I also found another project I did, where they used wood for the decking, and top railing cap with feeney cable rail as well. White timber tech post sleeves. I made a pergola to go over the deck and they bought one of these really cool colored sunsail awning to go onto. Like someone else mentioned the side stairs could be better with divided landings, and wider. As far as the siding I know its very expensive but hardy plank would last the longest with minimal maintenance. I also think that if something was done with bottom of deck, either columns, enclosed porch with deck underneath would change the whole appearance of the house, along with different rails.

@Lisa M I hear you but when updating, one needs to also consider if there is any true architectural significance to what you are changing. Plus one needs to consider if the original was actually done well or was it just done to the trends of the time? Is preserving trends of the time of architectural value? Maybe. But we live in the real world with budgets, labor/material availability and new concerns impacting our decisions. Horizontal siding application requires expertise to avoid the risk of water leakage around windows, doors and other openings. Water finds its way and when it does it's damaging and can have adverse health impacts. Accommodating the horizontal cuts results in a lot more wasted material. So does today's enlightened awareness of sustainability and reducing waste secure a higher place on the priority list than preserving a look that recalls the trends of the 70's? Not sure if you are working with outside tradespeople on your shed, but finding quality craftspeople to do specialized work well is a lesson in patience, often literally years out, in my very active region. Specialized labor plus more material equals more cost. What are the family's other budget priorities? Does preserving a 70's trend outweigh saving for a child's education or your own retirement? To answer your question: "why would you buy a very specific 1980 house and try to use it as a springboard to faking the look of new build houses on your inspa lists." In the current real estate market, most folks buy a house based on location, cost and the ability to actually get your hands on a house in this crazy bidding market. The house style often has little to do with the purchase decision. May I point out that the OP has two, not four or five different siding styles on her home. Even FLW used two siding types on his own Oak Park house. If it's good enough for ole Frankie, I'll take it! Could he have bricked the entire house? Yes, so is that shake siding an arbitrary decoration? Who's to say what's an arbitrary decision on any structure? Some thought went into everything chosen. Not everything is precious on/in houses of their time. I just gutted a classic harvest gold bathroom. Should I have replaced it with the same since it is of the times of the house? No thank you. It had a good run and kuddos to the tile craftsperson who installed a shower pan that lasted 53 years. And BTW, thank ya Jesus for "James" Hardie. Had the company he established not pioneered fiber cement products, we'd have a lot more asbestos, rotting wood, black mold and ear piercing wood peckers waking us up at dawn. Big questions are interesting to ponder. Just not sure making assumptions about a poster on Houzz and the decisions they made is the place for it. Probably better to post your big questions as your own posts for comment. But...that's my opinion.

Dark sky compliance is much appreciated by professional and amateur astronomers as well as local wildlife. I suggest picking a compliant contemporary style fixture you love for the front door area, then other fixtures from the same manufacturer's line for the rest. You can search " dark sky lighting site:houzz.com " in google. This article may be of interest: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/landscape-lighting-that-doesnt-wake-the-birds-stsetivw-vs~76419325

We just went with a highly reviewed local "general home maintenance" (how their website describes them) company. They're licensed, insured, & bonded and offer a one year warranty for work. They were wonderful to work with, honestly, and the price was very reasonable in my opinion. No, our siding is cedar bevel / clapboard. Before/after pics attached. They removed the rotten pieces and replaced them without damaging any of the the original siding that was still in good shape. They checked for any damage to the original underlayment when removing the siding or mold. Much to my surprise, they said everything there still looked great so didn't think any more work was needed than just the few damaged/rotten boards. You can't visually tell where the work was done, it blends in seamlessly. We also had them replace some rotten trim around the clerestory windows. They painted the new trim and siding boards with a paint we color-matched within a few days. However, I believe cedar siding doesn't actually need to be painted or treated (pros can correct me if I'm wrong) so I wouldn't think it's an issue if you don't paint right away.