Architects are not all created equal

After the variance meeting we met with an architect which we were first introduced to at a home show. We were very impressed with him and the firm. We were there for a 2 hour consultation.  We walked away with a very formal, very detailed proposal of the scope of work. We walked away with a floor plan that we felt good about, only needing minimal changes. We slept on it.
We made another appointment for an architect that friends of ours used/recommended. One man show, working out of his home. Showed us several plans that looked nothing like we had outlined for him in our wish list. Told us his fees, promised to email them later. Never did. We were there for 15 minutes. We didn't even have to sleep on it. (Disclaimer here: our friends who recommended this architect went in with a plan that was essentially already drawn and their home turned out awesome, so this is not a comment on their recommendation, only that we did not find a love connection with him).
So...about those plans, here's just a sample of what we are thinking...
Farm/country style
2 story
3 bedrooms
2.5-3 bathrooms
Kitchen/Greatroom open concept
Mudroom
Office on main level
3 car garage

Like this

 Or this

or this

Writing this now, I can tell you we will be meeting with a 3rd architect, but I will provide you with an update on that later.