It would be nice to have accurate measurements, especially for that stairway entry/landing area and just outside it. Until we know more accurately, I just offer a small riff on Lisa's great plan. A 33" fridge allows the Hoosier cabinet to be enjoyed from the dining room. I really like the idea of a door from the office. One can work in the office and keep an eye on items cooking If kids are in the future, the office can become a playroom and one can cook and keep an eye on the kids. A 12" deep pantry cab next to the DW with the one Lisa put across the aisle will be more than enough storage for everyday dishes and glasses. I would install a drawer in the middle of each for utensils. I think I'd do glass doors on top with solid on the bottom. About the two tall dish pantries, something like this for the drawer placement. And the pink represents where I would consider putting windows on the sides instead of a solid panel. You could do it just on the one side facing the kitchen. Or on both sides. If done on both sides, the light from the window on the stair landing would filter through contributing to keeping the kitchen light and airy. Not knowing what they intend to use the basement for, I've wondered about the wisdom of closing off that exterior door. It seems like there would be times when it would be so convenient to have it like if something big needs to be hauled to or from the basement. It gives a nice straight shot instead of having to somehow squeeze it around tight corners. And safety issues. Also, what if you're cooking and burn something? Even with a good hood, the more windows and doors you can open to eliminate the smoke, the better. I simply wouldn't want to lose the close exterior access point just so I could have a table and chairs right outside that door to enjoy my coffee on a summer morning, eat lunch or dinner, or sit outside with a book while waiting for dinner to be ready, whatever. Or what about when you want to BBQ? Nice to have outside access right next to the kitchen for that. I just like outside! And I don't see any reason to lose that access point. Also, if there is an emergency, like a fire or an intruder, the more you have outside access locations, the better. That's another reason why I would also like to see the pocket door for the office on that landing. No, I don't live in Paranoia Land but, rather, by the Scout motto. I think when you're remodeling it's good to consider these kinds of issues and plan for escape routes for worst case scenario situations if it can be done at reasonable cost and effort.

Hmm....you guys might be right. I think the accent area (that is silver now) is too large of an area (going from top of second floor to botton of first floor) and thus intrudes as a result and almost makes it look like silver is the main house color (which obviously it's not). If you looked at a front profile of the house, the stone would take up the most space with the silver being second and the blue third, even though it's the color of the rest of the house. I've seen a house or two that was blue that had gray accents on the shakes but the shakes only were at the very top of the second story (they didn't come down all the way to the first floor). They were truly a small part of the front of the house...hence accent. Factor this in with the fact I have a cherry stained wood door and wanted to go with wood garage doors and having five colors (blue, gray, white, stone which is really a tannish, and then a dark wood) probably is too much.

Thank you everyone, I appreciate the feedback and since it was unanimous, i decide to go with stucco. i do plan to have plants around the house but everything will still be visible during fall and winter. If i can have a little more of everyone time, which color should i have the stocco, should i match the brick? Again thank you everyone for your help

i don't know. it was a two bedroom home and then my dad made the garage a bedroom when my sister moved back home. There is a living room and a dining room and a family room...the old garage is from the 50s and doesn't have the height for newer vehicles. There is an old small garage you see in the background and another newer 2+ stall garage in the back with most of the back yard being covered in asphalt. so i don't think it needs another garage, i think the extra interior finished room can offer a bedroom or possible home office and even offering small business opportunities like a quilting machine cottage business or a daycare or simply a studio or hobby room...it kind of leaves a flexibility for whatever the buyer would think important. But again, most people need to see be shown what value the extra space brings. There is no basement in this home. Many homes in minnesota and this area do have basements. most are problematic as this town is built on a marsh and peat bogs which makes most basements wet and my parents always thought it was just a place for mold. this extra room, i feel, bridges the space some people think a basement might offer and brings it to the main level. this is also a vo-tech college town and many people rent out rooms to those college students and again an outside door might be a plus.