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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.

  • Being Prepared: Are Your Home and Family Ready for a Super Storm?

    Summer brings with it long days, vacations, ice cream cones… and storms.  Summer thunderstorms are common this time of year, and most of them are nothing to worry about.  However, summer is also hurricane season and, as we learned last year, the northeastern coast is not immune to the damaging effects of these super storms….

  • Remodeling Ideas That’ll Make Your Home Feel Bigger

    Gaining more living space in your home is not always about increasing the actual square-footage. Often times, remodeling a room so that it can serve double duty can effectively make your home seem a lot bigger and more functional. Here are some suggestions for remodeling your home to appear larger without actually adding on to…

  • The Benefits of a New Custom Home vs an Existing Home

    When searching for a new home, one of the earliest questions you need to answer is whether you want to buy an existing home or build a custom home.  Both have their benefits, but in many cases the benefits of custom building outweigh those of buying an existing home. When you search for existing homes,…

  • Has Marble in the Home Lost Its Luster?

    The use of marble in the home is a centuries old tradition. It’s beauty in the kitchen, bathroom and as floors or walls cannot be denied. But times do change. Once a sign of affluence, the allure of this natural stone has decreased dramatically as it has found its way into a high percentage of…