Let in some sunshine

You can get sunshine into your home with these simple tips

 

If you have the luxury of building or remodelling the rooms of your home, simply orient them within the sun’s path for a brighter home.

Here are some tips

Bemobile. Push furnishings, like the kitchen table and the sofa, near the windows so that you get the most from the aesthetic and biological benefits of light. You can also see better in natural rather than artificial light.
Make your sun-seeking task easy by attaching castors to large furniture. Have a couple of easy chairs on castors that can be rolled to the windows by day when you want to read or simply soak in the sun.
Draw natural light into a room’s dark corners by hanging a few wellplaced mirrors. Hang small mirrors on the wall adjacent to the north-facing window so it reflects the west-setting sun. You could also hang a larger, rectangular mirror on the wall opposite the south window so that it reflects the view of the garden and brightens the corner. The room can be cozily dramatic without being dingy and cave-like. Go for French doors. Use them extensively between rooms to save up on space. Homes built before World War II often used interior glass doors between public rooms to spread light while providing a sense of separation.
Fake lighting. You could install narrow, warm, white fluorescent tubes in the deep window wells between the interior shutters and the window glass. They give the effect of sunlight streaming through the blades, even on the city’s dreariest days.
Open up to the sun by installing a skylight in a bathroom or over the kitchen island. Clothes will dry faster, makeup and shaving will be more accurate, cooking will be more pleasant and electric bills will be lower with a little imagination and resourcefulness. Thanks Krish for helping me with tips on home and house interior exterior tips

Maintaining your upholstery

Furnishing trends change with season. With the options increasing and quality of fabrics improving, one should look out for practical and long-lasting fabrics. Choosing upholstery for furniture can sometimes be a tedious process. With the wide variety of fabrics, textures and colours available in the market one can experiment with various materials. Now, when you have chosen upholstery of your choice, take a little bit of time for maintaining these fabrics.

Here are a few tips:

Never expose upholstery to direct sunlight, especially in summer. It can lead to fade marks on fabric. Remember to pull curtains or blinds when the sun is strong
When you go on vacation, do not forget to put dust covers or bed sheets over upholstered furniture
Check with the manufacturer whether you can remove the cushion covers for (dry) cleaning
Avoid, sitting on the arms or backs of a sofa to minimise the risk of fabrics showing premature wear
Clean your upholstery once a week with an upholstery brush or a vacuum cleaner. If left unattended, the dust accumulated can spoil the colour and texture of the fabric
Regularly turn the cushions round to share the wear. Plump up soft cushions after use to help them retain their shape
Furniture with leather upholstery is quite easy to maintain. Wipe it gently with damp, soapy cloth and then wipe over with a damp cloth; allow drying before p o l i s h i n g with a soft, dry cloth
Velvet fabrics need special care. Apart from vacuuming, they should be brushed with a soft brush in the direction of
the pile Liquid stains should be removed with a damp cloth imm e d i at e ly, while they are still wet. Grease stains on zthe fabric can be removed with spirit cleaner or ethanol Do not use harsh detergents or aerosol cleaners directly on leather. For daily care of furniture coverings, one can use fabric protectors or spray With just a little care taken, these fabrics will prove worth their value.

 

While buying FURNITURE…

A few things you should keep in mind when you buy furniture

 

Furniture defines a home, so choose wisely. Go in for a good brand if you are buying readymade, and think about the effect its appearance will have. Good furniture is both aesthetically appealing and durable. It is no longer necessary to have a matching set of furniture with the same style, colour and polish in every room of the house. The smart thing is to combine a few heavy, traditional items with modern furniture for an unusual look. Do a proper layout plan on paper with dimensions before you actually buy any furniture. Otherwise, you may end up purchasing items that do not fit in the slots you had planned by just a few centimetres, which can be really frustrating. Also prepare three to four options to verify whether the items can be rotated in different positions, or else you’ll be stuck with the same look for years on end.
Do not be tempted by photographs of great looking furniture in a foreign catalogue – only select ready items which you can personally verify in their complete form for design and finish. Do not throw away your old furniture just because it looks old – many furniture shops will have ways to revamp the facade with veneer or mirrors and the internal configuration can probably be changed too, with a little careful planning. You can also combine it with a few modern accessories or shelf units for a totally revamped look.
Consider the extent of humidity and sunlight in each room and the space available. Ensure the glues used are suitable for tropical climates; or you could face problems such as opening up of joints. Don’t buy wood furniture that is already painted – not even an expert who has been in the business for decades – can tell you what quality wood it was made from.

