Shipton Road, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 6AG | Property for sale | Savills

Buy the London Road house.

If you want "timeless" go with classic architecture. Check out the work of Gil Schaefer, Hendricks Churchill, Historical Concepts, and Patrick Ahearn, to get an idea of timeless.

Multiple types of siding, black windows and gables/gables/gables/gables are a trend that I hope is ending.

Thanks for feedback. It's a bid drawing, so more exacting symmetries, etc. to come later. One thing that resonates most with me among the comments are paring down the differentiation of the siding. That said, I don't think I want all-lap siding for this size of house. IF a second accent siding was introduced on gables, garage, and possibly by front door, would people favor shingle (which I think may never go out of style?) or board and batten (which seems to go in and out of style)? Also, does anyone see any aesthetic value in a bronze/brown window frame? Having seen a nice-looking example of it before, I would be open to this sort of subtle, earth-tone window or possibly white. Will not do black. Thx all!

What about all lap siding in a pattern, like this? (Not my house, but we did use a similar pattern)

IMO that is neither farmhouse or timeless too much going on to be timeless and a far cry from modern farmhouse which I agree is already dated and done to death.All those roof angles just add to the mess . Get a good architect who understands timeless design NOW

You're stuck somewhere between a bunch of "looks" .......

Get the architect, marry the interior and exterior to the site. Give up the word "look" which automatically suggests of the moment.

Stop worrying on cladding, lighting until then.

"Understanding timeless NOW" .......is a bit of an oxymoron.

Build a home that stands the test of time, for you.

Imagine a HOUZZ thread with someone saying....."please help me modernize this home........" how about.....NOT!!!!!!!!!!

( nothing to do with yours, just by way of example ).....

" It's a bid drawing, so more exacting symmetries, etc. to come later. "

If this is a bid drawing, what are you going to do, have them rebid the final drawings once the they are changed? The siding choice (different labor for different types in addition to material cost difference's) needs to come before the drawings are sent for bid. Window type and color needs to be chosen before sent for bid. By not having your I's dotted and your T's crossed all you are doing is setting yourself up for heartache. And aggravating the contractors as their time is valuable as well.

You can't choose ANYTHING mentioned above....until you have nailed the complete elevations, and windows will TOP the list. Size, type, trim color, what ,where all .

Thx again. First off, I guess I used the term "modern farmhouse" because some of the architect's proposed finishes (namely b and b accents) seem to fall into that category. I also realize that a quest for "timeless" using this design is a stretch, though what's "timeless" is subjective (some of the photos attached to replies do not seem particularly timeless to me either!) Bid drawing also likely misnomer on my part. The architect created this to help guide major decisions but needs to perfect measurements/placements on final construction drawing. Elevations, etc are, however, set, based on considerable engineering work needed for this particular riverside property, and while I appreciate others' takes, I don't think there are too many complicated roof pitches and angles proposed in the drawing (note there is attached garage that might throw perspective), at least for my taste and with highly experienced builder's advisement. All that said, I originally came here for some opinions about the siding treatment (all lap, all shingle, b and b/shingle accents) and window cladding color (don't like black but wondering about bronze/putty rather than just white, for contrast), which can be changed at this point...and would still very much welcome any additional thoughts about that. This is a New England home bordered by considerable undeveloped acreage, wetlands, and a major river, in case that is helpful.

I like it when a client does not request a particular architectural style, but lets me know what 'statement' they would like their cottage or home to make.

I applaud your choice to exclude white for window trim.

I'll vote for 100% shingles. Ask your architect to refine the design and provide renderings showing shingles and windows in various colors.

Here I raised the roof over the center section, and changed the gable pitch to match what's on the far right. Removed the first floor gable on the left.

Are we going for the one elevation to be timeless and the other (3+) elevations to be passé. Design the exterior as a whole. PPF. is doing a great job, but if you let him loose on the rest of the design you may have to pay him. Design all the exterior elevations at the same time as the floor plans.

Not my idea of timeless, either. Timeless tends to have good proportions, symmetry or balance and well-thought-out massing.

The main mass of your front facade has two slightly protruding bits with gables. They are not symmetrical, nor are they different enough for balance. Off to the far right, of the main mass, there are a lot of different, incoherent shapes.

The mass just to the right of the main mass is boring, and is out of scale compared to the secondary mass on the left.

