Beginner To Advanced Tips From The Carpentry Pros

There are lots of small home repairs that you want to be able to do yourself without hiring a contractor.  For all those weekend projects, we’ve outlined a few carpentry tips that only experience can bring. The more you practice, the better you will perfect your home DIY skills.  

     Beginner

1.    Make sure you write your measurements down.  I know a lot of people are saying “duh!”  But those are the same people who say “Duh, I can remember 5 and 3/8 inches” and accidentally cut 3 and 5/8 inches.”  It’s the simplest thing you can do to ensure your success.  Measure twice and write it down!  Throw some masking tape on your measuring tool to make it that much easier to jot down.

2.     Use a pencil whenever you can instead of your measuring tape.  Not only can it be faster, but making a mark on the lumber you’re planning on cutting can be the most precise.

3.     Having the best all around hammer can make your life easier.  Lots of people have different opinions on this, but a smooth-faced, 20 ouncer with a straight claw can do most any job.  The straight claw is a much better shape for removing nails.

     Intermediate

1.     If you’re doing projects like adding interior trim, an air powered trim gun can give your project faster and more accurate results.  You won’t be burdened by hitting the nail precisely every time while not knocking your trim out of place.  Plus it only gives you tiny little holes to fill in!

2.     When you’re building a deck, use the construction lumber as a template!  You don’t need an elaborate strings and stakes set up to guide you.  Use the construction lumber to outline the structure by roughly tacking it together, move it aside to dig the posts and put it back to set the posts.  Easy.

3.     Use what you already have lying around to make a miter saw bench for your project.  Not only does it double as a super convenient work surface, but you won’t have to kneel or hunch to make your cuts.  Often times means more accurate and easier cuts.

     Advanced

1.     No matter how advanced you are, getting the perfect miter cut can be tricky.  Use a test piece first!  Use smaller pieces to achieve the perfect miter angle, then cut the real thing.

2.     Estimate framing materials for walls using this formula: One stud for each foot of wall.  Five feet of plate material (bottoms, tops and ties) for each foot of wall.  Yes, it’s going to seem like a lot, but you’ll need it for windows, door frames, blocking and braces.  

3. Position your lumber using the toenail trick.  To adjust stubborn boards, drive a nail at an angle through the edge of a stud to coax it into place.

 

No matter what your skill level, remember that when it comes to carpentry for your home, practice makes perfect.  Of course you might make a few mistakes, but learning from them is crucial.  Hopefully some of these tips will help you with your next project!

Tip of the Day - Energy Saving

Someone who lives in Richmond, VA has probably noticed a big difference in temperature in the past few days. As the climate changes and you need to ensure that you are being as energy efficient as possible, for more than one reason: first you could be saving money and second it's just better for the environment. It's really just a win win for everyone. So where should you start?

Windows

This should be your first line of defense when it comes to energy deficiency. Most homes will lose a lot of their energy because of faulty or old windows. This is why it is important to consider windows that have double panes, which tend to be a bit more expensive but are able to contain both cold or hot air a lot better. Also, there could be drafts coming from faulty seals around the windows. These can deteriorate with time so it's a good idea to check these periodically.

An article found in curiosity.com estimates that someone who switches windows to energy efficient ones can save between 5-10% but probably won't save anymore than 25%.

Window frames to expand and contract as temperatures drop and rise, and eventually that change creates permanent creases and gaps. Metal ones tend to have much better resistance but still encounter problems over time. These small changes, if not addressed quickly can do some serious damage to your electric bill.

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

Or follow us on
Instagram

Facebook 

Featuring Pella

New Earth is always looking for quality durable products to feature in its lineup of services. We're really excited to tell our customers that we are currently offering Pella products as part of our offerings. Pella is a company that we really like because they have been around for many years and they offer quality construction in all of their windows and doors, so you know that you will be getting a product that not only lasts but also looks nice. 

They have an extensive product catalogue so our customers can find different home solutions that fit their budget and are also energy efficient. They've made it a point to specialize in doors and windows and not over extend themselves so they can get it right, every time. We are strong believers of the Pella guarantee and want our customers to join us in that belief. 

