Interior Designing

Futon for Space Saving

2010-03-07T20:00:00.000-08:00

Afuton is a wonderful space-saving seating option for small homes. It serves as a good casual seater in the day and can double as a bed in the night. Futons consist of two primary components, the frame and the futon mattress. The futon frame usually has two positions. When the back is in an 'up' position, the futon is used for seating. The frame is then placed in a flat position for sleeping. Some futon frames also have a lounging position where the back can be placed at a slant point located between the upright position and the flat position.
Wood futon frames are very popular as are metal and wicker varieties.

How to set up spa in home

2010-03-06T09:21:00.000-08:00

Bathrooms plays a important role in now days luxury houses and villas. Bathrooms today are like a spa. You can also have a personalised hydro-massage experience. An electronic touch pad placed within easy reach allows you to adjust the intensity and direction of the water flow for just the right degree of massage action. Bath salts, towelling spaces, soft lighting - there are many ways to feel pampered in the bathroom. A warm floor will make a home spa very perfect
Materials to makethe interiors cool:
Baths can be made of pure glass, lit moonshine blue, or they run free-range beside the bed, or perhaps separated only by a screen sporting a stylish design. You can have steam showers, wet rooms, body jets and safari-style outdoor showers. The latest entrants to the market are rainforest showers which emit different smells and have lights that change colour. You can have bathrooms which bristle with natural materials - woods, bamboos and stone. The bathroom accessories industry is flooded with choice and designing such accessories is now one of the most sought-after careers. With so much action on in the bath industry, go get a new look for your bathroom.
Tips
Give your bathroom a sleek finish with matt black porcelain tiles - perfect for walls and floors Add depth to your scheme with natural tiles. Team them with neutral bathroom fittings and matching accessories. Add some shimmer to your bathroom floor with porcelain tiles Choose stone-effect ceramic wall tiles in cream for a spacious feel Give your bathroom a seaside feel with decorative starfish motifs
Versatile and attractive, use glass blocks can add light to dark bathrooms. Why not use them to create a shower screen or room divider. Make a statement with black and white mosaic glass tiles

Ceiling Medallion

2008-04-27T04:05:00.000-07:00

These medallions are the ultimate when it comes to the aesthetic enhancement of décor in any room. They could be made of Plaster of Paris, wood or polyurethane. No matter what the material used is, they are light weight and easy to install. Customized ceiling medallions are available in plenty of design choices. Ornate medallions come with elaborate carvings - they offer a stylish backdrop for chandeliers, pendant lights and even ceiling fans. Ceiling medallions look good by themselves too on a large ceiling. Patterned ceiling medallions add depth and elegance to fixtures. You could have designs, patterns and colours to go with a fairy tale theme, a rainbow setting, a flowery theme or even a beach theme or an airplane theme.
A ceiling medallion in combination with the right lighting fixture or chandelier could serve as a major architectural accent. Whether it's a plain design or an elaborately ornate one, the effect these medallions have when combined with the right light fixtures could indeed be breathtaking. When the lights are switched on, the medallion design, colour and pattern could come alive, lighting up the room and transforming the space. These medallions could come in any shape - square, rectangle, round or oval. Colourful medallions set against a plain backdrop could simply stand out, adding an elegant touch to décor.

Theme design for child room

2008-04-27T03:49:00.000-07:00

Doing up your children's room takes a lot of imagination
and research to make the room look different and inspire your child to think out-of-the-box. There is a whole range of accessories and designs available in furniture and lifestyle showrooms. Everything from fancy cribs to designer bunk beds is available in the market. And, if that's not enough you can have chairs, tables and cabinets in different colours and themes.
Nowadays, kids know their mind and parents are spending more on doing up the kids' room than on their own room. Sample this. Popcorn furniture comes in knock-down form. A little chair is packed in a small box no larger than one foot by one foot. The legs and the back have to be screwed to the chair base. If your little girl wants something slightly different, you can buy a ladybird stool in bright red with black spots and a matching table too.
Start with a theme and think outside the box. Avoid room themes that are based on your child's favourite character or television show. Instead, select a theme that is more general based on a broader interest of your child. Allow your child to become a part of the process. Talk to your children about their specific tastes in colours and other room details. Ask them about what they would like the room to look like; perhaps they will have an idea that is lots more creative than anything you might see in a magazine or catalogue.

Design you courtyard

2008-04-27T03:36:00.000-07:00

THE COURTYARD IS the first design element that catches the eye, when you look at the architecture of a house. It gives a certain elevation to the architectural design and is also very functional. The architectural features of a courtyard are varied. If you look around the globe, you can source designs from different civilizations and nations. Like the Chinese, Moroccan, Pagoda style or if you have a yen for Indian architecture, the Chettinad and Kerala style looks very traditional and can be made to look stylish.
The traditional 'Nalukettu', which is the type of architecture found in courtyards in Kerala, have a close resemblance to East Asian gabled structures. If you fancy this type of a courtyard for your home, you can even plan an inner courtyard that opens up to the sky. The enclosed roof can protect the rooms from direct sunlight, keeping them cool even on the hottest of days. The Moroccan style on the other hand is also quite contemporary.
A secluded patio garden dotted with container plants can be given a touch of Moroccan magic to transform it into a cosy Mediterranean courtyard that's perfect for entertaining.
The central feature of the landscaped garden can be made to look large with an octagonal, sunken, seating area. This can be covered with intricate Moroccan tiles which are a key inspiration for the garden. The seats can be sunken into the ground with a low wall at the back providing privacy. A rectangular pond, complete with delicate trickling fountain placed opposite the steps will create a pleasing sound and provide a cooling effect as traditionally used in Moorish courtyards. The waters of the pond also reflect the surrounding planting. A small veranda can be made to lead from the house to the patio area. This is covered with coordinating tiles to fit in with the overall design.
A formal patio area can be built between this veranda and the seating area. This can have a tiled floor to coordinate with the rest of the garden and surrounded by a low hedge of pyramid and ball box trees. The table and chairs will offer a pleasing place to eat al fresco.
The Chettinad style of architecture for the courtyard is also very pleasant.
The door leads into the open air courtyard, with pillared corridors running on each side leading into individual rooms.

Stucco

2008-04-27T03:09:00.003-07:00

Stucco walls are popular to convey a theme that is decidedly Mediterranean. In shades of yellow and mustard, this kind of a wall creates a cheery atmosphere. A stucco wall can be painted similar to the rest of the walls and yet standout for its welcome texture. A monochromatic theme will benefit with a stucco wall mainly for the ease with which it introduces texture into the decor

Wallpapers are available in lovely textures with preference given to fibre-based papers. These give an interesting look and feel to the room. An upholstered wall is used commonly in children's room to serve dual purposes of safety and looks. One eco-friendly option, however, is to have untreated wall surfaces like an exposed brick wall that looks good and adds a great deal of texture. If this tends to be overwhelming, use it sparingly around arches and as quoins around windows and door frames.

Cladding

2008-04-27T03:09:00.001-07:00

A wall with a distinctive 'skin' is bound to attract attention. This can be stone, tiles, mirror, glass or terracotta. A Mediterranean look can be achieved by cladding walls and columns with attractively patterned ceramic tiles in hues of blue, yellow and green. This is especially suitable in areas like the atrium and outdoors. A dynamic wall texture can be created with the concept of a water wall wherein natural stone cladding on the wall glistens with the flow of water. Sheets of copper and brass with embossed designs are also finding their way as claddings for a focal wall

Decorative wall murals

2008-04-27T03:08:00.000-07:00

Painting, as such, is an easy way to add drama to the walls. With innovative ways of painting like sponging, ragging, marbling and so on, textures can be added easily. There are pre-prepared textured paints that can also heighten the effect considerably. Wall murals, however, transform the wall into an exquisite focal point. Some murals use materials like ceramic, mirrors, bronze, glass or earthen tiles to create 3D effects. Designs for decorative wall murals can be chosen according to the overall decor of the room. Rustic, abstract or life-like designs can be translated into wall murals using suitable media.

Panelling

2008-04-27T03:07:00.000-07:00

Traditional and classic, wall panelling is about good styling. Wood panelling adds warmth and character to the room. Usually extended till the chair rail, wood panelling is further accentuated with cornices and mouldings. Generally, this texture goes well with traditional decor. For a modern look, cornices and railings tend to be in straight lines rather than elaborate carvings. Remember that the effect of panelling is just as good as the workmanship since details must be finely etched out.

WALL TEXTURES

2008-04-27T03:06:00.000-07:00

ONE OF THE largest areas to be considered when doing the interiors of a house is the wall space. Walls can be overwhelming especially in a large room. Too much attention and they can spoil the rest of the decor. Walls can stand out well on their own with some innovative treatment. There are some advantages of having a textured wall in a room: it creates an immense focal point, it instills a certain amount of dynamism and in most cases there is very little maintenance. The trends in wall texture range from old favourites to new styles, each one finding favour with homeowners for the excitement offered. Take a look at some standouts:
Panelling

Wall murals

Cladding

Stucco

Designs for your gate

2008-04-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

Abeautifully designed and aesthetically appealing gate can enhance the beauty of the house. Hand-crafted and uniquely designed gates can make the perfect style statement at the entrance, lending a warm and welcoming ambience to exterior decor. However, gate designs must be chosen with care.
Gates must blend flawlessly with the architecture and landscape, and enhance the beauty of the building. It could be an ornate gate, a gate with simple straight lines, or a traditional one. An ordinary gate would not go well with a traditional or historic style building. A gate must enhance the beauty of outdoor decor and not overpower it. The shape and size of gates vary depending on the architectural style of the building. A gate with simple, straight lines will be a total misfit in a traditional setting. A garden gate would be quite different from an entrance gate or a driveway gate. The design could vary depending on whether it's a walkway gate, an entrance gate, or a courtyard gate. The design would also vary depending on its function. A ranch-style gate would be solid, have maximum strength, with a centre medallion and rock posts on either side. A contemporarystyle gate would have a stylish look and unique design. Automatic driveway gates would keep children and pets in a safe enclosed area and have remote control openers.
Before choosing a gate, you need to ask a few questions. Do you need a gate that locks or one that automatically closes or opens? Do you need a gate that can be seen through? Do you need a special design that matches the architectural style of the building? Do you have limited space around the gate area for it to open? Do you need a single gate or a double gate? Should it be a gate that swings or a gate that slides?
Gate designs and material would vary depending on their use. An opulent estate could have a highly secure, yet aesthetically appealing gate while a home entrance gate could be modest and simple. Hand-crafted and beautifully designed aluminium and wrought iron gates flank some of the most beautiful resorts and clubs. The gate of your choice can be made once you decide on the material, budget and style. Cast metal allows for ornate design options and is therefore popular. They could be fully arched, flat topped, semi-arched, or could be in simple straight lines. Exquisitely crafted iron gates can add a stately aura to your home. Delicate scroll work, twisted rails, and even designs that are inspired by antique gates can be handcrafted and custom-made. Natural flat top pergola designs can complement any pathway or garden. Traditional timber gates have their own unique charm. An enchanting entry gate offers a passageway and could be elegant, classic, sturdy, or plain and simple. Heavy-duty gates that are surface-coated can withstand years of exposure to different weather conditions. Security gates with high-end automation and communication equipment made of galvanised steel with entry and exit controls, emergency access, and automatic gate openers, are more suitable for apartments, institutions, and hi-tech homes.
Wrought iron gates are a popular choice when it comes to style. They could be used in any setting - outside your home, to fence your garden, or your backyard. These gates can be combined with other types of material as well. Brass accents can be mixed with nearly any type of gate for a regal look. Add-ons like good hinges, handles, and latches come in beautiful designs. Professionally and artistically crafted wrought iron gates that have been metal-sculpted can produce beautiful pieces of art. They are high on style and artistic detail. They go well with gardens, patios, and driveways too

