Some Ideas to Consider …

  • Guidelines for Selecting White Marble Counters

    Are you a fan of Italian white marble counters? Italian white marble is one of the most popular countertop and backsplash choices in kitchens today, but, how much do most people really know about it? The gallery images below include a lovely kitchen with a marble countertop from our Country Club Homes, Inc. luxury home portfolio.

    Country Club Homes, Inc. recently uncovered an excellent Cultivate.com article about Italian white marble, with some very interesting and useful guidelines to guide kitchen designers and homeowners through the selection process of Italian white marble for counters. Here are a few helpful facts from the article:

    The three primary types of white marble are Bianco Carrara, Statuary White, and Calacata; all quarried from the Carrara region of Northern Tuscany. All three are noted for their fine qualities of background whiteness and the color and movement of the veins.

    The article states that, “Each marble type has its own special qualities, and the simplest way to tell these materials apart is to use the “Background and Vein Color” rule.” The more expensive grades have the whiter and cleaner background and more evenly distributed veining. The demand for white marble far outstrips the supply. All are a product of nature and no two are alike.  Be sure to spend the time looking at the actual slabs, and once you find the one or ones that you like, mark it and don’t let it go.

    For other important details about the variations between Bianco Carrara, Statuary White, and Calacata marbles; and slab fabrication, read the rest of the Cultivate.com article – it’s interesting reading! If you are planning a new kitchen remodel, or a custom new home design; contact Country Club Homes, Inc. of Fairfield County, CT, for award winning architectural design expertise.

    Images via Cultivate.com and the Country Club Homes, Inc. Portfolio

  • Small Details Can Make All the Difference in a Universal Design

    Universal design is the process of creating a home that works for all residents, regardless of ability or age. Many universal design homes are created specifically for homeowners that are in wheelchairs or have other physical needs, but universal design goes beyond adding ramps and making sure doorways are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair….

  • A House Full of Secrets: Designing a Home With Hidden Passages for Convenience and Privacy

    If you love a good mystery you know that secret passageways are the epitome of suspense and intrigue. What is behind that door and through that hidden passage? Secret passageways can be built into your home to boost privacy and convenience. Our favorite passageway ideas include the: Bookshelf doorway. It may look like a wall full of…

  • Driftwood Architecture is a Gorgeous Way to Bring the Outdoors Into Your Home

    One of the most wonderful things about coastal living, aside from the stunning views, is the vast array of design ideas you can draw upon from the sea.  While common design features like ship motifs and seashells have to walk a fine line to avoid moving from tasteful to kitschy, one oceanic design element is…

  • Consider the Practical Beauty of Cedar Roofs

    Best known for their undeniable beauty, cedar roofs offer a host of other benefits to homeowners. They are incredibly durable, environmentally friendly, and stand up to even the worst weather conditions. If you’re considering installing a cedar roof as part of your construction project take the time to understand the material before you begin. Cedar roofs…