This Summer, I learnt How To Keep Indoors Cool

 I learnt How To Keep Indoors Cool 

India is truly a diverse country not only in terms of culture, religion, language
and cuisine but also in terms of climatic conditions. While every season has its own beauty, character and charm, Indian summers can be overwhelming at times for obvious reasons. Though the summers are over in many cities in India some cities, on the other hand, are still experiencing sweltering days. In my part of the world, the weather is quite pleasant now but summers were definitely uncomfortable and here is what I learnt this summer.

We can protect ourselves from scorching heat by avoiding going out in the sun during the daytime but how to combat the heat that is trapped inside our homes. In this blog, I'll be sharing some tips to keep our homes cool in summers.

First, let's understand how heat enters your home. There are three ways heat transfers into your home:
Convection: It is the flow of heat from a hot region to a cold region. In simple words, it means that heat rises. Hot air is lighter so it rises up, therefore, upper floors in a building are always hotter than the lower ones.
Conduction: It is the transfer of heat energy from the hot objects to the colder. If there is a greater temperature difference between two objects then heat always gets transferred to a cold object.
Radiation: It is energy that comes from a source and travels in the form of waves through space or a material medium. Roof and walls of our homes remain exposed to the sun throughout the day and absorb the solar radiation all the while. This results in the heat gain and increases the temperature inside our homes.

Now that we know how heat enters and gets trapped in our homes, it is easier for us to find out the ways to combat the heat. Below are some easy and smart tips to keep your house cool naturally.

1. Cross Ventilation:
Opening and closing the doors and windows at the right time when the air is pleasantly cool can replace the stagnant hot air with the cooler air. Keeping all the doors and windows at opposite ends open in the early mornings and at nights allows the fresh air to circulate throughout the home and helps in bringing down the temperature of your home. The key is to keep windows open when outside temperature is cooler than it is inside and keeping them closed when it's hotter outside. This way warm air trapped inside your home due to convection can be removed easily.

2. Use Khus Curtains:
Another way to reduce the heat that builds up due to convection is to use khus khus curtains. It is an age-old method to keep the houses cool naturally. The dried roots of vetiver or khus weaved together with coir and straw make for a curtain with an organic look and pleasant earthy aroma. Khus khus blinds have to be kept wet to bring down the indoor temperature. Khus curtains not only add to the aesthetics of the house but also keep it light and airy.

3. Add Greens:
Another effective way to block the heat is to go green. Growing garden on the roof can help in reducing the temperature of the rooms below. Mud used for growing plants acts as an insulator by absorbing the heat, water and shades of the plants create a cooling effect around them. Placing the potted plants in balcony restricts the heat to enter the home. Bringing outdoors in not only helps in lowering the temperature but also cleanses the air inside the house.

4. Declutter:
A room packed with furniture feels hot as bulky furniture placed closely to each other can create hot air pockets. De-clutter and move the furniture to create some free space so that fresh air from the windows can flow and circulate easily around the room. This way you can also minimize the effect of conduction

5. Use The Light & Right Fabric:
Dress up your home in a lightweight fabric like cotton and linen in soothing shades of blue, green and yellow. Avoid using dark and synthetic fabrics since dark colours absorb more heat whereas light coloured fabrics reflect the heat. Replace wool rugs with refreshing and lighter cotton rugs. Use lightweight curtains that breathe like cotton fabric and sheers that allow the light and wind to enter your home. Keep the curtains drawn during the daytime to protect the room from getting heated by direct sunlight.

6. Minimize The Use Of Electronic & Electric Appliances:
We all know that electronic devices and electric appliances generate heat even when they are idle. Turn off all the appliances when not in use. Incandescent lights emit a lot of heat so it is better to use CFL or LED lights instead. Minimize the usage of all the electronic and electrical appliances so that heat generated by these machines doesn't trap inside the house.

7. Ban The Sun:
This is the smartest way to keep the indoors cool in summers. I have already discussed above that radiation doesn't need any medium to transfer the heat energy. Infrared radiation from the sun is responsible for warming the Earth's surface. Limiting the amount of solar radiation to enter our homes can help in keeping the indoors cool. Is there any way to do that. Yes, of course. The Sun Ban reflective glasses from Saint-Gobain are specially coated glasses that reflect the solar radiation like UV and IR rays while still allowing just the right amount of natural light into a home. The coating on Sun Ban glasses prevents doors and windows from absorbing the heat and helps in keeping the house cool which in turn, cuts the electricity bill. So the best part of these hard coated glasses is that they allow the sunlight enter your home but reflect the sun-heat back out. These glasses are aesthetically appealing and come in a range of colours that makes the house look contemporary and stylish. Based on the star ratings and thickness the Sun Ban glasses can be chosen for different areas and can be used in windows, staircase glazings, doors, facades and balconies.
Sun Ban solar control glasses offer several benefits like:

• Protection from harmful UV rays
• Privacy during the daytime
• Ample natural light
• Reduce the glare
• Control the heat 
• Energy efficiency 
• Enhance the aesthetics 

After knowing so many benefits of the Sun Ban reflective glasses, I'm planning to replace the regular glasses of all the windows in my home. After all, it will result in a huge saving.

