Kinda sounds like you're getting tired of the whole process. BUilding a house is like having a baby....it's hell during the process, but you love it afterword. I'll take a piece of this....The only problem I know of with painting the treads is usually the wood is still "wet", so the primer doesn't get a good grip especially with people walking on it. Horizontal surfaces take a beating...sun, rain, people. I would let it set and dry out (maybe a couple of weeks with no rain), then prime and then use a porch floor paint. I use all-latex outside and oil based on interior woodwork.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I should have included a bit of back information that would better give orientation about my overall objectives. This first year or two, my main objective is to define the borders of the porch for my two large dogs. Until now, we had a pad and grass up to the pad (pad is the same pre- and post- porch construction) and they could exit the pad anywhere. Now, I want them to get used to exiting the pad onto the sidewalk in the center, because elsewhere will now be beds (and mud and mess and plants to be stomped). That's why I've bombed the front with the cinnamon ferns, to make a sort of visual railing while the dogs re-learn their exit, and while the beds age in with better soil and I get some other plants going (hostas, etc.). For the first year or two. It will be no problem to move the ferns around the corner when that time comes. I've always wanted a mass of ferns on this eastern facing side: My second objective is to create a streamlined mow line. The grass is maintained with a 60 inch deck mower so whatever bed edge I develop needs to allow the mower to move along it easily (I guess rather than undulating what I was trying to get to was smooth curves rather than corners, for mowing purposes). Third objective is LEAST maintenance from a hand weeding perspective. I know it won't be zero, but I'd like to have it controllable without being consuming. Fourth objective is "pretty." I'm not bothered with "curb appeal" in general as the only viewers are anyone coming up the driveway; this is not seen from the street. Eventually, I would like to grow and develop in a pretty foundation border. I got the ferns cheap and they will help my first objective. As I can, I will add more plants and soil amendments, so that is what I'm asking for - where do I EVENTUALLY want to go with this, etc. I appreciate all your inputs! Please add as you have thoughts!

cpartist The picture of the window you saw up above is just the style of brick pattern that I found. I think it will work well around my dining room windows. 3 windows will not be molded together but separated by narrow brick pattern. It is not reflected on the front elevation. We have not picked out the brick or the stone yet. The brick color in the picture is way busy, and I agree with you that color brick would not work with stone. Speaking of brick, we drove around new subdivisions today to get some ideas of brick and stone combination and let me tell you, I am more confused now than when we started :) Building a new house is fun and exciting, but so many decisions to make.....

Cpartist do you have a door into your closet or is it just an opening? Sara could you send me a picture? I measured the actual space since they made an error on the concrete footings measurement so I ended up with more house then garage which benefits this closet. The closet at question measures 6’3 1/2” deep and 5’8 1/2” wide. Also at this point the door is centered giving about 18” on either side of the opening. I guess I could do hanging in the back and narrow shelves on the both sides. Or maybe I should have him move the door to allow for the 2’ L shaped hanging? But then the door swing may hit my vanity or bed table.