Cedar shakes

The roofer finished the cedar shakes today.  I love it!  Smells so good, too!  I can't tell you how many people have commented on them in the last few days that they were going up.  It seems a lot of people are fans of cedar shingles!

In a mad panic this morning, I got the idea that I should pre-stain the shakes that were going on the skinny little section between the roofs.  I figured that we should protect them now so that I didn't have to go climbing up 30 feet later on to do it.  Even the roofer said it was a really good idea.  

I looked into the different stains available, and decided on a semi-transparent water based stain in a natural cedar colour.  But now I'm not sure I like it with the red brick.  Kind of clashes, I think.  I'm a big fan of weathered grey cedar and was thinking of letting the front just naturally age and then protect it later on (cedar really doesn't last unless you give it some protection).  Grey would go much better with the windows and with the red brick.  Anyone have any thoughts on this?

This is the back of the house.  Love, love, love it!  The back will have light grey stucco and possibly black siding on the addition. I will definitely leave this cedar natural coloured, because it will add contrast to the rest and tie in with the cedar deck.

On another note, our stone guy, Steve, delivered these beauties this week.  Eight, 4 foot stone slabs that will become eight steps going down the side of the house.

Steve had some amazing ideas to give our retaining wall and stairs some edginess.  What can I say, he's an artist -- seriously, he is!  And artists don't do things the "normal" way.  I'm really excited to see this part come together.  So fun!