Give us a call today so you can get more information about how New Earth can incorporate Pella products in your home, your satisfaction is very important to us. (804) 955-0257

Four Budget Fall Gardening Ideas

Gardening doesn't stop after Spring or Summer, in fact the only season you may be able to take a break is Winter in Virginia. This is why it is important to keep some basic maintenance tips in mind to keep things in order. Our friends at HouseLogic.com offer some really great tips if you don't know where to start!

Spread Mulch

“Fall mulching is better for the plants than spring mulching,” says Dan Taft, owner of The Cutting Edge in Chantilly, Va. “It helps protect roots from frost and helps retain moisture during a cold and dry winter.”

Spread 2 to 3 inches of fresh mulch around shrubs and trees. Taft warns home owners to avoid using free mulch from municipal piles, which often contain disease spores; instead, buy hardwood shredded mulch from home and garden centers, he says.

“Cheap, dump mulch mainly is made from trees that have died from disease,” Taft says. “Many diseases will linger in the mulch, like leaf spot and pine bark borers. You don’t want ground-up diseased plants around your landscaping.”

Remove the Dead and Dying

Fall isn’t the time to prune, because that encourages growth when healthy plants should remain dormant. But don’t shelve your shears and loppers yet. Fall is the time to neaten your landscaping before putting it to bed for the winter.

“If you remove dead landscaping in fall, you don’t have to look at it all winter,” Taft says.

• Remove dead annuals.
• Deadhead spent blooms, and cut back dead and desiccated ornamental grasses and perennials.
• Lightly prune dead and dying branches from shrubs and trees. Carefully remove dried blossoms from hydrangea, but don’t remove dead-looking stalks, where new buds will form in spring.
• After the first frost, cut back tea roses to about a third of their height.

Wrap Delicate Shrubs

Heavy snow, ice, and high winds can dry and split your delicate and pricey shrubs. To protect your landscaping from the winter elements:

• Hide small plants under overturned plastic pots or buckets.
• Wrap shrubs, such as boxwoods, in burlap.
• Surround vulnerable trees with shredded leaves.

Take Advantage of Fall Sales

Early fall until the ground freezes is a good time to plant trees and shrubs. Not only do cooler weather and autumn rain put less stress on young landscaping plants, nurseries often have sales to empty their shelves before winter.

“They need to sell every plant by Dec. 1,” Taft says. “Nurseries generally pay a third of the price that you’re paying. So don’t be afraid to offer less than the asking price. If you’re buying several things, the manager may give you a break.”

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

Or follow us on
Instagram

Facebook 

New iPhone, Old Apps

The big day on which a new iPhone is being announced is upon us, but with so much attention to this little gadget that has transformed the way we interact with technology, what are some of the most useful apps out there? We at New Earth are always looking for innovative ways to conduct our business. Let's review some of our favorite apps in honor of a new iPhone being revealed.

1. PlanGrid

One of the best iPhone and iPad apps for the construction industry, it lets contractors and architects collaborate with all their project plans, specs and photos. You can upload PDF drawings to plangrid.com and they will automatically sync to all your teams in real time.

Download the App Here

2. Construction Master Pro

The app offers a range of calculators for Android smartphones and iPads, including feet-inch-fraction math calculators, and a version that can be used to estimate materials needed for stair railing and fence projects.

Download the App Here

3. iBlueprint

iBlueprint for Apple devices has a new user interface that lets users create and export custom floor plans and lets contractors access blueprints on job sites.

Download the App Here

4. BuildCalc

Voted one of the best construction calculators for iPhone and Android, BuildCalc allows for complete layout of railing and staircase balusters with less guesswork and easily adjusts to the flexibility you need for a custom job.

Download the App Here

5. Architect’s Formulator

The Apple app features more than 400 formulas for electrical, carpentry and plumbing calculations. It also includes concrete and excavation formulas for estimating the concrete and bricks required for a job.

Download the App Here

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

Or follow us on
Instagram

Facebook 

5 Back to School Home Improvement Ideas

Kids or no kids, this is the time period that is typically reserved for parents and Back To School. Take this as an opportunity to get organized and see what kind of home improvements can be done around the house. This should also serve as a reminder that fall is almost here and it is time to unpack all those fall and winter clothes that you have in storage.

New Earth gives you five great things to take off this Back To School season.

