Tag / design

by Aman Sharma

Living room according to vastu.

Living room is a place where you spend most of the family time together. Cherish memories with loved ones. This is the place where your guest are entertained once they enter your house. So it is very essential to make your living room according to vastu to have positive vibes in your house. Below are preferred location for a living room in the house.

 In a North facing site: The Living room can be in the North (brings health and wealth to the family), North-East.
In a West facing site: The Living room can be in the North-West (good location, but guests feel restless and leave early).
In a South facing site: One can have a South-East Living room but if there is no other choice, opt for the  South-West (guests feel at home and stay on for a long time). 
In an East facing site: The Living room can be in the East, otherwise in the North-East corner.

But for any of the reasons if your drawing room is not in the right direction you can still do some small things to keep positive energy around you in your happy place.

  • Colour of walls and décor must be positive.

Wall colours of the living must be light or pale like Light blue, green, peach etc. Avoid using black, brown or dark blue. Heavy furniture and décor more than required creates a hindrance in the way of having a positive vibe in the house, try to be a minimal or use things according to requirement only. Battlefield weapons, Animal skins, dry land painting or sad statues are not considered good, avoid them.

  • Place an aquarium

Fish aquarium not only gives you happiness but it is also believed that it protects your family from any upcoming dangers. Aquarium also keeps a steady flow of positive energy and money in the home. Aquarium can be place in east, north east or north.

  • For paintings

Paintings have become an essential part of décor. But paintings also are related with energy in the house. Putting a painting of horses running inwards on south wall is considered good. It results in making you a popular personality and gain fame. One thing to keep in mind while purchasing painting is that the face of horses must be happy, not in aggression. To have more positive energy you can hang the painting of sunrise on east wall.

  • Furniture

Heavy sofa and furniture should be placed on south and west side of the room, while small furniture items can be placed on east and north side. Wooden furniture is best for having positive energy around you. Broken furniture should not be placed in the room, it is believed that they bring sadness in the house and also results in the increase amount of bad/negative vibes.

  • Indoor planters

Plants are the best way to keep a positive atmosphere around you. Money plant or other indoor plants can be placed in east or north direction. They are believed to create a harmonious atmosphere, but only if they are chosen correctly for a specific location. Dry plants, thorny or bonsai are believed to have a negative impact in the house. Plants not only keep a good vibe but also a number of benefits to your health also.

  • What else to take care off –
  • Sofa should not be placed under the beam. Beam is considered as thing to separate and might result in the sourness of your relations. But for any reason if you can’t move you’re sitting anywhere than hang a flute or wind chimes.
  • The light in the room must not be too bright and hit directly into eyes of your guests or yourself.
  • Don’t build a toilet in drawing room or if you have one than don’t use it.
  • Electrical equipment must be placed in the south direction. While A.C. must be in west direction.

These were the few vastu tips that can be used in your drawing room to have a circulation of positive energy around you. Thank you for reading. You can ask your questions or leave a suggestion in the comment box below.

Escape window.  

by Aman Sharma

Design trends which are popular….but not useful.

1- Open shelves- This is really popular concept which is being used in our homes today.  This design looks very good and stylish in the pictures but it might not be the right choice for you. Open units are much better than open shelves. Open shelves shall not be given in the area where you work manually most of the time like the chopping or mixing area in kitchen because if you mistakenly touch anything than chances are every other thing on the shelf might also fall down. This can also result in damaging of the expensive glasses which are mostly put on these shelves. Open units/cabinets are a far better option because they provide more space and ease of use. But if you have an open shelf than put a bar (1/2 inch thick wooden or steel) in front of it, so when you want to take out something other things don’t fall down.

2-Cool colors- Cool colors are trending, but do you know the color of the walls also plays a key role in controlling the room temperature. If you live in a place which is less hot than cool colors can depress you. You can keep aside the white and grey if you are bored from them. Try using Red, Orange or Yellow these bright colors are suitable for any weather and will also enlighten the space if painted correctly.

3-Corner couch- The use of ‘L’ shaped or the corner couches has increased in the recent times. People tend to buy this just because everyone is loving them, but will it really look nice at your place? Rethink about it. The ‘L’ shape or corner couch only look good when they are placed at a corner of the house and not in the center of your living or drawing room. This will only result in filling of the space. If possible try to opt for long and simple couches which are more comfortable while sitting. Keep this bigger furniture items at a distance of few inches from the wall. This bigger couches will be perfect when you have a group of friends or family at your place.

4-Plain white wall- Light color walls have been in trend since the beginning of the design era. White, Ivory or Grey these color walls can be found in every house or commercial place. This might suit you if you are minimalist. But if you want a cozy space than you will get bore of this easily in few days and will start decorating the walls with paintings or any other hanging items, and slowly-slowly the wall will convert into an art gallery. But if you really want that ‘Scandinavian’ look than you can invest in a big and bright piece of art for your wall. This can result in converting of your plain dull wall to an accent wall.

