GARDEN FAIRE EXTRAORDINAIRE!

Treat yourself to the rare opportunity to tour the properties of three amazing private estates in Barrington Hills during the 16th annual Barrington Country Garden & Antique Faire, Friday, June 17th and Saturday, June 18th! This highly anticipated 2-day event sponsored by Hands of Hope, is sure to please all who attend. See expansive floral and vegetable gardens, inviting swimming pools, exquisite antique adornments, unique architectural details, beautiful bronzes, a fairytale gypsy wagon playhouse and so much more! As an added feature, guests will have an opportunity to explore the grand Carousel Pavilion, home to an amazing antique collection including restored dance hall organs, steam engines and a spectacular1890 European salon carousel.

On the main estate grounds, enjoy antique and boutique shopping for your home and garden. The French Market brings together a variety of upscale shopping vendors for your shopping pleasure. Discover unique accessories, whimsical and decorative items, fine art, jewelry, garden accoutrements, and more. An exciting treasure trove of wonderful one-of-a-kind items will be available for sale in the Avant Garden, an upscale flea market where you’ll find furniture, paintings, vintage iron garden furniture, china, glassware and antiques. The Boutique returns this year, offering jewelry, scarves, purses, and other fashion and home accessory items located in its own quaint cottage on the property. Be sure to allow time for daily complimentary home and garden presentations hosted by area professionals. Gourmet lunch items will be available for purchase from Barrington’s Egg Harbor Café and savor special pastries from Barrington’s Ambrosia Euro American Patisserie.

Featured Garden Estates: 


Place de la Musique

The adventure begins as you drive through the ornate iron gates and approach the stunning

Second Empire style residence. The long winding drive is lined with century old street lamps from Milwaukee. Note the eighteen foot tall, tiered fountain made in Florence, Italy, and the terra-cotta ornamentation on the main entrance facade, salvaged from the old Granada Theatre in Chicago. The copper finial atop the tower is from the Schlitz Brewery Factory in Wisconsin.

Gaze out over the peanut shaped lake and experience the peacefulness of fifty-seven acres filled with old growth and ornamental trees, well maintained perennial beds, and objects of interest collected from bygone eras.

As you enter the Carousel Pavilion prepare to be transported to the turn of the century. Listen and enjoy as beautifully restored American and European fairground and dance hall organs, including one of the largest fairground organs ever made, entertain you with their iconic sound.

But the star of the show is the grand Eden Palais Carousel. Built in 1890, the fully restored marvel is the most complete example of a European salon carousel in existence. Periodically throughout the day the carousel will be in motion for you to fully experience it’s majesty. Guides are located throughout the pavilion who can answer questions and provide background and details of this exceptional collection.

Among other treasures available for your close inspection are a sizable display of steam engines, a monumental Victorian Clock tower, and a sumptuous Pullman Palace Car which you are welcome to climb aboard and experience in all it’s restored glory. Likewise, be sure to get up close and personal with the 1881 Grant railroad locomotive, used by Henry Ford, before you exit these remarkable grounds and return to the 21st century.

Uplands Farm

Be prepared for an errant hen to cross your path as you explore this charming equestrian estate. Set amidst 50 acres of savannah, riding trails and pasture, the property includes a 150 year old country house, a colorful pool house, a winter “bank barn” and an impeccable stable/ tack room.

Follow the smooth bluestone path to the pool house, stopping to explore the border gardens of astilbe, blackeyed susan, and purple cone flower. The pool house pergola provides shade from the summer sun for beds of hosta, ornamental grasses, and bee balm, as well as the hydrangea climbing on the guest house walls. Venture inside to view the vibrant style of this eclectic space which includes numerous paintings by Hawaiian artist Camile Fontaine.

As you head back to the main residence observe the less formal plantings of nepeta, hosta, and roses which enliven the hillside under a majestic oak tree. New pergolas and stone walls provide the backdrop for the more formal gardens designed with boxwood, hydrangea, and penstemon. Note the many bronze statues throughout the property including the Centaur atop marble which for many years graced the library of the owner’s grandparent’s home in Lake Forest. Completed in 1929 by French artist Marcel Layau (1895-1936), it is signed and dated on the bottom of the foot of the child. Layau also sculpted the bronze serpents on Buckingham Fountain in Chicago. All of the extraordinary gardens and hardscape were created by Peter Wodarz of Milieu Design.

