Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, this magnificent 3948-square foot cottage belongs to painter and ceramist Julie Holdsworth and her husband David Holdsworth.
The cottage was originally designed in the 1920s by David Adler, a renowned architect of the Lake County Place Era. However, it has since been renovated to exemplify a truly magical home with pristine English gardens.



The view looking into the home from the crab apple tree garden is impressive. Walking into the front door, a French Country style aura hits you instantly. Your eye can’t miss the historic Admiral Bethune’s portrait.
The foyer beautifully radiates Julie’s effortless and timeless style. The sitting room boasts plenty of natural light. It features a loveseat from Bailey & Hart Interiors.
And the sofa in the living room is from Ballard Design, as well as the settees. Other remarkable elements in the room include:
- Mirrored walls and gold accents
- Seashell accents
- A still life painted by Julie Holdsworth herself












Away from the living area, the dining room also has its share of Julie’s handiworks. And the sculpture is the most outstanding. But you can’t fail to notice her other pieces of art layered in the corner of the room.
The kitchen features cabinets from KraftMade and counters from Style Stone. Your eye can’t miss the portrait on the wall. It’s another painting by Julie.




The original greenhouse structure attached to the home ensures the family is in constant connection with the outdoors. In fact, it is Julie’s favorite element of the cottage.
The gardens in the backyard are full of inspiration. The house allows the outdoors to be part of the interior design, thanks to the fact that it has more windows than walls.
The brown couch in the greenhouse is by Walter E. Smith, the chandelier is by Adan Gray, and the natural fiber rug is from RugsUSA.
Stepping out of the kitchen, the beautiful patio leads you into the gardens.






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