1st Lake Rental Blog

How To Make A Terrarium

To bring some extra life and color to your apartment that also makes for a fun craft project, terrariums are easy and convenient ways of having plants. In addition to being low maintenance houseplants, terrariums don’t take up much space or require diligent caretaking. Learn how to make your own terrariums at home to enjoy that will elevate the air quality and look of your apartment.

If you don’t have enough outdoor space or sunlight to properly grow a garden at home, a terrarium is the perfect alternative for those green thumbs out there. Terrariums act as miniature gardens, which are even cuter than normal sized gardens, and you can have multiple all in one small space.

A jar terrarium (Photo courtesy of bhg.com)

Making the terrarium

To start with, find a growing container. These will likely already be sitting on a shelf or in a cabinet in your apartment, or are very low cost at any supple store. Mason jars or other glassware, like cookie jars or wine decanters work perfectly.

After you have your terrarium containers lined up, the first step is to build a base. Put 1-2 inches of wood chips, sea shells or stones at the bottom of the container. Then fill up about one third of the container with potting soil. Gently pack the soil. Next, it’s time to add in your terrarium plants. Plants for terrariums that work well are smaller, more delicate greenery like the Moon Valley plant, spider fern, nerve plant, Aurea, Aquamarine and black mondo grass. Allow enough room in the terrarium to add more soil once the plant is placed inside.

Next, pack the soil around the terrarium plants to prevent air pockets. Make sure the roots of the plants are covered by the potting soil. Place moss on top of the soil in between the plants for an added decorative green layer. Place the terrariums in a well lit area in your apartment, next to a window. Water daily or as recommended according to each plant type. Minimal maintenance is required. Plants may be trimmed if they grow out of the top of the terrarium.

There you have it. Making terrariums is quick and easy and can be a pleasant addition to any room, desk or mantle. Check out the available New Orleans apartments for rent from 1st Lake Properties to find the perfect home for you!

Watch the video below on how to make your own self sustainable jug terrarium!

Posted in Activities, Apartment Living, Decorating Ideas, Gulf South Apartments, Louisiana Apartments, Mississippi Apartments, New Orleans Apartments | No Comments »

Summer Festivals and Events for 1st Lake Residents

Spring is creeping to a close, but that means summer is right around the corner and in Louisiana, that means more festivals and fun. There is a different type of festival to suit any mood or interest – and the best part? For residents of 1st Lake’s apartments in the New Orleans area, they’re all within close and convenient distance.

Food: The Cajun and Creole food indigenous to Louisiana is so special and robust that it warrants festivals just to celebrate and enjoy certain types of fare. There are three festivals coming up in New Orleans centered around a genre or specific food. Greek Fest will be held on Bayou St. John in New Orleans’ Mid-City neighborhood from May 24-26 featuring authentic Greek food, music, dancers and other fun attractions. Oyster Fest on June 1 and 2 and Creole Tomato Fest on the weekend of June 8-9 showcasing these two Louisiana specialties. Jambalaya Festival from May 23-26 is one of the largest festivals in Louisiana, hosted in Baton Rouge featuring a jambalaya cookoff, music and carnival activities.

Drink: It’s no secret that drinking is a celebrated part of Louisiana culture and the craft cocktail scene in New Orleans has really taken off. Tales of the Cocktail, from July 17 – 21 in New Orleans will bring some of the country’s most prominent and cutting edge bartenders and mixologists to show off their skills. There will be tastings, seminars, “spirited” lunch and dinners, and many more fun events.

Music: Sharing the weekend of June 8-9 with the Creole Tomato Festival, the Louisiana Cajun Zydeco Festival will be held on two stages at the Old U.S. Mint in the New Orleans French Quarter, presenting the authentic and unique music of Louisiana’s Cajun Country. Essence Fest in New Orleans will be from July 4-7 featuring great R&B music and powerful speakers. Bayou Country Superfest is on May 25 and 26 at the LSU Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, presenting national country stars like Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert and the Zac Brown Band.

All three: The Slidell Heritage Festival will hold its 16th annual festival on Independence Day, July 4 from 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. in Slidell Heritage Park with four awesome bands, talented craft vendors and a wide range of local food.

Whether you’re a resident of 1st Lake’s New Orleans apartments, 1st Lake’s Baton Rouge apartment rentals or 1st Lake’s Slidell apartments for rent, you’ll have plenty of options for fun in the sun this summer!

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May Deals at 1st Lake Properties

Spring is in the air and life couldn’t be better in the New Orleans area. Spring is a time for renewal and fresh starts, and 1st Lake has many fantastic apartments available for doing just that.

Hickory Creek apartments in River Ridge

Oak Creek – The Oak Creek apartments in River Ridge come equipped with extra touches contributing to its luxury living environment, like burning fireplaces and European soaking tubs on the inside and tennis courts on the community grounds. Oak Creek is offering two bedrooms with two bathrooms and nine foot ceilings with personal intrusion alarms and full size washers and dryers with a leasing special that could save prospective residents up to $600.

