ESTABLISHED 2001
APRIL 2020
“Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.”
Ragdale’s gathering of authors and artists returns
Take a tour of designer Megan Winters’ stunning Lake Forest mansion
Lake Forest Showhouse & Garden’s Honorary Chair on what makes good design
-OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES SR.
Gorgeous, in-town Stanley Anderson with incredible curb appeal on a .60 acre, double lot! Beautifully expanded and updated by Jim LaDuke
$1,049,000
New
Beautifully updated home on .92 acres with over $400,000 in improvements! Move right in and enjoy this amazing home! Steps from town on a private drive.
3 BEDOOS | 3.1 BATHS | $880,000
New
Listing! New
626Beverly
This fabulous 3,400+ sq. ft house is the definition of "move-in ready." Built in 1990 and completely updated. 1st or 2nd floor master. High ceilings! 3 car garage.
4 BEDOOS | 3.1 BATHS | $949,000
Sleek, modern home w/open floor plan! Beautifully updated w/walnut hrdwd floors, a spa-like Master Suite, and a gourmet kitchen. Move right in!!
We have been so happy with our new townhome at Beacon Place in Lake Forest. The townhome was designed and constructed with thoughtful consideration to every detail. We so enjoy the livability of the floor plan and the high-end finishes throughout the home. The location has added to our quality of life as we are now able to walk to everything we need. Market Square, the train station, restaurants and much more are just a short walk from our front door. We feel so fortunate to be living in such a beautiful place.
WFC00DMPC300
As true community banks, we’re proud to provide solutions tailored to your family’s needs. That’s why, with a Premier Checking account, we offer free safe deposit boxes and many other added-value services to help you reach your financial goals. It’s just one way to show we’re committed to the area and here to serve you.
As true community banks, we’re proud to provide solutions tailored to your family’s needs. That’s why, with a Premier Checking account, we offer free safe deposit boxes and many other added-value services to help you reach your financial goals. It’s just one way to show we’re committed to the area and here to serve you.
1. Safe Deposit Boxes. Safe deposit boxes are non FDIC insured. Waived fee is on smallest box size offered at the branch location or equivalent discount to a larger size box. 2. ATM Fees. There is no Wintrust Financial Corporation (‘WTFC’) transaction charge at any ATM in the Allpoint, MoneyPass, or Sum surcharge free networks. Other banks outside the network may impose ATM surcharges at their machines. Surcharge fees assessed by owners of other ATMs outside the network will be reimbursed. Reimbursement does not include the 1.10% International Service fee charged for certain foreign transactions conducted outside the continental United States. 3. Premier Checking Fees. A maintenance fee of $25.00 will be imposed every statement cycle unless you maintain either an average daily balance of $10,000.00 or a combined average relationship balance of $75,000.00 for the monthly statement cycle. Fees may reduce earnings. 4. General Information. This Premier Checking account bonus offer is valid for new accounts opened April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. This Premier Checking account bonus offer is not available to existing or closed checking account customers of WTFC and its subsidiaries or its active employees. Limit 1 bonus payment per customer, regardless of the number of accounts opened. If you qualify for this Premier Checking account bonus offer, you are ineligible to receive this Premier Checking account bonus offer from any other WTFC location. If you qualify for any other WTFC savings offer it may be combined with this Premier Checking account bonus offer. Your new account must be open, in the same product, and have a balance greater than zero to receive the bonus payment. Balance is determined as of the end of each Business Day as the funds currently in your account including deposits and withdrawals made in the Business Day. The $300.00 bonus payment is subject to IRS 1099-INT reporting and may be considered income for tax purposes for the tax year in which the bonus was paid. 5. Bonus Qualifications. (i) Open a new Premier Checking account; (ii) tell us you are aware of this Premier Checking account bonus offer at account opening; (iii) have at least a monthly occurring direct deposit made to your new account for 2 consecutive calendar months after the calendar month your new account was opened (‘Qualification Period’). For example, if you open your new account in January, you would need to have “Direct Deposits” made to your new account in February totaling $500 or more and in March totaling $500 or more; and (iv) enroll in online banking and activate e-statements within the Qualification Period. A direct deposit is defined as any payment made by a government agency, employer, or other third-party
the network may impose ATM surcharges at their machines. Surcharge fees assessed by owners of other ATMs outside the network will be reimbursed. Reimbursement does not include the 1.10% International Service fee charged for certain foreign transactions conducted outside the continental United States. 3. Premier Checking Fees. A maintenance fee of $25.00 will be imposed every statement cycle unless you maintain either an average daily balance of $10,000.00 or a combined average relationship balance of $75,000.00 for the monthly statement cycle. Fees may reduce earnings. 4. General Information. This Premier Checking account bonus offer is valid for new accounts opened April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. This Premier Checking account bonus offer is not available to existing or closed checking account customers of WTFC and its subsidiaries or its active employees. Limit 1 bonus payment per customer, regardless of the number of accounts opened. If you qualify for this Premier Checking account bonus offer, you are ineligible to receive this Premier Checking account bonus offer from any other WTFC location. If you qualify for any other WTFC savings offer it may be combined with this Premier Checking account bonus offer. Your new account must be open, in the same product, and have a balance greater than zero to receive the bonus payment. Balance is determined as of the end of each Business Day as the funds currently in your account including deposits and withdrawals made in the Business Day. The $300.00 bonus payment is subject to IRS 1099-INT reporting and may be considered income for tax purposes for the tax year in which the bonus was paid. 5. Bonus Qualifications. (i) Open a new Premier Checking account; (ii) tell us you are aware of this Premier Checking account bonus offer at account opening; (iii) have at least a monthly occurring direct deposit made to your new account for 2 consecutive
I imagine its potential.
Chicagolands only leading interior designer with a 25,000 square foot showroom of high-end home furnishings.
All of our treatments are minimally invasive,” Dr. Woloson says. “Every procedure is performed in an office setting. I’m one of the most experienced and efficient physicians using these technologies in the country. We treat the patient’s symptoms and also provide a good visual result. There is no down time and the patients come back for their two-week appointment already feeling so much better.”
She was one of the first vascular surgeons to perform minimally invasive vein ablations and has one of the largest vein practices in the Midwest— having completed more than 10,000 laser ablations.
Yes, the majority of insurance companies cover vein disorder treatment. Our office accepts most PPOs, HMOs, and Medicare.
Our knowledgeable staff is committed to helping you maximize your insurance benefits. We will contact your insurance company to determine exactly what your benefits include. We will then fill out the necessary paperwork prior to the procedure, we will take care of all billing with your insurance company, so you can focus on feeling better.
We are proud to recognize the top-performing Coldwell Banker® independent sales associates in your community. Their exceptional knowledge, skills and commitment to truly remarkable service ensure you receive the best possible real estate experience, every time.
Lake Forest 225 E. Deerpath Road, Suite 50 | Lake Forest, IL 60045 | 847.234.8000 ColdwellBankerHomes.com
Opportunity Act. 20UUCK_CHI_3/20
Megan Winters has dazzled clients for more than a decade with her keen eye for elegant interiors, pops of color, and inspired spaces that redefine modern glam. Now, her own Lake Forest home is on the market. This completely renovated, stunningly appointed work of art is a stunner.
CLOSETS
Call (847) 327-0896 for a free in-home design consultation and estimate or visit us online at closetfactory.com
Call (847) 327-0896 for a free in-home design consultation and estimate or visit us online at closetfactory.com
Showroom: 1260 Landmeier Rd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Showroom: 1260 Landmeier Rd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
©2020 Closet Factory. All rights reserved.
©2020 Closet Factory. All rights reserved.
Celebrating community, philanthropy, and local business is the heart and soul of Forest & Bluff. We want you to know we are thinking of you as we collectively navigate the uncharted waters of this COVID-19 pandemic.