5- Long Curtains- Curtains are the energy boosters for any interior. Floor length curtains are trending today. The main reason for choosing floor length curtain is they make an illusion of more space in the homes. Well if they have a pro than it also has a con at the same time, Floor length curtains may stuck in your feet while walking close to them. They also touch the floor so they get really dirty after a short of period time. Either you need to keep floor very clean or keep washing them again and again. But if you can’t manage it try keeping curtains a few inch high from the floor.

6- Exposed wearing- Exposed wiring trend has increased overtime, Now in bedrooms or work spaces people are preferring for exposed wiring than the switch boards in the wall. There various types of switch and sockets available in the market which are being used. These are not safe firstly and secondly if you are providing exposed wiring, there must be proper ventilation in the room. However you should never be giving exposed wiring in kitchen and bathrooms.

7- Vintage look- Vintage look is still inn. But most people today confuse the vintage look with the short term trend. If you have the furniture or any other items which have a history than these are always special. Don’t buy poor quality and cheap items in the name of vintage piece because these are only temporary and get out of style soon.

8- Stone tiles- So this one is a point that I notice during my recent visit to a house. Various types of tiles made up of stone are really in trend these days. These are being excessively used in bathrooms, kitchen, living rooms etc. But using them too much in a continuity may result in a dull interior and your place might look like a Stone Age museum. Use various types of tiles and textures over different areas. If you don’t want various textures try some different colors at-least.

9- Kitchen appliance display- No matter how expensive your microwave or oven is, it can’t stand up to its cost until it is placed at a right place. Appliances put on a kitchen counter only consumes space and make your kitchen look like a restaurant kitchen. Modular kitchens has removed this burden form the counters as there are so many options for storage including a tall unit specially designed for your micro and oven.

These were some the latest interior trends which if not used properly or according to your place might become a blunder for you rather than being decorative or making your easier than before. I hope you all liked above mentioned points and it might help you if you are thinking to renovate your house or a room or any commercial place.

Thank you.

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by Aman Sharma

Mirror won’t be the same.

Decorating the mirror is not a new concept but obviously it’s a loved concept. From ages people especially women love to re-decor the small household items, especially the mirrors. With time to time there have been ever changing designs to re-decor your simple home mirror. From Retro to modern looks they have sorted it all to design the mirror. Earlier mirror was seen only in the dressing room or where you usually get dressed up and in your bathrooms, but now it also works as a style label for your home. If you are also having a mirror which you want to re-decor than this article will fit all of your needs. I have picked the best yet the easy designs for a perfect mirror that you and everyone who visit your place will love.

1-Mirror with flowers- This has always been the favorite when it comes to design a mirror for the home. The mirror and flowers on its border create a harmonious and positive atmosphere indoors. To make this just paste the dry leaves or flowers on the border of the mirror, fabric flowers will also work. To paste properly paste a layer of thin cloth on the mirror and then paste your flowers and leaves. This type of mirrors can be used in your living/lobby area and also on dressing table.

2-Rope- This is one of the classical designs which were used very much few years back. This is the perfect way if you want a hanging mirror. To do this simply roll a rope around the mirror and create a small loop at the mirror head to hang it. Use a thick rope instead of using a thin rope because if we use thin rope we have to create a number of turns around it and thus it will lose its original look. If you a home based on classical design then this will add a glitter to your home. But even they work very well with any type of homes. This can be used next to your stairs, as this design is used for small mirrors generally so use them in way where it creates a style statement than a proper looking mirror.

3-Pom-Pom – Children absolutely love this type of mirrors as they are more colorful and playful too. These type of mirrors can be used in children’s room as it looks more colorful and create a joyful vibe. Wrap a layer of pom-pom around the mirror, we can use pom-pom of various colors or can match them with the color of theme you have done in your home.

4-Stones & Shell- This type of mirrors come under modern concept of art and are excessively used in homes, Hotels, café and offices. To make this simply cut a cardboard piece according to the shape and size of the mirror. Place the mirror in the center of the cardboard cutting and apply a layer of the glue or whatever solution you are using and then start applying the stones and shells on cardboard. This may take some time but the end product is so much beautiful and you will thank yourself later for making this. This types of mirror can be either used on entrance consoles or bathrooms.

5-Beads- Cut slightly a large piece of cardboard then the mirror and start pasting your favorite beads on it. You can use sort of beads which you like or can pick a theme color to make it. This type of mirrors can be used anywhere especially if you have a plain wall hang this mirror on it. It will become a focus of that wall and will also work as a form of abstract art.

