Post a picture if you can. From the way you describe it, I think I would love your house WITHOUT shutters (especially if you're talking about decorative, non-functional shutters). I think I know just what you are describing, and I love that look. I would at least hold off until it's all sided and trimmed and then decide.

If this works - this is the back of the house. The Hardie plank is not done on the front, plus with the trees it's hard to get a full shot of the front. I will also post some close ups.

Here is a link that might be useful: Back of house

A closer view.

Here is a link that might be useful: Up close back of house

Here is a close up.

Here is a link that might be useful: Close up #2

I like the look of shutters on a colonial. Generally speaking, in my area, people will only place shutters on the front and perhaps side elevations. Were you planning on having them on the entire house? Regardless, it is your house, and there are no rules!
I've attached a link to a house similar to your design without shutters.

Here is a link that might be useful: Colonial w/o shutters

Your house is beautiful. It doesn't really speak shutters to me. The easiest thing to do it take a picture of the front and in Paint or some other program draw them in. Then squint a little. ;) You'll get an idea.

I am having the same dilemma . I have stone 1/3 up the front of my ranch home
then red hardiplank siding. I don't really like the fake shutter look. My house is a rustic style and I thought of just putting window boxes in so the windows wouldn't be so plain. It's hard to find pictures of houses w/o shutters isn't it !
If anyone has any of a single story w/o - please post them .

What color are you planning on painting the hardi?

If you are going bold with a red, med gray or any other bold colonial color then you may not need shutters.

If you are going for a pale gray or white hardi, Shutters will break up the mass of paleness.

We have a Charleston Plantation style house. We have white Hardi with a Black/gray roof. We used authentic salvaged shutters which really make a difference.

Here is a photo with the shutters. The bay windows do not have shutters and all that white is really bothering me. I am thinking of trimming out the windows in black or Charleston green just to have more contrast.
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It looks really nice without shutters but I'm partial to the plain simple look.

Ours is a different style, but we opted out of shutters and used lights in their place:

Isst ,

We are going with the red hardiplank. I think I'm going to paint the trim sand - the same color as the windows. I The front doors are double 8' medium
dark stain. I was thinking of just making window boxes and staining them the
same color as the door . It's in a very rustic wooded setting and I think it would
fit the style of the house better than shutters. Your house is beautiful and the
shutters are completely appropriate to the style. I think with the stone and window boxes it will be enough. Thanks for the input .

I think red hardiplank with sand trim will be beautiful.
I would definitely try it without shutters first. Shutters can always be added later.