Category Archives: Go Green

Blooms for Your Apartment’s Indoor & Outdoor Spaces

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Now that spring is here and the weather is finally starting to warm up, it’s the perfect time to start planning your apartment garden. Whether you like to turn your patio into a full blown garden or you prefer to only step outside in between your door and your car, there are lots of ways to incorporate living plants into your spring decor.

If you live in an apartment with a patio or balcony, you have several planting options available. Bold, bright colors are trending for spring. Choose a colorful pot as your foundation piece. We love these bright planters from Hip Haven.

Florals are also a huge fashion and design trend for 2013, so don’t be afraid to go literal with it. Choose colorful blooms like Hydrangeas for shady spots or Million Bells if you get a lot of sun. You can choose contrasting colors for a funky feel or go monochromatic for a more sophisticated look.

Balcony Garden

Image via Houzz

If you have an apartment with a balcony, window boxes that are made to affix to railings allow you to enjoy plants without taking up valuable floor space. Plus, they make all your hard work  more visible, so you have the added bonus of being a great neighbor.

Outdoor plants

Imag via A+R.

If you’re not a fan of the outdoors or are a bit more limited with space outside of your apartment, there are still ways to flex your green thumb. Most blooming flowers do best outdoors, but there are some colorful plants that do well indoors too. Good options include Kalanchoe and Orchids, but your options aren’t limited to just those if you’re keeping your plants indoors. Plants like Fiddleleaf Figs and Jade Plants create a lush, fresh vibe in any room.

Using wheat grass in simple, white containers is a very modern, non-fussy way to incorporate indoor plants.

wheat grass

Image via Delia Creates

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Using outdoor pots for your indoor plants creates a sense of unexpected drama. Just make sure you place them on a rimmed plate to catch runoff water.

Ok, we’ve said enough. Now it’s time to get out there and make it happen. In the meantime, if you want to learn more about our apartment amenities like private balconies, check out our website.

 

Tips for Keeping Energy Costs Down This Spring & Summer

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Recent temperatures are reminding us of the South’s tendency to sometimes jump into summer or revert back to winter. And when the mercury starts climbing, we know it will be tempting to turn on the air conditioner in your apartment to escape the heat and humidity. However, starting up the air conditioner too early or too often – in combination with regular use of all your apartment’s other appliances – could lead to energy bills that may be higher than you’d like.

keeping energy costs down in an apartmentTo help you prepare for the warmer months ahead, here are a few tips that can help you manage energy consumption to keep bills at bay.

  • Check, clean, and open vents. If you’ve turned the air on and your apartment isn’t getting any cooler, inspect your vents to see if they are closed. Open them, if needed, and be sure to clean them of any dirt or dust for optimal airflow.
  • Adjust your furniture. Apartment Therapy suggests checking to see if any piece of furniture could be blocking your air conditioning vents. In addition to increasing the amount of cool air flowing through your place, it’s a great excuse for giving your apartment a new look!
  • Put ceiling fans on the “cool” setting. If your apartment has ceiling fans, be sure to place them on the “cool” setting during the warmer months. This will help them run more efficiently and help circulate cool air.
  • Use window treatments like blackout curtains. TLC advises using blackout curtains to help keep energy costs down. There are lots of blackout curtains available, so make sure you look for the kind that is designed to keep heat out.
  •  Check your fridge. Other appliances in your apartment could be contributing to higher energy costs as well if they aren’t running efficiently. TLC estimates that about 25% of a renter’s energy bill goes to the fridge. Inspect your fridge to make sure it closes and seals properly, and keep compressor coils clean to keep it running efficiently.
  • Washing machines and dishwashers consume energy, too. MoneyCrashers offers the following advice for keeping energy costs down with these appliances: Use cold water to wash clothes, and never run the dishwasher when it’s only half full. Also, let your dishes air dry rather than running them through the drying cycle.

What do you do to keep energy costs down during the spring and summer? Leave a comment to share with us!

