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.

  • Photos of a ‘Family Drop Zone’ for Your Wilton or New Canaan Home

    Guess what’s lurking behind the paneled wood double doors off the elegant front foyer of the Fairfield County home you dined at Saturday night? Stuff – everything from tennis shoes to tennis racquets! In modern vernacular, it’s called a ‘Family Drop Zone’. With kids getting off the bus, a parent coming in from work and…

  • New Green Bathroom Remodeling Ideas for Fairfield County, CT Homes

    Residents of southwestern Connecticut have multiple incentives to assume more eco-friendly lifestyles and to “Go Green”. From financial rewards for reducing energy consumption, to the environmentally important goal of living more responsible and sustainable lives, we are becoming more and more aware of our need to reduce energy and natural resource consumption in our Wilton,…

  • Images of Popular Luxury Trends in the Fairfield County Kitchen

    What’s popular in designing a luxury kitchen?  Design a space to conceal all of your counter top appliances, such as coffee makers, toasters, blenders, etc.  Next, consider using a mixture of counter top materials.  Also, conceal your refrigerator and dishwasher with  cabinetry panels to keep  with the visual line of the beautiful cabinetry.  Finally, using…

  • Images & Pictures of Luxury Fairfield County Outdoor Living Areas

    At Country Club Homes, Inc. it has been our pleasure over the years to work with many families who have completed a remodeling or renovation to their Fairfield County, CT. homes and outdoor living areas. With the arrival of the fall season here in southwestern Connecticut, many homeowners are reviewing their outdoor living and entertainment…