The kitchen garden boasts it’s own beds of boxwood, coralbell, and foam flower. Don’t miss the stone sink and copper “twig” faucet cast by a local artisan. Circle through the pristine stables and tack room and past the winter “bank barn” to get the real flavor of this Barrington Hills estate. Donkeys and horses in the pasture, a vegetable garden surrounded with a decorative iron fence and a gypsy wagon playhouse round out the sights as you meander back down the country lane to your awaiting bus.

An English Masterpiece

Stately columns of trees, and containers brimming with color set the stage for this estate. Designed by John Staab of The Brickman Group, these 10 acres offer everything from formal, terraced 
gardens to carefree cottage borders.

The gardens surrounding the main house are decidedly formal, as 
evidenced by the English style boxwood gardens and brick path lined with white begonias and yews. Travel through the garden gate to visit the serene grand terrace and lawn area. 



A gravel lane will lead you through the pool parterre and into the formal garden. The ornate pavilion covers distinctive perennials, annuals and roses, all in riotous bloom. Notice the use of containers to add more color and dimension throughout the area. 

A short stroll brings you to the multi-award-winning potager garden, a French inspired vegetable, fruit, berry and cutting garden sure to impress.

Nearby, the charming cottage gardens bordering the 19th century farmhouse and guesthouse will have you pointing out your favorite blooms and noting new possibilities for your own garden! 



Garden Party Vignettes by Leading Designers


As you tour the three estates you will find charming garden party vignettes created by local area designers ranging from whimsical to elegant, offering unique and traditional ideas to Faire goers. This year’s designers include, The Brickman Group, Long Grove; Lori Lennon - Lori Lennon & Associates, Lake Forest; Christina Currie - Christina Currie Events, Inc., Barrington; Jane Heidkamp - House of Windsor LLC, Barrington Hills and Michelle D’Arcy - Horticultural Associates, Inc., Gurnee.

Complimentary Home & Garden Presentations:

“Tried and True Summer Bloomers” – Friday 12:30 PM

Journey with Joel Barczak, co-owner of Blumen Gardens', to revisit classic blooming perennials that your Grandma fancied for her summer gardens. Far from old-fashioned, these plants are delicately beautiful, easy to grow and carry multi-seasonal interest. Joel will re-introduce you to these tried and true perennials whose robust characteristics have stood the test of midwestern gardening time!

“Gardening with God’s Creatures” – Saturday 12:30 PM

Are creatures and critters enjoying more of your garden then you are? Join Michelle D’Arcy of Horticultural Associates as she shares how to outsmart and co-exist with deer, raccoons, skunks, chipmunks, squirrels and a variety of pests.

"British Bouquets and English Displays” - Friday and Saturday 2:00 PM

Join award winning and esteemed British designer Jane Heidkamp as she brings a European perspective to arranging fresh cut flowers that will add a sophisticated elegance to your décor.

TIcket Information:

Faire tickets are $45 through June 12th and $55 June 13th or after. Regular Faire hours are 10:00 AM to 4 PM each day. A special $80 “Early Buy” ticket will be offered Friday only for those who want to shop before the Faire opens from 8:30 AM - 10 AM. Tickets may be ordered on-line through June 15th from the website www.handsofhopeonline.org, purchased in advance and held at the entry by sending a check or money order to: Hands of Hope, 800 Hart Road, Suite 100, Barrington, IL 60010, or purchased on Faire days in the Faire parking lot. Tickets are good for both days. Sorry no refunds. Faire proceeds benefit Hands of Hope, a Barrington-based non-profit organization, dedicated to meeting the critical needs of women and children in Africa by addressing education, economic development, clean drinking water and health services.

Free Parking and Shuttle:
Shuttle busses will depart every 15 minutes from the following locations: Friday: from Barrington High School, 616 W. Main St., Barrington (Hart Road Parking entrance); and across the street at 800 Hart Road, Barrington. Saturday: from 800 Hart Road only. 



For more information, call 847-381-7367, visit the website at www.handsofhopeonline.org or join us on our Facebook page - Hands of Hope (Barrington Country Garden & Antique Faire) for up to the minute information about the Faire, raffle prizes and more.