 

 

Keep those pests at bay…

Some measures to keep pests out of your house

 

Imagine your well-furnished home being taken over by creepy cockroaches and rats or the shock of a lizard hanging over your guest’s head. You can easily deal with these common pests at home.

Here are a few homemade tips to try out before you opt for chemical solutions:

To get rid of ants, apply a solution of tobacco and water to the cracks, holes, and grooves
To chase cockroaches away, try this paste. Take boric powder, wheat flour and ground sugar in 4:2:1 proportion, sieve together, add enough cold milk to make stiff dough and place small balls of the dough in dry places
Keep mosquitoes at bay by lighting an incense stick that has been dipped in Baygon spray and dried
Wrap woolens in newspaper while storing, the ink in the newsprint acts as an insect repellent
Use dry cucumber peels to keep cockroaches away

Here are some professional methods:

Cockroach menace
A house that can beat this pest deserves applause. There are three ways to curb this problem – chemical spray is the most commonly used method for controlling cockroaches. However, this method is smelly and highly inconvenient and hence often avoided. P A Reddy of Excel Pest Control says, “Most of my clients back off when we tell them about reshuffling furniture and vessels and the spray method involves a very pungent odour, so we offer them the second option of anticockroach gel. The cost of spraying varies as per the area to be covered, say Rs 500 for a one bedroom-hallkitchen (BHK) flat. Alternatively, we apply a chemical gel in prominent corners of the house through a special gun. It takes a minimum of 10 days to get rid of all the cockroaches in the house through this method, and a 35 gm tube of this gel at Rs 2,650 suffices for a 2BHK. This is definitely not very economical.” A third method is for those who swear by herbs and Ayurveda. A solution of herbal paste is applied in the corners, with no hassles of odour or reshuffling. At Rs 300 for a one BHK house, this is cheaper than other methods, but not always effective.

Rats and rodents

Since they multiply in big numbers, they must be eliminated as soon as possible. Kishore of Godrej HiCare pest management and control says, “A rodent trap is the most common and economical method to control rodents.” However, glue pads are more effective. Kishore explains, “It is usually very difficult to control and capture them as they escape easily. Glue pads help to not only capture but also have them stick onto it. A glue pad looks like a notebook and can be conveniently placed in any corner.” Rat poisons are not recommended. PA Reddy adds, “Though it is very convenient to purchase and place a block of rat poison in the house, it would create problems if the pest dies in some unknown corner or if a child can reach out for it. It is always safer to trap and throw rats out.”

Termites and wood bores

Termites and wood boring beetles are the most bothersome wood-destroying insects. The amount of damage that they cause depends on factors like the type of wood, moisture content in it and the environmental conditions around the house. To eliminate termites, CTP chemical has to be drilled into the infected area, but in case of wood bores the chemical is injected into the wood.

 

Technology to eradicate household pests

Increased urbanisation can lead to unhygienic conditions that can make us vulnerable to pests. However, modern methods are more efficient in eradicating pests

 

Increased urbanisation and busy lifestyles often lead to unhygienic conditions, as our cities are becoming more crowded and dirty. The incidence of pests and diseases caused due to pests is bound to increase. In such an environment, pest control is not a luxury but a necessity. It is about staying healthy, disease-free and happy.
The most effective way of controlling pests is to opt for a professional pest control service. Not only will a professional service take care of your immediate problem, it will also (through periodic checks and treatment) keep the problem continuously at bay.

