PS I would even consider stone veneer on the front face of the snout. Thoughts??

I think it is fine. No need for a change/muddle.

How is that the back of the house? With a car parked in front of it?

And it's not the "symmetry" that's the problem. It's the gable under the gable with the V-shaped doodad that's causing it to look like a snout. Can you eliminate that and just continue the porch overhang?

If you paint the siding on that upper middle section, and the rest of the upper level siding on the back area of the house, the same or similar color as the roof siding, it should fix the “snout” issue. Another option would be -don’t look at it, because I really don’t think it‘s a problem. Maybe get some pots with some plantings for around the house so you have another focal point.

BTW I don’t see exactly what that car is - but it reminds me of the Alpha Romeo Spider. I learned to drive in one. And it also was black with a tan top!

Maybe it’s a landscape and painting issue. For some reason I just hate the look. The car is a Miata. Not as cool as an Alpha Romeo for sure. We park in the back of the house, the ‘front’ faces downhill overlooking a valley.

Yours is a cool car, too!

Beautiful house and property. Must be gorgeous views!

The two upper windows look low, but one can't just move windows to suit the facade. What is going on in that room or rooms and how would switching them up change that space? It's all quite attractive as is. Adding more would not be where I would go with it.

I would flatten out the porch roofline.

It’s basically caused by the two windows‘ prominence/size/shape. The least expensive would be to paint the window trim the same color as the siding (would have to do all windows). Could also paint the front door a lighter color and landscape, both of which will draw the eye down and feel more welcoming.

A more expensive option is to add cedar shakes and the windows will just blend in. Adding grids could also soften/break up their intensity.

Agree with Maureen. De-emphasize those second floor windows (eyes) for starters. Cedar shakes would be awesome.

Agree with addressing those upper windows - what do they look like with window treatments? If you hang the right thing (maybe a set of panels in each), can you break up the feeling that they are eyes?

There is a lot going on with the exterior, I would not start changing things or adding stone without a good bit of thought

IMO no sun is reaching into that home from that side except for those 2 windows. Waht is the space in that gable ?You certainly do not need more stone and for sure some nice landscping and not all gravel . If nothing else a really large patio mybe a fire pit I have no idea . Do you mean you spend all your time in the interior or the exterior I assume all the view is out the front so how exactly do you use this area. The type of car has little to do with anything but you need to give us more info

I would ignore it and get a professional landscaper in to transform your yard. Once that is done, no one will see what you see.

That is still the front of your house, where the front door is. From your description, sounds like your back of the house has a hill and is not usable as a yard, so you use your front yard for most things.

I wouldn't spend money on the actual house, but use it to create a more finished driveway, paved patio area and landscaping in the front of the house where you spend most of your time.

I get the whole back of the house thing. Where I am the part of the house that faces the view is often called the front of the house even though to most people it would be considered the back. It is all about it’s position to the view and not the road.

I think your house looks fine. I think you need some landscaping and maybe some colorful pots with greenery or flowers. I have seen houses with those big porches hang ferns or flowers between the porch posts. Wreath on the door maybe?

Do you have anywhere to store some of the clutter you have laying around like those two small tables, watering cans and the bike? I can not tell what the other stuff is.

Is that view a regular view for you? As in its a space your drive or walk on, or you have a chill spot there. If not, then it may be likely you won't be viewing the face of the house directly like that often.

I agree with others that landscaping can do a world of wonders there. I think some designated parking would help the space too. You have cars on either side, but maybe get that to a regular spot. Are you wanting or planning on a garage or carport back there? What do you do about winter snow removal? Are there gutters yet to be installed that you need to plan the drain space for? You have snow breakers on the roof, but not gutters. Some of your landscaping and carspace planning is going to need to figure in your snow and drainage.

OMG, lisedv! That is what I was suggesting, but your visual is perfect! Looks so much better that way.

Also see if you can paint the white trim on the windows a darker color to blend in with the siding and the wood trim. Right now, the contrast is jarring.

I’m still laughing out loud over the description. Hope you get it resolved. 🤣

I think the house is fine, as is.

But as I mentioned in my first comment the option of drawing from the roof color for the upper siding - I used a charcoal grey on my (sloppy) paint job. And first pic below is the other idea that was mocked up by @lisedv -so you can compare.

@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC - removed the white trim on windows... You're right, I had just worked on the roof line and didn't pay attention to other details.

If you can't change the entire roof, I think this helps somewhat:

I am actually looking for house plans with those style of gables but I see the problem with how those elements work together. Would one tall window in the center over the gable work for the interior space? With the porch roof line flatten, you could add third window in the center to remove the eye look. You also could turn that nice truss into brackets in the peak of the top gable. It is such a beautiful home it may not be worth spending a lot to change it. I think flattening the snout could be done without buying more materials if you can reuse the roof panels

I think the gables give it a grander appearance, and though I can see the shape you speak of, I don't think it's unattractive at all.

I mean, you appear to be standing directly in front of the house, at a certain distance and perhaps on a rise of ground.... Who approaches the house from there? Why is that the view of the house? Maybe there's a great reason, but if it bothers you that much, maybe consider re-working the driveway so that the view of the house is "revealed" as you approach it from an angle, instead of dead-ahead.

Landscape/driveway, larger trees, hedges, can be used to create the peek-through to the house, with a curving "reveal". There also needs to be landscape setting the cars away from the front porch.

Give the eye something to look at besides the gables, though they don't bother me at all.

I'm drawn to houses with faces.

The OP photo looks like an angry bird character. It doesn’t look as angry in freedomplace1 color change.

To my eyes, the pitch opens up the doorway. Without the pitch, It looks like a mustache. I like both.

I have the feeling it may be the windows.

Maybe an odd number of windows without the pitch may remove the face.

There's not much else to focus on, but IMO you're overreacting a bit and really using your imagination in order to call wood timbers a 'snout'

I’m grateful for your comments (everyone). I am going to
-landscape and divert and deflect
-not crazy for the design but will minimize and de-emphasize with charcoal colored paint
-paint the white window trim to match the wood trim
-paint the walls and door under the porch a lighter color
-delineate parking and landscape
-fret less as it’s a nice property
-post when it’s done

Sounds like a good plan! It's so nice to see someone decide and act quickly on a dilemma. Some of these discussions go on and on and nothing ever gets done.

Looking forward to seeing your plans turn into action!