What a nice house! Seems like it will be a great place to retire. I'm not a professional, but have just gone through building a new home and spent a lot of time exploring options for our concrete features. Here are a few things that I learned that you should consider.

Stamped concrete is difficult to shovel snow from, so if you're in an area that get's a lot of snow, think carefully about using it. (From a more personal perspective, I can't help but wonder if in 5-10 years stamped concrete features will the new Avacado green appliances?).

Exposed aggregate is more difficult to shovel snow from than finished concrete (even broom finished) but easier than stamped concrete. It deteriorates faster than either of your other options, though neither are likely to really deteriorate much over the next decade or two).

We used only one type of concrete because we wanted to unify as much as possible. Personally, I like the look of exposed aggregate best, but we went with broom-finished concrete with an integral stain (a dye mixed into the concrete before it is poured) because it is easier to maintain and lasts longer. We poured it in sections using a simple pattern with each section having framed edges. I'm very happy with the results.

You can see the photos if you want:

Here is a link that might be useful: Concrete, just post-construction

I LIKE the framed edges on your driveway and walkway - it really unifies the front. Our concrete guy didn't even suggest that option.
We rarely get snow, and when we do it usually melts within a day, so that's not a major concern.

However, I AM a little concerned that the stamped concrete may go the way of the avocado appliances..... and glad you brought that up.
Thanks!

My brother has his front porch done in stamped concrete, and it never fails to get positive comments. It's beautiful. I would have it at my house, too, but the cost is rather expensive. As far as it becoming passe' in years to come, how can we possibly know if that will happen to anything? Besides, everything old becomes new again sooner of later. IMO, stamped concrete will never be outdated.

We went with stamped concrete in both the front (walkway) and back of our house (patio). The results were striking and, aesthetically, far superior to a basic gray concrete slab. It was one of the best choices we made when building our house. Since you can choose the color, it can really pull the presentation of the house together in a way that simple concrete cannot. In our case, we coordinated it with the color of both the house and the rockery. You can not only choose a base color, but an accent color as well. In addition, it provides visual interest not only through color and pattern, but in texture as well.

It is critical that you find a subcontractor who is excellent at doing this work, however. If that is not available, it would be better for you to go with a concrete slab, since stamped concrete is pricy. It is really important to do your homework and to see as many actual samples of the personÂs work as possible. Be aware that different color combinations are priced differently. For example, red colors are much more expensive than those closer to grey.

It snows here quite a bit, and I have not had any trouble shoveling our stamped concrete but there are a couple of things to consider. First, you cannot use an ice spade or a metal shovel on it (we have always used plastic anyway, so not an issue). Second, you cannot use salt on it to melt the ice. We use kitty litter instead, which works ok but not as well as salt.

In terms of being in or out of vogue, you should do a bit of reading in the Kitchen forum, where avocado appliances are actually discussed and where the kitchen obsessed are seriously concerned about such things. Comments are made all the time about how granite countertops or stainless steel appliances or cherry cabinets will be the next avocado appliance. I have all three and laugh when I read such things. The consensus response to such worries really gets to the heart of the issue: go with what you like or enjoy. What matters is not how cool your neighbors or your friends or your family thinks your house is, because they do not live there. What matters is that you get to live in a house surrounded by things you love. If you make choices based on what "they" think, you will end up living in "their" house... not your own.

Thanks swanoir for your input. I do agree that the most important thing is to go with what you like and not worry too much about what will or will not be in style.
Our concrete guy is the one that our builder uses. We've talked to several other new homeowners who are very happy with his work. He's shown us pics of stamped concrete he's done and we're impressed. We have looked at a recent job and I liked it, but my husband didn't.
I've just about decided to do exposed aggregate for the front of the house (porch, walkway, & driveway) and have the back patio stamped. That way, if my husband still doesn't like it, it won't be such a big deal. If we both like it, then so much the better.
Our home is not in a surburb. In fact our "street" is a dirt road that goes past the front of the house and down a hill to three vacant lots which may never get built on. Accross the "road" is a blank hillside cut that has filled in over the years with greenery. So it's not like anyone will be driving past our house. I just want to get something we will be happy with. I wish we lived in an area where we could go look at more, but this is very rural, so it IS taking a bit of a chance.
It doesn't sound like there are very many practical considerations - we don't get enough snow to shovel,
Do you have any pics of your stamped concrete?

Here you go...

{{gwi:35021}}

I have done and love acid stained conrete. It is easy even for DIY, I did, and comes out great. It can be very cheap and looks great with very low maintenance.

Here is a link that might be useful: Here are my concrete projects

swanoir - Very nice - it certainly blends nicely with your stone and siding.

punamytsike - you will never get me to believe that is within the ability of the average DIY'er! I assume that is what you do for a living? Absolutely stunning.

Yes, I know that anyone can do it. You see from my site the first porject I did and how I progressed. Also, I have had other people, that I have guided, do some amazing work. And no, this is my hobby, not profession. But thanks for the compliment anyway. If you are interested, I can send you questions and answers that I have compiled from e-mails that I have gotten. Good luck with your project :)

punamytsike - WOW!! The work you have done "around" your house is simply AMAZING. That rose garden is beautiful!!! Please email me your info on concrete acid stain. crystal13l@hotmail.com (that's L#13L) thanks!