We need pictures. BTW black windows have been around at leaast as long as white.

Thank you Patricia. I added a picture. I had attempted to post it on the original post 2 days ago, but something went wonky.

We think we have settled on SW White Duck as our color. Not too blindingly white, as we are in the sun most of the day, and straight in the blazing afternoon sun. We have painted our 4 top choices on the south, west and east as well as under the porch to see how they look at different times of day.

Thank you for your suggestions!

A few thoughts. Are you keeping the current 6/6 windows? 2/1 might be cleaner visually. I think all white with black windows is a trend, but black windows have been around forever so I think its fine either way. I would stick with lap siding personally, I've never seen a farmhouse with board and batten siding (barns yes). I also think vertical siding will make that center section feel even more tall and looming... Do invest in wider trim on the doors and corners. Finally white porches are classic, stained is a trend to me. White was always used because it was a cheap way of waterproofing, there was no outdoor stain until the middle of the century. If budget allows the chimney would look great with a stone veneer $$$

I think black windows would look great on that house once the siding is white, but I would use white gutters regardless of the window color. Gutters aren't really something you want to draw attention to. I'm not sure about it with the stained porch, though. I would do either black windows with a white porch OR white windows with a stained porch. They are a different style in my mind.

I wouldn't be worried about it going out of style. It's a pretty classic look.

Gutters are not really something you high light so the same as the siding is perfect.I would also take the advice about the windows being 2/1 BTW no shutters and I would do a back metal railing on the porch and then go to work with landscaping and a really nice new door with some glass and in a color you love.

Black or white, but reduce the number of panes per window as an update. See lower image.

Great advice so far!

I like the idea of X over one windows. Here is a house with six over one.

Porter Street Bungalow · More Info

One with four over one.

Shingle style home in Hanover NH · More Info

I prefer four over four or four over one myself. I think white is more likely what original farms had, and I'm tiring of all the black ones with a white house. Here's a favorite porch railing of mine that breaks out of tradition a bit.

Exteriors · More Info

UPDATE~~

We went with 2/2 white windows, and board & batten under the porch. There is still some painting to be done under the porch, but they are waiting until the new door & jamb/frame are in.

Porch posts are 6x6 cedar - we had our minds set on a "Special Walnut" stain for door and posts, when we thought posts would be yellow pine, but with the cedar posts, we are re thinking that, as we don't want to fight against the natural beauty of the cedar...

Paint color is SW White Duck. It is a creamy white with LRV of 74, which works well with our sun exposure (we didn't want to blind ourselves with a stark/bright white!)

It’s a whole different house!

Looks great! Shutters or no shutters?

Great choices, the house looks amazing!

Well done!

@apple_pie_order -We are not going to put on shutters.

It has been so amazing to see the transformation of our home!!

We also were able to go with composite decking in Earl Gray (ties in with the gray roof and black lighting fixtures)

The old screened in porch on the far right will be torn down in phase 2 when we do the addition.

I love that your beautiful stone foundation is now visible. This is what a stone foundation should look like!

@ptreckel Yes!

What brand and model windows? And what width trim? Looks great!

I thought I liked 2/2 windows, but when a local reno did them and then added window treatments with shades, they just disappeared and were no longer a feature.

@Matthew baum they are Jeld-Wen single hung. The trim is 4 inches

Here is how far we have gotten! The new door, stained with Special Walnut, 6x6 cedar posts clear seal. Fiberon decking/porch in Earl Gray.
Beginning the addition part of the remodel next month (that is why the old chimney and side porch are still attached.

some in progress photos!

Will be posting a request for ideas for the new living room layout soon!