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How to make a house “energy efficient”?

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How to make a house “energy efficient” Great Idea! There are several ways to reduce your carbon footprint, save water, and also save some money on utility bills. LED light bulbs: Switching to LED light bulbs is the lowest hanging fruit for all. Replace your traditional incandescent or CFL bulbs with LED bulbs. These have a longer lifespan and consume far less energy to provide similar luminosity. Seal air leaks: Air leaks around older wooden windows, doors, and other openings can cost you a ton! Seal them with Silicon, Caulk or Weatherstrips. Better yet, replace them with UPVC / Aluminium doors & windows when you get a chance. Programmable thermostats: For those living in areas with extended hot summers, air-conditioners can be adjusted to shift to higher temperatures at certain hours when you are not likely to get up and do it yourself, for example middle of the night. You could also move to energy efficient appliances and use reflective tiles & paint on exterior of your house / office building. As for water conservation – you can install low-flow showerheads and faucets, use WCs that consume less water while flushing the toilet, and recycle the water discarded by R.O units in your kitchen.

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Is Home automation worth the investment?

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Is Home automation worth the investment? Home automation technology allows one to control a host of functions using smart wall mounted controls, tablet, or smartphones. You may consider using it for your home or office if several of the following reasons resonate with you: Convenience: you are looking to control various elements of your homes including lighting, temperature, and security system – from anywhere using – wall mounted switch boards, tablet, or smartphone. Energy efficiency: you wish to monitor and control energy usage in your home, potentially reducing your energy bills, especially for air-conditioning and lights. Security: you wish to monitor and control security systems and cameras from anywhere and potentially connect security cameras with an alarm system. Automation can be done on both closed and open platform with varying implications for integrating with 3rd party products (lights, fans, curtains, CCTV, Audio / Video). Ultimately, the decision to invest in home automation will depend on your lifestyle, priorities, and budget. We can help you make the right choice for the platform, products and the integration partner…

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Which is better Vitrified tiles or Marble?

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Which is better Vitrified tiles or Marble? When it comes to choosing the right flooring material for your floors or walls, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Both vitrified tiles and marble have their own unique properties and can be a suitable option depending on your requirements and budget. Vitrified tiles – Beautiful but design repeats Marble – Jointless and design flows Vitrified tiles come in a vast variety of design, size, colors. Better grade vitrified tiles are highly durable, can withstand heavy foot traffic, stains, and scratches. If separated with grouting while installing, they are easier to replace also. They can be used nicely in Kitchen, Bathroom and for exterior flooring. Compared to top grade marble, top grade vitrified tiles are more affordable to buy, install and maintain. Marble is a natural stone and thus porus. It is therefore more prone to scratches and stains. However, it can be cut and moulded as desired, installed seamlessly and has more luxurious appearance. Softer marble such as Travertine is best used for wall cladding, while harder marble can be used for walls and flooring. If budget is a constraint, one could use marble selectively in living room, entrance lobby and accent walls.

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How to arrive at a home interiors budget?

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How to arrive at a home interiors budget? More often than not, you’d be hard pressed to find an acceptable answer without first asking few good questions! For instance: How much are you trying to fit in the space you have? Are you looking to do minimalist or traditional Indian ornate & nuanced interiors? Would you choose locally available abundant materials or rare to find imported materials? Do you trust only the branded products or are you comfortable to go with lesser known sellers? Do you look for unique and priceless or more easily available functional items for your home? Do you buy standard easily available sizes or do you prefer to customize things to create a differentiated environment? There are several other such decisions that will move the needle on the budget. It is always a good idea to get an early grip over Time and Money you are expected to invest in making the home or office of your dream. A good interior design process attacks this upfront, so you know the projects on which you will splurge, and the projects you would keep under strict budget. We appreciate these nuances and have a good process in place to help you discover and establish your time and budget targets!

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Creating a Statement Wall at home

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Creating a Statement Wall at home A statement wall can completely transform the look and feel of a room, and a great way for you to express yourself in your home. It adds personality and visual interest to a space and can be a reflection of your style and taste. There are infinite ways to creating a statement wall, ranging from Doing it yourself, installing a market bought art, or commissioning a renowned artist to dress up your wall. Few such ideas are explored below: Use textured paint / bold color to create a dramatic effect. Highlight the wall using architectural or decorative lights. You could also replace the textured paint with market bought or customized digitally printed wallpaper. Create a gallery wall displaying collection of art or photographs. It is a great way to showcase your personal style and interests. You may have a collection of art, photographs from your travel or perhaps a collection gifted to you by your parents or grandparents. Install a statement piece like a large framed-mirror, or tapestry to create a focal point on a wall. These do not cost a bomb, but make quiet a statement. You could also use POP, Bricks, Stone, or Wood to create a customized piece of wall mural. Choosing from a variety of materials and techniques is great fun, but it is important to do so in context of the specific space / environment, rest of the home, time and budget considerations. That is where we come in!

