Create a Home Office That Means Business!
Let’s talk business! With so many of us working now from home, the Idea Specialists*at The Retreat at Mountain Brook thought we’d share our favorite home office tips, designed to increase your productivity within the most potentially distracting environment – your very own home. So hang up the “do not disturb” sign, put on your noise-canceling headphones, and we’ll help you maximize your results with minimal effort! The best way to begin is by bringing work away from the couch, out of the bed, and into a dedicated home office. Our apartment homes offer several options for a potential workspace. A bonus room, den, sunroom, or bedroom would be an excellent choice. But remember that Retreat at Mountain Brook Apartment Homes offer such a spacious living area, that a thoughtfully arranged home office could quite easily be carved from your living room! You could even accommodate an armchair for an alternative spot to relax while brainstorming or proofreading, or create a compelling backdrop for that next Zoom meeting. Of course your desk chair should be just as comfortable so that you can remain focused. The Three Posts Eckard Task Chair from Wayfair has excellent ratings and reviews! Mimic a traditional office with clipboards for documents and bulletin boards for memos and inspiration. Take advantage of our legendary storage closets to keep your work materials organized and handy for maximum efficiency! Position your desk near a natural light source to stay lively. Full-spectrum light bulbs mimic sunlight to reduce eye fatigue. They’re great for desk lamps and other task lighting. The Anglepoise Original 1227 Desk Lamp from Perigold is fully adjustable and clamps securely to your work surface. Keeping your computer screen at eye level or below will help prevent dryness associated with tired eyes. Are your eyes tired, or just tired of gazing at that hulking printer humming beside you? Hide it inside a cabinet, closet, or behind a decorative room divider. Now you have more room to spread out paperwork. Place personal keepsakes and plants on shelves; reserve your desktop for work materials. The Perch Magnetic Modular System from The Container Store allows for customization while taking advantage of vertical space. Try to not go overboard with personal items, as clutter can crowd out space needed for important materials while becoming a distraction. Clear away unnecessary items regularly, and stash a paper shredder under your desk to eliminate a trash pile. Marie Kondo teaches a minimalistic approach to living that will permanently declutter your space. Keep the décor uplifting, and freshen it by rotating pieces around the room. Or simply step outside for a breath of fresh air on the balcony or patio of your modern apartment home while you take in the gorgeous wooded scenery!
Make a Referral to the Retreat and Reap the Rewards!
Kudos to Dylan, Assistant Community Manager, The Retreat at Mountain Brook – for this great review!
“Highly recommend The Retreat at Mountain Brook. We were in need of an apartment fairly quickly and only for a short term lease. On top of that we were moving from out of state and were not going to be able to view any floorplan or apartment community in person before we moved. The front office, especially Dylan, at The Retreat at MB was hands down the friendliest, most informative, most helpful and extremely patient with me while I made my calls to complexes around the Birmingham area. They made the moving and living experience the most effortless and easiest experience that I could have asked for. The maintenance staff as well as the security guards were just as friendly too. You cannot beat the location, apartment size, prices, ALL staff members, amenities and overall front office communication at The Retreat at Mountain Brook. I don’t know what we would have done without Dylan!!” Former Retreat Resident, Lauren Pitts
Luxury Apartment Living – Take a Self-Guided Tour Today at The Retreat at Mountain Brook
Finding the right apartment home is essential. And, although social events have been paused while we all maintain our safe distances, your pursuit of superior apartment living can continue. The Retreat at Mountain Brook has developed the perfect touring system to eliminate all of the guesswork for you. We offer virtual tours so you can get a feel for the layout of our available apartments or, you can arrange a self-guided tour of your chosen apartment when you’re ready to schedule a visit. The Retreat at Mountain Brook community is nestled against the City of Mountain Brook and just minutes from downtown Birmingham, yet in its own serene space. Nearby neighborhoods like Avondale, Forest Park, and Crestline provide a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences. Medical facilities, schools, grocery stores, country clubs, nature preserves, and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International airport are all located within minutes of The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Try taking a virtual tour of The Retreat at Mountain Brook apartments from literally anywhere! Our three charming gated villages boast a collection of 19 unique floor plans. In each apartment unity you will find stainless and black appliances, granite countertops and a washer and dryer. Highland Village provides 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom flats, as well as 2- and 3- bedroom townhomes, ranging in size from 1,082 to 1,900 sq. ft. In Greenbriar Village, you will find 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom flats, ranging from 1,093 to 1,780 sq. ft. And Canterbury Village features 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom flats, ranging from 1,284 to 1,893 sq. ft. Browse the floor plans on our website to find the option that best suits you. Photos, videos, and virtual tours are available to assist you. And, did we mention that 4-legged furry family members are welcome as well? We have pet-walking courtesy stations throughout the community and a bark park located conveniently next to our community garden. You may request a virtual tour of your chosen apartment when you contact us. You then may take a self-guided tour when you decide to see our beautiful community in person. Simply make arrangements with a leasing agent by calling (205) 956-9722 or emailing info@retreatatmountainbrook.net. Our team will prepare your prospective apartment for viewing. We’d love to help you find your new home here at The Retreat at Mountain Brook.