Many of the events featured in this issue have been postponed until it is deemed safe to once again gather socially. Please enjoy reading about these wonderful celebrations, fundraisers, and events our residents have thoughtfully planned, and be sure to check the individual websites, listed at the end of each article, for updates.
Human connectivity is our foundation at JWC Media. Join us in checking on neighbors, supporting local businesses in any way we can, and keeping our families safe and healthy. We’re all in this together.
On our cover is Paloma Contreras, honorary chair of the 2020 Lake Forest Showhouse and Gardens. The awardwinning interior decorator and blogger of La Dolce Vita speaks with our Ann Marie Scheidler to discuss her career and plans for this year’s event.
Next we take a tour of another acclaimed designer’s personal
home. Megan Winters’ stunning mansion, located on Crabtree Lane in Lake Forest, was built in 1962 by renowned architect Jerome Cerny and given a striking redesign before going on the market earlier this year. Use the photos to influence your next home project, or consider making an offer!
This issue also highlights the return of two popular charity events: first, the Spirit of 67 Foundation’s Home Tour. President Kimberly Carris and co-chairs Lisa FlorJancic, Meg Lynch, and Lauren Peters tell us what makes this annual tradition so special—and what surprises to expect for 2020.
And then there’s Ragdale’s Novel Affair. We visit Sue Shattock, who, with her husband, Matt, will return as hosts for one of the foundation’s annual private fundraising dinners.
For our monthly publisher’s profiles, we speak with agent Chris Puszynski of @properties to talk about the current real estate market. And we talk with Dr. Cheryl Perlis of the Perlis Wellness Center in Lake Bluff about the many wellness and beauty treatments available through her namesake practice.
I hope the issue encourages you to beautify your own surroundings.
Enjoy the pictures, and good reading.
J. W. Conatser Founder & PublisherMaybe you’ve seen it around town. There’s more behind it than meets the eye. Like hundreds of acres to explore. Service projects to help the environment right where we live. Events, classes and adventures to connect with friends and neighbors. All made possible by our members. They’re the ones behind the box. So join us. Memberships run through April 30, 2021.
Founder & Publisher
jwc@jwcmedia.com
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Jennifer Sturgeon
SENIOR EDITOR Debbie Lee
EDITOR AT LARGE Kemmie Ryan
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Elaine Doremus, Dustin O’Regan, Sherry Thomas
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Tricia Despres, Mitch Hurst, Ann Marie Scheidler
STYLE DIRECTOR Constantine James
4 bedrooms | 5 full baths | 4-car attached tandem garage
$949,000
This eastside custom stone and stucco home is just what you have been waiting for. Features hardwood floors, airy open floor plan, designer kitchen, sun room, 1st floor office or in-law suite, luxurious Master suite, spacious family bedrooms, and a 2nd floor laundry room. The inviting English basement is replete with a 2nd kitchen ,recreation room, and 5th bedroom. Private landscaped grounds of 2/3 acres, paver patio, and 4 car attached tandem garage further enhance this incredibly priced home. Close to South Park, town, Metra and the Lake Forest Beach. Welcome home!
For a private showing please call 847-372-6721.
5 Star Real Estate Awards/Chicago Magazine
Vera and Pat Purcell are consistently top producers in sales and volume in Lake Forest/ Lake Bluff. They provide their clients a unique value proposition of two dynamic sales professionals with corporate backgrounds offering exceptional service and sound advice. The extraordinarily positive feedback from their clients about the Purcells’ level of service continues to drive them to excel.
PAT PURCELL 847.975.1317
VERA PURCELL 847.372.6721
pat.purcell@cbexchange.com visit www . veraandpat . com
vera.purcell@cbexchange.com
©2020 Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.
STYLE EDITOR Jessica Moazami
PRODUCTION MANAGER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER Linda Lewis
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Amanda Alvarado
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Chris Geimer, Ameen Qutteineh
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ian McLeod, Larry Miller, Robin Subar
CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR Robert Risko
VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVERTISING Julie Yovits
ADVERTISING SALES
Gretchen Barnard
ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Mindy Kovco
HOW TO REACH
Forest & Bluff Magazine
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES info@jwcmedia.com . 847-926-0957
GENERAL INQUIRIES 847-926-0911
EDITORIAL EMAIL debbie@jwcmedia.com
EDITORIAL TELEPHONE 847-857-9947 ON THE WEB forestbluff.com
NORTH SHORE HQ 445 Sheridan Road, Suite 100, Highwood, Illinois 60040
Calling all interior design and architecture enthusiasts: The Spirit of 67 Foundation will host its 17th annual Home Tour fundraiser. Titled Opening Doors for Education, the day-long event gives attendees the chance to visit five swoonworthy houses in Lake Forest—the centerpiece being an exclusive, David Adler-designed property on Green Bay Road. “It’s phenomenal—really something special to see,” says foundation president Kimberly Carris. “All of these homes are the kind that you drive by and wish that you could peek inside.”
The Spirit of 67 Foundation is the only fundraiser for District 67, which includes all public elementary and middle schools in Lake Forest. Money raised through the home tour fund a variety of grants; previous projects made by possible by the foundation include a science lab, visiting author program, and a financial assistance program for students who cannot otherwise afford to participate in extracurricular activities.
Guests can enjoy light bites throughout the day, and the final stop, known as the “Spirit House,” will feature displays of grants in action. For an additional donation, a box lunch and special trolley will be available to chauffeur guests between properties—spots are limited and expected to sell out quickly.
“The homes are spectacular and the homeowners are deeply invested in our community,” says Lisa FlorJancic, a Home Tour co-chair who has three children in the school district. “What could be better than combining beauty and brain-power?”
Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, this event has been postponed until Fall 2020. For more information, visit spiritof67foundation.org.
As we go to press, many of the events listed may have changed or postponed. With that in mind, we urge you to check the organization’s website to find out whether an event is still taking place, or has been canceled or rescheduled, before attending.
APRIL 16
WHERE: Hilton Chicago
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. VIP reception; 11 a.m. general reception; 11:30 a.m. program.
The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center
welcomes Cindy McCain as keynote speaker at its annual spring luncheon. This inspiring event sold out last year, so be sure to get your tickets today. Tickets starting at $200. thewomansboard.org/annual-spring-luncheon
APRIL 19
THE MAGIC PARLOUR SHOW
WHERE: Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest
WHEN: 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Award-winning, Chicago-based magician Dennis Watkins takes the stage for his top-rated show, The Magic Parlour. Tickets are $38. gortoncert.org/event/magicparlour-show
APRIL 22-MAY 25 BRIGHTON
WHERE: Citadel Theatre, Lake Forest
WHEN: Matinee and evening performances on select dates. Citadel Theatre and Director Scott Phelps take on part one of Neil Simon’s autobiographical trilogy. The bittersweet memoir follows Simon as a young teen, living in lower middle-class Brooklyn in 1937, and his family life. Tickets start at $15. citadeltheatre.org/brighton-beach-memoirs
MAY 2
WHERE: Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest
WHEN: 5:30 p.m.
Kick off spring at an innovative and seasonal dinner prepared by a local top chef and paired with local spirits. After dinner, guests are invited to participate in a live auction with one-of-a-kind offerings, and dance into the night. The evening is hosted by the Women’s Board of Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital (NWLF) and chaired by Yvonne Bruce and Kristin Carruthers. Tickets are $300 and benefactor tables are available for $5,000. lfh.org/womens_board
WHERE: Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest
WHEN: 2 p.m.
The Lake Forest Preservation Foundation (LFPF) hosts its annual meeting and preservation awards followed by a special reception at a nearby historic home. lfpf.org
WHERE: Five local homes to be announced.
