Friday 28 February 2014

CLOSETS FOR STORAGE


Storage of things has become a serious criterion when deciding to buy a home, in modem times. People want each and every room to have a functional as well as decorative storage space, and the bed room is no exception. The closet nowadays is no longer just a shelf. As per the widening needs, it has taken new designs, dimensions, and components.

Before the commencement of planning the closet, one has to consider the amount of space at disposal and the amount of space possible to dedicate to the closet or wardrobe. Depending on the need a variety of closets can be made.Thus, closets could be large, small, narrow, decorative or just functional. The best aspect about building a closet is that it can be made to fit any shape and comer.

Wall-to-wall closets are easiest to make because the ceiling floor and walls provide one with a fixed dimension to work with. The closet can be made as deep or as narrow as desired, but a 24 inch depth is usually the norm. These closets enable one to have as many shelves as wanted of varying heights and allow one to hang the clothes too.

In-corner closets are ideal for smaller rooms. The space found in between is apt for putting in a bed, desk, or any other furniture. The whole wall looks unified and continuous while giving a built-in effect.

If one needs a space exclusively for accommodating all the linen, then the linen closet perfectly fits that requirement. These are mostly located in the bathroom or hallway and every inch of space should be utilized to the maximum, as the space available is often not much.The closet should be divided into three sections -the top shelf to be used for storing the least used items, the middle shelf for most used and the bottom shelf for larger items like bedding or cleaning items. A room- dividing closet is another type that not only gives more storage space but also it enhances the privacy. Under-eaves closets are made under sloping ceilings that have little headroom. Since the space in these closets is limited, one can have boxes instead of shelves to easily store items.

Walk-in closets are quite popular in foreign countries but these are helpful only if enough space is available for placing them. These serve not only as a storage space but also act as a dressing room. The great advantage of walk-in closets is that they allow one to have a variety of storage spaces in numerous dimensions like drawers, hanging space, shelves, shoe racks etc., Even the ironing table and window seat could be put in, if one is there.

After the advent of modular furniture in the modem era, all aspects of collecting and installing cabinets and closets has become a simple task. What one has to do is to just choose the color and design from the innumerable choices from a catalogue and the sought after closet is ready in no time.

Other Features:
An elementary arrangement normally most miss either to think or incorporate, is the providing of lighting. Any closet should be brightly lit and the position of the light is also important. The light should not be placed at the back of a shelf, for the purpose of the light is to illuminate the contents. The light should be placed towards the front of the closet or even under the top shelf, while the switch should be outside the closet. Shelves are the only way to go for closets-one can use baskets, drawers and tie and belt racks also. Nowadays when the modular furniture is readily available in the market one can quickly and conveniently configure the closet in a variety of ways.

Closets, to utilize them fully:
So as to make more space in the closet, it should be reorganized and should possess several levels for hanging clothes. It should be ensured that the depth of the closet is at least 24 inches. That will have the width which is more than a hanger, for conveniently hanging the clothes.