In a similar way, reflective tiles can be installed on the roof. These tiles reflect the radiation and lower the temperature of the rooms below. Another cheaper way to insulate the roof is to apply a layer of white lime wash on the terrace and balcony which acts as a reflective surface and prevents the slab from absorbing the heat. But remember this is not a permanent solution as this coat will wash away in monsoon and you will have to apply it again every summer.

That's all for today dear readers. I hope you find this blog informative and the tips and ideas I shared here help you in keeping your home cool every summer. See y'all soon.

Home Tour: A Home Designed By MultyDesign

Hello Folks!! Summer break is the time that I always look forward to. 

I spend the most amazing time with my dear ones and feel rejuvenated. It's over now and I'm not complaining because I'm resuming my work completely loaded with energy. Every time I feature a home tour on my blog, I take you to the new city. Today come join me as I take y'all to the Pink City- Jaipur With me. Our guest today is renowned architect Vipin Bakiwala and we are going to take a peek inside the home done up by MultyDesign

Vipin Bakiwala, the architect, is deeply connected with the roots of Indian heritage. He continuously draws inspiration from the Indian culture and blends it with the modern elements to create a masterpiece. The residence ‘Suraj’ too was conceptualized with the amalgamation of traditional & modern elements. And in erecting the building, Vipin was being well supported by Architect Abhay Gupta.
The client, Mr. Aseem Jain, pursues his business in Europe, and thus lives there most of the time. He believes that the residence always makes him realize that in spite of living abroad, his soul is deeply connected with Indian heritage and cultural values. The client further added that luxury is no longer confined to fine dining or designer label rather it’s about peace and comfort. The design of the residence is a thorough reflection of his own personality through a designer’s vision.

The entrance lobby is enhanced by a beautiful tree wall mural in bright golden colour. The mural surrounds itself with a small water body and garden area loaded with numbers of planters and traditional stone jaali.

The traditional symphony is accentuated right from the outset of the house. The main door in wood exhibits intricate hand carving with little brass flowers.

The same carving is replicated on the ceiling of the duplex area in living to praise the traditional essence.

The 3 story bungalow has a small lift lobby at the entrance with an adjoining staircase. The lift has a golden colour door and is designed in wood inlay, Italian flooring and brass strips in wooden panels at cladding.

On the ground floor, we see a formal drawing area, lobby and guest bedroom. The first floor, where the owner spends maximum time has a living area cum lounge, a dining, a kitchen and two bedrooms. The rest of the three bedrooms are on the second floor.

The living area has a fine balance of elements. Interiors are tastefully done wherein the choice of decor is kept to earthen shades with a glint of brighter shades of purple to make it more welcoming. Wooden panelling is done on one of the duplex walls.

The elegant decor is complemented by pleasing furniture, upholstery, floor coverings, curtains, carpets and other accessories.

The dining has customised table with an onyx marble top while the chairs are upholstered in earthy tones just like the living room sofas. An interplay of Italian flooring, stone cladding, dark colours and dim lighting exudes warmth to the muted decor. Warm yellow lighting is majorly used in the interiors and has been kept dim to match the effect of earthen shades. Wide glass windows give a good view of planters placed in the broad balconies that make a perfect setting to laze and soak in nature.

To avoid monotony, the decor of the bedrooms exudes a distinct appeal. The bedroom is confined to very few accessories while it does include furniture pieces in different textures that break the monotony. The bathrooms also follow the similar tone of the bedrooms. Customised carpets used at different spaces makes a significant impact & compliment the decor theme.

The grandparents’ bedroom is designed with glimpses of the contemporary feel with Statuario used on the flooring and wooden panelling done on one of the walls.

The master bedroom is styled simple with wooden flooring, raw finish furniture and walk-in closet. It has a spacious attached bathroom with beautiful landscaping that doubles up as a walk-in dressing area.