Hickory Creek – Hickory Creek apartments in River Ridge is another community that adds to the leisurely vibe of this New Orleans suburb. Hickory Creek offers certain apartments with multiple level floor plans, ample closet space and storage, cathedral ceilings with skylights and home offices. On the exterior, residents can enjoy the tennis court, swimming pool, courtyard and manicured landscaping including creeks and fountains. Find out how you can win a free TV by leasing today.

Regency Club – Regency Club is the newest addition to 1st Lake’s apartments in Baton Rouge. The Regency Club apartments have one and two bedroom apartments available with wood burning fireplaces and private patios or balconies. 1st Lake is currently offering reduced rent and move in fees for this excellent Baton Rouge apartment community.

Lakes of Chateau Estates North and South – 1st Lake is offering an unbelievable, unbeatable move in special at these stellar apartments in Kenner. By renting an apartment today, you could be eligible to win a free vacation. To find out more about this incredible offer, as well as how you could save on rent and fully furnished apartments that are available immediately, contact 1st Lake Properties.

Posted in Apartment Guide, Apartment Specials, Louisiana Apartments, Moving In, New Orleans Apartments | No Comments »

How to Build a Home Office in Your Apartment

1st Lake offers a lot of extra room in their indoor floor plans, especially with the new renovations at River Ridge, Kenner and Metairie apartments with new added interior space. These bonus rooms can be easily converted into home offices. Before you start furnishing a home office in your apartment, use this checklist to make sure you have every home office supply you need.

Photo courtesy of radaunpl.inco

Home Office Desk – This is the most essential piece of business furniture for your home office. If there is limited room available for a large desk, there are great desk options that don’t take up a lot of room, like the IKEA Ludvig leaning desk that can be placed against the wall for a resourceful use of space.

Home Office Chair – Again, the chair is another fundamental piece of business furniture, and goes hand in hand with the office desk. Adjustable rolling chairs work best as home office chairs for mobility and the perfect balance of comfort that is firm enough to get work done and soft enough to support our body.

Bookshelf – Bookshelves are obvious storage options for any literature, workbooks and manuals relating to work. They can also offer additional storage for other items if necessary. If space conversation is a concern, ladder bookshelves lean right against the wall and take up minimal space.

Computer or Tablet – Most office work is done electronically these days, so a computer is a necessity. Desktops are preferable for an extensive and elaborate workflow, but tablets with a keyboard extension and mouse can also get the job done, especially those that Microsoft Office can be installed on.

File cabinet – If you’re working from home, then chances are you’re working with a lot of documents at your apartment. If your desk doesn’t have a built in file cabinet, there are excellent portable rolling file cabinets in all different colors that will fit under your desk to conserve space.

Reading lamp – Task lamps are often an important addition to a home office desk and provide softer, more accurate lighting than a ceiling light. There are many great new sleep LED designs that are perfect for office desks. Check out these sustainable lamps under $100 that will vamp up your functional home office design.

Office Supplies – Finally, you’ll need all the office supply essentials like desk utensils and accessories to complete your home office, like a container for pens, markers and scissors; a stapler; folder rack and desk organizer for all your gadgets and personal possessions like smart phone, tablet, keys and business cards.

After acquiring and setting up all your home office equipment, you’ll be fully prepared to work from home at one of 1st Lake’s convenient New Orleans apartments for rent.

See the video below on how to keep a home office organized once you set it up!

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Outdoor Activities for Spring in New Orleans

Spring is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Luckily for residents of 1st Lake’s apartments in the New Orleans area, there are tons of ways to have fun and exercise outdoors. Use some of our ideas for great outdoor activities and take advantage of this temperate time. All are fun for adults while being great outdoor activities for kids as well.

Enjoy outdoor activities at 1st Lake!

Jog on Lake Pontchartrain – If you are a resident of 1st Lake’s apartments in Kenner, you have the added bonus of Lake Pontchartrain right outside your door. Lake Pontchartrain provides beautiful scenery and a natural resource for fishing, boating or jogging or strolling along the banks.

Picnic at the Park – Picnics are the perfect spring activity and a way to have fun while being outside. There are great parks near 1st Lake apartments in Metairie, like Lafreniere Park, which the Lafreniere Apartments are located right next to. Since 1st Lake Properties is pet friendly, residents will love bringing their dog to the Bonnabel Boat Launch Dog Park and Lafreniere Bark located inside Lafreneire park.

Fishing – Because Louisiana is part of the Gulf Coast, it offers many beautiful waterways that provide many opportunities for outdoor spring activities. There are a number of places to go fishing near 1st Lake Apartments, including the fishing community of Covington where the modern Brewster Commons apartments are located, as well as at the St. Tammany Parish fishing pier near the Audubon Gates apartments in Slidell.

Go Swimming – Many, if not most, of 1st Lake’s apartments come with beautiful and luxurious swimming pools for residents to enjoy. In addition, the Brewster Commons apartments in Covington are near the resort style Stone Creek Club and Spa, complete with fitness classes and equipment, tennis courts, spa, children’s programs and of course a large, immaculate swimming pool.

Posted in Activities, Apartment Guide, Apartment Living, Lifestyle Tips, Louisiana Apartments, New Orleans Apartments, Resident Information | No Comments »