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Spirit of 67 Foundation’s home tour is back this year with five fantastic houses. New this year, guests will take a trolley to each of the five stunning homes, ending at the “Spirit” house with lunch. spiritof67foundation.org
WHERE: Hunter Family Education Hall, Lake Forest-Lake Bluff History Center
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mark Krisco of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago examines women’s fashion as part of the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff History Center’s “Twenty in the 20s” programming. Lunch will be served by Froggy’s, as Krisco engages guests in a multigenerational conversation of social changes in the 1920s, and their impact on fashion. Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non-members. lflbhistory.org
WHERE: Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
WHEN: 6 p.m. reception; 8 p.m. dinner
TICKETS: $700
The Alliance Française de Chicago Woman’s Board hosts an elegant event where guests will be transported to a field of lavender and flowing rosé. The decadent event raises funds for immersion study, scholarships, and education and cultural programs in the Chicago area. pjhchicago.com/event/afc
WHERE: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, Lake Forest WHEN: 6:30 to 10 p.m. The Associate Board of Lake Forest Open Lands kicks off the summer with an evening of cocktails under the stars. lfola. org/cattails-cocktails
Storied
CONTEMPORARY HOMES. ICONIC ARCHITECTURE.
SALES GALLERY, BY APPOINTMENT
401 North Michigan Avenue, 28th Floor
All floor plans shown are for illustrative purposes only. Floor plans may not depict final design of units as constructed and may not be drawn to scale. All sketches, renderings, architectural models, materials, plans, specifications, terms, prices, conditions and statements, including estimated timeframes and dates, contained herein are proposed only and are not intended to constitute representations. Developer reserves the right to make modifications in its sole discretion and without prior notice. All photographs and renderings are merely intended as illustrations of the activities and concepts depicted therein as interpreted by the artists. Developer makes no representations regarding any view and/or exposure to light at any time including any existing or future construction by either owner or a third party. Square footage and ceiling heights are approximate and may be based on various measurement methodologies, subject to construction variances and tolerances, as well as redesign, and vary from unit to unit (and may vary from floor to floor). This brochure shall not constitute a valid offer in any jurisdiction where prior registration is required and not yet fulfilled. Where used, developer shall mean Tribune Tower West (Chicago) Owner, LLC and its affiliated entities and their respective managers, members, directors, shareholders, partners, agents, affiliates and employees. Developer License #2556130.
Local artists may recognize the name Guenola Lefeuvre—in the mid-aughts, this former Lake Bluff resident served as director and curator of the Deer Path Art League and Gallery. Today she operates as Textured Porcelain in Maine. Her work, as the name suggests, gives beholders a unique tactile experience. Wheel-thrown porcelain pieces are hand-cut in intricate patterns before being glazed in gorgeous colors. “I am inspired every day by the coastline and ocean,” says Lefeuvre. “I strive to invoke feelings through touch and sight as one may feel walking through nature.” We are partial to her mugs and cups—they’re worthy investment pieces for the kitchen cupboard and table. For more information, visit texturedporcelain.com.
Athena Calderone is as adept at creating books as she is blogs— the EyeSwoon blogger’s 2017 print debut, Cook Beautiful, was met with praise by critics, esteemed food writers, and famous chefs. Now, her follow-up, Live Beautiful, brings her sophisticated aesthetic to the world of interiors. Calderone peeks into the minds of interior decorators, fashion designers, and other influencers to break down how stunning rooms are put together. Each “look”—beautifully photographed by Nicole Franzen—is accompanied by tips for achieving a similar vibe in your own space. It’s a must have for any fan of home decorating. Available at Barnes and Noble, Deerfield Square.
Fresh florals are always a beautiful way to brighten up a room, but for those with sensitive noses, Megan Stockton endorses a creative alternative: permanent botanicals. Visit her Lake Forest shop, Gifted, for this high-end peony arrangement in a classic blue toile vase by Winward Home. Composed of hundreds of petals that are shaped and painted by hand, the carefully crafted blooms will make you do a double take. “Sadly, real peonies are short-lived,” says Stockton. “These beauties look so good in person, our friends will lean in for a sniff.” Available at Gifted, 225 East Deerpath Road, Suite 138 in Lake Forest, shopwithgifted.com.
Add interest to a simple office look with an oversized men’s watch. When layered with additional jewelry, it will double as a bracelet. Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 available at Razny Jewelers, Highland Park, 847-432-5300
This wardrobe staple goes with everything and adds a level of polish to your look. For a fresh take, select one with interesting details like this black collar. Two-tone belted trench available at Ann Taylor, 600 Michigan Avenue, 312-587-8301
A bold piece of jewelry can be the perfect accompaniment to a simple white shirt for added style. Leather and chain cuff available at Chanel, Northbrook Court 847-564-0300
Worn with a suit for a modern feel, a sneaker can also give your outfit an extra dose of cool. Tory Sport perforated leather sneaker available at Neiman Marcus, Northbrook Court, 847-564-0300
A feminine take on the briefcase, a top handle bag means business, whether it’s in a neutral shade or a bold print for more of a statement. Leather top-handle bag available at Tod’s, 121 East Oak Street, 312-943-0070
For the warmer months ahead, choose a suit in lightweight fabrics and colors. Single-breasted suit available at Tod’s, 121 East Oak Street, 312-943-0070
Chicago’s first private facility to offer clinically proven intravenous ketamine therapies for the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, pain and other ailments.
• Potential to eliminate your medications and their unwanted side effects
Chicago’s first private facility to offer clinically proven intravenous ketamine therapies for the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, pain and other ailments.
Chicago’s first private facility to offer clinically proven intravenous ketamine therapies for the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, pain and other ailments.
• Potential to eliminate your medications and their unwanted side effects!
• Potential to eliminate your medications and their unwanted side effects!
• Minimal downtime and no lingering side effects
• State-of-the-art medical facilities in River North and Lincolnshire
• Minimal downtime and no lingering side effects
• Minimal downtime and no lingering side effects
• Customized therapy in a private, luxurious setting
• State-of-the-art medical facility in River North
• State-of-the-art medical facility in River North
• Customized therapy in a private, luxurious setting
• Onsite anesthesiologist, registered nurses, and skilled staff
• Customized therapy in a private, luxurious setting
• Onsite anesthesiologist, registered nurses, and skilled staff
Hailed as “The most significant advancement in mental health in half a century”, ketamine is up to 80% effective in relieving treatment resistant depression (TRD). It is also effective in treating chronic pain (CRPS and fibromyalgia), migraines, OCD, PTSD, neuropathy, and more. Additionally, Chicago Ketamine Centers is now offering SGB (Stellate Ganglion Block), the breakthrough instant treatment for PTSD. As featured on “60 Minutes,” this treatment is transforming lives.
• Onsite anesthesiologist, registered nurses, and skilled staff
Hailed as “The most significant advancement in mental health in half a century”, ketamine is up to 80% effective in relieving treatment resistant depression (TRD). It is also effective in treating chronic pain (CRPS and fibromyalgia), migraines, OCD, PTSD, neuropathy, and more. Chicago Ketamine Centers is now providing this proven therapy utilizing proven protocols.
