I like 2 but I would consider removing the shutters on all the windows.

Ditto what lakeerieamber said.

The original or #3 look best to me. The windows to the left of the door mimic the other "sets of 3" (the front door and the bay).

No 3 for me unless it causes furniture problems in the room with the triple window. Light is always good, especially with a porch.

The original would be my first choice. #3 would be my second choice

Three for me! :-)

Three. But ditch all the shutters - especially the ones on the wide windows.

I like #3 the best. But as others are saying -- NO to the shutters! (#1 as second choice, and not interested in #2)

Agreed. No shutters.

One more vote for number three, no shutters.

Okay, rather than "liking" the eight posts above mine, I'll just add yet another vote for #3, and leave the shutters off. If they're included in the price, I'd ask the builder to just give them to you, for repurposing projects. :-)

(Anyone in your family need a headboard?)

:-)

Oh, and please tell me, with that lovely roof, you'll have at least one Dutch door in your house!!!

Thanks everyone! It seems like it's majority for window #3! :) It makes the most sense also, as rrah said, it mimics the "3" window look on the first floor. Also, good point Anglo on the room under the porch needing more light - didn't think of that. I was thinking #1 or #3, but you guys made this a lot easier!

But, get rid of the shutters?? really?? I LOVE shutters lol. Also, I'm a bit worried without them the house would look imbalanced. For example, the left side of the house (over the garage) is wider than the right side (over the bay) so I'm afraid the difference will be much more obvious without the shutters. Thoughts?

One Devoted - lol! We do need headboards as a matter of fact ;). I googled Dutch door and that is so neat!! Now I have to think of where to put one!

For me, at least, I would only put shutters on the windows if the shutters were *real* (or if they were sized so that they looked real). I adore shutters, but they have to fit the architectural style and the windows.

Aaaand. as for Dutch doors... I'd have to see the floor plan in order to properly advise, lol, but as a general rule, I'm quite fond of them as back/side doors, as playroom or office doors, or even as laundry room doors (interior or exterior).

They just have so much character. :-) Not sure I'd buy a manufacturer's Dutch door, though... I actually like the idea of just chopping a standard door in half and using Dutch hardware on it. My husband is a hobby woodworker, though, so I wouldn't be afraid to DIY it, lol.

okay guys don't freak out, but what if I reduce the windows on the second floor and add MORE shutters? I feel like this looks better...

I seriously thought about a Dutch door on my laundry room but decided a pocket door made more sense, but I do like Dutch doors. We are building a gambrel style home too.

i like your #3

One Devoted, the trim on the windows will be different than the rendering - would that make a difference in the look you think? We thought about functional shutters originally - but they turned out to be WAY pricey :(.

We have no one even close to a woodworker in this family - so maybe we can find a cheaper one?? lol

Thanks cp! It's interesting. Hmmm. Not as out of balanced as I thought it would be

okay guys don't freak out, but what if I reduce the windows on the second floor and add MORE shutters? I feel like this looks better...

No!

Not as out of balanced as I thought it would be

Actually it looks more balanced. The shutters are detracting to the overall look.

I feel like it needs something though...flower box somewhere?

cp - lol! I like shutters!

I loooove flower boxes, too... but it doesn't look (to me) like you have any "room" for any. There's a certain amount of blank space needed for the flower box (and any trailing foliage) to look right, IMO.

Your exterior is in danger of looking too cluttered... Which is why I can't recommend the shutters or the flower boxes. If you just *had* to have a flower box, though, I'd put one on the 2nd floor window that's directly over the entry.

Think, "statement necklace," not "statement necklace, with dangly earrings, a dozen bangles on each wrist, and diamond-studded stilettos, all while wearing an Angelina Jolie thigh-slit red velvet dress." ;-)

Cp - do you think if the shutters are different it would look better?

Based on CP - Played around a bit...

LOL. What ODD said.

As stated above - shutters are suppose to be functional (or mimic function) where they cover the entire window. Putting those skinny shutters on windows that are too wide looks ridiculous. The updated front rendering you posted with NO SHUTTERS looks FABULOUS.

Yes much better. Is that the color you're intending on going with?

cp - not sure yet on the color. Do you have any ideas of what color schemes would be nice? We have a lot of 50s suburbia homes on our block that are very neutral shades so we don't want to stand out. We're going with timberline asphalt roof shingles and are debating between hardie and vinyl siding....

Oh, bummer... Neutrals, huh? No red, then, I guess, lol.

Does green count as a neutral? ;-)

(Sorry, the rental I'm in now is gray... inside and out... I'm so sick of gray/beige, lol.)

I've always been partial to medium to darker blues on dutch colonials. Or a dark brown cedar shingle. I just feel the darker colors tend to "ground" the house more.

How wide is that garage door? Looks small for the house to be 2 car but too big to be 1 car.

One - lol definitely no red for me! Not my style. I was thinking maybe cypress green vinyl siding? That's kind of a neutrali-ish green. Medium blues? Interesting...I'll google...

pool - yes, it's about a 1.5. (1 car + stuff). That size or smaller is standard for this neighborhood. Good observation :)

for resale value alone I would suggest a 2 car garage, even if you're only going to have 1 car. but I'm sure you've put some thought into this and have your reasons...

too late! foundation being laid today. Anyway, in this neighborhood - that doesn't affect resale. New constructions have 1 car garages typically.