I would personally be fine with white paint (or whitewash) and marine varnish. Everyone else is complaining that a white deck would look dirty too quickly, but it would also be nice and cool and pretty to the touch! You can always WASH things.

Very cute house! Well ... *my* thought was isn't the varnish to not only help the wood not get damaged, but it'll also prevent the paint from getting 'really' dirty. And since you're not having a drought there - just taking a hose to your porch should do the trick!