Oh excellent, thank you, it looks lovely! I have been to many of the suppliers but QQ is too far away for me with a screaming baby in the car and they won't mail me samples! Once I choose a stone mason I will view them in person because I hear even with Quartz each slab can be a little different. I was thinking maybe Lexicon quarter...warmed up a bit...but I'm not sure. Thanks for the warning, I do have time on my side so I might go get some sample pots and see what actually looks ok with our lighting.

Yes Daniel, a few people have said that but it would mean replacing the painted cedar on all three gables and would also require a lot more maintenance so we have decided to go for paint. It was originally stained brown, then became cream and soon will become mule with ironstone trim unless we change our minds again. We think we might get professionals to paint it as I’ve read 70 year olds should not climb ladders and roofs. It’s tempting to paint the front ourselves (with the possibility of falling off the balcony!!!) but the sides are two storeys high.

Ahh, JEC, I did not realize I was Australia! Very sorry! Yes, I'm in US.(wish I was there sometimes, especially since 11/2016). Anyway, so oklouise tried to help me but I assumed she was here and then I was wondering where she shopped for materials that actual, knowledgeable and experienced advisors! Sorry about that Mrs. Oklouise! I appreciate the help too. It was only a small part of it I didnt quite understand and that's simply because oklouise is not here. I am positive if she was, she'd adapt to the ways and how they do things here. So, come on over mrs oklouise! You're welcome anytime! Siriuskey, yes they "paint" the cedar here, but they use solid color stain so it looks like paint. I am positive though that there are cedar built things with actual paint. But that's really a no-no with cedar. After it gets older, some transition to semi transparent stain, then, when even older they go to solid colored stain. Wish I was a pilot! mpilot1 was made for me by my company years and years ago as their name had the word pilot in it; since they already had a "marc" there when I started, they gave me marcpilot1. They've since closed(after 40 years), since I had had it for so long at that point, I took the name/address with me. Think I should put some of the after pics up, like when I finally finish this project for mother? Thx again for all help, especially oklouise! God Bless.

The back of the house you've nailed it -- all windows in the charcoal . Do the pergoda in a similar stain , and it's done . The front though -- you say the roof is Manor Red -- it looks like a fading brown to me ? Might be the photo , but I would go redder there -- it looks in that picture that it will need doing soon ? The one area I would concentrate on though is that gable ! I'd do all the upright boards and the surrounding boards in a really crisp white , and leave the infill in primrose or beige . Subtle but it will lift it . You then have the option of leaving the windows as they are , or going all black / charcoal / monument -- the latter would look more modern , but i don't think that would be the best look for the house -- I'd leave them as they are and embrace the period .