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Wednesday 26 February 2014

SITE BUYERS BEWARE

Agricultural lands cannot be directly used for residential purpose.They need to be converted for residential purposes,by paying conversion charges.The Special Deputy Commissioner is the competent authority to convert the agricultural land into non-agricultural purpose. Revenue site is a site that is formed on the agricultural land into non-agricultural purpose. Revenue site is a site that is formed on the agricultural land without proper approval under the relevant law i.e., Karnataka Land Reforms Act,Karnataka Land Revenue Rules and also as per other provisions of law.
No building shall be constructed on an agricultural land without obtaining conversion and other approvals from the concerned authorities. Residential site should be formed only in the residentially converted land, such a land should be in the residential zone as per the zonal regulations for getting the residential conversation.
As per zonal regulation of comprehensive development plan, the green belt area is only for the agricultural activities. Non converted land continues to be an agricultural land, and there are various restrictions on sale and purchase of agricultural land. In Bangalore only Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is the competent authority to approve the layout and to get this approval the layout; road width, residential area, civic amenities, other amenities to be fulfilled. The Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (BMRDA) is the regulating authority to approve sites on the outskirts of the Bangalore. All around Bangalore, it is a very common practice for people to buy a piece of agricultural land, which is more popular as “revenue site”, without knowing the hassles involved in the buying of such sites. Consequently local agents, aided by certain landlords also misguide buyers to buy revenue sites.
Middlemen ride
The middlemen and the local brokers have perfected their art of cheating the innocent people by selling the revenue sites. Generally, a nominal sum is paid as a token advance to the landlord and a general power of attorney is obtained; and then, the search for the innocent purchasers begins.  The middle men, like double edged razors, hike the price of the land and at the same time, do not properly settle the accounts with the illiterate and ignorant land  owners.
Then, the said brokers who consider themselves above law, form layouts on agricultural lands without sanction, approval, planning, design etc. To increase the saleable area of the “sites”,they encroach on roads and as a result the roads get narrowed down.These layouts are formed without civic amenities and facilities, since there is no intention of providing them. However, the brokers know the art of marketing. They make colorful brochures with photographs of certain parts of Bangalore and paint an attractive picture. Some of them download the foreign photographs of houses from internet for their brochures.Better the presentation, deeper the deceit, which very few people understand. After the process, the broker has gained money, and the purchaser has bitter experience. The said agents in league with brokers will register some imaginary sites at the sub-registrar’s office using their clout with the sub-registrar.
Ancestral Property
In the recital of a sale deed, it is customary to mention how the seller has acquired his title, interests and rights to the immovable property from origin to the end.In case of revenue sites, the brokers at the office of various subregistrars have devised a very ingenious method to hide this fact. They merely mention in the recital that the property is the “ancestral property” of the seller. In this way the property passes on from the GPA holder to the purchaser.
There are several instances where the land notified for acquisition and the land granted for schedule caste people have been converted into sites, where the purchaser of such a site would not get any title of the property.Then the law stipulates that certain lands, when granted to the schedule castes, will revert to them if purchased by any one else.
GPA transaction
Generally the brokers will take GPA from the landowner for the entire land and register in favour of the purchaser; most of the revenue sites are registered under the strength of GPA.Very few people care to check the legality of the GPA executed by the original vendor. Nobody bothers to find out whether the GPA is registered or not, whether the executor of the GPA is alive or not. If the executor of the GPA is not alive the GPA transaction is totally invalid. A joint GPA executed by two owners becomes invalid if one of them dies.
Form 9 and Form 10
Originally, a property falling under the village Panchayat area alone has the genuine site status. Form No.10 is for a house coming under Gramathana village Panchayat area and Form No.9 is for a vacant site coming under Gramathana village panchayat area.The middlemen and some of the revenue officials have made bogus Forms No.9 and 10 and have registered immoveable properties in favor of innocent purchasers. Earlier, when the Urban Land Ceiling Act was in force, thousands of revenue sites were registered by merely mentioning in the sale deed the description as one square asbestos sheet house’. This was mentioned just to avoid getting the relevant clearance under the said Act. After the Urban Land Ceiling Act was abolished the term ‘one square asbestos sheet house’ was also removed from the real estate agent’s dictionary’.
It is not legal to form layouts and sell the sites in the agricultural land/green belt area,, even after selling all the sites; RTC (Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crop Inspection) will be in name of the original landowners. 
The Agent being a GPA holder will sell the sites, being “ancestral properties” to the innocent purchaser. The numbers assigned to these sites will never match with the survey numbers assigned to these sites will never match with the survey numbers assigned to these lands by the government. The purchaser of the revenue site doesn’t get the title of the property. What is purchased is an imaginary site only. If, however, the original owner is good then the purchaser can enjoy the property, till the government regularizes such revenue sites.
Difficult to get loans
If the title deeds are not clear and does not establish marketable title, it is difficult to obtain bank loans for construction by mortgaging the sites. Generally, these sites are situated on the city outskirts. There will be no proper roads, electricity or water supply. There is no scope for immediate development occupation.After all this, if the prices of the sites appreciate over a period of several years, the original landowner will appear from nowhere and start cultivating the area. He will remove all the boundary stones laid by the broker. The purchaser will then find it difficult to identify his property. In certain cases the GPA holder sells the same sites to several persons and collects money from all of them. Consequently, marathon litigation awaits the purchaser. The laws are so complex that they give rise to multiple interpretations.
To add to his woes, the Court fees, which are very high, drain his already depleted resources to forget everything and be done with it.Only a fraction of the deceived purchasers feel that the laws are helpful under such circumstances.It is hoped that people will exercise utmost care and restraint, when they go about purchasing “revenue sites”.A little caution in time will save lots of botheration future.
Instead of purchasing a 60 x 40 site a purchaser can as well as go for a title within the city limits or BDA formed sites or BDA approved sites. Moreover, all the sites formed in and around Bangalore must have BDA or BMRDA approval.

