One step at a time. Do painting as planned then sit back and look. You might decide the fresh timber is a great complement to the grey.

Thank you. The finishes meet in the doorway in the picture as well as at the top of the stairs which is where the Lifeproof is installed.

I was in favour of a colour similar to Jarrah but my daughter disagreed. My concern with black is that the decking is a shade of blue/grey and the house has much grey as well. I really like the black(ish) look but the pics shared show it on quite light surfaces i.e. cement or a very light wood colour. I actually have a full tin of blackbean wood stain. Do you know this colour?

Hello .. why not grey but not too dark. A neighbour paint their fence (beside a 70's but lovely yellow brick home) a dark grey. I wondered if it might be a little too dark even tho that appears to be the trend. I have too, a 70's yellow brick home and deciding what shade of grey I might paint the paling fence in a courtyard area. I think maroon (trim) and grey would work nicely and it's surprising what a new appearance does for the surroundings. I'm often amazed.