Carra, I hope you are not feeling too badly with the critique that you received. When you sad "but there are some things I'm not liking too well and wanted some outside input", I figured you knew there was some modifications needed, but you couldn't figure out what they were. Nevertheless, I am sorry I said anything. I am not a designer, so I should not have commented. I just have read to keep cladding to two materials where possible, and to wrap all four sides with each material. Stone is stunning, so if you like it add in consultation with a designer even if it is your third material. I think during the course of the thread your modifications looked better and better to this untrained eye (in particular the Thurs 16:51 post). The green is awesome and matches nicely with the beige board and batten and roof colour you have chosen. If it makes you feel any better, the first time I posted my addition in progress it was at a rough point in the construction when my DH and I realized the garage roof was destroying the look of the house. Of course everyone who commented did not mince words telling me it had to come down. So we had to tear down a framed and roofed new garage roof and redesign. This was very costly indeed, but I am glad we did as the new garage roof was so much more pleasing. Probably if I put the exterior of our recently cladded house on this forum now and asked for critique I imagine my house would not receive a passing grade. We did our best and I am happy with it, but I am sure it does not fit an exact architectural style. At least you are at the paper stage and you can consult with designers, etc to give you the reassurance you need to proceed. Good luck with your build. I am sure it will look stunning. Carol

Our new house has an interior kitchen, and it is fine with me, but keep in mind our main floor is about a 1/3 of the size of yours, about 8 feet away from the windows in the dining room, and on a city lot that is about 0.14 acres with my neighbours about 9-10 ft on either side. You have a much different space - and a lot more land to work with. The model home shows how many lights you need to keep it bright (on side note, please do not turn your ceilings into Swiss cheese - pot lights have a purpose but at a cost in terms of a less “sealed home” - so use them sparingly for that AND aesthetics. Also, that laundry room is small for 6 people. And far away from where all the dirty laundry is generated and clean laundry is destined! We had a smaller one for a family of 6 growing up but again...entire house was about 2/3 of your main floor. And while there were more constraints in our case if you are building a house this size I assume you have budget to hire an architect and make a plan that really works for your family and works with - not against land. I am in no way someone who “architect only” (we are not using one - we went with a modified plan from a local “mid-sized” builder) but again with that land and a healthy budget - it is worth it to get an architect involved.

raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio - In response to garage comment - I agree - it would be great to set-back garage somewhat - but unfortunately it would only fit half a car :( .... As it is - we are giving up 1/3 of the room (behind that picture window on right in the AS IS photo. If we try to bump garage back farther - we lose the entire room. BTW - the house is about 1800 sq ft total - and the front yard set-back is substantial - so not a lot of space to play with inside nor out... It's been a challenge.... That said - we still have not decided on garage door style or color. Once we pin down exterior materials/colors - I'm hoping we can do something (color wise possibly) to help make the garage recede somewhat visually.

I would stain the wood beam and corbels a dark brown. Here are some Benjamin Moore colors I think would be nice. I found that the darker colors seemed to look better than some of the lighter ones I originally picked. With any one of these, there is an opportunity to add more color in the soffit and gable ends. I sampled Storm Cloud Gray on the garage.