Kitchen Cabinets

2008-04-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

With the growing space crunch in homes, the kitchens of today too have to make do with smaller areas. However, this does not have to mean less storage space. With careful planning, one can always maximise space in any kitchen. The optimal use of storage space is vital and this has to be done systematically as the kitchen is a multifunctional area. It is the one space in the house where so many activities go on besides cooking and storage of food items.
The golden rule for freeing up any space anywhere is to first make it clutter-free. This also gives the room a neat and organised look and also makes it more pleasant to work in. Identify and discard any unusable utensils/unused pots and pans or any crockery. There are countless varieties of kitchen racks available in the market today. There are styles and sizes to suit every need. Kitchen storage should ideally use overhead cupboards and open shelves which are wallmounted. However, both these should be within easy reach. Secondly, use pull-out cabinets for lower-level storage space. You can also have a pull-out countertop space for cutting and other processes or a wall-mounted pull-out table. Often, the major part of kitchen countertop and storage space is taken up by appliances. One way to increase storage space is to use combination or multifunction ones to reduce space needed. For example, there is a device which is both an oven and can brew coffee or a toaster. Some brands combine microwaves with coffeemakers and so on. Slender appliances also help towards optimising kitchen storage space.
Next time you shop for kitchen ware, look for stackable utensils and crockery items. Sets of utensils which neatly fit into one another are all space-savers. Plates, cups, glasses, cooking vessels, and thermal cookware are all available in this variety. A few nails on the wall also help you hang some pans with handles and big ladles.
Stainless steel, because of its reflective quality, tends to make a space appear larger than it is. This is an ideal material for both countertops and cabinet-tops. The kitchen's lighting should be such that it brightens up the entire space leaving no shadows or unlit areas. Use light, neutral hues like white, gray, or light blue in your kitchen as they tend to make a space look bigger. Especially the areas where utensils and other items are closely stacked, needs such colours to make it appear less crowded.You can also allocate a small shelf in a generally unused and dry corner for cookbooks. These books should preferably be covered with a brown paper or newspaper wrapping. This helps as stains tend to collect on the book cover since they are generally handheld (or kept next to the cooking ingredients) during the cooking process. If you look out, you can even find space to display collectibles in the kitchen. Some homes, in fact, use kitchen shelves to store their antique brass and copper cooking vessels or even some fancy cookware or miniatures picked up during travels as souvenirs. Rural craft like elegantly painted terrcotta pots and kettles or colourful tiles, and crystal collectibles can not only be stored on kitchen shelves but they also become showpieces which fit in perfectly with the kitchen's look if they go with the decor theme of the kitchen

How to decorate entrance of home

2008-04-25T18:18:00.000-07:00

Agrand entrance is often the best way to make an impression. This is true even for houses. Decorating the entrance of the house is like art. The totality of the scene must be well thought of before undertaking the project. The colours, composition, and theme must blend well together and stand out as one whole picture. An independent house deals with extra elements like a verandah or a porch. Sometimes, it is just a small shelter over the door that is supported by pilasters, corbels, or columns.
One popular way to decorate the entrance is by following the principle of symmetry. The entrance needs some symmetry on either side of the door. As with any decorating project, a focal point will anchor the look and feel of the entrance.

Greenery: An entrance that emphasises natural elements is visually appealing. Hanging baskets of trailing plants can adorn a partially covered porch. The baskets or pots must be consistent in shape and colour. Try out exotic flowering plants like orchids if there is adequate sunshine. Outdoor columns flanking the entrance do well with ivy or climbers.

Flooring: The flooring can be natural stone, terracotta, or matt-finished ceramic tiles. Even a colourful ceramic mosaic can brighten the entrance. A floor medallion is also popular since it becomes the focus of the entryway. An attractive cobbled stone pathway can further accentuate the entrance.

Walls: The entrance can be brightened with unique wall cladding. It is not unusual to have wall cladding that matches the flooring. Thus, you can combine a wall clad with terracotta details along with a terracotta tiled floor. Alternately, paint or wall mosaic can also add cheer to the entrance. A dark entrance can be brightened by painting the wall in bold colours like yellow, terracotta red, or forest green.

A contemporary theme sees straight lines in planters, columns, and door shelter. A traditional theme will see arches, carvings, elaborate columns, and ornamental planters. Use of decorative Mangalore tiles for a sloped door shelter is also popular. Develop the theme carefully with matching accessories.
Other regular elements like the front door, lighting, door bell, and door mat can be smartened up with little effort. Paint the door in a complementary colour or polish it to accentuate the wood grains. Pay attention to the door handle as this can make the door look really good.

Colonial style architecture

2008-04-25T17:25:00.000-07:00

Architecture in colonies around the world has been influenced by the culture that the settlers brought with them to the new land and resulted in a hybrid essence of many cultures and influences. The British brought timber-framed structures with chimneys, which, in India, became a decorative element only as it was not a requirement in Indian climatic conditions. Steeply pitched gable roofs, fireplaces (sometimes purely decorative), and a classically elegant look with symmetrical simplicity are recurring aspects.
The Portuguese gave India the galleried patio house. Danish and French signature nuances are evident in many parts of the Colonial architecture in the country, mainly in churches and urban settlements. Stucco facades are also an aspect of this style. Other elements include Indo-Saracenic motifs like stone, decorated tile marble, and stained glass which is Victorian in essence but heavily influenced by native Indian styles. These elements can be applied to homes in the form of gothic cusped arches, domes, spires, tracery, and minarets. The designs have to be adapted to the surrounding ambience to ensure that the building profile is not an aberration on the skyline.The Indo-Saracenic style largely has an Indian influence on the exterior but with a Victorian interior. Additions of Oriental motifs in chajjas, jaalis, and chhattris make the styling suitable to the regional context.

Indo-Saracenic style
This style of architecture evolved as an Indo-Gothic variation, with influences from other cultures. Nowadays, the design of a home with these aspects should include some of the identifying features of the style like onion-shaped domes, overhanging eaves of pitched roofs, and pointed cusped or scalloped arches. The roofs can also be adapted to a vault shape with domed kiosks and miniature domes covering smaller areas of the home. Harem windows, open pavilions and arcading with a pierced facade complete the look. It is evident that the Colonial style would be highly unsuitable in the contemporary context where modern idioms dictate the architectural language of the built space. Homes adopting styles of times past are ideally adapted where the home is set in a large estate and follows a traditional theme within the internal decor to afford visual continuity of the artistic medium.In the right setting, Colonial homes add a grandeur that is evocative of royalty and history. A space that speaks of times past, steeped in culture and tradition, yet adapted with all the trappings of modern living to ensure a luxurious lifestyle in a thematic environment.
Courtesy: Timesofindia

Home Gym

2008-04-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

The benefits of a personal gym are innumerable. Apart from providing you with the comfort and privacy of your home and saving you the trouble of travel and waiting too long in queues, you have the freedom to wear what you are most comfortable in. Add the simple joy of having a private shower just a few steps away or the freedom to exercise whenever you feel like and it transforms this opportunity into an offer no fitness addict can turn down.
Not everyone can afford the luxury of allocating a spare room exclusively for a gym. Even a corner in your study, basement or garage can be transformed into a space for exercise. Keep in mind that the only condition is, to keep this space well lit and amply ventilated. Once you decide on where you plan to have your gym, you may consider buying a few basic pieces of equipment that would combine your strength, cardio and flexibility training. To keep from buying expensive equipment that you may never use, start by asking yourself what your fitness goals are and whether the equipment would provide you with sufficient variation to keep you from getting bored and falling out of the program too easily. A simple, yet effective set would include a set of dumb-bells or resistance bands, a fitness ball and skipping rope. Throw in a comfortable mat for floor exercises or yoga. Keep your equipment inviting and not intimidating. You can choose to do up a wall in a bright colour to infuse some energy into this space, or use mirrors provided you enjoy watching yourself as you exercise. Mirrors can paint very faithful 'before and after' pictures and provide encouragement to those who hope to lose weight or cut out flab.
Your mind plays an important role in your training, and there are simple ways to keep it preoccupied as you work up a sweat. Never underestimate the power of a room with a view. Face a window as you skip or jog on the spot or do up a wall with an interesting mural or wallpaper that inspires you. You can introduce a pin-up board with pictures of fitness celebrities or to remind you of your daily goals. Plug into some music as you work out, or churn out a few peppy numbers over speakers to set you into the groove. It may not be a bad idea to set up a small counter television - provided your budget provides for it - to keep you engaged through an hour-long work out. Make sure that this space is distraction free, and for this brief period shut out telephones and other engagements. Finally, as a sweet reward, consider a couch in a corner for you to sink into as you cool down, and toss in a few fresh towels, magazines and a jug of cool water for better effect.

Cabinets in home interior

2008-04-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

When it comes to choosing material for cabinets there is plenty of choice like teakwood, rosewood, mahogany, or plywood with a wood veneer. There is also a range of colours and designs to choose from.
Generally, however, the choice depends on which part of the home the cabinet is going to be used for - office space, kitchen, dining room, or bathroom. The ones in office spaces whether in a regular office or a home-office as well as those in dining areas tend to be more visible than the others (kitchen, bathroom, kids room, etc) and so can be more stylish in design and of superior material. Here, the cabinets become much more than a place to store things and they can also be an aesthetic object of decor. Besides the material, you have to consider the size of the cabinet and all the dimensions so that it fits in neatly into the room you are planning it for and does not look disproportionate after being installed. Cabinets come in both ready-to-install varieties and custom-made options. Custom-designed cabinets which add useful storage space and look aesthetic, also help increase the resale value of a home. Once you have decided on the material and dimensions, there are other important checks for any purchase. One of the most vital considerations is about the fittings. The fittings of the cabinet should be of high quality as they largely determine its durability and user-friendliness. The knobs, hinges, and drawer slides, should be of good quality. The drawer fronts should also look smart and sleek or else the cabinet will look out of place. The finish of the cabinet should be sleek, smooth, and long-lasting. Even its interiors should be smooth and clean. Open a cabinet door or drawer and feel the inner surface there. It should feel smooth and well-finished. Any jagged or rough surfaces might scratch the items being stored there whenever you move them about or remove/replace them. Also, check how durable the material is going to be based on the kind of use you are going to put it to and the frequency of use. It is tempting to put away loads of unused things in cabinets and thus, they become storage areas for a lot of unnecessary things. So, periodically, de-clutter your cabinets. Compared to open shelves, cabinets and even cupboards for that matter tend to accumulate more dust and dirt and the resulting unpleasant odours. To avoid this, every few months or so, empty the cabinet contents, open the doors or drawers, and allow it to be completely aired out and cleaned before replacing the contents. Moreover, there are different kinds of cleaning solutions available for different materials.

Bedroom Interior

2008-04-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

Introduce elegance, style, tradition, and comfort in your bedroom with antique furniture. Refurbish your old recliners and bed sets and use them in your bedroom. Wooden beds with intricate hand carvings add an old-world royal touch to the room. Silk bed sheets and pillow cases will complement antique furniture. Introduce full length silk curtains in deep shades of maroon and blue to add an aura of mysticism to the room. To make antique chairs and recliners more comfortable, equip them with soft decorative cushions lined with silk and lace. Typically, antique furniture is made of mahogany, walnut, or oak wood. While they are classy to look at and comfortable to use, their dark colours may make a small bedroom look dingy. White antiques are preferable for smaller spaces. They will brighten up the room and create the illusion of space. Although it does not have a definitive style but it's truly unique. It will fit into any home with ease and give your bedroom a lighter feel. Team them up with airy linen curtains and pastel-coloured bedspreads. Plush woollen carpets and rugs in white will complement this kind of furniture.

Contemporary
When it comes to furniture, contemporary translates to minimalist. Using contemporary furniture in your bedroom would require you to keep in mind both form and function. Opt for sleek functional furniture that allows maximum floor space. Designer metal furniture will serve your purpose to perfection. As a rule, your bed should not take up more than thirty percent of your bedroom space. Keep it centred in the room, with its headboard against the wall. Either black or white metal is suitable for the bed. Keeping this as the focal point, work around the bed and introduce other furniture. Look for tall dressers instead of broad ones. Settle for a few vanity chairs which are simple but elegant. Mount the night lamps on the walls, and get a chic side table with a wide surface and a finelycrafted leg. An armoire that is as perfect for clothes as it is for a TV, or a storage chest with a padded top that works as a seat, are some multifunctional furniture you can introduce in your bedroom.
In terms of upholstery, you can go bohemian and introduce colour in your bedroom with vibrant rugs and bedspreads. Get double-coloured curtains in vivid shades and modern patterns. If you want to tone it down a little, stripes are a good design choice. You could also opt for bold squares and blocks as a theme. From square-shaped rugs to blockpainted bedspreads, you can carry the design all across your bedroom. A thumb rule to remember is to keep the designs bold if you want a contemporary look.
No matter what kind of furniture you choose for your bedroom, make comfort the first priority. The furnishings should make you feel at home and soothe your senses. Surround yourself with colours that have a calming effect on your mind. As far as possible, keep the furniture simple and the upholstery elegant.
courtesy: TimesofIndia

Art gallery at home

2008-04-18T08:20:00.000-07:00

You can turn everyday objects into artistic pieces just by the way you present them. When you display something in a prime space, it naturally assumes value and beckons a second glance. You can thus create graphic accents, lithographs, art prints, photos from your album, a graffiti board, a black board, or a swatch board of textile.

