When you first moved into your Provenance home, you probably wondered how you’d fill up all of that big, open space. Once you get settled, however, it can be hard to remember having an empty room in the first place.

If you find yourself stuffing everything into that one closet or junk drawer, some of these tips might help you out.

Review what you have by going through clothes closets, the garage, boxes of paper, and drawers. For clothes, if you haven’t worn something within the last year, put it in a pile to donate or recycle items into rags to use for cleaning.

Many billing and banking companies are transitioning to paperless statements, so contact your providers to get set up to receive these documents through email, getting rid of inefficient snail mail. Some companies can also produce old statements electronically, allowing you to toss out old hard copies. Go through filing cabinets to get rid of statements that you longer need. Make sure to shred all old hard copies to prevent identity theft and keep your information safe.

Along with financial statements, you may find your cabinets cluttered with old magazines, recipes, flyers, newspaper clippings, and so on. Make the process of sifting through years of old paper more streamlined by putting each item in a “file,” “toss,” or “give away/mail out” pile. Items in the “file” pile should be immediately organized and put in a safe place. “Toss” items can go in the trash, and “give away/mail out” items include those that you feel should be passed along to others.

You probably have that one special drawer where you tend to throw an assorted group of items, with the intent of sorting everything out later. If you must keep a multipurpose drawer, buy small organizational containers. Use recipe boxes, rubber bands, butterfly clips, and plastic boxes to create a drawer with customizable compartments. Tool, jewelry, or silverware organizers can be especially helpful for organizing smaller items.

Besides going through the items you currently have and weeding out anything outdated or no longer needed, you may want to consider investing in furniture with storage features. Ottomans with lids can be used to keep blankets or magazines. Coffee tables with drawers are the perfect place to store beverage coasters, the TV guide and remote, and more. Risers can be purchased for beds to maximize the space underneath. Take advantage of Shreveport shopping to find additional storage options and consult specialists for more information.

Take advantage of what your Provenance home already has to offer by using those high cabinets for seasonal decorations; they help keep items secure and out of the way when they’re not in use. Lower cabinets and shelves can be used for things you use more frequently.

This list can help you get started on clearing out unnecessary items and keep your Provenance home looking just like the day you bought it.

Provenance is a master-planned new home community located in Shreveport, LA.  For more information, please call (318) 683-0399.

Provenance homes offer residents many luxuries: security, high quality, and a wonderful sense of community. One way to enhance what you love about your Shreveport home is to create a gardening plan that suits your unique style.

For inexperienced gardeners looking to improve their skills, stop by a local greenhouse and ask for insight for which plants would do best in your yard. Depending on the amount of shade or sunlight, rain exposure, and other factors, the plants recommended for your home will vary. Daylilies are an easy flower to maintain in sunny spots–as an added bonus, they are bug free! Hibiscus, Black Eyed Susans, Phlox, and Iris do especially well in the Southern climate and are hardy plants. Mulching your garden will allow your plants to retain more moisture and save you the extra watering. It is important to stay diligent when it comes to eradicating weeds, however, as things can get out of control before you know it!

Those with green thumbs may be up for more of a challenge, you may want to consider planting a rose garden. The Buff Beauty variety grows up to 8 feet tall, so they’re the perfect climbing plant for walls or trellises. For something smaller, Polyanthas, clusters of roses, in the La Marne variety, grow white with bright pink edges, up to 16 inches tall. For something in the middle, The Fairy variety grows to about 30 inches and leans on trellises or other shrubs for support. Doing an internet search of “Southern flowers” will give you a better idea of plants native to and that will thrive in Shreveport.

