570 East Crabtree Lane, Lake Forest, Illinois

570 East Crabtree Lane, Lake Forest

From the Professional Showcase of Ann Lyon: 570 East Crabtree Lane, Lake Forest

Details & Features

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Crabtree Lane Gardens

Purchased over 30 years ago from the neighboring estate the current owners were meticulous in the design and placement of their new home, taking into special account the numerous specimen beech, oak, maple, white pine, hickory, pecan, spruce, crabapple and swamp cyprus trees on the 1.6 acre property. An ancient sugar maple proudly shades the bluestone patio and each garden was planned in detail. The property has been meticulously maintained by the same gardener during this time.

The bluestone entrance is framed by manicured boxwood and English Ivy weaves it's way up the brick exterior. The numerous, prolific gardens include a rose garden, delphenium garden, large cutting gardens, and climbing rose trellis. Each section of the lawn has been maximized to create a special area, highlighted by specialty gardens and adorned by the mature trees.

A separate maintenance area provides plenty of working space to care for the extraordinary property. A smaller green house (approximately 17x9) is heated by a newer boiler and is attached to the coach house. A larger separate greenhouse (approximately 27x16) is also heated by a newer boiler and there are numerous cold frames attached to the exterior southern wall. The entire lawn area is watered by underground sprinklers.

Special Highlights

Yesterday and Today Blended with Sophistication

This all brick classic contemporary was designed by Ike Colburn in 1982 and decorated by well known English decorator John Lusk. The focal point of this unique property is set amidst fabulous gardens and features an early 20th century coach house, garden house and two operating greenhouses. Exquisite gardens may be viewed from every angle and each window, and lake breezes are just a block away.

571 Crabtree Lane

This clapboard bungalow is a significant addition to the property. There are 3 garage stalls, a working green house, first floor water closet, kitchen and living room. On the second floor are 2 bedrooms, a sitting room, full bath and loads of undereave storage. The coach house is heated and air conditioned, with copper gutters, and security system. Behind the coach house is the trellised maintenance yard and large working greenhouse.

Garden House

The Garden House, was once the play house for the original estate property. One large heated room with coffered ceiling, bookcases and fireplace with slate hearth and surround, provides endless entertainment opportunities. Through the Dutch door from the kitchen one can rest on the hidden bluestone patio and relax in the hidden garden.

Property History

The current owners purchased the property in the late 70's from the Henry Rowley family who had owned the land since the late 1920's. This property was used as the "Sports Platz" for the Rowley family who lived in the estate home at 581 Crabtree which was designed by Walter Frazier. There was a tennis court, croquet field, paddle tennis court, lovely gardens and the coach house and playhouse which the current owners have meticulously cared for, maintained and enjoyed.


Room Details
Foyer	20X8
Herringbone brick flooring with soldier edge is carried through into the dining hall and living room. The first of three light tunnels provides indirect natural lighting. A large powder room and walk-in hall closet each flank one side of the entry. Two curved top doorways provide formal entrance into the dining hall.
Dining Hall	35X11
Balanced on the north by spectacular views into the garden and on the south by the second floor curved stairwell the dining hall provides a myriad of entertainment opportunities. The largest of three light tunnels allows the dining hall to be lighted by moonlight, for your most special occasions.
Living Room	20X14
On each side of the living room entrance from the dining hall are curved top built-in hutches with glass shelving and base cabinets. Floor to ceiling windows provide eastern exposure towards the large primary bluestone patio.
Library	19X19
Hardwood floors, tray ceiling with soffit lighting, two walls of bookshelves and cabinets and a wood burning fireplace with marble hearth and surround detail this room. Solid French doors separate this room from the living room.
Kitchen	18X15
Your eye will travel to the ceiling in the kitchen/family room. Cathedral height with cross beams, six substantial pendant lights, and two operating skylights, the design of this combination room is striking. The kitchen has an entrance wet-bar, a walk-in pantry, breakfast bar, two islands, and walls of cabinetry.
Family Room	18X14
A woodburning fireplace with blue Dutch delft tiles is the focal point of this comfortable room. The family room includes a built-in desk and access to the back hall, basement, and covered service porch.
Master Bedroom	19X14
Views from the master bedroom focus on the centuries old sugar maple. Large walk-in closet with built-ins and master bath with separate shower, whirlpool tub and marble topped vanity combine to form a comfortable first floor master suite.
Bedrooms 2 and 3	18X12
There are two additional bedrooms in the main house. The first floor bedroom features numerous built-ins and the private bath has a tub/shower combination. Venture up the curved stairwell tower, with light tunnel, the tower bedroom, directly above the first floor bedroom fells like a treehouse and has it's own private bath with shower.
Rec Room	18X17
Basement recreation room with bookshelves has high ceilings.
Laundry Room	18X12
Large laundry room has laundry shoot from the first floor wet bar. Loads of counter space and cabinets provide loads of storage.

Interior Features

Flooring

Unique herringbone and soldier brick flooring highlights the entry, gallery, dining room and living room. Hardwood floor is underfoot in the library, kitchen and family room.

Cathedral/Vaulted Ceilings

The kitchen/family room has a two story cathedral ceiling highlighted by cross beams, six pendant lights, and two operating skylights. The house has 10 foot ceilings with the exception of the library which is 11 feet with a tray ceiling and soffitt lighting.

Tunnel Skylights

The main gallery/dining room is lighted by a round light tunnel as is the entry. Extreme attention was spent to natural lighting in this home, as evidenced by a third light tunnel in the tower.

Fireplaces

The two woodburning fireplaces are located in the library and family rom. The library fireplace has a marble hearth and surround and the family room fireplace features blue Delft tiles.

Hardware

The majority of the hardware in the house is Baldwin with a preference to the "ball" style door handles.

Molding / Trim

The original design was classically Ike Colburn but with the introduction of the English decorator, Josh Lusk, extensive moldings and trimwork were added to the home. The library bookcases and rounded entry doorways are just two examples of the changes made to the original design. The interior may have been a contemporary original design but it is currently distinctively traditional with a modern flair.

Exterior Features

Brick Exterior

The exterior of the main home is brick and the surrounding patios are bluestone.

Outbuilding(s)

The "outbuildings" include a coach house with attached greenhouse and 3 car garage, a garden house, a large operating greenhouse, and a maintenace yard.

Patio

The patios are bluestone as are the walkways and covered back entry. The climbing rose trellis garden has a bluestone patio in the round and the main perennial cutting gardens are surrounded by bluestone. The main patio has brick walls.

Windows

The design of the home included large useage of glass in each room to take advantage of the incredible views in every direction.

Generator

There is a 17KW generator on the property.