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.

  • Home Style of the Month: Colonial Revival

    A uniquely American style, Colonial Revival was initially inspired by a surge of patriotism and was most popular from 1895-1945. The Philadelphia Centennial of 1876 created a renewed interest in the historical architecture of the United States. Architects began studying early Colonial homes and translated the original ideas into larger homes with an emphasis on…

  • What Trends are Underfoot? Ideas for Wood Flooring

    Beautiful flooring is the underpinning of any stylish home. The ideal flooring is a smart combination of visual appeal and durability and wood floors have reliably accomplished that combination for centuries. Here’s a look at some of the most popular options in wood flooring today. Pale and neutral washes, especially gray, are having a moment…

  • Get Organized: Ideas for A Home Office

    The start of a new year often means a commitment to eliminating clutter and getting organized at home. Here are some ways your home office can do a better job of making your life easier and more efficient. Just like any successful work project, designing your home office requires deliberate planning. Think about how you…

  • A New Outlook: Window Styles

    Thoughtful window design and placement emphasizes a sense of style in your whole home remodel and dramatically affects the look and feel of your space. Windows can create a deeper connection to surrounding nature by framing views and bringing natural light and circulation into your home. Here’s a look at some of today’s most popular…