We are building a contemporary beach home on Puget Sound in WA state. We have 2 parameters that we are working with: 1. We want some "combination" windows and the end result is a pretty bulky look where the 2 types of windows meet, particularly when specifying fiberglass or vinyl. (This does not seem to be an issue with aluminum clad windows.) By "combination" window I mean, as an example, a fixed pane window coupled with an awning window below or a transom window above. 2. We want either a full or partial wallboard wrap to the window. We would probably add a wood stool after installation. We have looked at Marvin Contemporary Studio, but the interior casing of the window is all wood. The Marvin rep we spoke to thought that the wood casing could be ordered trimmed down to allow for a partial wallboard return. We also have concerns about the aluminum cladding on the exterior corroding as we are close to the beach. (Does anyone have experience with today's aluminum products from Marvin or other companies???). We have also looked at fiberglass windows, but most of them also come with a wood casing inside. Also, the combination windows have that bulky look where the 2 styles of windows meet. The window sizes for the combination windows are: 54"x90" (#3 on the drawing-- 3 fixed windows each paired with either transom or awning), 28"x90" (#7 on the drawing--3 fixed windows paired with either transom or awning), 18"x90" (not shown, but same as #7 in appearance-- a fixed window paired with either transom or awning) and 96"x90" (#29 on the drawing--a fixed window flanked by a casement window on each side.) We'd love some advice and direction from all of you who have traveled this road or have helped others travel it!

If you have no budget, don't change anything, house looks fine as is. Exterior changes are not cheap. Wait until you have a budget then do it right. I would remove front door shutters, replace front double doors with full length single light doors, repaint the peach and brown trim the same colour as the main house, add a window to the weird square on the left side of your house, remove the hedge by the garage door and replace with a BIG planter of flowers surrounded by river rock. Add pots of flowers on either side of front doors. That's it. Your house just needs tweaking. Everything else looks great!

Aside from trends, how do you feel about a darker color? There are plenty of people still painting their houses light colors, it's just yellowy beiges that no one seems to want anymore. Yours doesn't look bad now. You're probably just tired of the color. It's difficult for anyone to recommend a particular color because colors can be deceptive in pictures and on computers. Get some paint chips that you think will go with your stone and you'll find something. Be aware that colors tend to get washed out in sunlight, so you can probably pick something that looks too dark and it would be OK. It's very important to sample since painting the whole exterior of a house is a big job. Sample on all four sides of the house and look at the samples at different times of the day.

What a gorgeous, gorgeous area. Just googled a couple of properties, and this one stood out. It seems your colors are very similar to this home. https://www.archdaily.com/154068/flowing-lake-residence-david-vandervort-architects/5015066928ba0d5828001258-flowing-lake-residence-david-vandervort-architects-photo If I get up early enough, the dog and I walk the beach in the winter. Nauset Beach, Cape Cod, facing East for sunrise. We have beach grass ; > ). What happens to fir when it weathers? Could that affect your choices? Our location: cedar shingles, which do weather out, dictates what paint colors we choose for trim. White! Happy retirement. It a very special time of your life.