Published on: 03 December 2018
Last Updated on: 19 July 2019
Stone veneers are a popular but often misunderstood product, though they’re slowly increasing in popularity. Installing stone veneer is a rather affordable way to add value to your property and improve the overall curb appeal. Let’s take a look at what stone veneers are and the main types of stone veneers on the market. Then we’ll share how you can increase the value of your home with stone veneers and where you may want to have them installed.
An Introduction to Stone Veneers:
Stone veneer refers to any outward facing material made from stone that is not designed to be load bearing. You can find both thin and full stone veneers. Full veneers are three to five inches thick and weigh far more than “thin” veneers. Thin veneers are three-quarters of an inch to one and a half inches thick. Because they are thinner, there is less time and labor required to install them. Thick “full” veneers may require advanced engineering to keep them in place, while thin stone veneers may be supported by the wall. Thin veneers can often be used on taller or higher projects. Now let’s look at how stone veneers add value to your home.
The Aesthetic Value:
Stone has a natural look and feel. Kafka natural stone veneer, for instance, comes in a variety of styles and finishes, so you can select the type that either matches the natural environment or accentuates it. You’ll create a look that will not only be a timeless classic but one that appears upscale, as the real stone is so expensive. This explains why a stone veneer project has roughly a 92% return on investment when you sell your home. Your home will also stand out from those around it that are clad in brick or vinyl siding.
The Simplicity:
Stone veneers meet pretty much all applicable building code requirements. Note that if you like the look of stone but don’t want to redo the entire home, you could have a stone accent wall put on the front of your home, or create stone pillars on the porch. Or you could put stone veneers around a gas or electric fireplace to make it resemble a real, stone fireplace without the time, cost and engineering changes necessary for a new stone fireplace installation.
The Structural Benefits:
Stone is very durable. After all, it takes a long time to weather. This makes stone an excellent choice for the exterior of your home; it will survive repeated freezes and thaws. A stone veneer wall can typically weather abuse by mother nature and casual impacts. It is water-repellent, pest-resistant and otherwise one of the most durable options on the market.
The Economic Benefits:
A properly installed stone veneer is maintenance free; you won’t have to repaint it as the colors won’t fade on exposure to sunlight or flake off with rain and wind. You won’t have to replace it in a few years because it has warped due to exposure to the elements. And as mentioned, stone veneers make a home appear high-end, resulting in higher offers for the property when you try to sell it.
Stone veneers provide you with the best of both worlds. They provide the durability, attractiveness, and strength of stone. This is all without the high cost and advanced engineering requirements necessary to install full stone walls.
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Feeling a bit homesick while away at college is pretty common and almost everyone goes through it at some point. And, if you are a student living abroad in student housing, it might be even more difficult for you.
Feeling a bit homesick while away at college is pretty common, and almost everyone goes through it at some point. And, if you are a student living abroad in student housing, it might be even more difficult for you.
After all, being in a different environment, like student apartments, can sometimes make you feel disconnected from home. First things first, you might need to find apartments near campus so that you can at least save some commute time.
The good news is — there are several other strategies that’ll help you make your new place feel just like your own house. Let’s keep reading to know more about it.
Let’s keep reading to know more about it.
1: Add a Little Bit More Light
Improving the brightness of your living space is essential for comfort and health. Dim or insufficient lighting can create a dreary atmosphere, making your student accommodation feel cramped and less inviting. Enhancing the illumination may also create a curious illusion of spaciousness, akin to the roominess of your bedroom back home.
If your current light fixtures aren't effective, consider investing in stylish lamps to brighten up your place. Not only will this boost the ambiance, but it'll also revive the space, making it feel more lively and homely. Choosing lamps that align with your personal style will not only add a touch of flair but also bring back the cozy feelings of home that you're missing.
2: Instill Life in Those Lifeless Walls
If your new apartment has plain white walls and feels a bit empty, bringing in cherished photos or posters can liven up the space.
Whether it's capturing your family moments or displaying images of beloved sports icons, incorporating these elements, can personalize your living area.
Consider engaging a professional house painter in CT or a painting company in Prospect, CT, to introduce more depth and texture to your walls with a fresh coat of paint.
3: The Plants… Don’t Forget Them
If you enjoy plants but lack the time or skill for care, consider placing a few low-maintenance plants in your student apartment.
