Wednesday 30 July 2014

Most Essential Home Decoration Accessories You Cannot Do Without

Written By: Sumita Roy


Home decoration is a very broad term- it encompasses your choice of furniture, their setting, doing your walls with the suited colors: contrast or matching. In fact, it is almost impossible to mention the entire thing in a single write up. Therefore today I will just deal on the type of accessories you should introduce in your interiors to give it a refined and classy look.

Needless to say, that first your walls, lighting and furniture should set the right background even before you start introducing any accessory. Home décor may seem a really complex task, but it is not so if you have a clear idea as to how your house should appear- what it reflects. For example, using light colored wicker or light wood furniture creates a serene atmosphere; dark colored heavy wooden furniture introduces a regal aura; hardwood flooring adds warmth, whereas light can also be used as a means to set the right mood.

However, furniture, wall shades and lighting, no matter how exquisitely done, do not add a visible living and personal aura to your interiors. Your house becomes a home when accessories suited to personal taste are introduced in it. Be it an ancestral portrait or a culinary set, family photo frame etc. It is the accessories in today’s world that distinguish your home from your neighbor's, even though the contours of the interior are same. Here is a suggested list of accessories that you can introduce within your household:

1. Teapots: Tea is one of the most consumed beverages present across the world. So many things- grief, happiness, news, gossips- have been shared over one cup. And though tea has been consumed since ages, teapots were not invented until 1500s in China.

In today’s market, teapots come in a variety of materials, starting from stainless steels, to clay or glass made pots. Some families have ancestral teapots as well. Their variety and appearance have made them suited to display. These are used by many families as centerpieces, if ancestral; these have brought in a rare and exclusive taste of family history.

2. Vases: Of all the accessories used in home, vases have the longest history. They date back to ancient Greece from where they originated and were used as storage for water, fruit, food, oil and medicine. Founded around 5000 BC, some even have carvings that provide information about the Greeks. The Chinese also produced vases which were mostly porcelain made with elaborated painting on them. These are much coveted pieces of art in the present market.

However, today vases are made of ceramic, glass and crystal. Some are used as flower holders, whereas the others are used as decorative pieces in themselves. Using these as center pieces (if ancestral or elaborately designed), or placing these at four different corners of a room (if they are plain and used for holding flowers) can create a stylish effect.

3. Designer storage: With always a lack of storage space people have found innovative ways to organize their belongings. Of course, for this kind of set up you will have to move to the bedroom or dressing room. The need for storage has given birth to designer wardrobes in which clothes are neatly hanged or stored in an attractive way. And due to our never ceasing process of accumulating things, every time you add a new element to your storage space, you bring in newness to it by organizing the stuff in a different way.

Closet organizers are a broad term used for countless setups such as drawers, shelves, shoe racks etc. These storage ideas can also be introduced in modular garages that allow lot of space and complete flexibility. In fact you can make two sections in a garage: one where your car stays; and two where the tools, oil, screws etc. are kept in an organized way.

4. Space: It is the best thing to do to your home when you are a bachelor living in a studio apartment; or just got married and decided to keep it simple. Minimalism creates an emphasis on the few articles present within the household, including furniture placement etc. This is a very easy way to ward off cluttering or hectic cleaning sessions. A home styled on this concept focuses on the basic stuff with the presence of a few furniture pieces required for day to day use, neatly floored surfaces and simple and sober color on walls.

Other unnecessary articles are stored away from sight. However this does not mean your home should be completely accessory-free. A single piece of artwork, a vase of fresh flowers or a family portrait will do a great job if introduced in such a setting. It creates a neat and somber effect where stress level is low. This kind of stylization has its roots grounded on Japanese architecture. These were based on the principles of concentration, mindfulness and self awareness.

5. Art: Usage of art as a decorating piece within your home is one of the most popular cultures in India, since ages people have used it as a versatile form of accessory. The best thing about art is it is available in various forms and each is unique in itself. If your home has a backdrop of modern look, you can consider introducing metal wall sculptures or bold colorful paintings. But if you are going for the traditional look, opt for porcelain or ceramic sculptures or a classic painting of a landscape.

Home décor is considered as the most primary form of art. The tasteful selection of colors, fabrics, paints, flooring and furniture is artful in itself. It takes a skilled eye and organized thought to put all of these together.

6. Rugs: A more convenient option during the winters. Use of rug can offer a cushion to your feet against the cold hard concrete surface. These are available in a wide range of colors, materials, trends and patterns. A good selection can render your interiors with warmth and coziness. These also have an additional advantage of preventing noise.

If you are living in an apartment, then the noise pollution caused by the people living downstairs can be stopped, or at least lessened, by the use of rugs on the floor. Its variety in patterns helps to make your home more presentable and cozy during the winters.

The oldest known rug dates back to 5th century BC and is called Pazyryk Rug. Though Pazyryk people are credited for making modern day rugs, but it is actually the Persians who had perfected this art.

