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.

  • Build Your Dream Home for All Stages of Life

    Designing and building your dream home requires plenty of planning. You must identify your current needs while considering the home’s future use. Failing to plan for your future needs may leave you with a design that is incompatible with the later stages of your life. When designing your custom home, you should consider things like: A growing family:…

  • Add a Chemical-Free Swimming Pool to Your New England Home

    Many homeowners love the thought of a backyard pool but aren’t as keen on the chemicals traditional pools require. An alternative to using these chemicals is to install a natural swimming pool. Traditional Pool by Portland Maine Pools & Spas Robins Nest Aquatics via Houzz A natural swimming pool utilizes a carefully designed wetland of gravel…

  • Top It Off: Roof Styles to Consider

    Designing custom homes in Fairfield County requires many different decisions to help you personalize your home and have it stand out from the crowd.  While different brick colors and facade designs are excellent ways to differentiate your home’s exterior, don’t overlook the roof as an option for customization.  There are a variety of roof styles…

  • Simple Steps to Make Construction Easier on Your Family

    There’s no denying that the construction process can be hard. A multitude of decisions, unforeseen changes, and the need to stick to a timeline and a budget may all feel overwhelming at times. Our team at Country Club Homes understands this and is committed to making the construction process as easy as possible for our…