The children’s room, on the other hand, is done up in orange, contrasting with the
shades of grey. One of its walls has prominent geometrical cut-outs with ambient lighting that add a dramatic effect to the space. Outside the master and kids bedroom is a small sofa sitting to sit and talk or watch TV.

That's how Vipin masterfully mixes contemporary with traditional. Thanks to VBDS team for sharing their work with Design Decor & Disha. Wish you guys a great success ahead.
Dear readers, I am sure this is what you wanted to see after a long time. I have lots of videos ready for you that I'll be posting every week now. For more Home Tours Click Here!!

Stay connected!

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Design Trends To Look For In 2018 And Gyproc Innovative Products

Design Trends To Look For In 2018 And Gyproc Innovative Products

In this blog I'll be talking about design trends and let me take this opportunity to share with you all the theme of  "World Interiors Day" 2018. WID theme for this year is "Design Without Borders". In my opinion, borders and boundaries are double-edged swords. On one hand, borders are important and good because they provide and define a structure and also because we get along well when there are borders between us. Just like the old saying goes, "good fences make good neighbours". But on the other hand, borders can't define us. Whether physical or symbolic, borders restrict and guide our creative thoughts and design choices. Think about the "Design without borders" and what comes first in mind is a well-designed space that reflects the world around your home. I am a firm believer of  Sanskrit phrase "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" which means the whole world is one family. The concept of design without borders brings the talents and inspirations from around the world together. 

Now let's talk about the design trends that will rule 2018

Being a design and decor enthusiast I always keep an eye out for the latest design trends. This year we'll get to see fantastic design trends to be incorporated into our homes to freshen up our interiors. So what we can expect in 2018 in terms of design? Well, patterns will rule the design world this year. Be it timeless floral patterns or contemporary geometric patterns, we can see them in exaggerated proportion and eye-catching high contrasting colours. Neutral hues will no longer be in trend this year though you can use them in furnishings. Be prepared to embrace rich hues that are moody yet soothing for both walls and furniture. Replace the whites and stainless steel with natural elements like brass, copper, stone, concrete and granite. Plants can never go out of trend so add as much green as you can and use fancy decorative and colourful planters for your plants. Artisans will get the due attention this year. Lighting fixtures created by artisans or by small businesses will make their way into our homes in 2018. Ceilings will get the attention too. Innovative designs in false ceilings and dry walls are here to stay for long and enhance the beauty of space.

Talking about false ceiling and dry walls, I have to mention Gyproc. Saint-Gobain's Gyproc is a world-leading manufacturer and supplier of gypsum-based plasterboard. It offers high-quality solutions for false ceiling, dry walls and gypsum plastering for a variety of spaces like homes, offices, hotels, hospitals and other such structures. Not to mention, Gyproc Indian takes care of the environmental impact of each product they manufacture right at the initial stage. Gypsum false ceilings and dry walls by Gyproc are eco-friendly, energy efficient and heat resistant. Are you still thinking what else these two elements can offer in terms of design? Let me share few more details here...

While designing our homes and office spaces, all the attention is given to four walls only and ceiling remains neglected. While decorating your space, you can take advantage of the fact that the ceiling is the uninterrupted space spread across the room and can perk up your space easily. False ceilings can beautify your space and add to the elegance. Whereas, dry walls offer you the opportunity to create partitions inside your space in an elegant way. Dry walls are lightweight, easy to install, fire retardant, offer sound insulation and enhance the beauty of any space. They are making their way into design world at a fast pace. Since both false ceiling and dry walls are made of gypsum, they offer several benefits. Dry walls are especially convenient in spaces of business and recreations such as office spaces, hospitals and hotels. Building from this trend, in commercial spaces – architects and interior designers are now exploring its inclusion in future Indian homes

Heat insulating property of gypsum keeps your home cool which results in energy saving and cutting down the electricity bill. False ceilings and dry walls are the answer to all your lighting worries. With proper planning, you can get an elegant and better-lit space of your dream. Since all the electrical wires are concealed there will be no more ugly sight of wires hanging here and there that make your space look cluttered.  

Why restrict your imagination when you can do so much with the ceiling. Walls in neutral shades in a big room with plain ceiling can make it appear dull. Turn it into cheerful space by making your ceiling an 'accent wall'. With false ceiling, you can not only add curves but also coloured lights to the ceiling. This simple trick can transform the look and feel of your space. For example, adding a cheerful burst of warm white light on the ceiling can make a room look bright and warm, whereas blue light looks cool and has a calming effect. There are so many false ceiling designs you can choose for different rooms and areas of your home.