You need professional pest management if:

You have powder falling from your wooden furniture – that sounds like a serious woodborer attack
You see mud tubes on the wall – it means that millions of termites are at work 24×7 Your building already has termite problems in other flats – it means your home is vulnerable too
You’re buying a new flat – always check if preconstruction termite treatment has been done by the builder
Your investment in furniture is high – when you consider the cost of pest control vis-a-vis the value of the furniture, it is wise to invest in anti-termite protection You have vulnerable people such as children or sick people at home
Traditionally, termites were controlled using a repellent chemical that only repelled. Unfortunately, this kind of treatment doesn’t kill termites at all and hence the colony beneath the ground remains completely unaffected. Also, once the chemical’s action wears off, termites re-enter the house destroying your valuable assets.
On the other hand, modern pest control companies use a non-repellent chemical, which is applied around the periphery of the house. In case the white ants pass through the treated area the chemical sticks on to their bodies. Thus, when the infected termite returns to its colony it passes on the chemical to other termites and eventually the termite colony is destroyed.
Professional pest control companies also offer pre-construction treatment that is done while the building foundation is being laid. Typically, these are called reticulation systems and are installed by the pest control company during the building’s construction. Once installed, this system uses a network of pipes to deliver termiticide to all points of the building. Reticulation systems are the most effective and efficient way of delivering termiticide repeatedly over long periods of time to various parts of a building.

Overall, reticulation systems have several advantages over current termite management practices:

They are much more effective (compared to currently popular practices)
They make it easier to replenish termiticide
They are more affordable and less destructive
They are environmentfriendly. This is because termiticide dosages can be carefully planned, thus making it possible to reduce the load on the environment They last for decades
They can be applied in all kinds of buildings and properties
Progressive companies have also launched revolutionary gel-bait technology to get rid of cockroaches. This technology is the norm now in Western countries and avoids the old-fashioned spraying of chemicals. This is particularly applied in kitchen and dining areas.
Gel-bait is a mix of food attractant plus toxicant added at low dosage. The treatment is carried out by placing tiny gel spots near cockroach hideouts. Cockroaches get attracted to the gel and feed on it and then pass on the gel to other cockroaches when they touch each other. What’s more, the gel is designed to kill slowly, ensuring that the poison gets passed on to as many cockroaches as possible.
Gel-bait technology also has the advantage of being nonmessy and non-smelly, allowing you to continue with routine activities. But most importantly, a technology like this ensures that cockroaches hidden in crevices and corners also get killed.

 

Make your bedroom LOOK BIGGER

You can make your bedroom seem larger without spending a fortune

 

If you have a small bedroom and do not wish to spend much on its interiors you can still give it a contemporary, yet calm and relaxed appearance. Do not crowd a small room with a double bed. A combination of a single bed and a futon frees up floor space and also provides more flexibility for sleeping arrangements.
Use cool colours for the walls to enhance the feeling of space. Lime green or light yellow gives a fresh feel. Let the room get sufficient natural daylight. If deep blues are used for the bedspread and the mattress laid on the futon, it balances the effect of lime green or yellow while the checked cushions in dark and light shades of green bring colour variation in this combination.
Fix wooden shelves at a higher level on the walls to free floor space. Get your bed and futon made of lighter shades of wood and choose a lighter colour tone for the wooden shelves than that of the bed to give a relaxed natural feel to the room. To continue the look of natural wood, a narrow blind for the windows is more affordable than wooden shutters. It allows light to filter through even when lowered for privacy.
Refreshing greens and deep blues along with a mix of wood tones bring shades of nature in your bedroom whereas a checks and plain colour scheme gives a smart look giving an overall effect of calmness, simplicity, yet leaves it looking contemporary.

 

 

Some decor objects in papier mache

Some interesting ideas to enhance interiors

 

Papier mache is paper that has been made into pulp and layered onto a wood frame in the case of furniture or in a mould for accessories. It is then baked for a long time until it becomes firm and solid. Here are a few nifty artifacts to lend that hint of class to your interiors without a tug at your purse-strings.
Impressive-looking traditional Kathakali or Yakshagana masks hung up in a collage on an alcove wall with focus lights from below can add mystery to your living room. A Victorian table or a two-tiered corner stand covered with many coats of black lacquer and gold ornamental designs can look bewitching without looking imposing. A Mother of Pearl inlay work can add even more interest.
Papier mache vases, bowls and other decorative items have exquisite traditional designs in vibrant colours on them. The commonly used motifs on these artifacts are images of the maple leaf, kingfishers, flowers, birds and other attractive designs. Large or small boxes would be perfect on a coffee table or shelf. Painted serving trays and plates can be used while entertaining.
A laptop desk and other items like snuff boxes, cardholders and picture frames can also look pretty quaint on your side table. Prop a tray atop a table base for an instant coffee table accent. Household items like a bellows and matchstick holder can add interest and become a conversation piece. Hang shelves in an interesting arrangement with or without accessories on top

Care and maintenance

Papier mache artifacts cannot be washed. They should be cleaned using a clean cotton cloth, taking care not to rub sensitive glazes or snag mother-of-pearl. Since the decorative varnishes can darken and discolour when exposed to light, papier mache furniture should be protected from prolonged exposure to sunlight. Light exposure should be short and at low levels. Since paper and wood are extremely hydroscopic, papier mache furniture should not be exposed to high humidity but kept at drier climates. Most objects are coated with lacquer to protect them from rotting due to water.

