LADIES’ OFFICE

While there was no shortage of compelling spaces to choose from, when selecting a room to design in this year’s Lake Forest Showhouse, the ladies’ office charmed Emily Sturgess, founder and principal of Emily Sturgess Design in Winnetka, the most. “Its perch on the second floor overlooking Pembroke Lodge’s circular drive and formal gardens was lovely,” she recalls. “Plus, it had a centrally placed fireplace and offered my team the opportunity to design both the office and an en-suite bath.”

The room’s view of the formal gardens inspired Sturgess to bring the natural elements inside. “I immediately thought of the Pierre Frey Le Paravent Chinois wallcovering—an all-over floral pattern that’s intrinsically feminine but not overly sweet.” Once the paper was chosen, the rest of the design flowed easily.

Approaching the design, “I thought about how I would want my own office to look and feel. Elegant and timeless, both feminine and sophisticated,” says Sturgess. “Ultimately, a space I would be happy to spend a lot of time in.”

Also, in a nod to Frances Elkins, who was a master of sophisticated and interesting window treatments, Sturgess reached out to Prairie Interiors to craft an extraordinary window treatment for the room.

“Elkins harmoniously blended different styles and periods of furniture in one space,” says Sturgess, “English … French … chinoiserie … and more. I also like to do that in much of my client work and have done that here in the ladies’ office.”

To offset the femininity of the Pierre Frey floral paper, Sturgess designed layers of different motifs and textures: geometric patterns; natural materials; and modern art. “Creating this tension makes a room interesting,” explains Sturgess.

“I also love to work with artists and master craftsmen in all my projects as their work brings a unique level of customization,” she notes. “I’m thrilled to be working with the talented Patrick Rouiller on a hand-painted desk, for example, that will be the crowning jewel of the ladies’ office.”

The biggest challenge Sturgess faced was that inauthentic renovations over the years had stripped the room of much of its original glory. While she couldn’t change those facts or the overall footprint of the space, “I’ve been excited to adjust and add several things that will hopefully allow it to shine once again.”

“With the help of DiVinci Painters and other incredible trade partners, my goal has been to respectfully wipe away the elements that don’t belong and enhance those that do.”

Among the special enhancements Sturgess selected are a custom hand-knotted From Jaipur with Love rug made by talented craftsmen in India and a Billy Baldwin-inspired Turkish ottoman custom made by BH Home using luscious silk by Brunschwig & Fils.

Continuing the soft, feminine color palette into the bath, Sturgess and team used a one-of-a-kind marble floor from Artistic Tile and Mosaicos Tile. “It’s unlike anything I had ever seen before so I am thrilled to use it in the bath,” she says.

Sturgess also reimagined an otherwise lackluster closet with a completely custom bar tucked behind sumptuous drapery. “It is an unexpected but elegant use of that space,” she sums.

“This is my second Lake Forest Showhouse,” Sturgess concludes. “Working alongside other talented designers is a wonderful benefit of the Showhouse experience. But at the end of the day, we designers do this to help raise critical funds for the great work the Infant Welfare Society does within the Chicago community. It’s truly a joy to participate.”

For more information, visit emilysturgess.com, @emilymsturgess or email [email protected].