Dry walls, on the other hand, provide privacy and separation. These walls are gaining popularity because they are readily available and speed up the construction process as they are easy and fast to install. Since dry walls are versatile interior walls, they are replacing conventional concrete walls in homes, offices and high rise towers. There are different types of dry walls and depending on the requirement they can be installed in different areas like rooms, shafts, bathroom etc. If you compare it with wooden and concrete wall partition then dry wall wins because it is cost effective and durable. And that’s not all… it saves time and is faster to install when you compare it to the traditional format of brick partitions. In a world where we need to be more conscientious about the scarcity of natural resources such as sand mining and water, this gypsum-based drywall solution is a great replacement of traditional materials that typically need sand as well as water.
Because of faster and easier installation it reduces the overall installation cost.

You can carve out space within space as per your requirement using dry walls. Like if you don't love an open kitchen or want to separate living and dining or there is a need to create a kids' room then you can create an elegant partition with dry wall and decorate it to suit your taste. Similarly foyer, walk-in closet, shelving and niches can be created using dry wall.

False ceilings and dry walls are the design elements top interior designers swear by these days. These elements can be incorporated into a variety of spaces like residential, industrial, hospitality and many more.
I hope you will take a cue from this blog and give your interiors a luxurious look.

I'm working on a home tour and a blog on something special for summers. So stay tuned!!

Home Tour: Amal Rosa Augustine

Home Tour: Amal Rosa Augustine

Today I'll take you all to Bangalore, a beautiful city where I spent just one year but fell in love with it for a lifetime. We'll take a tour of a home that envelopes British colonial elements and is a minimalist's paradise. Come on in!!!

Amal Rosa Augustine who lives in Bangalore with her husband and a toddler has opened the door of her two bedroom apartment for 3D readers to take a peek inside and her home reminds me of English empire style. Let's start with the console table in below picture that sums up the British colonial style of decorating perfectly. Hammered metal platters in dark tone are paired with a carved wooden frame in ivory that matches the accessories on the console to create a cohesive look. Touches of gold and wooden furniture with clean edges infuse some modern elements. Tradition or modern, plants never go out of trend and Rosa knows that well. 

This minimalist home is a reflection of a clean, pure and serene environment but what makes it British colonial style home is woven furniture in dark wood, light and airy colours, soft & subtle furnishings, eclectic accessories and tropical foliages. Below is the picture of Rosa's living room where dark wood furniture creates a contrast against white walls. The overall feel of this place is traditional with a splash of exotic. 

I love how Rosa has given an extra visual punch with colours. Here is what she shares with us "My tiny apartment in Bangalore was purchased in October 2016 and it's just a 1400 sqft flat with two bedrooms and a study. When I started to do my homework for the interior styling of my house I had some dreams about it and I think I was able to turn it into reality (at least three-fourths of it if I say precisely). I didn't follow any particular style in general and it is a mix of traditional, rustic, farmhouse style. some of it is inspired by Pinterest, interior magazines and home decor websites."

Right opposite to this seating arrangement in the living room is the entertainment unit that you see in below picture. TV unit in dark wood, woven baskets on the wall and on TV unit, some picture frames and colonial hurricane lamp wall sconce reaffirm my statement that this home is a true colonial style home. Every room is dotted with the exotic plants that make the place tropical paradise. 

Further Rosa says "I have to mention here my dear friend Seethu who helped me throughout designing my dream home and also for my husband for signing all the cheques without looking at the amount and above all my parents who made this a reality".

Have a look at this hand wash basin area next to the dining room. It is not only wonderfully organized but also a testimony to the fact that modern and British colonial style mesh together well.

Rosa shares some sweet memories, "my family is a very spiritually oriented family and hence all around the house, you can find bible quotes and lot of images of Jesus. The most integral part of my house is this small prayer area. I love everything about this. The holy family statue was a gift from my parents when we moved into our first home after our marriage. I carried it in all the homes we rented till date and finally to our own home."

The dining room is simple and minimal with woven chairs in dark wood that bind the entire space together.  Balcony space has been converted into an open seating area. Huge windows allow the influx of glare-free ample natural light. This adds the visual depth to the confined sitting area. Bamboo blinds bring texture and organic feel of outdoor to the indoor and create a beautiful dappled light effect that makes the atmosphere soothing and relaxing.

Potted plants add the incredible drama to the place no matter if they are placed on the floor or on the wall shelf. 

The sideboard and crockery unit here offer both style and storage. The displayed crockery here is white that adds a streamlined, contemporary twist to the British colonial style. 

