People wait years for their copper to patina to this color. If you paint it, then it will appear to be aluminum & cheap. Can't tell from the quality of your pictures the condition of the copper, but I would leave it in its natural patina state.

The bay roofs start like this which I don't think is very attractive.

Then they begin to age

Finally they look like this

Pretty house... I'm a metal artist and have worked with a lot of copper. If you paint the copper it will be very difficult to restore later on. If you want to take off all the patina, I would use a half lemon dipped in salt which will strip the patina. Rub the lemon over the surface and what you will have left will be a bright pink oxidation which can be removed easily with 00000 steel wool. Copper is very reactive and will start to darken almost immediately so you might want to research clear coatings if you want to keep the bright color. I don't have any recommendations since I don't coat my copper pieces. You can also try using the steel wool without the lemon/salt step if you want to just bring up the copper color a little, especially on the edges.

To finish off your spectacular entry I would address the plantings (trim them back to reveal the steps) and the concrete entry to the door. I agree with leaving the railings, balusters & columns white but the concrete could use some spiffing up. Consider non slip quarry tile as an option. Quite a common solution for London townhomes.

I would leave the copper as is, no paint.

We have a copper roof above our bay window and let it develop a natural patina. Our neighbor down the street had his sealed after it was installed and now it looks streaky. I don't know if the sealer failed or if it wasn't coated properly but it is not attractive. Our neighbor told my husband he wishes he had left it alone and then it would look like ours.

Thanks everyone for the quick replies.

Well... You won't believe this, but the painter showed up a day early. I was out all morning and arrived home to find them painting shutters and the hood. This is what we'd discussed a few days ago, but I figured I had time to change my mind before he arrived Thurs or Friday, but too late now!!

They haven't touched the decorative trim beside the front door, so they I'll leave as is and I will paint if I decide to do them in black as well.

My head hurts, lol.

Beverly, thanks for the pics. We do plan on doing something with our porch and steps, just haven't quite nailed that down yet. Will be looking into that over the next few weeks.

Right now, my floors have me worked up enough :)

Thanks again!

Your painter did exactly what he wanted to do...that's why he didn't bother calling you! That's why the first 4 letters in painter spells PAIN.