Photo library
You can display artistically taken photographs of your family, in black and white or colour, old childhood photographs of yourself, your mom, your pet cat etc, and pictures from a fashion shoot that you happened to attend. Create a soft board where you can perhaps, add a wooden frame around it, paint a coat of silver, and stick these pictures.

Wallpaper
To enliven a wall, simply wallpaper it. You don't have to wallpaper the entire room, just one wall. Even a narrow one covering a niche will look great. It takes just a few hours, and will bring about a refreshing change indoors. You can even change it with the seasons. Some people love to wallpaper just a border near the ceiling, while others like to wallpaper only the centre, adding pattern and style to the space. If you travel abroad, you also find interesting wall decals which are modern art stickers of colourful flowers, tree boughs, people etc which you can place at intervals on a wall.

Graffiti
Create a large whiteboard, and have it fixed on a wall which is perhaps partly unused, and is in an odd place, say like behind a stairway. Use this white board to express your thoughts, ideas, and write messages. You need to make sure the board is kept clean when there are no messages, add a drawing which will have longer shelf life, and keep it trimmed with some nice stickers or applique work on the edges, so that it blends with the rest of the decor. Alternatively, you can pick up a black board for your child to draw, write a poem etc.

Photo prints
One of the easiest ways to create drama in a living or bed room is to enlarge a photo-print or a graphic print and place it prominently above your bed rest or behind the sofa, like a large print of wild poppies, sunset, or any other nature-inspired shot. You can also enlarge different parts or segments of photographs and frame them in a sequence to form a storyline. You can also have framed signed prints of famous Indian contemporary artists, or lithographs put up on your wall.

Frames
This is where you can include anything that you love, and have it framed. For instance, knick-knacks from around the house like attractive kitchen knives, miniature tea or garden sets, lace handkerchiefs, a set of wooden combs, architectural drawings, porcelain or sequined butterflies, Greek or Venetian masks, doll clothes and shoes. You can create relief by adding certain borders to your frame, or touch it up with some crafty trims.
courtesy: timesofindia

choosing a home theatre system

2008-04-12T06:08:00.000-07:00

If the home theatre system is used only for playing music, then you can have bookshelf speakers which are usually up to 15 inches (half size) and are placed on racks or walls.They play frequencies from 60 Hz (hertz) to 20 Hz.
If your system is mainly brought for watching movies, then you should have floorstanding or full range speakers which play frequencies from 40 Hz to 20 KHz.
For parties, you can have floor standing speakers - a minimum requirement is 200-250W for playing loud music like rock and heavy metal. An important point to bear in mind is the reserve power. This is the power that allows sudden loud sound spurts to play or gives extra effects without distortion. If you play music that is louder than this, it will burn the equipment. During such sudden bursts, it can go up to 40-50W. Usually, a person listens to music at 5W and watches movies at 10W. Reserve power comes to 100W for both movies as well as music. For a large group of 20 people at a party, it is 200-250W. Another thing to be looked into is the PMPO (Peak Music Power Output). It is the total volume that can come out of a system.The maximum PMPO in a portable home theatre system is 100W, going up to 150W. In an open air stadium
each speaker would give an output of 1,000W. Graphic equalisers are mainly used to enhance the output from poor speakers or to boost certain frequencies at lower levels. These days, most home theatre systems have pre-programmed or digital equalisers that are an inbuilt part of the system. Others that are user-specific come in 5-band and 10-band ranges.
The main points to keep in mind while buying a home theatre system are the power and the speaker quality. You have 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 systems, the most popular and common being the 5.1 type, coming with four normal speakers, one centre speaker (for voice only), and one subwoofer. A regular movie watcher can have a 2.1 system,and an average movie watcher can have a 2.1 system with a full range speakers and a subwoofer. Sub-woofers are speakers for ultra low frequency from 100Hz to 30Hz. They produce the bass sound, usually below 100Hz and can come separately or with the system itself. Many companies have listening rooms where you can hear the sound reproduced by a subwoofer.But this is offered only for a separate one. If you are building your own home theatre system, then you can have a subwoofer with 150-500W. A powerful sub-woofer of 250W can be used outdoors for playing music during a party.
A point mostly overlooked is the quality of the DVDs which offer surround sound. While the home theatre system can play surround sound, most VCDs have simulated surrounds that are not original. So, look for DVDs in the Dolby Prologic mode as they come with the actual effects.

Themes in Interior Decor

2008-04-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

Indian: To start with, introduce cane and jute furniture in your living room. Use several brightly coloured cushions and pillows to make them comfortable. Hand-woven Indian floor mats with ethnic designs and in vibrant colours, will add flavour to this theme. Suspend oil lanterns from the roof to add an old-world charm to the room. You can have electric bulbs in lanterns for ease of use. Adorn the walls with paintings and prints that reflect Indian culture and artistic talent. Hand-woven silk fabrics from Rajasthan make for excellent wall art.
African: This is a great theme for the bedroom. Animal prints and tribal designs are the primary patterns. Tiny hand-made African instruments and African-style trinkets and statuettes add to the theme. Floor rugs with animal prints will add authenticity to the decor. Use tribal art and colourful masks to embellish the roof and walls.
Oriental: A theme that demands a lot of red and golden, it will make the guest room look really unique. You can have low Chinese-style seating in the room. From hand fans and kimonos to Chinese dragons and chopsticks, you can do a lot with this theme.
There are several other themes you can opt for to make your home really interesting. Whatever interests you, can turn into a theme for your home. Music, motorcars, bikes, planes, ships, painting, photography, travel, technology, history - all of them can be effective themes for the various rooms of your home.

Decorative Painting on Ceiling

2008-04-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

Decorative painting on the ceiling is not a new idea. Painted murals have depicted entire stories on the ceiling. For low ceilings, the trick is to paint it a light colour, if required, with designs that suggest space and height. Glossy paints are normally used to create a bright ambience. In case of painting, the techniques adopted can vary according to the location and requirement. From common scenes like blue sky with wispy white clouds to elaborate faux finishes, decorative painting can transform the look of your room. For artistic depictions of scenes and designs, hiring a professional artist is the best bet. Trompe l'oeil painting is also a fun way to add some zest to the room.

A plain ceiling, however small, can be made to look extremely stylish with wood rafters that traverse its length. Faux rafters of wood will add the elegance of a club's lounge into the home space. This is particularly beautiful in a high ceiling room or lobby. Sometimes, a rustic look can also be created with the selection of bamboo rafters. This looks good with a cathedral ceiling.
There are other ways to beautify the ceiling with props like glass or mirrors. Both may be impractical when there kids at home. Cornices and crown mouldings, although they do not classify as ceiling decor, accentuate any ceiling with ease. Use them when you want to draw attention to the ceiling.

Ceiling Decor with Medallions

2008-04-11T08:45:00.001-07:00

Medallions
Ceiling medallions are quite popular in decor. They can be installed in high or low ceilings. Ceiling medallions can be as visible or understated as you desire. Usually, plaster of Paris, wood, or polyurethane is used to make readymade or customised medallions. Ornate medallions come with elaborate carvings that are coloured or more commonly, gilded to bring out the design. Usually, medallions are radial and serve as stylish backdrops for chandeliers, light fixtures, or fans. There are instances when a specification may require a medallion of a different shape.
To find a suitable location for a ceiling medallion is simple. They look good around a fixture, by themselves in a vast ceiling or as simple decoration in an elaborate ceiling like the tray ceiling. Another ceiling decor that is similar to a medallion is a rosette. This is a small stylised floral design that can be used across the ceiling, along the border, or in combination with a medallion.

When the design is a slight projection from the surrounding surface, then it is called a bas-relief. This is normally associated with temples or palaces due to its grandeur. From simple designs to elaborate figurines, bas-relief holds a lot of promise in the realms of ceiling decor. Here, bas-relief is usually done with plaster of Paris. In a small room, simple designs can adorn the ceiling, especially along the borders. For subtlety, the relief is usually painted the same colour as the ceiling. Elaborate scenes are best suited for a high domed ceiling wherein the ceiling becomes the centre of attraction. For grandeur, colours as well as gilded patterns are used with each relief in the scene, gaining prominence.

Sculptures in interior decor

2008-04-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

While paintings and pieces of art add to the character of a decor scheme, sculptures, whether in stone, wood, metal, or even clay, have a special place, at times becoming the focal point of a room. A large room can accommodate quite a few sculptures, most of them exotic, in various sizes as well as materials.
However, a small room would afford only small figurines placed attractively on a side table, on the mantelpiece, or tucked into a nook on the wall along with a large piece placed in a vantage corner that essentially acts as the focal point in the room.
Though metal sculptures appear more intricate and exquisite, stone as well as wood can prove to be equally exotic. Placing clay figurines next to greenery gives an earthy charm to the setting. These clay figurines lend warmth and cheer when placed at the entrance or the foyer along with a few potted plants.
Large-sized stone and metal sculptures are heavy and hence appear best when placed on the floor in a corner where they can draw attention. Alternatively, if placed on a stool or a display board, the resting base has to be large and sturdy as well as attractive to complement the beauty of the sculpture.
These heavy sculptures can also act as focal points if placed in the large empty space under the stairs. However, this space should be one that is visible from the living area where the seating arrangement is. The sculpture would then have to be flanked with other pieces of art though care should be taken to ensure that it continues to be focus of attention.
Besides the empty space under the stairs, a bare wall that tends to draw the attention from the living area can also act as the focal point to display a large sculpture. For instance, a large carved wooden figurine resting against this wall with complementing artifacts would remove the barren feel from this wall and instead convert it into a display area in the living room.
Medium-sized sculptures, especially those of metal, feature very well on top of side tables and inside special niches created in the walls. While displaying them in these niches, it is important to provide the right kind of lighting. At night, soft light focusing on the figurines inside these niches give a fairy talelook to the decor. These also appear attractive when placed on the steps of staircases along with other art pieces.
Wooden sculptures appear best when decorating the walls. These figurines with a flat back can be hung on the wall to give an artistic look to decor. However, sandalwood requires a totally different treatment. These feature best when placed on top of a desk or a small carved side table.
Wooden sculptures also blend well with greenery. Thus, if the living room has some potted plants, it is a good idea to place a few medium-sized wooden figurines along with it to add to its charm.
Since sculptures essentially give an artistic flavour to decor, it is important not to crowd them in one area, or feature them right at the entrance or in between seating arrangements. They need to be displayed as a single piece, drawing attention to their beauty and art.
Displaying too many figurines too can make it appear like an art gallery. Displaying sculptures in different mediums lends variety as well as portrays art in a better form.