The buyers, therefore, instead of wasting their hard earned money on revenue sites and spending sleepless nights, would rather be wise to consult qualified legal experts before investing their well earned money.

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Tuesday 25 February 2014

A SMOOTH SALE AND CLEAN BUY

An Agreement to sell is the first step taken towards purchase of a property. This facilitates trouble free transfer of property based on the terms and processes that have been already discussed and agreed to between the seller and the buyer.
Sale and purchase of immovable property requires considerable time for completion of process and compliance of various obligations, since the stakes are high. Hence both the parties have to come to an agreement regarding the consideration amount, mode of payment and time duration. The terms agreed are put in writing in the form of an agreement, which is known as Agreement to Sell.The Agreement to Sell is governed by the provision of the Indian Contract Act 1872 and the Transfer of Property Act 1882.
Being in accordance with the provisions of the Transfer of Property Act 1882, a legally valid contract between the parties as per the provisions of Indian Contract Act, 1872 is mandatory.This Contract may be oral or written. Further it may be exhaustive or open. An open contract is just a skeleton, referring to the names of parties to the contract, property to be sold and the consideration amount.
An exhaustive contract is a detailed one referring to the title, modes of payment, time duration for competing the transaction, obligations to be complied with etc. In immovable property dealings, it is not advisable to go for oral open type of contracts, as the stakes are generally high and consequences are grave. Such contracts need to be diligently prepared referring to minute details. The services of an expert advocate in property matters should be availed. Section 54 of the Transfer of Property Act refers to the Contract of Sale/Agreement to Sell.
It defines the agreement to sell as a contract that a sale of such property that a sale of such property takes place on terms settled between the parties. It further specifies that the agreement to sell does not create any interest in property or charge on such property. The purchaser who has entered into an agreement to sell with the owner of the immovable property is not entitled to any compensation if the property is acquired by the government. Further in case of suit of injunction against the owner, the purchaser who has entered into an agreement with the owner does not have any right to be impeded in the suit and heard on the basis of the agreement to sell.
The execution of agreement to sell needs to be witnessed by two persons capable of entering into contract. Further,with regard to witnesses, it is advisable that the witnesses be from the side of both parties i.e. one from the purchaser’s side and one from the seller’s side. And in case of execution of a sale deed. It is advisable that both witnesses be from the purchaser’s side. According to the Indian Registration Act, 1908, the registration of the agreement to sell is only optional. If registered it helps in establishing the bonafides of the transaction. Further, encumbrance certificate discloses the subsistence of such an agreement which deters any further agreements, unless the existing one is cancelled.
The rights and liabilities of the purchaser and seller:
Section 55 of the Transfer of Property Act deals with the rights and liabilities of seller and purchaser. If the agreement to sell does not specifically refer to the rights and liabilities of seller and purchaser, the provisions of section 55 are enforceable.
There is a caution against the use of words like “as is where is basis”, since in such circumstances, the purchaser has to specifically perform the contract irrespective of the material defect in the title of property. There is no prescribed format of agreement to sell in respect of an immovable property. It has to be ensured that the agreement is legally enforceable and binding on the parties and that it is not a mere formality.
Persons entering into the agreement:
Persons must be competent to enter into a contract. They must be major, sound mind and not disqualified from contracting. The names of the parties to the contract, their age, father’s name, in case of married woman, the husband’s name, and places of their residence should be mentioned. Care should be taken to make all the owners as parties to the contract. In case any of the joint owners is not available to execute the agreement, a clause is added to the agreement that all persons having interest in the property shall execute the conveyance deed. A partnership firm is not a legal person and as such all the partners should sign the agreement.
Exact location and description of the property agreed to be sold: Location and description should contain the roads on which they front, the existing and former occupations, the municipal number, street, road with complete boundaries, and properties surrounding the property agreed to be sold. It should also include the area of the site, built up area, floors, type of constructions, materials used etc. The details should be exhaustive so as to identify the property clearly. Sections 21 and 22 of the Indian Registration Act makes it mandatory to disclose the details.
Agreed consideration amount and mode of payment:
Consideration amount, the price at which the property was agreed to be transferred is very important and an essential portion of the agreement. If the consideration amount is not mentioned, the contract becomes void. The consideration disclosed should be in money value, and it should not attract the provisions of exchange of property as detailed in Sec 118 of the Transfer of Property Act. Whether the consideration amount is adequate or not is immaterial. The agreement should disclose any part payment of consideration or earnest money, the mode, place and time of payment of balance money.
Production and scrutiny of documents of title:
The agreement should contain a clause that the seller should produce the documents of title in his possession for scrutiny by the purchaser and his advocate. Sec 55 (1) of Transfer of Property Act makes it mandatory to produce the documents for scrutiny.
Period of completion of sale process: The sale agreement should contain a clause stipulating the time within which the purchaser will pay the full consideration amount and get the sale deed executed and registered by the seller. It is always advisable to pay less amount of the sale consideration as advance and further, it should be kept in mind that the balance maximum portion of the sale consideration must be paid only at the time of registration of the sale deed.
The agreement of sale should mention the date/period of completion of the sale transaction and registration of sale deed. The date for paying the maximum portion of the balance payment must be mentioned, as at the time of registration.  It is preferable to construct the sentence in such manner for
Conditions and obligations to be complied with:
There may be local laws and other statutory obligations to be complied with for completion of sale.Permission may have to be procured from certain institutions.Any such obligations to be completed and the time for such acts are to be incorporated in the agreement.
Expenses to be met:
Sale process includes various expenses like legal fee, stamp duty, brokerage and expenses towards statutory clearances. Terms of agreement should be clear as to who has to meet these expenses.
Miscellaneous:
The agreement should also contain penalties for non-performance of the terms of the agreement. The onus on the seller is that he shall during the period between the date of agreement to sell and actual handing over of the property to the purchaser, not create any charges no the property and at the same time maintain the property.
Remedy:
If any of the parties fail to perform, a party may sue the other party for specific performance as per the terms of the agreement. The limitation available is three years and it starts from the date on which the act is to be performed.
For example, a sale agreement is dated 1-7-2003, where it is mentioned the purchaser should pay the final installment of consideration and get the conveyance completed by the seller on 31-8-2003. The Purchaser, however, failed to pay the final installment on 31-8-2003 and the limitation started from the date.

