Your ideal home (architecture)

As an architect, I am always curious as to what people refer in regards to the aesthetic style of their home. Many clients have come to me and expressed their dislike for the current house in and around the ATX area and that they wanted to work with me to design their ideal home.

I always followed up with, "Why don't you like the home you are in?" Generally, the responses boiled down to two avenues: 1.) They didn't like the house to begin with. They purchased it for other (valid) reasons such as resale value, school districts, property taxes, proximity to work. 2.) With the boom in Austin, we've had developmental companies buy properties and build kitschy communal housing/HPR's. People bought in to be in a certain neighborhood and (usually, 5-8 years later) they are now ready to get out.

So, that said, from strictly curb appeal, what style of home do you like most?

My personal favorite is the rustic French provincial. It stands the test of time. It is stately without being overly gaudy. Yet, it is still warm and inviting. Some examples: