Don't know if this will help or not but maybe it'll be food for thought. Occasionally, I write for a home/garden magazine and I recently interviewed an architect renovating a 100-year-old brick home. He said the problem with new homes is that everything is on the same plane and comes off very flat. I think he makes a good point. He added a 2-story addition to the back of the home. He reused the original brick and actually made sort of a corbel pattern near the roofline. He also used acetylated wood as trim around the windows. I think the texture around the windows, and the shadows that were created by the corbeling both made the new addition look like it had been there forever and also added so much more character.

Ah very good question!! I've been wondering the same thing going around my neighborhood looking at houses with windows that look "flat" Is it lack of thick mouldings/ trim around the windows? Is it because the windows are flushed to the wall? I would love to get an architect's point of view

Thanks Ronda,

That is interesting about the 2 story. I'll have to take a mental note of that and add it to the list of things that I look at when we are out and about.

We do want to build a 2 story home, so your comment is encouraging.

Thank you.

Stellaalto,

I'm glad I'm not the only one! I personally think that sometimes the trim can be a little overbearing in some of the newer homes being built. However, it does seem that other homes have something "missing". I notice it more in brick homes, but it is probably because I look at brick homes more because it's what we are planning.

Is it a lack of window sills or something???? I'm stumped.

Ourlifeinthesticks: I guess this is where a good architect makes all the difference! A new house was built in our area and unfortunately everyone cringes when they see it. There's something not right about the house but none of us can tell what it is! It definitely has "flat" windows IMO. Not a good look. Good luck to you!

Here is an example of techniques to create detail in a brick house.

http://www.shipstonpaintingplus.com/brick-house-trim-and-detail/

This is a house that looks a little too plain for the owners.

This is the same home after their contractor updated it, believe it or not.

voila: wow the transformation is incredible! looks so much better with lighter brick color too!

yes, it is beautiful. the house went from blah to french normandy. the homeowners must be so stoked! My biggest concern for my house is the exterior.... that it will turn out "flat" and blah. i found a beautiful picture but how it translates in real world is to be seen!!

To me, I think it is in the details, shadow lines, etc. We built a brick home, and it has the detail of an older home. Real, operable wood shutters, soldier courses in the brick, relevant brick detailing around the windows...these things all make a difference. I also think double hung windows give more depth to a facade vs casement windows, since there is an additional shadow line at the middle. I know people love casements...but i have always thought they look flat. I wish I could post a pic of a huge, very, very expensive home on my street. It was built with the finest materials, real stone, wonderful details, etc. And the casement windows look flat to me. They just don't seem right.