IMO the cedar provides some texture and interest.

If you like you can STAIN the cedar a solid based stain color for a completely different appearance.

You can have the cedar stained to match the stucco if you like.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments!!! One thing that is part of our thought process is that we don’t think the original install had a vapor barrier. It’s been water tight over 30 years but makes us wonder foe longevity or cladding. We’ll
Think about the color ideas you suggested. Any opinions on what it would look like if we changed the upper siding out with cedar shingles?

I don't think I'd select shakes in natural color. I'd stain them. However, you going from Board and Batten which has little maintenance to shakes that will likely have more maintenance. Woodpeckers love to peck at the bugs in shakes.

Those look really nice / but I think the woodpecker issue would rule out shingles. We have some active woodpeckers and it’s been an issue. We just had a bunch of holes from last season filled in. This year colorful tape is a great deterrent. I then got interested in Ipe siding. That seems like an option that might do just what we want - give our place a refreshed look while being hardy and insect resistant. I assume it’s woodpecker resistant but I haven’t figured that out yet

If you want low maintenance, you might look at Hardie-planks instead of a natural material. They are cementitious.

I’ve mentioned Hardie to my siding guy and he’s kind of steering me away from it. I have to get more info. A few people have recommended Nichiha

Is it the brand he doesn't like? Or does he just not like cementitious siding?

I am a big fan of Hardie board, but another brand would still have the same characteristics, which is the important thing. You wouldn't have issues with woodpeckers and I found it holds paint better than wood siding so you can paint much less frequently.