7. Personal collections: Almost every one of us have a weird collection from our earlier days (youth, puberty, childhood etc), and we are attached to it in such a way that we possess it lifelong. It may be a superhero collection, music/ movie CD collection, minute glass made/ crystal figurines, kitty cat clocks, or a book collection. These collections can add to your home décor.

Showcasing minute figurines on a plain glass table top can create very alluring effect. Neatly organizing a shelf of books or displaying your CD collection adds to the personal element, making your home more homely.

8. Houseplants: These can no doubt accessorize your interiors but also create a healthy effect. Studies have proved that plants remove carbon dioxide from air; they also neutralize presence of harmful chemicals like formaldehydes and polyethylene. These chemicals naturally emit from paints, flooring and furniture and can cause respiratory illnesses.

Some of the best plants that can be used to purify your home’s air are English Ivy, snake plants, and spider plants. Certain other plants, research says, can be used as de-stressers. They help you feel more creative and improve moods. Furthermore, plants are both visually and olfactorily presentable. Your choice of plants also depends on the kind of house you have. For a classic pattern ferns and vines would do, for modern décor vibrant and colorful flowers would look great.

9. Candles: Always regarded as a provider of light, ambiance and warmth, presence of these makes your home more romantic. Lighting of candles is a great way to create a relaxing mood. Candles can be introduced in a home in many forms- from a collection of many small, glass set figurines to large pillars supported in equally large holders. These were, at least a decade ago, used more as a necessity, but at present with power backups present almost everywhere, these have become more décor savvy.

10. Mirrors: The ultimate accessory that you need for decorative purpose as well as for practical usage. They serve multiple purposes- fixing appearances, delighting children who catch their refection on it, affordable means to make your home look spacious, bring in more light, and brighten up the corners of your house. Their variety also makes them a veritable option for designing the home. A large frame can be hung as a huge center piece in a room. Smaller units can be used in a series on a wall, or randomly fitted in close proximity to one another.

Decorating your home is about making it look more welcoming, presentable and unique. But you can always stretch it to a broader perspective by adding it benefits. For example use of plants can be very good for the health of your family, teapots can be used for decoration as well as convenience, when you have guests come over. Similarly the use of storage places, if they are out in the open regular cleaning and organization will keep them in a better condition. Therefore, whenever you think about decorating your home, if possible focus on the additional advantages which always bring about more than beautification.

Saturday 5 July 2014

House Safety Tips: Ways to Burglar-Free your Home

Written by: Sumita Roy

The thought of burglary is a thing we like to avoid even in our wildest dreams. However, we invite burglars by practicing some of the very careless mistakes. If you think that an intruder is one of those traditional black masked figures then you are wrong. He is a simple walking-talking person with a ‘cover’ of a commoner. You cannot distinguish him in a crowd. 

At no time of the day is your house immune to burglars. And if something happens to you, the financial loss is the first thing that hits you hard and then comes the series of trauma and nightmares, in short the psychological impact. You never feel completely safe within your ‘safe haven’ again.

The only way to defend your household is by pre-empting their plans and taking utmost preventive measures. They look for usual signs of habitation, careless mistakes and open entry ways- only when your home fits these criteria do most of the burglars break in. Here are some of the things they look around for:

      1.  Burglars mostly target unoccupied homes- Places which they can leave undetected. If a package is left in the doorway of a house, day in and day out, even people not intending to notice it will know that you have been out for long. Same thing with newspapers and other home delivered objects. This is how most of the times a house become susceptible to burglary.

Signs of life usually shoos them away. They can fooled into believing that you are present within the household by using strategic lighting ideas, loud broadcasts etc. Attaching night timers to TV sets, radios and lighting and making them go off as soon as dusk falls, is an effective way to keep most of them out of your premises. Bold burglars still peer through the window to detect signs of life therefore window shades should also be closed to make their suspicion stronger.
To do:  
   ·         Place timers on lights, television, radios and other electronic devices used on day to day basis.
·         Ask neighbors to conduct a daily check and let them keep your mail in case you are not in town for long.

      2.   Remain inconspicuous to burglars: Almost 80%  of the burglars are not looking for any kind of trouble
which can evolve from physical confrontation. You can use it on your side to keep your house free from their intrusion.
After dark, the best form of defense is to use lighting, lots of it. Interior lighting and blazing exterior makes them detectable to neighbors who are keeping a close watch on your house. Use of motion sensors is also a cheap (they consume less energy) and effective way to keep them at a distance. Another effective way  is to keep a barking dog. Even if it is not huge and scary, its barking is enough to make the neighbors aware of the intrusion within your household.
To do:
·         Flood light within the household
·         Install motion detectors
·         Keeping pets, especially dogs

      3.   Check on the openings: During springs and summers all of us like to draw our window curtains and open its shutters to enjoy clean and fresh breathe of air. But by doing this we also create an easy entry way for the burglars. Thieves resort to breaking in when they have no other option. Before that they try each and every entryway- doors/ windows. If by mistake you leave out anything open than they have all the access they need.
Of course in this case ground floor and first floor dwellers are more susceptible to these kinds of attacks. However by using make shift ladder and climbable trees burglars can also gain access to higher floors.
Even when you are home and going to sleep make sure that all the doors and windows are closed and locked with a dead bolt. Also in an individual home, when your family is having a hustling and bustling dinner on the ground floor dining room, your first floor and second floor can get invaded by quiet thieves.
To do:
·         Put a deadbolt on all the doors
·         Give your spare keys to reliable neighbors instead of putting in the pots and under door mats. Burglars check these obvious places.
·         Heavy rods in front of windows prevent complete opening of windows. Professionally
                        installed doors and windows further prevent tampering of screws that secure them.

