The weather may be getting warmer, but a gorgeous fireplace mantel is in style all year long. These five homes on the market in Chicago and the suburbs boast fireplaces that are not only tempting gathering areas but also beautiful design elements. They’ll have you looking forward to next winter.
640 Leland Court, Lake Forest, $2,499,000
This 7-bedroom, Mediterranean villa-style estate is characterized by high ceilings, wood floors and several lovely hearths. The private foyer opens into a two-story grand hall with large windows overlooking the adjacent oak forest. The dramatic space is grounded by a large fireplace with a carved mantel. The European gourmet kitchen opens into a family room with soaring ceilings, and that room has its own marble fireplace. The indoor swimming pool is visible through floor-to-ceiling windows.
282 Kimberly Lane, Lake Forest, $2,400,000
This 5-bedroom estate boasts 7 fireplaces, along with a number of opulent architectural details, including 10-foot ceilings, intricate moldings and striking arched openings. The two-story foyer is centered around a paneled mantel over a large marble fireplace. A generous bay window lets copious light into the living room, where there’s a wood-burning fireplace. A 35-by-19-foot family room features herringbone hardwood floors, a beamed ceiling and generous built-ins, including a bar cabinet imported from England.
411 East 3rd Street, Hinsdale, $2,995,000
This 8-bedroom, stone-and-brick manor offers 4 levels of well-balanced living space, with a whopping 7 fireplaces total. The home’s beautiful features include: Italian tile, hardwood floors, antique light fixtures, a Paul Ferrante chandelier in the living room and a Tabarka Studio backsplash in the gourmet kitchen. Two primary suites both boast fireplaces, walk-in closets and spa baths. There’s also a luxurious finished basement that includes a rec room, a wet bar, a guest bedroom and bath, and gym.
1515 North State Parkway, Chicago, $9,350,000
Located on an oversized property near Lincoln Park and the lakefront, this 6-bedroom residence, built in 1898, is rich with elegant details. A grand foyer with an original coffered ceiling and fireplace sets the historic tone. A multi-year renovation added modern conveniences while preserving many of the home’s distinctive features, such as 400-year-old stone flooring and a wood-burning fireplace from Provence in the kitchen. The family room features an antique French mantel and original curved windows. The primary suite also has an antique fireplace, and a silver-plated antique chandelier and sconces. All of the door, window and cabinet hardware is gold- or silver-plated and made in Paris.
265 White Oak Lane, Winnetka, $4,900,000
This property offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with Airoom’s Michael Bennet Luxury Division to custom-build your dream home. The location of the half-acre of land is fantastic: on a quiet street, yet close to the local school, the train and all that the village of Winnetka has to offer. Customize this spacious, 3-story luxury residence with 5 or 7 bedrooms, and roughly 8,000 square feet. The fireplace rendering pictured here is an example, based on another property built by the Airoom Luxury Division.
How to Help:
If you’re interested in helping more people have access to design services, you can support the nonprofit Designs for Dignity, which transforms nonprofit environments through pro bono design services and in-kind donations.
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Stephanie Fallon is a freelance writer who has spent her professional career in non-profit adult education, first in adult English literacy at Blue Ridge Literacy and then overseeing interpretation and public programming for the Taubman Museum of Art. She lives in Roanoke, Virginia and writes about visual culture, design, motherhood, and work.