Hailed as “The most significant advancement in mental health in half a century”, ketamine is up to 80% effective in relieving treatment resistant depression (TRD). It is also effective in treating chronic pain (CRPS and fibromyalgia), migraines, OCD, PTSD, neuropathy, and more. Chicago Ketamine Centers is now providing this proven therapy utilizing proven protocols. 844-9-IVMEDS
This is the one you’ve been waiting for! Rarely available East Lake Forest like-new construction. Built in 2017 by Crossroads/Blue Sky. 5 bd + 5.1 bths. Move right in and enjoy this special home and unique offering! $2,695,000 Sally Wood 847.997.0730
Elegant 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath brick ranch with 3-car garage that has been totally and beautifully renovated! Custom millwork and elevated ceilings. All bedrooms are en suite. Generous .92-acre wooded property in the heart of East Lake Forest. Professionally landscaped yard offers wonderful views of nature! $1,795,000 Mona Hellinga 847.814.1855
Timeless home on over an acre recently upgraded throughout. Terrifi c open fl oor plan; main fl oor master; chef’s kitchen; library; 4 BR; 5.3 BA; 4-car gar. $1,495,000 Elizabeth Jakaitis 847.840.7842
This magnifi cent 5 bedroom, 5.5 bath estate is beautifully situated on a 1.39-acre setting. Grand ceilings, outstanding millwork, tall bright windows, light hardwood fl oors, and open-concept gourmet kitchen are among amenities. Fully-finished lower level with guest suite. $1,290,000 Kim Shortsle & Carleigh Goldsberry 847.987.5702
This distinctive residence is nestle on a serene, picturesque wooded setting with views of Lake Michigan. True to it’s design, this home features, large windows, bright open spaces with simplicity, and integration with nature. 5 spacious bedrooms/4.1 baths, and 3 fireplaces. 4000 square feet. $799,000 Patricia Carollo 847.951.8817
Striking 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath Colonial with new roof and new power generator sits high on a beautiful .5-acre in one of Lake Forest’s premier neighborhoods, near train station, Starbucks, shops, and schools. An inviting covered front porch opens into an exceptionally-spacious foyer. $715,000 Jill Okun 847.902.2296
Gorgeous Historical Home with Open Floor Plan! Tall ceilings, gourmet kitchen, marble fireplaces, master suite with his and her baths. Walk to both Town and Lake! $1,598,000 Corky Peterson 847.209.9999
You’ll be entertaining all year! Brunch at the kitchen island, pool parties in the sun, gourmet meals followed by drinks with an evening fire. 6 BR + a bunk room! 1st fl oor master, 2nd fl oor laundry. $1,529,000 Shannon Johnson 630.229.5827
Nestled in beautiful East Terrace, this light-filled, 6 bedroom, 5.5 bath, brick and cedar home was thoughtfully constructed with interesting architectural detailing inside and out. 9-foot ceilings, tall windows, fine millwork, newly-selected designer lighting and dark hardwood fl ooring. $899,000 Kim Shortsle & Carleigh Goldsberry 847.987.5702
Fresh and updated! Welcoming 2 story foyer, 5 bed, 3.1 bath home – all baths updated. Newer kitchen with island seating and cozy fireplace. Huge living room with vaulted/beamed ceiling. Bright finished basement. Set on one acre cul-de-sac adjacent to Forest Preserve. $869,000 Kiki Clark & Polly Richardson 847.804.0969
Best value in Armour Woods! Freshly painted, new carpet, hardwood, and beautiful private views! This 3 bedroom, 3 bath townhome stands out with the updated kitchen and master bath. Plenty of windows and soaring ceilings to let in tremendous natural light and scenic views. $550,000
Patricia Carollo 847.951.8817
Ideal 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath family home in East Lake Forest on pretty tree-lined cul-de-sac. Near town and schools! Beautiful hardwood fl oors throughout. Eat-in kitchen remodeled in 2010 opens to family room with wood-burning fireplace and sliders to new Brussels Block paver patio. $4,200 Kimberly Kropke 847.293.9798
Ragdale’s 14th Annual Novel Affair brings together acclaimed authors and artists for a weekend of creativity, conversation, and outreach.
WORDS BY ANN MARIE SCHEIDLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAREleven years ago, Sue Shattock and her family had just moved to Lake Forest from England. One day, she found herself flipping through a recent issue of Forest & Bluff and came across a story about Ragdale’s signature fundraising event Novel Affair.
“That year, Ragdale hosted Elizabeth Stroud as one of its guest authors,” Shattock remembers. “I had literally just finished her newest Pulitzer-winning novel Olive Kitteridge and here Elizabeth Stroud was coming to speak at Ragdale. I couldn’t believe that there was an organization in Lake Forest that drew writers like her.”
Ragdale is a nonprofit artist residency program, located in the Arts and Crafts architect Howard Van Doren Shaw’s Lake Forest country estate. It is one of the oldest and largest artists’ communities in the country. Built in 1897, the Ragdale House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1976, Shaw’s granddaughter Alice Judson Hayes transformed the family’s summer house into an artists-in-residence program. Today, Ragdale hosts more than 200 creative practitioners from around the world and serves students and teachers from more than 60 regional schools.
It wasn’t long before Shattock found herself at a number of Ragdale events, including Novel Affair. Novel Affair brings a curated group of authors together over the course of a weekend to raise money in support of Ragdale.
After Shattock attended Novel Affair’s cocktail parties and intimate dinners for more than a decade, Jeanna Park—Ragdale’s Board of Trustees president and fellow book club member—suggested that Shattock and her husband host a Novel Affair dinner at their home last year.
“We were paired with authors Laura Lippman and Jamel Brinkley,” Shattock says. “Before dinner, we placed two chairs in front of the fire and they each spoke about their craft and what they were
working on. The conversation flowed freely. It was just so extraordinary. And then to have them each at our dinner table and hear what they had to say about their writing—and the world in general—was just fascinating. After hosting once, we had to do it again.”
This year, Shattock is among five North Shore families hosting a dinner for this year’s lineup of authors and artists This year’s Novel Affair class includes:
• Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Friday Black
• Claire Lombardo, The Most Fun We Ever Had
• Mira Jacob, Good Talk, The Sleepwalker’s Guide to Dancing
• Bill Goldstein, The World Broke in Two: Virginia Woolf, T.S. Eliot, D. H. Lawrence, E. M. Forster, and the Year that Changed Literature
• Peter Orne, Maggie Brown & Others, Last Car Over the Sagamore Bridge
• Pamela Houston, Cowboys Are My Weakness
• Angie Kim, Miracle Creek
• Jean Hanff Korelitz, You Should have Known, The Devil and Webster
• Hector Tobar, The Barbarian Nurseries, Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine
“Writer Rebecca Makkai has worked for the past three years with authors Jean Kwok and Charles Finch to engage our participating authors,” explains Park. “Their professional relationships, and Ragdale’s reputation among writers, allow us to secure such prestigious participants for Novel Affair. These authors not only donate their time to attend the cocktail party and an intimate dinner, but they also participate in classroom presentations for Novel Affair School Day.”
Novel Affair School Day is where each of the guest authors visits an area school as part of Ragdale’s outreach to the community. They visit schools from Chicago to Zion to help foster healthy self-expression and creative career opportunities. Novel Affair Day is supported by more than 30 sponsor families and their contribu-
tions allow all programs to be free for schools and for local teachers to attend Novel Affair’s Saturday cocktail reception and book signing at Shoreacres with all of the featured authors.
“The comedian Stephen Wright was once asked if he was ship wrecked and could only have one book, what would it be?” says Rosemary O’Connell, chair of Novel Affair for the fourth year in a row. “His response was a book on how to build a boat! I was raised in a family of voracious readers; however, Ragdale was the book that showed me how to build the boat that opened my mind to the inner world of the artists. It is one thing to read a book; it is another to truly get to know the author and the meaning behind the words. My mission is to bring our surrounding community into that inner circle that I have been so fortunate to be in over the past several years.”
Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, this event has been postponed until October 2020. To learn more about Ragdale, visit ragdale.org.
Steeped in history, yet totally modernized. Colonial Revival designed by Charles Sumner Frost. 2.59 acres with pool and English gardens!
7 Bds | 7.3 Bths | 5 Car | $4,650,000
Fabulous all brick Georgian on 2 acres. Indoor and outdoor pools. Elevator to all levels. Resort style living year-round!
5 Bds | 6.3 Bths | 4 Car | $4,199,000
Absolutely gorgeous 10-acre parcel of vacant land. Build your dream estate or develop into multiple single family residences. Utilities to site.
10 Acres | $3,450,000
Completely renovated brick ranch on .92 acres in the heart of east Lake Forest. Walk to town and train. A true treasure!
3 Bds | 3.1 Bths | 3 Car | $1,795,000
Stately 1925 ledge stone Colonial. Updated kitchen and master suite. Slate roof, copper gutters, stone paver driveway and patio.
