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.

  • Trendy Home Features With Timeless Appeal

    When you’re building a new home, you need to strike a balance between the trendiest features and ones that will still be appealing down the road. Thankfully, some features fall into both of these categories. Consider including the following timeless and trendy elements in your new home. Brick walls. Exposed brick in a kitchen, living room,…

  • The Art of Laying Hardwood Floors

    Hardwood floors look elegant and sophisticated in your home, but installing them requires careful attention to detail. At Country Club Homes, we recommend paying careful attention when choosing subfloor and hardwood flooring materials. Traditional Kitchen by Wilton Design-Build Firms Country Club Homes via Houzz Choosing Sub-floor Materials Plywood sub-floors are common in new construction, but you must be…

  • Luxury Necessities for Your Custom New England Home

    At Country Club Homes, we love designing luxurious homes for our clients, and we are always happy to integrate the newest luxury amenities into our designs. It’s always nice to have the trendiest design elements and decor. Some luxurious amenities are becoming so common, in fact, that they’re almost necessities in today’s homes. Outdoor Kitchens….

  • How Landscaping Goes From Dream to Reality

    What is your ideal home exterior? You probably have an image in your mind of the perfect landscaping, but making that image a reality can seem a bit intimidating. With the help of Country Club Homes, you can have the landscape of your dreams. Here is a brief look at the process we use to…