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Better photos, thanks. I would remove the shutters. They are overwhelming. Paint the body of the house, the board and batten, the taupe you love. Paint over the brick (or maybe a stain would be a better solution) black (and support columns black). Your house has a great look to it, but with all one color, it looks like a flat front. The wood stained wall by the garage...I like it. I would frame around the front door the same stain and a choose a black mid century style door. Found a photo that can give you an idea

I'm in the NE. We found one installer through the Everlast website (a larger firm that specializes in siding and roofing); however, as with most projects (at least at our house), it's not straightforward and we needed the gutters taken down (and re-installed) and fascia replaced, etc. and this big firm was not willing to do those details. So I found a local, experienced GC who has done similar work (it installs similar to vinyl) who was willing to do it (as well as the other work needed) and so far, so good. He did contact and work with the Everlast rep. We initiated about a year ago and our job just came up in his list about 2 weeks ago to start. So in that time, he said he's heard of more interest in Everlast. I don't know what's considered "budget" or not; I do know we were having trouble finding painters willing to deal with all the issues our old siding was having (and our last paint job was $$$ IMHO), and this will alleviate our having to do a painting rodeo every 8 years (again, just what our house was needing). Will the woodpeckers still peck holes in it? dunno. I do know it's not going to blister, peel, warp or crack. Knock on wood. Everlast does have a board and batten profile; the GC has commented he likes that it is not bendy at all (like vinyl) and each plank/board interlocks and there is no flex, cannot pull it away from the wall at all. So not sure if that's helpful for winds, etc.

We wet initially going to to the entire front singles but now unsure