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Spring cleaning is considered a cultural rite by many people, and who doesn't like to start the warm season with a sparkling home? However, giving your home a good deep clean in autumn is also a good idea. After all, you'll probably be increasing the amount of time you spend indoors, and if you're entertaining during the holiday season, a comprehensive deep clean will give you a head start on getting ready to host guests. Here's what residents of apartments in Cary, NC, need to know about fall cleaning.
Use Natural Cleaning Products
Many over-the-counter cleaning products contain harsh chemicals in the form of cleaning agents and fragrances. Because you'll be spending more time indoors as well as most likely keeping your doors and windows closed, that means chemical fumes created by these products will remain in your indoor environment. Using natural cleaning products will help keep toxic compounds out of your indoor air. Most of these are lightly scented with essential oils, but fragrance-free options also exist.
Inspect for Insects
Autumn is the time of year when certain insects start their search for warm, comfortable places to spend the winter. Other insects, such as the common housefly, may be nearing the end of their lifespans and are on the hunt for a place to lay their last batch of eggs. Be particularly vigilant for signs of insects or their eggs when doing deep-cleaning tasks during the autumn season. Most insects prefer dark, cool environments such as under sinks and behind large appliances.
Give In to the Urge to Purge
One of the main advantages of doing a major deep cleaning in spring and again in autumn is that clutter doesn't have a chance to build-up to the extent that it becomes overwhelming. Go with the urge to purge instead of trying to resist — you'll be glad you did, especially when it comes time to do your spring cleaning because there will be that much less clutter to deal with.
We've got spacious floor plans featuring one, two and three bedrooms. Please feel free to give us a call today to find out what's available.
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Decluttering is an excellent way to make the most of your space. If you are living with an excess of kitchen gadgets or a closet full of clothes you never wear, try these tips for getting rid of your clutter.
Donate unneeded items
It’s easier to let go of items when you know they will help someone else. Research local donation options and select the one that works best for you. You could choose a one-organization-takes-all approach and donate to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Or, you could give to organizations looking for specific items, such as charities that collect workwear for job seekers. Some organizations even pick up donations. Knowing you won’t need to load and deliver donations can help you stay motivated, and prescheduling a pickup will help you stick to a deadline.
Work in 15-minute chunks
The idea of decluttering your entire apartment at once can be overwhelming. Rather than focusing on the big picture or spending your weekend sorting and tossing, work on decluttering in 15-minute sections. Choose one small area each day, such as a kitchen cabinet or closet shelf, and devote your attention there. Put away misplaced items, add unneeded items to your donation box and toss items that have outlived their usefulness. Follow the routine for a week and you are sure to see a difference.
Set criteria
Set yourself up for success by establishing criteria for items you want to keep or donate before you start decluttering. Donate anything you have duplicates of or that you haven’t used in the past year. Donate clothing that doesn't fit, isn't flattering, you don’t wear regularly or that doesn't make you feel confident. Anything that is damaged or past its prime should be thrown away.
Keep the memories, not the clutter
Saying goodbye to sentimental items can be difficult. To keep the memories while freeing up space, take digital photos of the items and then focus on how your past can help someone else’s future.
Whether your apartment is perfectly decluttered or if you feel more comfortable hanging on to sentimental items, sometimes you just need a little more room. If you are looking for Cary apartments with ample storage space, check out the floor plans at Audubon Parc Apartments.
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Residing in Cary, NC apartments comes with certain limitations, especially to garden lovers. Due to limited space, the best approach is owning a kitchen garden and start cultivating your vegetables. Besides providing vegetables for household uses, a kitchen garden engages you in activities beneficial for your health.
How do you help your kitchen garden thrive? Certainly, you will have to maintain your kitchen garden in good shape to increase productivity. Here are some tips on how to go about it.
Water Regularly
Most vegetables cannot thrive in harsh conditions such as soil with inadequate moisture. Even though they highly require water immediately after planting more than during later stages of growth, it is advisable to keep watering for the entire period. Eventually, you will harvest strong and well-developed products.
Weed Out When Necessary
When weeds overgrow in your kitchen garden, they will eventually curb the proper growth of your vegetables. Therefore, you should pull them out as soon as they start growing. You can also consider mulching as a way of suppressing the growth of weed. In addition, you might have to uproot overcrowded plants since they end up competing for nutrients limiting their growth. Crops should have enough space between each other.
Grow Climbing Plants
Space is limited in a kitchen garden, and the best way to maximize it is by growing climbing crops. Tomatoes, melons, peas, among other crops, are efficient in regards to taking up less space while their output is relatively high. You should provide reinforcements for these plants such as fences, or standing sticks.
