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Spring is in the air! For many that means it’s time for some serious deep spring cleaning. You may have started taking note of the products you use for cleaning and the impact they have on your home, your family, your pets and the planet. These green spring cleaning tips for your apartment will let you clean without worrying about your wallet, your family, or the planet.
Clean With Lemons
Lemons are ideal for a variety of tough cleaning projects in your apartment. From tackling microwave messes to deodorizing your refrigerator and adding grease-fighting strength to your dishwashing liquid, lemon juice is a powerful cleaning component.
Need a little abrasive power for tough stains? Lemon and salt create an excellent scrub, which is great for cleaning burnt lasagna pans and other hard-to-clean messes. It’s also perfect for cleaning copper pots and pans, though not lacquered copper. Be careful when using abrasives to ensure that you don't damage surfaces.
Use Vinegar to Clean — Everything
Vinegar makes an excellent all-purpose cleaner. You can use it in a spray bottle for washing windows or cleaning around your bathtub to prevent or eliminate mold growth, or you can use vinegar instead of an artificial rinse agent in your dishwasher. You can even use it as a fabric softener and deodorizer in your laundry. Just put it in your rinse agent ball or pour it into your machine's “fabric softener” spot.
Use Baking Soda to Clean and Deodorize
Baking soda is an excellent choice for freshening the air in your home and for cleaning its many surfaces. Many people use it in refrigerators to eliminate food odors. Did you know you can also use it to get odors out of carpets?
Add a couple of tablespoons to your dishwater to tackle tough grease on your dishes. Use it with vinegar to tackle moldy messes in the bathroom, and add it to your laundry detergent to brighten colors and whiten whites in your wash.
Green spring cleaning tips like these can help you transform apartments in Mountlake Terrace into an oasis of spring and green for friends and family alike. Be sure to contact us today to see which floor plans are available.
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]]>The post Do You Really Need a 4K TV If You Live in an Apartment? The Answer Might Surprise You… appeared first on Taluswood Apartments Blog.
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If you live in an apartment, the chances are high that you don’t have the real estate available to construct a massive home theater — the type of personal cinema room that puts your local multiplex to shame. However, as flat-screen TVs are getting more affordable and more advanced than ever, you’ve definitely got the room for the shiny new big screen you’ve always wanted.
When you go shopping, a lot of people might tell you that you can stick to good, old-fashioned 1080p because “you’d never be able to see the benefit of something like 4K in an apartment anyway.” The reality of the situation, however, is that this is something of a myth. You’re actually better equipped to handle a 4K TV in an apartment than anyone for reasons that are worth exploring.
Your 4K TV and Viewing Distance
The reason for this comes down to something called viewing distance — the maximum distance you can sit away from your TV before the eye starts to lose some of that resolution on display.
Viewing distance is always about 1.5 times the diagonal size of the television in question. So, if you buy a 60-inch 4K television set, your ideal viewing distance would be about 7.5 feet.
This means that if you were to buy the same 60-inch 4K TV and put it in a larger room where you’re seated farther away, it would still look great — but the eye would lose that additional resolution and image clarity for every foot beyond 7.5 that you sit.
In an apartment, you’re far more likely to sit closer to the screen than you would in a home — meaning that in this particular environment, you’re getting every last ounce of stunning 4K clarity that you’re paying for.
So is it worth upgrading to a 4K TV if you live in an apartment? The answer is, overwhelmingly, “yes.” Now, go out and buy some UHD discs to play on it.
If you’d like to find out more information about whether or not you really need a 4K television set if you live in an apartment, or if you’re just eager to discover some of the incredible apartments in Mountlake Terrace that are available, please don’t delay — contact Taluswood Apartments today.
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The holidays are great for a variety of reasons, but one of the best reasons is all of the time that you get to spend with your friends and family. There are so many things that you can do with friends and family to make some quality memories that you can cherish for years to come. One great idea is to have a holiday game night where everyone gets together for some laughter and fun without all of the holiday stress. These are some fun holiday games that you can play this year.
Holiday Charades
If you like to play charades, you can make it holiday themed by just creating some holiday topics. The rules are all the same, so if you have enough people to play a team-type game, this is the one for you. This is one where people can get up and get moving. It also will not be long before the laughter starts.
