@btydrvn thanks for your thoughts here - wrt the posts -- the dirt level will be higher than it is now --i.e. right now dirt slopes down to the house so there will be at least a little more dirt covering the posts. I hadn't though of covering the exposed cement at the base of the post though .. A raised deck is a possibility but I liked the idea of having a patio that was level and continuous with the rest of the yard.... in which case, I guess I live with having it look a bit unfinished with that cement showing? maybe some flower pots around? Other ideas?

Post photos of your house if you want ideas. Randomly adding trim can create a route for water intrusion unless done correctly.

This HOA also calls for Extra White with a Silvermist exterior (4th house paint scheme): https://www.thefoothillsmonroe.com/preapproved-paint-color-schemes

(no, none of those your mentioned would clash w/your windows. I've linked quite a few articles for you to read. give them a shot first, and then come back if you have questions) Here's a color review on Dorian Gray. she favors Pure White and High Reflective white for the trim. https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/paint-colour-review-sherwin-williams-dorian-gray-sw-7017/ Have you ever read any of Kylies articles on exposure and paint colors? very interesting. here are a few you can peruse https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/exterior-painting-4-things-to-know-before-picking-a-colour/ https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-exterior-paint-colours-why-your-homes-exposure-matters/ scroll down to where she talks about East facing homes. SO, HOW DOES EAST-FACING LIGHT AFFECT PAINT COLOURS ON THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME? East-facing morning light is bright and will make paint colours look MUCH lighter than they will in the afternoon An east-facing afternoon will look an AWFUL lot like a north-facing one in that it gets NO sunshine and no shadows. It’s also similar to a west-facing morning light – flatter than a pancake In the afternoon, east-facing homes can look more shaded – more like they do on the north-facing side (or western morning) With east-facing light being tricky, you’ll want to pay attention to the LRV that you choose. This way, you can land on an LRV that doesn’t wash-out too much in the morning, but also doesn’t look too heavy in the afternoon. https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/paint-colours-and-lrv-the-ultimate-guide-to-choosing-the-right-colour/ https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/how-to-pick-exterior-paint-colours-in-5-easy-steps/ https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/sherwin-williams-best-gray-greige-paint-colours/ this link is all gray paint colors that she talks about. pay attention to the undertones and the LRV https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/page/2/?s=gray+exterior+colors