The post How to Care for Your Furniture During the Summer appeared first on Taluswood Apartments Blog.
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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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Kebabs are a natural part of summer—and for good reason. They're easy to make, delicious to eat, and fun to put together. But just because kebabs are easy to make doesn't mean that they're easy to perfect. To get better kebabs this season, it's time to consider a few tips to make your grilling picture-perfect.
Soak the Skewers
Bamboo skewers can burn if you're not careful, which doesn't exactly make for good eats. You can soak the skewers in water or buy presoaked skewers so you can grill whenever you like. If you grill all the time, consider freezing a huge packet of skewers so that you won't have to worry about whether or not you have enough. You can also save a few bucks this way by buying in bulk.
Aim for Fat
Fat can get a bad reputation today, but when it comes to grilling, it's the only way to go. Whether you're grilling steak, lamb, or pork, it's the marbling from the fat that ensures you get a moist kebab at the end of the grilling session. Make sure that all of your meat is sliced evenly so that it all cooks through in just a few minutes. You can also leave a little space along the skewer so that you can get the crispiness you crave.
Add the Extras
Use vegetables that can stand up to some pressure on the grill. Onions and peppers are thick and durable enough to cook alongside the meat without charring or breaking apart. Carrots will take too long to soften, which can make for overcooked meat. You can thread things like lemon slices onto the skewer so you know they won't fall off when grilling. Consider adding salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to up the flavor quotient.
Making kebabs your go-to meal this season is never the wrong way to go. They're customizable enough that you can have them multiple nights in a row and not get bored! If you're looking for more culinary options in your life, consider checking out Taluswood Apartments this summer. Our Mountlake Terrace apartments may be just what you need to take your grilling skills to the next level. Give us a call to learn more about our apartment community!
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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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Are you a wine aficionado who occasionally likes to mix it up with cocktails? If so, you're in luck — there are many ways to enjoy the best of both worlds. Following are just five of the many creative and delicious ways that wine-loving residents of our apartments in Mountlake Terrace can enjoy their favorite wines in cocktails.
Peach and White Wine Cocktail
This concoction is ideal for sipping on a warm summer afternoon. Simply mix peach juice, a touch of sparkling water, and your favorite white wine, and for an extra kick, a splash or two of peach brandy. Garnish with fresh peaches and a sprig of mint.
Mint and Apple Red Wine Cocktail
Place fresh mint leaves and apple juice in a cocktail shaker, muddle together, and add your choice of red wine and shaved ice. Carefully strain into chilled martini glasses, garnish with a sprig of mint, and serve. This cocktail is an excellent choice when the occasion calls for a touch of elegance.
Mexican Pinot Noir Cocktail
Mix your favorite tequila with grapefruit soda, agave nectar, a splash of lime juice, pinot noir, and shaved ice and shake them up in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a chilled glass, garnish with a slice of lime, and serve with your favorite Mexican entrée. Although the grapefruit juice adds a sour note, the agave nectar nonetheless keeps this on the sweet side. This cocktail is particularly welcome when summer temperatures soar.
Tropical Chardonnay Cocktail
Chardonnay usually isn't associated with tropical flavors, but it blends perfectly with rum, pineapple juice, and a splash of vanilla bean syrup. Blend these in a cocktail shaker with some shaved ice, strain into tall, chilled glasses, and garnish with a fresh piece of pineapple.
Grape Vodka and Sparkling Wine Cocktail
This one is easy to whip up in a flash when you need to come up with a sophisticated adult beverage in a short amount of time. Mix grape-flavored vodka with lemon juice, your favorite sparkling white wine, and a splash of simple syrup for added sweetness, and strain through a cocktail shaker with some shaved ice.
Our community in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, features immediate access to the Creek Side Walking Trail. Give us a call today to find out more about our available floor plans.
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Decorating for spring is a lot of fun. It means summer is coming to our apartments here in Mountlake Terrace. If you are looking for simple but fun ways to add a bit of spring flair to your apartment’s décor, these tips are sure to give you some ideas. At Taluswood Apartments, we can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Tips for Decorating Success
There are many ways to decorate your apartment with a spring theme. You do not have to spend much to create a vibrant like-new space. These tips will help you.
Bring the Outdoors In
Spring is about growth and new life. It can help to bring some of that natural beauty into your home. Choose a few beautiful and brightly colored plants to add to the table. It is a good idea to keep things simple, so you do not have to spend a lot of time maintaining them. You can also simply open the windows up a bit more. This allows more sunlight to pour into your space. It can also help a nice spring breeze to come in – that can help you to set the tone for the perfect season.
Bring Spring Colors Into Your Home
Add a few throw pillows. Purchase a new blanket for the couch. This time, choose vibrant colors such as bright green and yellow. You may also wish to add a few new pictures to the wall that offer these new color schemes. Change up the window coverings, too.
Create a New Display
It is common to add a few too many odds and ends to shelves over the winter months. This is a great time to clear it all away to add more of a freshness to your home. For example, remove items from shelving. Replace them with new items you have or create a new display of your favorite photos from last summer. The key here is to focus on items that bring a smile to your face.
Looking for a Fresh Start This Spring?
For those ready for a brand new apartment to decorate and call home this spring, contact our team at Taluswood Apartments. We are happy to give you a tour of our available apartments in Mountlake Terrace, WA.
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