I'll check out the design dilemma too. Here's a specific question: the range hood is off centre. If I centre it with the island and counter it overlaps with the right hand window (#1). Even if it was smaller so it didn't overlap, there's something that offends me about this placement when you don't just look at the island, but consider the whole room. If on the other hand I centre it between the edges of the windows (#2), well yesterday I hated it, but today I think it looks fine. The last (#3) is where I thought it looked right yesterday, but there's no rhyme or reason to that one, just placed where it look(ed) right. Today I prefer centred between the windows, although only #1 is offensive. Which do you think looks best? Another: These are built off 2d that I actually signed off on. It wasn't until I built them in sketchup that I realized something was off. Things were logically placed, and certainly functional from a cooking perspective. You could see the logic on the 2d and how things lined up, but in 3d the appliances looked like they were having a party and the island wasn't invited. They were that way because I asked for a large window, and large was interpreted as wide and that forced everything to make way. And the island was too big for the room. I reinterpreted it as tall after much effort to re-balance things, then shortened up the island and centred it with the counter. This is my real question: this design is not very symmetric. It has some symmetry, but also much asymmetry. Is it offensively off balance? And if so, what is that strikes you as out of place?

Lol well then you are related to my pediatrician AND his famous father! He is wonderful. So stone for foundation can be cosmetic-the same way theybput it on the house, only on the concrete. Can you do the foundation, garage, and portico base, and chimney and hit the #? SMH at the misguided nonsense. I would absolutely fix the entry width-are you using a real architect or a draftsman? Or pre-made plans? I really wonder what's going on here. I am NOT an architect so this is just a concept based on quick observation of what is "off." in this photo white is stone, everything else is shingles roof or pillar. I don't know what the magnifying circle is I couldn't get rid of it. I love brown shingles with green windows. Black or brown windows would be nice too. On the pillars front and back, I would NOT do them as pointlesly wrapped in stone. Extend the stone from the foundation to make a low wall on which pillars can sit. Or do no stone there and use plain straight supports. I would want a few steps up if possible, in part to show off stone work, but I get that this is a retirement house. Another option (ask an architect!) is to bring stone to the roofline only. Shingles on dormers and gables. I'm pretty sure that this is an accepted spot to change facing material. Try to make sure any stone you do goes to the ground in an uninterrupted plane and doesn't have an indent at the foundation or show foundation. Keep in mind with any of this stuff that you are replicating something that used to be necessary to the structure of the home. All of the non-structural tell-tales ( like a concrete foundation with stone above it) will add up to a poor result.

Widen the walkway to the main entry. If there is the time and energy or cash, move the wall back about a foot or two since it currently makes the walk feel narrower. Regardless, redo the main walkway so it is 4’ wide. Make the steps the same width and and move the pillar by the opening onto the porch to accommodate the needed opening width. The porch, pillars, and bright colored forward facing door make the main entry visible as such. If you do a patio for the apartment, fence it along with the lower entry with a gate so it is clearly not the main entry. Whoever lives in the apartment can tell guests how to get there. If there is space, can you add a low fence with a remove able front opening to hide the ?gas meter? No suggestions on landscaping other than blocks of ground cover with a few feature plants to keep the “modern” look you want. Wait a year to see what is already there and whether you like it. I would not remove the large tree, regardless as it provides shade and therefore lower AC bills as well as giving nice character to the property. For more specific suggestions, tell us your USDA growing zone and nearest large city.

As I mentioned before my property was damaged in a fire and while I was fixing the place I wanted to somehow update the curb appeal. Many of you said the exterior wasn't a pressing issue. I've kinda cooled on the concept of a ventilation curtain cladding but still want some improvements to the front rooftop deck to make it more usable in the hot summer months and to provide some protection from the rain and wind. Do you think a shade structure up there will enhance or detract from the look of the place? I did my best to photoshop it into place. I'd use curtains to soften it and to make it more cabana-like. It is a louvered roof that opens to for more of a slatted trellis. I also need to raise the handrails about 8 inches to make it safe up there so maybe I'd add 1-foot tall ombre sand-blasted panels of glass that gives the effect of white smoke rising around the rails. BTW... I can make that shade structure up there ANY color I want. The frame can be one color and the interior roof with the paddles closed can be another. If I do it I would match the frame to the existing galvanized metal and make the ceiling white. Any input would be appreciated!