Address: 153 Laurel Road, Lake Forest
Size: Two bedrooms, two baths
Rent: $3,200
Parking: Two spaces in underground, heated parking garage
Mansions and spacious lawns make up much of the scenery in Lake Forest, an upscale northern suburb where this rental unit is located in a condominium complex.
In keeping with the tone set by the surrounding homes, this complex might be called tres chic or even magnifique. Of course, its rent also is of an order that might be termed magnifique—or, at least, impressive.
French phrases seem in order because these condo buildings are designed in the French Provincial style.
Each of the community’s three buildings features a red brick exterior with a cedar shingle roof. The balcony outside each unit is decorated with decorative white pillars and black, wrought iron fences. The blue color of the window frames and doors contrasts nicely with the red brick.
Wooden trellises covering the entryways of the buildings add a rustic touch that evokes a sense of the French countryside. There are vines starting to crawl on these trellises and, in the summer, plenty of lush flowers growing in beds nearby.
A condominium complex might not be the first place a person would consider when seeking a rental unit. There are, however, benefits to living in a community such as this.
For instance, a homeowners association may pay extra attention to niceties such as the verdant landscaping that is already flourishing in this newly constructed community.
There are other benefits as well. This complex has radiant heat built into the driveway apron to keep snow and ice from accumulating on winter days. There also is a heated, underground garage.
When snow does fall, the entryway of this two-bedroom unit will provide plenty of space in which to shake it off and to remove one’s boots and jacket.
The foyer is 11 by 6 feet and has a white tile floor, as well as a coat closet with a white door and gleaming brass handle. The area is brightened by a crystal-covered hallway light.
After hanging up your coat and depositing gloves, one could take an immediate right from the foyer into the kitchen. This is where a cup of hot chocolate could be warmed in the built-in microwave oven. Like the rest of this room’s appliances, the oven is black and complements the black, gray and brown colors in the granite countertops. The wooden cabinets here are a maple color that also blends with the color scheme.
A double door in the kitchen opens to a closet where a clothes washer and dryer could be placed. Also in the kitchen is another extra-deep closet, for storage of bulky items such as a vacuum cleaner and holiday decorations.
Rather than do the laundry in the gloom of a basement, this 10-by-10 kitchen provides a bright and cheery workplace as sunshine floods in through a skylight.
The natural light also illuminates an adjacent breakfast room, which also measures 10 by 10 feet. More light shines in from a double window with a window seat–a fine place to take a breather and look at the trees outside.
An open doorway from this breakfast area leads into a formal dining room, which measures 11 by 11 feet. Like most of the rest of the unit, it has a dark hardwood floor. There also is a double window here that provides a view of trees and houses nearby.
Next to the dining room is the living room. At 21 by 14 feet, it would be a perfect to entertain a large gathering of guests. A fireplace with a white mantel and a hearth of green and black granite helps create a cozy atmosphere. To quickly spark fires in this wood-burning fireplace, there’s a even gas starter.
If the fire gets too hot, there’s a sliding glass door that can be opened onto a balcony with wrought iron railing.
This sliding glass door is not like those you commonly see in rental units. It is a white-framed, solid door with brass accents in keeping with the style of the room.
For evenings when surfing the Internet on your computer or reading a book sounds more appealing than sitting by the fire, you could retire to a study that adjoins the living room. It measures 10 by 11 feet, has two large windows and, like most of the other rooms, has the elegant touch of crown molding.
Down a short hallway from living room are the unit’s two bedrooms. The smaller one, measuring 14 by 11 feet, has a double window and a double closet concealed by sliding, six-panel doors.
Directly across the hall from this bedroom is a full-size bathroom. It features a vanity with a beige and white granite counter, a framed mirror and an off-white tile floor. There also is a glass-enclosed shower/tub here.
The master bedroom is next to the smaller bedroom. It measures 16 by 15 feet and features three windows, as well as an adjoining dressing area with a large, walk-in closet.
This dressing area leads into the master bathroom, which has a beige stone floor and a double vanity with a green and black granite counter. Also located here is a tub/shower. The vanity cabinets are a maple color.
For rental information, call 847-295-8400.
