Without context and the balance of the drawings, including floor plans it is impossible to tell which, although I think they are both kind of ugly on their own.

What do the elevations for the sides and rear look like? The floor plans, too? For me, one side without the others is irrelevant. Context and function are everything, with aesthetics to support and enhance. Otherwise, it's window dressing.

Personally, I'm not a fan of either sketch, but then, that look is not to my taste. However, both also look very expensive to cool and heat. That would be a deal breaker for me. I'd want alternative energy (otherwise, I'd have a home that's difficult to re-sell in short order), and the home externals to follow along with that goal. But that's me.

Thanks, both, perhaps this was not a good approach so I will try another route. Have a great day.

I like the Tuscan better, mostly because I like arched windows. :-) I specifically like *that particular shape* of arched windows. The Mediterranean house has a few arches, but not the right kind, lol.

The diamond-pane pair of windows in the Med tower seem a little out of place to me, too; I associate diamond panes with Tudor, Storybook, and maybe some French Normandy.

Also, the Mediterranean post/column on the right side of the door bothers me but I don't know why, sorry!!!

Promise me you will put a large pot in front of the empty wall (above the "Tus") and create a Spiller-Filler-Thriller planter arrangement. <3

Edited to add: Sorry if I voted twice -- I'm not convinced my vote(s) went through, lol.

These are your only choices? Can you mix elements of the two?

I’d take the gables of the Tuscan, non-arched windows of the Mediterranean and loose all of the ornamental doohickeys along the roof line.

The two choices are the two choices. With that I prefer the windows on the Med one.

The Tuscan one looks more "Santa Fe" to me. Plus I dont care as much for the half round windows.

Pretty much solidified my preference even more, lol. The Tuscan option just seems less busy, less flashy. But that's me. :-D

Just so you know my bias, I am naturally drawn to Spanish Colonial/Mission/Monterey, which the "Tuscan" more closely resembles. So, there's that. lol

I prefer the Mediterranean. I think that one allows for more design leeway as the years go by.

Aside from the mislabeling, the "Mediterranean" has two eyes and a gaping mouth ... hopefully a sign of an inexperienced designer rather than one with a malicious sense of humor.

This could be a Neo-Mediterranean design with some more thoughtful detailing perhaps starting with the roofs.

Now I can not un-see the monkey and the cyclops.

Tuscan, but square out all the windows.

@itsourcasa I think that is where I am leaning. I never was keen on the two squares on the other one, and I also didn’t want to have exactly what the other houses have. With color and trim, they do look nice in the neighborhood. We are in Florida and the other houses I have seen tend to lean this or coastal, which is also not bad but we liked this builder so much. Have a nice day.

Oh definitely go with something different from the neighbors. I'm in FL too and in a development that is older with big lots and all the houses are different. I like that, it's pretty rare here lol.

Villas in Tuscany have plain stonework, rectangular windows with shutters, round arched door openings and low sloped red clay tile roofs. Decorative features are rare and usually integrated with the structure rather than attached like the roof brackets and little circles, Hipped and gabled roofs are not mixed or overlapped.

The architecture of Tuscan villas should not be confused with Mission or Spanish Colonial styles as I suspect has happened here.

In short, Tuscan villas look nothing like what your builder has proposed and more importantly, the elements are compressed together to maximize the number of features on the front facade which has unfortunately become the trademark of most American builder/developers.

Do you have any flexibility regarding design revisions at all? If you do, you should post the floor and roof plans.

Tuscany?

Is someone serving Italian food? I'm coming!!

Seriously though, the two look basically the same, except for the top one, the one labeled Mediterranean has two extra windows.

Are those windows that are on the top of a two story entry or do they open onto a room or reading nook? Do those windows open?

Will they be facing in a direction where you will want the extra light? Or will it be facing south or west and you really don't want the sun and the light because of where the house is facing and where in the country you are?

The design over the front door of the Tuscan reminds me of the Alamo. Texas not Rent-A-Car.

Guys, enough with the condescending trash talk. Like millions of other average folks, OP is obviously buying a home in a subdivision where she has limited options on the exterior. Chances are this is her dream home that she's waited years to purchase. Lecturing her on authentic Tuscan homes, or opining about future utility bills (!) is . . . not helpful. Give it a rest please.

Not trash,

The Alamo is quite famous, and many people are quite proud of it, and would like that reference.

Most people appreciate that certain things will increase the light and heat in their home, or raise or lower their utility bills.

If you don't think it is helpful, perhaps you have stock in the electric company.

Children start learning about the importance of saving energy in kindergarten and how it relates to conserving our planet.

How wonderful that you know better.

Tuscany and the coast and islands of the Mediterranean Sea are real places with real cultures and building traditions. If someone wishes to emulate the architectural forms and features found in those places, its not condescending to point out how their designer has failed to meet their goal. If someone wants a design that doesn't resemble the buildings of any particular part of the world, they shouldn't describe them as such.

If someone is willing to help improve the designs offered and get the owner more for their investment, that should be allowed and respected. Unfortunately, its not realistic to try to do that without floor and roof plans as I mentioned earlier.

This has been eye opening. I suppose you never know how folks will interpret things. They very well could have been A and B, for me. I am not trying to focus too much on a particular style though I’ve learned that I like Spanish Colonial. The builder has been wonderful, we are happy where we will be and I take the feedback I solicited on board but will make the decision that makes me happiest.. I will say though that the feedback on ugliness, builder design intent, is that all you can choose would not be responses I would choose to send back to an OP as they seemed unnecessary to me. Good thing I don’t lose sleep over social media app comments. I get they are all opinions and we have much bigger fish to fry in this world. I feel grateful. I do appreciate you @einportlandor. And with that, as I said before, have a good day/evening everyone.

I think based upon the information provided, RES2 gave some very good directives and information.

Spanish Colonial buildings (1600 - 1850) were extremely simple with few, if any, decorative elements or arches.

Styles you might like are Mission 1890 - 1920) or a mixture of Spanish styles called Spanish Colonial Revival (1920's) or Spanish Eclectic (current).

At the very least, using architectural rather than builder terminology allows you to find better information online or in discussions with design professionals.

1925 Spanish Colonial Revival

Current Spanish Colonial Revival/Spanish Eclectic

As far as the two choices above:

1) I prefer the full open gables

this also looks more Spanish than

'.Tuscan'.

2) As far as windows above: the

windows in elevation #1 over front foyer door in central tower bring in more light and more views. You may want to consider this when choosing the circle over the three windows in the front foyer.

3) Those 3 arched windows from inside I think would look better if you are inside the living room, if that in fact is the living room. (There are no floors plans).

All in all I think no. 2 seems friendlier and more open. Thanks.

The two elevations are quite close in massing and it's really just the details that distinguish them. That being said it really should be your decision alone.

Consider all sides of the house when selecting the exterior decoration. No matter what decoration you choose, large expanses of siding are unsightly.

It makes the front of the house pretentious, sometimes a poor refection of those that live inside, and is a loss of opportunity to create more heathy spaces in not connecting the indoor environment to the outdoors.

Tuscan