Join us for an unforgettable afternoon with world-renowned Los Angeles-based interior designer Mary McDonald, the Honorary Chair of the 2025 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens and our keynote speaker at the luncheon on April 28, 2025. Known for her award-winning designs, bold aesthetic, and star power from
Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators and Property Envy,
Mary has been named one of House Beautiful’s “Top 100 Designers” and a Veranda "Top 25 Designer."
Moderated by Dara Caponigro, Chief Creative Officer of F. Schumacher & Co. and Editor-in-Chief of FREDERIC magazine, this engaging discussion will explore Mary’s visionary work, design philosophy, and career journey.
Guests will also enjoy signature bites from SPACE 519, receive an advance copy of
Glorious Gardens: Private Edens of the World's Leading Interior Designers
before its official May 2025 release, and
exclusive admission to tour the 2025 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens starting at 10:00 a.m.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear from one of the most influential designers of our time while indulging in an afternoon of style, conversation, and inspiration. Reserve your seat today!
Honorary Chair Luncheon
Keynote Speaker Mary McDonald and Moderator Dara Caponigro
featuring
Monday, April 28, 2025
Meet Mary McDonald
Mary McDonald is a world-renowned Los Angeles-based interior designer celebrated for her bold, sophisticated style. A Parsons School of Design graduate, she began her career as a milliner, with her hat designs featured in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar before transitioning to interiors.
Her signature aesthetic blends classic elegance with modern sensibilities, drawing inspiration from Chinoiserie and Indian influences. Recognized as one of House Beautiful’s "Top 100 Designers" and a Veranda "Top 25 Designer," her work has been featured in major design publications worldwide.
Beyond her design projects, McDonald has created exclusive product lines, including fabrics and wallcoverings for Schumacher, lighting for Robert Abbey, rugs for Patterson Flynn Martin, and furniture for Chaddock Home. She is also the author of Interiors: The Allure of Style (Rizzoli).
A dynamic presence in the industry, McDonald gained mainstream recognition as a star of Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators and Property Envy. Her work continues to inspire, seamlessly blending timeless elegance with contemporary flair.
Meet Dara Caponigro
Dara Caponigro is a visionary leader in the world of design, serving as the Chief Creative Officer of FS&CO, the heritage company behind Schumacher, Patterson Flynn, Backdrop, and Frederic Media. She is also the Creative Director of Schumacher, overseeing product development, marketing, licensing, and showroom design, as well as Editor-in-Chief of FREDERIC magazine, where she leads Frederic Media’s print, digital, and entertainment platforms.
A celebrated author, Caponigro has written several influential design books, including The Authentics, Domino: The Book of Decorating, and S Is for Style: The Schumacher Book of Decoration. Her latest book, Glorious Gardens: Private Edens of the World’s Leading Interior Designers, will be released in spring 2025.
With an illustrious editorial career spanning Veranda, Domino, Elle Decor, and House Beautiful, Caponigro is renowned for her ability to transform brands, breathe new life into legacy companies, and create compelling narratives that resonate with audiences. Her keen eye and deep expertise continue to shape the future of interior design.