What is the exterior of the garage now? I'm curious as to why you wouldn't cover all of the "main house" features in the Cypress ( i.e. the area to the right). Painting the garage to match (in clapboard) sounds fine. Too many elements will make the house look "messy". Use only two different sidings.

Will the entire house, side area and garage have the same gray metal roof?

I can see your house with that B&B and metal roof in my mind and it will be adorable. It's a good style of house to do this to.

Thanks for the comment! The area to the right of the main house is a newer addition and the stucco is still in good shape. My husband thinks we should leave it and the contractor seems to agree. The main roof will be a dark gray shingle, only the new portico will be metal.

The exterior of the garage is stucco with clapboard siding on the gable.

Do you have a rendering showing your proposed changes?

What new look are you going for?

If you make the main front portion vinyl board and batten, what happens elsewhere?

I don’t have a rendering. Going for a new, updated, farmhouse style look. The main front board and batten (8” or 12”) to the right of the main house stucco painted same color as vinyl, garage to far right and rest of house 5” clapboard vinyl with board and batten on all gables.

There is no bigger fan of B&B than I,...........however, it doesn't seem right on your home

I think those houses look great, we wanted to add some interest to the front and thought b&b could do that as well as adding a portico. Thanks for your input, all advise is welcome!

farmhouse style look

The porch should run the full width of the house.

Use a single type of siding everywhere -- you don't need to "add interest", your house is well proportioned and some new landscaping is all it will need.

I agree on the porch, unfortunatly the budget doesn't allow for it :(

Beverly gave you a good rendering with clapboard. Is that on the list of possible ideas? It would look good with the stucco smaller addition and garage too. Just make sure to paint ALL of it one color.

Oh, I love a centre hall plan home! What is your portico going to look like? I agree with Beverly, I don’t think b & b suits the bones of your home. I can’t find a home similar to yours that has b & b, the Houzz photo I show has a somewhat centre hall portion but the rest really supports the supposed farmhouse look. You need a mock-up or a scaled drawing. Have you seen this done, do you have an inspiration photo?

Thank you, who would I have do a mock-up or is there a program I could use?

You get an exterior designer to draw what you want not your hubby and not your contractor and IMO you do nothing until you can see what this will look like. I agree all one siding material or for ever the addition will look like an add on. I like the idea of the portico but those windows need replacing and if you want the faarmhouse “look those shutters need to go. I have no idea whay an aluminum roof on the portico IMO it should match the rest of the roof.To be honest all this work will be hidden if you do not remove some of that overgrowth and replace it with foundation plantings. IMO all calpboard would be the perfect choice for siding everywhere and I would have done white . I need to see the stone for the cimney but IMO if farmhouse it the look you want don’t bother with the stone.

Will you be removing the stucco? Will you be using a rain screen system? How will the wall “breath” and eliminate water/ vapor? Is the vinyl insulated with vapor barrier foam? Will your walls be rotting? Hire someone who understands building systems.

What about Carolina Beaded Siding, with something else on the gables? You can't see from the photo but our chimney is very large up the side of the house and from pictures we dont like the look of a vinyl wrapped chimney. We are desperate to add some character to our boring house.

Your house isnt boring, it’s lovely. The simple architecture is far superior to any of the clusters currently being built today as track homes. You have a timeless house that you are thinking about throwing elements on that will look dated in 5 years.

Beverly’s suggestion of clapboard will fit the style so much better than board and batten. But unless the stucco is in desperately bad shape and your budget is very tight, vinyl siding is not going to add to your house.

Thanks for everyones input! I think we are going to go with the 7" clapboard in a green or gray...

Sarah, do you have a pic or description of your portico?

That’s a good design for a simple portico for your house. Send us photos of the rendering you get and make sure to get the overgrown landscaping out of the way so you can get better visualizations in real life as you consider colors. Your house is adorable and will be great.

You've got a lovey colonial home, which will never look like a modern farmhouse, nor should it. Even though I like B&B, it's not the right look for your home, and certainly not vinyl. IMO, it will cheapen your home. I'd use the clapboard siding all over, which is classic and appropriate for your home. You could even use Hardie siding and it will look great. A portico will add interest and bluestone is also in keeping with your home. Consider hanging proper shutters with shutter dogs as well. In the below photo, the tree is blocking half the house, but the clapboard looks good here as does the portico.

Proper shutters and shutter dogs/S hooks.