I've found these examples, which I think are nice

I would keep all the siding the same on each level. So if you decide on board and batten for the gable, keep all the gables board and batten. Same with first level of house and second. Let me see if I can do a quickie of the front for you.

What about something like this? I did something different then I suggested above. I made the more "hidden" part that sits back a bit board and batten and then added the board and batten to the gable over the siding and reversed it on the more hidden gable.

I also changed the roofing over the porch. I think if you switch to a metal roof over the porch along withe the two different sidings and the different roof material for the rest of the house it will become too much of a jumble where you won't know where your eye should settle.

I would also print up some different versions and play with color on them.

How would you handle the left and right elevations with that proposed change?

I really like this house and think it has a lot of potential. I think standing seam for the whole thing would be great, but might not be in the budget. Right now, we will probably do white and go for a farmhouse appearance, but they are open to changes so I might suggest a different color

Ok second idea where I made the whole second floor board and batten but switched the whole first floor to siding. Made the gable all siding too.

PAR let me do one more where I switch the board and batten to the first floor. I'm thinking that might give more "height" in feel to the first floor and then the second floor kept as siding. If you decide to do standing seam, make the whole thing standing seam, but not two roofs with the two sidings. Cute house btw.

As for the other sides, I have to actually get to work now but can play with them later tonight.

Something like this?

Atherton Farmhouse · More Info

Organic Modern · More Info

Modern Farm House · More Info

cpartist - Board and batten on the first floor is a very interesting idea

I think they just did that on a This Old House project. It looked nice.

Ok I like this version with the board and batten on the bottom the best. However it's not my house. :) It feels like a classic farmhouse and in white or any color would be wonderful.

Later I can play with the other sides. Just let me know which version you prefer. Notice though that it has a cohesiveness where your eye now isn't jumping around all over the place.

cpartist - I really like the board and batten on the bottom as well. It's so different that what we started with but it works great! Different perspectives are so helpful as usual.

Oaktown - love your examples

PAR once I finish what I need to do, I'll show the other elevations with the batten on the bottom. :)

Question, on the right elevation you have a frieze board line (is that the right term?) between the two levels but you don't have it on the left elevation. Can it be added?

certainly it can be added

Nice looking house! I would like to see the 1-story bump on the rear of the house all board and batten siding as well. Then lose the board and batten siding on all other first floor areas.

SBA Studios - are you talking about something like this picture?

Here's the rear:

Here is the right side. The left side will have to wait until after dinner:

So many possible concepts when using mixed materials. How about considering the tall "main house" as the first to be constructed and the smaller "lean-to" house as a subsequent addition? With such a concept one would expect to see the "first" house of one material and finish, and perhaps the "second" house (or the addition to the "main" house) of a second material and finish. Just an option to the "mix and match, wash and wear" options! Good luck on your project! :-)

PAR - Yeah, the image you posted would be what I was referring to on the rear 1-story bump out. But then still explore all board and batten at the second floor areas.

I think you have some good overall options though, I am sure a variety of options would look good. I like simplicity when getting into mixing materials, especially on a traditional looking home.

Virgil Fine Art Center - you're not kidding when you say there are so many options. I found some more interesting pictures out there using a mixture of the two sidings. Lots of possibilities!

and a few more

I think you are headed in the right direction, be sure to post your final selection!

There is no "right" or "wrong", or "better" or "worse" approach for something like this. It's all about personal preference--a lot like painting! I continue to like the approach that has some substance to it such as a historical concept of an "early" house and a "later" addition. Here's a photo.

Poplar Cottage - BarkHouse Shingle Siding and Reclaimed Barnwood Siding · More Info

Here is an older house we did a gut/rehab on and replace the siding and B&B to match existing. They had an extra material in the gable, but I do not think I would advise that here. Just sharing because the massing and materials are historical and not all that different.

cpartist you're awesome. Thanks all for the suggestions - think there are many "right" ways to do this house.

Yes that's the beauty of this house. It's a wonderful farmhouse look that can go in many different directions. Please let us know what you do go with.

@PAR Contractors, Inc. and @cpartist. Interested in your opinions, this thread is really interesting! We are thinking of doing a half board and batten design, where the b&b is on the 1st floor. The first picture is one of the only examples we've seen in person. Any thoughts on the 2 pictures of the design shown below? Should we flip the b&b to the 2nd floor? This design seems like a bold move, and having a hard time picturing how different color choices/configurations will look.

This Single style house is quite nice where strong large patterns belong on the bottom and smaller patterns belong on the top. Shingles can flare at the break.

I like that. The only thing that bothers me is the lap siding under the porch.

I’m gonna guess the space below the porch is wrapped with horizontal fence-like wood slats otherwise it would be concrete. I would not change a thing.

The above design is an example of the value of studying historic architectural styles. Thank you Stanford White and Vincent Scully.