COVID-19 and Arlington Properties Guidelines for The Retreat at Mountain Brook
Dear Residents, As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, we want to make you aware of some updates to our daily operations and how, together, we can navigate through this time. Please keep in mind that these operating processes may change if we believe it is in the best interest of our residents and our associates, or if we are directed to do so by government authorities. As a reminder, for your safety and for the safety of all residents and associates, we ask that if you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, cough or sore throat) that you please restrict interactions with others outside of your apartment home. You may have already noticed, the maintenance teams have increased the frequency of cleaning of high touch areas such as door handles, elevator buttons and common area spaces and will continue to do so. Here are additional updates to our daily operations: Leasing Office Leasing office associates are available during normal business hours, and we are embracing the concept of social distancing which has been widely recommended by health authorities. We ask that you contact us via phone or email and limit in-person interactions. We are absolutely committed to providing customer service and kindly request that you support us with this change. Maintenance Service Requests We continue to respond to service requests. You will notice that our maintenance associates are taking extra precautions to protect you and them by wearing gloves and practicing social distancing. Resident Events and Non-Essential Community Areas In order to comply with the CDC guidance regarding social distancing and to help reduce community spread of the virus, we will be cancelling all resident events, gatherings and fitness classes. We will also be closing all fitness centers, pools, business centers and other community spaces such as clubrooms, fire pits and grilling areas. The closure of these amenities will allow our teams to focus their resources and supplies on cleaning community corridors, elevators, handrails, doorknobs, mailboxes and other high-touch surfaces. All essential community amenities such as mail rooms/kiosks, package storage/pick-up, laundry facilities, and dog parks will remain open. Packages If you are experiencing any kind of illness or are caring for someone that has tested positive, please arrange package delivery by contacting us in the office. Quarantining and Everyday Practices If you have been placed on quarantine, either on a voluntary basis or as mandated by the local health officials, it is important that you adhere to the following guidelines during your recommended quarantine period: Do not enter community common areas. Do not enter leasing offices and clubhouses. Do not enter package rooms (contact the leasing staff for additional assistance). Notify us in advance of any in-apartment maintenance requests so our staff can take appropriate precautions. All non-emergency requests will be put on hold but emergency maintenance will be handled promptly. Contact us if you require special assistance As a reminder, there are some everyday things you can do to prevent spreading or contracting the virus. The CDC recommends the following: Stay informed – CDC is updating its website daily with the latest information and advice for the public. (www.cdc.gov/ncov) Avoid contact with people who are sick and keep your distance from others when you are sick. Stay inside your apartment if you are sick to prevent spreading the illness to others. If you have been in contact with someone suspected of having the virus you should self-quarantine yourself to your apartment. Wash your hands often using soap and hot water to protect you and others from spreading germs. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose with your hands. If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have traveled to a “Level Three” designated area, which currently includes China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea or were in close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the 14 days before you began to feel sick, seek medical care. If you have any further concerns regarding the coronavirus virus, please contact your physician, medical care provider or the Centers for Disease Control. Thank you for working with us to limit personal interactions. In addition, if you are diagnosed with a confirmed case of coronavirus, we ask that you contact us as soon as possible so that we can implement additional response protocols throughout the community. Please call your community office with any questions or concerns or if you need special assistance related to this situation. Thank you for your cooperation.