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Lighting design tips for a home

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Lighting design tips for a home Lighting is an essential aspect of interior design that can transform the look and feel of a space. In India, lighting plays an important role in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. In this blog, we’ll provide lighting design tips for your Indian home. Decorative Lights Architectural Lights An easy starting point is to combine ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting to create a layered effect that brings out different aspects of an environment. Within that context, use warm and soft lighting to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Save cool lighting for walk in wardrobes, if you must. Use focus / accent lights to highlight architectural features, art and artifacts. Add dimmer switches to adjust the brightness of the lighting. Combined well, it create different moods and ambiance for different occasions. You could also use decorative lighting such as pendant, chandeliers, and table lamps to add style and personality to a room. Working with a professional interior designer in Gurgaon would help you choose from a wide spectrum of possibility ranging from Indian to imported, and priced from few thousand to several lakhs.

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What’s the thinking behind Vaastu Shastra?

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What’s the thinking behind Vaastu Shastra? Vaastu Shastra is an ancient Indian science of architecture and construction. It is believed to have originated in India over 5,000 years ago and is based on the concept of harmonizing the environment with the individual’s living space. The word “Vaastu” means a dwelling or a house, and “Shastra” means science or knowledge. According to Vaastu Shastra, every building, whether it’s a house, an office, or a temple, has a soul, and it’s important to build it in a way that it is in harmony with nature and the universe. The principles of Vaastu Shastra are based on the five elements of nature: earth, water, fire, air, and space, and their alignment with the structure. Some of the key principles of Vaastu Shastra include the favourable placement of the main entrance (north or north east), the location of the rooms (for eg. master bedroom in southwest), the direction of the building, the positioning of the kitchen (southeast), and the placement of furniture (for eg. When laying down head of the person should be facing south or east, and dining table should not be placed under the beam). The science of Vaastu Shastra believes that if a building is built according to these principles, it will promote prosperity, happiness, and overall well-being of the occupants.

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Traditional v/s modern Indian Interiors?

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Traditional v/s modern Indian Interiors? Indian architecture and design have been influenced by various cultures and civilizations, including the Mughals, British, and Portuguese. The use of rich colors, intricate patterns, and detailed craftsmanship – often inspired by nature, festivals, and religious symbolism – has been a hallmark of Indian interior design for centuries. Traditional Indian interior design features rich fabrics, ornate carvings, and intricate motifs. Whereas the modern Indian interior design, is characterized by clean lines, minimalism, and a focus on functionality. Blending traditional and modern elements. It’s a great way to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage while incorporating contemporary interior design trends. For instance, combining modern minimalist structural environments with traditional handcrafted textiles, artwork, and pottery results in stunning interior environments. Also, mixing traditional Indian patterns like paisleys, florals, and ikat with modern geometric patterns adds to depth and interest to a room. Finally, mixing traditional materials like wood and stone, with modern materials like metal and Glass produces some stunning textures. Then there is the use of Vaastu Shastra, which aims to harmonise the structure of one’s house with various elements of nature.

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Refurbish or buy new furniture?

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Refurbish or buy new furniture? When it comes to choosing between refurbishing old furniture or buying new, there are several factors to consider. Re-purposing old furniture is a great idea, but must be done by taking into account following key considerations: If your furniture is structurally sound and has sentimental value, refurbishing it may be the best option. However, if it is severely damaged or outdated, replacing it may be a better choice. Refurbishing old furniture can be a cost-effective option, especially if you are working with a limited budget. However, if you have the means to invest in new furniture, it may be a more practical and durable option in the long run. Refurbished New Custom Design However, if you are looking to update the look of your home, buying new furniture can provide more design options to match your desired style. Additionally, if your old furniture is not functional for your current needs, it may be better to buy new furniture that is tailored to your specific requirements. Lastly, consider the environmental impact. Refurbishing old furniture is an eco-friendly option as it reduces waste and promotes sustainability. Buying new furniture, on the other hand, contributes to the production of new materials and energy consumption. We’d be happy to help you evaluate whether or not it makes financial and aesthetic sense to refurbish your existing furniture.

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Benefits of hiring an Interior Designer?

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Benefits of hiring an Interior Designer? With the abundance of resources available online, it’s tempting to think that you can handle your home interior design on your own. However, hiring an interior designer can offer several benefits that you may not get from just browsing through websites and social media platforms.    Firstly, an interior designer has a professional skill set and a keen eye for detail that can take your home design to the next level. Their ability to make and communicate through technical drawings and 3D renders – saves an incredible amount of time and money for the client. They can create a cohesive and personalized look that matches your unique style and preferences, while ensuring that the functionality of your space is not compromised. Secondly, a luxury interior designer has access to a vast network of vendors and suppliers. They can help you select the best materials and furniture that fit your budget, style, and functionality needs. They can also negotiate on your behalf to get the best prices and ensure that everything is delivered and installed correctly. Thirdly, an interior designer can help you save time and reduce stress. They can manage the entire design process, from initial concept to final installation, and handle any issues that may arise along the way. This allows you to focus on other important aspects of your life while your home is transformed into a beautiful and functional space.  Let’s discuss how we can help meet your unique needs….

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