I think your first option is not only classic but classy; I also like how you incorporated the the BnB on the "connector" portion of the house. Both of the other images are wwwaaayyy too busy for my taste. Just my humble opinion, however, it's your house and should reflect your aesthetic. I know I certainly made some design choices that get some people on this board riled up, but my husband and I like it and at the end of the day, that's really what matters most. Enjoy your build!

The classic lines of the house are ill served by the kitchen sink approach to cladding. The first image is by far the best. The others are like a child playing dress up who uses all the makeup and jewelry in the mother's wardrobe.

Not even remotely close. Hardi shakes should be used sparingly they can make elevation look very busy and they are 3x the cost of LAP. The 1 by far. Also B&B vs LAP is your preference.

Other issue is max panel size for b&b is 10 foot n length. If you apply B&B on the gable you will see the line(s)

Never do this

i agree first option is by far the best

There is beauty in simplicity. Don't try and tart up what is a beautiful looking house. I agree with everyone that #1 is the way to go.

#2 is just a hot mess.

The sense of "calm" in your first drawing is so pleasing. And I agree the little taste of board and batten is cute, without being cloy.

Thanks to all of you for weighing in. I'm not surprised by your opinions since I read this forum a lot. I'd definitely go with the simple classic first option except for two things.

First, my husband's taste differs from mine. He has been very generous in letting me design mostly what I like, which is an old fashioned farmhouse style. If left to my own devices, I would choose the first style, and make it a white or yellow house. The fact is my husband would much prefer a more mountain style. Darker, richer looking, not actually sure what to call what he would like, but he does not have bad taste, it's just quite different than mine. My second option is trying to consider what he would like better, and honestly I think it would look lovely in real life and not at all busy or overdone. My drawing does not do it justice, but remember, this is not a tiny house. It is also a classic shape, and I just don't think that adding some of these details would take away from the house. Yes, it would be less 'correct', but we are not worried about that at all. My favorite houses do not follow rules, but rather speak of the personalities and tastes of the people who built them.

My second reason for considering the second option with shakes and b&b is not the front of the house, but the side. Lap siding covering the entire, full two storey side of that house? I'm afraid it will look terrible.

I didn't realize that Hardie shakes were 3x more expensive, so that definitely plays into the decision. I'm curious how b&b compares in price to the lap siding?

So, let's say I did go with the first option. What could I do to add a bit of interest to the side of the house? Maybe I could keep the little roof over the door and kitchen window? Or put a horizontal band of white trim at the same level as the second option. (this would need to be on the front gable of the house as well though, which I'm not sure I like)

Yep, #1. Architectural integrity for the win. :-)

You expressed a concern that the side of the house looks blank... It lacks the awning/porch covering in the #2 option. I'm a big fan of treating all sides of the house as if they were the facade, so to speak, which means I would thoughtfully select windows, doors, porches, etc., everywhere.

Oooh, would a pergola be an authentic element to add?

Edited to add: What about making that large window to the left of the door a bay? :-)

Your house is almost identical to mine. (Minus the garage) First option is so much better. As others have said, #2 is too busy.

The side is big and flat. Not sure that changing the cladding is the right answer - I agree with ODD - it needs some depth. Hanging out there needs something so that you don't feel that the giant straight wall is looming over you.

Our current house is farmhouse-style white board and batten with a medium gray metal roof. If we ever build again I might consider dark brown-gray siding and a lighter-colored metal roof.

If you haven't already, you might talk with your contractor about whether and how the type of cladding might impact your wall construction. I don't recall the specifics but because we have Hardie panel & batten they had to add furring strips and our exterior insulation is not completely continuous (not too many breaks, but still a disappointment).

In trying to avoid the jigs and jogs:) guess we ended up with a large flat side to the house! There is definitely a pergola going in, as we need something to shade us from the summer noon sun. I hadn't decided if it would be a separate structure away from the house, but if it was attached, it would definitely break up the wall a bit. There will for sure be a deck. It will start at the door, and extend to the back of the house.

I also like the idea of making the dining room window more of a feature by making it a bay or a slight bumpout... (the dining room window is the large center one on main floor.)

The windows may appear haphazard from the outside, but they are definitely not haphazard on the inside. Not much we can change there.

Can you post the floor plan again to see if there's a way to play a bit with that east wall?

The foundation is on, too late to change anything structurally.

Here's two more drawings. On the first I added a fireplace (this is the location of the living room fireplace but it will be gas or electric so it would be just for looks) and also the little roof over the kitchen door and window. I also added board and batten on my pantry lean to.

the second drawing has a slight bump out for dining window, window box for kitchen window, and b&b in the gable.

Any potential here?

I like the fireplace addition and the roof overhang over door and kitchen window. Certainly functional over the door, but will it make it darker inside to have it over the window? Also have you considered lap siding with shakes on the gables only.

I like the logic of having a little roof over the door. The pantry lean-to also looks great in board & batten (like it was added on to an old farmhouse later). The chimney also looks good, like it was meant to go there.

Despite my adoration of bay windows and flower boxes, I'm gonna have to pick the first one (oh, how it pains me to say that, lol), because it just looks cuter to me. (As in, cuter, charming old house, which I really like.)

>If you haven't already, you might talk with your contractor about whether and how the type of cladding might impact your wall construction.

You can install Board & Batten cement boards or LAP with or without furring strips.
If you have over 40" of rain fall per year it is advisable to create a drainage plane behind the siding with furring strips. But if you are installing polyiso and sealing the seams, or installing good wrap i am not sure you need it. Again this is no different between LAP and B&B. The main issue with B&B that if you are exceeding sheet size you have to have flashing and 1/4 gap.

Brian Thompson is that still true if you are using advanced framing?

[sorry to the extent OT Jolene Klassen]