The brick&batten Blog
June Round Up…All Things House Exterior
By: Cassie McDowellJune is absolutely my favorite month of the year. The kids aren’t quite tired of summer break yet, the school supplies aren’t stressing me out at Target, and I know I have at least a month of sunshine and nice weather ahead of me. Not to mention, the hours we spend on our porch in ...
Three 2018 Paint Color Trends We Are Loving & One Prediction for 2019
By: Cassie McDowellWhat are the three house exterior paint colors we are loving and a prediction for 2019? Darks, whites, and grays keep returning in full force! Dredging through showrooms, open houses, magazines, and trade shows, we become part mind reader, psychologist, and researcher. We learn from experts in the field and sort through the nonsense. Finally, ...
Top 6 Facade Fails With an Easy Fix
By: Cassie McDowellHave you fallen victim to these simple facade fails? Maybe it’s too much HGTV fever or wine with the neighbor on the porch swing we keep writing about… Whatever the reason, you’re smarter than that! Take a step back. Evaluate. And let’s get to work on breathing life back into your home with simple changes. ...
Container Gardening and Exterior Home Design
By: Allison VaccaroContainer gardening, Planters, outdoor, design, Planters come in many sizes, styles, and materials. Choosing the proper one to adorn your home is more complicated than it may seem. We’d like to break it down so that you end up with the best possible choice while adding curb appeal and value. Size matters when it comes ...
Siding…What the &*%$?
By: Allison VaccaroNever in a million years did I think I’d be writing a blog about siding, but what the $%^^. It needs to be discussed because it’s another element that can make or break your curb appeal. So let’s dive in and have an honest conversation about how shitty your siding looks and how we can ...
Memorial Day Flag Etiquette
By: Cassie McDowellFlag Etiquette… where did it go? Memorial Day means more than white jeans, pool’s open, and race day. Memorial Day, we celebrate those who fight for our freedom! That being said, to show our respect, many home’s hang the American flag, Old Glory, in the yard. We receive questions all the time about ...
The Best Investment for Your Front Porch…a Swing.
By: Allison VaccaroOkay…this may seem like a far reaching over reaction…but one of the best investments for your front porch swing is a swing. Stay with me. I grew up with a porch swing and while we laughed, carried on and swung too high…we also cried, talked, and got to the bottom of a multitude of dilemmas ...
3 Great Links to Jumpstart Curb Appeal
By: Allison VaccaroWe are constantly perusing the internet for ideas and inspiration that will help our clients maximize curb appeal. Some things are totally worth time, energy, and money toward. However, others won’t return on that investment. Our company, brick&batten, is always mindful at what delivers! Landscape, lighting, and front doors are three things that deliver every ...
4 Things You Should Know About Midcentury Modern Architecture
By: Allison Vaccaro“The houses had open floor plans and giant sliding-glass doors, which encouraged people to go outside and be healthy. In a traditional home, the window height was 4-5 feet, and you can’t see out as a child. With these walls of glass, children became engaged and open-minded because the environment stimulated the senses in a ...