Cassie McDowell

Cassie co-founded brick&batten in 2017 with her sister, Alli, but her love of home design was born years earlier. Cassie’s passion for design can be traced back to her childhood, when she’d accompany her parents on road trips through small towns in search of inspiration for properties they would buy, fix up, and sell. 

Prior to launching brick&batten, Cassie worked as a fourth grade teacher, but her love of design, architecture, home renovation, and open houses inspired her to pursue a new career. When writing for brick&batten, Cassie aims to empower homeowners to make the best informed decisions for their property. She knows from experience how challenging home renovation can be, and when she writes, she puts herself in the shoes of every homeowner with similar frustrations.

Cassie currently lives in Florida with her four children, an old dog, and her loving husband. When she’s not working, Cassie is most likely checking out a nearby open house or traveling to learn about the latest house trends.

Blogs by Cassie McDowell

Home Exterior Design Tips for 2020

Your home’s exterior is a reflection of you. We’ve come up with a list of home exterior design tips for 2020…what to ditch and do. It is proving to be an exciting time for home exterior design. Basically, simple and low maintenance is a DO, and complicated, excess is time to DITCH. People are spending ...

6 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Garage Door

We use 6 tips for choosing the perfect garage door for your home’s style. There are considerations to think about when selecting a garage for your home. Many homeowners are faced with a garage dilemma.  You want curb appeal but also don’t want to spend the money on a custom garage. We are always searching ...

Best Outdoor Railing for Your Home’s Architecture

Outdoor railings are a great way to add curb appeal! Finding the best railing for your home’s architecture can be quite a challenge because there are so many wonderful options but also codes that need to be met. Out with the spindles and in with the horizontal, wrought iron, or even chippendale style.  Even with ...

Questions Answered About White Painted Brick

Questions answered about white painted brick…White painted brick is a brick&batten favorite.  Why? Because the look transforms any home in a huge way, without tearing into walls and putting a dumpster in the driveway! White painted brick looks fresh and bright. It’s a great backdrop for natural wood accents, clay pottery, and essentially goes with ...

What is a Home EXTERIOR Designer?

What is a home exterior designer? Simple. Just like an interior designer is an expert on your home’s interior, an exterior designer is an expert on your home’s exterior! We know everything from paint, lighting, doors, awnings, shutters, planters, roof styles, to porticos, home additions, and cladding.  At brick&batten we have experts in every area, ...

Mid-Century Homes Still on Trend for 2020

Are mid-century modern homes still on trend for 2020? The short answer is YES! Mid-century architecture isn’t a trend; it is here to stay. What to Know About Mid-Century Modern Architecture Also known as Mid Mod or MCM, this architecture is one that evokes a feeling of openness, simple lines, and one with nature. Built ...

Inviting Home Exterior Paint Colors

Inviting home exterior paint colors… I’m always on the lookout for home exterior paint colors that are welcoming and inviting. There are color palettes that work on certain architecture and others that don’t. Painting your home is definitely an undertaking. That said, it’s one that you shouldn’t take lightly. It’s not like buying a bottle ...

Best Front Door Ideas for an Easy Curb Appeal Fix

Are you looking for our best front door ideas for an easy simple curb appeal fix? If so, take a good look at your FRONT DOOR.  Yes, it’s that easy! Your front door is the heart of your home and a serious key to curb appeal. A door done right returns over 100% of your ...