They can bring color, improve air quality, and enliven your living area effortlessly.
However, if you don't have the time or inclination for plant care, there are a lot of attractive artificial plants available that can still lend a sense of style and coziness to your new home.
4: Blankets, Rugs, and Pillows Can Be Your Best Friend
Simple tile, carpets, or hardwood floors might lack excitement.
To spruce things up, consider adding stylish throw rugs to your apartment—they not only enhance decor and color but also bring comfort and a personal touch.
Additionally, throwing blankets and vibrant pillows on sofas and chairs might further elevate your space with a touch of flair.
5: Gather Your Favorite Food and Stuff
Food serves as a strong cultural link and a way to bring people together, although it can also spark heated debates like the pineapple pizza controversy. It holds significant value in our lives, often tied to cherished family recipes.
Exploring those recipes with loved ones can be a wonderful experience. Yet, not all favorite dishes originate from family recipes; some hail from local restaurants.
Recreating these meals can be achieved through copycat recipes found online or by purchasing specialty sauces or dishes from these establishments. If all else fails, discovering new eateries can lead to new culinary favorites and create fresh memories.
6: Make Your Space Smell Better
Is there a particular aroma that evokes the feeling of being home? It could be the comforting scent of your mom's Sunday morning cinnamon buns or the nostalgic fragrance of garden flowers from your childhood bedroom.
Whatever brings you that sense of security, consider finding ways to incorporate that smell into your space. If burning candles isn't an option in your apartment, there are alternatives like oil diffusers, wax melts, and candle warmers that can help recreate that familiar scent.
7: Have a Motivating Study Space
In college, studying is inevitable. While some apartments offer study rooms, you might opt to carve out your own study nook within your place.
Thankfully, the additional room in an apartment lets you craft a cozy workspace to ease the studying grind. Locate a peaceful corner with minimal interruptions. Then, deck it out with a comfy chair, a quality reading lamp, and enjoyable stationery to amp up your study vibes.
8: Cozy and Ambient Lighting
Fluorescent lights commonly found in dorm rooms might not be appealing. Instead, opt for a stylish desk lamp for your study area or a larger floor lamp to illuminate the entire space.
You could also think about getting a budget-friendly light timer to automatically switch on your lamps in the evening.
Walking into a softly lit room late at night creates a much more inviting atmosphere than entering a completely dark space.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I personalize my student apartment on a budget?
Personalizing on a budget is possible! Consider using affordable decor items like posters, string lights, and inexpensive furniture. DIY projects and second-hand stores are also great options.
Q: What are some easy ways to add a personal touch to my living space?
Incorporate items that reflect your personality, such as photos, artwork, or memorabilia. Adding throw pillows, rugs, and curtains in your favorite colors can also make a significant difference.
Q: How can I maximize storage in a small apartment without making it feel cluttered?
Optimize vertical space with shelves and organizers. Use under-bed storage bins, wall-mounted hooks, and multi-functional furniture like ottomans with hidden storage to keep things organized.
Q: Can I paint the walls of my student apartment, or are there alternative options for adding color?
Check with your landlord first regarding painting. If not allowed, use removable wallpaper, wall decals, or large fabric panels to add color and personality without causing damage.
Q: How can I create a productive study space within my apartment?
Choose a quiet area with good lighting and invest in a comfortable chair and desk.
Personalize the space with motivating quotes, plants, and organizational tools to make it conducive to studying.
Q: Are there any low-maintenance plants that are suitable for a student apartment?
Yes, consider plants like snake plants, pothos, or succulents that require minimal care. These can add a touch of nature to your space without demanding too much attention.
Q: Any advice for maintaining a clean and organized apartment?
Develop good habits, such as cleaning up after yourself daily and having a designated place for everything. Regular decluttering sessions and a cleaning schedule can help maintain a tidy and organized living space.
Read Also:
How To Quickly Rent An Apartment In New York?
Things You Can Do to Your Apartment to Raise Its Value
7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment
One of the most used herbs in the world, cilantro, is also referred to as Chinese parsley or Coriandrum sativum. Fresh and zesty, cilantro gives your recipes a flavor boost. Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, Mediterranean, Chinese, African, and even Scandinavian cuisines use it extensively. Even cilantro microgreens are grown from it!
Since cilantro itself doesn't keep well and loses aroma and flavor once dried, most people prefer to use it fresh. To have cilantro on hand, you should also have a few plants in the garden.
