Renovations cost double what a new build does. You'd be many dollars ahead by doing a tear down and rebuild. Since you have acreage, you could probably site the new home elsewhere on the land and live in that one while you build.

Wow, that actually looks great! Yes, we are building a 2 car attached garage with mudroom to the right. We are mimicking the pitch to keep it consistent. Thanks! Would you suggest stone anywhere???

Beverly's mock-up is wonderful--great new windows but no shutters. Agree with others to save your money for stone landing, pathway, and beautiful landscaping. Notice this house has a lighter chocolate siding but dark brown garage doors that echoes the roof. A turquoise or orange door would look great when you're all done.

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ok, consensus is skip the stone. :) We had also specd out white vinyl windows ironically like the one you inserted. Not sure if they can come in that darker color though. Is there a color palette that could incorporate a tiny bit of white but still look as great as what you sent? We don't want a ton of white, just enough to make the windows fit in, but love the style you sent and worry it will only look that good with darker colors. Thoughts on working white windows into the mix without turning it into something boring????? thanks everyone for great suggestions too!

Maybe you could add contrasting wood or painted trim around the windows that you can coordinate with a front door--cedar stain, blue, brown?

If you have selected white, then it might be better to consider a 'cottage style' contemporary. The issue is the brown roof. Are you sure you can't change out the window color?

yes! ok. trying to convince the husband on the board and batten look. He's not a huge fan but I'm hoping to convince him. I think it will dress it up a bit without a huge added cost. thanks all for your input!!

The board and batten can be purchased in wood, Hardie Board or Vinyl Siding.

https://www.certainteed.com/siding/products/board-batten-single-7-8-also-12-insulated/

http://www.woodtone.com/products/RusticSeries/panel

Experiment with the size of the battens (a bit wider, a bit thicker so they will be more pronounced)...it can really change the look.

I would do the house as shown above by Beverly, she is amazing in all of her suggestions on Houzz! Then put a good chunk of the budget into the landscaping and make it WOW for your area. I say this because we have a new build in our area, in the last five years, and they have never gotten around to doing the yard and it is such an eyesore....landscaping costs money but it can be done in stages if you have a plan to follow, and it lasts forever; and is so depressing when you do not do it.

PS we went with vinyl clad windows from Home Depot and were pleasantly surprised at the color options, white, sand, grey, taupe and went with a sand color because of low contrast and the color 'inside' and 'outside' the house. White is too stark with your brown roof which is a warm tone and basic builder grade white is Stark White!!!!!!!!! Keep it subtle.

Just my two cents! Your house looks great and I am glad the roof is newish as that is a chunk of $$$$$$$$.LOL!

Thank you, Susan, for your kind words.

Honestly you have earned them and then some!