The agreement to sell is to be executed on a requisite stamp paper as prescribed by the state. Purchase of property is a transaction where the parties to the transaction must be of identical mind to ensure smooth and uncomplicated execution of the transaction. The agreement to the sale contains all the terms and conditions on the basis of which the physical process of transfer of property will take place on a step-by-step basis. The agreement to sell clearly defines the duties of the buyer and the seller and the tasks to be performed by each, ultimately leading to the registration of the sale deed and thus ensuring a successful and stress free sale and purchase of immovable property.
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Monday 24 February 2014

GARDENS AT INTERIOR


Green Plants, wherever they grow, are not only visually pleasing and mentally soothing, but also help in unfolding freshness and spreading pure air all the time.These could be brought to the interiors also in the form of miniature gardens.These living corners at home look like miniature gardens, green jewels or emeralds. Miniature gardens could make for green spots in both outdoor and interior spaces.

In a miniature garden, a group of plants are grown together creating a special landscape. It is grown in a container that can range from a shallow tray to a rubber tyre. The uniqueness of this garden is that an entire spectrum of plants and blossoms could be had on the table top if required. The choice of plants depends on the theme to be projected. This refreshing concept is normally employed to create interest within an existing garden, terrace or balcony. All the main features of a garden are present in this novel idea that can have themes, special furniture, and ornaments. Miniature gardens are not the same as either of the terrariums or bonsais, for all the three areas are individually different from the other.