Like we said before, this doesn't really apply to only families with kids but instead use this opportunity to take care of some of these things that we can all do!

Clean, Clean, Clean! 
Whether you have been putting off cleaning your backyard from kids toys, old bbqs, unfinished projects or even if you just have a cluttered home office space there is no time like the present! It is time to clean house, it will open the space and also be a lot more inviting for yourself and guests. Another thing that could be good to clean other than the standard kitchen, bathroom, living and bedroom spaces; would be to clean out old electronics. Have old computers, cellphones or appliances laying around? Get rid of them, but be responsible and take them to a place like Best Buy which recycles them for free.

Create Effective Use of Space
This is a great opportunity to add more closet space by adding shelves or storage containers. There are many options that are already made that can be hung inside closets that require minimal assembly. This will help you be more organized and give things that need their own space.

Do A Little Carpentry
Give new life to some of those old chairs, cabinets and tables by sanding them down and giving them a fresh coat of paint or varnish. Also if you have any old furniture that needs to be repaired this may be a good time, most repairs are typically small and only require basic tools and a minimal amount of materials to get them up and running again. This is New Earth's favorite type of projects

Switch Up Lighting 
Check to make sure all your light bulbs are in order and working properly, in addition to that you might want to consider more efficient lighting by switching to LED lights which tend to last longer and consume less electricity. Also if you have been contemplating getting track lighting or a have a fan installed, this might by the best time to do it.

Rearrange Furniture
Sometimes moving furniture around to use a space more effectively can breathe life into a stale room.   Also adding and subtracting furnishings can really improve a room, especially if you decide to use colors that pop and compliment the existing colors in the room.

For more fun recipes, please visit this link

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

Or follow us on
Instagram

Facebook 

Labor Day Drink Recipes

Labor Day Weekend is coming and we are looking at the last few days of true summer for this year. At some point this weekend you might attend or host a cookout. If you have been dreading what to kind of drinks you want to make, don't worry New Earth has you covered!

Here are some of our favorite recipes courtesy of AllRecipes.com

"Tea, mint, sugar, orange and lemon juices make this a quick and easy, refreshingly delicious drink on a hot summer's day, given to me by a true Southern lady. Goes great with Cajun or spicy foods too. Every time I serve this someone asks me for the recipe!"

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups boiling water 12 sprigs fresh mint 4 tea bags 1 cup white sugar 1 cup orange juice

1/4 cup lemon juice 5 cups cold water 3 orange slices for garnish (optional) 3 lemon slices for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.

Place the tea bags and mint sprigs into a large pitcher. Pour boiling water over them, and allow to steep for about 8 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags and mint leaves, squeezing out excess liquid. Stir in sugar until dissolved, then stir in the orange juice and lemon juice. Pour in the cold water. Serve over ice cubes, garnished with orange or lemon slices. "Lemons, sugar, and water--in a process that has been handed down since the 19th century. A true classic of a lemonade recipe." INGREDIENTS: 5 lemons 1 1/4 cups white sugar 1 1/4 quarts water DIRECTIONS: 1. Peel the rinds from the 5 lemons and cut them into 1/2 inch slices. Set the lemons aside. 2. Place the rinds in a bowl and sprinkle the sugar over them. Let this stand for about one hour, so that the sugar begins to soak up the oils from the lemons. 3. Bring water to a boil in a covered saucepan and then pour the hot water over the sugared lemon rinds. Allow this mixture to cool for 20 minutes and then remove the rinds. 4. Squeeze the lemons into another bowl. Pour the juice through a strainer into the sugar mixture. Stir well, pour into pitcher and pop it in the fridge! Serve with ice cubes.

"This is the sangria that my friends taught me to make in Spain. It's quick and easy and makes a great drink to mix up for a summer party."
INGREDIENTS:

4 (750 milliliter) bottles red wine 1 1/4 cups white sugar 2 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced 4 sliced fresh peaches

2 bananas, peeled and sliced 2 cinnamon sticks, crushed 3 liters lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a large pitcher, combine red wine, sugar, apples, peaches, bananas and cinnamon sticks. Refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.
2.	When you're ready to serve, stir in the lemon-lime soda.