Spa at home

2008-04-02T10:11:00.000-07:00

A SPA IN the backyard could be the ultimate in luxury - more so
when all you need is a relaxed bath to calm your frazzled nerves. Ideally, a spa must be located close to your home with easy access. It could be a spa that's exclusively for relaxation or one that could also double up as a space for entertainment and family gatherings. Privacy, aesthetics and the scenic view the location offers must also be considered while selecting the right place for your backyard spa. A natural grove, a pool or a scenic view could all be used to advantage. The final design must always consider sun and wind exposure and the existing landscape.
Apart from this, you will need a level surface that is strong enough to support it. The size of the spa will determine the exact amount of space that's needed. Another point to remember is the source of electricity to run the spa. Once this is put in place, you could consider other retreat features such as lighting and music. You'll also need access to a hose to fill your spa.
To set up your hot tub retreat in the backyard, you need to plan ahead for a built-in, integrated look. The hot tub could be installed flush-mounted with the deck surface, partially mounted on the deck surface so that a portion of the hot tub is exposed, or freestanding. The advantage of a freestanding setup is that if the spa is ever removed, there won't be a hole in the deck. The deck could be of ceramic, tile, slate, brick or stone.
A beautiful landscape could be the perfect setting for a backyard spa. Gazebos, arbors, potted plants and water features like waterfalls and fountains could create the right ambience for a magical retreat. You could transform the space by growing some fragrant flowering vines. You could turn the space into a permanent retreat with a decorative gazebo to enhance that sense of privacy. Sliding windows could be another option. A pitched roof could keep the elements away. You could also create an outdoor room in your backyard around your bathtub with weather proof columns and beams and a metal coated roof. You could create a natural retreat around the bath tub. A green grassy lawn, a patio for entertaining, a row of hedges, seasonal plants - you could incorporate all these features into your backyard landscape. A brick walkway could blend in well too. You could also consider making room for a bar section with refreshments. Towels and toys could be stored here too. You must make sure you have enough space for chairs and tables too. These outdoor room areas can be made of wood, fiberglass or stone. A row of stepping stones running from the house to the spa could make it more accessible.
You could add some positive energy into your backyard with some water features. The sound of water flowing could be soothing. You could also enhance your backyard spa sensory experience with aromatherapy options. The sense of sight, sound and scent can enhance your outdoor spa experience, leaving you relaxed and rejuvenated. A water jet message could be therapeutic, leaving you with a sense of calm and comfort. Hydrotherapy could even relieve you of pain and muscle soreness - a perfect way to calm frazzled nerves and revive your energy. The fragrance of aromatherapy oils could inspire you, sharpen and influence your mood.
A rich and exotic hot tub bath in the backyard could take you into a world of pure tranquility. This could be the perfect place to experience the healing power of water and fragrance, calming your mind and invigorating your senses. This could be your ultimate backyard fantasy for some much needed backyard bliss.

room for game

2008-04-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

Most of the sprawling layouts that are seen today can fit in a games room easily although some houses come with a designated space for this purpose. Some locations that score over the rest are basements, spare garages or large rooms on an exclusive level of the house. An atrium will also do provided there is no objection to the noise level. Once the location is decided, the theme of the games room becomes the next decisive factor. You may want a typical English pub atmosphere with darts board and a pool table. Or it can be every kid's dream theme with arcade games and neon signboards. A games room for a family of adults may have the ultimate casino theme with felt lined tables for lively games of poker, blackjack and roulette. The theme can also be a sporty one with posters and sports memorabilia dotting the room. The possibilities become easier when you decide the games that you may want here. Board games, cards table, pool table, table tennis, video games, basketball hoop, darts board or foosball table can keep the family and friends entertained for hours. For tiny tots, you may want to include an indoor climbing tower, slide, seesaw or a colourful rocking horse.

Decor

The ambience needs to be bright and airy for quality time. Depending on the theme, appropriate colours follow suit. For a children friendly theme, bright colours are better on the walls. You may even assign specific areas for different games and make the areas standout with different decor. This can be done with the help of props like wall posters, vinyl decals, area rugs or the lighting. Ambient lighting must be bright and cheerful. Specific task lights over snooker or cards table will be required. A retro feel maybe had with bright neon signboards and maybe a jukebox. Make sure that there are adequate plug points and the wiring is covered.

Furniture

Games specific furniture is important and necessary. For instance, a casino themed games room will require tables with chip wells and cup holders. Similarly, a snooker table will require sturdy cue racks. Generally, a round or an octagonal table is suitable for poker or board games. An extra table that will seat two or four players is useful to have as a spare or when there are fewer people. Comfortable armchairs of quality upholstery for a board games table are appropriate. Those who prefer other amenities in here may want some plush sofas and a few beanbags to lounge while watching television. Bright stackable cubes are a good idea in a modern theme for adding colour and extra seating. Apart from seating, storage cabinets for games paraphernalia are useful. One amenity that is good to have here is a well-equipped mini bar area that will include a bar refrigerator, sink, water dispenser and a microwave. And of course, swivel bar stools to while away your time

exterior of a home

2008-04-02T09:45:00.001-07:00

The placement of a structure in an area, its relative size to the surroundings and its self proportions are keys to the justification of its form. Too large for the site and the effect is an overpowering building whose aesthetics are totally lost; If it is not in keeping to the skyline then it strikes a discordant note that is jarring and detracts from its visual appeal; The mix and match of solids and voids in the built form itself are important for the overall effect to be pleasing. During design the elevation should be planned with due cognizance to all these factors which contribute is making the first impact upon approaching a building. Massing and the heights of parts relative to the whole results in a home that is complete in design and meaning.

Elements
The exterior of a home will conform to a style that is a personal choice and translated into the built form by the designer. It may be contemporary or traditional depending on what look is required. Many aspects go into making the outside an interesting concoction, that create a visual impact making the experience of the home a pleasant one. Since the connection to a home begins from the outside, it is critical that any aspect that is required within gets reflected on the façade too. Thus comfort, luxury, ethnicity, simplicity and other such variations should be apparent in the elevation.
Sloped roofs, pillars and cornices add a traditional flavour that adds grandeur and is architecturally ostentatious. For the contemporary theme it is all about straight lines, plenty of glass and an exterior that is simplistic without being mundane or monotonous. Here, excitement is created by the shadow play of blocks, the way in which units blend and the use of colours and textures.

Colour
The impact that colour makes is more apparent when used in buildings. As colour has the power to affect moods it is critical to use the right ones in an exterior. The pastels create a bit of monotony that has to then be made exciting by adding a contrast for interest. Very dark tones make the space look smaller and add a dreary look to the surroundings. Fresh colours are key in making the elevation bright and appealing. Variations can be applied by the use of textures. These can be by incorporating paints with grains or by cladding with different materials that bring their intrinsic qualities to the façade.

Designs
An elevation is dictated by the style used for the home. It is important to carry the theme through the building to provide a satisfying experience and imbibe the essence of the home. This aspect begins with the exterior. Be it ethnic, region specific or having international influence, the architecture outside will reflect the meaning of these styles. In resorting to a style the façade will be transformed from just an elevation to one that speaks a design dialect highlighting its nuances. It is critical to choose a style that is not overbearing for the space and is one that will not be boring over a period of time.

theme home

2008-04-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

The theme home of today is prone to many influences as architecture today is global in the truest sense. Most external profiles of buildings are no longer curtailed by location or the idioms that define the countries historical past. Today designers experiment with forms, profiles, proportions and colours. These aspects give them a unique quality that bestows the home with a designer look. A variety of roof shapes make buildings unique; Variation in façade levels and different heights make an eye catching impact. The pergola has become ubiquitous in homes as its presence in porticos, gardens, atriums and as a visual element is proof of its popularity. Finishes have moved from the mundane to those that are textural and speak of the third dimension. Brilliant colours, textures, stone cladding and exposed construction make for an outside that can be ethnic, traditional or modern. The contemporary design dialect is all about glass, chrome, simple lines and minimal embellishments

Theme décor

2008-04-02T09:20:00.001-07:00

Theme décor is popular today. Homes can be outfitted to look like spaces from foreign shores. Traditionalists still go the ethnic way with brick and clay; brass and silks; floor seating and carved pieces; all housed in voluminous double heights with stained glass and chandeliers. Seating can be natural stone benches with the beauty in polished stone adding their own exuberance to the space while the sophistication of leather adds its own brand of panache. Soft furnishings range from natural fibres to synthetics. Some homes are ostentatious with architectural elements jostling for attention with artifacts. New age architecture is about simplistic décor that is in sync with the fast pace of lifestyles today. Interiors tend to be no fuss without too much in terms of carving, bulky furniture and accoutrements. Artifacts are limited to select pieces that can be highlighted with subtle lighting adding elegance to the ambience. Homes can also be a quaint mix of art and architecture largely defined by the personality of the user where a Chinese fan can jostle for space on a wall with paintings and the durries on the floor can reflect the colours in the kaleidoscope of hues in the room. Often homes fashion their interiors on the humble ambience of village adobes to bring in a rural ethos to the urban context. Pillars on the other hand have survived the test of time and used as a fashion statement. Themes can also revolve around ideas from around the world. Greek columns, English fireplaces, Egyptian artifacts, Scandinavian furniture, Italian flooring and many more. Sometimes just a few elements from a region can be incorporated to give it the distinct flavour, or one stand alone artifact can be displayed to create a focus
Today aspects are not used so much for their suitability to the function as they are for their aesthetics. Architectural styles are defined by elements that become the design idiom for that trend

collectibles

2008-04-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

A COLLECTIBLE IS any desirable or fancy object you may want
to collect in more numbers. It could be crystals, porcelain or anything that can become a collection. Contrary to beliefs, size does not matter. For an old world charm that is tinged with exotic appeal, collectibles from the Orient will be the perfect answer. Oriental collectibles are rich in style, artistry, beauty and variety. There is enough variety in this genre to fit into distinct areas of the living space. Here are some rich standouts for different spaces in the house:

Living room
Oriental, while sounding exotic, is very much dominant as a theme. Collectibles for the living room need to have a great deal of impact. Exquisite paintings on silk or handmade paper become collectibles, especially when you want to lay your hands on more. There are exclusive lines of puppets that together form a nice collection. Jade collectibles are extremely beautiful, the price depending on the colour of jade. These collectibles of extraordinary elegance are available with gold or argent accents with motifs that signify the Orient. Generally, dragons, snakes, lions, elephants and swans are symbols typifying the Asian origin. Porcelain vases and bells that are hand painted with great style are as expensive as the period from which they belong. Painted miniature vases and porcelain eggs are also attractive. Some bottles are painted beautifully from the inside of the bottle in an unimaginably delicate manner. Snuff boxes and opium boxes are coveted oriental collectibles. Available from the antique, rare and vintage ranges, the materials are many and exquisite. Ceramic, bone, lacquer, and jade boxes with delicate paintings or carvings are available at a price. Dolls are yet another type of collectibles wherein the costume gets a lot of attention. These are usually wedding costumes made in typically rich and grand materials. From dolls to swords, try out the fascinating range of daggers and swords from West Asia that are symbolic of pride and bravery. A collection of daggers will include designs and styles of different clans and tribes.

Dining area
Collectibles for this area can range from the functional to pure decorative. Those made of ceramic, lacquer, stone, and glass are ideal for the dining room. Items normally collected are tableware, decorative plates, vases, bowls and the most delightful of all, teapots. Dinner gongs are also popular with each region having their own style. Also popular are catchy looking rice baskets, betel nut boxes, baskets, offering bowls and trays. In the miniature scale, there are tiny tea sets and dinnerware available with gilt accents. On the other end of the spectrum, Oriental sideboards and accompanying chests are large but nevertheless part of an extraordinary collection.

Bedroom
Start with the beautiful jewellery boxes for which bygone Orient was famous. The next range of collectibles that will be useful is the innumerable hat boxes that can be used for storage. But for sheer delight, indulge in the vintage dollhouse collectibles that include miniature furniture, armoires, paintings and the dolls themselves. Antique boxes, baskets, trunks, cabinets are functional collections for the bedroom. Oriental lamp stands are exotic collectibles fit for a grand dresser.

Display
Oriental collectibles, like any other range of collectibles, need to be displayed well. Wooden stands, shadow boxes, glass display stands and cases are perfect for collectibles of this stature

window curtains

2008-04-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

YOUR WINDOWS CAN be a cut above the rest with the
right kind of dressing. Whether it's more light you want or more privacy, you must choose the right kind of window treatment. If you have a window, you must dress it up. There are many aspects to be considered though. You could dress it up using drapes, valances, awnings, sheers or even blinds. You could decorate your windows with rich brocades and tapestries; or make your room warm with velvet and wool; or you could give an airy touch to the room with lace and cottons.
However, you must choose window treatments that compliment the style of décor in your home. Set the mood in your room with the right kind of window treatment. Go for either a formal look or a casual one. For a luxurious look, go for a formal treatment with floor-length drapes. Layer them with sheer underneath. Finish it off with a top treatment. This kind of window dressing looks great in rooms with high ceilings and tall windows. You could also settle for a dressed up curtain panel with curtains, giving it a flirty touch with ruffles.
Valances, cornices and awnings can make a huge difference too. Use them alone or in combination with blinds and shades to make your windows more attractive. Add some visual interest to your windows and see what a huge difference that makes. Valance is a fabric that hangs across the top of a window, usually covering a third of the window glass. Often used to hide display hardware, it can be dropped, gathered or pleated. Valances can be used with or without a curtain underneath.
Shimmering sheers are seductively soft and can be used to create an airy feeling in the room. Commonly made of light weight fabric like voile, sheers provide a light filtering effect. They can be combined with a hard window treatment such as a roller blind or a heavy curtain for privacy. The sheer luxury of silk fibres on windows can brighten the interiors. The flowing, soft fabric can make your window warm and inviting. You could also add a touch of fantasy by focusing on what's behind these sheers, with see-through sheers. When you see designs through them, the effect could be magical Sheer valances with trimmed edges could be used to accent sheer curtains on windows. They could also be used to visually unite windows and doors of different shapes and sizes. They could provide that perfect finishing touch to a formal window dressing. Extra flourishes with buttons, beads, lace and pleats could add some glamour quotient to your window décor.
Swags and scarves add a striking accent to curtains. Layering a printed swag or scarf over coordinating solid curtains could bring all the colours of the room together to create a romantic focal point. Scarves and swags offer a distinctive look and layering treatments could also be used to bring out the best in window dressing.
Vertical blinds give drama and dimension to large windows, patio doors and French windows. Pleated shades offer fashion and flexibility. They bring colour and texture to the room. Bamboo and woven shades are trendy too. Also, they let in more diffused light. Shades made of bamboo are environment-friendly and popular too. Natural shades of rattan, straw or bamboo can create a relaxed atmosphere of casual elegance and simple sophistication.
Interior awnings could add a new dimension to any room. They could be made of sturdy canvas or heavy cotton blends. They could be used to give your kitchen a French café look. Cornices perform the same decorative function of topping a window and concealing window hardware. They could be decorated with moldings, painted or wall papered. But upholstered cornices provide a softer look and this could be done by covering the cornice with decorative fabric.
Bay windows add architectural interest to rooms. They let in a lot of light and also provide a great outside view. You could consider accentuating your bay window with a valance. Café curtains topped with one long valance could also do the trick for you. Whatever you choose to do, nicely dressed up windows can open a new world of décor for you, turning drab looking windows into focal points that can grab your attention.

