I'd choose something other than wood or Hardie, especially if you get snow.

Boral, expensive, but very good.

Collins TruWood, not so expensive, good.

LP SmartSide, not so expensive, good.

And there are others.

A good paint job -- proper prep, and painting with quality paint should last 15 years.

As for siding color, what color trim are you using?

Your pictures show the house (brick) mostly in shadows, and the roof looks brown, not at all gray.

Thanks for the siding tips.

The roof was just replaced. It was brown and is now grey. The photo of the front of the house has the roofer in it!

The windows are off white. The shutters, down spouts and eavestroughs aren't set in stone yet but I was thinking black.

I'd do a lighter color on the shutters. The brick seems dark and the front looks shaded. The black may just get lost.

Interesting idea. Any idea for a shutter color? And if i did something lighter, what could that be and what would be a good color for the siding?