3 Cheap Do It Yourself Home Repairs #DIY

Contractors are great! They come to our homes and fix the things we are having problems with, for a fee of course. But we often get questions on what are some repairs in which someone may not necessarily need a contractor. Here are three things that New Earth recommends you to do on your own with some confidence.

Grout

This is something that should be done not for just looks but also because this is something to be done because it will be more hygienic to do so. The best thing to do is just to take out the grout completely and replace it with new one. Depending on how thick the grout is you may be able to do this by hand with a tool and if not you can get a rotary tool to help you out. Replacing your grout is a good and inexpensive way to give your bathroom or kitchen a new shine. This is an afternoon or weekend project that won’t take very long and that is very cheap to do. 

Toilet Issues

Most of us don’t really know the first thing about toilets, however there are certain things you can do to fix a leaky toilet or a toilet that is not flushing correctly. The reason why most toilets don’t flush the way they are supposed to is because of the built sediments around the holes in the rim. Simply clean out those holes out with a brush with stiff bristles and you will see an increase amount of water pressure coming from the water pipe.

As far as leaky tanks, your first line of defense should be to check to see if the septic tank is too full. This can be caused by the ball inside floating too high, meaning it is allowing more water than is supposed to come in. You can typically fix this easily by bending the part that is attached to the ball a little so that it won’t float as high. Another reason why your toilet could be leaky is because of the flapper, which costs about $5.00 to replace. Just remember to clean the area throughly to avoid any more leaks with the new flapper. 

Squeaky or Sticky Doors

So you have a door that doesn’t quite close like it should, or you have a door that squeaks a whole lot. These have to very easy solutions, the first is to use colored chalk at the edge of a door and when you close it you will see where it established the most contact making it sticky. You can shave this off with different tools, our favorite tools to use is a Dremel XPR and if you don’t have access to one you can use a wood shaver but this may require patience and precision. 

A squeaky door can easily be fixed with some petroleum jelly since its consistency is a lot thicker than using oil. 

Visit our blog on a regular basis for more tips and tricks on how to make home improvements on your own.

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Kentucky Coffee Tree Makes Unique Furniture

At New Earth we are always looking to expand the number of materials in our inventory from which we are able to create our craft. Our latest addition to our catalog is the Kentucky Coffeetree from which we will carve a full dining room table from.

From Wikipedia
"The Kentucky Coffeetree, Gymnocladus dioicus, is a tree in the subfamily Caesalpinioideaeof the pea family Fabaceae, native to the midwest of North America. The seed may be roasted and used as a substitute for coffee beans; however, unroasted pods and seeds are toxic. The wood from the tree is used by cabinetmakers and carpenters.

From 1976 to 1994 the Kentucky coffeetree was the state tree of Kentucky, after which the tulip poplar was returned to that designation.^" 

We are very excited to have this opportunity to showcase our craftsmanship and our appreciation for materials that are not only eco-friendly but that have very unique natural beauty. 

To keep track of progress of this project and other New Earth projects, please visit bookmark our blog.

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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.

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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.”

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Get Your Mind In The Gutter!

Autumn is here, and temperatures are about to drop to weather that is a little bit nicer and cooler. As the seasons start to change here in Virginia, specifically in the Central Virginia and Richmond areas, we will see the leaves colors change. It is truly a beautiful sight to see, however with each season there are somethings that we should all look for when we are a home owner or renter. 

Check the Gutters
We've talked about it in the past, but this is reminder that all those pretty leaves that will cover the ground this autumn will also be clogging your gutters. This can cause a number of problems including but not limited to: 

-Creating puddles of water in your roof, which can lead to leakage and both internal and external damage to your home
-A concentration of dry leaves is prone to fires, this can be of catastrophic proportions
-Creating nests for animals, pests are never a good thing
-It just doesn't look good. No further explanation needed on that one. 

