Here is a photo from designer Phoebe Howard's "Max and Company" section of their website -- click through and you might find some inspiration. She works with traditional BUT with a mod vibe ....

Here is a link that might be useful: Phoebe Howard website -- inspiration photo

1801, I agree -- your new home does seem more contemporary, perhaps with an Asian touch (that rear roof line). However, it's neutral enough that it could go almost any way you want to take it. It is really lovely!

Here's your pics. To post your pictures in your post from tinypic just copy and paste the HTML for websites into your post.

Also, when you upload to tinypic you should resize to message board size.

I don't know what kind of style it is, but it looks like a few houses I have seen in the Chicago area.

Your house is truly wonderful--- from the outside it looks like it is completely at home in its setting, and would be very liveable and spacious on the inside. I hope you will post pictures of the interior!

That stone makes me think Texas. I think it's a neat house. On the outside I would say you can almost go Prairie with it. Prairie with a little Asian flair on the roof and traditional windows. But overall it has kind of a zen thing going on.

Is the interior similar? Or do you have a bunch of '80s glass block and shiny brass fixtures and pastels? If the interior isn't finished with tons of built-up mouldings and other heavily traditional looks, then I think you can go more modern with the furnishings. Stickley stuff would look great. but I also think soft contemporary would work well. Even the muted, worn Belgian stuff that is so popular now.

Thanks all for the feedback and thanks terriks for help with the pics. I'm was really happy with the exterior and the setting - kswl, you're right on about the geography!

The interior right now is not bad, no glass block or neon - but fairly traditional - lots of large, heavy ornate pieces that look worn - understandably, since it was a well used home.

I can post images, but the current interior doesn't work for me - so I'm trying to start fresh, without preconceptions left over from the current design, and harmonizing with the exterior. Maybe I'l post images after the closing, when the current owners have all their stuff out of there.

Jakabedy - your comments were really helpful, especially re: stickley and the worn belgian look.

Made me think Texas, too!
The form is a plantation house, like an Oak Alley massing with the sheltering roof overhangs all around, but in a modern prairie-esque interpretation. I think it's well done.
It could have a careful blend of modern and antique furniture inside, but not busy wall treatments or patterns. If you have some antique to showcase, the way to do so is with a gallery display. Not a suite of chintz and floral wallpaper, except in the BR's of course.
Casey

Wow...I really like that house from the outside, including the way the terrace is worked in. I'll be interested to follow what you do with it. Pics which show the architectural elements of the inside (we can look past the furniture) would be helpful.

Nice house - sort of a Frank Lloyd Wright "prairie style" influence with the dominant horizontal stones and deep overhang and semi-Japanese roofline.

The house interior can adapt to anything, as the recent discussion of the astounding modern Philly house with mostly formal antique furniture showed.

The question is - what style do you really like? If you want to "start fresh, without preconceptions left over from the current design" you have to start with what your personal preferences are in color and furniture.

First thing I thought when I saw it was Frank Lloyd Wright. It has that low impact look he liked so much, blend with nature by using natural elements and design.

Are those original doors on the front? They don't seem to match the rest of the design.

1801... I love your new house. It has a wonderful feeling to it and the way it sits on the lot is beautiful. I also thought Prarie style. I would do the inside using straight lines yet still comfy furniture. I think simple but with some nice touches. Not sure if I am helping here but it is a very lovely home!

I am guessing near Houston? I am in Austin.

Amy

Actually the house is in the Chicago suburbs - so the exterior looks a bit different covered in snow! Thanks for all the complements and feedback. I don't know about the doors, but I'm not a fan, and will probably change them.

Here are some interior shots:

The walls in the entryway are trompe l'oeil.

As always, thanks for your thoughts

Wow, what an amazing house with a great layout. I've never seen anything like that exterior. If you do redo the interior, I hope you consider saving the marble in the entry. It's absolutely stunning!

Beautiful. Is there more to the kitchen than shows in your one picture of it? It appears quite small for such an majestic home. What all do you have in mind for it? It will be fun to see what all you do. Are you heading for a less formal feel? I was sort of surprised by the formality/fussiness of the inside spaces/furnishings.

I'm pretty sure the marble is staying - to be honest, it wouldn't have been my first choice, but it's in good condition and well done, so we'll leave it.