5 Bds | 4.1 Bths | 3 Car | $1,199,000
Wonderful 3.3 acre “mini” estate on historic Ridge Road. Elegant designer finishes with updates throughout. Move-in ready!
4 Bds | 2.2 Bths |3 Car | $1,175,000
Custom contemporary on 1.42 acres in prime pond setting with pool! Dramatic design with fabulous light and open floor plan.
5+1 Bds | 7.3 Bths | 4 Car |
Stately and beautiful Tangley Oaks home. Elevated lot with a backdrop of mature trees. Deluxe home theater. Impeccably maintained!
Sprawling country home on 1.23 acres. Remodeled and expanded through the years. Fenced yard. Close to Metra and town!
1550 W Everett Road LAKE FOREST
340 King Muir Road LAKE FOREST
600 E Westminster Rd LAKE FOREST
130 Rue Foret LAKE FOREST
255 S Ridge Road LAKE FOREST
1270 Kathryn Lane LAKE FOREST
270 E Westleigh Road LAKE FOREST
Friends and neighbors enjoyed a night out at Ferrari Lake Forest in January, with local officials and community volunteers from Lake Forest Boards and Commissions in attendance. The evening, which serves as the largest fundraiser for the Lake Forest Caucus, was sponsored by Ferrari Lake Forest, Sovereign Brands, Kings and Convicts, and Sunset Foods. lakeforestcaucus.com
Beauty and detail result from thoughtfulness and planning. Our Toms Price Home designers can transform your backyard space into a relaxing retreat. Schedule a consultation in-store or in your home today. Find your designer at tomsprice.com
The Lake Forest Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago hosted its ladies’ night party to kick off the transformation of this year’s chosen estate, as part of the 2020 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens. Guests enjoyed an opportunity to see the 23-room, 10,500-square-foot colonial-style home in its “bare bones” state before more than 30 interior and landscape design firms work to transform the space with their own, unique style. The evening co-chairs were Di Grumhaus and Kathi Hudson, who were joined by the 2020 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens chairs Jennifer Mower, Sarah Georgi, Chrissy Davis, and Jen Horan. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Angel Harvey Infant Welfare Society of Chicago Community Health Center. For more information, visit lakeforestshowhouse.com.
A sellout crowd celebrated the 20th anniversary of Boys & Girls Club of Lake County at the organization’s annual benefit in February. Held at the Deer Path Inn, guests sipped on fine wine, enjoyed an exquisite dinner, and participated in lively auctions, before dancing into the night. More than $330,000 was raised during the evening, benefitting local youth in need. bgclc.com
confused and concerned about what they are hearing” says Esposito, who heads up The Lake Forest Group at Morgan Stanley.
Esposito’s insight and reputation are based on a long personal history in the field, with a 37-year track record of tailoring every portfolio to the specific needs of each client while maneuvering in every kind of market and structuring the wealth management portfolios of individuals, families, and foundations.
“Your portfolio is not the same as everyone else’s, and too many people are relying on software programs to navigate volatile market environments and fluctuations,” he explains. Despite the fact that much of the financial industry has moved to software, algorithms, and cookie cutter one-size-fits-all philosophies of investing and managing portfolios, Esposito is a wealth manager who rolls up his sleeves and is involved in the money managing process, proactively managing his clients’ portfolios rather than farming them out.
“Everyone’s financial situation is a very unique and personal matter, not only in terms of the finances themselves, but their expectations for themselves, their families, their quality of life, and their financial goals,” he adds.
At the same time, Esposito takes full advantage of Morgan Stanley’s state-of-the-art resources and cutting edge technology to combine his 37 years of experience and personal attention with the latest advances in the financial services industry and the infrastructure of one of the largest wealth management firms in the world.
Steven Esposito likens his work to that of an airline pilot. “Market turbulence is somewhat like airplane turbulence,” says Esposito, Executive Director, Senior Portfolio Management Director, and Wealth Advisor for Morgan Stanley.
“Nobody likes turbulence, and market volatility is dominating,” he says.
And, just like a calm and experienced pilot, Esposito makes it a priority to proactively communicate regularly with his highnet-worth clients to keep them apprised of what is happening and to reassure them that their financial portfolios are in calm, experienced, and capable hands. That’s why he’s the first to call clients when news outlets are reporting on market turbulence. “I’m on the phone before they call me,” he adds.
“There is a lot of information and misinformation coming at people from the media and online sources, and people can get
“At the same time, it is a boutique feeling here,” Esposito says of The Lake Forest Group. Four years ago, he moved his offices to downtown Lake Forest to be closer to his clients, his family, and the local charities with which he’s been involved for years. He’s invested—with his firm, his community, and his clients with whom he has developed lasting and trusting relationships.
“My team at the Lake Forest Group at Morgan Stanley combines decades of experience with the foremost resources and technology of Morgan Stanley seeking to deliver the quality of life you envision for you and your family,” he adds.
Beyond Lake Forest and the North Shore, Esposito’s financial knowledge is frequently sought by the media news outlets. He’s been interviewed on WGN TV and radio, ABC-7, Fox News, CBS News, NBC News, WIND radio, the Noon Business Hour on WBBM, and he’s been quoted in print publications like Crain’s, the Chicago Sun-Times, and the Chicago Tribune
“I have seen it all—bull and bear markets, booms and busts,” Esposito says. “Being a wealth manager is a solemn responsibility. It is my goal to protect and grow your portfolio. It’s not just a job.”
The Lake Forest Group at Morgan Stanley is located at 207 E. Westminster Avenue, Suite 300 in Lake Forest, Illinois, 60045 847604-7321, steven.esposito@morganstanley.com.
Steven Esposito is a Wealth Advisor with the Wealth Management division of Morgan Stanley in Lake Forest, Illinois, 60045. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC [www.sipc.org]. Morgan Stanley Wealth Advisor engaged Forest & Bluff to feature this profile. Steven may only transact business in states where he is registered or excluded or exempted from registration [http://fa.morganstanley.com/steven.esposito]. Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Steven is not registered or excluded or exempt from registration. CRC 2968342 03/20
Steven Esposito of Morgan Stanley brings nearly four decades of experience to steer a steady course for his wealth management clients.Steven Esposito
Megan Winters has dazzled clients for more than a decade with her keen eye for elegant interiors, pops of color, and inspired spaces that redefine modern glam. Now, her own Lake Forest home is on the market. This completely renovated and stunningly appointed work of art is a stunner.
WORDS BY SHERRY THOMAS
Those who know the work of Lake Forest designer Megan Winters know there are always going to be decadent little surprises, whether it’s a can’t-livewithout vintage artifact or a bold fabric choice that makes a room. She’s never afraid of color or bucking the trends, cultivating acclaim from around the world on the pages of international design magazines.
So just imagine (as those of us who obsess over interiors do) what her own home must look like. When we heard that Winters’ stunning East Lake Forest masterpiece was now on the market, we couldn’t wait to get a glimpse into the world she carefully curated on our shore.
Located at 545 Crabtree Lane, east of Sheridan Road and a few blocks from Lake Michigan, the 1962 home was originally designed by renowned architect Jerome Cerny.
“The perfect buyer would be someone who has great style, taste, and a chic, sophisticated eye—someone who values privacy and classical architecture melded with the way we live today,” says Winters, who will be moving with her husband to Naples, Florida, where she has recently expanded her design business. “Everything in this home is completely new, melding the best of classical Adler-esque architecture with a more modern, completely comfortable living feel.”
Priced at $3,799,000, the 5-bedroom, 5.1-bathroom property includes more than 6,000 square feet of living space, a 4-car garage, and a coveted location on 1.85 acres of private land in east Lake Forest.