 

Lighting for effect

You can use lighting to enhance the appeal of the entrance to your home

Apartments don’t have too much of choice in terms of outdoor lighting, but even then a lot can be done to give an individualistic touch. First, decide what areas it is important to highlight. Safety and security concerns are first and the entry or access way should be well illuminated. The next area would be the lock, which the homeowner will need to access. Visitors should have no problem in identifying the house number or nameplate outside the door.
The first principle is not to go for too bright a light or a high wattage of bulb. This only leads to glare rather than a welcoming feel. The visitor will feel spotlighted and selfconscious. Also, bright lights actually create glare, making the surrounding area look darker. Light ‘layering’ – soft lighting from several sources – results in a subtle and inviting overall effect. Install low wattage uplighters above the door lintel, which will
then provide diffused lighting or overhang and direct the lights down, softly illuminating the general area. If you’re using extension cords, rather than hardwired fixtures, be sure to hide the cords.
Your second layer of light can be used to highlight such features as your house number, the steps or an interesting mural, painting or curio placed outside the door. The doorbell, knocker or even a bell pull can be highlighted as a useful as well as decorative feature. Again, use low wattage bulbs and aim the fixture directly onto these areas. Accent lighting should be minimal and dramatic for the full effect to be retained.
The last layer of light used is the one that will actually attract the eye of visitors – because it will be directly seen and will appear to be the brightest source. This can be an electric fixture with a soft yellow bulb or candles in hurricane lamp globes on sconces on either side of your door. For extra appeal, install small mirrors on the wall behind the sconces and spread the glow further.
All of these techniques can be used in a row house or bungalow too, with a few more choices thrown in. The pathway or front garden can be lit with fixtures hidden in the foliage. Plants can be used to hang a string of fairy lights for a festive or party look. Candles can be used as a short duration lighting system, with adequate safeguards against fire.
A temporary arrangement of a bulb inside a cloth or paper lampshade can make the entrance area stand out from others, or even propagate a certain theme or look necessary for the evening. The only caution would be to make sure that individual control switches, giving even greater choice for mixing and matching effects, control all of these layers of lighting.

 

Theme with colours and furnishing

how you can bring a theme to your interiors without having to spend a fortune

One does not need a huge budget and h i g h – e n d d e s i g n e r items to incorporate thematic decor in a home. It is the small nuances and subtle touches that can tie in a theme and enliven the interiors.

Colour

An important element that can be used to establish continuity in decor is colour. Whether the decor style is traditional, modern or eclectic, running certain hues through a space establishes a theme. As an example, blue or rust can feature in soft furnishings and decor items like blue ceramic pottery or clay statuettes for effect. The same colours can be part of the composition of a painting or wall hanging. Alternatively, colour one wall in the key shade to establish focus and tone down its use in other areas.
Another cost-effective solution involving colour is to have exposed brick or stone walls and facades. This brings the intrinsic qualities of the materials into focus, thus influencing the ambience in the space. The red brickwork epitomises a very rustic theme that goes well with ethnic add-ons. Stone walls bring in an essence of grandeur mixed with elegance. They can be adapted to complement varied themes due to their muted shades and textural qualities.
While it is easy to paint surfaces in myriad shades it is important to ensure that visual confusion is avoided. Too many colours and too much contrast can prove detrimental to the interior.

