Eliminate the high waisted stone on the bottom. It's not a natural look. Instead, do one of the gable fronts entirely in stone, wrapping it around to the side to look like it was naturally built that way. Use the cedar shakes on the other bump out. And the stucco on the main house. And that's the max. Eliminate the brackets at the eaves. It's not appropriate. Unfortunately, it's not just a cladding issue affecting the off look of the house. Can you do anything about the window positions, or is that already set? It looks like you are missing a window to the right on the entry bumpout. Or, it might look good to just have a larger version of the triple window that is shown on the left bumpout, centered. The windows on the central portion don't look related or balanced. I'd eliminate the double on the left and make the one on the right larger to be more in proportion. You'd really benefit from engaging a design professional to go over the plans before you get any further along. With the issues that the facade has, I'd wonder about the issues that they layout has, as well as the more technical construction related "invisible" problems.

Caryscott, thanks for the info on Canac! Wow, I'm so relieved I didn't actually go ahead with this line - wouldn't have even gotten the one-year warranty on them! LOL! Just to add my two cents to this thread, I ended up getting Kraftmaid cabinets (from an independent dealer, who's given me terrific pricing and service). I considered Ikea, but I'm not really into the "Italian" kitchen look, I needed design help, and I don't think I would have been able to get the size customizations I needed for my tiny galley kitchen. (One side of my kitchen has 19" reduced depth base cabinets.) I had actually wanted frameless in order to maximize usable space, but couldn't find a frameless line with a finish I liked. I finally went with Kraftmaid even though it was framed because their Ginger Glaze finish was the one that attracted me over and over again when I went to look at cabinets. (I was much more inflexible about certain details like finish color than I ever dreamed I'd be - learned a lot about myself in this renovation!) Anyway, I'm happy with the quality of the Kraftmaid cabinets. I got to inspect them in quite a lot of detail due to the problems and duration of my kitchen renovation, so I have some idea what the quality difference might be between them and a high end cabinet line. But for the money I paid, I think they're quite good. I'm sure - I *know* - Ikea would have been much less money, but it wouldn't have done what I needed it to. For those for whom it works - that's fantastic. I have a friend at work who did his ultra-modern kitchen using Ikea boxes and custom doors. It looks gorgeous. There's no single right answer for everyone. :-) Oh, and I love Target too! Got my bamboo silverware organizer there - they were the only place that had one that would fit my very shallow depth drawers, it was *beautifully* constructed (better than the expensive ones I saw), and it was cheap. Can't ask for more!

I am amazed by the suggestions I am getting from all of you. I've been stalking for a long time before finally posting, so really I shouldn't be since I have seen what great advice has been given here. homesweethome- The symmetry is something that was bothering us quite a bit. I said "asymmetrical angles" earlier in a post. I guess I was meaning that we didn't want too much symmetry. Also, we like the look of having, for lack of better description, triangles, squares, and rectangles. And even the angles of the gables that might not be the same degree on every one. We plan on using a stone facade. I like the larger and rounder style stone. nicke360- You seemed to see things that have been bothering me with the floorpan and just fixed them. I was feeling like the mudroom area was a waste of space. In a much earlier design, it was a better fit. I wanted an enclosed old school style coat closet. So I can just shut the door if I need to. I was also thinking of having a utility closet in the entry area from the garage and a separate, possibly vented, sports equipment closet. But I think what you have given me is a great jumping off point! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the laundry room connecting to the master closet. I would like a desk area in the kitchen/living for the family computer to go, and a place the kids can work on homework or I can work on bills. Any suggestions on that? The thing inside I am having the biggest problem visualizing is the finished attic space. We want to use floor trusses, and I think that will not make it an actual two-story. Am I correct? I know there will be sloping ceilings and knee walls. I am very ok with that. I like the look and we are not tall people. I don't know how much space up there is actually useable. Thank you for your ideas. Very refreshing. How do I tell what walls will be like regular walls, and which will be knee walls? I will give you a little background. (knew i forgot something) We live in central Utah. We have 2 boys and 1 daughter. Elementary age. The daughter will be getting the attic bedroom. We have jokingly been calling it her "princess suite" -My husband thinks she might not move right up there though. Luckily we have the guest bedroom she can use for a while if she's not wanting to be alone on a floor. The extra living space up there has no real identity yet. Except for the craft room. That's one of my splurges. The boys want to share the large basement bedroom. And when that gets old for them, there is the extra one down there. The laundry space in the basement is just me looking ahead and getting the plumbing roughed in, even though we won't use it right away. The bathroom will be tailored to the boys, hence the urinal. I plan on having quite a bit of tile in that part of the bathroom for easy clean up. Storage: I need lots of storage. I tend to keep "stuff" and need a designated place to put it. I am trying to curb my hoarding ways, but I know my limitations as well. That is why I want useful areas on each level to have space so I can be organized. I also mentioned the sports equipment storage. We are a baseball family already and my husband is the coach, so we have more than the normal share of equipment that needs to be easily accessible on a regular basis. I guess the garage could probably handle that. I thank you all again for a fresh perspective. A new set of eyes has helped me to see some changes that could be made for the better.

I am not into 100% all architect camp... Saying this .. I am also not in love with the elevation _ also I think could be make work as is. You appears to have somewhat challenging / narrow site. It is really difficult to know what went into this particular design, principles, C&R, etc. This forum became unnecessary harsh on anyone who is apparently not using ARG. Something is up about your roof pitches: (1) I would not be using (12:12) as a main pitch unless you are designing 1 story. 6:12, 7:12, or 8:12 at most. 12:12 for main gable is fine. Porches and garage roofs should not be going over 4:12. That many shingles will dominate any front elevation. For myself - I would make this plan into two story from 1.5 and may be save on foundation. Dump that bedroom on the first floor facing the front. Make a farm porch and a foyer. Reduce focus on the garage by lowering pitch to between 3 or 4, making similar porch, making 3 level roof dividing the structure into either 1/2nd, 1/4th, 1/4th. Place a gable or two over porch and the front door.