The latter. I hope you're working with an architect and not just a builder.

If your architect has the skills of the renaissance architects, then he can pull it off (combining styles), but if you are working with a builder or an unskilled draftsman, I am with Sabrina.

Ditto Sabrina and Naf

I don't see those two styles blending at all. But maybe a talented architect can find a way to meld those two very different styles. I wouldn't do it. Choose one and go with it.

Both "French Country" and "Craftsman" are nebulous terms that could include lots of different design elements. Identify the elements you both like and take them to a skilled architect. Done well, this sort of fusion can lead to exciting and fresh design.

Collect a bunch of these and identify the elements you like and don't like. House #2 is much better. Real French houses have shutters that function. The shutters in house #1 are too small to cover the window.

Sorry...but your first "inspiration" photo is simply a builder's house with 6 or so mismatched exterior materials, a range of uncoordinated exterior finishes and textures, and a potpourri of roof forms, including gable, nested gable, hip and exposed truss. The house has no recognizable architectural style, other than an overabundance of everything.

You can do much better than this, but it will take study and knowledgeable professional advice by someone who knows something about architectural history and architectural design.

Attempting to blend elements from Craftsman and French Country styles will be very challenging since the two styles are so completely different, but it's not necessarily impossible with knowledge and skill.

Without these abilities, however, it could result in something similar to an Enchiladas montadas wedding cake...

Do your homework and find professional help if you're serious.

Good luck on your project.

You need an architect that can make you understand this is not possible all you will end up with is a mess. Pick a style now. That 1st photo is horrible in almost every way

will it just look like we couldn't make a decision?

Yes.

I would describe myself as knowing just enough to know I do not know enough.

This will serve you very, very well going forward. You're already far ahead of lots of new posters here : ) .

And echoing everyone else who says Picture #1, absolutely not and Picture #2 has promise.

You and your husband first need to make a decision about style, and then find a good architect or person of design talent.

how about a pure-ish french country exterior and arts and crafts den/library?

The homes that I have seen in France's country side (Specially in Provence), totally differ from the builder's designed American French Country

Builder designed:

French Country Estate · More Info

Exterior of French Country New Home · More Info

The real thing:

stone-house-courtyard-gardens-arched-door-south-of-france-provence.png · More Info

Function first, style second. Hire a real architect, not a draftsman. Find a local, one man shop that doesn't have huge overhead. You will get a good product without ridiculous cost. #1 was a hot mess. #2 is marginally better.

I suggest that each of you do some research on line about your respective styles. Print out a few examples of what you like, even if you know you can't afford it. Then, present them to each other. You will discover that you have more in common than you thought. Then, you can communicate this to the architect who can translate it into a useful, tasteful structure. You've got homework.

Build the Craftsman and paint it French Country Yellow.

Craftsman Style · More Info

yes, as naf_ points out there are multiple kinds of french country. loire valley chateaux with pepperpot towers, and spare south of france vineyard homes. both lovely but as different as adobe homes of the southwest to wood framed houses of new england.

Actually, what Naf_Naf is showing is akin to how different actual Italian houses are in Tuscany vs. "Tuscan style" exteriors (and interiors) in North America.

The former are authentic, classic, timeless.

The latter tend to be ill-considered and poorly executed, and rarely if ever resemble the original inspiration.

(I made a quick edit, I am starting to get sick and not thinking/typing clearly, ugh)

In the past 60 years, builders of subdivisions have discovered that most of their buyers are just like you and your husband; they either want two different styles of architecture, or they admire aspects of many different styles. Since their business model is to build as many house at the lowest possible cost, they simply fill the demand by building houses with a bit of something for everyone in them - a little french, a little colonial, a touch of Tudor, and the most popular today, either "farm house" or Craftsman. I have noticed on various HGTV shows that now the public thinks if it has a front porch it is a "Craftsman" house, making Craftsman as generic a term as calling all tissue, "Kleenex"!

Don't fall for this! Hire an architect and get something you love that is "good design".

Hire a competent architect, or it will look like you can only make wrong decisions.

I once designed a home that combined "Northern Michigan Cottage" with "Southwestern Adobe". I warned my client that if they ever go to sell the house they will most likely have a difficult time selling it . . . they did.

Look at the photos on this website and read the comments. It give style dos and don'ts and the reason why. It's called McMansionhell.com and will help you avoid having four different siding materials on the facade and that huge roof that looks like a tumor. It's such valuable reading for someone who's going to be building a home.

I'm not saying you want to build a mcmansion and all of the negatives that name might imply. I'm saying look at the photos and read. All of your choices should be based on design principles, not just what other people have built.

Here's a sample:

Design Principle #1: Masses & Voids

The mass is the largest portion of a building. Individual masses become interesting when they are combined together to form a façade. The arrangement of these shapes to create weight is called massing. As the pieces are combined, they are divided into categories: primary and secondary masses (1).

The primary mass is the largest shape in the building block. The secondary masses are the additional shapes that form the façade of a building.

Windows, doors, or other openings are called voids. Voids allow creation of negative space that allow for breaks within masses. Placing voids that allow for natural breaks in the mass create balance and rhythm across the building’s elevation.

One man shop. Preferably local. Works from over garage. Low overhead. Lots of referrals. Established practice. Has designed lots of houses.

If you are in a small town, you probably will only have one or two choices. You may need to widen the circle a little bit. Ask a realtor or builder. Or, find a house that you like and ask who designed it. Don't be afraid to knock on someone's door and ask.

Or several folks here have done remote work with some of the architects on here. Naf_naf is one and so is architectrunnerguy.

Some things to tide you over while you sort out the architect situation:

"Designing Your Perfect House: Lessons from an Architect" by William Hirsch Jr.

"A Field Guide to American Houses: The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America's Domestic Architecture" by Virginia Savage McAlester; why (North) American houses look the way they do : )

And some threads with other reading recommendations:

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/3281434/book-suggestions?n=26

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2283666/suggestion-on-books?n=7

Lori, Work with someone you like who is close enough to visit the site before design starts and a few times during construction. You should plan to meet at their office 2-4 times at various phases during the drawing process.

In your case, I would encourage you to work with someone who can do 3D CAD to help you really visualize what's going on.

You are required to have masonry on the front? Make sure it goes around all four sides, otherwise it will look tacked on. Your second example house looks the best, and won't require an arm and a leg in masonry.