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.

  • Perfect Home Features to Help Introverts Recharge

    Have you ever felt the need to escape, get away, and have some time to yourself? Before you take off for a weekend away consider adding a retreat to your home that is custom designed to help you recharge and is always available. Perhaps you could benefit from the following: Window nook – Maximize your home’s view by…

  • Bring the Outside In to Your Kitchen for Perfect Entertaining in Warm Weather

    The warm summer months are just around the corner and it is never too early to consider upgrading your kitchen space for endless entertaining opportunities. One of today’s hottest kitchen trends is to connect your exterior space with your kitchen.  Our favorite design ideas include: Installing an indoor/outdoor counter space Extending your kitchen counter into an exterior space…

  • Choose Your Favorite Dormer Style

    Dormers are structural elements of a home or building that extend outward from the roof. There are a variety of different dormer styles used in traditional home design, the most popular styles include: Gable A gable is the most traditional type of dormer and serves multiple purposes including keeping water away from the window and adding vertical headroom….

  • New England Home Style of the Month: Post-Medieval English

    Post-medieval English homes were found throughout England and colonial America in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s. This is a style born in England and brought to the colonies by Puritans who settled in the Northeast. Although this isn’t a common modern style you can incorporate elements into your home’s design, such as: Window details This…