Ran into this article on the NY Times site:

Heyday of the Mansard Roof

I've always been into Victorian architecture, and this type of roof has been my favorite.  I just never new there was a name for it.  And, in discovering this, I found out that my absolute favorite architectural house style is Second Empire.

Look at this piece of gorgeousness:

How a-MAZ-ing is this house??  So pretty!  They just don't make 'em like this anymore.  If I had a zillion dollars and could build any kind of house I wanted, it would be this.  But maybe with the addition of a tower and a widow's walk on top. 

Like the Abbey house in Cape May, NJ:

Well, actually, since we're talking Cape May (my most FAVORITE town!!), if I had a zillion dollars, I'd buy this house:

Christopher Gallagher House, Cape May, NJ

Gorgeous!  And to think in a town of B&Bs, this slice of perfection is a private residence.  <*sigh*>  Take my advice ladies - marry for money (lol!)

And what does this have to do with design?  A lot, I think.  I am very influenced by early artistic styles.  Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, etc. 

And, the band Vampire Weekend has a song called Mansard Roof. So, I'm still relevant and didn't even know it.  Score one for me.