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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.

  • Steps to a Gorgeous Stairway

    A well-designed stairway takes the design of your home to new levels. Besides serving the very practical purpose of navigation, stairways are an architectural centerpiece and an opportunity to be creative on a grand scale.   Your stairway can set the tone for the aesthetic of your entire home so it’s important to determine at…

  • Set the Table for a Better Dining Room

    When the holidays arrive each year the dining room usually gets used more often as we welcome guests into our homes for seasonal celebrations. What makes the dining room inviting, comfortable and memorable?   Because it is typically one of the least used rooms in a home, the dining room can be a place to…

  • Design that Shines: Metallic Elements in Your Home

    The sheen of metallic elements is particularly evocative of warm and welcoming glamour in your home during the autumn months. Metallics present themselves in copper, gold, bronze, silver, brass and rose gold hues, each with its own unique characteristic to add to your decor. When decorating with metallics, it’s essential to choose your hues carefully…

  • The Path Followed: Interesting Walkways

    Trick or treaters will navigate many a walkway this weekend, which prompted us to review what makes an interesting path to a home. There are many options depending on a home’s style, climate, and neighborhood. Here are just a few ideas to consider:   Straight Lines or Curves and Angles: A straight walkway is the…