I'd start by simplifying. Cover the exposed foundation with brick or stone.

Yes thank you. I was thinking about doing that. I agree. Brick would look nice

If you are extending the porch to the full length of the main house, you can simplify the facade by eliminating the superfluous center small gable for more of a farm house look.

I really like board and batten. There are many on Houzz that are well done and good examples on how to use it with lap siding and even with shakes.

Thank you so much for your input @houssaon Removing that small gable wasn't something I considered. I can see how that might help.

Here is a house that I really love the Exterior of. I feel like I could achieve this look using brick and white siding. Like @PPF. suggested. I do really like the soft tone of the shutters on this home. It's hard to tell the exact color of the roof shingles because of the sunlight in the photo. What would you suggest I do for a roof color.....and garage door color. The Garage doors will face the front of the house so they will definitely need to be done right.

Perfect. lol so helpful haha We are on 3 acres and that's the perfect amount for me. I don't actually want a farm....just like the look.

Our house will be on a cul de sac with 1 other house, we have 3 acres mostly behind our house. I could set the house back further, But I chose the cul de sac lot for a reason. I have plenty of space to move the garage to the side, I just liked the functionality of sitting on my porch while the kids pull bikes, scooters, whatever in and out of the garage and being able to watch them. Moving the garage to the side is definitely an option.

Look at PPF’s rendering, that’s a farmhouse. As noted above, simplify, remove superfluous gables.

As one approaches the home, one’s attention should be drawn to the front entrance, not the garage. Most of the front-facing garages we are used to seeing are that way by the demands of a small lot. Since you have the acreage, the garage door ideally would not be facing “the public.”

I'm tying myself (and my house's layout) into knots trying to get a semi-side facing garage on a narrow suburban lot. I'm sort of succeeding, but my house is touching both of the side offsets, and it's probably not done in a way that's cost effective. I'll probably discover how pricy it will be next Friday at our bid meeting, and will have to bite the bullet and change to a front facing garage.

But I digress.

If I had 3 acres, my garage would be at least side facing, if not behind my house.

It sounds great to have your kids use your driveway for bikes & being able to watch them - but this will only be your situation for a pretty short period of time and when they're no longer riding bikes in your driveway and have moved to the cul de sac & beyond, you'll still have a front facing garage.

You have the space to do something really special. If you have the option to go fully custom, I also join the chorus in suggesting that you get something designed especially for you.

Thank you for your comment @Anna I do have the room. I didn't even consider that the front facing garage was an eye sore. I'm in New England and they are pretty common around here. Never crossed my mind. I can definitely make that switch. I would still love a suggestion on garage door color....even If I move it to the Side I still want it to look good lol

@Kelly DePari Yes, front facing garages are ubiquitous, but that's mostly because no one has room to do anything else (and when they do, they may not know there are other options). As far as color goes, I would match the color of the house, whatever you go with there. Garage doors in general shouldn't have attention called to them with color.

Thank you @anj_p I am working with a custom builder, I could have him do a completely custom plan....we just really liked this one...I was able to fit everything I needed without cramping it. And it fits in the budget! which is obviously very important haha. I can switch it to the side. The thought never even crossed my mind before. haha I didn't realize how much everyone hates them haha!

I wouldn't say people necessarily HATE them...a lot of people probably don't care. But you'd have a hard time finding a custom home (meaning designed by an architect) on a large lot that has a front facing garage, mostly because it's unattractive. One of my friends has an architect designed home (not designed for them, but they bought it from the original owners), and their garage is a tuck under side entry. it's great - you can't even tell it's there. If you have any topography on your land, you may have more options than you realize.

This is several years old but I always loved Dutty's white house with a barn red garage. In this post she says the white is Sherman Williams Westhighland White.

Also, looking for suggestions on garage doors

I'll suggest it depends. Front or side facing, color of house and trim etc.

Here is a thread with some info, probably more found via a search.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5456248/confused-about-garage-door-color-advise

Thanks everyone! Let’s say we move the garage to the side. How would you position windows on the front? All the other front windows are doubles. Not sure what would look the best 2 singles? I wouldn’t have to turn the actual garage to do this. Just put the doors on the side vs the front. So that gable and window will stay in front. On the interior this works really well. So I don’t want to turn the actually garage structure if that makes sense.

"Start over with an architect to get the house you want."

Good advice worth repeating.

I appreciate the comment. But, I’m happy with the plans. I have no desire to start over. I like this plan or I wouldn’t be building it. I posted asking if I should do board and batten or regular siding? If board and batten would give me that farmhouse look or look out of place? I like I idea of switching the garage to the side. And that is a very simple switch and something I didn’t consider. I appreciate that suggestion and now that I’m looking at it I completely agree. I just need to decide which window arrangement will look best on that front wall. I wouldn’t change anything else. So I see no reason to “start over with an architect” I’m happy with the plan I have. It checks off all my boxes. I’m pretty sure I can achieve the “farmhouse” feel while still keeping the house fit in in the neighborhood. If I wasn’t happy with this house I wouldn’t be building it.

For a farmhouse look, follow PPF's photo suggestion and get rid of the front facing gables. I'd suggest white for the exterior color and garage doors that match the siding.

Good luck!

@Virgil Carter Fine Art Thank you

Keep the clapboard siding, no to board and batten on that house.

Im not a fan of the fussy take on gables on your inspiration picture.

I don’t mind the front facing garage doors in the mock up PPF did as long as they have simple and painted to match the house. To me it draws less attention to the garage then the one in your inspiration pic that has a gable end which is set forward from the rest of the house. Your setup also seems like it would encourage guests to use the front door, versus coming in through the garage.

I'm not recommending all these various windows, just seeing how they might look. Generally, 2nd floor windows would be shorter then those on the first floor.

Is there a dormer on the back side of the garage? If not, maybe flip it from the front to back.

For siding, you cannot go wrong with using all lap. B&B is trendy now, but I've never seen a real farmhouse with it.

The image also shows brick up higher than the foundation that was showing, so the builder would need to place the floor framing inside the foundation instead of on top.

Thank you @PPF. This is very helpful. I appreciate you taking the time to do that for me. Thank you! Oh and to answer your question yes the master is above the garage. The back is a full dormer.

I modeled this house for another thread, and since it's similar to yours, changed it a bit to show a different idea for the master.

Remember to rework your site plan with a side entry garage; the distance from the driveway to the front door is farther. It might be nice to have a circular driveway in front of the house branching off the garage’s drive, if budget allows.

I personally like front facing garages. I've always thought side loading to be a fake way of trying to make the house look bigger. It's a garage! Everybody has one (or wishes they did). Why hide it and make it a bigger pain for people to get to your front door?

For the record we're on 11.5 acres and have a front facing garage. Our house isn't huge either.

thank you @aziline They have never bothered me either! I think now that its been pointed out to me I'll probably change it. But if I couldn't it wouldn't bother me at all.

We have a side facing garage now and all of our family and close friends end up going thru the garage entrance rather than walking around to the front door since it’s farther. No one ever comes to our front door. We are building now and it’s our preference to have a front facing garage. I want people to use our front door! Just something to keep in mind.

What did your architect say?

@Kelly DePari Another huge benefit to the roof line simplifications that @PPF. drew is that when it comes time to re-roof, you'll save a lot of money.