Some Ideas to Consider …

  • Home Style of the Month: Second Empire

    The Second Empire style was most popular in the United States in the 1860s and 1870s, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest. In its time, the style was considered modern and fashionable, simultaneously favored in France and the United States by affluent homeowners.

     

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    OldHousonline – French Connection

    The style originated in France, where some French architects used the phrase “horror vacui” – the fear of unadorned surfaces – to describe the Second Empire style and its emphasis on heavy ornamentation. Second Empire homes became prominent in France during that country’s “second empire,” the reign of Napoleon (1852-1870).

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    Iron cresting on mansard roof

    A tall mansard roof with wrought iron cresting is the most prominent distinguishing feature of this style. The roof was considered both visually appealing and practical since it created a fully functional attic space.

    Appropriate for a style focus in October, Second Empire homes are often featured in Halloween imagery as the quintessential haunted house.

    • Elements of Second Empire Style
    • Mansard roof with decorative slate pattern
    • Cast iron decorative cresting at roof
    • Patterned tiles on roof
    • Segmented arched windows
    • Prominent arched doorway
    • One story porch
    • Tower

     

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    Credit: decorpad.com – Arched Doorways

    At Country Club Homes, we stay in touch with the latest custom home design trends to share exciting new ideas with our clients. Contact us today at 203-762-0550 or visit us at countryclubhomesinc.com to learn more about our work.

  • A Sunroom For All The Seasons

    A four-season sunroom connects your home to nature 365 days a year with a versatility that engages the whole family. Nurturing tender green plants in the midst of winter or staying cool inside while enjoying a bright summer day, a sunroom gives you a wonderful sense of freedom and expansion. Live with More Natural Light:…

  • Gather Here: Ideas for Your Kitchen Island

    A central island, a familiar element in today’s kitchens, is a place to prepare and cook food, eat casual family meals, and gather while entertaining. Depending on which of these activities is most important to you, your kitchen island can be designed in a myriad of functional and stylish ways. The basic structure of most…

  • Spring: Brighten Your Home with Floral Wallpaper

    Walls covered in lush greenery and flowers make us feel closer to spring no matter the date or the weather. Wallpaper continues to evolve for the modern home with designs that work for every décor from traditional to contemporary. The latest patterns update the classic floral wallpaper you remember from Grandma’s house by using unexpected…

  • Ease the Chill: Steam Showers

    A steam shower in your master bathroom is a luxury to be enjoyed every day, particularly during the chilly winter months. After a long day in the icy cold, basking in a warm and steamy shower is a comforting pleasure that relaxes your body and restores your spirit. Steam showers have numerous health and wellness…