“The light in the house is exceptional, the spaces are very happy, the ceilings are high, and the living concept is open yet not “too” cavernous. Making the spaces feel connected and warm happens
with good flow and architectural details. “That was a fun challenge, as were the interiors,” explains Winters, who will continue to keep a strong presence for faithful clients here at her atelier in Lake Forest. “I like lots of contrast and a more modern, sculptural feel to my spaces. Yet, classicism must rein. Nothing here is trendy. Everything is current, with a nod to traditionalism and youthful energy.” Some of Winters’ signature design touches in the home include
cashmere wallpaper, striking light fixtures, fireplaces that take center stage, and those world-famous pops of color. The kitchen is a feast for the senses with black Viking appliances, an expansive island, leather pull details, and large pantry spaces—all opening to a dynamic family room. Bedrooms are also impeccably detailed with a flair for artistic integrity. And her painstaking renovations have created an entirely new living experience, one that blends the charm of the original exterior architecture with a fully redesigned interior floor plan.
“Doing that, for me, is fun. It’s my joy,” she says. “Once the bones were fixed and updated to a no maintenance level, the rest is what I do for my clients—which is to create timeless, classical, energetic, happy spaces that match the owners.”
Winters, who founded her eponymous Megan Winters Design in
2011, came to the design world through another business she created shortly after earning her MBA from University of Chicago. Her high-end printing firm flourished through collaboration with some of the world’s top fashion and lifestyle brands. As it grew, so did the need for sophisticated office spaces that inspire—an assignment that sparked Winters’ innate design talents and launched the empire she will continue building with her new shop and studio in Naples.
Eager to make yet more design changes of her own in her new Florida home, Winters says almost all the interior furnishings and décor will be for sale.
While she is excited for the new dream home she is creating in Florida, Winters says she will miss the tranquil beauty of the property, meticulously landscaped with inside spaces that flow to an outside terrace and patios for entertaining.
“This house was taken down to the studs and made completely maintenance free and current, yet true to appropriate aesthetic. It’s a piece of history, without any of the challenges associated with living in an older home,” says Winters. “My favorite part is how all the hallways connect to open, wonderfully sized—yet still slightly private—spaces and how the artwork in each space plays such a key role in setting the vibe throughout.”
Each room has a distinct personality but together the spaces flow and truly “tell the story of who we are,” she adds.
Even the laundry room is happy.
“I have large format photos of my horses everywhere. Who said doing laundry had to be not fun?” she teases. “It’s also fun to have the three additional bedrooms, a large media room, and my personal creative design studio up the staircase over what used to be stables. The house really is an amazingly unique and special place.”
For more information about Megan Winters Design, visit meganwinters.com. For more information about the property at 545 Crabtree Lane, contact the Dawn McKenna Group at 630-789-8280.
Gorton Community Center offers a wide range of week-long summer camps for toddlers to teens. You can customize your child's summer camp experience for a summer of fun! We focus on offering exceptional arts and culture to the community, and our summer camps embody that vision. Camps run from June to August and encompass a wide range of experiences - all taught by local, experienced professionals in our historic building in Lake Forest.
For the first time this year we will be offering a lunch program, so you can count on Gorton for an all day camp experience!
Summer camps at Gorton offer a chance for your child to:
• Learn something new
• Make new friends
• Build independence
• Explore talents
• Express their creativity
Beautiful 3,637 SF home with circular driveway on manicured 1.57 acre lot.
4 Bedrooms | 3.1 Baths | $899,000
Contemporary 3 level 5,638 SF home with stunning new kitchen on over an acre.
4 Bedrooms | 3.1 Baths | $829,000
3,725 SF with charming Cotswold roof on large double lot in east Lake Bluff.
5 Bedrooms | 4.1 Baths | $799,000
Beautiful 3,214 SF Cape Cod with 1st floor master and huge country kitchen.
4 Bedrooms | 4.1 Baths | $719,000
Picturesque 2,528 SF white Colonial centrally located to town and Open Lands.
3 Bedrooms | 2.1 Baths | $699,900
Immaculate 2,985 SF Colonial on large corner lot in walking distance to Everett Elementary and Metra.
4 Bedrooms | 2.1 Baths | $675,000
Pristine 3,620 home with contemporary flair! New cedar roof and white kitchen.
5 Bedrooms | 3.1 Baths | $714,000
Custom built 3,726 SF home on quiet cul-de-sac in beautiful Tangley Oaks.
4 Bedrooms | 3.2 Baths | $684,900
1,377 SF home in exceptional east Lake Forest location! Updated kitchen and baths.
4 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | $425,000
1800
Sophisticated condo in desirable Amberley Woods. Grand covered terrace with private wooded views.
2 Bedrooms + Den | 2.1 Baths | $415,000
OVER $300 MILLION IN CAREER
14185
Beautiful wooded 1.5 acre lot in Mettawa Woods Subdivision. Very private! 1.5 Acres | $399,000
LISA TRACE
708.710.4104
SAMANTHA TRACE 847.571.0537
280 E. Deerpath Road Lake Forest, IL 60045
Amberley Court #206 | Lake Forest
Mettawa Woods Drive | Mettawa
1327 Edgewood Road | Lake Forest
1351 Fairway Drive | Lake Forest
195 Margate Court | Lake Bluff
440 Waukegan Road | Lake Forest
1321 Wild Rose Lane | Lake Forest
30 Inverness Court | Lake Bluff
151 North Suffolk Lane | Lake Forest
122 East Prospect Ave | Lake Bluff
1309 Conway Road | Lake Forest
Five-Star Professional Award Recipient 2009-2019
WORDS BY ANN MARIE SCHEIDLER PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY NICKOLAS SARGENT
Award-winning interior designer, lifestyle blogger, and author Paloma Contreras is proof that we have the power to choose our own paths—no matter where they begin.
When Contreras graduated from college with a degree in Spanish and Italian studies, she took a job teaching high school Spanish.
“I taught for four years and it wasn’t a good fit,” Contreras shares. “I remember crying to my husband about how miserable I was because I felt creatively stifled.”
To channel her creative energies, Contreras—who is based in Houston, Texas—used a summer vacation from school in 2007 to begin writing a blog about decorating projects she was tackling around her first home.
“There were so few people blogging at the time, and even fewer doing so in the design space,” Contreras remembers. “I couldn’t find any that spoke to my style or about things that caught my eye.”
It wasn’t long before Contreras’ design blog, “La Dolce Vita,” started gaining momentum and securing a loyal fanbase, including
the nearly 150,000 Instagram followers she has today. “People were messaging me for advice about their decorating projects and from there my interior design business organically evolved,” she says.
Contreras’ design sensibility is a modern take on traditional style—gravitating toward classic silhouettes and timeless pieces paired with a touch of glamour and an infusion of color. She’s been named to Elle Decor’s prestigious “A-List” of the top designers in the world. She has also been recognized as a “Next Wave” interior designer by House Beautiful, is a member of LUXE magazine’s “Gold List,” and was named No. 4 on Forbes’ list of the “Top 10 Social Media Influencers” in the home category.
Contreras believes that the most beautiful interiors are also the most personal and her first book, Dream Design Live, published in 2018, is a tome to this. And she recently launched Paloma & Co, a highly curated retail concept for the home.
“I feel like I landed exactly where I was meant to be,” she says. “I trusted my journey and I feel so blessed with this life and this work.”
Contreras was a natural choice for the planning committee behind the 2020 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens benefitting the
Infant Welfare Society (IWS) of Chicago. Founded in 1911 with a mission to provide fresh milk in response to high infant mortality rates, IWS now provides an array of services to men, women, and children of Chicago’s working poor through its Logan Square clinic. The Showhouse & Gardens is a biennial event and is widely considered one of the top showhouses in the country.
“I’ve long been very aware of how special Lake Forest is,” Contreras says. “Lake Forest is a city with a true reverence for its architectural past. It also happens to be where one of my favorite architects, David Adler and his interior decorator sister, Frances Elkins, completed a lot of their iconic design work.”
Contreras is one of more than 30 interior and landscape designers who has taken on a space in the historic Lake Forest estate that will be open to the public from April 25 through May 17. Designed in 1906 by Frost and Granger, the home sits on 3 acres and includes a large house and a smaller adjoining house.
