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To the south of the house we have access
from the living porch to the promenade fountain terrace. A wide grass
panel, in which the playing jet of a tall fountain forms the center of
interest, is flanked on either side with planting beds edged with a low
barberry hedge. Myriads of peonies and flowering plants fill the formal
beds, and to the west or woodland side, and the east or lake side, are
huge green tubs filled with clipped bay trees. In line with the bronze
fountain, far to the south, down a long elm-lined vista, has been placed
a tea house, lighted at night by a huge chandelier, and accented in its
height and contrasting red tile roof by the forest trees.
The lily pool, or
sunken garden, with its marble basin, bronze fountains and classic
sculpture, is a veritable Italian picture.
A corner of the sunken
garden, showing the rare hemlock hedge, which forms the background for
the pillared busts or herms.
A stone balustrade
bounds the bowling green
above the sunken garden.
To the right of the promenade terrace
we may wander down a gravel walk to the hemlock hedge-enclosed lily pool
garden. Because of the rise in grade at the south of this garden we feel
as though the entire area were sunken. The early days of June bring a
profusion of color in the many varieties of irises then in bloom. Here,
also, all the planting areas are trimly lined with low barberry hedges. A
pink marble basin, about one hundred feet in length, is presided over at
either end by a group of three bronze dolphins, which with the pedestal
send sheets of water over the lily pool below. The water lilies in June
are in their prime, and when the fountain is playing on a bright day, the
garden is a riot of color. Six formal marble herms have been effectively
set along either side of the garden, where they make a most effective
sculptural group against the high evergreen hedge, suggesting the Roman
gardens of long ago. Above this charming garden, reached by two short
flights of marble steps, lies the bowling green, enclosed by a balustrade and wall of stone.
Stone seats, from which the games may be watched, flanked at either side
by bronze lighting fixtures make the enclosure walls most interesting
from an architectural and decorative point of view. The south lawn, many
acres in extent, is reached from the bowling green. As we walk toward the east we traverse the
allee that leads to the tea-house pavilion.
From the sun-room to
the South, there is a charming view of the fountain terrace and the
teahouse pavilion.
The service buildings are built
about a paved courtyard, in the center of which are set rubbed oleanders
and terra cotta pots filled with ivy and annual flowers. In this group
and enclosure is staged the lovely displays of garden flowers brought
each year to "Villa Turicum" by the members of the Lake Forest
Garden Club.
The portal in the wall of the service garden leads to the
woodland roads of the residential area.
The courtyard of the
service buildings
Beyond the carriage house to the east lie the
vegetable and cut flower gardens, terminated by a garden house at the
lower end. The area is enclosed by a high stucco wall, framed by towering
oaks. A mighty oak monarch, two hundred and fifty years of age, graces
the center of the circular cut flower garden. A circular stone seat hugs
the trunk, and beyond the wide encircling walk a mass of roses of all
varieties bloom throughout the June days, as though to pay homage to the
mighty oak. Many varieties of peonies, as well as countless beds of
annual flowers, vie with the roses in furnishing blooms for the house.
That marvel, a weedless vegetable garden, lies west and up the slope to
the service group. In the early spring the walls are brightened by
hawthorns and apple blossoms.
The cut flower garden
in the wall-enclosed expanse east of the service group. The mighty oak in
the center stands guard over the luxuriant blooms.
The winding drives from the service court reach the
main highway approach, and swing through the woodland to the mall and to
the service wing.
"Villa Turicum" is indeed
both charming and magnificent. The ideals envisioned by the artist and
his client have found full expression in the gardens, the walks, the
waters, the vistas and panoramas. The photographs convey a measure of the
beauty which really beggars description.
:: Interiors
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(Page 3)
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