Thanks for the edit, Beverly. I just so happen to have about that much available because of some up-front savings in asking price. That will be an option worth considering, so I appreciate it! BT, you're correct. Actually both windows to the left correspond to a set of stairs with a half-turn that lead up to the 2nd floor. So with that said, your idea may the most cost-effective. Thanks!

Not necessarily. I was just thinking match three windows with three windows for symmetry -- and get wider windows but fewer of them. Not sure about the cost difference with that. Since your contractor already has the size, you might also ask for a quote on three windows and the installing the second vertical framing. If you add four windows -- two double hung -- you'd have narrower windows -- and still have vertical framing between the two pairs of windows. Do some math and see how narrow those windows would be before you decide. Make sure your contractor knows you want to fill the entire window space between the bricks with windows and framing. Understand where that framing would be -- how much will be wood and how much glass and actual window and the cost difference between any options you're considering. While It might even be possible to use only two windows in the space and fill the width with mostly windows and little vertical framing, however, really large windows may have the potential to begin to have a commercial building vibe. Just to be sure your windows would not be that large, do go by a building supply store and explain to the clerk what you're considering and see if he/she will set two windows that size side by side for you to look at.

Thanks for the very helpful feedback! I’ll post TWO separate responses below – one specific to the WINDOW issue - and then a second specific to the COLOR issue – accompanied a few other helpful images. Windows: Re TEMPERED GLASS mention by Patricia Colwell Consulting. Good point. We’ll check local codes on that front and also get an updated quote from window supplier. Re: WINDOW UNITS - comment by HALLETT & Co. that windows should be being ganged or mulled. I just want to clarify if you are saying that the three windows should be joined together to form a single window unit? If so, my husband prefers to avoid that approach given weight and resulting deeper header requirements (which will make the increased window height issue an even greater challenge...). Or are you saying that we should visually connect the three windows by using something other than the selected stone/stucco (or other) in between? Re: UPPER WINDOW vs LOWER MATERIAL - per HALLETT & Co. comment to move front material UP to the bottom of the (upper) windows. We did try that in original V1 image – but then lowered somewhat to improve proportions. I understand what you are saying about the traditional application of such (ie stone/stucco) materials – but in the V2 version, we did lower that material to avoid that awkward, narrow strip. Do you think the lower material need to be raised right up to the lower edge of upper windows – more similar to INSPIRATION image below ? Related to this topic - comparing the v1 and v2 images – I do agree with raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio who thought that additional space helped to create a more graceful transition. But I’d appreciate any/all feedback. Inspiration Image - HGTV Dreamhouse picture below (which inspired some of our design decisions) - and below that - our current house AS-IS :)

I think the issue is that your mulls between the windows are much wider than the trim around the windows. I had a similar issue in our new build, but since I had a wide lintel above the windows, it balanced the wider mulls. We had to do the wider mulls due to hurricane/impact building codes. Paint the mulls the same color as the windows so they look like the windows/doors below.