I love the dark house it is a nice combo for your house. I agree black or charcoal trim and I would replace the railing with a glass and steel one in black or have that one painted black. Next spring you can get to work on the landscaping. As for style a nice contemporay house.

I've been so excited thinking I had a couple pileateds on my property. I didn't see them very well, to really I.D. them. I was just going by the call. Well, I've also been seeing 2 hawks (maybe Coopers??), spending time around our house/property (35 acres). I think they have a nest. Well just now, I thought I heard a pileated and waited for it to come into view, and sure enough, it was a hawk. I love thinking they have a nest around here, but we have lots of squirrels who I also love having.......but I think they will be the hawks' main food. the other day I was looking out the window at a squirrel on the ground. Down swoops one of the hawks and lands right behind it.......then flies off. I don't think the squirrel even knew it was there, because it kept hunting in the grass. Whew......I know that's just nature, but I don't want to see it happen. Anyhow........do Cooper's hawks sound like a pileated? Thanks! I will try to get a good picture sometime, but they only seem to swoop fast.

We live in a wooded area and have had problems with woodpeckers ruining our cedar siding. We're looking to replace it with LP Smartside. Anyone have experience with LP Smartside? Thank you!

Google woodpecker repellent spray Gets mixed reviews at Amazon. Seems worth a try.