That a tough one. I typically see the shakes up top and the b&b on the bottom

Or like here where there is one section of the b&b and the rest is shakes.

Can you reverse your picture? Maybe play with the proportions.

I actually like the white band.

So I'm leaning towards option 2!

Such a cute house!

NO banding and IMO all one siding direction on such a small house . No shake siding either it does not suit the house. I aslo do not like those black things above the windows they make no sense . Cute house do not over do the exterior finishes . I would do all horizontal siding all one color and no shakes anywhere. I like the gray and white and even your landscaping give sit a nice cottage feel I think a n awning type cover over the front door would be nice .

'In response to the comments so far which are much appreciated, here are Options 4, 5, and 6.

Thanks again!

I originally thought I'd like all board and batten but there are many houses in our area with T-111 including ours and we'd like to change up the design if possible.

This is the south side of the house and the window pergolas give the windows some relief from the sun.

Here's a photo of the existing siding:

#6 keep it as light as possible,

The window trellises or pergolas whatever they're called, they need to be painted white. l like Option 4.

All shake and use body color corner boards.

Rebuild the front deck so it's centered on the door and not as big and add a simple roof.

The deck is built on a foundation bump out and is only 3 years old. The roof is 5 years old and although I'd love to see a pitched roof over the entrance, that's not going to happen at this time.

Here is an image of all shake with matching corner boards.

After the siding is complete, we're looking to add this pergola over the front deck.

Well I am the odd man out on this one. I like option 2 and option 4 - lol!

This information may help, here is the other end of the house with the wrap around deck and new black gazebo that we installed last year. The new photo is the rear of the house with the walk out basement. We're in the process of replacing the railing with black balusters.

Relief from the sun can easily be handled inside with solar shades try those .Those heavy looking pieces do not work on thta small house . Maybe some striped fabric awnings if you want something outside and reapet the fabric in some furniture on that nice deck.

1 , but I would probably engage the longest window with the vertical siding so that all the windows would be in the vertical siding rather than having varying lengths of the bottom bits of the windows down in the clapboard section. It emphasizes the irregular sill heights which I don't think I would do .

I think the house is too small to have two types of siding, not to mention all that trim. I think the existing all board and batten looks great. I don't think the pergola over the front deck will improve your house, either. I think you're in danger of overwhelming a smallish house with too many add-ons. Sometimes simple is better.

I think the proportion for siding on the house currently is off. The base siding is so high it makes the house appear too squat.

However in Rhode Island I would opt for shingles because it's a charming look. I'd take a hard look at the landscaping and upgrade that.