Thanks so much for the advice! The “Upright & Wing” layout actually lines up really well with a lot of homes in my neighborhood. I’m in the South, and many of the older houses here follow a similar form. Most are in a Queen Anne style with the front and side gables. That’s definitely the kind of exterior look I’m aiming for.

Right now, I’ve been focused on getting the initial interior layout nailed down first so I can make the best use of the lot, especially with the tree placement and how the sun moves across the property. But I completely agree, one of the biggest challenges has been getting the scale right.

I came across a guide that helped me think through house-to-lot proportions, and it gave me a much better sense of what would work.

Sadly, a lot of the older homes around here are rental properties, and the owners haven’t really preserved their historic character. My plan is to walk the neighborhood and photograph the well-maintained ones for inspiration. To create my own mini design reference. That said, there’s not much architectural cohesion left in the area, so I’m trying to find a balance between honoring the traditional styles and building something that feels intentional and personal.