Christmas Movie Trivia
There are so many Christmas movies out that everyone has seen and there are new ones coming out every year. If you want to get competitive with some trivia, you can find some trivia questions online for all of the classics and see who knows their Christmas movies the best. You can even end the night watching a new Christmas movie or a favorite classic.
Holiday Name That Tune
If you are a fan of holiday and Christmas music, you may want to organize a game of Name That Tune with all holiday music! It is sure to get you into the holiday spirit and you may even break out into singing the songs with your family and friends. Once the game is done, you can even do some other fun things with the music playing in the background.
All it takes to play these games is a bit of creativity and some people to play the games with. If you are looking to host a holiday game night in your residence this year and need the perfect place to host everyone, be sure to take a look at our Mountlake Terrace apartments today. Stop in for a tour and see what we have available to find your next home.
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It’s nice to have an in-unit washer and dryer. You don’t have to worry about lugging baskets of clothing to a laundry facility. That means you gain more time at home with your friends and loved ones. At Taluswood Apartments, our floor plans offer this benefit. Here are some tips to keep your laundry space organized.
Make Laundry No Big Deal
With an organized laundry space, you may find it is pretty easy to get the laundry done. But, it is also easy to put it off because you have so much to do throughout the day. With a few helpful tips, you can stay organized enough to throw a load of laundry in whenever you have a few minutes. This makes it easy to get this chore taken care of without worry.
Create a Basket for Everything
Have a separate laundry basket for each type of load you do. You may want one just for towels. Use another for darks. By doing this type of organization, you can toss a load in as soon as you have a full load. You don’t get behind in the process.
Picking Up Clothes? Drop Them In
As you pick up clothing from the bathroom or bedroom, immediately take them to the basket. Drop them into the appropriate basket as you go. When you do, you never have to worry about piles stacking up. Everyone can handle this task.
Keep The Area as Clutter-Free as Possible
Make sure to keep as little in this area as you can. Laundry rooms can often become a place everything ends up in. To avoid this, have a storage spot for every type of item you plan to wash. For example, store tablecloths in the kitchen. Create a single basket to collect socks. And, fold towels and put them away immediately.
Taking these simple steps can help speed up your laundry washing efforts. It also eliminates those days when you have to stay home to do the laundry.
Find a Home That Gives You Everything You Need
Are you thinking about a move? If you are looking for an apartment in Mountlake Terrace, WA, we encourage you to contact our team to learn more about our currently available floor plans.
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Some of our living spaces at Taluswood Apartments feature beautiful fireplaces. After a long and cold day, it may be perfectly fitting to relax in front of the fireplace. We hope our residents will enjoy spending time like this. But, some don’t do so because they worry about keeping it clean. It doesn’t have to be challenging to do, though.
It’s Easy to Keep it Clean
A wood-burning fireplace can be a bit overwhelming if you are unsure how to keep it clean and organized. With a few tips, though, you will love the way they look even when not in use.
Minimizing Ash and Smoke
Choosing dry wood helps to minimize the amount of smoke and ash in the fireplace. You will want to ensure you choose smaller pieces that are properly sized. Seasoned wood is best, as freshly cut wood creates a significant amount of smoke.
Keep the Doors Closed
One of the hardest parts of managing a fireplace is the ash and soot that gets outside of the fireplace. The best way to minimize this is to keep the doors closed. This will eliminate the risk that the fireplace materials will get outside of it. Additionally, you will want to keep the flue open when the fireplace is on.
Removing the Ash
You can remove the ash from the fireplace as soon as it is cool. Do not remove it when it is hot, as this can create burns. You will want to be careful to sweep up any debris present outside of the fireplace. Go slow to minimize ash getting into the air.
When it comes to keeping the surface clean, simply use a wet cloth with mild soap to wipe down the surface. You can also use a paper towel to dry the surface to a shine. It does not take much to keep the exterior clean when you make sure the inside is cleaned. Be sure to ask about any type of maintenance necessary.
Are You Ready to Find a Home You’ll Love?
At Taluswood Apartments, our residents enjoy outstanding amenities. We encourage you to give us a call to learn more about our available apartments in Mountlake Terrace. We’re happy to help you!