You can harvest the plant for its flavorful cilantro seeds, also known as coriander, even if you don't use the leaves in your recipes. The leaves of the cilantro plants come throughout the spring and summer. Allow them to go to seed at that time since they grow easily in the garden!
You must know how to harvest cilantro properly if you want to have a steady supply. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about harvesting cilantro.
Harvesting Cilantro: Overview
Most people either love or hate the flavor of cilantro leaves. However, you should still think about cultivating a few coriander plants in your garden and saving the seeds for a range of culinary uses.
Most people in the US grow this delicious herb for its leaves. But the tasty coriander seeds are also worth harvesting. They have a distinct flavor from cilantro leaves. This fragrant herb of the cool season, cilantro, quickly goes to seed in the long, sweltering summer months.
As the plant reaches higher in the sky, its rounded, lobed leaves become feathery. Pretty clusters of tiny white blossoms quickly emerge. Many pollinators are drawn to these nectar- and pollen-rich blossoms, particularly syrphid flies and honeybees. Little round coriander seeds with a kelly green color emerge as the blossoms start to fade.
What To Expect from Cilantro?
The distinctive flavor of coriander is citrusy and slightly nutty. It goes incredibly well with rice, beans, lentils, and roasted or grilled veggies. You can pick the seeds while they are still young and vibrant green. Or you can wait until they start to turn brown.
Since green coriander seed is only found in gardens, it is better to harvest them when they are still green because of their stronger, more distinct flavor. You will not find them in the farmers’ market or the grocery store.
If the seeds are kept in a glass container with a lid, then they can be refrigerated for several weeks and frozen effectively as well. Wait until most of the seed turns brown if you want to harvest the mature brown seed for winter grinding or planting next year.
Next, trim off a few inches of stalk and the seed heads, then hang them upside down in a brown paper bag. The seeds will drop out of the heads and land in the bag's bottom once they are completely dry. The dry seed should be kept in a dry, cool place in a glass jar with a lid.
For optimal flavor, grind it just before using. The flavor difference between freshly ground coriander seed and the pre-ground variety typically found in stores will astound you. Try adding green coriander seeds to dressings and marinades. Frequently adding an equal amount of ground coriander to recipes that call for cumin makes the flavors of the two go particularly well together.
How to Harvest Cilantro?
The most exciting aspect of growing plants is undoubtedly harvesting. Pick individual cilantro leaves if you plan to use a small amount. It is best to leave at least 1-2 inches of stem above the soil's surface when harvesting larger quantities of cilantro.
It is preferable to leave a few lower leaves on the plant to support the herbs until they grow back. To cut the stems cleanly, use harvesting snips, long reach harvesting snips, or sharp, sterilized garden shears. To guarantee that your herbs regrow, it is best to remove only a small portion of the plant at a time.
Furthermore, when the cilantro plant blooms and sets seed, the herb may start to taste bitter. So, when wondering how to harvest cilantro, it is preferable to harvest before the plant bolts because the leaves will be less appetizing at that point.
When is The Best Time to Harvest Cilantro?
When the morning dew has cleared and the sun hasn't set, it's the ideal time of day to harvest a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including cilantro. This way you can lessen the stress on your cilantro plant and give the fresh stock cuts enough time to dry before dusk, which lowers the risk of illness.
Before it bolts, harvest cilantro when it is 6 to 8 inches tall. The flavor of cilantro leaves significantly decreases after they have bolted. The lifespan of the cilantro plants can be increased by careful and routine harvesting. It is crucial, though, to wait for your plant to become established before beginning to harvest.
The plant develops numerous long, thin stems as it grows. They are ready to be harvested when the stems are long, and the leaves have a lacy appearance. The cilantro herbs are about ten to twelve inches tall at this point. Gather your cilantro in the spring and into the first part of the summer.
Your plants may bolt to seed if summertime full sun conditions prove to be too hot for them. The best time to harvest cilantro is early morning. You can either choose to harvest it once a week or source just individual leaves whenever you need them.
Most of the time, it takes about 2-3 weeks for regrowth, so you must harvest accordingly. You must remember that regular cut-and-come-again harvesting is the most ideal while the plant keeps producing foliage.
How To Store Fresh Cilantro?
