We have the Artisan siding in our build and we love the way it looks. Our house is a few weeks away from completion, so I can't speak to any significant experience with it. For us, the siding was available only as factory primed and we had to paint it on site. We did not do the mitered corners as our builder told us that would add to the installation cost significantly. He also said that the mitered corners could be susceptible to damage (if for example, you run into it and chip a piece off, etc.). For us, the cost difference between the thin siding and the Artisan was about $4,000.

I'm not sure what size I'd use. I'll defer to those wiser, but you absolutely need to remove those useless shutters that would never cover the windows. They look fake and add nothing.

Ditto Worthy and JDS, Best would be 3/8-3/4" strapping with coravent or crafted insect screen at top and bottom. Any flat non-woven housewrap like 15# felt, standard tyvek or typar would be fine in that application if not using a WRB integrated structural sheathing like Huber Zip. If installers aren't comfortable with a true rainscreen strapping, then homeslicker would be next best followed by drainable housewraps. We've used 3d mesh like homeslicker behind shingles but not lap siding as I've read it can become wavy. Good job researching best siding practices. I don't think any siding should be installed flat against structural sheathing with standard housewraps in any climates except very dry. Non-insulated vinyl being an exception as it creates it's own rainscreen. Check out Matt Risinger's video to see a performance experiment between regular tyvek and stuccowrap. Speaking of which, I hope you are including exterior foam or similar performing wall details.

Yes I know, it’s out of our budget. The only reason we considered the panel is because we found enough to do our house and the additional buildings on the property. The hardie shakes are even more expensive than the hardie panels. I just wanted to make sure Hardi panel and vinyl shakes can be installed together prior to buying the hardie panels.