Design:
A miniature garden looks deceptively simple. In addition to the selection of plants, the most crucial aspect is placing them in the right manner which makes all the difference. If planning to set it on a table or in the centre of a lawn or garden, the viewing angle is 360 degrees. Therefore, the plants should be placed in such a manner that the viewing pleasure is pretty much uniform from any direction. If the location is in a comer or against a wall, the viewing pleasure must be optimized for an excellent frontal view.

The below eye level setup must have appropriate landscaping with ground cover getting more prominence. It will be better to make a few rough sketches before deciding on the design. Next the concept of the theme could be decided. A theme will make the selection of plants and accessories easier. Microclimates can be created in this garden by having shady plants growing in the shelter of tall plants. The themes can range from magical to abstract. Creation of stony pathways or grassy mounds could be formed. A herb-filled miniature garden will be lovely for the kitchen's window box.

Base:
The base of the miniature garden can be as exotic or creative as per individual liking. A flat iron or cement tray is a good choice to create a landscape that has more ground cover than foliage. A basket or a big plastic bowl can take in sweeping foliage. A choice of slightly bigger plants needs comparatively bigger holders like a cement trough or a stone sink. For an eye-level view, one of the available cement birdbaths will be a perfect selection. Odd and unusual receptacles which are easy to move around could be thought of. An iron bucket, a wheelbarrow, or any such garden relic that has been discarded to the comers can be reclaimed for this purpose. The base must be filled with a mixture that is usually used for potted plants.

Plants:
Selection of plants for a miniature garden is an extremely difficult preposition than for the usual garden. Plants can either make or mar this kind of garden. As with any garden, some plants are chosen for ground cover, some for foliage and some for color. The miniature variety is hard to find. From what is commonly available, green moss, clovers, miniature variety of ixora, ferns like maiden hair and birds next, and certain succulents like jade necklace are suitable. Foliage is taken care of by having baby'stears, Kenilworth or thyme. Ground cover can be laid with moss, ivy, wheat germ grass or Corsican mint depending on the topography.

Accessories:
After the designing part is done and selection of plants is over, it is time to take stock of accessories for visual appeal. But nothing has to be unnecessarily filled in a miniature garden. Pebbles, seashells, and geodes are good to create a pleasant ambience. Unusually shaped rocks can be covered with ivy. Cocktail umbrellas and satay sticks are also useful. One good source for accessories is aquarium shops where miniature bridges, figurines and animal figures are available. An old doll house, castle or any such whimsical accessory will be nice to create a fairyland theme. A trellis can be fashioned with a gutter cover and a pergola can be fashioned out of suitably shaped stone slivers.

After the creation of the miniature garden which has demanded all the efforts and creativity, it has to be looked after well by regular watering and pruning whenever needed.

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Saturday 22 February 2014

COLOUR CREATING MOODS


In the pink of health', 'red in the face', 'green with envy', are some references that establish the psychological and physiological impact of color on the human mind. The physiology of color is visual perception, and the sensations arising out of this perception is the psychology of color. Basically, color is light energy wherein each color radiates vibrations. The vibrations and energy waves emitted vary with individual colors. The color therapy incorporates the unique impact of colors on human psyche along with the scientific application of each hue in order to achieve harmony.

As a design tool, color is immensely powerful because of its ability to transform the look and feel of a space by masking its undesirable features, enhancing beautiful details and establishing its mood. Besides having a very definite effect on each other, colors possess the ability of creating an illusion of advancing (i.e. appearing nearer e.g. red, orange) or receding (i.e. increasing distance e.g. blue, green).

The palette used in interior spaces reflects the tastes and personality of the inhabitants. As the human senses associate and respond to individual colors differently, here are a few basic guidelines that help demystify the enigma of some colors.

RED:
It conjures up images of vitality, activity, passion, aggression, desire and appetite. Red creates a vibrant and energetic mood, making it the perfect color for areas of entertainment. Small doses of red can be very flattering and bring about warmth to otherwise stated interiors.

YELLOW:
The color of sunshine, yellow, signifies warmth, optimism, joy, exuberance and idealism. A welcoming color, adding cheer and lifting spirits, yellow is traditionally associated with glowing halos and enlightenment.

BLUE:
The calming qualities of blue lend a serene and tranquil atmosphere to its surroundings. Its receding character makes blue ideal for small spaces, or places for study and reflection. Like many colors, blue has contradictory connotations. It has an intellectual and aristocratic aura; on the other hand, it is also associated with depression.

