The brick&batten Blog
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Container Gardening and Exterior Home Design
By: Allison VaccaroLet’s talk about container gardening, planters, and 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 ...
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 ...
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 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 right ...
LIGHT UP Your Life
By: Cassie McDowellYour home’s exterior lighting will make or break curb appeal. Lighting is not only used for security but also adds drama and interest. Nobody wants to walk up a house that appears dark and unfriendly! Who knows what lurks behind those overgrown bushes! As summer nights become warmer, you spend more time outdoors and ...
SHUT the Front Door
By: Allison VaccaroLet’s talk doors. I know it sounds super boring, but stay with me…it’s kind of awesome and here’s why. Your front door is where your home opens its proverbial heart to the outside world. It’s the protective gate keeper and the warm welcome… all wrapped into one big, heavy rectangle. What a job! While doors ...
Vinyl Windows…No Shame
By: Allison VaccaroVinyl…and not the cool, retro kind you spin on your vintage record player…can be very misunderstood. Many homes have vinyl windows because, quite frankly, they are less expensive. So, when replacing an entire house of windows, the cost can be attractive compared to wood. While vinyl won’t add the value you may be looking for, ...
Get Your Mind in the Gutter
By: Allison VaccaroSeriously, get your mind in the gutter…and let’s strategize how to make gutters and downspouts pop (think copper, aged bronze and gorgeous headers) or make them fade away (think painting them to match what’s underneath). When it comes to gutters, you have options that can vary wildly in expense. But never, ever, should you let ...
It’s the Little Things
By: Allison VaccaroWhile painting the exterior packs a punch in the curb appeal game, it’s the little things that can add up to big style and make or break the exterior of your home. Things like planters, house numbers, door knockers, and even doormats can score big points and add up to a massive curb appeal win ...
Life-Changing Front Porches
By: Allison VaccaroA good front porch can change your life…yep…I said it…a porch can change the trajectory of your life. Period. My parents live on an island…remote by most people’s standards. They take a boat to go almost everywhere and they have been retired as long as I can remember. When they committed to island life full ...