In 1928, the William A. P. Pullmans purchased the property and engaged architect Stanley Anderson to make extensive changes. The 23-room, 11,000-square-foot house has a timeless elegance including a large living room, sun room and parlor, and a fireplace-warmed family room. The master suite has two dressing rooms, a bath, a sitting room, and the bedroom, which has a fireplace and a balcony overlooking magnificent gardens. Contreras chose the home’s dining room as her showroom. At press time, a pink lacquered ceiling was underway in this special space.
“I love this house because in spite of its large size, it’s not overly grand. It’s elegant, but not formal,” she says. “My goal is to honor the original architecture and spirit of the house. It has such great
bones and the original millwork is gorgeous. I truly believe that a home tells you what it wants and needs, so my design features a mix of classic design elements including a beautiful wallpaper by Iksel and custom tole lighting fixtures by Coleen and Company. I’m pairing these with fresh, modern elements such as abstract art by Jane Timberlake Cooper and some striking fabrics by Schumacher.”
It’s this mindful tension between design elements that is Contreras’ signature in any room she touches.
“I think people appreciate my modern take on traditional pieces,” she explains. “Just about everything I do is rooted in the classics. I wanted to pay homage to Mrs. Elkins [David Adler’s sister], so I’m incorporating a pair of her loop chairs into the dining room. Even though the dining room will feel fresh and current, these loop chairs have a place there, too.”
Perhaps Contreras’ favorite part of the dining room is its wonderful views of the beautiful gardens. “My hope is to bring the outdoors in and have the room feel like a garden,” she says. “That’s why I’m calling this room ‘Eternal Eden.’’’
“Based on the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19, the Lake Forest Chapter of the Infant Welfare Socierty of Chicago has made the decision to postpone the opening of the Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens 2020. We will continue to monitor everything closely and follow the guidelines and recommendations of the CDC and State of Illinois before we establish a new opening date. The health and safety of those working on the home and that of our guests is our primary concern. We will continue to communicate and share updates on our website www.lakeforestshowhouse.com.”
Home buyers and sellers can work with solo agents or brokers in a one-on-one partnership, but sometimes two heads might be better than one. Chris Puszynski, a broker with @properties in Lake Forest, recently had the opportunity to work with new @properties agent Julie Frentzas to sell a luxury listing.
“Julie and I are exploring the idea of partnering together, talking about how we can use each other’s best talents,” Puszynski says. “I’ve been in the business for a long time and Julie brings a fresh perspective with a background in the health care field as a nurse and in pharmaceutical sales.”
“This is a new career for me,” adds Frentzas, “however, there are similarities. In both healthcare and real estate, the patient and client are the No. 1 priority. Also, diligence, resourcefulness and integrity help to bring the best possible outcomes. Utilizing Chris as a credible, reliable resource enables me to increase the value I bring to clients. It’s a real win for the client, as they gain two perspectives.”
The two share a belief that trust and integrity are paramount in the real estate business.
“We have a sense of trust between us, there’s integrity, all of the characteristics that are important in our business,” says Puszynski. “Julie is one who wants to do everything in her power to make sure everything is as good as it can be. She does her research to make sure clients get the best result.”
Puszynski points out that the real estate field can be collaborative, but that today many agents are on “their own little island.”
“There are lots of teams today and I’ve seen some that have worked and some that have not,” she says. “Julie and I have to work out the business model that’s best for us.”
“We have collaborated on a few things and work really well together,” Frentzas says. “The client wins when they’re getting two professionals and two perspectives, instead of one. This is how I worked in health care, by utilizing all of the resources you
can bring together.”
Puszynski’s experience, combined with the energy Frentzas brings being new to the field, will help both buyers and sellers take advantage of current trends in the North Shore market.
“Buyers are appreciating updated properties that have a newer look and feel,” Puszynski says. “It takes so much time and effort to update a property and sometimes that can be daunting and intimidating. Older homes are becoming difficult to sell. Fresh sells.”
Proper staging has also become an increasingly important factor in the sales process.
“We definitely don’t show our houses the way we live in them,” Puszynski says. “Photos don’t look the same online as in person, and first impressions really matter. That trend isn’t going to go away.”
This knowledge about trends in the Chicago region—gained through experience and a desire to provide the best service to clients—gives Puszynski her edge.
Just ask Tracey Lafferty, a Chicago-based television director who Puszynski recently helped find a condo off Lake Shore Drive near Navy Pier.
“Chris worked endlessly with me to find the right property, and once we found a property she didn’t stop there.” Lafferty says. “Any question I had she researched the answer. I can’t thank her enough for her research, knowledge, and commitment.”
Chris Puszynski is with @properties, 600 North Western Avenue in Lake Forest, 847-812-7265, atproperties.com.
Chris Puszynski is always on the lookout for fresh approaches to help clients buy and sell their homes.Chris Puszynski and Julie Frentzas
Dr. Cheryl Perlis, MD is best described as a doctor of beauty … as her patients lovingly call her. The secret to her amazing success is her unique ability to make patients beautiful—from the inside out.
The thought of a doctor’s office often brings to mind a sterile, serious, and somewhat stressful place we visit when we are sick and need medication. Perlis Wellness Center is the complete antithesis of this.
Patients walking into Perlis Wellness are pleasantly surprised by the luxurious, yet warm and welcoming feeling that exudes an aura of happiness and health.
People comment on how happy they are with their personal wellness and healing journeys, some even calling it their new life.
“The truth is that in today’s world, health is the true wealth,” says Dr. Perlis, a board-certified physician that specializes in natural hormone therapy, detox, rejuvenation, and aesthetic procedures. “When you feel you are progressing in your journey of beauty rejuvenation, health, and healing, all at the same time, you feel empowered and happy.”
“So many people today are feeling tired, aging fast, and losing their zest for life, for reasons that are totally avoidable,” she adds. “They want to feel better and look great; sometimes they just don’t know where to start and who to trust.”
It’s this trust that Dr. Perlis earns with her patients, just by being herself. It’s evident that she truly cares and that her years of experience have all brought her to this point in her life and career as a doctor.
Over the years, Dr. Perlis and her dedicated team have curated a very unique set of therapies that combine the wisdom of natural medicine with cutting edge FDA-approved technological interventions that enable true rejuvenation, healing, and a new spring of beauty from within.
“A lot of times, conventional medicine will just give people a medication for suppressing a symptom instead of addressing the underlying root causes—creating a lifelong drug dependency,” Dr. Perlis says. “I believe the body has an innate capacity to heal itself if we empower it with the right balance of therapies. This is what we address here—with a completely new way of thinking.”
The team at Perlis Wellness first begins with a comprehensive check of the whole body using an 8-minute diagnostic test from Germany. This cutting edge technology identifies both the issues currently manifested as well as the systems and organs that need watching carefully. Dr. Perlis firmly believes that it is always better to prevent a health issue from accelerating than treat it after the fact.
“It’s like an EKG for the whole body, only more detailed,” she exclaims. “Once I have this diagnostic report, I use this information
along with their blood work results to create a personalized therapy protocol.”
Part of the healing protocol involves a new and unique therapeutic procedure called Matrix Regeneration Therapy (MRT), an FDA approved wellness device. Perlis Wellness Center is the only center in Chicago and one of a handful in the U.S. offering this therapy.
“Most of our body is the matrix, the connective tissue between the organs, which is where most toxins reside and disease starts,” she explains. “This machine detoxes the connective tissues, allowing regeneration at a cellular level and a reconnection between all of the organs.”
“Basically, MRT combines a number of therapies including mechanical cupping, and direct current therapy (which reads each of the organ frequencies). MRT then uploads healing frequencies to each organ. Each session lasts about 45 minutes, leaving patients feeling remarkably better.”
“MRT is a completely noninvasive, non-pharma, natural health stimulating procedure that can be used for detoxifying skin for facial rejuvenation, cellular detox, pain management, brain rejuvenation and detox, balancing hormone health naturally, and detox with an ionic footbath,” explains Dr. Perlis.
