I would not let anyone talk you into leaving that maple where it is. I'm overstating the point to make it so please don't be offended - but it looks ridiculous there. It would be one thing if it were rendered insignificant by other mature trees in the yard, but as it is your major tree, to have it two feet from the foundation is simply absurd. And if your neighbours complain about your insensitivity, ask how much they'd like to contribute to the replacement of your foundation, which will be losing its battle with the tree shortly, or if they're up for going up the ladder to do your quarterly eaves-cleaning (the brain wards are full of people who have fallen off their ladders cleaning their eaves). And offer to buy them a maple just like it (get it identified on the maple forum if you don't know what kind it is) to plant in their own yards. In particular given the work you are planning on the house, you can be entirely excused - the tree will be horridly in the way, and it may even die. A convenient excuse - use it! Do talk to them in advance if you know they feel strongly, but it's your yard, not theirs. Karin L PS, I do like your fake closed window. PPS, I have raised two kids in a house with old siding covered in old peeling paint (and then there is the inside). Neither one is precisely mentally handicapped. I think throwing siding away to protect them from lead is thoroughly misguided. Other reasons to throw it away may be valid, like rotting and the paint won't stay on it (though I quibble with that diagnosis). Not to say you shouldn't do what you have planned, but just to be clear on your reasons. PPPS, if you put the siding for free on craigslist, you might not have to take it to landfill.

My neighbor's house had cedar shakes; they replaced them with cement shakes, like a Hardi plank. This kept the traditional style of their home, but allowed them to paint their house the color they wanted, and it is virtually maintenance free. After seeing that, we replaced our redwood lap siding with Hardi plank. We painted it, and after 6 years, it still looks great. We definitely don't miss the maintenance that the redwood required. I am sure you won't miss the cedar maintenance either. I would consider looking at that product and keep the traditional style look of your home with either shakes or lap siding. I would also do true architectural shingles on the roof. It adds such a beautiful dimension to the roof, and would add interest. They are more expensive, but have a long life. I do like the current color combination of your home, and I like the portico in the photo grapefruit1_ar posted. EIther the clean lines or the portico, it could go either way. Such a great classic style.

@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9), I agree that there is sometimes confusion between what is now deemed "Mid Century Modern" vs homes built in the mid century, but I am not sure that things are completely clear cut. The homes in my neighborhood were built between 1953 and 1970. Some are classic MCM ranch or MCM split levels, some are classic Mid Century traditional ranch homes, some, like the one I own are hybrids, incorporating some MCM features and some more classic features. Part of the beauty of the time is that many of these homes were custom designs, so they may not clearly fit within a narrow definition of Mid Century Modern. I specifically chose examples that are more classic MC ranch vs MCM Modern Ranch or MCM Split levels as these were better representations of the OPs home. I would challenge you that the 2nd to last photo I shared is not a classic MCM home. Maybe it was just a bit too small for you to notice. I would also ask what value your comment made to the conversation. The OP stated she had an Ranch home built in the 1960s and she likes MCM. I think she made the distinction because she recognizes that her home is not a classic MCM ranch, but that doesn't mean that she cannot incorporate MCM furnishings and design elements. I owned a classic ranch for 20 years. I grew up in a classic MCM home. When I bought this home my sister referenced my last home as an MCM home. I told her it was just a classic ranch and not MCM and she said "I don't remember it that way." - The truth is she would visit the inside of my home and my decor was all MCM and/or Danish. That is what stuck in her memory, not the fact that the outside wasn't classic MCM or even close. The home I grew up in: Last home that my sister called an MCM Current Hybrid Home:

First, remove the shutters, they are way too small for those windows. Next, paint the front doors to get rid of one of all those clashing red colors. Navy blue might look good here. Next, you need to change either the roof or the house color. A grey roof would be easier to work with. But if the roof is still in good shape, take a look at Romabio limewash for the brick. When you are ready for structural changes, in addition to the pillars, I think you need to look at widening the front steps and improving the front landscaping to work with the beautiful trees behind your house. And is it possible to add a roof deck to that one story part on the right side of your home? (you would have to access it by turning a window on the right side into a doorway). There is a lot to do here, but since you are happy with the interior, you can take as long as you need to update the exterior at your own pace.