I'd pick out my brick/stone first if I were you. Reason: it's a lot easier to find paint (which literally comes in a kajillion colors) that will coordinate with your selected stone/brick than it is to go the other way round.

In fact, as a general rule, starting with the material that has the fewest available color options and then building from there is usually the easiest way to go.

Roofing also tends to come in a relatively limited palette so I'd probably choose stone first, then roofing, and FINALLY paint colors for the remainder.

If you like the idea of grey for the hardi and shakes, that's fine...just don't try to settle on a particular grey before you find a stone/brick that you can love and have picked out at least one possible roofing shingle that will go with it. If you choose brick or stone with a cool cast or a bluish/greyish undertone, you should have no trouble finding greys to coordinate with it.

Of course, before you actually buy anything, you should have everything selected. That's what samples are for.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting samples of two or threes brick/stones and putting together the best shingles and paint colors that you can for each of them and THEN deciding which combinations you like best.

Finally, because the house has so many different exterior materials, I'd probably try to stick with a monotone color palette except for contrasting front door. Otherwise the overall effect might be uncomfortably "busy".

Thanks bevangel - i really appreciate it. def. great ideas. Any one have pictures in the grey tones for similar type homes?