Thanks for the reply. I was thinking the nicest look would be to remove them and have the contractor repair the holes with stucco during the color coat process, and then finish the front of the home with the foam trim detail, but I do not want to create a future water problem. I'm wondering if the second stucco contractor suggested leaving the wood because of that? If I'm not removing the wood, then I wonder whether to give up the color coat and simply paint? It's so much cheaper. Also, FYI, some of the home's windows are trimmed with wood and some are not, so it is not consistent (there was a kitchen addition, and the stucco comes to the sill there.) I want to do what will give my home the best appeal and longevity.

Correct, Hallet & Co., those are the areas that can be painted. To clarify, you are suggesting to paint all trim, corner boards and pergola white. We are keeping the entry path as concrete, but adding a flagstone path through the "garden" to the side gate. It is a darker flagstone. You are suggesting darker stucco in the same family of SW Kilim Beige (putty color) to ground the house? Do you agree garage door should be same color as the stucco? I'll look into taking the knuckles off of the railing. What "look" would you say you are you going for overall? Thank you!

The doors and knobs are dating the house. If it's in the budget, it might save you time and effort to replace the doors with a different style in a pre-painted door. Lever handles would also update the look. Then you would have to paint the trim to match. However, wood products are one of things affected by COVID shortages and price increases, so if you do decide to replace the doors, it might pay to wait a year. While gray is going out, you have an overabundance of beige which is also dating the house. So as not to break the bank maybe selectively replace some of the beige flooring? Before doing anything, try to develop an overall plan for your update. Even if you spread the work and/or expense over a couple years, an overall plan will yield a more satisfactory, cohesive result.

Do you want the trim around the windows to match the windows? If so, its gonna be easier to use a stock color trim, I would always recommend LP over Hardie, and then have the windows painted to match that. I would also ask LP if one of the stock colors matches their trim. Even from the Marvin Essentials or similar. By the time you paint a vinyl window, you may find that price is very close to a stock color in one of the other materials.