The brick is fine. It's the weird green gray stucco and white half timbered sections that are the issues. They clash. And badly. They need to go, and be replaced by more of the nice looking brick.

Thank you for commenting Sophie. The house is still being completed. The hardy board will be painted dark brown (like the trim) and tan.

Will you be putting on shutters? I think that will help break up all the tan and make the house stand out

Yes. Shutters will be on all windows on the right of the house. The window at top left and the window to the right of the door. The shutters will be wood and stained espresso, similar to the trim.

Here is a sketch of finished product. I just don't like the brick color at all. Here it is a reddish color.

Could some of what you don't like be the dead grass and bare trees?

Some parts of building are putting it together, then holding your breath while it looks odd and disjointed when one part is "finished" and one isn't painted or completed yet. I'd wait until it's all done. Mortar can REALLY change brick color- did you look at exsisting homes with your combination?

The brick is okay (I like it better than the photo of the original). But somebody forgot some windows in the side wall! What's up with that? It's weird.

And why is the house up so high on a flat parcel of land? I think the problem is just that there is so much brick that it's in your face. If the house sat lower it would be less overwhelming.

And the half-timber section doesn't fit that style at all.

Once you get some growies around it, it'll be better. And certainly plant something tall to disguise that left wall.

Yes. Renee Texas we did look at brick and mortar together on a finished house. It is a light golden brown color with the same mortar we chose. I think the disappointment is choosing one thing and then getting another. tatts, maybe you are right about the amount of brick being overwhelming. It is very tall because of the high ceilings.

Do you have in writing the specific brick/color that was supposed to be used? If so, and the contractor used the wrong product, you may have some renegotiating to do.

Yes torreykm, I checked it when it arrived and it was the correct color we chose, but was not the color the design lady showed us. I will attach the brick color she showed us with the same mortar. We used a gray mortar, she told us this was a gray mortar that looked brown once applied to this brick. Our brick looks pink/red more than these colors below.

I think it's going to be beautiful! But I COMPLETELY know what you mean about not getting what you expected (and are paying for). My 4 month old kitchen cabinets are definitely a redder tone than the sample I ordered from. We were wanting them in installed so badly (as we were washing dishes in the master bath sink) that I didn't raise a fuss (I kept thinking it was a lighting issue). Now I wish I would've complained and at least been offered a discount. Have you talked to your builder about this?

eve, I did tell them I thought the mortar was a lighter color and they told me to wait and that it would change. It has not changed and I hate it. I will talk to them tomorrow. The sales rep is not very helpful about any of our concerns. The brick has now been up for 2 weeks and it still looks off.

Good luck! I can see that the more monochromatic color scheme (pale tan brick, brown roof, and dark brown trim) harmonized nicely for a classic tudor with a modern style. Perhaps a softening of the brown trim color to a more greyed brown will tie in the grey mortar and make things harmonize once again?

Thank you eve!! I hope your kitchen looks amazing!!

Sorry, but I agree with Sophie, the brick looks nice. What you have experienced is selecting a finish or product based on a sample, which may or may not reflect the actual product. This can be a result of the sample being old and has aged/changed color, or a different manufacturing process or dye lot giving you a different color. As you begin to select the finishes for the interior of the house, keep this in mind, and be wary of samples. Ask to see the "current stock" that they are using to get a truer picture of what they will actually install in the house.

I don't think that the mortar is a big factor in what you are seeing. Either you live with it or have the builder totally redo it with a different brick, which will probably cost you a lot of $$.

It sounds like you are right, Diana. Thank you

Brick looks fine ..but why is there a little roof over one window ..looks a bit odd ?!

I think it is your dark trim that is clashing. The first picture shows a house with muted trim that enhances the brick. It also has the lovely stone texture in the one section that compliments the brick. I would paint your trim a much softer color and see if you can add a stone section somewhere to add interest. Really, the brick is pretty, you have a very nice looking house. Consider getting professional advice on how to bring all the color elements together more to your liking.

