Good morning Monday!

BC and I left Friday afternoon to spend the weekend in Hudson. Our trip began with dramatics; we missed our train, a long story which included my yelling at multiple Amtrak employees. We were in dire straits by the time we walked from the train station to The Croff House.

But greeting us upon our arrival was Russ, of the B&B’s two charming owners, and his daily afternoon treat of fresh-baked goods and lemonade. I believe I entered my own personal heaven. And apparently, my heaven is done up in the Second Empire style.

The main distinction between Second Empire and anything else is the Mansard Roof. (Yep, like that Vampire Weekend song.) The Croff House tricked me… no mansard roof. But only because the third floor burnt down and wasn’t rebuilt. However, the house next door is a perfect example.

Second Empire style was established in France in the mid-1800′s, just think of all those grand boulevards with the hippy roofs. The American residential interpretation of this was to simply place a mansard roof on top of any style, making Second Empire a whole mish-mash of architectural extravagance.

The Croff House was renovated by Russ and Duncan (aka the most fabulous innkeepers ever) and they did an incredible job marrying a Victorian design style (original to the house) with a warm, modern aesthetic.

images via The Cross House website

Take, for example, the stained glass above a walk-in shower or the antique fireplace with a modern mantle in the Chace Suite, our home for the weekend.

Interestingly enough, the street that The Croff House is on (Willard Place) used to be a private, gated community, lined on both sides with houses in the Second Empire style. Sadly, only a few remain. I’m glad there are people like Russ and Duncan preserving this little slice of heaven… even if it isn’t only for me.