The snow on the ground may be adversely effecting your perception of the color. Also mentally compensate for it being real stone and colors do have a tendency to vary especially when photographs are involved.

Honestly to me it does not look darker than the other house.

The snow/perception may very well be a factor. We are seeing the stone as having more brown tones as opposed to gray tones that we wanted. We’re hoping as it dries that it will seem closer in color to the inspiration house

It definitely has more brown tones. However, I'd bet what is going up on your house will withstand the test of time better than all that gray.

I think what looks most different from your neighbor’s stone is that theirs has many different sizes from tiny to extra large bricks, and they seem to be placed more artistically. Your bricks are mostly medium sized, and they kind of line up in a grid pattern

Yours also seems to have a bit wider mortar lines. And your mortar looks lighter in color - and will certainly get lighter.

Your stone is spectacular, IMHO better than the inspiration. Unless you get natural stone from the same general spot in the same quarry, its always different.

Your stone is prettier!

It’s beautiful!! Our brick looked too dark when it was going up. I panicked! But after it dried and the bricklayer cleaned it up, it was perfect! It really is gorgeous. Don’t worry about it! Trust you initial instinct, you made a great choice! I’m a little jelly…lol!

Trends😑 sometimes equate regrets. Lol I love painted brick but leave that gorgeous stone alone! 🫣