Monogram on ground level and cedar impressions on upper level is a classic combination that won't go out of style for years. Natural clay would be nice on both upper and lower, or go slightly darker on upper level. What color is the roof going to be? Siding and roof need to compliment each other.

Need roof decision too. Contractor suggested timberline roofing. Do you think the roof has to be matchy matchy? I saw a home with a lighter brown roof and flagstone-ish siding. Didn't "match" but I thought the complement was pretty. Made the darker house color a little less formal. I like natural clay a lot but worry that it may be boring. I tend to pick safe and usually lose the "wow" factor.

Siding and roof don't need to match, but definitely need to compliment. If you're going light on the siding, go dark on the roof, unless you are going for monotone, which isn't necessarily bad. Almost any roof color is considered "safe", until you get to Hunter Green or Atlantic Blue or Patriot Red. You can add oomph to the wow factor by choosing brighter colors for the front door and shutters, with your safer colored siding and roof. Door and shutter colors are easier to update, too, when you decide you want to change.