Part of knowing how to harvest cilantro is also knowing how to store them. It's best to know how much you should take from the garden before you harvest. You will need to learn how to store cilantro if you do not intend to use the leaves right away to extend its shelf life. There are several approaches to try.
Storing Cilantro in Water
To keep the cilantro leaves dry, wait to wash them after harvesting. For storage purposes, store the stem ends in a glass or jar with 1 to 1.5 inches of water and refrigerate for a few days. At a minimum, change the water once a day. Use a plastic bag to cover the top loosely to preserve the humidity surrounding the herbs.
Storing Cilantro in The Freezer
Freezing cilantro is another low-maintenance way to store it. Shake off any extra moisture and rinse the leaves to get rid of any garden soil. Tear the leaves into small pieces and stuff them into ice cube trays, covering the herb with just enough water to barely cover.
You can pre-measure if you'd like to ensure that you know precisely how much is in each cube for recipes in the future. After the cubes are completely frozen, place them in a freezer bag. Add as needed to marinade, smoothies, soups, and sauces. You can freeze cilantro for up to six or eight months.
Read More: Everything You Need To Know About Harvesting Basil
How To Dry Cilantro?
There are two methods for drying cilantro. You can use the oven to dry cilantro. Since hot air can greatly affect the flavor of the finished and dried herb, you might want to avoid using heat if you want to enjoy flavorful dried cilantro.
Air drying or hanging drying is a better way to dry cilantro. Gather the stems of the herbs into a small bunch and secure them with a string. Place the bunch in a dark, well-ventilated area and hang it upside down. Alternatively, you can wrap the bunch in a brown paper bag to keep the cilantro from getting dusty.
After the bunch has been hanging for about a week, begin to check its level of dryness every day or two. It's ready to be crushed or powdered and stored for later use when it crumbles when touched.
Cure the cilantro ahead of time to reduce the possibility of mold growth. Put the dried cilantro in a glass mason jar to cure. Open the jar and give it a good shake every day to let fresh air into it and mix the contents. This will assist in achieving moisture content parity. If you'd like, you can also include a moisture-absorbing packet.
How To Harvest Cilantro Seeds?
You can harvest the coriander seeds even if you don't like cilantro leaves. The plant can grow to 20 inches when it flowers. This requires temperatures above 75 degrees. Pods will form once they have flowered, and the flowers will fade.
Before being harvested, these should be green to brown in color. These pods release the mature seed when it's ready. Tie the stems with the seed pods still attached into a bunch. Next, hang them upside down in a paper bag in a cool, dry place to harvest the seeds.
With time, the seeds will sprout and drop into the bag. Store your seeds in a dry, cool place in an airtight jar. Unground dried seeds can be kept for three to four years in storage. Before using dried seeds in your recipes, grind them for the best flavor.
How To Harvest Cilantro So It Keeps Growing?
If you sow cilantro seeds every two weeks from spring until late summer, you can be sure to always have fresh leaves available. We advise chopping them up and firmly packing them into an ice cube tray filled with water. Then, just place the tray in the freezer. These can then be added directly to hot pans when preparing soups or sauces. Or they can be dropped into hot or cold water for cooking or drinking.
What To Do If Cilantro Bolts?
It's time to collect and preserve your own coriander seeds once your plant produces seeds. Picture each of those tiny white blossoms turning into a flavorful spice for your cooking or seeds for the following year! In addition to being aesthetically pleasing and tasty, cilantro flowers are also excellent pollinators.
There is a short window of time when the growing seasons of cilantro and tomatoes coincide. This proves they go well together. It usually happens that my tomato and pepper plants are just starting to take off when my cilantro plants bolt, sending forth gorgeous white flowers.
To maximize the amount of fruit your plants produce for you, beneficial insects that are feeding on your cilantro flowers will collide with your fruiting plants, vibrate their leaves, and assist in pollination. Ladybugs, butterflies, and bees all love cilantro flowers. It truly is a win-win!
Choose Slow Bolt Seeds
Seek out seed packets labeled "long-standing" or "slow bolt cilantro," as these varieties have been cultivated to endure longer in the garden. You can find your go-to slow bolt seeds that are 100% certified organic from Seeds of Change.
Finding a local seed producer is another smart move. Buying local seeds means you'll be growing a climate-adapted variety of cilantro, which increases the likelihood that you'll keep it longer.
