Meandering through a Maison...

                                      I am a fan of historic houses.

On almost every trip, I make my way through at least one if it's available for viewing or, at minimum,

do a wistful "drive by". 

I marvel at the structure and setting, the design, the gardens, and I ponder about the lives that have been lived through generations inside their walls. I am in awe of the craftmanship and artisan work and the sheer magnitude of the task of building such gems before modern equipment became available. I find them fascinating...each and every one!

So recently when my friend Mademoiselle M (www.prettyvisual.com) asked me to accompany her for what we thought would be a quick visit to a house I had never visited I was up for the drive. The inspiration for our little adventure was the fact that I am helping her with decorating for a benefit to be held there this Winter and the two of us just wanted to get a little lay of the land and inspiration as we got down to business. 

The "design fairies" were smiling down upon the two of us this particular morning because we received such an unexpected treat! The house was officially closed because access is usually granted for tours only ( proving quite nicely that sometimes ignorance is bliss- especially in this case since we showed up unannounced).  Due to our "design duty" and a very nice security staff we were able to unofficially wander and pander through a truly magnificent estate on a rainy day.  Can it get much better than that? Both our heads were spinning!  You have to understand, for design groupies like us, this experience compares to an extreme football fan being unexpectedly given front row seats on the 50 yard line at the Super Bowl with their team on the field! (My husband will appreciate that analogy).

So my friends, come with me for the next two posts on a little tour which cannot really do it justice...but trust me the mansion and experience was truly special!

 Driving in through the gates we wandered down a winding road past ponds, over a bridge...

the trees on the property were almost as grand as the house

Construction on the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens began in 1908 and stopped during World War I. It was completed in 1918 as the home of Samuel Insull, an original founder of the General Electric Company, and designed by famous Chicago architect Benjamin Marshall in the Italianate style. Highly crafted materials of stone, wood, and metail were used in the construction of the mansion and were delivered to the site on a private railroad spur. For those of you who aren't familiar with Benjamin Marshall (1874-1944) he was self-taught talent. He designed private mansions as well as Chicago landmark buildings such as the Drake Hotel.

Its gardens and landscaping were designed by world-renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen. An immigrant laborer Jens Jensen (1860-1951) became America's premier landscape designer as an understudy of Frederick Law Olmstead.

In 1937, John Cuneo Sr. bought the home. He and his wife, Julia, had two children, John Jr. and Consuela, whom they raised on the estate. John Sr. owned and operated Hawthorn Mellody Farms Dairy, the National Tea Company, and the Cuneo Press.

The mansion, which opened to the public as the Cuneo Museum and Gardens in 1991, houses the Cuneo family collection of fine antiques, paintings by world-famous artists, tapestries, sculptures, silver, and porcelain. We both found the collections of items so diverse and the architectural details almost overwhelming...sensory overload!

In this great entry hall the roof is a glass structure that was designed in 1914 to open ( quite amazing even by today's standards)  in true Mediterranean " piazza" style so the occupants could have a living garden and open air living in the center of their home. A large fountain used to operate where the table is located below. We learned that trees and gardens filled this space as well. The glass roof is shown here...

In 2009, the Cuneo Foundation, the family foundation of John Cuneo Jr. and his wife, Herta, gave the 100-acre estate to Loyola University Chicago. The $50 million gift, the largest in Loyola’s history, included the museum’s extensive collection of art and furnishings.

Following a renovation, which is currently underway, Loyola plans to increase use of the mansion for weddings, other special occasions, and corporate events. In addition, the University will offer educational opportunities there to benefit students, faculty, and the greater Chicago-area community, especially those living in and around Lake County. Academic plans being considered include fine arts performances, lectures and classes, artist-in-residence programs, special events programming, and sustainability initiatives.

The ceilings all over the house were incredible and each one so different!

The fireplaces in every room were worth noting just alone. I am a woman who appreciates a magnificent hearth!

 After the kidnapping of the Charles Lindbergh baby in the 1930's the Cuneo family had this structure installed off the patio of the nursery to prevent anything like that happening to them.

This is one of the oldest elevators in Chicago and it is currently under repair as you can see.

Please visit Part Deux!