Is there a certain percentage of the front facade that must be masonry? Will there be gutters?

It would greatly improve the design if you only used 2 materials. Stone would be more interesting and perhaps appropriate for this style than brick.

The only requirement is first floor brick on the front and sides of the house. We'd prefer to stay away from stone just due to the price when compared to brick. We seem to both really like grey siding and white trim, but we are struggling with finding a brick color that would match. We aren't set on having shake shingles so perhaps it would look better with just normal siding on the second story?

Here is something i did via an online application. we like the shake shingle and siding color, but again not sure what brick color would match for the bottom story.

I recommend a dark red brick that isn't too brown and matching mortar on the entire lower story; sawn shingles without corner boards on the entire upper story; 4" trim between the paired windows; a simpler front door and more authentic trim detailing including the cornice returns.

Its an elegant design but it would not take much to turn it into a developer spec house especially if cost is the primary criteria for cladding and trim selection.

The short high roof section behind the gables seems oddly forced and the small sloping side walls that it creates will be a maintenance issue.

Where is the project located?