The time to make these changes was at the drawing stage, not the construction stage. Did you sign off on an elevation?

Does the front elevation call for shutters? If so, I'd probably leave it as is.

If not, and there's still time to reframe, I'd prefer a larger single picture window downstairs and leave the upper level as is, assuming, of course that lower level is one room. If the windows have already been ordered, be prepared to eat the cost of the two lower windows if you go this route.

Sabina; I am not sure how to tell if the front elevation calls for shutters. The lower level is one room. You wouldn't just add the same size window in the middle downstairs? I am not sure how much work would be involved in removing the other two, and installing a large picture window like you suggest compared to just adding a window.

My question is, did you see a drawing prior to building that showed what the front of the house looked like? Did that drawing show shutters?

You can’t place windows from the outside just for looks, any more than you can from the inside, just got looks. . They have to exist in the interior rooms and make sense there too. It’s two sides of the same coin. It has to be designed inside and out, at the same time. This is how you end up with windows shoved in a corner with no room for trim or window treatments.

That disconnect between exterior and interior is how you end up with these.

Sabrina, Yes we are saw a drawing with shutters. After spending more time driving around the beach neighborhood we noticed very few have shutters.. So now we were contemplating leaving as is with no shutters or adding the blue windows in the middle

Why are you concerned with what other houses have? The design, which you approved, calls for shutters. Which is why the windows are sized as they are.

Too busy with the extra windows. It looks empty right now because it's plain plywood -- once there's siding and exterior framing for the windows, it will be plenty.

The problem is that the two existing windows are not spaced well, they are too far apart creating that huge gap in the middle. Have you confirmed the dimensions as built versus the drawings? Can you post the drawings?

The original drawings would be more helpful than photos.

Here is the original drawing. I underlined in white the octagon window we got rid of.. Everything else is the same (except we got different gridlines in the windows and were not going to do the shudders)

Depending on furniture layout, that space between the windows would be a good spot for a sofa and a large piece of art, or a gallery wall, over the sofa.

I also have no problem placing sofas in front of windows, but you lose the wall for art and have to consider fading, which would mean upholstering with indoor/outdoor fabric and/or using light blocking window treatments.

chispa, Yes if we keep windows as is the space between windows will be for sofa and art above it. It is all one room.

Remember, also, the blank wall is an opportunity for a specimen ornamental tree, such as, a Japanese Maple, Redbud, or Sargent Crabapple.

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The difference gained by changing windows at this stage is unlikely to be worth the stress and cost. There will always be a different way you can do the windows. Stop second guessing yourself. :) If you bought an existing house the windows would just be where they were..........

The house is going to look fine without the extra windows and without shutters. If you really want extra natural light inside the house then you should add them but I would not worry about it....

Thanks maureen. I was not really worried about the natural light, I was more concerned with the aesthetics from the outside. We will probably keep as you suggested. Thanks again

Do not worry about the aesthetics. Right now as all the work is not finished it looks odd but once the entire work is done it will be just fine. It is just a structure right now but eventually you gonna like it. Do not doubt at this moment. I think redoing the windows will be going to cost you quite much.

It's not possible to give window location advice without a floor plan.