China made interior products

2008-04-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

Chinaware originated in China but is now produced the world over. It is also known as porcelain or bone China. The modern, sleek look is very in even for Chinaware. Geometric shapes are popular. China is often combined with materials like stainless steel and glass for trendy crockery. Gold rimmed cutlery and white embossed Chinaware looks very stylish and classy. Crockery like coffee mugs in bright and bold colours with polka dot designs and bold prints make a statement. White bone china crockery and vases are hugely popular the world over.
Pots, vases, jars and items used in Feng Shui are often made of porcelain. Decorative wall plates, many of them hand-painted, from Russia, Hungary, Holland and China are popular embellishments for the home. Chinaware with natural motifs like flowers, leaves and birds looks refreshing in a minimalist home and even when combined with colours or geometric patterns.

Rosewood tables
Rosewood has made a big comeback. Metallic furniture was trendy sometime back but now teakwood is very in.
Rosewood tables add class to interiors especially when aesthetically made. In India rosewood is also known as sheesham. The highly carved sheesham furniture from Saharanpur is in much demand. Rosewood is a heavy timber with high strength properties. Yields fine solid wood over and veneer for use in furniture
The finest rosewood chosen is characterised by its deep grains and beautiful curls that form quality of wood and look grains at its best.
A number of finishes are available like matt finish (wax), glossy (shellac
and oil shellac)and lacquered spray after matt finish is done.
Rosewood tables can be highly carved and very ornate like the ones available in China. However carved furniture is not trendy and clean straight sections are fashionable these days.

Ornamental door handles
With a minimalist look being in vogue, a fancy, carved door handle adds a bit of charm to an otherwise plain home with straight lines. Often, the home may be contemporary with a traditional, carved wooden main door which is the surprise element. Sometimes the puja room may have an ornamental door with fancy door handles.
Heavy brass knockers are popular. Door handles can be made of wrought iron, brass and even ceramic. Flush ring pulls remain a popular shape and style.

Fancy lighting
Lighting has become hi-tech but silhouettes and shapes have become simpler. To add some variety and contrast, curved shapes and designs like flowers and leaves are a good option. Porcelain light fixtures are trendier than the usual glass ones. Votives in different designs, hues and materials like wood and glass and in vibrant hues with aroma candles are a simple way of adding to the ambience and mood of your interiors.
Chandeliers add that element of glamour and design to a contemporary home. Stained glass light fixtures remain stylish and trendy

displaying paintings

2008-03-22T05:33:00.000-07:00

Paintings are a great way to spruce up your walls. Be it reproductions of masterpieces or selfmade works of art, paintings add character to a room and often, tell a story. There is art involved in how you display paintings on a wall. The arrangement plays an important role because it can change the entire look of a room. It can make a room look larger or smaller, sunnier or darker, sophisticated or bohemian.
Before getting started on hanging your wall art, it's necessary to pick out the right kind of art. Visit an art gallery and see which colours complement each other and blend well together. Notice the arrangement of paintings and determine which hues and shades are most eyecatching and which of those impress you the most. Another vital factor to be considered is the colour on your wall. The lighter your wall colour, the more accommodating it will be to different kinds of paintings.

Basics
Once you've decided on the kind of paintings, there are certain rules you want to keep in mind. Firstly, the centre of the painting should be between 50" to 60" from the ground. The more you stick to this rule, the more balanced your room will look. Secondly, when you hang a painting above a couch, fill up two thirds of the wall over the couch. Larger paintings look good here. Leave 5" to 10" gap between the top of the couch and the bottom of the painting. Thirdly, no painting should be so large that it overwhelms the wall and no painting should be so small that it gets lost on the wall. Lastly, do not crowd a wall with too many paintings. More than five is too much. With these basic rules in place, you can play around and find your own style.

Patterns

You can experiment with various interesting patterns to hang your paintings. While it is often said that paintings should be at eye level, there are times when this does not apply. Paintings facing your couch can be slightly lower. The ones on the side walls could be just above eye level. Determine where your eyes focus on the wall most often and display your paintings there.
Grouping paintings on a large wall is a great way to create an interesting focal point. Balance plays an important role in this kind of arrangement. If you hang two medium-sized paintings on one side, use three smaller paintings on the other side. Arrange and rearrange them to strike the right balance.
Paintings that are equidistant to one another and are hung in a straight line, work for a small space. Edge-toedge is a popular pattern that looks best along staircases. Sometimes, random patterns work wonders. Create a collage with paintings that complement one another or tell a story with a series of paintings by hanging them accordingly. Hanging one mediumsized painting and several small ones around it makes an interesting pattern, more so if the paintings are related in terms of subject matter. If you own a large-sized piece, hang it alone. Big paintings are meant to be used as standalones. Hang just one painting on a wall that has furniture against it. On a bare wall, go for more.
Use lighting that flatters each painting, and make sure there's no glare from the lights. A sure-shot way to know whether or not a painting looks good in its assigned place is to trust your instinct. Does it feel right? If yes, then let it be where it is, even if it does not satisfy the basic rules. If not, then move it until you know it looks right

Elements for a smart kitchen

2008-03-22T05:31:00.000-07:00

In this age of conveniences, everything is simplified to save time. Thanks to modern technology, most of what we need is available to us at the touch of a button. Taking technology into the kitchen has resulted in a smarter, more efficient kitchen that enables one to cook faster, better, and with minimal effort.
To get started, you can design the decor of your kitchen to look suave and sleek. Invest in an elegant modular kitchen. Buy appliances with compact designs and futuristic finishes that blend in with the style of your kitchen. An intelligent kitchen does not let any space go waste. Maximise the space that's available, with smart and efficient units like wall ovens, pulldown racks, wall-mounted cup and cutlery holders, designer plate stands, hobs on the platform, warming drawers, multiple storage units designed into your wall etc. Every unit in your kitchen should blend in with every other unit, as far as possible and make sure that nothing is a stand alone. If you have to install a side table or a rack in your kitchen for practical purposes, have it customised to fit in with the rest of the decor.
With your decor all set, it's time to bring in the smart appliances. Today's appliances come with microprocessors and sensors that help them 'know' when their task is done. Most of them are capable of multitasking. Some of the high end microwaves have recipes stored in their memory. They can guide you while you cook.
A particularly noteworthy invention is the digital home manager. It is a small panel that can be mounted on your kitchen wall and will keep track of all your supplies. You will have to enter relevant details into it at the beginning of the month when you make your purchases. It will indicate when you are running low on your supplies.
Refrigerators that have systems which adjust their temperature to suit the different kinds of food stored inside, garbage disposers that compact trash to fit in more, and dishwashers that can automatically increase or reduce the amount of soap usage depending on how grimy or oily the dishes are, are some of the marvels of modern technology.
Most of the technologically advanced kitchen appliances and accessories are also energy efficient. In some kitchens, these appliances are linked to one another and work in a pattern that helps converse electricity. Though not widely used as yet, a popular technology company has demonstrated how a computer can be connected to all your kitchen appliances and act as a central control unit. You could give each appliance a different command while sitting at your desk in the office.
One of the most practical appliances for an Indian home is the multipurpose oven that doubles as a refrigerator. This oven can be controlled via your cell phone or computer. So, you could leave food inside all day in the fridge mode and command it to start cooking when you're coming home. Another interesting innovation is the cook's sink. This sink has heating capabilities that lets your boil water, steam vegetables, boil potatoes, and much more at the sink itself.
Abroad, there are robotic cooks that can perform simple tasks like flipping omelettes, working the microwave, washing dishes, etc. It's probably too soon to tell whether this technology will catch up in India. The rapid cook technology, on the other hand, is sure to catch up here. This technology allows food to be cooked seven times faster than its regular cooking time.

Design for your kitchen scape

2008-03-22T05:29:00.001-07:00

A backsplash that runs all the way up to the bottom of the wall cabinets gives the room a finished quality. Since a backsplash bridges the counter and cabinets, choose a material and colour that work with those elements. Complementary colours or variations on a dominant colour give a traditional look. To liven up the room, add some contrast, like a stainless backsplash with cherry cabinets, or a checkerboard of dark and light tiles. Consider texture too. Rough finishes add a casual flavour, while slick, shiny surfaces emphasise elegance and give a contemporary look.
By virtue of its sheer variety in colour, shape, and size, ceramic tile is undoubtedly the most versatile backsplash material.
A kitchen backsplash can accent your kitchen and it can be both functional as well as beautiful since it can be crafted from easy-to-clean materials like ceramic and stainless steel which are two of the most popular types of kitchen backsplashes. Whether you are changing the look of the backsplash or adding one, this can be a quick and easy way to brighten up an existing kitchen.
While selecting a backsplash, it is important to have it match the fixtures in your kitchen, but not the appliances, since they will change over time. The fixtures however, are permanent items in the kitchen.
The most popular materials for kitchen backsplashes are ceramic or porcelain tiles, natural stone tiles, glass or metal tiles, and faux painting or wall paper.

Tile backsplashes
The nice thing about using tiles as a backsplash is that it comes in a wide variety of sizes, colours, textures, and shapes. It is even possible to have custom painted tiles to match any theme of design. In addition, a tile backsplash can be easy to install and clean. Many design experts say that you should consider keeping it simple by choosing the same tile for your kitchen backsplash as you've chosen for the floor - just in a smaller size.

Natural stone tiles:
Popular among natural stone tiles are marble and granite. Of the natural stones, marble captures more detail than granite and since it is a softer stone, it is good for applications like kitchen backsplashes.

Metal tiles:
This material can work very well for use in backsplashes in a country style kitchen. The tiles can be installed as the entire surface from the counter to the bottom of the cabinets. Brushed aluminium tiles are good for modern or 1950's retro design kitchens. Metal tiles should match the colour of the faucets and lighting.

Glass tiles:
A new design trend in kitchen backsplashes is glass. Textured glass tiles are usually installed between the cabinets and counters. Glass is easy to clean and scratch-resistant.

Stainless steel:
Stainless steel backsplashes are coming back in style because they can lend a modern streamlined look to your kitchen. These types of kitchen backsplashes are able to blend in well with stainless steel kitchen appliances like the stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Other advantages to stainless steel kitchen backsplashes include their ability to be easily cleaned, and durability.

Stone:
Natural stone offers almost as many possibilities in colour and texture as tile. It has a worn, pitted surface, and its colours have been softened and muted by abrasion or an acid wash. Some stones are uneven in thickness, which means it should be set in mortar.

Glass:
Glass-block or acrylic-block backsplashes are usually part of an exterior wall, where they can let in natural light. This is a truly unique and somewhat unusual treatment that requires careful planning. Just like conventional windows, glassblock units must be set into adequately framed openings. That means opening up the wall and adding load-carrying headers. This makes it more difficult and expensive to use glass or acrylic block as a backsplash. Since glass block can't be cut, the dimensions of the material determine backsplash height.
Plate glass can also be used as a backsplash, and has the advantage of reflecting light onto work surfaces. Attached to the wall with screws, it can protect faux finishes and hand-painted murals. As the glass panels can be removed, walls can be painted without any fear of having the finish ruined by water or grease.