If roses aren’t your thing, another popular way to integrate flowers into your yard is by choosing a decorative container. Containers look best in a series–flanking your front door, scattered around your deck or patio, or in a group of three on your front porch. Containers are a great way to show off your home’s personality. Feel free to choose any mix of flowers and greenery you desire, but be sure to consider the type of care the plants will require. For example, planting shade-needy plants in a pot with plants that prefer to be drenched in sunshine will result in one half of those flowers thriving and the other half wilting in the sun (or vice versa). The same principle applies to plants that need a lot of watering vs. plants who are lower maintenance. Pruning shouldn’t be an issue to worry about when selecting your container combinations. Take note of the expected growth for the plants you place in pots; some varieties may grow exponentially while leaving other plants out of space to breathe.

Place tall plants or climbing vines behind shorter plants on a patio area to make the area feel more spacious and room-like. As a bonus, taller plants will help enhance privacy fencing and make the patio feel more like its own space. Installing a water feature is a creative way to add visual interest to your yard as well as create a cool spot for plants that take more water.

Whatever gardening tactics you choose, you’re sure to add to the curb appeal of your Provenance home!

Provenance is a master-planned new home community located in Shreveport, LA.  For more information, please call (318) 683-0399.

Whether you’re ready or not, summer’s here! Read on for some simple summer decorating changes that can make your Provenance home more welcoming for the season.

One easy and inexpensive way to brighten up a room is to paint wooden, metal, or plastic furniture in a fun, bright hue. This trend works especially well when painting retro rattan or cane chairs, or an outdated dresser. Colors that pop include teal, coral, gray, and white; gloss finishes are recommended for their shine which make each piece stand out. No matter which color you choose, painting furniture is a fun way to draw people into a room. Shop for complementary accessories in Provenance’s nearby Windrush Village Marketplace or downtown Shreveport.

Update your front porch by adding a few hanging baskets with bright pansies and greenery. Some bulb types do especially well in the summer, including lilies, gladiolas, calla lilies, and gladiolas. Most summer bulbs aren’t hearty enough for the winter so be sure to wait to plant them until after the last frost. Plants can have an impressive impact inside your home, too. Tall ferns and tropical plants can be a great year-round addition to your home and add to a casual feel. Don’t forget to take advantage of those summer bulbs and snip some blooms to brighten up a table or lounge area.

Get rid of heavy or dark drapery and let your home soak up all the sunshine it can. Stow away winter clutter and opt for lighter fabrics and paint to contribute to an airy feel. Install and use sliding doors to make the best of summer breezes in Shreveport, and plug in fans to help beat the heat. Keep a pitcher of iced sun tea in a dispenser on the counter to offer to guests and neighbors that might drop by.

Take advantage of the warmer weather and host parties or even a grill-off in your backyard. Let kids pick their own pieces for skewers to put on a charcoal or propane grill. Consider adding permanent countertops and installing a sink to make your outdoor kitchen a dream come true. Another option is to use a card kept stocked with grilling accessories and condiments to make outdoor cooking a breeze. Make use of porches and tree shade, and add an umbrella for extra color. Hang strings of white lights or paper lanterns in your yard and on the patio for a summertime glow in the evenings. The possibilities for outdoor entertainment are endless.

Summer decorating is as easy as paint, plant, pour! Get together with a Provenance friend or relative to make the transition into the season even more fun.

Provenance is a master-planned new home community located in Shreveport, LA.  For more information, please call (318) 683-0399.

If you find yourself avoiding the outdoors at all costs in the summer, know that there are ways to keep extra cool indoors in your Provenance home, too. These tips will not only keep your home cool but your wallet full, thanks to energy-saving ideas.

Average summer temperatures in Shreveport range from 76-83 degrees, which gives Provenance homeowners a slight advantage over their more southern counterparts when it comes to avoiding extreme temperatures, but most will agree that the humidity can make the outdoors uncomfortable. One solution to summer heat is obvious: air conditioning. If you have a room without air conditioning, window units are easy to install and are a relatively cheap solution; however, unused rooms need not employ a window unit and all vents in unused rooms should be closed so no energy is wasted.

