Some Ideas to Consider …

  • How to Tell if a Wall or Column is Load-Bearing

    Many homeowners seek to open up space in their home during a home renovation project by removing a wall. This can connect spaces and completely transform a home’s layout. Before a wall can be removed it must first be determined whether the wall is load-bearing. This can be determined by:

    what to do with load bearing walls
    Traditional Staircase by Wilton Design-Build Firms Country Club Homes

    • Searching for beams at the lowest level of the house that interface directly with the concrete foundation.
    • Locating the home’s beams and noting which walls they connect directly to.
    • Identifying joists that meet a wall at a perpendicular angle and transferring the weight to the load-bearing wall.
    • Following internal load-bearing walls up through the structure.

    Since load-bearing walls can’t be removed, there are certain things you can do to integrate them into the home’s design. Consider installing structural columns in place of the wall and tie in their design to the room’s aesthetic. You can also use beams in the ceiling to help support the weight of a load-bearing wall while opening up the space.

    If you are considering undertaking any home renovation projects, contact our professionals at Country Club Homes today at 203-762-0550. We’re ready to be your trusted home design, renovation, and construction team.

  • Higher Light: Interior Transom Windows

    Transom windows are a lovely historical detail with an interesting history of practical purpose. Before the advent of air conditioning, transom windows were an innovative design feature that allowed for cross ventilation between rooms. Typically, transom windows could be opened and closed using a long metal rod. There were also styles that opened on a…

  • Chic Simplicity: A Black and White Bathroom

    The black and white bathroom is a design classic that always feels fresh. The simplicity of black and white allows for endless experimentation with color and texture to make your space feel distinct and memorable. The walls in a black and white bathroom are an interesting place to explore the use of patterned wallpaper, particularly…

  • Hot Ideas for the Hearth: Custom Fireplace Designs

    As autumn settles in, the age-old custom of gathering around a glowing fire becomes ever more appealing. The fireplace in your home can be a conversational centerpiece with the right application of design skill and imagination. Your fireplace should reflect the overall look and feel of your home, whether traditional, modern, or somewhere in between….

  • Empty-Nesters Purchase Cottage with Downsizing In Mind

    Interested in downsizing? A soon-to-be empty nester couple fell in love with this delightful cottage and purchased the home with downsizing in mind. As the renovation project started, it turned into a labor of love for the couple as they envisioned it as their beach-style retirement home. The small corner lot on Belle Island in the Rowayton section…