Apply Manure or Fertilizer
Crop growth and produce are greatly enhanced by available nutrients in the soil. Different crops have varying nutrients’ requirements at different growth stages. If you have access to manure, then you can mix it before planting while you can also obtain suitable commercial fertilizers for application.
In conclusion, living in rental apartments does not restrict you from growing your crops. For instance, if you are considering Audubon Parc apartments, you should not worry about space. Call them now to inquire about the restriction to specific crops in the compound if any.
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]]>The post Tips for a Productive Work-From-Home Space in an Apartment appeared first on Audubon Parc Blog.
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Telecommuting is becoming increasingly popular as more and more companies are realizing the benefits of not paying overhead for employees to come into work. If you’re entering the telecommuting world, you’re going to need a productive space to work at home. Even in an apartment in Cary where space may be more limited, you can carve out an effective place to work with these tips.
Choose a Distraction-Free Location
One of the problems of working from home is the distractions. The dishes in the sink and the laundry that needs to be sorted are always facing you, pulling your attention away from work. In an apartment, you may not have a full room you can dedicate to work, so look for a distraction-free spot. Choose a location in your apartment that’s as far from your biggest distractions as possible. Even if it means turning your desk to face away from the kitchen instead of toward it, this will increase your productivity.
Determine Your Needs
What will you need at your workstation to do your job? Will you need a printer and fax or just a computer? Stock the station, but avoid adding too much to the space. The more stuff you have at your workstation, the less work you will actually get done. Remember, the goal is to create a workstation that is as distraction-free as possible, so avoid adding too much clutter.
Consider Ergonomics
If you will be working full time, your work station needs to be comfortable. Choose a chair, keyboard, and mouse that are ergonomically designed to prevent strain and discomfort. Place your computer screen slightly below eye level, so your eyes naturally moisten as they travel down the screen.
Let in the Light
Lighting is also important for productivity at work. Position your work station so it is flooded with natural light, or opt for artificial light that is at a wavelength close to natural light. The better lighting you have at your workstation, the easier it will be to do your job.
Working from home is enjoyable with the right space. Schedule a tour of our Cary, NC apartments to see the spacious, attractive apartment homes available in this desirable area.
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If you’re busy searching for a new apartment, you may be tempted to base your decision on price. While you may know that location is an important factor in where you live, it may also seem like it’s easy enough to work around the limitations if you have to. Here are a few reasons to reconsider if you’re just getting started in your apartment hunt.
Quality of Life
When you’re close to all the things you love, it’s easy to develop a routine that really works for you. From yoga classes to a quick bite to eat, you’ll love having options that are a mere walk or short drive from where you live. If you were 30 minutes from all your favorite shops and restaurants, though, you may find yourself feeling cut off from everywhere you wanted to be. You could certainly still go to all the places you love, but the commute might take some enjoyment out of the experience. The apartments in Cary can be far more rewarding if you’re in the center of it all.
A Sense of Community
When you feel like you belong in your corner of the world, it’s much easier to let the stresses of everyday life roll off your back. All it takes is a simple wave or greeting to feel welcome. If you want to live in a place where you can really get to know your neighbors, you need an apartment that encourages everyone to come together. This collaboration may just inspire you to broaden your horizons and adopt a whole new lease on life! In addition, the more people band together in your area, the more likely it is that the entire neighborhood will improve over time.
The real benefits of location may not be easy to quantify, but they become apparent as you take stock of your life in the long run. If you’re looking for an apartment that puts you close to everywhere you want to be, Audubon Parc can help. We have the amenities you need to really get to know your neighbors and make lifelong friends. Give us a call today to take a tour or to learn more about our current availability.
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Springtime signals a little house cleaning and a change of wardrobe. We hope our Audubon Parc residents in Cary, North Carolina, enjoy the inside scoop on these fashion trends.
Head-to-Toe Neutrals
The soft monochrome look appears to be in style, according to magazines such as Cosmo. Designers including London-based Burberry, Italian fashion leader Max Mara, and American designer Tom Ford recently showcased clothing lines that favor neutrals. From headwear to shoes and everything in between, it’s a chic look that travels.
Fishnets Are Back
Not so much the stockings, but strategic outerwear is being touted by fashion icons such as Louis Vuitton and Phillip Lim, among others. The trend runs from casual light grays to bold black-and-red and can handle accessorizing. These shoulder-held fishnets are versatile enough to meet the spring fashion desires of girls and women, as well as any informal setting.
