Cabot Clear Solution, but be careful. It's not clear. Available in 3+ colors. Good for it's trans-oxide pigments and old linseed oil based roots, they being a Mass. company. Don't know what to say about the mildew, here in the east it's a fact of life.

Thanks Martha for the info and the links. thanks Dazureus for the link to pics of your house using Cedar Valley. what I have to share...dh called the rep from Cedar Valley and emailed him several 3D shots of our house. Talked to him for sometime. He was very helpful and had lots of suggestions and it seemed like there was good customer support. This is in an area that does not have this product on any houses that we are aware of ..colors are all Shewin Williams. You pick out your stain and the panels come in pre-stained. Nice. also, my house has a flare on the bottom and my contractor is a little nervous about that despite good drawings. This company has pre-made flared corners. And sends several bottom pieces (I don't remember what he called these pieces) that create the flare, for the contractor to copy. i know this all sounds convoluted but this is an unusual house for our area. thanks!

Hi neighbor! I have thought about the fire issue... a lot! Our house is in a wooded area. Nobody talks about it much. I think many just think it can’t happen here. But with the warming, dryer conditions, it certainly should be a concern. Our son (next door), just built a home with all wood shingles. I asked him if he was concerned about fire. He thought it wouldn’t make a difference what siding somebody has on - they’ll all go up. I beg to differ. The county doesn’t have restrictions about siding material.... yet. But after much reading and discussion today, my husband and I will go with Hardie shingles. I think with some thought put into painting ideas, it will look nice. I did talk with the manager at Sherwin Williams this morning. She’s going to send me some pics of a Hardie shingle sided house that used a painting technique that lets some variation show through - similar to what you’d see on wood shingles. BUT it will only last until the next time it needs painting (~10-15 years). She’ll take pics of the house when she’s out that way tomorrow.

Shingled column bases down to the floor level, then brick to match the fireplace from there to the ground. If the two columns either side of the stairs are close together, consider a single larger base. Are you set on the arched windows/decorative elements? First thing I noticed and they seem more appropriate for a different style house. And you will probably get better feedback by posting here: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/build Cedar shingles are usually stained, so you may want to state that instead of asking about paint -- unless you do intend to paint. As for color, for me beige doesn't equal beachy.