I don't have any materials to photograph. I have to admit I get a bit tired of reading that sentence or the like about pictures over and over in these forums (usually not in response to my posts and from a variety of posters). People have reasons for not posting pictures--they don't have anything to photograph, they don't have a camera, etc, etc. From my point of view it is fine to not be able to help or not be willing to help without pictures and even fine to politely ask if pictures are possible, but it baffles me the hostility the lack of pictures seems to generate. As I said in my first post we are in the planning stages and I am trying to make choices for purposes of getting a solid bid. That's why I don't have any materials to photograph. And why I'm not talking about specific tiles or colors yet and why my post title includes the word "musings". I understand many people don't approach this process in this way, but this is how my brain works. Inspiration pictures are a bit limited on some of my questions. The real difference between hand glazed and regular ceramic tile, for example, may not be evident in an online picture. Further, I have spent hours looking at pictures and thinking this through, thus knowing what I don't want. But that still doesn't tell me whether I have missed something. GWers know everything after all, so asking here always has the possibility of an unturned stone. I appreciate the thoughts and help from everyone.

I went to the Wissmach glass company ..... they had a warehouse to shop in . ( SOOOOO COOOOOL ! ) They sold mostly whole sheets - so we needed to bring our own crate and pack it ourselves. The best way to transport glass ( whole sheets ) is standing straight up on it's edge - very tightly squeezed together so it rides as one solid piece. WHen I buy smaller sheets - I stack them with a thick paper between each sheet & tightly wrap the bundle with heavy paper. How much do I spend ? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!! Way too much !!! But - once you buy the basic supplies - the biggest expense is over with. The rest is just Goodies ! I could easily spend $200 a month if I let myself go - LOL Take it from me - Don't make it a business . I did ..I cranked out so many glass things - I got myself totally burnt out. (I sold wholesale to gift stores) Now I'm dabbling in mosaics , maybe the change will make me want to get back into it. I know you'll be an addict in no time ................have fun !!

@mommyoftwolittles You are welcome. :) There's a lot more behind the data values, notations and strategies but this should give you enough 'working knowledge' to find paint colors in a specific hue family neighborhood. Another bit of info is near neutrals from this YR hue family neighborhood often shift and look purple/violet/lavender/plum-brown. I know it's crazy to think that colors that belong to the YR (orange) hue family can look purple but it happens -- color is all about context and light. Usually happens when YR near neutrals are juxtaposed to colors from different hue families. In context of all the orangey you have going on, it's unlikely that a near neutral, like Essential Gray, will shift and look purple. But you never know so analyze carefully. If colors from this YR hue family neighborhood DO shift and look purple in your space, you now have a framework to work from so you can develop alternative color strategies -- purposefully, efficiently, intelligently. For example, simply move a few degrees clockwise or counter clockwise and try near neutrals from a different hue family neighborhoods.

There's no substitute for being there. Cut down the shrub, then prime the front wall to the left of the door with white primer. You'll be able to see new colors much more clearly once the old gray is gone. Look in the garage for spare fence boards. You can test stains on them. IME, many finishes crack and flake, so talk to your local paint store about what stains do well in your area on your wood. You can remove a board and take it with you. Once the wood has gone gray, it doesn't lighten up when stained. Bleaching it would probably not be worth the effort and would need the safe cleanup of bleach chemicals.