It’s small, it’s simple, and it’s invincible – it’s velcro. This everyday material may not seem like that big of a deal, but it can actually be used for more than you would think. As an added bonus, it is very affordable and can be easily found at hardware or arts and craft stores. There are spinoff velcro products that offer even more DIY home improvement possibilities by adding a peel off adhesive to the other side, so velcro can be easily stuck and removed to affix or fasten items.
Organize – If you are having cord control issues, velcro can be the best way to easily organize loose and messy cords and cables. In addition to bundling cords, velcro can be an effective way to hold together sporting equipment like golf clubs and fishing poles.
Hanging – Velcro has powerful attachment capabilities and can be used to hang tools or household items like keys to the wall using a velcro board. It’s also a great option for hanging pictures or art securely to the walls so they stay in place.
Place holder – If you are someone who constantly misplaces household items, velcro can solve that problem in just a few seconds. Stick a piece of velcro to the end table to secure the television remote control when it’s not in use, or to the bathroom wall to place hair brushes or hair dryers.
In addition, if you have a gate without a lock that easily swings open, velcro can be a quick fix to keep it closed. As you can see, velcro can be used for many home improvement projects, so when in doubt, remember velcro!
Browse the desirable selection of apartments for rent in Metairie from 1st Lake Properties to find the perfect new apartment to move in to!
If you like sifting through a collection of various odds and ends to find one of a kind pieces for your apartment, flea markets in New Orleans are a great place to discover buried treasure and put your thriftiness to good use. If you aren’t as seasoned as dedicated flea market enthusiasts, there are some helpful tips to keep in mind before you hit the tables. Remember these pointers when heading out to the flea market in New Orleans this summer for unique, bargain shopping.
This goes for anywhere you’re shopping for furniture – bring a tape measure to confirm that the pieces you’re interested in buying will fit in the dimensions of your apartment. Make sure to bring a list of measurements from different rooms in your apartment to cross check with the size of the furniture.
Quality control is one of the biggest areas of contention when it comes to flea market finds. At first glance, certain antiques might look nearly flawless, but upon further inspection, you might find wear and tear from past usage. This goes not only for visible damage, but odors, too. If the damage isn’t too severe, you may be able to negotiate a lower price, which can be half the fun of flea markets for some people
While you should be mindful of the condition of certain items, even pieces that might need some work still have great potential. Think of ways you can repurpose old pieces by reupholstering them or updating them to work with your living space.
Finally, get out there early before the early bird shoppers have rummaged through the best of the day’s bounty.
There are many great flea markets close to 1st Lake’s Southeast Louisiana area apartments:
River Road Flea Market
3908 River Rd
New Orleans, LA 70121
(504) 831-3532
Open 10am – 5pm, Thursday through Monday
Offers more than 4,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles, with 20 different shops inside.
Freret Market
Freret St. & Napoleon Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 638-2589
Open 12pm – 4pm, the first Saturday of the month, except June, July and August
Monthly neighborhood market featuring local food, arts & crafts and flea market vendors.
No Fleas Market
4228 Magazine St
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 324-4727
Open 10am – 6pm, Monday through Saturday and 12pm – 5pm, Sunday
Resale shop that supports animal welfare. Portion of all proceeds are donated to local animal shelters and rescue groups.
Algiers Mini Mart Flea Market
2105 Behrman Hwy
New Orleans, LA 70114
(504) 361-1637
Open 7:30am – 5:30pm, Saturday and Sunday
Located on the Westbank, this sprawling flea market is more than 40 years old and features many Central American food vendors.
The Flea Market of Louisiana
15545 Airline Hwy
Prairieville, LA 70769
(225) 673-2682
Open 9am – 5pm, Saturday and Sunday
Located just outside of Baton Rouge, this flea market offers a family atmosphere and plenty of shopping.
Flea Market & RV Park at Menge
8095 Menge Ave
Pass Christian, MS 39571
(228) 452-0590
Open 8am – 5pm, Saturday and Sunday
The largest outdoor flea market on the MS Gulf Coast, offering hundreds of vendors each weekend.
For renters living in small apartments, or anyone whose apartment is lacking furniture, pegboard can be a miracle material. Pegboard can be made out of wood, cardboard or metal and is full of lines and rows of small holes. Pegboard is an extremely convenient home project material, providing additional storage which is always a plus for apartment living, while achieving a minimalist modern look. Consider pegboard for your next home improvement project!
Not sure how exactly to use pegboard? The options are seemingly infinite. Here are some ideas:
See all the convenient and comfortable apartments available in the New Orleans area from 1st Lake to make all your home improvement projects a joy!
If you’re looking for ways to bring some life and color to your apartment, a terrarium is an easy and convenient way of having plants! Plus, these low maintenance houseplants are a fun craft project for a weekend activity.
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. You can even have multiple terrariums all in one small space!
And these mini gardens don’t take up much space or require diligent caretaking. Learn how to make your own terrariums at home to elevate the air quality and look of your apartment.
Photo by @terrarium_vibes via Instagram
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 cheap 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.
And there you have it! Making terrariums is quick and easy and can be a pleasant addition to any room, desk or mantle.
Check out our available Metairie apartments for rent from 1st Lake Properties to find the perfect home for you.
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!
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