6-Lace- It is used if we want to have a luxury or the royal look on the mirror. As lace comes in so much designs you will access a lot of options in this. To make it just use a wider lace around the mirror and paste it. This mirrors can be used in your bedrooms or at the entrance consoles.

I hope this was beneficiary if you were looking to re-decor your mirrors. Have your own idea? Please be kind to share it in the comment box below. Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you for reading. Follow us to become a part of this new reading family.

by Aman Sharma

Uncoding the bathroom

Bathroom is simply defined as a room with a bathtub/shower and usually with a basin and a toilet seat, but bathroom is not just about this only anymore. In a poll of about 2500 people including men, women and youngsters they have accepted the fact on an average they spent 30 minutes of their day in the bathroom. So the bathroom has not just remained a place to go, freshen yourself and come out but now people sit there scrolling through the internet, going through the world on their phones and so much more. On a note it is accepted by about 70% of people that there ability of thinking increases in the bathrooms compared to normal work space. So it has become equally important to design them well too. In houses bathrooms now work as a style statement. In this article I will try to write down the basic principles used in designing a bathroom. Bathrooms should be a quiet and hygienic place and must be designed accordingly. If you are designing one for home than you should considering making a mood board for it. Usually a mood board is where you write the main element i.e. is bathroom in this case and around it you write all the things that come in your mind by thinking of that particular word, than select the words you are most attracted and paste their pictures on a sheet. In this way you will get a clear picture for what your thoughts are on how your bathroom should be.

Illustration of a mood board

Before designing of the bathroom it is mainly divided into four parts to get most of the bathroom that are-

  • Dry area- that is your Wash basin area
  • Semi wet area- that is the WC/Toilet seat area
  • Wet area- that is the bath area
  • Slopes- Bathroom’s floor is made in a way that it is a little slant so that if water get collected so it automatically slides down to the drainage point.

This are the basic principles that are used in structuring of a bathroom. Below is a small brief about this areas.

1-Dry area or the ‘Basin’ area- This area is considered as the soul of your bathroom area. The first part of the area that catches the attention of the person. Wash basin must be placed just at the entrance of the bathroom. This is the area which can be and is mostly designed to the fullest. This area can be filled with a lot of design elements, big looking mirrors, cove lights and so much more. This area has to be kept dry. Although you have wash basin here where you will wash your hands and face a lot of times in a day. So the area should be designed in such a manner that water don’t spill everywhere. The height must be at correct level (standard at 36” from floor level) so it provides you ease of use. Wall mounted basins are new in trend but still counter top basins are preferred more till date. A small mat or rug can be place on the floor near the basin area. Though people decorate it very much by filling it up with different products but to get best of it try to keep the minimal stuff on the counter, keep liquid soaps in a bottle hanged on the wall. Use vanity under the basins to store more of the stuff as they will also work a design statement for your bathrooms as well as a storage option too. Below are some the bathroom basin area designs. Don’t fill up too much here as it will make it look tidy and later will create various issues like cleaning and maintaining it.

2- Semi wet area- The WC/ Toilet seat area is known as the semi wet area of the bathroom. This area must be hidden or designed in such a way that it is not visible directly when you enter the bathroom. The position of the wc should also be maintained so you don’t feel tidy or uncomfortable while using it. In smaller bathrooms wall mounted wc can be used to save more space.

3- Wet area- The bathing area is known as the wet area. It is advised to create its floor a little slant than the normal floor level so that the water don’t get collected there. If possible try to divide the wet and semi wet area, particularly it is done by giving glass shower enclosures. Shower enclosures are trending these days but demand a proportionate of space also which is mostly not available in regular bathroom sizes. So to overcome this either you can create a partition wall between the two or keep the wet area floor a little lower than the rest of the floor of bathroom. Another thing to keep in mind is that the wet area and semi wet area must be constructed near to each other than being in the opposing directions. Below are two ways to separate the wet and dry areas.

4- Slope- As described above, the bathroom floor is constructed in such a way that it is a little slanted towards the wet area so that water can easily travel out through the drain point.

These were the four main basic principles on which a bathroom design is based upon. These things are essential for a bathroom to function to its full efficiency. Once the plan is made according this, than you can move to next step that is designing of the bathroom. Planning with this rule will automatically result in better outcome of the design no matter what you choose to apply there.

While designing the bathroom watch out for these things also-

  • Proper ventilation of air and the placement of the exhaust to clear out humidity in there.
  • Minimum space required in bath and wc area so that you can move your elbow and legs freely without hitting anything.
  • Use matt or rustic flooring in the bathroom to avoid slipping.
  • To avoid termite or water damage on wall apply tiles till the ceiling. One it will protect your vanity and other items from problem and it will also work as a style element for the walls.