·         Keep your yards free of rocks as thieves may use them to break in.
·         Security services can help you with limited entry windows and kick resistant door panels.
·         Even if your domestic help is a highly reliable individual still check the doors and windows before leaving your house empty. A mistakenly opened window can cause a break in later on.

      4.  Maintain and trim the shrubberies and plants that grow around your household. Large bushes can provide cover to burglars. Tall and dense shrubs can help them remain concealed for as long as they want. They can even hide from the eye of your neighbors and wait for the right time. Therefore a regular trimming the over growth is a good option.
     To do:
      ·         Trim the shrubs so that they remain below the window sill and their breaking in does not go undetected.
      ·         Install motion detectors near the shrubs.
      
      5.  Burglary increase during the holidays. During Diwali, Christmas, summer vacations we love going out for the weekend to enjoy the outskirts or hill stations. The thieves schedule their heists accordingly. Large family gatherings are also another attraction to them. Often we misplace expensive gift items or leave them unattended by chance; burglars can take advantage of situations like these and haul away valuable things from under your nose.

To do:
·         Keep the gift boxes and other valuable, even if these are on the first and second floor, away from the windows.
·         Ask neighbors to house sit / park their cars on your driveway so that your house seems occupied frequently without a regular sequence.

      6.  Determined burglars use innovation. Those who are determined to loot your home will not be dissuaded by your presence within the premises. They will introduce themselves as cable installers, utility employees, or even police officers. Whatever be the rank / stature of the person standing at your door, ask for an identification card before letting them within your premises.
Another very common tactic is they pose as your delivery guy. This is a highly effective technique because the presence of a delivery guy / uninformed personnel will never be questioned, even by your neighbors.
To do:
      ·         Check for identification whenever a uniformed personal of a pizza guy knocks your door without your expectation.
      ·         Instruct the neighbors to call you as soon as they spot a truck parked near your premises when you are not home.

      7.  Security cameras can be deactivated by burglars. Astute thieves are careful in their survey of property. They look for cameras and disable them as soon as they spot one. Surveillance is a technology that works in favor of the home owners. New internet enabled web cams do real time monitoring and recording. They are
small and can be effectively hidden in plain sight. Internet enabled webcams give the owner direct view of what is happening within in his premises, wherever he is.
To do:
·         Install webcams especially in the most accessible and hidden areas. In the driveways and doorways install more than two thee cameras to get view from different angles.
·         Call 100 immediately as you spot an intruder.


      8.  Be prepared for the worst. Unfortunately, for home owners there are numerous types of burglars out there and you do not know which one is spotting your home and you. First are the opportunistic ones who hunt for the nearest empty houses. Second are those who keep a standard vigilance for quite a time. These thieves know the time of your arrival/ departure etc. They know almost everything regarding your schedule.
They attack when you are not within the household. Third is the special locksmith kind of people. These are the most dangerous sort who use master key/bump key to pick at your lock. They can open almost 90% of the traditional locks.
To do:

·        
It is not just police who can check for stranger intrusion. Observant neighborhood can also keep a steady vigilance. If they catch sight of unknown cars or stranger picking at your door, they call the police immediately.
·         You can use skilled locksmith to install locks that cannot be picked.
·         Use of electronic keypads is another way to keep your household safe from intrusion.

      9. High tech methods act as advantage for most burglars. Do not assume that it is only you who is reaping the benefits of modern technology. There are many others who do the same, including the thieves.
It is through use of smart cards or innovative use of modern technology they can break in your home without a hitch. And practically it is not possible for any of us to go through all the methods.
To do:
·         You can ask an expert to view your property and ask advice regarding the lack of safety procedures and hence upgrade it.
·         If not completely updated, try to remain at least not outdated.
      
      10.   Internet as a medium for burglars: it is not only common hardworking, earning bread and butter man who uses internet and social networking sites to meet people. 
     
Burglars also have access to these networks and they try to befriend people, get details about their household and then plan an assault. Through these they gain easy access to people’s property. This does not mean that you should not meet other people or be paranoid all the time.
To do:
      ·         A bit of carefulness can help you understand the person’s motives
      ·         It is better not to share your housing and family details unless and until you are sure of his intent.


The right security measures can discourage expert as well as desperate burglars from entering your premises. Only following the above given security tips can help you protect your household from external and unknown intrusion and aid you to live a peaceful life, even when you are not home.