GREEN :
Symbolically associated with nature and growth, green represents freshness, good luck, youth and vigor. This hue improves efficiency, expresses the will in operation, firmness and persistence, generating the desire for social reforms. On the downside, green in linked with envy and sickness.

PURPLE:
The color purple embodies the balance of red stimulation and the blue calm. While evoking an esoteric mood, and creating an enchanting, exotic ambience, purple suggests perfection, mystique and nobility.

WHITE AND BLACK:
White, the lightest hue and Black, the darkest color serve as powerful fundamentals that bridge color gaps. White, the color of the dove of peace, exemplifies purity, simplicity, precision and reverence. It instills an aura of expanse but an overdose of white emanates clinical sterility.A representative of modernism, black, is a sophisticated, elegant and sensual color.On the flip side, it denotes mystery, fear, depression and grief.


The perception of color changes with the quality of light, the texture of the surface, and even the eye of the observer. Color affirmations and visualizations are powerful methods of color therapy, generating balance and harmony in the environment. The color game is as much about ingenuity and individuality as it is about quantity. 

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Friday 21 February 2014

WALL DECORATIONS


As there are countless moods for the human beings, equally endless are the variations by which they could be perfectly reflected in coloring home. Varied are the techniques available for giving a personal touch for every wall decorations. One need not be a connoisseur of art to know all the intricacies of home decorations for doing one's own wall decorations.

In home design -as in other visual arts - form, color and texture are the key elements of expression. While from shapes the structure of our surroundings colour and texture affect of the mood.

One of the obvious ways of introducing color in a room is through paint, a medium which opens up a world of possibilities.There are limitless hues as well as numerous painting techniques to choose from.For centuries, artisan and craftsmen have embellished interior surfaces with decorative paint treatments. These eye-catching techniques remain popular today for camouflaging or enhancing design details; or simply adding a touch of panache to a staid decor; Decorative painting techniques fall in two categories.

The first category includes faux finishes including faux marbling, faux wood graining; and Trompe l'oeil  i.e. to mimic a real material or object. The latter is a particularly captivating style that creates realistic focal points or vistas through freehand application.

The second category of decorative painting techniques includes treatments that simply adorn. Sponging, Ragging, Combing, Stenciling are some of the ornamental finishes that add dimension and personality to any interiors. Sponging is the skill of applying different color paints to a uniform base coat, achieving a multi tone
finish.

Ragging is an adept modus operandi for hiding rough or uneven surfaces, particularly if one uses flat paint for both the base and the glaze.

Dragging is a simple procedure consisting of nothing more than dragging a dry bush through a wet glaze that has been applied over a base coat.

Splattering is one of the oldest methods of decorating walls. A splatter machine with adjustable nozzles is used to spray droplets of paint on the wall.

Stenciling is the art of decorate walls when one wants to emphasize an edge or emulate a fabric print. Stencils enhance the decor of any room.

Personal Preferences:
The genre of pattern one chooses depends on the proportions of the room and would be a reflection of personal tastes and creativity. With the festive season round the corner, add a new dimension and verve to the conventionally treated walls. Experiment, have fun, and create visual distinctions.

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Thursday 20 February 2014

GRAND ARCHITECTURE


Freshness, a wonderful feeling that anybody would prefer to give his or her place of dwelling or work place. The art of planning and construction regenerates the freshness and adds all inspirational qualities that the owner of the construction wants to foster his property with. The types of buildings are broadly classified into residential, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings.

The type of design varies accordingly to suit these purposes. Architecture arises from the crumbled, the rubble. The effect of urbanization has given rise to a constant and ever increasing demand to provide people with residences, shopping areas and recreational spaces. Architecture chronicles and responds to these needs.

The culture and heritage of building architecture in India has had a heady mix of influences both architectural and political.These influences have been astute with a cue to unleash all the pent-up creativity. Multiplicity of styles emerged identifying pioneers and trendsetters.The variations in styles, the mutated combinations and revivals are aimed at a perpetual quest in search of tradition coupled with futuristic look.

