I love log homes! Why aren't you building a log garage? I'm certainly no expert but have you considered painting the garage the same color as the trim on your house? It seems like red siding might look like you were trying to color match the dark red cedar but failed since they're completely different materials. On the other hand, the reds might actually compliment each other. What do I know? You may want to post this on the decorating forum too. It's a very active forum and folks there are very helpful with both interior and exterior design. In fact, if you can post a photo of the garage (or a model) on the decorating forum, someone there will probably Photoshop different colors onto it for you, which is really helpful.

2. (will you be required to take down the old garage. i ask because odds are you'll never be able to build it again.) 3. in any case, assuming the garage doors face the street. i'd turn the current paving next to your current garage, and a bit more (wider), for backing around. you might do this in pavers rather than asphalt. more expensive but it makes it look like patio. you'll have more wiggle room. and of course it will help with how much permeable square footage you have.

A rectangle garage is “simple” enough, that if you’re not looking for detailing your match the house, then you don’t need an architect involved. But, if you do want a building that looks great, and echoes the house detailing, an architect can help you with that. Does he have a transit and can measure the future site? Because “flat” isn’t usually flat. That’s the biggest issue that people don’t realize, until they try to fit garage plans to the actual site . Garage entries need to be at grade. If the ground slopes away, you’ll need compacted fill at the rear. If it slopes down towards you, you’ll have to remove dirt and degrade to keep water away. Siting the garage needs that information, as well as required setbacks, utility paths and easements, etc. Even a simple rectangular garage can end up pretty complicated to build unless your on a large dead flat lot, with no utilities interfering with anything. Which brings us to how you plan to get electrical service, or any other service, to the garage. You have to figure that out too. Find a good local contractor, and talk to them about what you hope to achieve. The more time and money you spend with a pencil in hand rather than a hammer, the better the job will be.

Leave as is. IMO, the building isn't worth investing the $$. It is a cute bldg for what it is and I would leave it at that.