Some Ideas to Consider …

  • Building Up: Add an Additional Story to Your Home or Guest House

    Two-Story Home by Country Club Homes
    Source: Country Club Homes

    When investigating home remodeling ideas, you may have realized that adding an additional story is a great way to increase square footage. There are important structural and design considerations to make when adding a second story to your home. Before work begins, talk to your contractor about:

    • Design cohesion. A second story addition should look like it was always there; it shouldn’t look like an add-on that doesn’t match the original structure. Spend time with your designer and contractor to make sure the addition is cohesive with the original home.

      Two-Story Living Room
      Source: Country Club Homes
    • Structural requirements. Adding a second story will add significant weight to the home. Work with your contractor to determine what structural upgrades your main floor’s walls and your foundation need to support the extra weight.
    • Mechanical upgrades. The addition will likely require mechanical upgrades, including HVAC systems, electrical panels, and water tanks. Plan for these upgrades and invest in systems that are large enough for the entire structure.
    • Septic or Sewage System.  If additonal bedrooms are added, make sure your septic or sewage system is efficient and up to code.

    An addition is a big project that can transform your house into your dream home. Contact us at Country Club Homes, Inc. at 203-762-0550 or visit us at www.countryclubhomesinc.com to learn more about the details of a home renovation project.

  • Higher Light: Interior Transom Windows

    Transom windows are a lovely historical detail with an interesting history of practical purpose. Before the advent of air conditioning, transom windows were an innovative design feature that allowed for cross ventilation between rooms. Typically, transom windows could be opened and closed using a long metal rod. There were also styles that opened on a…

  • Chic Simplicity: A Black and White Bathroom

    The black and white bathroom is a design classic that always feels fresh. The simplicity of black and white allows for endless experimentation with color and texture to make your space feel distinct and memorable. The walls in a black and white bathroom are an interesting place to explore the use of patterned wallpaper, particularly…

  • Hot Ideas for the Hearth: Custom Fireplace Designs

    As autumn settles in, the age-old custom of gathering around a glowing fire becomes ever more appealing. The fireplace in your home can be a conversational centerpiece with the right application of design skill and imagination. Your fireplace should reflect the overall look and feel of your home, whether traditional, modern, or somewhere in between….

  • Empty-Nesters Purchase Cottage with Downsizing In Mind

    Interested in downsizing? A soon-to-be empty nester couple fell in love with this delightful cottage and purchased the home with downsizing in mind. As the renovation project started, it turned into a labor of love for the couple as they envisioned it as their beach-style retirement home. The small corner lot on Belle Island in the Rowayton section…