Nice improvement , try adding more segments on the arcs oof the clock face.
Also, try using a leather material from this pack of quality materials:

http://www.kerkythea.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42&func=fileinfo&id=36

The metal looks really nice, but the inside should probably be modeled, it really sticks out.

Nice work! Have they been captured in a tank or something?

Should there be some supports under the stairs?

Yeah, every time google has a competitor try to out do them, the competitor will always end up losing.

It would look cool with a lime slice

Ok, thanks. I also found this.

http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=9687

hmmm... I wonder if it will be different If I use sketchup 6, which for some reason I still use.
Sketchup 6 worked for this guy.

http://wine-review.blogspot.com/2007/12/google-sketchup-6-on-linux-and-freebsd.html

I am thinking about making the switch to Ubuntu. This mainly depends on whether or not I can get sketchup to run.
Does anyone use Sketchup with Ubuntu?

Excellent design, model, and render.

looks like an eyeball

I don't use photoshop much, I used Picasa, which is free, and very self explanatory.
http://picasa.google.com/
Good Luck!

Nice texturing, would you recommend Lightzone?

Here is what I was able to achieve with some quick post work, see if you like it:

I think that the modeling is a good start. Here are a few tips to improve your renders:
-many of the textures are tiled, try a texture resource like cg textures.-http://cgtextures.com/
-the sky in most of them is one color, providing unrealistic lighting, try lighting with and HDR image.
-most of the shadows are repetitive ( the same shadow occurs again and again in a similar place)

• the images seem to be shaded a particular color, try color correction in Photoshop or GIMP
  Sorry if I am to critical, I really hope you post updates with your changes

Its looking pretty slick!!

I would just use the standard line line tool. I can not thing of anything much better.

I always have wondered how someone did this on POV ray.

http://www.oyonale.com/image.php?code=464

Something that really bothers me is the initial startup screen. If I really want to change the unit of measure, I can do it later, but I do not have to select my unit of measure and style every single time a go on sketchup.

I think it works on this render because it focuses my attention towards the house, and away from the scenery like the trees and grass.