Stone, wood and charcoal are good companions! :)

And that new roofline could be enhanced by rustic materials on a somewhat contemporary styled exterior.

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What's your style? What type of house would you desire to grow old in?

Thanks for your comments...you mentioned charcoal and wood...did you mean the main color of the house in charcoal or an accent color?
Your thoughts on the new roof line and adding some rustic touches?
As for the windows...large slider in the center with each side having large windows. Not sure of the upper level.

I meant charcoal/grey windows (yes accent) and wooden siding, maybe some stone :)

And I'm no architect, but I'd copy the window lines vertically and have a wide view onto the lake on both floors. Use HR++ uv-reflecting glass. Insulation and glazing are expensive, but well worth it in the end! I just love the look of these houses, a bit rustic, a bit Frank Lloyd Wright, a bit industrial.

But what would YOU like?

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Maria Killam wrote a blog post today about modern houses in the woods. You might get some ideas from it. A Nature Inspired Exterior. She shows some options with paint colors and talks about window colors as well.

Thanks for the article info. All of this is so helpful!

I think a blue lake house with white windows and some stone detail would be beautiful and timeless!

Charcoal with cedar or redwood.

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I was playing around with our lakehouse and came up with this idea...shingles on upper with board and batten on lower with black windows. I realize it’s not a great “sketch” but it gives you an idea. I’m still open to other ideas! Thanks.

*This is what our house looks like now before we add the addition.

I like the shingle & stone I would skip the board & batten makes it too bust IMO

Thanks for your comment. I’m not sure of the color(s) yet but I thought mixing the textures was a good option.

Sorry, lglossner , but your sketch is way too symetrical and too many materials.

I would stay true to the original design and keep the existing siding. Why waste money and add to the landfill? Same goes for the brick; no reason to replace with stone which is now a days is usually faux.

Houzz has some great examples of lakehouses for inspiration. Put the ones you like in a Houzz ideabook with notes why and what you like or don't like. You can check out the ones I put together for myself. The point is, that these ideas you collect will be very helpful when you are working with an architect or designer. (I would not wing this without professional help.) Start with what speaks to you.

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This color would work with your brick.

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Hi houssaon...I appreciate your comment...we have to replace the existing wood board and batten siding...it’s rotting.
We are also replacing very old windows, deck and roof, along with the new addition. We thought we would replace the brick with stone since our lakehouse is in the mountains.
Also, what do you suggest in regard to the window placement since you think that it’s too symmetrical?

Which windows will be in what rooms?

Don't stack different types of siding like that. :) Have you consulted a designer yet? Will you keep the balcony?

The upper trapezoid windows will be in the family room and kitchen (vaulted ceiling) and the upper center window is a bedroom.
The middle level consists of 2 sliders and a large window in the center which are all on the main living area.
The lower level is the rec room and a bedroom (right side).
I am wondering if having shingles and board and batten are too much? If both textures are used, they would be the same color. The upper balcony will be gone and the middle level will have a deck the entire width of the house.
I hope I answered your questions. Thanks!

Existing house/sketch with addition

And your addition will be mainly bedrooms? Any rooms moved?

This “sketch” really gives us a good idea of what our house could look like. Now we just need to figure out what finishes would be best.
The upper center window is a bedroom so we might have to modify it a bit.
Thanks so much.

Also, we definitely would like to set the new addition (right side) back 2 feet. That will give it some much needed dimension.

I'd love a huge window looking onto a lake in my bedroom! :)