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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.

  • Illuminate Your Living Room with These Tips

    Short days in winter mean that natural sunlight is at a premium during the cold season. However, you can combat the darkness by finding creative and beautiful ways to illuminate your living room. Consider enhancing the lighting in your living room by adding: Ambient lighting. Chandeliers, overhead lighting, and wall fixtures can provide a soft ambient…

  • Consider Using Mechanical Ventilation for Cleaner Air in Your Home

    Mechanical ventilation offers homeowners technology that provides high quality indoor air, increases energy efficiency, decreases airborne pollutants, and reduces the likelihood of respiratory problems. A residential mechanical ventilation system will also extract stale air, recover heat using a heat exchange core, and transfer this recovered heat to the fresh incoming air. Homeowners often have a lot…

  • Things to Consider Before Removing a Wall in Your Home

    When you undertake a home renovation project you may discover that the home’s layout needs to be altered to meet your design goals. Removing a wall in your home may open up the layout and allow for more space but should be done carefully to avoid extensive damage. Removing a wall should involve careful consideration, including: Your…

  • Choose the Perfect Flooring for Your Custom Home

    The floor of any room in a house serves as the baseline for any décor, and choosing the right type of floor is essential for creating the look that you want. Here are a few tips to get you started on this important task: Wood Floors Add Charm – Wood floors run the gamut from rustic…