The current owner won't let me copy the building plans (super-annoying, but a whole new topic) so it's hard for me to show you my preliminary plan. But yes, there's a little more to the kitchen, but not a lot. We're planning on essentially removing the dining room, and using that place to increase the garage entry/mudroom area, expand the kitchen, add a powder room, and possibly a small reading sanctuary.

I'm absolutely trying to go less formal - I hate fussiness and busyness. I'm a huge modernist, but now with kids, I'm thinking of doing the house a little softer and more livable - more of a transitional/contemporary feel, but lots of grays and whites.

Does anyone have any thoughts about the stairway balusters? I really don't like the white, but not sure what to put in it's place.

I would say iron for the balusters. Always a neat and clean feel.

What a fun project!!!

"The walls in the entryway are trompe l'oeil."

Thank heavens, I was hoping you would not have to tear marble pilasters off the wall. That is a fantastic space and I think it will look even better in a contemporary interpretation. The floating staircase and all the other architectural elements of the house lend themselves to less ornate wall treatments, mirrors, furnishings, etc. The kitchen will def. be a challenge, but you've got the space to do just about anything. What fun you will have with this! I hope you'll post as you go along. Thanks for these photos, and congratulations on your new home.

I don't have any suggestions, but I'm sure the house will thank you when the interior harmonizes with the exterior.

Just replacing the shaped balusters with straight white posts or simple iron posts will bring the staircase into harmony with the lines of the outdoors.

Can you remove the mirror slats in the entry?

Just saw your post that it is real marble and that part is not trompe l'oeil. In my experience a good designer can incorporate just about anything in a good design. It's a classic material. Looking forward to updated interior pictures!

You could do iron for balusters, but that will certainly date the house in ten years. You might want to look at square balusters, or tapered round pickets that don't have the base your current ones have (or any base, just round throughout their length). I would definitely change the newel posts to a more classic shape.

Oh my - when you said "traditional" I wasn't thinking Marie Antoinette slept there! Get rid of the Louis Quinze bits, let the wood floors loose, and go comfortably modern/casual with clean lines and lots of touchable textures and fabrics.

You could easily get a weathered wood California beach house feeling in there - key off the marble for the shades of grey.

With the faux marble and ornate filigree off the walls, those stairs spindles will look a whole lot better ... leave them for late in the decision process.

I was thinking about iron - and my wife like the "chanel staircase" look, but I'm afraid it's too decorative for my taste, and also as kswl said, it might be out of style soon. I'd like something a little more timeless.

Kswl, thanks for all of your comments - the only real marble is the floor of the entryway, everything else is painted on, thank god.

Lazygardens, that was hilarious - and some great ideas. Do you happen to know of a nice example of the california beach house feel? It sounds intriguing.

And suer0 - my wife says the first thing she wants me to do after closing is tear down the mirrors - and I couldn't agree more. Yikes!

I will absolutely keep you all updated as I go - all of your comments so far have been extremely valuable. Our closing is on Feb 16th.

Thanks!

I just have to jump in and say WOW!! What a house! I just love it!
The entry way will look 100% different without those mirrors - the marble is so, so gorgeous, I am just drooling.
Congratulations on your new home, it really is a stunner.

Your house has such a strong connection to the outside and the site through the architecture and landscaping! You have a great opportunity to use texture and a natural palette of grays, white, taupe, seagrass, woods, stainless steel, etc. for a contemporary and green take on comfort.

Have you found houzz.com yet?
Also: hooked houses.com

I predict instant addiction :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Houzz

I immediately thought Frank Lloyd Wright and since it's in Chicago that fits. He had such an impact on housing design there and so many homes there reflect his influence. I REALLY love your house. It is a beautiful lot and placed so nicely on it. Love the trees.

The current furnishings don't seem to match it's exterior personality. The furnishings are certainly well, eclectic! Shows well but it's a very personal choice. I hope you won't go too ultra modern as I don't think that would match it either. Some mission pieces might look nice. I don't really see a lot of gray and white, FLW loved warm colors found in nature, not necessarily dark. Congratulations on your new home, it's fabulous and sounds like you have great taste! Hope to see it again when you put your personal touch on it.

Kswl, you're right on target - I spent the whole weekend on houzz!

gr8day, thanks for your comments - I'm probably going to go more contemporary than modern, except for the bathrooms, because I think the master bath can be pretty modern without conflicting with the rest of the house.

And hoboken, thanks!