What color is the stain? Beautiful!

This look can be achieved in many ways. The best would be charred cedar. then a dark stain such as ebony, lastly, even a very dark paint on wood looks good. The last effect was recently done with this addition project. http://www.dezeen.com/2015/03/31/antonin-ziegler-blackened-timber-reading-room-cliffs-impasse-northern-france-home-house-extension/

We're in the northeast and have already prepped our cedar siding from the 70's - now trying to find a stain color (have tried some Benjamin Moore's) that is very dark. We're debating going really black. (Front door is walnut color and deck can be light gray.) Thanks!

That would be beautiful. A lot of people are too afraid to go too dark. I applaud your bravery.