Maximize the cool in any room by keeping exterior doors closed as much as possible and caulking any loose windows or frames. Using ceiling fans will help maintain a cooler temperature and allow you to run your conditioning at 82 degrees but keeps the air feeling 74-78 degrees, within the comfortable range of temperatures for the human body. Floor and desk fans can also contribute to a more comfortable temperature in your home.

In the kitchen, try to refrain from using hot appliances or washing dishes during the day and instead cook in the evening or use an outdoor grill to avoid bringing more heat into your home. Planning out meals ahead of time and cooking cold pasta dishes, soups, and desserts is a great way to regulate body temperature and can be an interesting seasonal menu variation for your family to enjoy. Look up new recipes together online to prepare for your next cold meal, or allow a different family member to select the “entree of the day” on a rotating basis to keep everybody happy.

Windows are known to be a particularly pesky source of unwanted heat, so use blackout curtains or other heavy window treatments to stave off the extra warmth. Plants are surprisingly helpful at keeping rooms cooler and helping outdoor patios and porches stay cooler as well, thanks to their shade and water content. Consider installing a water feature outdoors to maintain your patio as a refreshing retreat on hot days.

In general, avoid going outdoors during those peak hours (10-3), stay hydrated, eat cold foods, and be sure to hang out at the Provenance community pool & clubhouse (new for 2013!). Following these suggestions will not only make your home cooler but will help your air conditioner work less, saving you money and making your home a more inviting place to be in the summer.

Provenance is a master-planned new home community located in Shreveport, LA.  For more information, please call (318) 683-0399.

As spring rolls into summer, don’t forget to keep your Provenance home green. If you’re out of ideas for fresh ways to stay environmentally savvy, fear not! We’ve provided some tips to stay ultra Earth-friendly.

First and foremost, make sure your home is energy efficient. Your community right here in Shreveport has taken steps to preserve the natural landforms outside your home, and you can support that by decreasing your carbon footprint. Installing energy efficient appliances, watching electricity and utility usage, switching to CFL lightbulbs, and making sure your home is properly sealed and insulated are all great ways to increase energy efficiency in your home.

If you’re a gardner looking for a new challenge, try your hand at heating and cooling landscaping. Be careful to avoid planting water-hungry plants close to the perimeter of your home; excess water can contribute to foundation damage and leaks. Get the most out of summer shade by planting trees around your home, roof, and windows, making sure to plant at intervals to allow for breezes to come through and cool your property.

If you don’t already, start sorting trash to recycle. Recycling carts should not overflow and homeowners should follow the guidelines here to decide what’s recyclable. Residents of Shreveport should click here to view their curbside recycling schedule. Help out your waste management team by making sure all items are clear of dirt and food; a quick rinse should usually suffice to clean recyclable items.

Make sure to check the outside of your home for any cracks and check to see which rooms feel drafty. A professional painter may take the time to caulk any cracks but if your home isn’t getting a fresh coat this year, go ahead and check the exterior yourself. Wind especially drives cold air into your home in the winter and heats up your home in the summer. Caulking not only helps your home maintain temperature but allows your heating and cooling systems to work more efficiently.

Buying recycled materials and repurposing old items in your home can open up your budget and decreases your contribution to the landfill. Learning to sew lets you tailor loose or tight clothes, is good for your budget, and avoids waste. Along with recycling “traditional” materials, old computers and cellphones can be donated or recycled at specific drop-offs.

Using all-natural cleaners will make your home a safer place, especially for little ones and curious pets. Ingesting common household cleaners such as bleach, ammonia, or floor cleaner can severely harm health. You can still get those counters sparkling with greener alternatives. Many cleaning projects simply need a good soaking, so try hot water before breaking out the bleach. If you still need something with a bite to clean up, try using distilled vinegar or a mixture of club soda and hydrogen peroxide.

These tips just scratch the surface of ideas to maintain a green home. Do an internet search for more suggestions for how to keep your Provenance home running efficiently.

Provenance is a master-planned new home community located in Shreveport, LA.  For more information, please call (318) 683-0399.