If you want timeless, go for elegant simplicity, That said, it's not a bad house. I'm sure it will look nice and you'll probably love it. It's just not going to be a timeless classic or particularly noteworthy exemplar of modern farmhouse.

I wouldn't worry about making something timeless and would just do what you like. Trends come and go, but often what's old is new again. I don't think that anything is truly timeless and I think it all just depends on individual preferences when it comes to style.

Here is my selection of Farmhouse homes I refer to for ideas and concepts.

Please note that this home created a much wider spacing on the board and batten that IMO is unique and attractive.

This is also another unique way to addressing board and batten siding. I have never seen this detail before or since.

If you go with shingles you might want to consider a soft gray instead of plain white. It really creates a lovely home.

Please note the way these windows are ganged instead of being trimmed out separately. There's something about your windows that bothers me. Can't quite put my finger on the problem yet. I do think they are too short overall.

I like the detailing on this farmhouse home. It's unique among a sea of homes looking the same all the time.

https://www.texasmodernfarmhouseplans.com/shop/p/the-willow-y35d8-4cerg-ycfz7-zme25

Those roof line details IMO should be simplified like you see in the above elevation.

Build what will work for your family and make you happy. That’s the first goal. Second, be careful of adding features that catch your eye because that’s how you end up with a huge architectural muddle. Looking at Beverly’s examples, each house is in proportion and has one or two siding elements. Their simplicity is why they’re beautiful.

Take a break from this and think about what you really need on the inside (bedrooms, bathrooms, common rooms), add as many windows as the design can tolerate and then pick one or two products for the outside envelope. Then stop. Don’t look at house design magazines. Start focusing on the thousands of interior decisions you’re facing.

If the exterior color will be in the white family with Marvin windows you should see examples of the bronze trim on a real house to make sure if you will love it forever. It would be contrasting but not as severe as the classic black. It sounds pretty to me but I’ve not seen them in person.

Keep us posted.

If you go with Bronze windows or another color, just realize that it will limit the colors you can use on the body of the house. White windows pretty much can be paired with any color out there, but colored windows will limit your choices for changes/updated years down the road.

I used Marvin Bronze windows on my house, which is Spanish/Mediterranean inspired and the bronze windows will limit the house colors to off-white or beige/tan colors. I was fine with that. White windows would have allowed a lot more options if I wanted something really different down the road.

There are certain types of residential architecture that lend themselves to beige/tan windows. They are usually, but not exclusively found in the Southwest.

That's not where you propose to build. You asked for timeless. It doesn't get any more timeless than a white window. Shingles and board and batten are both timeless as is clapboard siding.

Ditch the concept of the "modern farmhouse." It's outre. Tell your architect that you want a home that is comfortable, functional and timeless. Talk to them about how you want to live. Show them a couple of pictures of homes that you consider to be pretty. Then, let them do the sweating of the details for you.

"Trying to make a "modern farmhouse" timeless..."

Remove all the clocks.

(Glad someone got it)

A simple, classic approach would be to have the windows the same or similar color as the siding. White shingles or clapboard with white windows, taupe siding with taupe windows, black siding/black windows, etc. etc. That contrast between black and white is just so jarring and unnecessary. And it makes the windows look like black holes in the house.

Here's black/dark siding with black windows and complementary stone:

NASHVILLE RESIDENCE · More Info

Another view of the above house:

NASHVILLE RESIDENCE · More Info

White with white:

Crosby · More Info

dark gray/green siding with dark windows:

Edina on Parade · More Info

Taupe with taupe:

La Grange, IL Remodel James Hardie Siding & Pella Windows · More Info

Here's another one, dark gray siding and windows/trim:

Chicago, IL 4-Square New Construction Home, Hardie Siding · More Info

Diana : Your suggestion of keeping the windows the same as the body color (and the examples you posted) really make sense. I think the “contrasting window” look could be seen as part of the Modern Farmhouse trend.

really love the modern farmhouse style

The house you're proposing is too cluttered /too many features vying for attention to be a farmhouse ... it doesn't look farmhouse ... it doesn't look timeless. It looks like two different roofs sharing space. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

(personally, I don't think the black windows are going to age well)

Agree. One of my neighbors changed his windows to black, and it looks like the Aadams family lives there.

I'm not a fan of white for exteriors.

We're all entitled to like what we like, but white IS a classic.

Brick and stone are more organic and grounded.

