This is the option without the trim board all the way across the front

I didn't get any answers on my opinion poll (see above) but here is the house today after a month of three of us putting up the Hardieplank Cedarmill in Iron Gray. We are getting nothing but compliments so far from passers-by. The risk of going with gray vs. the original farmhouse white has worked out well. We are very happy with the choice.

Looks nice, especially without the fake shutters!