"Considered Cuba's national drink, this lime and rum cocktail is a favorite with pirates, swashbucklers, and colorful characters in the Caribbean and beyond."INGREDIENTS:

10 fresh mint leaves 1/2 lime, cut into 4 wedges 2 tablespoons white sugar, or to taste

1 cup ice cubes 1 1/2 fluid ounces white rum 1/2 cup club soda

DIRECTIONS:

1.

Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the mint oils and lime juice. Add 2 more lime wedges and the sugar, and muddle again to release the lime juice. Do not strain the mixture. Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour the rum over the ice, and fill the glass with carbonated water. Stir, taste, and add more sugar if desired. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge. For more fun recipes, please visit this link For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com Or follow us on Instagram Facebook

A Labor Day Family Affair

Have you been dreading getting started on painting your home or finishing that deck that you've always wanted? You know that it's something that must get done and you even realize that it's something that will add value to your home. These are probably projects that will increase the overall appeal of your home. So why not take advantage of those skillfull visiting relatives to give you a hand? 

Most of us will travel somewhere exciting for Labor Day weekend and maybe play host by having loved ones over to our home. One thing that you might consider doing is organizing some of those relatives to help with a perhaps small project that has been in the horizon for sometime now. It's easy to get something accomplished when it's properly planned out and when you have some additional help. It doesn't matter if it's something like painting a wall or two, or putting furniture together. Here are some tips to help you get people involved without stepping on any toes:

Make it Fun

The most important thing about having a loved one help you out is to make it fun or interesting. Let everyone know that while they are working, the burgers will be on the grill or that the drinks are being chilled. You are pretty much soliciting free labor from your vistors so why not make it worth their while. Supplying your crew mates with food, drinks or a fun reward will probably be more cost effective than hiring someone to do a small job for you. 

Assign Tasks

Before anyone arrives, make sure that you have planned out who is doing what. Don't leave it to last minute to figure out all the details. This is a project that is being done at your home for free so make sure that you're using your guests time as effectively as possible. This will ensure a smooth and easy process. 

Research

Figure out what everyone is best at and what they like to do the most. You can do this by sending out an email a few days before and explaining to them what you are trying to do. Let them tell you what they will prefer to do and if they are any good at it. Make sure that you know how you will tackle the task at hand from the beginning and don't wait to figure it out as you go. Have a clearly defined plan on how the work will go and prepare for the unexpected. 

Set Expectations

Let everyone know what your plan is and how you plan to accomplish it. Also let them know what is in it for them. If you're planning on rewarding your workers with food and drinks then let them know in advance. Also explain the purpose of the project and assure them that participation is not required but it is greatly appreciated. 

Some people may not want to spend their Labor Day weekend helping you accomplish your home goals but if you follow the four simple rules above you may have luck and create excitement within your loved ones. 

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

Or follow us on
Instagram

Facebook 

 

Home Inspections, Is It Worth It?

Our friend Wanda Fears shares some very valuable insight for homeowners regarding home inspections.

From her blog:

"Are you getting ready to sell your home? If you are and don't have a real estate agent, the thought of getting a home inspection may cross your mind. So is it advisable to do one before proceeding with the selling process? 

 

If you want a smooth selling process, you may want to consider doing it. Having unexpected repairs can present major challenges when trying to close a business transaction and it can also give the buyer a sense that you are someone who is unprepared. Your real estate agent will suggest for you to get a home inspection, but it is good to have all that in order even before you contact your agent initially. 

  

Major home renovations such as: roof repairs, foundation repairs, walls with termite and rotting damage are some of the things that will be both time consuming and costly. It can prevent a seller finalizing a transaction altogether. A home inspection should be one of the first things that you do when you're trying to sell a home, it is also a very small investment in the grand scheme of things.

Repairs can be a major turn off for a buyer, they may not want to take the time to do all of the things required. Most buyers will want something that they can move in readily and are probably willing to pay a little more for that convenience. 

 

The only alternative to selling a house that has not been repaired before being put up in the market would be a house that is being sold "as it is", but this can potentially decrease the amount of money that you'll get for it. So this may not be an option after all if you're trying to maximize return.

 

Like everything else in life, it's important to plan ahead. This will be especially true with things like selling a home."