Harvest Cilantro Regularly
Regularly chop your cilantro leaves. This preserves the health of the plant and guarantees that the leaves of this herb are fresh when you use them. Your cilantro will continue to produce new leaves from the center of the plant if you regularly harvest it by chopping off the older outer leaves.
Additionally, your chances of cutting off those immature flower stalks increase with the amount of cilantro you harvest. This will aid in postponing any bolting.
Since cilantro is incredibly obstinate, you can delay as long as you can. Cut that thick center stalk as soon as possible. After that, the plant will start to send outside shoots, giving you a little extra cilantro before it eventually bolts completely. For sun protection, surround your cilantro with tall plants.
Plant Taller Plants Around Cilantro for Sun Protection
Encircle your cilantro with large warm-season plants (like tomato or pepper plants) so that the taller plants can shade your herbs slightly and help keep the soil cooler as the temperatures rise. After all, four to six hours of sun is sufficient for cilantro to grow. To increase the lifespan of your cilantro in the garden, interplant it with larger plants.
Wrapping Up
You will need to have patience if you want to collect the seeds for your cilantro. Before seeds can be harvested, cilantro needs to blossom. Before harvesting, the resulting seed heads need to be allowed to dry on the plant for a while.
Harvesting the seeds is then as simple as shaking them into a paper bag or chopping off the entire seedhead and placing it inside the bag. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about how to harvest cilantro, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
Read Also:
Asparagus 101: When, How, And How Often To Harvest?
Some Facts You Need to Know About Rainwater Harvesting
How to Harvest Lettuce: A Step-by-Step Guide for Fresh and Crispy Salads
Grass or greenery has various health benefits to humans. The green color energizes you, makes you active and looks great in front of your home. But maintaining the grass is very tough, especially when you have a tight daily routine with you. Meeting the work deadlines is difficult enough and consumes the boastful energy in of the day, and taking out time for gardening does not seem possible at all. Although weekends seem to be empty they are already piled with other necessary projects.
Installation of the artificial turf can be very helpful for those who have less time to maintain their green packs around their homes. Artificial grass can be way helpful and here are top 7 reasons to get an artificial turf at your home.
Top 7 reasons to get installed an artificial turf :
While getting artificial grass, it is really hard to differentiate between the real one, unless you have a closer look. Another good point is less maintenance after you have installed the artificial grass.
1. Forget mowing :
Well, sounds strange, but it’s true! With the artificial turf, you don’t have to mow your garden. This stuff does not grow and remains clean and tidy until its lifetime. You can avail the turf is varying lengths and heights of the grass flacks, allowing you to transform your garden the way you want it.
2. Yes! No more watering :
Maintaining the garden might be a good habit and necessity, but it needs proper timing. But the artificial grass won't turn brown, die or create bare patches in the streaming summers. So, there is no necessity to water this grass and it provides the similar look the year-round, makes your home exterior looks superior to others.
3. No feeding or sowing :
With natural grass, you have to feed it with organic feed, insecticides, or sowing. This is done to avoid patching in the grass which looks awful. Most of the time pets and placing outdoor furniture make these patches and it is hard to recover them. Artificial grass does not require such feeding and it can withstand the external disturbances.
4. Zero maintenance :
What’s worse than maintaining your garden on a hot day, instead of going out or enjoying out with your friends? Well, you get your Saturdays and Sundays which is mostly consumed in maintaining your garden by watering, mowing and sowing. By the installation of the artificial turf, you get rid of maintaining your garden and make you free to make effective use of your important time.
5. Save money :
Though gardening might not be that expensive but overall if one calculates on a longer-term, it consumes a lot. With the artificial grass, you don’t have to buy the heavy machines like a lawnmower, no watering, nor to buy the grass seeds or feeds to make it lush green. Installing artificial grass is far more beneficial be saving you tons of money and zero maintenance costs.
6. Quit allergies :
Most of your friends and family members might have allergic problems with natural grass. They might be conquered by fever, or cold due to the pollen grains. But with artificial grass, there is no more pollen activity making it safer to use. Now, enjoy more time with your artificial turf and be healthy and allergy-prone.
7. It can increase property value :
Interested to sell your property and seeing for buyers to give more amount than the market price? Well, a well-maintained garden can hike the rate of your property. Most of the buyers look for a neat and clean garden in front of their home. Beautifying your property exteriors will surely increase your property value.
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