Don't get depressed! Building a home is a huge undertaking and I think everyone gets nervous right before they take the plunge. You'll be OK.

Can you post pictures of the elevations? It actually sounds like you're very happy with the work that the architect has done on the interior. He should be willing to achieve on paper the vision that you and your DH have for the exterior of your dream home as well.

It might not be as bad as you think. To my DH the exterior of our house was very bland when it was just a black and white drawing on paper. I envisioned shakes, stone, window boxes, shrubs, and garden paths through the woods. He didn't see any of that. LOL He second guesses every single decision until it's actually in the house for good...then he loves it. :o)

thanks persnickeytdesign - I will try to keep that in mind - I am just looking at black an white drawings. It is a hugh undertaking. Maybe we picked the wrong architect for us - I am pleased with the interior but that was our design mostly and we left the exterior up to him. But I guess no matter which architect you pick there can always be problems. I will try to post some elevations later.Thanks

I wouldn't start until I was happy with the exterior. Changes on paper are better than being unhappy every time you drive up to your home.

After seven years I still get a thrill coming home, especially at night when the interior and exterior lights are on.

thanks chisue - my thoughts also - after spending big bucks one should feel a thrill every time they drive up to their house.

If you love your floorplan, I'd try to tweak the outside a bit without compromising that.

If the homestyle supports it, you could add a wrap around porch, second floor balcony, covered stone entry...

Beyond that, think about the colors and textures. Using more than one finish on an exterior is pretty standard these days, but some combinations suit certain styles better than others. Going a little outside the typical color range can do as much for a building as makeup does for a woman.

The mere fact that the exterior seems 'generic' to you is proof that you'll find a way to make it uniquely yours...

If you're not happy with the appearance, don't build it! We tried designing something ourself at first but soon realized why there are schools for architects. Remember, there are good and bad architects like everything else. Your guy may be a pro at good interior layouts but a dud aesthetically. I'd bite the bullet and try another. All is not wasted..Since I'm sure you've paid him for his work so far, you should own the floor plan to build one house from. Take that to another architect and try to convey to him what you're expecting. We eventually used 'book plans' but the architect for them was local so that helped with the few modifications we incorporated in the build.

http://www.thehousedesigners.com/plan_details.asp?PlanNum=4356

It always irks me when someone talks about their architect or designer who "doesn't take criticism', or " isn't very approachable". It's YOUR house! He doesn't have to live there, you do. My mother went through that on a major re-model, fighting the contractor every inch of the way. After it was all said and done, everybody loved the results- including the people she had to fight! You really don't want to compromise, unless the details you want would put you way over budget.

Mae,
What exactly is bothering you in the elevation? Maybe you are nervous - wich is underestandable, it is a big investment and a big responsibility.
If it is possible, post the plans here, specially the elevation.
I also vote for not starting construccion until you are satisfied. Making the front of the house appealing to you and with a general curb appeal is important.
Sometimes selecting the proper material for the elevation can make a big difference without changing the floor plan.
Elevation is important to me but I'd be very unhappy in a house with a bad floor plan, it is like it will bother me everyday!
I have seen adorable houses (we were looking for a house recently) and I thought: this is the one! until I went inside :(

Without changing the floor plan you can do several thing to make the exterior nicer:
-change materials, combine materials or ged rid or too many materials
-select the right color palette - it makes a big difference, you can go from dull to stunning with he right color
-change the entry/access
-add ilumination/light fixtures
-change the shape and size of windows
-change the lines and the pitch of the roof - roof is important.
-complement the exterior with the proper landscape (please do not go overboard with the landscape, it should complement - not overwhelm)
-porchs: change the shape or size, or add more porches

I am curous why you would use the word "criticism" to describe the process of discussing the design. Designing a house should a collaborative process rather than a series of approval or disapproval of design submissions. If your architect is not interested in your opinions then you have selected the wrong architect or perhaps you haven't found the right way to make suggestions to your architect.

Get a PDF of the drawings and post them here. We might make some bad suggestions because we don't know the design parameters or your preferences but it's free.

Lots of good posts. Don't give up just yet.

I have drawn up, as a hobby, dozens of homes that will never be built. But I always start with a plan from a book, chosen because I like the exterior. THEN I move interior walls around, and in some cases, expand the home, 16" here, or 16" there.

My taste is traditional so adding a few feet in both directions along the front elevation isn't too aesthetically risky, especially now that original designs seem compressed to fit todays small building lots.

I don't have enough confidence in my own eye to start from scratch, and even using an architect is a gamble (as far as matching your vision), as you have found out.

Post your plan here. Lot's of creative people will chime in.