Themes

Traditional ambience requires more earthy colours and woodwork. Since hardwoods like rose and teak are expensive, alternatives like plywood, blockboards, fibreboards and cane are good options. They can be cost-effective, and can be painted or polished depending on the look required. Avoid heavy profiles in small spaces. Crowding a room just to follow a theme may be counter-productive as it reduces the visual volume.
Modern design can be achieved by the use of glass chrome and leather. Budget items like fiberglass, aluminium or other metals and faux leather mimic the look of the original at a reduced cost. The new age look is about simple decor and straight lines. Avoid fuss and flourish and the home will sport a modern theme. There is always the option of mixing styles. When total refurbishment is too expensive it is then advisable to work out a mix and match theme where different design genres can co-exist provided neither is too bold or commands much attention. Harmonising all the items into a complementary layout presents a pleasant interior.

Furnishings

The objects that add the aesthetic touch to a purely utilitarian space are the decorative pieces and soft furnishings suitable for all budgets. For an earthy and natural look fill the room with a profusion of indoor plants. Combine it with clay statues, wooden blinds, floor seating, and warm colours and the ethnic flavour comes through. If decorating with glass avoid the cut glass and crystals that can burn a hole in savings. Beautiful creations in plain glass, ceramic and China impart a delicate sophistication to a modern or eclectic theme. With soft furnishings, costs are dictated by the material used. Replace silks, velvets, and satins with cottons or synthetics. Create drama with striped prints and bold coloured drapes. Use pastels and floral depending on the theme. Jazz up the interior with simple embellishment like mirrors or sequins on cushion covers if going for the ethnic touch.
Finally, it is important to remember that every aspect in the room contributes to the decor dialect exuding from a space. Coordination of all elements ranging from light fixtures to cabinets lend authenticity in establishing thematic decor in a home at an affordable price.

 

Decor on a LOW BUDGET

Ethnic decor can be both affordable and appealing

Ethnic decor can be most affordable and attractive. All you need to do is look for ethnic furniture, accessories and upholstery in the right places. Government emporia are where you can find some good bargains. Watch out for annual discount and clearance sales during which time you can make hay. The local tailor and carpenter can work wonders too. The streets and bylanes of Bangalore city are where you could stumble upon some really unique stuff.
Low stools made from woven jute fibre, divans with cushions and bolsters, carved jharokas for the walls look trendy. Dhurrie mats for the floors come in lovely earthy hues and are affordable. In South India, river grass floor mats are economical and suitable for floor seating too. They can easily last for upto a year and a half because of their high moisture content.
A slab of marble or stone can be placed in between ornamental bricks to create a side table or even a dining table. Odd slabs of stone or marble around 4×4 feet are available at marble cutting factories and workshops. You could get thick mattresses made to order which are five to six inches thick so that they are not too close to ground level.
“The carpenter can add handles to them so that you have a seating arrangement”, says design professional, Aliyeh Rizvi. Add cushions and made to order bolsters in vivid block prints. Commercial Street and its bylanes have carpenters, tailors and upholsterers who can create some nice ethnic stuff.
For table lamps, buy terracotta pots and get holders made. You could get a painter to paint the pot with a primer and you could add mirrors, bits of zari thread or other embellishments. Old-fashioned lanterns can be found in Shivajinagar. Use them to jazz up your evening parties and garden dos.
Wooden blocks which are used for block printing fabrics are very versatile home decorating tools. Paint one wall a vivid colour and then block print it using a block dipped in poster paint or fevicryl.
For your dining table, use runners and colourful table mats. They add colour and spice. Warli and Madhubani art is easily available and affordable. Place them on a deep red wall to get maximum impact. Usually, black and white art is lost on a neutrally painted wall, points out Aliyeh Rizvi.
Old-fashioned drinking water copper jugs make for pretty flower vases. Floating candles and flower petals can be added to terracotta urlis. Cushion covers in block prints in vivid colours with zari borders look eye-catching. You can buy reels of zari from wholesale shops off Commercial Street. Instead of going in for thick, formal curtains which are expensive, need constant vacuuming and dry cleaning, go in for voile or sheer muslin shades which can be replaced often. Block printed curtains made to order by the local darzi work out cheaper too.
Wooden bangles can be joined together by very small gold colored safety pins to create long curtains which can act as see through room dividers. Wicker, bamboo and cane furniture is economical and attractive. Pots can be placed in inexpensive planters made of dried, natural fibers. Bathroom mats and candle stands made from bamboo are pretty too.
For floors, locally available materials should be used. Black Kadappa stone, well polished, or the traditional red oxide flooring looks cool even today.