, retire to the home’s elegant spa for a soothing massage, detoxifying wet or dry sauna, or pore-cleansing steam shower. A professional massage table awaits you and your personal masseuse.

Additional features of the lower level include a second laundry room, walk-in cedar closet, mechanical room and handsome powder room with custom vanity.

This fabulous estate is ultimate statement in both design and craftsmanship – truly a residence in a class by itself. Its volume, elegance, grace and authenticity are guaranteed to inspire and amaze even the most discriminate of buyers.

2 stories, 9,000 approximate square feet.

2.68 acre lot.