Some Ideas to Consider …

  • August New England Home Style of the Month: Italianate

    The Italianate architectural style began in England in the early 1800’s as a reaction to the formal architectural styles of the 1700’s. It was inspired by rural Italian farmhouses that featured classic masonry techniques, square towers, and informal details. This style spread to the United States by the 1830’s and was popular throughout our growing nation. It offered American architects more creative freedom than previous designs styles and was made most famous by the architectural work of Andrew Downing. He designed homes throughout the country and published several books specifically detailing the Italianate style.

    Victorian Spaces by South San Francisco General Contractors Dijeau Poage Construction via Houzz

    Elements of Italianate style homes include:

      • Wide cornices that project toward the front of the home featuring heavy brackets, decorative bands, and panel moldings.
      • Ornamented windows, doorways, and porches.
    Victorian Exterior by Houston Home Builders Whitestone Builders via Houzz
    • Brick or clapboard exteriors that feature detailed cast iron door and window hoods.
    • Low pitched roofs that often include a square cupola.
    • Curved and arched windows.
    • Large panes of glass included in the home’s front door.
    • Square post columns throughout the porch’s design.
    Mediterranean Exterior by Edina General Contractors John Kraemer & Sons via Houzz

    At Country Club Homes, we pride ourselves on keeping current with the hottest custom home design ideas. Contact us today to learn more about our work.

  • The Studs of Construction: Understanding the Lumber in Your Home

    You’ve encountered the studs of construction before: You measure and mark the walls to hang a piece of artwork. The first nail goes in easy-breezy, the second one nearly jars the teeth out of your head as you pound it in. That’s a stud. Homes in Fairfield County and around the country are usually framed…

  • Adding a Sauna to Your Home is Great for Your Health

    An in-home sauna may seem like an unnecessary luxury, but in reality it can provide significant benefits to your health. A sauna’s heat works to sooth your nerve endings, relieve tension, reduce joint pain, and relax your muscles.  Spending time in a sauna also works to calm your body and relieve it of stress which promotes…

  • Create Cleverly Concealed Work Spaces in Your Home

    Have you discovered that you could benefit from additional workspaces in your home? Using creative built-in storage is an excellent way to create unique spaces designed specifically to meet your family’s needs. Contemporary Family Room by New York Architects & Designers Murdock Solon Architects via Houzz   Considering adding a: Homework center: Does your kids’ homework spill out across…

  • How to Tell if a Wall or Column is Load-Bearing

    Many homeowners seek to open up space in their home during a home renovation project by removing a wall. This can connect spaces and completely transform a home’s layout. Before a wall can be removed it must first be determined whether the wall is load-bearing. This can be determined by: Traditional Staircase by Wilton Design-Build Firms Country Club…