Dr. Perlis has been offering these new therapies since October of last year, and thus far, the results of her patients have been nothing short of astounding.
“These therapies are helping me essentially reboot my patients and add more grace to aging, which is natural and inevitable,” she says. “People that are really in tune with their bodies can tell the difference rather immediately, but I do suggest that most patients need six treatments.”
“It’s all about deciding how you want to live the next part of your life,” admits the mother of three who recently turned 60. “Personally, I am a huge paddle boarder (even in the winter) on Lake Michigan, I practice yoga, and I’m working on my surfing this year. I want to live life to the fullest, but I can’t do that if I don’t have those toxins out of my system. I now have a way to regenerate and reboot my body, so really part of this is my own journey. And the best part of my job is meeting people who too are looking to go on their own journey to wellness.”
She pauses, and then smiles. “Most people don’t realize that they can truly feel alive again,” she says. “I am here to remind them that they can and to handhold them on their journey.”
VIEWS OF LAKE MICHIGAN! This 2009 custom-built home by James LaDuke includes custom cabinets, incredible built-ins and millwork, and a gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and much, much more!
VIEWS OF LAKE MICHIGAN! This 2009 custom-built home by James LaDuke includes custom cabinets, incredible built-ins and millwork, and a gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and much, much more!
LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE A VACATION HOME with an array of custom finishes seldom included at this price. Wide plank flooring, hand milled woodwork, and a romantic, first floor master suite. Custom built by Lynch Construction and attractively priced!
LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE A VACATION HOME with an array of custom finishes seldom included at this price. Wide plank flooring, hand milled woodwork, and a romantic, first floor master suite. Custom built by Lynch Construction and attractively priced!
TRADITIONAL COLONIAL with a transformed interior. 4 bedrooms, including wonderful master suite with luxurious new master bath. Family room open to kitchen and overlooks enormous, fully fenced rear yard with lovely patio. The lower level is finished!
TRADITIONAL COLONIAL with a transformed interior. 4 bedrooms, including wonderful master suite with luxurious new master bath. Family room open to kitchen and overlooks enormous, fully fenced rear yard with lovely patio. The lower level is finished!
INCREDIBLE VALUE IN IDEAL LOCATION! Rear yard has access to all the amenities of Blair Park, including fitness center, golf course, pool, tennis courts, and paddle. 4 nicely sized bedrooms, a finished lower level with full bath, 3 car garage, and more.
INCREDIBLE VALUE IN IDEAL LOCATION! Rear yard has access to all the amenities of Blair Park, including fitness center, golf course, pool, tennis courts, and paddle. 4 nicely sized bedrooms, a finished lower level with full bath, 3 car garage, and more.
HIGHEST
GGL’s total sales volume production is the highest in Lake Bluff over the last three years! If you’re considering selling your home, please contact us for a complimentary market analysis.
GGL’s total sales volume production is the highest in Lake Bluff over the last three years! If you’re considering selling your home, please contact us for a complimentary market analysis.
Designated Managing Broker
847.650.3456
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Many women have undergone some type of breast surgery, either for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes.
Most of these surgeries are very successful but unfortunately for some, either the initial outcome falls shore of their desire or over time the breast becomes distorted or hard.
In the case of breast augmentation the body forms scar tissue around the implants, which is normal, but sometimes the scar tissue contracts making the implant feel firmer. This is referred to as a capsule. The appearance also becomes distorted. Other complications include bottoming out, fold malposition, wrinkling and rippling, and symmastia. With time, sagging of the overlying breast tissue is not uncommon, creating a disconnect with the underlying implant. And of course a woman’s breast naturally will change shape and contour as the body ages.
Natural conditions such as lax skin elasticity and thin tissue as well as multiple corrective procedures often pose technical and special challenges.
Technologies have evolved over the years to help correct the described complications and deformities that can occur. Strattice is a soft, natural product that is designed to reinforce weak tissue and to support growth of your own tissue. Derived from porcine dermis, it’s strong and sterile product.
Strattice, when used for revision breast surgery, acts as an “internal bra” to support and hold the implant in the desired location.
Advantages provided by this internal support are:
• Provides coverage and support of the implant
• Significantly reduces the rate of capsular contracture
• Acts as an “internal bra” to give better support and control implant location
• Provides an additional layer to mask visibility of rippling and wrinkles
• Becomes viable tissue without scarring or fibrosis
The one drawback of Strattice is that it is expensive, but in my experience it is well worth the cost if it significantly cuts down on the need for future revisions.
If you are unhappy with the outcome of a prior surgery a revision surgery may be in order. Patients need to understand that revision surgery is complex and technically demanding. There are limitations based on one’s anatomy and what can be achieved.
For additional information, visit skindeepmedical spa.com or call Dr. Bloch at his Highland Park office at 847-432-0426 or Glenview location 847-901-0800.
Chicago-born and raised, the Reverend Jihan B. Murray-Smith currently serves as the Deacon and resident seminarian at The Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest (CHS). Prior to serving in CHS, she served at St. Chrysostom’s, Church of the Atonement and Messiah St. Bartholomew—all Episcopal parishes in Chicago. Prior to going into full-time ordained ministry, she lived a rich life that required many hats: She was a background vocalist for Neil Young; recorded and performed with blues artist Guy King; dabbled in acting; and founded Tea & Crumpets, an etiquette and public speaking consulting group for children and young adults. Murray-Smith is a graduate of Fisk University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in dramatics and speech, and holds a Master of Divinity from Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminary. She currently lives in Lake Forest with her husband, Jason Henderson, and their shih tzu-poodle mix, Bear. Here she shares a few of her favorite lasts:
EDITED BY DEBBIE LEE / ILLUSTRATION BY ROBERT RISKOLAST GREAT PIECE OF ADVICE YOU RECEIVED?
Slow down and make time for yourself. I have always been a high-energy, extroverted person with many interests and goals. My husband, Jason Henderson, who is my biggest supporter, will ask me, “What did you do for yourself today?” That question often stops me right in my tracks, because as a wife, clergyman, daughter, friend, and one who is involved in the community, it is very easy to become so consumed with everyone else’s needs. In quiet moments throughout the day, I will hear my husband’s question, and those words inspire me to do something—no matter how great or small—that is just for Jihan.
LAST GREAT PERFORMANCE YOU ATTENDED?
People who know me well, know that I absolutely adore the Christmas season: the decorations, music, food, and wonderful Chicago traditions bring me so much joy. This past Christmas season, Jason and I enjoyed the Joffrey Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker. Yes, the dancers are skillful and masters of their bodies, and yes, the set and costumes are stellar, but what I truly enjoy the most about The Nutcracker is the music. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky created amazing pieces such as the music for the Russian dance and Arabian dance—simply stunning! You can close your eyes and still fully experience the ballet.
LAST GREAT BOOK YOU READ?
Well, as a seminarian, most of my reading is for classes such as systematic theology and the art of preaching—of course, all very exciting, but the last book I read that wasn’t for school that I couldn’t put down was Michelle Obama’s Becoming ; at the time, some girlfriends from high school and I were in a book club, and it was our last pick. Mrs. Obama describes her life in great detail, from childhood to the White House, and because we were all native Chicagoans and lived not far from the Obama’s, we felt like in many ways we had literally walked in her shoes. It is a memoir of hope, diligence, and love. I believe all women of every age should read it.
I listen to a lot of sermons; in fact, I usually YouTube one at least three or more times a week. I love a good storyteller, one who can make the Bible relatable to today and cause those words to jump off the page. That is a true gift. Public speaking in general can be quite the task, but then add faith into it, and that can feel even more overwhelming because people come to church to be fed spiritually. There are so many ministers that I admire for their work in the community and their leadership. One preacher that I enjoy listening to is a fellow native Chicagoan, pastor of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley of Alexandria, Virginia.
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