You’ll Love The Team at The Retreat at Mountain Brook
It’s February and love is in the air! February is the month we celebrate two heart-centered events; Valentines Day on February 14, and Heart Month, all month long. At The Retreat at Mountain Brook we also celebrate the love we have for our residents — we’re so fortunate to have people from so many walks of life, who have chosen the Retreat as their home. We are also fortunate to have an amazing leasing team with lots of heart for what they do; and we’d like to introduce them to you. Here we go… Lauren Turner — Community Manager Favorite Quote: “Your hair was put on top of your head to remind you that you aren’t in control of everything.” Fun Fact: I get 8 make up subscription boxes in the mail every month, I am obsessed. Personal Interests: Spending time with my family, shopping and reading. And eating. Favorite thing about being on The Retreat Team: This team is best I have ever worked with. There is a lot of teamwork and everyone actually gets along. I look forward to coming to work every morning! Dylan Hoover — Assistant Community Manager Favorite Quote: “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it” Fun Fact: I have no ligaments in my right elbow. Personal Interests: I love sports, but baseball is my passion. I enjoy spending time with my son and wife, going hiking, the Zoo, and watching Disney movies. Favorite thing about being on The Retreat Team: I love how everyone is high energy and always show willingness to find the perfect home for someone. Clarke Stackhouse — Leasing Manager Favorite Quote: “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist Fun Fact: Spoken word slam poet. Team BamaSlam, CUDZU! Personal Interests: Hiking with my dogs. Watching movies/TV with my dogs. My dogs. Reading, fashion, musicals. Favorite thing about being on The Retreat Team: So happy to be a part of a great team! All willing to make sure to offer the best leasing experience! Savannah Kliman — Leasing Consultant Favorite Quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world” –Mohandas Gandhi Fun Fact: When I was growing up it was a family tradition to have dessert before dinner on my birthday every year. Personal Interests: I love cooking, drawing, hiking, and animals. Favorite thing about being on The Retreat Team: Everyone has been so nice and welcoming. I especially love the feeling of family and community that radiates from this team. Rachel Sandefur — Leasing Consultant Favorite Quote: “Be a silver linings woman, always there to let the light in. You want to feel warm and happy and bright, like sunshine.” Fun Fact: My biggest dream is to visit every South American country by the age of 30; 6 down, 6 to go! Personal Interests: I enjoy reading, traveling, and exercising. I’m also really passionate about personal development! But my favorite hobby is spending time with my husband and our pup! Favorite thing about being on The Retreat Team: Everyone is so personable and unique! I learn something new every day and I love that!
New Year – New You and New Year’s Resolutions
We’re nearly half-way through the first month of 2020 and many of us have probably already experienced a few hiccups in our New Year’s resolutions. That’s OK though — because the number one rule is to try — not for perfection, but for self-care and treating yourself more kindly in 2020. Yes, there’s always room for improvement, so, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again! With that said, The Idea Specialists© at The Retreat at Mountain Brook thought we’d do a little research to help you along the way. We found this list compiled by INC Magazine of the Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions made by folks just like you. Recognize any of them as similar to the ones you’ve made? We’ve added local organizations and businesses to the INC list, that can help you keep promises to yourself and reach your goals this year; all close in proximity to The Retreat. Lets start by looking at the first 5. Here we go! 1. Diet or eat healthier (71 percent) – Eating healthy can often be a chore, especially if you work longer then usual hours or if your used to pulling through a drive through for sustenance. Eating right — really right, is really important. Just ask Sandra Koulourides, MS, RD at Fuel + Fitness in Birmingham, AL. Sandra can explain the importance of retraining your mind to think of food as energy — and we all like energy, right? 2. Exercise more (65 percent) – If getting more exercise is your goal, there’s lots of local resources to leverage for help, starting right here at home. The Retreat at Mountain Brook offers 2 on-site, state-of-the-art fitness centers on property – both overlooking our lovely saltwater pools, surrounded by a naturally wooded backdrop. Need help and a personal trainer or a class to get you motivated? Check out the nearby Birmingham Jewish Community Center for what it has to offer or the super-nice folks at Planet Fitness at 4500 Montevallo Road, both of whom would be happy to assist. 3. Lose weight (54 percent) Another option for loosing weight that we’re really keen on, is as close as your smart phone — Check out NOOM, with its highly successful tips and techniques to change food behaviors, ways to count calories and keep up with progress. 4. Save more and spend less (32 percent) Several of the best ways we’ve found to save money hearken back to #1 on this list – eating healthier. Do you make a list when you go to the grocery store or plow through the store when starving? Start a list. Forgo fast food. Make a meal plan and grocery list and learn to cook — which leads into our next suggestion for learning a new skill or hobby…. 5. Learn a new skill or hobby (26 percent) Looks like we’ve got a theme here — don’t know how to cook? Then learn! There are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of others expertise. Sur La Table at the Summit offers classes as does Little Savannah, in nearby Forest Park. And bringing it back home, for those who’d like to try their hand at growing a vegetable or two, The Retreat at Mountain Brook also offers Residents a plot in our community garden – farm to table at its finest. To sum it up – we hope that you have a Happy New Year – and encourage you to keep up the good work. Take care….and focus on a great 2020!
