Thanks Reno8. The info on reverse B&B is exactly what I needed to know and will save valuable strategy time. Our architects are going to be getting involved, but I have found that our meetings are more productive if I am a little educated before we start. Also our architects are a little bit of an odd couple team. One is far more interested in and convinced of the importance of rainscreens and similar building practices than the other is. It helps to have a sense of what we want ahead of time so it doesn't become a discussion of "should we or shouldn't we..." as opposed to "how do we..." This post was edited by Kiwigem on Wed, Sep 24, 14 at 9:44

I do love the glass look-through of your newer inspiration picture, especially with your incredible view out the back. It seems it would do wonders to make a long low house look less like a daunting solid stone barrier. Plus it really makes the front entry a gorgeous focal point as opposed to being squished back into the house, as it is in your initial rendition. You could take it in a Spanishy, Japanesey, or mid-modern direction depending on taste. (It is slightly remniscent of the Eichler designs of the SF Bay Area; might check those for some similar ideas.) Do you want windows on that back right room? Looks slightly blind on the original rendering. I'm taking it there's no snow at your elevation; up here in Maine, your design would require a bit of finagling to make sure that heavy slide-off from the metal roof doesn't fall right onto your front porch and walkways.

I love the ties to my history. I love hearing ths stories how my great uncles snuck off with the neighbors to go swimming in the quarries and just generally being adventurous young kids. I went to school 2 blocks away, and it's the same church DH and I were married in. I went to school with the grandson of the people who we bought this house from. I also went to school with the grandson of my next door neighbor. Her sister lives next door to her on the other side. And most of the people who moved into the neighborhood over the years are all super nice and friendly too. I live in a nice quaint quiet safe Borough and even though most days I wish my house was bigger (even though, just slightly, not a mcmansion or anything) I'm more then thrilled with where we live. If we're ever blessed with children I know it would be the best place for them to grow up, even if they don't have a lot of indoor room. We do have a 1/3 acre lot with a playground a block away and soccer fields right out back. We also have some local Indian history which is pretty cool and my town was settled by Moravians in the 1700s. But not the part I live in. Most of my part of town was developed by the workers of the cement quarry in my back yard. So thats probably a little more then you wanted to knww about my house and my town, but there you have it :)

Better photos, thanks. I would remove the shutters. They are overwhelming. Paint the body of the house, the board and batten, the taupe you love. Paint over the brick (or maybe a stain would be a better solution) black (and support columns black). Your house has a great look to it, but with all one color, it looks like a flat front. The wood stained wall by the garage...I like it. I would frame around the front door the same stain and a choose a black mid century style door. Found a photo that can give you an idea