A spectacular tower on a Second Empire style house. The Mansard roof form that turns an Italianate style house into a Second Empire style house comes from France. It was typically called a “French roof” during the 19th century – when all things Parisian were in vogue. Mansard roofs come in several forms, including concave and convex. This fabulous tower roof combines both, with a convex lower portion and concave upper portion. It retains its original decorative slate patterning.
Second Empire is one of 25 historic architectural styles described and illustrated in Chapter 2 of Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners. Understanding the style of a house will help you understand which features are character-defining so you can prioritize their preservation.
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