In April, the Lake Forest Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago unveiled the 2025 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens, benefitting IWS Family Health. For nearly 40 years, the event has drawn leading designers to reimagine historic estates while supporting critical healthcare services for underserved families in the Chicago area, raising more than $5 million for IWS.

This year’s showcase occurred at Pembroke Lodge, a 15,000 square-foot limestone Georgian-style home designed in 1895 by noted Chicago architect Henry Ives Cobb. Once part of a nearly 40-acre estate with landscape design by Frederick Law Olmsted, the residence has long been admired for its architectural pedigree and history of visionary design. Past renovations include work by David Adler and Frances Elkins, cementing its place as one of Lake Forest’s most iconic estates.

We were delighted to participate in this year’s Lake Forest Showhouse, contributing to a project that beautifully blends design with purpose.

Pembroke Lodge Illustration             Thomas Birkman, Birkman Interiors

Design Space: The Office
Designer: Thomas Birkman, Birkman Interiors
Photographer: Ryan McDonald
Windowcovering: Old Style Roman Shades in CWMS82 Junsei - Tochi, from the Michael S. Smith Collection

Among the 38 talented designers selected, Thomas Birkman of Birkman Interiors transformed “the office” into a richly layered retreat that balances classic sophistication with modern artistry. His design features wood-paneled walls, curated collections of books and art, and a refined mix of patterns and textures—capturing the warmth of a traditional study with a fresh, worldly perspective.

To complete the space, Birkman selected Hartmann&Forbes Old Style Roman Shades in CWMS82 Junsei - Tochi from the Michael S. Smith Collection. The refined bamboo matchstick shades introduce texture and softness, filtering light with an organic elegance that complements the room’s architectural character. The golden tones of Junsei - Tochi harmonize seamlessly with the warm woodwork, enhancing the timeless elegance of the office.

The 2025 Lake Forest Showhouse offered a glimpse into the enduring power of design to honor history while inspiring fresh perspectives, reaffirming its place as one of the nation’s premier showhouses.