Top 5 Tips for Fall Home Décor 2019 at The Retreat at Mountain Brook
As the seasons change, so does our desire to create new and exciting living spaces. Our surroundings are reflective of our mood, and it’s always fun to learn what the experts are predicting and how it can be interpreted for our own home sweet home. We asked The Retreat at Mountain Brook Idea Specialists® about fall 2019 home trends, how to learn what your unique style is, what’s in and what’s out — and here is what we learned: Check out websites and magazines featuring your favorite designers to decide on the trend-right looks you’ll love this season. One of our favorites is Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Journal featuring a great article this issue on wabi sabi, the Japanese concept of finding beauty in perfectly imperfect design vignettes and, Joanna’s blog is full of ideas for staying on top of her version of home-style. Not sure of your style-type? Here’s a cool design style quiz you can take to help. (Disclosure – this is linked to a service you will need to eventually pay for, but you can explore your design type for quite a while before the payment option occurs.) Color – there’s a wide spectrum of colors to reach for when choosing a fall 2019 color scheme—Elle Décor rolls out these exciting palates suggesting everything from hunter green, to terra cottas, misty blues to optimistic yellows. Check out details on their website. How do you integrate these colors into your apartment home without breaking the bank or your lease? Simple. Accessories. From rugs, to bath towels, and throw pillows to window coverings – accessorizing is the way to go when making seasonal home décor changes! Here’s a slideshow from Elle Décor of what to look for and what to leave behind. Look for textures like Bocule – a fantastic fabric that’s a type of cloth with knots, loops and curls which give it a pebbly surface texture. Shop Local – Where can you find these trends in all price ranges? That’s easy— Stores near The Retreat include Walmart, which is a five minute drive away and offers free two-day delivery on a wide variety of budget friendly home accessories. We like their Better Homes and Garden line of accessories for the home. Just minutes away from The Retreat, in Mountain Brook Village is Patina, an artful living, home decor boutique helmed by one of Birmingham’s favorite decorators, Melanie Pounds. Patina is an exclusive Verellen Boutique. Verellen conceives, designs and creates beautiful modern home furnishings with an old-world attention to detail. Further afield, Target on Lakeshore Drive carries Hearth and Hand, Joanna Gaines’ exclusive design line of fantastically-designed, affordably priced home items. Indulge your wildest fantasies at At Home, located in downtown Homewood. There you’ll find a treasure trove of vignette scenes from living areas, to dining, bedrooms, and nook spaces, with a full compliment of accessories in all shapes and sizes to choose from. We are partial to these Mongolian Fur pillows ourselves! The Retreat at Mountain Brook is known for its larger than average apartment floor plans, storage, huge walk in closets, and outdoor living spaces–so that is a big plus when storing those special seasonal items. And, with November in full swing, and barreling toward the holidays, now’s the time to get a plan for a refresh of your décor.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—Ways You Can Participate in Birmingham
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. It is estimated that 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The Idea Specialists© at The Retreat at Mountain Brook want to share just a few of the ways you can help locally support people affected by the disease and those searching for ways to cure it: PINK RIBBON PROJECT The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) located in Birmingham at the University of Alabama (UAB) is partnering with Alabama Fire Departments again this year for the “Pink Ribbon Project”, a t-shirt campaign to raise money for local, life-saving breast cancer research. During October, local fire departments across the state are selling specially designed pink t-shirts customized to each local fire department. Nearby The Retreat at Mountain Brook, the Leeds Fire Department is selling the awesome design pictured above for just $15, all of which goes to support the BCRFA. SHOPPING FOR A CAUSE Who doesn’t love a great reason to shop? Make plans for Thursday, October 10 from 12-5 p.m. at J. McLaughlin and from 5-7 p.m. at Kendra Scott for a charity shopping event at The Summit. A percentage of sales from each item will benefit BCRFA. Personally, we