"Clunky models fail to be feasible except in specialty constructions. We live in an age of trendy ethnical creations coupled with functional excellence." Ethnically constructed models always carry old world charm, but it depends upon the specific end user."Sloped roof, Mangalore tiles, wooden columns, scallops have always been keeping people interested and we have heard from lot of clients to have red oxide flooring."

Design Inspirations:
Evidently this forms the basis of design.The design should be a source of inspiration for those who view it and an instinctive reflection to the owner; both in concordance with nature.The topographical survey decides the nature and choice of materials used peppered with an interesting and effective interplay of light and color. Of all, the regional climate remains one of the most important concerns to be addressed.Though we choose to closely follow the stylish and grand imprints left by the Westerners, Indian climatic conditions determine the suitability and comfort of the construction.

Building technology, building materials, ecology and the regional climate from the bubbling stew of the tools of built forms. Needs are never static. It varies according to individual perceptions and that is where the architect takes on a role of a graphical artist and psychologist.

Image of Future:
Architects belong to a breed of think tanks who plan, shape and put the concrete wasteland to customized construction. They comprehend space and give a sensory perception to the place through their expression of building forms. The architect's job though has an array of diverse activities including the apt choice of location for construction, geometrical layout, electrical and plumbing designs and so on.

The architect should equally be able to communicate his design, stress the value and significance. Architectural expertise depends in striking a common ground of appreciation between the owner and the creator; whereas specialty constructions become glorifying testimonies to marvel at. The architect is in a position to satisfy the needs of the client as well as that of the architectural community.

The owner who sources the project remains the prime architect. Any construction should ultimately serve the owner, have a good infrastructure, strictly fall within framed norms, has built-in safety measures and support services. This business though has never been the territory of a small operator.

Affluent Society:
On the other hand, there is a healthy demand for construction that keeps growing phenomenally. It is a confluence of so many things. People have multiple employment avenues, which brings in affluence: Affluence breeds to travels abroad and consequently in up gradation of living style. This demand has to be put into effective use, catering exactly to the needs of clients. Modern sophistication should not yield to leave the house in a state of becoming a dusty relic.

Modern with Comforts:
There is also ample space in the city to cope up with the demand the city is not totally exploited. There are spaces to be constructed but developments remain clustered around few places. Residences principally reflect the aesthetics whereas industrial buildings and other places of business inculcate a proper mix of aesthetics and feasibility.

Today's construction is very fast and readymade. It is an Agglomeration of speed and availability. Fixtures, frames and panels are all pre-assembled and brought to the site. Apartments have certain imperative application features such as water and waste management appended with in-house facilities like the gym and a pool.

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Wednesday 19 February 2014

BEAUTIFYING ROOMS AND HALLS


Residences are not lifeless and inanimate structures. The living spaces inside homes reflect the style of thinking and inner mind of those living there. Attractive additions always enhance the charm of the place. Inmates of the home and including the family members could feel the changed mood and positive vibration. It will be not only a visual treat but an experience for all the senses.

Feeling the Personal Thatch:
Recall people you remember with affection. They smile, they look you in the eye, they reach out, and they open a small window into their hearts for you. It's called the personal touch and it makes all the difference. What goes for people goes also for the houses they live in. A beautiful interior done in impeccable taste reflect the warmth of your relationships, the energy of your children, and the laid-back attitude of your spouse. And it is very easily done.

Band Prints:
One of the quickest ways to do this is framed hand prints. Take a blank sheet of ivory paper and a box of acrylic colors. Let each member of your family pick their favorite color. Spread the color on a plastic plate, dip one hand in it palm down and make a print on the ivory sheet.

Once all the prints are done, let might make a beautiful house but the paint dry and get it an attractively unless it bears the stamp of the people colored wooden frame. Voila! Your who live in it, it won't really count for work of art is ready. Three hand prints as a home. Your living space should on a sheet labeled Amma, Appa and have your touch on it. It should reflect Putta or Mummy, Daddy and the person you are, the funny group of Saransh look beautiful and will characters your family is.

It is your always invite a smile and a comment home; it should have your stamp. If from your guests. To add variety you want to do this, just let your home could change the color or texture of the material you are using as a base. Handmade paper looks very artistic. A plank of plywood can look good too. If you want you can even give it a coat of paint and then do the handprints in contrasting colors or colors matching the scheme of your curtains or cushions.