Image courtesy of Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Simple Ways to Celebrate Earth Day 2013

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The 43rd anniversary of Earth Day is coming up on April 22! Each year on this date, adults, students, civic organizations, and communities come together under the shared goal of “acknowledging the amazing planet we call home and taking action to protect it.”

The thought of taking action to protect the Earth may seem monumental, but truthfully, even small projects you can do on your own make a difference in the long run. If you’re looking for a way to contribute to Earth Day 2013, below are a few simple ways you can participate.

Plant a Container Garden – Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t be a gardener! You can easily set up a container garden on your apartment’s balcony or patio with flowers, tomatoes, strawberries, herbs, or other delicious fruits and vegetables.

planting a container garden for Earth Day

Take Public Transportation, Ride Your Bike, or Walk – It’s always tempting to simply drive yourself, but fewer cars on the road mean fewer pollutants in the air. Use public transportation, ride your bike, or just walk to your destination if you can. You can also check to see which neighbors work in the same area as you and arrange a carpool.

Use Energy-Saving Power Strips or Surge Protectors – We live in a technological world and it seems that there is always something that needs to be charged. Be careful when selecting a power strip or surge protector for your apartment. Look for one that will help “eliminate ‘phantom power’ waste…the little bit of power many devices draw even when they’re switched off.”

Recycle! – We’re all familiar with the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” but often we only think of items like glass and paper when recycling. There are tons of other items that can be recycled, including old electronics like TVs and computers. The Environmental Protection Agency has some helpful information available for those looking to recycle their old electronic devices.

Clean Up a Park – If you’re looking for a way to contribute to Earth Day outside of your apartment, consider helping clean up a nearby park. All you need is a few trash bags, gloves, and some friends to make it happen. In fact, the Atlanta area is invited to volunteer with us on May 18th as we tackle the Dunwoody Nature Center and the Atwood Community Garden. If you’re interested in helping us out, please RSVP here.

earth day activities

Look for a Green Apartment Community – Take going green to a new level by looking for a green apartment community for your next home, like TriBridge’s Atlanta property Enso.

If you’re looking for more ideas or Earth Day events near your community, check out the Earth Day website for more information.

How will you celebrate and participate in Earth Day this year? Leave a comment below or on our Facebook page with your plans.

 

 

Image 1 via Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net; Image 2 via Marcus / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Ways to Conserve Water & Save on Utility Bills

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Use Less Water

Image via MorgueFile

With the average annual water bill coming in at $335 and expected to rise in the coming years, water conservation means a healthier environment and a healthier bank account. The good news is that there are dozens of ways to conserve water in your apartment. Whether your apartment community uses Conservice or another provider, the following tips and links to websites will provide more in-depth information on some of the most effective ways to conserve water.

Study Up

Make sure you actually read your water bill every month. This advice is not emphasized enough. Simply being aware of how much water you use can go a long way towards changing your behavior. Over time, you’ll be able to pick up on patterns of when your water usage is the lowest and the highest so you can use this information to your advantage.

DIY

As a renter, you don’t always get to decide which appliances and fixtures your home will be equipped with. But Mother Nature Network shares this clever trick on creating your own low-flush toilet. Simply put a plastic water bottle filled with rocks or sand in your toilet tank. Sounds simple right? It is!

Soak it Up

This water saving tip for frugal renters is so obvious we couldn’t believe we didn’t think of it ourselves. There are tons of water conservation sites that will say you have to adopt a life of strict 5-minute showers. But sometimes a hot bath is exactly what you need at the end of the day. Instead of swearing them off, just be smarter about it. Most people run the bath water and wait for the water to reach the desired temperature. This makes sense for a shower, but for a bath you can plug the tub up from the start and just adjust as needed to make sure it’s the perfect temperature.

An Even “Greener” Thumb

We’ve all heard the tip about turning the faucet off when you’re not actually using water. But no one wants to step into an ice cold shower while they’re waiting for the water to warm up. You don’t have to watch all that cold water go down the drain. Simply place a container or bucket under your shower head to catch some of that water. It can be reused to water plants.