Types of Garden

2008-03-13T23:40:00.000-07:00

Water features, animal statuettes, sculptures, wind chimes, theme gardens, interesting pathways and stepping stones - there's a whole lot of things you could do to create a garden that's appealing to children.
Gardens are a treasure trove for children, where they can explore plants, study animal behaviour, and delve deep into the mysteries of nature. A garden is also a safe place for children to play. Sand pits, pebbles, bridges, pathways, and the numerous hiding places a garden provides, can all make the garden an ideal place for children.
Gardens provide an opportunity for children to learn about the environment and how to protect it. While tiny tots can learn about colours, others could have hands-on education. These budding garden enthusiasts can soak in everything from a garden that's so full of knowledge. The sights and smells of a garden can bring children closer to nature. They can paint birdhouses, design stepping stones, or even feel the texture and shape of leaves and plants. Children can also use their imagination to create a spectacular landscape with winding paths, canopy bridges, arches, and ponds. Statuettes of birds, horses, and even wild animals like tigers, elephants, and lions can be used to bring the garden to life, making it an ideal place for children to have fun.
To start with, you could grow plants that are rare - those with a strong fragrance and others that come in unusual shapes. Insectivorous plants and plants like the touch-me-not make children curious and add a fun element to the garden. Colourful plants like the sunflower, marigold, and zinnias can brighten the garden space and also attract insects and butterflies.
Children can play in sand pits and spend hours together there. They could learn how to make a scarecrow. All they would need is a long stick and an old full sleeve shirt and maybe a mud pot for the face. Not only will it be fun doing it, it will also add an interesting element to the garden. A tree house could be fun too. Children can curl up here with their favourite story book or simply have an aerial view of the garden from there.
Theme gardens could make the garden look special. A butterfly garden could be ideal for children to watch these lovely creatures in action. As butterflies require brightlooking flowers to attract them and some water feature too, it would be ideal to include these elements in a butterfly garden. You also need to ensure that there are some pebbles and rocks for butterflies to land on.
A kitchen garden can be interesting too. Enable children to learn more about vegetables, herbs and their medicinal properties and nutritional value by planning a small kitchen garden.
Other interesting themes would be a fragrant garden, an alphabet garden where different coloured flowering plants could be planted to form different shapes of alphabets. An animal theme or a cartoon theme could also be fun. You could even plan your garden around a fairytale or a dinosaur theme. Topiaries with shapes that suit these themes like shapes of animals, dinosaurs, and birds could be made. Bird feeders could be placed at strategic points to watch birds. Armed with binoculars, this could be a perfect way to introduce them to the beautiful world of birds. Ponds with frogs, fish, turtles, and tortoises - either real or artificial could be used to good effect.
It's important that some safety measures are put in place as children tend to be careless when they are having fun. Keep pesticides and harmful chemicals away from children. See that the water features are safe and not too deep. Keep them informed about where, how, and when to seek help in case of trouble.
Once these safety measures are put in place, the possibilities to have fun and also learn from nature are limitless. So allow your children to scamper around and learn from the nature
Courtesy:TimesofIndia

Colours for Interiors

2008-03-13T23:36:00.000-07:00

The trick is to know how to use colours creatively to work wonders for you. If you want to get a feel of things before you actually choose a colour for your home, browse through décor magazines, observe the décor in showrooms and stores and see what kind of effect colours have on the ambience. Look at the different hues and shades and the magic they create when used in different combinations and contrasts.
While making colour choices, there are some things you need to keep in mind. Different colours have different effects. While some can stimulate your senses and evoke powerful feelings, there are others which have a calming effect on your mind. So choose colours depending on the mood you want to create.
Colours can also make a small room look larger or a low ceiling look higher. Using a single colour can bring cohesiveness to the entire layout. With minimal investment and a few colour changes, a room can be totally transformed. The key is to learn to use colours correctly.
Warm colours like red, orange and yellow can create a vibrant and cheerful space. Red represents feelings of love, power and desire. Yellow is for optimism, sunshine, and inspiration. Yellow and orange are a good colour choice for the children's bedroom. They can be used in living rooms and dining areas too to work up an appetite. However, they have to be used sparingly so that they don't seem too daunting.
Green and blue represent balance and harmony and could be used in study areas and bedrooms for a rather calm and serene atmosphere. Blue represents peace, harmony and tranquility. If you are a nature lover, green is the colour for you. It represents nature and the environment. It also stands for youthfulness and generosity. Green can be teamed with terracotta and other earthy colours for a natural appeal.
If you are not one for too many colours, you could even have one colour throughout the house, with different shades for variation. Keeping your walls subtle and understated works very well if you want to show off your artifacts, paintings, furniture or any home décor accessories. White is a natural choice for you if you prefer simplicity, humility and innocence. For a dramatic effect, you could use one portion of a wall as a focal point. Colour the wall in bright orange or vibrant red. Or you could go for a wall mural or even colourful patterns and designs and make a spectacular statement.
If you want to make some décor changes without spending too much, colours can come to your rescue. They can refresh you, brighten things around you and have a magical effect on you. They can evoke powerful feelings and bring cheer and joy to an otherwise dull setting. So, go for it and make sure you make the right choice.
Courtesy: TimesofIndia

Interior Designing with flowers

2008-03-13T23:33:00.000-07:00

Real, wild flowers work as dramatic accents in any living space. Choosing the right colours, the flower species, their height, and the mix of foliage in them will complement your decor beautifully. They work particularly work well in a clutter-free environment, where the walls are in pastel hues or painted all white, and the furniture is vintage, not very elaborate but one with clean lines, giving the space a burst of colour wherever required. Experts believe that small, stemless flowers, allowed to float in a basin/bowl of water when kept on the dining table or near the main entrance, bring good Feng Shui.
Arrangement
You can choose a bunch of fresh and exotic longstemmed lilies in hues of lavender, pink, or red from the local market and keep them either on your dining table or side table. Or else, you can decide to make a few paper flowers using craft crepe paper, and stick them onto long brown sticks. Flower arrangements that have a circle of wire or a twist of foliage about them create maximum impact. Ikebana flower arrangements help to enhance your spaces. Abstain from keeping artificial or plastic flowers indoors as these are dead giveaways and can get monotonous after a while. Even a small motley bunch of wild flowers from your garden can give a room a facelift when it needs one. These create an accent much better than any piece of furniture, and can give your spaces an instant makeover.
Flowers as accessories
Flower motifs are classic symbols of elegance, beauty, and style. You find floralprinted table cloths, bed linen, floral accessories such as glass table cloth holders, napkin holders made of either paper, felt, or glass flowers tied in wire, flowers embedded in aromatic candles, beaded flowers in a vase and various home decor knickknacks, and they all look pretty. Floral-embossed tableware is in vogue these days. Traditional flowers such as the lotus, chrysanthemums, frangipani, marigold, or the rose are the muse of many designers today. When infused in natural earth tones or in tones of gold, silver, or copper, these flowers look splendid.
Floral art
Modern contemporary artwork often depicts flower prints. These are usually magnified images of wild poppies, tulips, lotus, bird of paradise, wild lilies, roses, bougainvillea, petunias, or any other flower icon. Natureinspired leaves and twigs are also popular, and these are displayed in various interiors such as hotel rooms, homes, and restaurants. Botanical flower and plant drawings and etchings are other favourite images that are framed and hung in many homes. Graphic, abstract floral prints depict modernity and would be welcome in any modern setting.
Floral prints on textile
Flowers on textile are classic reproductions and have a timeless appeal. They can be used for upholstery, drapes, floor rugs, carpets, cushion covers, and even on saris and kurtas. Heavily-embroidered or block-printed flowers are part of almost every accessory from shoes, bags to coasters, scarves, and shawls. Large floral prints are preferred nowadays as opposed to earlier years where it used to be small prints for almost everything. Flowers are a perfect during hot summer days and add cheer to any space.
Flower motifs
You can create your own flower icons on home accessories if you like, instantly, and without spending through your nose. You can dress up existing table lamps and pendant lights with a string of ferry light flowers or you can make crepe flowers in any colour that you like. You can even hand-paint flowers on a table cloth, or hang up flower posters in your room. Only thing to remember when you bring floral design indoors is that you don't overdo it. Try and mix it with solid or pastel hues, and try and use one or two icons in a large size rather than clutter your space with too many small floral designs. Try it in small doses before you bring it into every room.

Child's Room interior designing

2008-03-13T23:22:00.000-07:00

When you decide to give a child's room a makeover, it is vital to first look at it through his eyes. A child does not see his room as a functional space to live and sleep in, but as a fantasyland where all make-believe is reality. A pillow can become a horse to ride on, and a desk can be magically transformed into the dashboard of a formula one racing car. Fortunately all these changes need not tug too hard at your purse strings, and a dash of creativity is all you need to convert your child's room into a haven of entertainment and learning.

Colour
Introduce colours to the walls in your child's room in little bursts. A colourful collage of his or her favourite characters can be the central theme that spills over onto desks, stools and cots. Explore wallpaper with small prints that spell fun and activity, or a colourful border that runs along the length of the room. A good home store would be able to provide a large number of colourful stick-ons and motifs that can be used around windows and over bedsteads. This can introduce some excitement to drab looking walls, and can easily be taken off without ruining them.

Furnishing
Keep in mind your child's needs as you pick up pieces of furniture for his room. Girls and boys may have a slightly different preference in colour and finish, but ensure that you keep your furniture child-friendly. A beanbag can become an outlandish football for your energetic little boy and little stools can be moulded as magical mushrooms for your fairy tale loving girl. Since children enjoy activity in their space, consider a bunk bed with a foldaway couch or a tucked in study table. You can safely hang up little treats that can be reached with a little hop as they move around, or a colourful sheer canopy over their cots to create a mini arena for their magical moments of play-acting. Consider doing the room's ceiling with flourescent motifs that can create some excitement after nightfall.

Lighting
As always, keep to soft lighting that would highlight colours, and an additional bright light for reading spaces. Lampshades come in numerous interesting shapes and sizes and you can chose to keep them in very strategic spots to promote functionality without affecting aesthetics. They say lighting can affect your moods, so keep the room bright and well lit to keep your kids in good cheer the whole yearlong.

Accessories
It may be a good idea to have your child participate in what he or she would like to have on the wall. A child with a flair for art can be encouraged by framing his work at vantage points, or covering table tops with craftwork from school. If you would rather have your child develop a love for nature, cultivate in him the need to care for all living things through a small fishbowl or a flowerpot. Fuel his curiosity through board games that explores words and numbers, and interactive programs that generate a love for learning. Never forget that the environment you create can leave a lasting impression on his little mind, and so focus on generating positive vibes that would keep your child happy and upbeat always.