To read more about what Wanda does and get some great advice on how to sell or buy a home, please visit www.bestrvarealtor.com

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

Or follow us on
Instagram

Facebook 

Sunday Park

What ever happened to just enjoying a beautiful day in the park? Most of us are so busy with hectic schedules that sometimes we forget to just stop and appreciate nature and beauty that surrounds us. Visiting a local park is a great way to connect with nature, the outdoor air can be good for your health, it's relaxing and best of all it's free. 

Some fun ideas to do at the park are: setting a play date for the kids, having a picnic with friends or loved ones, practice that artistic hobby that you've been wanting to pursue like photography or painting, or just simply take a nice long walk. Fortunately Richmond has some great places to take a nice Sunday park stroll. We've put together a list of some of our favorites. 

Hollywood Cementery

This park can be a little under rated but if you look at different travel guides for people visiting Richmond, you'll always find it on their list of attractions. Hollywood Cementery offers breath taking views of downtown Richmond and the river, the view from there offers some of the most iconic scenes of Central Virginia. When you think of cementeries, you don't immediately associate that with a beautiful park, this Cementery manages to offer a unique view of the city, a sense of peace and different corners for added privacy when visiting the park. There are areas all over the park where one can relax, read a book and just take in some sunrays and because of the way that the park was built, there are enough hills and trees to create separate areas where people can hang out. 

Where?

412 S Cherry St, Richmond, VA 23220

Byrd Park & Maymont

Byrd Park

Even though Byrd Park and Maymont are in close proximity to each other, they serve two different purposes. Byrd park was design with people in the area in mind, it has courses where you can exercise including push up stations, monkey bars, balancing obstacles among other exercises. These are all located alongside a trail that people can run around. Other areas of the park include, a pond with a waterfountain in the middle, tennis courts and the Dogwood Dell Amphitheather were many different productions have taken place which are typically free to the public like the 4th of July Symphony and the Opera at the Park productions. 

Where?

600 Swan Lake  Dr. Richmond, VA 23221

Maymont

This park used to be a rich estate finished in 1983, over the next few years after that more attractions were added. Some of the things added to Maymont over the course of a few years were a mini zoo and petting center, an italian and japanese garden, and a nature center. Maymont is an experience on its own and it is easy to spend a few housr in this hundred acre estate if you have not been before. There are scheduled tours of the house that sits on top of the hill which offers a glimpse into everyday life over a hundred years ago. 

Where?

1700 Hampton St, Richmond, VA 23220

Libby Hill Park

Probably one of the most historic parks in all of Central Virginia, Libby Hill Park offers a close up look of downtown Richmond. It sits at the top of a hill that overlooks the river and the Lucky Strike building. Richmond got its name from the view from this park that resembled that of a town in England. Libby Hill Park doesn't have all the amneties that some of the other parks offer so it is a more quiet space to meditate and relax. Because this park doesn't have a lot of traffic coming through it, it is an ideal place to bring your dog for a nice breezy walk. 

Where?

2801 E Franklin St, Richmond, VA

Joseph Bryan Park

This park is on the outskirts of downtown Richmond, closer to Hermitage Rd. This park's greatest strenght it that it is quite large which makes it ideal for joggers and bikers. They have well defined trails that are mostly closed off to through traffic. This park has a kids playground, frisbee games and a soccer field. You could say that this park is mostly aimed to families with kids and young adults. The park has a lot of trees and shade with many sections filled with flowers and assorted plants. 

Where?

4308 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA

Even though we have not covered all the parks that exist in the area, these are some of the best ones, each having its own weaknesses and strenghts. 

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

Or follow us on
Instagram

Facebook 

A Passion for Restoration

We've often wondered what sets a construction apart from others. We basically all do the same thing, we make or fix things for customers. Simple enough, right? 

Working in this industry for twenty years we've noticed that one of the things we get complimented the most is about the quality of work. We've asked our customers why they say this since it has been brought up more than a few times. Their answers seem to be the same all the time to various degrees. 

According to our customers, New Earth doesn't take shortcuts and has a kind of experience that not everybody has. In addition to this we are truly passionate about what we do, we think of wood working as an art that requires great attention to detail.

Could we make more money by using non-natural but cheaper materials? Absolutely, but we are not interested in doing that. We want to make sure that our clients are fully satisfied with the products that we make for them, not only that but we also want these products to last. 