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These days, more people are working from home than ever – thanks largely to how easy telecommuting has become and how flexible most modern day jobs are. But one of the major things that people who work from home (or self-employed individuals) deal with is that constant struggle to maintain a proper work/life balance. In truth, doing so is certainly not impossible—but it will require you to keep a few key things in mind.
The Physical Space Matters
One of the major things that you want to do when you start working from home involves choosing a physical place in your apartment to act as your "workspace." It can be anything – a spare bedroom, your kitchen table, it doesn't actually matter. But you need to pick a space and try to work exclusively from there so that at the end of the day, you can get up and leave that space behind. This is a great way to really tell your brain that "work" is done for the day and you can now focus on spending time with family members or engaging in your hobbies.
Do What You Would Normally Do If You Worked a Traditional Job
Likewise, when you're done with work, think about the things that you WOULD do if you worked for a more traditional employer and hold onto those habits tightly. If you always come home and take a shower at the end of the day, for example, make sure that you take a shower when you're done with work while you're at home, too. Once again, this is a way to kind of separate your professional responsibilities from your personal lifestyle. It'll really make you feel like you've come home after a long day at the office, even though you didn't actually leave home to begin with.
Maintaining a work/life balance when you work from home can be difficult, yes – but when you consider the freedom and the flexibility that this arrangement brings with it, you'll quickly find that it is more than worth the effort. To find out more about how to make the most of working from home, or to learn more about our quality apartments in Mountlake Terrace, don't delay—contact Taluswood Apartments today.
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Repeated exposure to UV rays can be destructive to your indoor furniture, causing fading or damage to anything from your couch to the hardwood floors. While you probably won't notice any visible trouble after a single season, it's important to practice prevention, so you can keep your things in good condition for as long as possible. Learn more about what it takes to keep wood, fabric, and leather from buckling under the sun's harsh glare.
Cover the Windows
Putting up the right drapes in your apartment can immediately block out the harmful rays pouring in through the glass. (It's also not a bad idea if you want to keep your skin from sun damage too.) For an even better effect, purchase blackout liners to place under the drapes of your choice. They come in a variety of options, so you don't necessarily need to close out every last drop of sunlight if you don't want to. This is usually the best possible long-term solution and one that you likely won't even notice.
Tips for Better Protection
Closing your windows during the worst of the summer sun cannot only keep your furniture safe, but it can also lower your cooling costs as well. Condition your leather pieces once every six months or so to maintain their looks and durability. Keep delicate fabrics like silk and linen out of sunlight whenever possible, but feel free to put cotton, nylon or polyester in the spotlight. Wood can either fade or become darker when exposed to the sun's rays, depending on the specific type of wood. You can prevent odd discoloration by moving rugs or tables around to ensure that the wood isn't only exposed to sunlight from a select number of angles.
Your apartment is more than just a place where you keep your things; it's an expression of who you are. Taking care of your furniture may take some extra effort, but it's one you won't regret making. Whether you plan to keep your furniture for a year or ten years, protecting it from the sun is a smart thing to do. If you're looking for apartments in Mountlake Terrace that can give you the space and the amenities you need, call Taluswood Apartments today!
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Whether you miss spending time with your loved ones or that special someone, there is nothing quite like a traditional picnic to help you feel more connected with the ones you love. Planning a picnic doesn't have to be a chore when you follow these practical picnic tips.
Preparing a Perfect Picnic
Choose a Beautiful Spot
Although many people believe spontaneity adds to the excitement of a picnic, often if you neglect to choose where to hold your picnic beforehand, you may end up being disappointed. Although the perfect picnic spot is anywhere you want it to be, many people find a soft, grassy area in the shade is ideal.
Forget the Picnic Basket
A wicker picnic basket filled with ceramic plates, real glasses, and metal cutlery may seem like a romantic nod to tradition, but in reality, it is just not practical. Consider packing your food in two different containers. Use an insulated cooler for the items that need to stay cool and a separate container for everything else. Bring disposable paper plates and throw-away utensils.
Pack the Right Food
When it comes to picnics, there are two different, yet equally acceptable, theories for deciding which food to bring along. The first option is to go with simple finger foods such as premade sandwiches, cold chicken, or just a cheese and meat board. These foods are suitable for families with small children or those who don't want the picnic to last all afternoon. Alternatively, feel free to go all out by bringing a complete meal of salads, appetizers, a selection of main courses, sides, and dessert. This is the better option for picnics for larger groups.