have our eyes on Kendra Scott’s delectable pair of Deena Gold Drop earrings In Blush Dichroic Glass pictured below. Another way we love to support Breast Cancer Awareness is by dining out or enjoying a beverage. Three of our favorite local spots near The Retreat at Mountain Brook—Ghost Train Brewing at Lakeview, and Cahaba Brewing Company in Avondale, and Rojo on Southside—are offering specials supporting BCRFA in October. Take some friends and try the Kaleidoscope Sour at Ghost Train Brewery or stop by Cahaba Brewing Company and sip on their tart cherry and hibiscus Berliner Weisse, specially brewed for this month. See how long your mouth puckers on that one! Remember, it’s for a great cause. And, on Monday, October 29, Rojo is hosting a Charity night with 10% of all sales donated to BCRFA. Plan to sit out on their awesome patio and people watch when you go. Of course, Breast Cancer Awareness doesn’t stop when October ends. If you’d like to get involved and help make a difference, contact our friends the BCRFA today. Just email them at BCRFA@uab.edu to learn more ways you can volunteer. THE RETREAT AT MOUNTIAN BROOK If you need a new spacious place to live with a full host of amenities, call us at (205) 956-9722 to schedule your tour or drop by today and see for yourself all that at The Retreat at Mountain Brook has to offer.
National Read A Book Day is September 6th!
Friday is National Read A Book Day, and what better way to kick off your weekend than to sink into a great book? Experts at the One World Literacy Foundation (O.W.L.) share that reading is important because “it helps to expand the mind and develops the imagination.” The Idea Specialists© at The Retreat at Mountain Brook agree and have a few great recommendations for your reading pleasure that are just a short drive from our location; several are less than 10 minutes by car. First, the Emmet O’Neal Library, one of Alabama’s top public libraries is conveniently located nearby at 50 Oak Street in Mountain Brook, Alabama. Besides its stunning inventory of books and audiobooks, the library offers a wide variety of programming including “Library Out Loud” and “Together Time”, story times at the library designed to entertain and educate all ages. For those who love to read, we recommend that you can check these library offerings: for young readers, you can’t go wrong with The Cat in the Hat, a classic from Dr. Seuss that never fails to delight. Other books we like include Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library (for middle schoolers), and for YA readers, try We Hunt the Flame, a New York Times bestseller that presents a mix of magic, lost artifacts, and ancient evil…yes, please! Adult visitors to the O’Neal will find a wide variety of new fiction and nonfiction, along with discussion groups such as the Genre Reading Group which holds monthly meetings. The group’s next meeting will be Tuesday, September 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the Library’s conference room and the discussion topic is Alabama/Alabama-related authors. You can visit the second floor service desk to see a display of related books or feel free to browse on your own! However, if you prefer to browse and buy, there’s also a great local bookstore located less than five miles from our Retreat community. Situated in the heart of Crestline, Church Street Coffee & Books features a wide variety of books, along with monthly staff selections. The cozy bookstore is open seven days a week, early until late and features a wide variety of baked goods including their famous Breakup Cookies and Treehuggers (a cookie/granola bar hybrid) to house made granolas and biscotti. Stop in and say hello to co-owner Cal Morris, a Wendell Berry fan and find out in person why he recommends Jayber Crow as a great read. A few minutes further afield, you’ll find national booksellers Barnes and Noble at The Summit, and Books-A-Million at Brookwood Mall in Homewood. Both offer memberships that come with a 10 percent discount on all purchases along with that oh-so-important coffee shop inside as well. So, if you enjoy reading and are looking for a community with great nearby outlets to support your hobby, consider making The Retreat at Mountain Brook your next home! Our location has it all—close proximity to bookstores, boutiques, local restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies, and even a few big box retailers. We invite you to visit The Retreat for your personal tour of our serene wooded community and see for yourself how convenient the location is to retailers nearby! Contact The Retreat team at (205) 956-9722 or just stop in for your own personal tour today.
