Another angle from up high

One more pic I found. Thanks!!

The second pic has a couple of nice elements that unfortunately, you don’t have to work with—windows that line up gracefully and a generous ratio of glass to siding.

White replacing the beige definitely wouldn’t hurt. I don’t know that shakes would help. If you’re considering replacing the siding, perhaps you want something more similar to the original? https://www.curbed.com/2017/12/29/16829184/prefab-home-design-wood-assembly-baragano

A more modern treatment for the deck railing could help. Glass, cables . . . something more sleek.

Thanks. Agreed something like this on the railing would fit much better.

I'd stick to something that blends better with the surrounding houses - NOT modern farmhouse. Most like the beach / cape cod look with shingles and light trim - but done in a more modern way. A good architect can help you and visual this dream!

Which Southampton is this, by the way? Might help with suggestions.

Southampton in Long Island NY. Should have clarified!

I think if you focus on the deck and railing, the exterior will look more updated. The steps from the deck to the beach side look narrow and steep. They can be improved. Maybe a landing will help. The walkway in the back and the front of the house should be more substantial.

Does the siding need to be replaced? Is the decking in good shape or does it need to be replaced? How about windows? If she's looking to completely redo the exterior (not just a facelift with paint), then consider new, larger windows. Gray shakes would look great with black window frames with white trim and a gray weathered wood-look (Trex) deck. As someone suggested, you probably need an architect for that many changes.

The siding does need to be replaced. It’s just wood panels that have been painted a few times, and they’ve definitely taken a beating thru the years being on the water. The windows will be replaced as well. The decking actually is in good shape. Strong Ipe wood. The deck railings are relatively new but they just don’t have a very updated look. Thanks for the pic suggestion. That looks great!

I don't know what your goals are. Unfortunately the form and "bones" of this house are very ungainly; the proportions are not good. It looks like a builder's weekend or beach house from the 60's-80's.

You can change exterior colors and/or materials, but nothing is going to change the overall form and awkwardness of the house short of a major architectural remake.

If it was my house, I'd make sure the exterior is sound, dry and in good repair, and then spend my available money on improvements to the interior and/or usable outdoor areas.

The Hamptons are a lovely place, and the joy of this house is being there. There's no joy in the architecture.

Nothing you do is going to turn your mothers house into your inspiration picture. Not possible. And adding shakes is going to make the house look like you put fur on a Komodo Dragon.

The picture suggestions do look good but they won't work with this house. I think Virgil gave you good advice

The new owner needs to embrace the contemporary box style. Look around the neighborhood with google streetview to see if there are other houses in this style with appealing color schemes. A very large boxy house painted bright white with black trim is not going to look at all like the inspiration photo. A light silver gray (lighter than the roof) with charcoal trim might look better.

Work with the style, not against it.

She’s not trying to make this home into a Frank Gehry masterpiece...just simply update the exterior and work with what she has. We know the architectural style isn’t that of the modern farmhouse pictured, we just liked the color contrast. So regardless of the window trim, white shakers would be a bad idea here? Just wanted to brighten the exterior because the siding has to be redone.

Well...if it was my house I certainly wouldn't make the exterior "white" and call more attention to it through a visual contrast of the bright white with everything else around it.

I would want the house to "blend" and be a low key (not a high key) color and to be a reasonably middle or middle-dark value.

Whatever exterior finish you want--existing cement plaster repainted or new shingles stained--make it middle to middle-dark value.

The house is simply not a light, white Modern or International School showpiece, nor a trendy white with black window frames HGTV glamour house of indiscriminate style:

Is there anything that could be done maybe with different exterior choices? Maybe not shakers? I think she wanted those for the ease of maintenance. The wood on the house now gets really beat up since it’s on the water.

Or does anyone have a recommendation for an affordable architect in the Hamptons that could help with the exterior? Again not looking to do extensive changes.

A house on the beach in the Hamptons? What could be better?

Don't replace a wonderful ipe deck, but modernizing the railing and getting rid of all the clutter on the deck is a good start. Then find that affordable ( is there such a thing in the Hamptons? ) architect.

Good luck with your project and keep us posted.

Haha definitely finding an affordable anything in the Hamptons is a challenge

Agree with keeping the IPE decking. But I would do Feeney cable rails, with a composite/PVC white rails/caps, and posts. It will modernize the look. I Recently did one with slight similar shaped house.

That railing looks great thank you!!

Does anybody have an idea how much an architect would cost to design just an exterior for this home? Not changing the actual structure. Just exterior design materials.

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.

Love that look. Unfortunately her deck railing is relatively new so I don’t think she is going to change it. Although I know this would be an easy way to resign the look of the house. There is a LOT of railing with this house and i think it may be too cost prohibitive for her to do this at this point.

Ok so she’s doing a classic gray siding with white window trim... but in order to add some character and not look so boring... what do you think about a horizontal cedar lap siding along the balcony area and where the other jut out is on the exterior. The cedar color would match that of the hand railing of the deck. My sorry attempt at drawing this is attached, but it is obviously not a great representation. Let me know.