Hey thorn112, I think the reason you might not be getting much response on your project is because it's quite a bit to photoshop all those details you are asking for. I see Squirrel has said she was going to try and get to it for you but hasn't had time yet. She's much better at it than I am but I also might have time later today. ?? I have to look up each of those architechtual details you are describing and see if I can find photos online to cut and paste them in. Not an easy task, but I'll see what I can do.

Not sure what pediments or muntins are, but here is a rough sketch in PSP.
Dawn

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Thanks dawn t! That looks great already..a pediment is on top of the door like a rams head or a straight mantel with a keyhole in the middle. Muntins are the boxes in the windows. Do you think I should do the round columns are the round ones that sit on top of the square? You know what I mean? And do you think it would be too much with flower boxes on all the top windows?

Window boxes need a lot of TLC: they dry out quickly, need water every couple days since they get none from the rain. Plus, it would be very busy...

And speaking of busy, that railing above the garage would be silly unless the window turns into a door.

I'd carry the stone in the entry section all the way up: as is, it seems like an after thought. The lap siding provides a strong horizontal running from one end of the house to the other. Better to break those lines with a strong vertical. The house will look larger, stronger. Other wise, the columns are the only vertical elements, and they aren't up to the job.

I also feel that these sidewalks that approach the front door only to veer off the other way gives a Garbo-esque 'I vant to be alone' message.

on my original plans, the railing is meant ot be just under the window for a little detail. The house before the addition had the brick on the whole center portion, and I thought it looked too broken up. Don't forget I will have a big door surround with either a rams head above or something like that, and two big coach lights on both sides of the door. maybe that will make a difference. As far as the walk up to the door, I hate it! We are definately getting to that after they bulldoze the back for the pool. I have had my heart set on the flowerboxes. What if I did the faux flowers? There has to be some really nice looking ones?

Whew...okay, I took a stab at this but I didn't get the stone right.

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holy cow, lindybarts! That is almost my exact door and garages!I'm loving those flower boxes! Only problem is the siding is done and we did it the full center. I Think I really like the sage shutters. Can you paint them black to compare? And I'm thinking I will have a full 10" white door surround, are we liking the rams head pediment or should I go straight accross with a keystone? Do you think I should stain the wood doors or paint them white? I will totally pay you guys for your time and talent!

Ohh...gotcha on the siding. I wasn't clear what you were doing with that area. I like the rams head. I tried another one that is just an arch. I forgot to look for a straight one with a keystone but I'll check that out too. I think I like the garage doors white actually. What do you think?

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I give up trying to find a pediment that goes straight across with the keystone. I see lots of drawings of it, but no real photos. Anyway, I think I like either the one above or another Rams Head shot I found with beefier moulding. I like how it curves and matches the arched cutout above it. The straight one wouldn't go as nicely. I do prefer the black shutters too.

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Much better without the stone bottom half on the entry: it added a harsh horizontal that the columns couldn't overcome.

I think I like the sage shutters better. Could be a little too formal in black and white.

If you do the faux flowers, remember to take them down in the fall. I drive by a house all the time with hanging baskets of Fuscias when there's 4 feet of snow. Everything is so balanced top to bottom, it might be better to have them on both floors or neither...

I think I'm really liking the rams head. And the flower boxes on all the uppers. The lower windows will be partially covered underneath by some sort of shrubs or landscaping anyway. My husband likes the black shutters. I can go either way..the sage is pretty and charming and the black is more formal and regal. For now I will stain the garages since I can always paint over that. I'll see how long I like it. You think I should do the columns with the box on the bottom, or when they build it up with brick? I don't know. So for the mantels above the windows and door, can you see dentil or just solid trim? I love the dentil when I see a house with it, nust not sure it goes with the house..

Wait, I just realized the shutters on the center window. It definately fills the space, but are they supposed to go there?

LOL, I've learned more terms from you in the past 24 hours than all my 7 months on Gardenweb! I had to Google "dentils". Couldn't find a decent picture for you to crop though. If you have a photo of an inspiration house, I can pull things off of that and add them to your house.

As for the shutters, I thought it looked nice with them in the center. Is there a rule about not putting shutters on those types of windows?? Again, I'm learning so much tonight!

I put in a black balcony just for the heck of it, but probably broke an architechtural rule there too.

I also tried a darker shade of green since that first one came out much lighter than I was aiming for. I wouldn't add brick to your columns if that's what you're asking.

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Darker green Shutters, removed the set from the middle, black railing
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Darker Green Shutters, no middle set, white railing
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This is getting better and better. On the fence about the center shutters. I think it looks better, but is there a rule of thumb? Anyone?

What color are you shingles? If they are black, I would do the black shutters, leaving out the center ones. IMHO I don't care for the flower boxes or the the railing on the upper level windows (sorry). Can you add muntins or wider trim to the half round windows, they seem kinda left out? I would also change the light on the pathway to match what you put on the house (darker colored). I like the white garage doors but would try something without so many little windows, it distracts from the front entry.

My roof is pewter gray..medium gray sometimes looks darker. Yes, I am definately adding molding on those circle tops. You think those moldings should have a keystone, or leave it plain? And those circle tops are going to have the gothic grill. How do we think I should finish the front door? I'll probably do a dark stain, But should I paint the sidelites white or the molding in the middle, or leave it all stained?

I'm kind of in agreement with Jade about the railing, I didn't care for it either but the one I photoshopped in wasn't the best so maybe in person it would be better. I was able to finally find some good window trim photos and added some to the round windows and some thicker trim and keystones to the straight windows. I still love the window boxes and want to get some for my house too. But I do agree the upkeep might be the reason I nix them. I tried a slightly different garage door and also went with the white sidelights and a slightly darker door. What do you think? For the shutters, I think the answer is a very, very dark green but not black.

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That'll be $100....just kidding! I'm having fun with it. It's just frustrating when I can't find the photos I want online to paste. When you are finished, we expect a follow up photo to see your results! ;c)

Lindy

So, I told my GC that this has to wait til I fully decide. I ordered samples of shutter colors and he is bringing me window mantels to look at. So, I will definately let you know which way I went..it may take a couple weeks. Thank you so much for your help!

hello! beautiful hou se, BTW!! Can anyone tell me what that photoshop software is that can do all those amazing things and do you have to be a computer genius to figure it out??
Thanks, Jackie

It's Photoshop Elements! It took several hours of tinkering and I still don't know how to do that much with it. But I can do the basic cut and paste things!

Lindy