The horizontal vinyl stripping on the left size of the door is actually a huge window box. There is also one across the back of the house.

take them out. replace with cedar siding.

ok. I would be careful when taking the planter boxes out. I agree that they need to be removed. However, I suspect that you may run into some rotten wood in wall structure behind where the boxes are attached.

is the trim around windows vinyl?

I was just wondering if the trim and windows were paintable or if that would limit your color scheme. The roof is a big factor in your scheme as are the plantings that pickup the color of the roof and brick.

you probably will run into rot. so it is better to do in in good weather and sooner rather than later.

Yes - the window boxes have a bottom area that is rotten. I am not sure it could be repaired so they would need to be replaced or removed. I am concerned that there are not windows on the lower side of the house with the box. I am wondering if that will look odd. The trim and windows are paintable - and I am even open to painting the brick with the right color scheme. I am not crazy about the color of the roof. I do not feel it compliments the brick at all. I had a contractor talk me into the color sight unseen and I have regretted it since.

The trim around the windows is wood.