Barrington event offers chance to peruse three private estates

Stones that look like they've spent a century holding up a Barrington Hills slope add authenticity to an estate with a charming shake Cape Cod house. But it's hard to compete for historic interest with a house on a legendary horse farm that started life as a barn just after the Civil War.

The 15th annual Barrington Country Garden & Antique Faire June 19 and 20 offers a chance to stroll these two private areas as well as spend a day at a third estate shopping, eating and learning about gardening and design.

The event benefits Hands of Hope, www.handsofhopeonline.org, a local charity that works with women in Africa on projects from agriculture to economic development, education, health care and drinking water.

This property with the converted barn, which is part of the famed Hill 'N Dale horse farm, demonstrates the “hills” in the village's name. Visitors first see a pond with a gazebo and small waterfalls, then travel up to the home. The residence that was once a barn projects rustic charm with multiple red French doors open to a courtyard paved in old Chicago bricks.

The silo houses the library and the home's front door, and guests walk under a stone arch to enter the courtyard. Stone steps connect the levels around the home. The hills beyond hold an old vegetable and perennial garden and the pond-inspired swimming pool and pool house.

Paul Lenczuk, whose company, Settings Inc., offers design services, has decorated the areas around the home with pottery, window boxes, vines, flowers, herbs and topiaries. And he wants to be sure you appreciate the huge ginkgo in front — one of the oldest in the area.

“It's a country home of wood and stone — very European,” said Lenczuk. “It's not formal but portrays an ease. That's what I love about it — the uncontrived primitiveness.”

Traveling even a little higher, walkers will see fields of The Gentleman Farmer, www.gentleman-farmer.com, Jessica and Dominic Green's small organic farm where they grow vegetables for members. This is part of the Community-Supported Agriculture movement. Shareholders pay in advance to receive a weekly selection of the harvest, pick up their own cache of vegetables and sometimes even volunteer at the farm.

The Greens have experimented throughout their five-year career as farmers and this year will plant 140 varieties of 35 different vegetables. They have added bees to help with pollination and hope the tiny workers will produce enough honey to sell next year.

Dominic was an actor and Jessica a Pilates instructor when they lived in Chicago.

“My wife and I were always interested in farming and the outdoors,” said the native Englishman. “We were influenced by an English television show, 'River Cottage,' which features a chef disillusioned with the London lifestyle. It's extremely rewarding to be part of nature, and we love the connection with our customers.”

The home is dubbed New England on the Prairie. A plain wooden swing hanging from one of the very tall black walnut and poplar trees in the front yard epitomizes the nostalgic and comfortable feel of the place, but the five acres also present formal areas.

The rough-hewed fence around a garden looks like something that would frame poet Carl Sandburg's yard, and climbing roses, wisteria and clematis grace trellises and a stone pergola around the house.

A free-standing, elegant white greenhouse where annuals are sheltered before they join the beds of peony, allium, iris, hydrangea, lady's mantle and coneflower demonstrates the gardens' formal touches. The home, built in 1941, also offers patios perfect for morning coffee or evening drinks. All of this and small orchards of pear and apple trees join a 10-stall stable overlooking wetlands.

15th annual Barrington Country Garden & Antique Faire

<b>When:</b> 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20

<b>Tickets:</b> $45 through June 14, $55 June 15 and after. Tickets may be purchased online through June 17 and will be held at the door.

<b>Where:</b> Free parking and shuttle bus every 15 minutes from Barrington High School, 616 W. Main St., and across the street from the high school at 800 Hart Road on Friday; on Saturday, shuttles run only from 800 Hart Road.

Tip: To get first picks of the shopping, an early-buy ticket is available for $80 for 8:30 to 10 a.m. Friday only.

<b>Benefits:</b> Hands of Hope, a local charity that works with women in Africa to improve their lives.

<b>Information:</b> <a href="http://www.handsofhopeonline.org/faire.asp">handsofhopeonline.org/faire.asp</a> or call (847) 381-7367.