Casual Lilac Denim
This material continues to be a warm-weather mainstay in most women’s closets. That being said, the spring spin on the tried-and-true perennial is the front-buttoned long sleeve jacket that beckons a nostalgic look. The buttons are more prominently featured than some previous styles and feature nice front pockets. It’s the right material for the right season and a darling look.
Front Button Jeans
If you want to make a complete package out of classic denim, you’ll earn style points by completing an ensemble with jeans. Light colors are trending over traditional blues, and the buttons are again prominently showcased. Whites, spring rose and others are easily joined with a white T-shirt and the above-mentioned lilac jacket.
Loose Pullovers
Among the more relaxed fashion trends are loose-fitting pullovers. Some lines are offering ruffles as a distinguishable highlight. Others are banking on pastel sweater versions and bell sleeves. But at the end of the day, a variety of clothing lines see laid-back pullovers as the trend that allows women and girls to layer up during chilly spring evenings.
It’s All in Black and White
A few designers are banking on a varied use of black and white. Veronica Beard has black and white checks on sleeveless shirts as does Christian Cowan with a see-through overshirt. Oscar de la Renta has a full dress and Celine has full-on polka dots. Apparently, everything is in black and white again!
We hope our Audubon Parc community members enjoy these spring fashion trends. If you or a friend would like more information about our Cary apartments, call us today.
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Focus on the Find
When you have a list made out before you leave, you're more likely to stay focused. (Distraction is common at a flea market where everyone's selling different items.) So if you're looking for a new chair for the corner of your living room or you want a new end table, you won't stray off toward a collection of novelty signs or CDs.
Decorators also recommend spreading out your search to as many vendors as possible. This provides you with an opportunity to mix pieces and update your own sense of style at the same time. Make sure you really love something before you buy it and that you've measured your apartment to make sure it will fit where you want it to go.
Look Past the Piece
All of us have a tendency to see what's wrong with something rather than what's right. An old coffee table may look as though it's seen better days, but a simple stain may be all it needs to be brought back to life.
Quality furniture is meant to withstand several generations, so don't be so quick to dismiss if there are only a few scuffs and scrapes on a find that you otherwise love. The other tip is to repurpose pieces into something new. While certainly a more advanced challenge, there's no better time like the present to learn a new skill or two.
Apartments in Cary are more fun when they have your personality stamped on every corner of the rooms. Flea market finds are not only unique, but they're also a good way to decorate on a budget. If you're looking for a new home to furnish, call Audubon Parc today to find out more about our availability.
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Noise has a bouncing quality that is magnified when a home contains more hard surfaces than it does soft — like large wood furnishings, hardwood floors, and kitchen surfaces. Add as many upholstered surfaces into your decor as possible, including padded dining chairs and breakfast bar stools, a pillow headboard, area rugs, table cloths, hanging tapestries, thick bathroom ensembles, and fabric window treatments.
For even greater quiet, hanging acoustic panels, acoustic fabric, or heavy-duty soundproofing window curtains can really reduce the decibels coming in and going out of your home.
Reduce Noise Entering Window and Door Gaps
No home is a perfect vacuum. Windows, HVAC ductwork, and entrance doors all provide gaps or openings that seamlessly allow noise to enter your home. These gaps are also useful for good circulation and help to prevent indoor air from becoming stuffy and dry. Add window inserts, which are clear glass panes that create an airtight fit and can decrease noise infiltration by 50 percent.
A simple solution for gaps at the bottom of doors is to use the same fabric-stuffed draft stoppers that homeowners use in the winter or a commercial-grade door sweep (a thick rubber strip) — allowing apartment dwellers to reduce noise slipping in under doors.
Add Shelves of Books in the Home
Books are great sound absorbers and there are many ways to incorporate bookshelves into homes. Open bookshelves that double as room dividers, standing shelves, corner bookshelves, wall-mounted shelving, tabletop shelves, and finally — piling old books underneath a bed or sofa are all ways you can use books to soak up sounds and increase thermal efficiency.
Hang a Thick Door Curtain
A door curtain can serve as both decor and a noise-reducing element for your entrance doors, interior doors, and wall openings that don't have a door. Consider heavy blackout curtains for bedrooms to gain the greatest sound reducing qualities or consider it a creative DIY home project to make your own curtains.
Find your North Carolina apartment home at Audubon Parc – a serene community that features stunning natural amenities like our outdoor pool with resort-like sun deck, an active clubhouse, modern fitness center, along with a bark park with agility toys, and walking trails around the lake.
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