A little lipstick here or there, which is inconsistent and haphazard on a house simply looks silly.

Save your money and treat your house in a similar, consistent and thoughtful manner on all sides.

Your builder just wants you to spend more money for no positive effect.

Thanks for the insight! Totally agree that it might look haphazard. Especially the first way. Thoughts on the second? Or is your vote for no stone all together?

It will look better without any stone. And you'll save money - a win-win. Nothing wrong with coming in below budget!

No stone anywhere. Stone should look like it's an integral part of the build. Like it's there for a purpose and not just lipstick on a pig. For example, I put stone around all sides of my house below the floor line so it looks like the stone is creating the foundation.

No stone, that's where, IMHO, McMansion horrors can start, all these different finishes. I'd put the money into hardscape/landscaping.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/farmhouse-addition-farmhouse-exterior-philadelphia-phvw-vp~1122396

I like Ellwsorth's suggestion: stone on the wings of the home. And def make all the siding run vertically to give your home the edge it needs. Type in Modern Farmhouse with Stone in Houzz and you will find inspiration.

Best.

New theory: The "modern farmhouse" is the labradoodle of architecture. An often unfortunate blend of two things that are fine on their own, but when combined create an unpredictable mishmash that runs the gamut from acceptable to incredibly aggravating. While there are poor examples of both types of the parents, they are at least recognizable for what they are. Owners of them fail to understand that what they have lacks the consistency and established standard of either and often get quite offended. Both are also frequently subjected to further degradations into things like goldendoodles, doodle-doodles, dane-oodles, and "modern coastal farmhouses."

Thanks for all the advice so far! I definitely do not want it to look like a jumbled mess and am not going for a "modern coastal farmhouse" -- just a simple, classic exterior.

Ah, and you have used the magic word... "simple."

Simplify. And you'll have it.

Or you could do this:

Another vote for NO stone, based on the drawings you have shown.

no to the stone too. Spend the money on nicer columns and trim details.

What was said:

"we should put [stone] on all the sides of the house that face the street"

What should have been said:

"we should put [stone] on all the sides of the house"

I lived in a modern farmhouse. It is not what you think; It is what Lester Walker would call a "contractor modern" built in 1955 by a farmer.

(American Shelter : An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Home By Lester Walker)

Agree with no stone. It looks inconsistent and blotchy in both of your stone proposals.

I’d take the extra money and construct a fancy sweeping sidewalk from the front door to the garage (and to the street too if there is one in front). Use stone or cobblestone or pavers. While you’re at it, do the driveway too.

No stone

Dear Kayla - apologies as we digress. ;)

The last thing you said is you are seeking ".......just a simple, classic exterior."

I would encourage you to forget all the words/labels and just search images of exteriors on HOUZZ and wait until something makes you say "OMG! THAT is what I want!"

Then post that image and ask HOUZZ'ers for advice on how to achieve that look for your home.

Best.

You all have been so very helpful and I appreciate all the input! No stone it is!

Personally, I'd stick with siding. More isn't necessarily better in exterior finishes, and it seems as if you're looking to add something just for the sake of adding something and/or use up that extra budget because it's there - resist that urge.

Yes great advice! Though I wouldn't say I want to spend the money haha!

I think I'm just concerned about it looking like a giant run-on wall of siding and was trying to find a way to break it up a little without drawing attention. Perhaps investing in trees/landscaping is a better idea.

Yes, I’d do it with landscaping. If you look at that inspiration photo you just pointed, I had to look hard to even notice the change of materials on the garage, but I immediately noticed the lovely landscaping.

We’re building a large house with a siding-only exterior. I sometimes second guess myself because just about every photo I see has more types of siding. Our architect assures me, though, (as does reading others comments on here) that this is a time to resist the trend, as simplicity is often better.

Thanks kristin!! So very helpful! Appreciate it and best of luck with your own home!

If you change the texture on the garage then what you're doing is bringing the focus to the garage. Not something I think you want to do. One material and find an excellent landscape architect to help you really make the most of your lot.

You can make this home, timeless. Invest in quality trimming and siding (all around).
Are you using fiber cement?

Unless you want to use the brick this way, forget the brick/stone:

"We have some extra room in our budget" How many people get to say that! I agree with above answers. There are better ways to spend it if you want to.