Don't Forget the Extras
Now that the essentials are taken care of, don't forget to pack a few extras to make your picnic extra special. Remember a blanket to sit on. You can find waterproof blankets made for picnics online. Throw a few games such as Frisbee or a deck of cards into your picnic container for a bit of extra fun.
Our apartments in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, provide easy access to a variety of picnic sites. Taluswood Apartments offers residents stunning apartments with a long list of amenities. Call (855) 450-2838 to schedule a viewing.
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Few things hit the spot better on a warm summer day than a salad made with cool, fresh ingredients, especially when enjoyed alfresco on your patio or balcony. If you're like most people, however, you get tired of the same old green salads. Fortunately, plenty of salad options exist for residents of our apartments in Mountlake Terrace. Following are five delicious and nutritious salads perfect for enjoying on the patio/balcony on a balmy summer evening.
Avocado, Chicken and Bacon Salad
This salad is an excellent choice when you want to enjoy a dish with plenty of protein. You simply combine sliced avocados, cooked chicken chunks or strips, and bits of crumbled bacon over a bed of baby greens before pulling it all together with a drizzling of honey mustard dressing. This salad can be assembled in the morning, placed in the refrigerator and served chilled at the end of the day.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
This quintessential summer salad is perfect on the patio with a chilled glass of pinot gris or other refreshing beverage. Simply combine cucumber and tomato slices on a plate and mix them up. Apple cider dressing with mustard seeds provides a tangy finishing touch.
Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Combine canned black-eyed peas with scallions, chopped peppers and tomatoes before tossing with a mixture of vinegar, kosher salt and olive oil. Fold in fresh spinach just prior to serving. This salad is great with a nice cold glass of light beer.
Berry and Melon Salad
This salad is as simple as it sounds — just mix up your favorite berries with fresh chunks of melon, chill and enjoy. Serve it with a drizzle of raspberry vinaigrette over the top and chilled wine spritzer made with fruit juice.
Mexican Chopped Salad
Combine corn, zucchini, sweet peppers, red onions, romaine lettuce, black beans and tomatoes to create this salad. Make a dressing from lime juice, honey, minced garlic, olive oil and salt. Serve with a cold Mexican beer.
Please contact us for more information on our unique floor plans, lush, nature-inspired landscaping, heated pool and immediate access to the Creek Side Walking Trail. Our community also features wood-burning fireplaces, on-site basketball and tennis courts, and a fully equipped fitness center. Call us to learn more!
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Dinner parties are the perfect way to enjoy some good food, good friends, and good conversation. When planning your next dinner party at your Mountlake Terrace apartment, make sure that you have the must-have dinner party items listed below.
Proper Service Essential for Your Food
When preparing your dinner party, your food presentation will be an important factor. After planning your menu, make sure to gather all of the necessary items you will need to properly display and serve your food making it as easy as possible for all of your guests. If it is going to be self-serve, consider using warming trays or buffets to help ensure food stays warm for the duration.
The Perfect Place Settings
A dinner party is supposed to be an event, and there is no better way to tempt your guests than by giving them a place setting that will pique their interest as to what you will be serving. Break out your good dinnerware and make sure that you will have all the appropriate pieces for each item they will be eating. This will include the proper silverware and plates or bowls for bread, soup, salads, etc.
An Ambient Setting
Determine the atmosphere you want your party to convey and emulate it in the decor and setting. If it will be a quiet and relaxing affair, choose some appropriate dinner music making sure it is not too overpowering as to stifle conversation. Take the time to make some centerpieces for your table such as fresh flowers or other seasonal decor.
Your Best Linens
Put up the paper napkins and get out your cloth tablecloths, napkins, and chair covers making your guests feel as though they are being treated to a fine dining restaurant instead of a quick bite at a café. Make sure everything is properly pressed and folded to complete the look.
Include these must-have dinner party items at your next event to make sure your guests enjoy a night they will never forget. If you are looking for a new Mountlake Terrace, WA, apartment to plan your next dinner party at, contact Taluswood Apartments today to find the perfect floor plan for you.
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