I just wanted to add to a few of the comments... Wider trim becomes a feature of design rather then a functional necessary. I'd keep it. I'm always looking at how something can be done in the Least expensive manner, and the least wasteful way. I say work with what you've got! You have a 70's/modern architecture, trying to make it into anything else with out a large redesign will most likely leave you with one of those houses people drive by and say hmm that somehow doesn't work. Can't change an apple into an orange but a nice buffing up can do wonders for that apple. Cream vs white. Yes white is crisp! It's contrast-y, and clean, it pops! But it can also be quite cold, and when you haven't alot of decorative trim to emphasize, and are working with a modern shape, it can feel too sharp. Sharp is not at all homey. An off white will still give you nice contrast, and keep those blunt edges soft and appealing. (hence why I suggested a cream tone- BUT avoid buttery tones with yellows) Bonus, that color matches all earthy neutral tones nicely. I would suggest the double doors, in keeping with the buildings design. But if you haven't room for them, I suggest the faux windows as you mention but the door and windows should not be of the classical variety with much wood-little window. You may be surprised at the options now in glass doors, such as privacy and security. The master bedroom where you are replacing the long windows? Keep them on the longer side then the boxy sort. In fact, take your photo..or my mock up and in an editor, toss in some square boxy windows. Very quickly you should note you lose your unique design and end up with a boring boxy wall. As far as landscaping goes...if you select low maintenance, drought resistant perennial plants and shrubbery, the up keep is amazingly easy, and you'll only need to replace the mulch once a year. Cheaper then gas for the mower and less time consuming too! Just remember to keep it natural looking!

Thank all of you for the thoughts. I am not a huge fan of the flat grays that are so popular right now, because I think it's a 'trendy' color that will look dead and flat in a few years (because it is), and people will start repainting away from that in a hurry. I like the idea of red with white trim, but since we live in Norway, literally every third house here is a beautiful red with white trim (and it's gorgeous but I am not sure I want to be yet another one of those red-and-white houses). We are Swedish ourselves, so I've considered a sunny yellow with white trim (the yellow is pretty popular in Sweden). However, I also love green (some interior spaces are going to be happy rich greens when we are done with it), and purple, so that bears thinking. The white-with-blue-trim idea may work with a different-colored front door (red?), but I am not sure how well blue works with green. Since the house has such a lovely architecture (in effect, it has 4 levels inside), I also don't want to overload it with colors though, since that may make it look too busy. And yes, definitely hiring professionals, since it sits built into a slope on a mountainside, and trying to paint that ourselves is a plain recipe for disaster.

If the rot isn't extensive, you can replace the rotted boards. If it is extensive, then you might have rot in the structural parts and vinyl siding will just hide it. My house is about 100 years old, shingle-style. The shingles and the porch boards clearly have bits from different eras (with the porch boards, you can tell if you inspect the nails, with the shingles, it's the same thing, you have to be looking very closely). With paint covering everything, none of it is obvious (unless, of course, you're carefully examining the house for signs of older or newer parts) I think wood just looks so much better.

Since your house is better in light colours, I wonder whether a limewash on the brick (not a paint) would work well. Then a lighter coloured siding would look very good too. Limewash doesn't peel and is less expensive to do than painting. Might make the house more comfortable in summer if that side of the house is lighter coloured. https://www.renovationsroofing.com/blog/limewash-brick-exterior https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/644929609112851344/?nic_v1=1ae2HACXJWRZ3F2ueyZryohW%2FkASwE3%2B%2FseAeQNrG1%2BJ8bd7Q3qtnt3S7y0%2FMfki%2B7 https://www.sharperimpressionspainting.com/recent-projects/limewash-brick-exterior-house-painting-before-after-photos