To be fair, the house is not complete. You still need the trim, shutters, entry steps, landscaping, lighting, etc. The brick is beautiful and much more contemporary than the original pic. I agree with previous comments about the painted area needing being to blend in easier with the brick, but why don't you wait until it's all finished? Paint color is an easy fix! The large wall with so few windows does seem odd since a home like that should feature some interesting window sizes and shapes to break up the planes of each side and allow lots of natural light in every room. I'd love to see some tall windows to address the height and an oval to bring some interest. The "Designer Lady" is either a professional interior designer, or she's not. If she is a professional interior designer, then you really need to address your concerns with her and hear some ideas. I suggest you work together to see the bigger, more finished picture. It will be a beautiful home!

Thanks y'all. I wish it was that easy to speak with the design lady and come up with another design solution. I appreciate all of your responses and ideas. Mary I have tried to hold my tongue and wait it out, it's just a huge let down.

This is an inspiration photo. I will talk with them today, but I am not expecting much of a solution.

I spoke with the sales rep and it went better than expected, so we shall see what we come up with. Thanks for the help!!

That is a GREAT inspiration pic. I can imagine how much light that room must get and the scale is amazing. Great Job.

I wouldn't put shutters on either of the double windows to the right and left of the door. They're too large for properly sized shutters. It's a lovely house!

Updated photo....

The company had someone from the brick company come and stain the brick the correct color. The house is still not done yet, but I wanted to show you an updated photo and let you all know what happened with our house. We are very satisfied with the way it is turning out.

You may have to click on photo if it looks hazy.

Wow, what a difference! I am happy you are at peace with the exterior color.

Pleased to see a resolution. Four years ago we were planning a house, got stuck on the brick selection, gave up and bought a house instead. Now we are trying again and spent another day driving around arguing. I see something I can live with in one photo and same exact brick and mortar I hate in the next.

I am investigating brick staining. How were the long term results?

They gave us a lifetime warranty on the stain.

Thank you so much. I have posted a design dilemma and you are the first person I have heard from regarding stain. I am considering this and you have had it done to your house. I am hoping to hear from others regarding long term performance. Thank you again!

Your house is actually looking really good. A vast improvement over the first picture.

The update looks fantastic!

Nice home -- except I'd likely prefer more windows on that left side or even a patio door.

The darker mortar should fade some over time -- at least where it is exposed to sun. Pressure washing with bleach may expedite that.

If you can get a written life time warranty on stain for the brick, consider it ... but do stain some leftover brick the same color of the brick you dislike before you decide.

Wood and roofing for a front/side porch will make less of the brick you don't care for visible. Such a porch could actually become the visual focal point for those approaching your home.

Consider adding a front porch about 6' deep and wrapping it around the left side to a larger porch -- if you can create an interesting shape, such as an octagon, near the corner, then you could add something closer to a gazebo.

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/i_g/IStkbnf5syzpmi1000000000.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/76/b9/aa/76b9aa7dd7337db737991b8cec3e7c1c--wrap-around-porches-front-porches.jpg

http://mo123.info/2015/11/14/farmhouse-with-wrap-around-porch/farmhouse-with-wrap-around-porch-comtemporary-10-farmhouse-sunshine-farm-clinton-ny-sloan-architects/

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b7/fc/53/b7fc5334180c0070f3d771d64c0d93e3.jpg

If you can add windows for light and/or at least a door on that left side of the house for access to a porch or sunroom, at least consider it.

The staining looks great and is very close to what you originally selected. Just curious though, was the brick they installed actually the correct brick, because it doesn't even come close to the sample board.

Yes, the bricks were the right one we chose, however, most of our bricks did not get stained during the original staining process.

DO NOT pressure wash with bleach. In fact, I would advise against pressure washing. It could damage the stain. Learn to live with the mortar color. The overall brick appearance is nice now. Count your blessings. You have a beautiful new home.

How did they achieve the color change without staining most of the brick?

Good news on the bricks.

To those posting changes in the house design, how is that helpful? If I posted a color issue and was told to move windows and place the house on a different part of the lot, I'd be a bit miffed.

A little late to move the foundation, isn't it?

klc328i, my above response was to a question from nidlay. armchairshopper. I love our new home and we are pleased with the stain the brick company applied. We have no dilemma now.

Best wishes for many happy and healthy years in you new home. I hope you create many wonderful memories there.