Yes, I've never lived in anything except a brick house; in addition to looks, brick is essentially maintenance free. Never will have anything else.

You're stuck somewhere between a bunch of "looks" .......

You've shared some lovely houses, but only the last two say "farmhouse". Says a girl from farm country.

I'll vote for 100% shingles.

Shingles can be lovely, but they aren't farmhouse. Again, says a girl from farm country.

you might want to consider a soft gray instead of plain white

I love soft gray for a farmhouse. I'd want to see it with white trim and a burgundy front door.

Sidebar: if shingles aren't farmhouse, someone should tell all the old farmers on the East End of Long Island. Many of the farmhouses there are shingled, and some of them are over 100 years old.

Sidebar: if shingles aren't farmhouse, someone should tell all the old farmers on the East End of Long Island. Many of the farmhouses there are shingled, and some of them are over 100 years old.

Shingles are unknown on Southern farm houses.

Some farmers experience shingles.

Actually many farmhouses where I grew up--and some houses in town for that matter--were covered with Insulbrick

"In addition to looks, brick is essentially maintenance free."

Tuck pointing, flaking, efflouresence, sometimes sealing, star bolts, rust stains. The brick homes I have owned certainly required maintenance. However, they were old homes, perhaps new bricks are somehow improved to avoid this kind of maintenance? Still, totally worth it and the problems are not frequent.

Ok, I get that southern farmhouses don't use shingles.

The thing about farmhouses is that they are region-specific. The farmers usually weren't wealthy so they built the houses out of the the materials that were local in their area. So in the Northeast they used shingles and clapboard, in Pennsylvania you will find lots of stone farmhouses, and in the south Mrs. Pete can tell us what they use there. Probably used adobe in the southwest, but I'm not an expert on that type of architecture. Board and batten was usually reserved for barns.

^^^This. Farms are frequently constructed of available and not expensive materials- there is nothing as beautiful as an old farmhouse and bank barn constructed from fieldstone.

At this point? I am "over" all of them. The word farmhouse is beginning to give me indigestion : )

Build a house. A farmhouse was a HOME that happened to be located ON farmland. Cows, sheep, pigs, fields of corn or whatever. Got that or want that? Cobblestone, shingled and whatever was common in the south, right down to a plantation home. Hello Scarlett......

These "new interpretations" are going to become the Mc Mansion interpretation of Georgian colonials of the nineties. Count on it.

From "Farm Knowledge" published 1917.

Drove through a new upscale neighborhood last night with a designer friend and she called it ”gable-palooza” and it made me laugh, truly so many new homes just seem overwrought

I'm not over farmhouses, just modern farmhouses.

This is a new/old farmhouse:

The New Farmhouse · More Info

Historic old farmhouse, renovated:

Oblong Valley · More Info

The entrance to above:

Oblong Valley · More Info

Renovated 1700s farmhouse:

Dutchess · More Info

: ) I'll take the last one, as long as you add the barn and a gorgeous horse, and bring me iced tea on a steamy day as I recline on the porch!

^^^ and cleaning staff - holy moly!

So now this is a Modern Farmhouse since it’s on a horse farm.

Um, seriously? I’m not sure what that is, RedRyder.

Silly Jan, you can’t have just one horse, and no respectable farmer ever has time to recline on the porch!!! Even me, and my current farm is 1/4 the size of my first farm.🙂

@bpath - it is my house on a horse farm. I think the definition of Modern Farmhouse is getting silly.

The photos of farmhouses around the country from Mark made a good point. A farmhouse look is regional and can be whatever works for your area. Since I live on a farm, this house we “inherited” would be a “farmhouse”. Sorry my sarcasm didn’t work for you.

No, I got the sarcasm. But I agree, modern farmhouse is an interesting term. and I imagine that many houses of many types on farms get remodeled over time.

@bpath - There is a beautiful house on a country road near ours and I think it would qualify as what “ modern farmhouse” would be (white vertical board and batten, black framed windows, peaked rooflines) but they used gothic shaped windows on the first floor. It makes it even more beautiful. But less “farmhouse-y”.

If it has a roof and walls, it can be called a 'modern farmhouse'.

If it has updated plumbing and electric it can be called a modern farmhouse.

Good point.

Then I grew up in a modern farmhouse with two 'bathrooms' behind the barn.

and in the south Mrs. Pete can tell us what they use there.

Pine.

Beautiful! ^^