How to decorate dining room

2008-03-13T23:20:00.000-07:00

The dining area is the busiest area at home where most of the activity happens. Whether it's a meal that bonds the family together or a get-together of close friends and extended family members, it brings people together, making conversations happen, and allowing people to bond. If the dining space has begun to lose its charm because it needs a makeover, there's no need to worry. It's one space that throws up numerous opportunities for an easy makeover. All you need is some creative ideas and a few tips.
Lack of space need not be a bother because you get furniture to suit any kind of space these days. Round, glasstopped tables can look elegant and occupy less space too. A beautiful glass-topped table can be kept as a highlight, while allowing for freedom of movement by scaling down other furnishings. If, for some reason, a round table is not an option, you could place a rectangular table against a wall, pulling it to the centre only when necessary. There are foldable tops too that are wall-mounted and can be pulled out only when needed. Such built-in units and wall cabinets can be an easy solution to avoid clutter when space is a constraint. Select furniture with clean and simple lines. Go for sleek furniture with simple, straight lines.
You can also create a visually appealing and aesthetic space by focusing on colours, space, and shapes. After all, decorating is all about making a statement or creating a mood. Colours can refresh you, brighten things around, and have an uplifting effect. They can evoke powerful feelings and bring cheer and joy to an otherwise dull setting. A decor change that's easy to implement would be to change the wall colour. A touch of warm colours can stimulate conversation. Painting old wooden chairs, changing upholstery, and adding new fabric with a theme in mind like floral patterns or geometric patterns also hold endless possibilities.
Go for accents that are not too expensive. Eco-friendly and natural material like bamboo placemats for tables, bamboo picture frames, bamboo vases, coasters, fruit bowls, and even bamboo furniture and floors are not only affordable but trendy too. They lend an ethnic flavour to decor. Lanterns in interesting shapes and colours can also transform the dining space. Lanterns are more affordable options than chandeliers. Also, create a focal point that's unique instead of having too many pieces that tend to give a cluttered look.
A change of curtains can be refreshing too. Depending on the effect you are looking for, you could even accentuate the room with curtains that are lined with lace, embellished with applique work, embroidery, or colourful beads. You could colour-co-ordinate them with contrasting cushions and soft furnishings. These are not too expensive and are easy to do. A new dining table cover with colourful designs to match the decor could do the trick too.
The dining area itself can be reinvented with some decor touches that are rather inexpensive. You could make a nice wall arrangement with black and white photos framed in elegant picture frames. Otherwise, you could simply hang a mirror on the wall against the table and place an attractive fruit bowl with colourful fruits inside and watch the reflection. Other options could be to place a beautiful glass vase with a colourful bouquet of fresh flowers, or better still, set the mood for a relaxed dinner with elegant candle stands and colourful, perfumed candles. Capture the reflection of the flickering flames in the mirror and see how the mood and the setting become magical.
Courtesy: TimesofIndia

Bathroom Decoration

2008-03-03T10:03:00.003-08:00

The bathrooms of today are designer spaces where if there is no budget constraint, various high-end fixtures make them much more than just a space for ablutions. With a bit of creativity it is possible to introduce aesthetics into the bathroom floor to give it a bit of flair and exuberance and all this within a cost limitation.
As with older homes, the cement floor would be the cheapest way to go. Its look tends to be dreary as the grey colouring lends certain dullness to the space. Adding colour with the red oxide floors of yesteryears is a way of overcoming this disadvantage. When polished, these floors acquire a sheen that adds an elegance of its own. In wet areas, the polish will not last and this is one reason why these floors are not popular in certain areas of the home.
The next best option is the mosaic tile. Before the advent of ceramic alternatives, this was the best flooring solution. Though not the best for bathrooms, as the water wears out the polish, it does help in to keep spending within the budget. Mosaic is a contemporary art form which uses individual pieces of materials placed together to create a unified whole. Cement tiles that are used for flooring are made aesthetically pleasing with inserts of other materials. These are then laid out and polished to a mirror finish. Mosaic flooring is basically of two types, and is used based on the specific requirement of a particular project. Tiles are the regular option and are good for toilets as the areas are limiting. They are laid out with joints that are grouted with plain, white or coloured cement, based on the hues present in the chips and the decor theme being followed. Variations in the size of the chips make the types look very different. The ones with small additions are preferred for small spaces like bathrooms.
Variations of the regular cement-based mosaic tiles are the ceramic ones. The varieties today are astonishing and make choice difficult but also offer an option for any decor requirement. Sizes vary and the one best suited for the space can be chosen. Large tiles ensure less joints and reduced maintenance. To add a vibrant look to these tiles, they can be inlaid with glass chips and look lively in colouring and aesthetically exciting. Their more popular location is on horizontal levels where their use is limited and the composition can be appreciated at close quarters. Wall cladding with these mosaics makes a dramatic statement in any interior. The tiles can be used in an abstract pattern to add flair to a monotonous facade or they can be designed to specifications.
While aesthetics is important in interior spaces, bath spaces have some practical requirements. Water causes the floor to be extremely slippery and care must be taken to use appropriate materials to avoid the chances of mishaps. Anti-skid tiles are the ideal option. Matt finished, with striations in bathtubs or with a rough surface, this option of tiling looks good and fits the utility requirement.
A practical option is the use of granite tiles or slabs. This is not the polished variety as that increases the cost. The variety to be used is the stone in its natural form with two to three line dressing which is required to tone down the rough edges that can be harmful. The dressing provides a level surface, gives an anti-skid finish and a look that is subtle yet attractive. Since the flooring is neutral, the space can be made exciting with coloured wall cladding

Ceiling Decoration

2008-03-03T10:01:00.000-08:00

You've painted the walls in your favourite colours, hung lovely pictures on them, added matching furniture, and all those special touches to make your room look beautiful and unique. But the fifth wall i.e. the ceiling is most often, forgotten. The ceiling is an often-forgotten element in decorating, usually done up in drab shades of white. But taking advantage of this wide expanse can give even the plainest of rooms a shot of personality. A hint of colour or visual interest can open up a small room, bring a lofty space down to size, or capture a mood, without burning a hole in your pocket.
Add drama to a room by incorporating unique visual elements. Murals, most often thought of only for walls, can work beautifully on ceilings. Images of serene clouds drifting across a clear blue sky can transform a bedroom into a haven for rest and relaxation. Or else, bring the feel of Sistine Chapel into your living rooms. Murals available can depict any scene you like from angelic cherubs to scenes from the Mahabharata. You needn't cover the entire ceiling. Rather, focus on the central part or any other part that you might want to particularly give a facelift to.
Mirrors are another great way of decorating a ceiling. Though round or square mirrors work best for the bedroom, but another way of giving a unique twist to this theme is to use small pieces of reflecting material (think of your favourite red saree with mirror work). This is an inexpensive decor idea which can produce stunning effects. To further enhance the ambience, make sure the ceiling isn't a dull shade. Pick pastel or soft colours to add an illusion of height to the room. Bold, dark colours usually take away from the feeling of expanse and should be used in case you want to detract from this feeling.
Another way of doing this is by using moulding or rims around the joints of the ceiling. Beautiful mouldings, rims, and medallions are available these days to suit every budget. Don't just paint the ceiling plain but instead play with designs, stripes, even patterns.
A small chandelier in the living room or a hanging plant or two in the kitchen and dining area add tremendous visual interest to a room and are relatively easy to install. Strategic lighting along with ceiling domes can enhance the other decor objects in the room and look pretty enough to actually be considered decor elements themselves.
Wallpaper, stencils, and glow-in-the-dark paint is a great idea for a bedroom, especially the children's. Decorate their bedroom ceilings with cartoon characters painted with glow-in-the-dark paints or write messages in vinyl lettering for the young ones. Glow-in-the-dark stars are a great decor idea for your child's room. Make sure that you've stuck them well with double-sided tape or even putty. But double-check to ensure no unpleasant accidents occur.
False ceilings and beams have always been a popular way to conceal an ugly ceiling. But instead of treading the beaten path, take an unconventional way to decorate a ceiling. Look for some old but beautiful lehengas in stunning colours or with zari. Ask your electrician to fix the waist of the lehenga around an iron rim with a bulb fixture in the centre. Install this on your ceiling and fix the ends of the lehenga or dupattas (which work equally well) firmly onto the ceiling and voila, your very unique ceiling is ready.
Ceilings don't have to be boring. Use them to emphasise and enhance the decor of a room

buffet table Decoration

2008-03-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

Throwing a party comes with its share of challenges. With food being the cynosure of all eyes at a party, it pays to give a lot of attention to this aspect in a party. From setting the table, to the display and presentation of food, it speaks a lot about your aesthetic sense.

Food counter

As soon as your guests enter, they must be able to move easily and reach the food table. So place your counter in a place, preferably on the right of the entrance. Make this table eyecatching and attractive to lure your guests towards it.
Go into every detail - whether you are serving just appetisers or a full course meal, in ceramic or paper plates, buffet-style or with servers etc. Remember that as the host you are presenting your personal style to your guests.

Accessories

Bring out your fine china, embroidered table linen for displaying assorted cheeses and sweets. Fine linen always stands out and gives the whole setting a charming and elegant look. They add a level of sophistication to even the briefest of gatherings.
Either print the menu and keep the cards ready, or use a roll-up blackboard to list out the items. Always have a centrepiece for the table. It can be a vegetable or fruit carving. Like a huge watermelon cut into half to resemble a fruit basket or an elaborate decorative piece. If you have a theme surrounding it, like Chinese or Mediterranean, then the centrepiece should be in consonance with it.

Arrangement

Arranging food is an art in itself. There are some simple dos and don'ts to follow.
Don't leave too much space between the items.
Don't overcrowd the table. You need not arrange all the items in the centre.
Place the main part of your dish at the front of the plate.
If you have different sizes of food items, place the tallest item at the back and follow it in a descending way.

Garnishing

For garnishing, use bright rich coloured fruits and vegetables like a wedge of lemon or orange peel on the plate. Place a slice of fruit that contrasts with the colour of food beside the peel. Make sure that the garnishing used complements the food and colours. You can even use fresh herbs like scallion flower and rosemary sprig on the plate for garnishing. However, never garnish with anything inedible.
Salads give the table a fresh and interesting perspective. Think out-of-the box ideas and come up with your own combinations and permutations for arranging salads. Do not stick to particular styles of slicing cucumber and carrot. For instance, you might serve them in shapes that contrast such as triangle or thin long strips, or oval shapes. Place them around the food or just in a corner one after the other for that fine look. Use a lot of sprouts and pulses too.
For the finishing touch, use props like napkin and fork. Keep a folded napkin tucked under the plate or a fork casually placed in the background. Remember to complement it with the general decor of your interiors

Kitchen Interior

2008-03-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

Every homemaker's pride is her kitchen, and the decision to give it a makeover is to balance its functionality with visual appeal. Kitchens are no longer unseen corners of activity as they were many years ago, but are a subtle statement, and can be transformed from tired to terrific in a few simple ways.

Walls and floors
A simple change of colour on your walls can bring in a whiff of freshness to dull, lifeless surroundings. Try pastel shades of yellow and green or experiment with a contrasting shade on a single wall. In case you plan to include a snack counter in a corner, try deep shades of orange. "Brick orange is said to enhance appetite," says Uttam Singh, a local restaurateur, "but can seem a little too overwhelming if the kitchen is small. Stick to light shades that make the room look bigger." You can also make the kitchen feel airy by introducing more light. If the location doesn't allow much natural light to come in, introduce a ceiling panel or soft yellow wall lights. A kitchen floor should be easy to clean and maintain, and less expensive options include vinyl and mosaic. Maximise your floor space by keeping your furniture to the bare minimum and hanging all your cabinets on your walls or placing them under the counter.

Cabinets and counters
Indians need a lot more storage space as compared to our western counterparts, thanks to the innumerable vessels that characterise our style of cooking. Organise your vessels neatly into storage spaces and avoid clutter on the kitchen counter. Cabinets can be transformed in a jiffy with paint or laminates, or by changing hinges, knobs, and doors. Try hanging a few colourful coffee mugs or wooden spoons over your counter. An attractive spice holder or a colourful clock can make all the difference. Bring in colourful borders or motifs made out of chipped glass or ceramic over your cabinets. Replace your old handles and knobs with more ornate ones to spruce up your cabinets and enhance their look.

Windows
Though windows are primarily designed to let light and air in, you can embellish a kitchen window by introducing a ledge for a spice rack, dry floral arrangements, or a tiny cactus garden. A small wind chime can soothe you after a long day, or a bird feeder, strategically placed, can be pretty sight as you work. Replace your curtains with sheers or blinds that are maintenance-free and don't block light out.

Accessories
Little accessories such as a crystal flower vase or an interesting painting on the wall can grab attention. Try to incorporate a theme into your display, with fruits and vegetables for example. You can mould everything in your kitchen, from tile borders, wall plates, to magnetic post-its on the refrigerator around this theme, but try not to make it too bold and overwhelming. You could also replace your solid jars with see-through plastic or glass, and have a uniform set to line your cabinets. Texture and pattern would make it interesting, and easy to identify and segregate. Keep the focus on smart essentials that would make working in your kitchen both pleasant and hassle-free

summer fabrics interiors

2008-03-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

Summer is almost upon us and it's quite essential to give your decor a facelift in hues and textures that will not only keep the home cool but also soothe the mind. Besides trimming your garden to a bare minimum so usage of water is minimised, and cleaning up the garden water body or fountain of weeds etc so that you don't have mosquitoes in the hot, humid months, you can alter house materials that will leave your living space cool and inviting.

Carpets
Try and use thin, cotton dhurries or mats (chatai) in attractive colours which will help keep your floor cool. Remove faux leather carpets as these tend to be quite warm. In case of marble floors, the floor is naturally cool so there's no problem, but in case of wooden or tile flooring, make sure you don't cover it with a heavy rug during summer at least. Also, if you're using a throw rug over your sofa, try using a cottonbased one as this will help to keep it cool during your afternoon siesta.