Rosa has to say something about her balcony. Here is what she said "this is an area which was actually a closed common balcony area as per our builder's plan but I turned it into an open area which is an extension of our dining and living rooms. It has really made a good impact and changed the look of entire apartments feel."

"Even if it’s not open I never restrained from growing plants. I have put some of my plants and this area is my husband's and mine most favourite nook in our home."

Rosa is in a mood to share more about her favourite places in her home. 
"Next favourite place in the home is this sitting area. It’s called the “chai corner”, I love sipping my morning and evening tea in this place and it’s so peaceful and comfortable."

Now let's move on to the kid's room and study. Here is what Rosa shares,
"This is our study (the so-called half bedroom). We hardly kept any furniture in this room because this room belongs to the two crazy people in my family. The half of the room is for my daughter and the other half is my husband's office space. My daughter loves this room and it means the world to her. She spends most of her time in this half bedroom. Most of the things here are made by my 14-year-old niece and I gave them their rightful place because of her ardent love for my daughter."

Now before we go further let's have some coffee that is being brewed in Rosa's small and stylish coffee station. 

"This is a small corner in my kitchen which I have turned into a coffee bar. Saw this on Pinterest and it had to be in my home as I love playing with chalks and that's why you will see lots of chalkboard paint done here and there in my home."

"My kitchen is a tiny place but I love to look at the brighter side of it. I feel it’s very easy to maintain and keep a small kitchen spick and span."

The master bedroom is crisp white, comfortable, relaxed and elegant that rightly define the British colonial design. All these elements bring an air of romance and sophistication to the overall design.  

"Our master bedroom is kept very simple. My husband is very particular about making it clutter free and also, I was concerned about my 3-year-old daughter so I kept it minimal. Other than the bed I only have a cot and a chest of drawers in my bedroom for a storage.  Picture frames with family pictures on the wall above the headboard remind us of our loved ones and we all just love looking at them."

Her guest bedroom is a place where I would love to retire for the night. It is such a soothing place with walls in white, furnishing in cheery lemon and dark toned furniture that pops against the pristine walls. I am so in love with this unusual wall decor where embroidery hoops are acting as a frame and beautiful fabric is given a place of artwork. 

White, brown and lemon employing a crisp and minimal aesthetics. Traditional style infused with a contemporary style of decorating in right amount results in British colonial style and truly love how Rosa has effortlessly achieved this look. 

Since I don't like to restrict myself to a particular design or decorating style so 3D is a place where you will find homes decorated in various styles from traditional to modern, ethnic Indian to British colonial, collected to simple and minimal and studio apartment to a sprawling bungalow. Hope you liked what you saw today, a completely new theme of decorating!!!

Thanks a ton Rosa for this wonderful treat to our eyes. Wish you and your family love, luck & sunshine.

Dear readers, I had committed to publish this post but now I'll take a break and will see you all in April. 

Thanks !!!

Wall Makeover On A Budget

Wall Makeover On A Budget

Walls in my home are my blank canvases. Every now and then I just love to paint them in colors of my imagination. Like I said earlier, for me decorating isn't about how much money I spend to bring in class and elegance but it's more about how beautifully and effortlessly I am able to use my creativity, use what I already have and make my home reflect my personality. 

When it comes to decorating, I just love to do everything myself that gives me immense satisfaction and joy that it brings is incomparable. So below is the video of my recent wall makeover project, please watch and let me know your views.

------------------------------------------------>>>>> Click Here To Watch The Video <<<<<----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This wall was in a bad shape and desperately needed my attention. Bohemian and African decor was on my mind since long so I tried to mix both the styles and totally loved the outcome.
Below are some before and after images.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

As you can see the wall makeover is doable and easy on the pocket too. All the rope baskets are handmade and bamboo basket and fan give such an authentic African flavour to the decor.

Bohemian decor is all about mixing and matching the colors, patterns and textures and that's what I love to do when it comes to home decor.

African| Bohemian Decor

Bamboo lamp in below picture paired with tribal figurines is so African while string light inside the lamp and a touch of green create a perfect Bohemian look.

Bamboo Lamp

Also, I am totally in love with this DIY bamboo pendant lamp. The idea struck when I was doing the research on African Decor. I wasn't sure whether I would be able to find the right shape of lampshades or not but luckily I found exactly what I wanted.

Basket Wall | Bamboo Lamps

Hope you all liked the wall makeover. Do let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Does it look like African | Bohemian wall decor to you!!

Stay tuned to know what's in store for you.