Some of the houses that are in downtown Richmond are a few decades old, the reason why they stood the test of time? Because the materials that they used were natural quality materials, New Earth does its best to ensure that we use some of the same building techniques. It has worked before and it will work again. 

We are one of the few companies that has their own saw mills on site. What this means to the customer is that we are able to build customer parts and pieces depending on the type of project we are working on. This is very unique to our industry since we don't have to contract that out which in turn is cheaper to our customers. This also allows us to have quality control over the product produce and ensures that it meets specifications accurately. 

We are more than just a construction company, we are a cause to the restoration and preservation of Richmond, Virginia. 

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

Or follow us on
Instagram

Facebook 

Around RVA: Festivals

Whether you are new to Richmond or not, there's always so many things to do. We're so impressed with this comprehensive list that Richmond.com has put together of things to do this week. We're also really glad to see Magpie on this list, since it is a restaurant that New Earth VA has helped remodel. Check out the article below for details on what's going on around Richmond! (Article via Richmond.com)

Wednesday, July 23

Treveri Sparkling and Fried Food Pairing at Metzger Bar and Butchery

Stop by this new Church Hill-area restaurant to learn all about Treveri Cellars sparkling wines and try some of chef Brittanny Anderson's snacks. Four wines, four snacks. $25. Starts at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 24

Free Meet, Greet, and Eat with Free Run Wines and Andrew Jones of Field Recordings Wines at Saison Market

California winemaker Andrew Jones will be in town tasting his wines and chef Adam Hall will be cooking up some pairings for each wine. Free. Starts at 6 p.m.

The Kick-Off for 909 Courtyard's new Wine Tasting Series

First up: Wine Tasting I. Terricinia St. Clair from The Tipsy Sommelier will cover "basic wine tasting techniques as well as the various identifying characteristics of five of the noble wine varietals (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon).  And at the end of the course you'll be able to identify them by sight, smell and taste. Tickets are all-inclusive at $30 and can bepurchased here. Starts at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, July 25

Lickinghole Creek tap takeover for the 23rd & Main One Year Anniversary Party

Lickinghole is taking over the bar at 23rd and Main for an anniversary party with food and drink specials and live music from 5 - 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 26

RVAle Belgian Summer Ale Release at Center of the Universe Brewing

 

The COTU folks are honoring Wort Share Competition winner Scott Golden with an RVAle release party, with lots of beer, live music and food trucks from 3 - 9 p.m.

 

Every Monday

 

Wine Down Monday at Lehja

 

All day and night on Monday, Lehja in Short Pump is doing half-off selections from its award-winning wine list.

Thursday, Aug. 7

Hardywood Park Craft Beer Dinner at Morton’s, $85

A four-course dinner with steak as the entrée and a beer appetizer at Morton’s at 6 p.m.MENU. Call (804) 648-1662 for reservations.

Friday, Aug. 15

Wine & Whiskers at The Shops at Willow Lawn

This free event features wineries, food sampling, and live music by the 80’s cover band Party McFly. It's just $10 to do the wine tasting, 6 - 9 p.m. Details.

More upcoming dining events:

Saturday, July 26

Tiki Party & Pig Roast at The Rogue Gentlemen, $30

The Rogue Gentlemen are roasting up a whole Autumn Olive Farms heritage pig and torch-lining the patio for their tiki party. Side dishes re included with the pig (and ticket price) an there will be tiki drinks with flowers and umbrellas. Tickets. Party starts at 5 p.m.

Pop-Up Cookout at Amuse

It's a party on the patio at Amuse from 5 - 8 p.m. on Saturday, with gourmet hot dogs, corn dogs, kimchi tater tots, Hardywood beer flowing, tons of craft cocktails and much more. No reservations necessary, just show up and enjoy (and pay for your things a la carte).

Monday, July 28

La Urraca at The Magpie

In celebration of its third anniversary, The Magpie is transforming itself into La Urraca for one-night only. The restaurant will be serving a "a mix of Spanish and Latin American flavors with an emphasis on traditional style street foods and complementing cocktails." The party starts at 5 p.m. and goes until whatever. Reservations are encouraged but not necessary. Menu coming soon.