Curtains
With regard to drapes and curtains, do away with twin curtains, and those thick, heavy synthetic ones which normally keep your house warm in the winters. Thin muslin cotton drapes for both windows and doors work well to keep the house cool. Sheer drapes don't give too much privacy but offer easy ventilation and a sense of greater space and coolness. Use colours like blue, green, or lavender for a soothing effect and curtain tie-ups for greater ventilation.

Balconies
Usually, hot winds enter through your balconies and terraces and make your entire living space an oven. Shield your open terrace and balcony with an awning, preferably in a light fabric, and consider putting down chiks as a shield from hot winds and the sun. In some places, chiks are also splashed with water during the afternoons, allowing the air that passes through them to be cool and refreshing.

Upholstery
If you have removable upholstery, then you're lucky as the textured, woollen, jacquard, or velvet upholstery can give way to soft cotton or linen floral design. Always make two or more sets of sofa slip covers, one slightly thick with rich, dark hues for the winter months, and one in light, soft cotton fabric that is both comfortable and cool. If you can't change the upholstery, make a few sofa slips in easy, breathable fabric, and preferably in light pastel hues or solids, and use them to cover the synthetic upholstery.

Tips for Making a Garden

2008-03-03T09:39:00.000-08:00

Nothing is more relaxing than sitting in a serene garden filled with flowers, greenery, and beautiful garden accessories. There are a variety of garden accessories available to enhance the beauty and ambience of your garden. From wind chimes to pergolas, you can creatively decorate your garden, whether large or small, which will not only make it a calm haven but will also make your garden attractive to visitors.
Wind chimes make great garden accessories. The gentle tinkling of a wind chime can be very soothing as you rest or work in your garden. These days, wind chimes come in different varieties and styles that you may have a hard time choosing one for your garden. Take a pick from glass, pewter, wood, or even bamboo, and the styles can range from elegant, ethnic, to chic and simple. Along with wind chimes, you can also include garden bells in an assortment of sizes. They add visual appeal to your outdoor spaces.
Fountains can make your garden come alive the minute you place one inside it. You might like small fountains that look pretty surrounded by vines or large ones that will act as the visual focal point of the garden. Otherwise, go one step further and install an enchanting waterfall fountain. Imagine sitting on a garden swing right in front of your own waterfall.
If you enjoy watching different kinds of birds, then you can place a birdhouse in
the centre or in a corner of your garden. Not only will this enhance the beauty of your garden, but will also attract a large variety of unusual birds. Feel free to add other items such as bird baths and bird feeders.
Another great idea, though a little expensive, is to add a small fish pond or a large earthen urli (flat cauldron) with floating flowers and candles in the centre of your garden. Light up the candles when you entertain. Enhance the ambience by adding soft lighting around the periphery of the garden and behind plants or a water feature. To add to the dramatic effect, install an arbour or an arch right above the garden gate. Ask your gardener to plant flowering vines like jasmine so that the entrance makes for a breathtaking view.
To add spunk and spirit to a drab garden, you can have unusual accessories like a wind vane, sundial, or even a small wooden windmill which will spruce up a garden in no time. To make your garden functional yet beautiful, opt for sturdy wrought iron furniture in jet black or bottle green. Add a swing for two, dainty tables with wrought iron tea lights, or for that Parisian look, add tall old-fashioned street lamps along a cobbled walkway.
For the garden boundary, plant tall ferns which will provide privacy naturally while looking pretty. Add brightly coloured flowering plants in separate planters all around the boundary for easy maintenance and a neat look. For the walls, you can add a clay painted figure of Ganesha or Krishna right in the wall. Ask your mason for a good and sturdy way to do this. A stone tortoise or even a pair of storks placed strategically around a tall plant or a water feature will attract attention and look refreshingly unique.
With all of these new garden accessories your garden will be one that will enchant your guests while giving you countless hours of happy relaxation

How to Design a Zen Garden

2008-03-03T09:36:00.001-08:00

A Zen garden could be the perfect place for quiet contemplation. The whole idea is to create a visually appealing, clean garden irrespective of how small or big the size of your garden is. Zen gardens can be created at home, office, or even on the desktop. A miniature one on the desktop could make your workspace stress-free. The size may vary but the basic elements remain the same. A Zen garden can be a great stress reliever or a source of spiritual strength, depending on how you look at it. Harmoniously arranged rocks and gravel can create the right ambience for peaceful contemplation. The simplicity of a Zen garden can calm your mind and awaken your soul. Bring a sense of peace and tranquility to your surroundings. Drive all the stress away and watch how a fresh outlook and a clear mind can turn things around for you, making your life more fulfilling.
Natural and architectural elements are aesthetically used to create a Japanese style Zen garden. The stones represent mountains and the white sand represents flowing water. The garden is layered with a foreground and a background, creating a three dimensional perspective. Water features like a stream or a pond form the natural elements that add beauty to the landscape. Rocks add a new dimension to the Zen garden. The rocks must be graded according to size and placed in the right spots to create a perfect landscape - larger ones in the foreground and smaller ones in the background. They add depth and character to the garden.
A stone lantern, a bridge, and other features could be added to create a sense of distance and a focal point. The illusion of depth and space is created depending on the placement of elements. Japanese stone lanterns add mystique, tradition, and spirituality. Stones give the Zen an ancient, spiritual quality. Water is the heart of the garden and symbolises purity. Plants add subtle colour and texture. Walls, fences, gates, pathways, bridges, and lanterns add to the visual appeal. Statues that signify something spiritual can add interest to the Zen garden.
A wooden bench close to a pathway can help you relax, read a book, or simply meditate. Another good idea for relaxation would be to place a seat or bench close to a water feature. The soothing sound of water can be relaxing. The sound of wind chimes whenever there's a gentle breeze can be relaxing too. Use all these ideas to make your Zen garden a perfect haven for relaxation.
Some things that must be kept in mind are that the Zen garden must not be cluttered. The garden should always be free of weeds. Prune and nurture the garden regularly. It's not something to be rushed through because the purpose of the Zen garden is to reflect the beauty of nature through the careful design of the garden.
Courtesy: TimesofIndia

Spider plants

2008-03-03T09:29:00.001-08:00

These are easy growing plants that can be kept indoors for a long stretch. They favour partly shaded areas within the house instead of totally dark corners. Since they cannot stand too much of sunlight at a stretch, avoid direct sun on them for long. For great decor, put them in hanging pots in the living space with at least two plants per room of average size. This will reap maximum benefit.

Dracaena Deremensis indoor plant

2008-03-03T09:28:00.001-08:00

This plant is very common has nicknames like Cane Plant, Happy Plant or Fortune Plant and is recommended by Feng Shui exponents. This requires low light and can be placed a few feet away from a bright window. In decor, they go well with modern decor thanks to their appearance. It has a bare stem with a tuft of green leaves forming the crown. The leaves have delicate white stripes.

Areca palm as indoor plant

2008-03-03T09:27:00.000-08:00

Areca Palm and Rhapis Palm

If you thought they were kept just for their looks then think again. They are recommended for improving the air quality especially where there is a constant use of air conditioner. They grow best in semi-shaded areas and will do well a few feet away from a bright window. Water them well but mist them to give a squeaky clean look

Philodendrons indoor plant

2008-03-03T09:26:00.000-08:00

Philodendrons
A favourite among plant aficionados for their sheer exuberance, philodendrons are extremely tolerant, grow well, and require the least amount of light. Most are climbers so you will do well to train them to grow decoratively around a moss stick

Indoor Rubber plant

2008-03-03T09:25:00.002-08:00

Rubber plant
This plant is common indoors but not many know of its benefits. Top notch air purifiers, they are known to remove even chemical pollutants from the air. Easy to grow, rubber plants require very little light. Most ficus plants (rubber plant is a ficus) are healthy plants

Indoor plant Boston fern

2008-03-03T09:25:00.001-08:00

Boston fern
Very common and extremely attractive, you may want to grow them in hanging pots indoors. For, this variety of fern actually cleans up the air with great vigour. Look after them well as they need a certain amount of care. Mist them frequently and do not forget to water them. They grow well in shady nooks but not completely dark corners.
Maintaining indoor plants is easy if you learn the right way to do it. East and west facing windows are usually ideal. Watch the leaves and stems for any sign of illness. Smaller leaves mean that the plant needs to move to a sunnier location. Empty the water from the pot plates to avoid breeding of mosquitoes. Occasionally, hose them gently with the vacuum cleaner to drive away any critters. Smaller plants can be washed under the tap occasionally.

Indoor plants

2008-03-03T09:14:00.000-08:00

Indoor plants for fresh air
Indoor plants are normally kept more for their decor value than their beneficial effects. But it is a fact that indoor plants have holistic effects that can be tapped easily to our benefit. The physical benefits include air purifying by the absorption of dust and other particles from the air. Oxygen and humidity increases in the air while there is a considerable cooling effect. Psychological effects include stress alleviation and general calming of the ambience. In workplaces, there is a tendency of air being dry due to the air conditioning. Apart from this, there are harmful substances floating in the air due to pollutants from the carpets. Thus, there are common complaints of allergies, dry throats, headaches, and dizziness because of poor air quality. It is here that indoor plants exert maximum benefits.
Studies show that certain plants are extremely beneficial when kept indoors. The list of these plants was made after rigorous studies wherein the capacity of the plant to absorb pollutants like formaldehyde was registered. Most of these plants are extremely common houseplants that are easily available here.

Spider plants
Dracaena Deremensis
Areca Palm and Rhapis Palm
Philodendrons
Rubber plant
Boston fern

Placing the ideal floor lamp

2008-03-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

A symmetric and spacious living room is half done if it is not accessorised with elegant floor lamps on either side. Lamps of this type serve multiple purposes. They look charming in reading corners and the light generates an ambience that is warm, hospitable, and cosy. Floor lamps should be tall enough so that they do not block conversations. Shorter lamps can be placed against the wall. Attractive lamp posts with a shiny brass finish, detailed wood carvings, and embellished with fine art work, can look very chic. Contemporary pieces are the ones with oxidised metal finish which require little or no maintenance. Floor lamps are portable especially when you rearrange furniture. Some of them also double up as telephone stands with a flexible pull-out shelf to place minimum stationery. Painted glass lamps and glass partitions with embedded bulbs give out a very sophisticated look. Place a well-lit stained glass partition to mark different spaces in the drawing room and watch it come alive.
Old-fashioned table lamps look good on study desks and in the home office. However, you can opt for trendy lamps to adorn your desk. Make sure however, that the lamp emits the right amount of light for comfortable reading and writing.
Lamps are available with flexible functionalities. Dimmers can emit bright or dim light, as the need arises. Diffused lighting generates a romantic ambience and works well for the bedroom

Placing the ideal lamp on ceiling

2008-03-03T08:01:00.000-08:00

Lamps are an integral part of home decor. Placing the ideal lamp in different spaces is essential to uplift the place and sport a trendy look. Choosing a good, attractive looking and well lighting lamp has a major role in creating the right aura at home.
In-built ceiling lights look good in the foyer area, above wardrobe mirrors, and in the bathrooms. A living room looks exhilarating with chandeliers that shine like a thousand stars. Antique crystal chandeliers blend well with a traditional decor setting. A more contemporary version is fitting ceiling fans with chandeliers. They give a splendid facelift to a dull ceiling. Chandeliers can be fitted with varied coloured bulbs to add an element of fun.

Placing the ideal lamp on wall

2008-03-03T07:26:00.000-08:00

Lamps are an integral part of home decor. Placing the ideal lamp in different spaces is essential to uplift the place and sport a trendy look. Choosing a good, attractive looking and well lighting lamp has a major role in creating the right aura at home

Wall lamps can be fitted on bare walls and embellished on either side with interesting paintings or display pieces. A wall sconce, which has an in-built clock and a tiny shelf to keep notes, can be a great designer lamp for the wall. Select a U-shaped or a V-shaped lamp that projects light upwards to focus on an interesting texture or portrait. Metal wall lamps are very artistic and intricately done up. They add the much needed aesthetics to the space. Hang one of those to complement the decor in the living room. Lamps resembling branches of a tree can be very decorative and interesting. The leaf shaped bulbs emitting green light provide a very nature like and tropical feeling. Vertical wall lamps with tiny sparkler bulbs that run through the entire height of the wall can be saved for special occasions like social get-togethers or a family party. Wall lamps should fit at an appropriate height, considering the amount of light emitted. A very bright and intense illumination is not advisable at a lower height. Similarly, a dim light should not be placed too high lest it creates the impression of a poorly-lit room.
Placing Lamp on Ceiling
Placing Lamp on Floor
Courtesy: Timesofindia