Budding Artists:
If you have toddlers in the house or even older children who love to draw and play with colors, let them paint a picture and do a sketch or more each. Get these framed and put together in an assorted cluster behind the dining table or even on the bedroom wall. Given an open hand, kindergarten kids are the best at this. Try it. Untidy crayon sketches look very cute and your kids will be filled with pride and confidence at this public display of their work.

Photos For Ever:
All of us have cameras these days. Digital cameras are by far the best. The next holiday you go for, take unlimited pictures of the family tight close ups, smiling faces, warm hugs. While doing this, just keep in mind two things: take the pictures near dawn or dusk when the sun is out yet not very harsh; and let the sun be behind you. If you take about 15 shots, one is sure to be a masterpiece.Get this one enlarged and printed. You could even go as big as poster size.

Depending on the mood of your interiors, it could even be done in black and white or sepia tones.Add a thick white frame and you have a gorgeous and classy wall piece ready. Lamination is another option, and frames in fluorescent colors can add a lot of life and energy. Let this print hang alone on one wall and get ready to rake in the compliments.

Another way of doing the same thing is to make a collage of about 20 smaller pictures. Get this framed and hang it from a nail on a wooden doors or the kitchen. Happy family photographs are therapeutic as well. Instead of lying in albums that we seldom get time to open, they are hanging there in our face. They serve as a reminder of the happy times you have had together and in times of stress and excess workload, help to bring a smile to your face and a warm glow to your relationships.

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Tuesday 18 February 2014

NEW HOUSING SOLUTIONS: IT’S ALL FOR THE FASTER WORLD


Every where the world is more faster than before times. From fast foods to faster delivery of kids (of course with the help of modern science) etc., Now it is the turn of one of the basic human needs shelter.

Though all over the world it had been under practice of the public, it has now being introduced among the tech loving Indian society.

Recently there appeared an article in a leading daily about a faster method of house construction to suit whoever is willing to finish as well as to come across all the nitty-gritty in house construction.

They are called as ‘Modular’ or Pre-fabricated houses that are manufactured at factory and brought to the site and fixed through lifting by cranes. Later concrete will be poured on them. These types of constructions are popular in the developed world. They are favored for their conveniences including time and cost.

Different parts of a homeViz., roof, columns, doors etc could be pre-fabricated and reduces human error as against site constructed houses. Various energy efficient devices such as solar, wind etc. could be implanted without difficulties.

Another attractive feature in them is cost effectiveness. Many among us feel about lack of availability of modern house structure with in a reasonable budget allocation. Modular houses as it is claimed by their promoters satisfy this aspect significantly.   

Till five years before no body would have thought about such a thing opines many builders across India.

According to one information on hand at least 20 projects, which are using this technology currently. The reason behind this sudden trend change lies with market demand for speedy construction which forces the construction companies to complete the project earlier and take up another new one to gain more profits as well. Raising construction costs also worries both constructors and customers, which results in favor of a new tech.,which assures expected benefit.

It is said that it takes three and half years to complete a 30 storied building through a conventional technology. By earlier days builders delayed projects to gain from future price rise. But today they like to shift their concentration towards a new one. By this strategy they are gained in two ways, one is cost save next is customer satisfaction. Modular house comes handy to them in this regard.  

However, there are some negative factors involved. The first one is initial cost involved with the investments required in manufacture and fixture operations, together. Secondly, the constructor as well as the contractor should receive flow of projects intermittently. It involves mass production levels to acquire cost effectiveness. The orders should come in larger volumes. This discourages builders because of uncertain with orders they receive. Therefore they are not prepared to invest huge amount of resources and end-up with locking of them due to less amount of work.

Because of the nature of production this industry attracts excise duty, sales and other charges applicable. Though labor charges are less in current ages they may increase in future. With this complex scenario it is doubtful that there will be a trend change towards modular houses. However with subsidy components and other concessions the Government can try out this method of construction to meet outlow cost housing to urban and rural poorer sections. People affected with natural calamities could also be built with these types of houses. We need a policy shift with this respect.

Hence, to gain from the benefits that modular houses accrue we have to wait through days ahead.

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