Easy Street

This tip isn’t so much creative as it is simple, so simple in fact that we had to include it. Leaking faucets and pipes can add up to significant water waste over the course of the year. Letting your community’s team members know about these issues as quickly as possible not only makes your home more comfortable but it also cuts back on water loss. Typically, these services are free to you as long as the leak wasn’t caused by damage. All you have to do is submit a work order!

Additional tips we can offer to our renters looking to save on their water bills include the following:

  • When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
  • Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. This can save you up to 1,000 gallons of water a month! Also, when doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
  • Don’t use running water to thaw frozen foods. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
  • Teach children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
  • Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
  • Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
  • Drop used Kleenex tissue in the trash instead of flushing it.
  • Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator for cold drinks instead of running the tap.
  • Turn off the water while you lather to wash your hands and while you shave. Turning the water off while you shave can save up to 300 gallons a month.

While some of these methods may sound silly, we think these are useful tips that when put into practice can positively impact your life as well as the environment! If you have other creative water saving tips for renters, share them with us on our Facebook page.

 

Find New Friends and Live Green at Enso Apartments in Atlanta

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One of the greatest aspects of living in the South is that the word “family” extends far beyond blood relations. In many communities, neighbors quickly become family members that you can call on at any time for any reason, and the residents of Enso in East Atlanta are no different. 

apartments in Atlanta

Upon your first visit to Enso, you’ll find smiling faces and friendly neighbors ready to welcome you into this tight-knit community. In no time, you’ll be planning get-togethers with your new-found friends. For instance, Enso is such a pet friendly community that many people often meet and bond over their dogs at Enso’s bark park. 

Beyond the friendly and hospitable atmosphere at Enso, you’ll find an apartment community developed and built with sustainability at its core.  As a matter of fact, Enso is the only apartment community in Atlanta to achieve LEED Certification from the United States Green Building Council! Without compromising comfort, luxury, or quality, Enso makes it easy to be eco-friendly with Energy Star appliances, programmable thermostats, rain water harvesting, water efficient kitchen and bath fixtures, high efficiency air conditioning, recycling and repurposing solutions, and more! 

apartments in Atlanta

Within the doors of Enso’s apartments in midtown, you’ll discover beautiful interior spaces where you’ll love hosting family, friends, and neighbors for a casual dinner, game night, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee together. These posh living spaces feature gorgeous Baltic Brown and White Tiger granite countertops, Espresso cabinets with designer hardware, Italian glass backsplashes and ceramic tile in the kitchens and baths, designer-style lighting, and walk-in closets – just to name a few. Plus, Enso boasts some of the best views of the city.

apartments in Atlanta

In addition to Enso’s green features and comfortable apartments, there are lots of fabulous amenities residents can take advantage of, like:

  • A covered parking garage
  • Game Room with Billiard and Foosball tables
  • Fitness classes like Spin, Zumba, and Boot Camp
  • Personal trainers
  • Resort-style salt water pool with an aqua deck
  • Bike stations
  • Sky Lounge
  • Gas grills and fire pits
On top of all this, there is so much to do and see in this great location! Enso is just down the street from Little Five Points, the Edgewood Plaza, and Grant Park. Our residents enjoy dining out at restaurants like Drip, Vickery’s Sports Bar and Grill, Matadors Mexican Cantina, and The Shed on Glenwood. Shoppers love to pop into shops like BouChic, Pink Sky, and 3 Parks Win. Enso is also very close to Downtown locales like the Capitol, the Georgia Dome, and other Atlanta hot spots – there’s never a dull moment living here!
 
Enso is even close to the airport and the highlands, making it a great location for everyone. In fact, Beulah Heights Christian Community College, Georgia State University, Morehouse College, Spellman College, and Clarke University are also in the vicinity, providing individuals with all the comforts of home while they pursue further education.

apartments in Atlanta

So, wouldn’t you like to call Enso home, too? If so, visit the Enso website or call 404-872-3676 for more information and to plan a visit.