i don't think staining the gables the dark color will work, but neither will be staining them the garage door color. I would keep them the same color as the house- the texture alone will be enough of a difference, also the porch posts the same mahogany color.

Kay has a point. I think since you have the mahogany doors, I would just let them stand as they are. Paint the gable trim the same color as the siding that they are in front of.

Stain the porch posts like the garage doors, and maybe the front door also, if you don't have it painted already, and call it good. With the Mahogany on the exterior only, it will give warmth and color to your landscape too, and your house..

Than let your Jacobean shine inside. Painting the trim in the eaves light gray, will be easier to maintain than staining so high off the ground in years to come. Your home will be lovely, and that way your Mahogany makes a statement at the entrances of the home, and it will make your home very special..

Are your garage doors prefinished? Mahogany is a type of wood, not a color, but your builder is correct -- all exterior stained wood should match.

They are manufactured wood grain doors. Amarr.
I think we will do the gable brackets to match the garage door. Maybe just have the front door slightly darker?

The front posts are already being built as white tapered craftsman posts, to go with all of the white trim..

Please don't call this a craftsman house. It's not. Adding gable brackets and "craftsman" posts doesn't make it a craftsman when nothing else on the house says it.

Personally if you're going to put the gable brackets on ( I wouldn't as it doesn't add to the house), I would also add one over the porch gable.