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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.

  • When to Put Vaulted Ceilings in Your Home Design

    Vaulted ceilings are a beautiful addition to a home. They help create an airy space that can make a home seem bigger than it actually is. If you’re considering adding a vaulted ceiling to your home renovation project consider the many benefits including: Exposing Rafters A vaulted ceiling provides the opportunity to put your rafters on…

  • Meet Drywall’s New Contender: Foreverboard

    Drywall has been a standard building construction material for years. It is installed easily and provides a consistent surface throughout homes on ceilings and walls. However, drywall may have met its match in Foreverboard, a innovative new building material. This new material is revolutionizing the commercial and residential building industry. It can be used in a…

  • Round It Out: Using Curvilinear Architecture in Your Home Design

    Take a quick look at your home’s architecture. Do you see mostly box-like forms and strong, straight lines? Most homes in our country are dominated by straight line architecture even though rounded lines and curvilinear architecture provide visual interest and create interesting spaces. How can curvilinear architecture be used successfully in your home? Outdoor living spaces When you’re…

  • Keeping a Consistent and Well-Constructed Roof Design in Your Home Addition

    A home addition presents a range of challenges to designers and homeowners, such as: “How can we make the design cohesive while creating a beautiful home exterior?” or “How will the new roof line impact the home’s overall design?” Understanding the issues surrounding the addition’s roof is crucial to making sure the building project is a success. Things…