The menu (prices will be $5 - $14)

(Article via Richmond.com)

5 Things That May Reduce Your Home's Value

When we think of doing home improvements, we think of how it can benefit us directly as homeowners. A common misconception is that all upgrades or investments into a home automatically add value to the property. Unfortunately this is not always true. Here are five things to stay away from when you are doing home improvements

Room Conversions
When you have a spare bedroom or an empty garage, it may be easy to try to use that space for something that you've always wanted, like a home gym or making the garage into a bedroom or living room. Most buyers want to be able to use the space for what it was originally intended for, or at least they want to decide on their own what that space should become. If you do end up making a room conversion make sure that it is something that can be easily reversed. 

Extravagant Paint Jobs
Today's home color trends can be very bold and stylized. Many home improvements blogs and catalogues will tell you that adding a brave splash of color can give a room much needed character. We couldn't agree more, however when you are trying to sell a home, it is important to remember that your home buyer may not fully agree with your design preferences. Complicated trim jobs or wall papers are included in this. When presenting a home to a seller, keep the colors plain so they can envision what it will look like when they live there or stick to earth and neutral colors which don't present a bold statement. 

Hot Tubs
You may think that having a hot tub can be a great added bonus to someone who is purchasing a home, however your buyer may feel different. Hot tubs are not always associated with sanitation, especially if the hot tub has not been used or cleaned in sometime. In this instance it may be best to take the hot tub with you and reinstall it in your new property.

Closets
Adding closet space is always welcome, however if you are planning on removing closet space because you don't use it may not be the best idea. Closet space is always in high demand and is a priority on most people's lists. Keep this in mind when you are working on home improvement projects.

Too Much... of Everything!
We may want to keep up with the neighborhood and install the latest and greatest of well... anything! There are things like home appliances and bathrooms that should always be kept up to date. However, adding unnecessary gadgets just for the sake of adding more may not be seen as a pro but more of a con. Do your research on home improvement trends and what the majority of the neighborhood is doing so your home stays competitive in the housing market but not to the point where is no longer added value.

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

Or follow us on 
Instagram

Facebook 

5 Eco Friendly Fertilizers

You might not know it but a lot of things that we produce as waste can be used as an eco-friendly fertilizer. Food remains and even things like coffee grounds can make excellent nutrients for your lawn and plants. Here are our top five picks for things that can be used as natural fertilizers:

1. Shells - from crab, shrimp and lobster; can make an excellent natural compost. A lot of these crustaceans' mineral properties can release many useful nutrients to the soil. It is best to let them sit in a covered dirt hole in the ground for a few weeks before using them directly on your plants and lawn, this will allow it to start decomposing it first.

2. Fish - well their scraps at least can make a great fertilizers, these don't really need decomposing first but instead can be buried deep where you want to release all the supplements. You do want to bury them deep because this could potentially attract unwanted animal guests in your garden that are looking for food.

3. Coffee Grounds -  a lot of us enjoy having a nice cup of coffee every morning. Keeping coffee grounds in a jar for a few days and then using them on your grass or plants is a great way to use something that you use pretty much every morning. What's best is that it mixes in easily with your soil.

4. Comfrey - this is a plan that is has dual purpose, it has medicinal properties as well as it being a great fertilizer. You don't use the leaves directly but instead you use a sort of "tea" made out of its leaves, let some of the leaves sit overnight preferably in a place where it will receive sunlight. This will penetrate the soil quickly since it is in liquid form.

5. Droppings - specifically the ones made from chickens. This only really works if you live in a farm or somewhere where there are animals. This is the most common one but you can technically use droppings from other animals also. In order for droppings to work you do need to let it compost first in the ground for a few weeks, maybe even a few months since it can be damaging to the plants if used right away.

Some other quick ideas include keeping a can of compost inside your kitchen where you can throw in things like: egg shells, fruit peels, fruit remains, coffee grounds, etc. Then transport the compost to a larger compost bin outside your home. Compost bins usually have an opening at the bottom so you can access the fertilizer that is the oldest first.

To learn more about the technical aspect of eco-friendly fertilizer's visit this website for useful information

For more great tips and info visit our website www.NewEarthVA.com

Or follow us on 
Instagram
Facebook