Thanks for the inputs. mightyanvil - I'm glad we seem to be on the right track. I feel so much better about it this time around. I know that one can build Shingle Style anywhere, but this will be a very different look for Upstate SC. From our observations, most of the new construction around Greenville is typical neo-traditional, Tuscan, Old World/French, something called "Mountain" or some type of Craftsman derivative. Even though folks talk about how much they love Shingle Style, people don't seem to build it. I know that the gambrel needs some work and the entrance has always been problematic. It would likely be easier if we just had a covered front porch, but we were trying for a balance of outdoor seating areas. We have the screened porch and then the area under the deck will be covered on the lower level. I'm no great sun worshiper being a fair-skinned, blue-eyed blonde with freckles from Celtic heritage (quintuple-whammy for skin cancer), but after all these years hiding from the ferocious sun in TX, I would like to be able to have a place to sit to "warm my bones". By having the front terrace and the back deck, we should be able to have some sun for most of the day. Thank you for the link, the stone & shingles really integrate nicely. I don't want to impose, but are there any general tips you could lead me to for improving the front? Jay - we stalled for quite a while, but I think we're ready to get going, again. I hit my minimum FERS retirement birthday on Mother's Day & DD is graduating from UT-Austin, tomorrow, so there's not much holding in Houston any longer. eventhecatisaboy (what a great screen name; I chuckle every time I see it.) - what a super link. DH was looking over my shoulder as I brought it up and he is really impressed with seeing the pictures. Our problem now, is how to proceed with the architect since our vision is now so different. I'm going to start a new thread for that, but I really need to get my act in gear to head out to Austin. Thanks - Jo Ann

Rosie, I'm having trouble finding houses that are prairie fusion. Some interesting looking houses I've found that are modern prairie, although we have a minimum of 6:12 roof pitch, which makes some of these designs a little more difficult. The Sunset magazine houseplans I can find online consist of the same database as Southern Living... As far as the front load garage, it's interesting to see different people's perspectives. Growing up, the driveway was more of a living space than the front yard (both of which were very large at my parent's house). The driveway was where we worked on cars, did fireworks, performed science experiments, sold lemonade, played basketball, drove remote control cars, etc... I'm not one to want to hide behind a large garage--we're going to have one of the only 2 stall garages in the neighborhood, and we'll have a front porch across the whole house--but I include the driveway as part of the living space. Maybe I'm abnormal in this? The reason I don't want a side-load is because I figure I wouldn't be able to watch our kids as easily do all the fun stuff in the driveway! Kirkhall, I'm posting another house in the neighborhood. I'll post more tomorrow. I think I'm leaning towards the house type that apparently you have lived in in a suburb. Ren8, thanks for the clarification. I think I might be narrowing in on Colonial Revival, and I can have my drafter do mockups of the elevation after I supply the necessary details. Is there a particular style of stone which either works well or conflicts with it? The book you mentioned talked about having stone that looks like could actually be laid that way--the stacked stone that is common in my neighborhood suffices. I also need to talk to the GC to see about the additional cost for the additional details that I suddenly can't live without--I'm sure he was quoting me for a porkchop return, for example.

BGlad, here is a plan I found online which might be close to your house. You might have it reversed, which many builders and plan books could do. About your woodwork, I don't think it's been refinished...mine looks very similar, and I know it is untouched. And, it was never painted--even kit houses specified either natural finish or paint as options, with stain being the preferred choice whether the wood was douglas fir, southern yellow pine or oak. If anything has been done to your trim, I think at most it was another coat of shellac to even out the 'bumpy' spots which can occur after nearly a century. I'm torn about re-shellacking mine because I love the patina, but it would be nice if it was smooth again. I think that the ceiling molding in your foyer is probably later, done when the tiles were put up. Can't tell from the pics, but is the opening to your dining room just a wide opening, or is there a door of some sort? Here is a link that might be useful: Harris House Plan

I love the black roof with the stone and lighter color siding on your house. The black makes it pop and adds tons of richness. I would stay with dimensional black shingles. BTW, in regard to sunnyca's comment about dark roofs, he is right, however, if your roof is well ventilated and properly ventilated, it's not a big deal going with a dark roof. Besides, if you plan to only live there another 10 years, go for aesthetics and not a lighter color because it reflects the sun better. Your beautiful house, IMHO, would look boring with a lighter roof. We just replaced our faded gray dimensional roof with a black GAF roof (50 year warranty). I learned a lot while interviewing all the contractors. I was tempted to go with the weather wood shingle, but I wanted a vast contrast to our silver sage siding. We also have brick front with red/black multi bricks. The result was just what I envisioned, plus I Photoshopped it to make sure I was making the right choice. Our roof looks great and I'm happy with the product and manufacturer we choose. Also, black/darker gray roofs are easier to match other materials to as oppose to brown which leave a home owner limited.