No point in wasting 100K on trying to change those bones. That house is what it is.

You have a very nice home, I especially love your backyard and additional buildings. What a fun space! If it were mine, I would stay with white windows because I like the look, I'm lazy and wouldn't wish to paint all those windows. I'm okay with losing the gingerbread but wouldn't replace it with anything else. I would also consider rethinking the three spiky trees on the left with something lower. I was raised on a farm in "farm country" where most of true farm houses were rather plain. So-called uppity folks had fancy stuff. Farmers seemed to have more important things on which to spend their money..

Thanks for the insight to everyone! I do have to change all the windows as they are wood and a lot of them have rotting sills I know its a ton of money thats why i don't want to mess it up. I 100% agree about landscaping. Will definitely be re doing in the spring. I can't believe Rebecca was able to do all the photoshopping so quickly! That helps so very much!

I would be happy to. If you don't mind me asking; would you stay white or go dark ?

If you have to replace the windows anyways, I prefer the black!

Hi Kristen, the windows are in really bad shape at the back of the house so a full replacement is a definite. I know its deposit really look like they are in bad shape in the photos but they are definitely due. I am rally leaning towards the dark windows and light trim as well. I think Rebecca helped me see that with her photoshopping! I could just hug her! I also like the vertical siding as well! Appreciate your feedback!

Hi Janet, you have a very beautiful home. I love your idea of having your home appear more like your photo of your pool cabana and have a modern farm house that's exactly what you should do. Follow Rebecca's suggestion and replace the existing windows with black frame windows with large spaced black grills and narrow or no trim, if possible, and add board and bat siding as shown by Rebecca. Paint the exterior white and any trim, fascia and beams; black. You might consider adding some white stone or patterned block stack stone as wainscoting approx 4'-5' high and maybe the entire gable on the far right from ground to ridge. Please post your finished project, I know it will be fabulous. Best of luck, Jerome DeMarco ART.chitecture

AMAZING!!! Love your ideas! I will be sure to post once i do that. It will likely not be till the spring as its getting cold here now but hoping to have it all lined up so I can be first on the list to get done in early spring. I should have mentioned that at the end of this month I am also added a stone and iron fence wall to the side of the yard where the driveway is. The old fence is coming down. The stone is going to be OWEN SOUND 90% tiger stripe 40% grey and 20% buff . I assume I would have to repeat that stone though on the side of the house that you suggested? Could I get away with stacked stone in that case?

Do I HAVE to paint the whole exterior of the house? Or can I leave the sandy colour?

Yes, you can certainly use stack stone. After you have made your window changes, siding, beams, etc. and they are the color you want, decide then if you want to repaint the house or not. It's much easier to make that decision after all the other elements and colors are in place. The photos I attached show white stone and colored siding, so sand color with black may be just what you're after. Can't wait for spring, it will be very exciting.

I really appreciate your help ! And I can't wait to get started! It basically took me all summer to do the back yard . I certainly hope it doesn't take that long for the window project!

I like the black window look as well. Since you are replacing all of the windows anyway, I would consider changing that oval window into a rectangle.