Structural Damage
Before you know it, it will be winter. Checking and fixing structural damage when it is raining or snowing is a pain in the butt and in some cases impossible. Take care of that stuff now, it is just proper home maintenance and it can help you prevent some other serious issues in the future. This includes: wall cracks, faulty roofs, damaged floors. 

Fireplace and HVAC
Not everyone has these but anyone who does knows how expensive it can be to repair a chimney flute or their HVAC system, so instead of having to pay an expensive repair have someone come and check these out so they can be properly maintained and so that you can have a care free winter and fall. 

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5 Home Improvements To Do Now

Before you know the holiday season will be here, we're already starting to see all the Halloween decorations at some of our favorite stores and soon after it will be Thanks Giving and Christmas. Home improvement projects may not be feasible as the the holiday season approaches, so it may be smart to get those projects out of the way before it is too late to get them done.

Kitchen Remodel
Have you been thinking about redoing your kitchen? Well, it does take a little bit of time especially if you're thinking of expanding it and getting new appliances. The average kitchen remodel can take anywhere between eight to twelve weeks if you are doing an overall makeover which means you are already running late.

Bathroom Remodel
Want to impress your visiting relatives with a shiny new guest bathroom? This too can take sometime to get done, primarily because you need a contractor, a plumber and possibly an electrician to get this home improvement done. You can start doing all the shopping in advance and keep everything in storage until you have all the right contractors lined up to get this task done.

Carpentry (Doors, Crown Moulding, Casings)
Even though this isn't a project that is terribly time consuming or hard to do, it still needs to be coordinated throughout the house and requires proper planning. Some stores may not have everything that you need in store so you may have to special order some items adding to the projected timeline. You'd be surprised what a shiny new door can do for your home and how it can change the look of a whole space.

Roof Repairs
We've covered in the past how crucial it is to repair your roof is, but there is no better time to take care of this than now. If your roof does need repairing, waiting until there is a rain storm or even worse, a snow storm, is a bad idea. Repairs are much harder to do in damp weather and if there is structural damage it may even be impossible to do. So take care of that now before it ends up costing you more.

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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.

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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. 

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Antique Chic

(Image courtesy of Restoration Hardware)

Have you checked an interior home decorating catalog lately? If you have, you probably have noticed that there are plenty of stage houses that include a very modern yet natural look to them. There is a heavy use of wooden furniture that hints to a natural look while combining that with accessories made out of glass, steel and fabrics such as lamps, sinks, tables and stainless steel appliances.

This is definitely a growing trend and it is more easy to accomplish than people think, especially because a lot of original pieces can be created by you with a little bit of work and shopping around at antique shops or thrift stores. New Earth really enjoys repurposing found things and give them new life.

(Image courtesy of Restoration Hardware)

Take for example the table pictured above, this is a table that is sold at restoration hardware. It is a beautiful table made out of wood finished to have a "brushed" look to it. Finding an old table in this style shouldn't be too hard to find if you know where to look, a quick search online will point out your local thrift stores and antique shops. To achieve the "brushed" look, you have to be sand down the table and add the right type of varnish by hand. Asking the right questions to your preferred home improvement store's representative will get you the right varnish, you can probably even take a picture of what you want to achieve and they'll help you find it. 

When you pay attention to the chairs that accompany this table, you'll see that they don't match the table. They are modern pieces of furniture that can be found at assorted stores. It's the combination of wooden materials and modern pieces that gives this room a special kind of flare. 

Don't be afraid to mix and match materials, we especially like the metal lamps that are hanging from the ceiling. They have a metal frame and glass panels to form a sort of hexagon shape. These kinds of lamps do exist at thrift shops and antique shops. They are usually pretty heavy duty also so you know they'll last for a very long time, in some cases you may have to modernize them by adding the right electrical cord which should not be too hard if you do a quick google search for instructions.

(Image courtesy of Restoration Hardware)

Check out this awesome bar made from an old cabinet painted in white. Old cabinets are a dime a dozen, finishing a cabinet with black paint and shiny gold paint at the top should not be a challenge for most people. We especially like how expensive and high end this room looks with vintage looking chairs and old school bar set. A lot of these ideas can be done on a budget and if you're not on a budget you can always visit www.restorationhardware.com to buy some of these great pieces. 

New Earth can make most of this style of furniture and help you finish pieces that you have found on your own to make them look like a lot of these pieces. New Earth has a sawmill that we work out of so we have all the tools to create rooms that have this type of look. 

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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

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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. 

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Beautiful Renovated Apartment Located Near VCU

In addition to building high quality wooden furnishings, New Earth restores and renovates properties throughout Richmond. We've recently finished a beautiful three bedroom apartment in the VCU downtown area. 

The apartment has wooden floors and a great location. This apartment is available starting today for rent. If you're interested in renting it or want to schedule an appointment to view it, please contact Paul Iwashchenko at (804) 955-0257.

(One of two bedrooms that are similar in dimensions)

(Hallway leading to bedrooms)

(Apartment located above Magpie, voted one of the best restaurants in Richmond)

(Fridge with ice maker) 

(Cabinets Kitchen)

(Gas Stove and Microwave)

(Shared Bathroom)

(Master Bedroom) 

(Magpie Entrance)

(Closet Space)

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A Passion for Restoration: New Found Life

New Earth has a commitment to produce high quality products while preserving the full integrity of the raw material.

In the case of these wooden coat rack hangers, we build them so that you can see as much as the grain as possible. We want that earthy feeling to shine through the finishing coating. The contrast of the wood and metal create an unusual marriage that is complimentary: rustic vs. industrial. 

For this cabinet, we've tried to have the individual pieces fit like a puzzle. This allows easy assembling and disassembling. We've paid close attention to detail, always keeping the grain of the wood in mind. The drawer part of it uses a carving in the wood itself to open and close, we've avoided the use of too many moving parts since they tend to fail over time. 

Here is another view of the same cabinet closer to completion. 

We found this wondeful piece of wood recently. We'd like to use it to perphaps create a unique coffee table or a great looking foot rest. Like an artist that carves out of marble, it's important to envision the art within.

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Renovations in RVA - A Young Perspective

(photo courtesy of Wikimedia, VCU)

Have you been downtown lately? It's the middle of the summer so you'd expect the city to be quiet with all the students on summer break. When you visit downtown though, even in the middle of the day, the city is vibrant with city life. 

A quick drive through the VCU Campus, Carytown and even Shockoe Slip will prove that there is a lot happening downtown. There are buildings being constructed left and right, spaces that have been previously unnoccupied are running as busy commercial spaces, and even the those streets that were considered as some of the less desirables areas are now being occupied with restaurants and small businesses. MCV keeps expanding adding the need for more student and resident housing close to Shockoe Bottom. VCU has created the demand for more restaurants and retail shoppes. Carytown has attracted more business in the past couple of years than they ever have with places like: Carytown Cupcakes, Mellow Mushroom, The Daily and a couple of Froyo places. 

Downtown is making a comeback and as homeowner or investor you should take advantage of an emerging housing market. As a homeowner you have the opportunity to make improvements on your existing property, don't let it detiorate in value because this area keeps growing and you need to grow with it. When it is time to sell, there is a good potential for a great return, especially if you're home is up to par with the modern architecture of the renovated warehouse spaces turned into apartments. You'll even have the upper hand because your home will be more in line with Richmond's traditional architecture. 

As an investor, it is time to look at downtown with the respect that it deserves, so many people have been turned off by the idea of living in a home that needs a lot of renovations. This challenge should be accepted as an opportunity to see the potential down the line. With the economy of downtown growing as exponentially as it has, this is a great time to invest in a property that is of a good value and bring it up to date. There will be interested parties that are willing to purchase a home that is ready to move in at an alarming rising rate.  

There is a lot of a lot of value in Downtown Richmond, you just need to have the vision for it. 

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

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