Healthy home is wealthy home

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• The air indoors is now thought to be more polluted than what it was earlier. The culprits remain the same, but new ones are getting included in the list. Some major pollutants that affect indoor air quality are: contaminants like moulds, mildews, allergens, odours, cooking fumes (oil), certain building materials and furnishings, household products and outdoor pollutants that remain in the air like carbon monoxide.
• In order to have a house with good indoor air quality, it is important that we take a look at the things to avoid. Certain building materials emit volatile components into the air that causes allergies, irritation of the eyes and respiratory problems. Some of these toxic pollutants or VOCs (volatile organic compounds) like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene are found in commonly used products.
• Apart from pollutants that affect the air quality, lack of ventilation also creates unhealthy interiors. Natural ventilation can be facilitated by proper placement of doors and windows.

• Ideally, south and east facing windows let in cool air. Also, big windows on one side of the house when complemented with smaller openings on the other side facilitates cross-ventilation. If opening windows or doors in the evenings and nights becomes a problem due to mosquito menace, invest in mesh screens. Louvered shutters or doors aid in ventilation of air. Install exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to vent pollutants to the outside. Kitchens can also be ventilated with electric chimneys. Have electric fans to help circulation of air. Air conditioners must be frequently cleaned for improving the quality of air.
• Earlier, paints were made from petroleum based solvents. Today, paints with low VOCs are made using water as a solvent. These paints contribute to healthy interiors as offgassing (emitting of toxins) is reduced to the bare minimum. Be aware of this when selecting paints for your house.
• Wooden boards like plywood, particle boards and medium density boards often use formaldehyde based resins to hold the wood components together. The strong fumes of the (VOC) volatile organic compounds results in watery eyes if it comes in contact with the eyes. Check the adhesive used before taking a call on the choice of boards.
• Wall-to-wall carpets are like a breeding ground for bacteria, mould, mildew dust mites and also animal hair. With such allergens rampant on these carpets, it is advisable not to have them in homes. Otherwise, regular, thorough and professional cleaning is required. Smaller carpets are easier to clean and are therefore more desirable. Carpets of wool and other synthetic fibres are harder to clean than cotton.
• Furnishings of cotton are easier to clean and maintain. This reduces the problem of dust allergens considerably. Choose furnishings that can be washed and dried rather than those which can only be dry cleaned. Dry cleaned articles may emit certain chemicals that can cause short-term allergies.
• Indoor air quality can be considerably improved by keeping plants in the rooms. Study has proved that certain plants can combat specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs). On the whole, plants like spider plants, philodendron species, Boston ivy and rubber plants are good air purifiers. Ensure that the moist top soil is free of moulds. Since plants are major dust collectors, wipe or wash the leaves regularly to keep them dust free. Also, use organic pesticides like neem cakes rather than chemicals.
  

Automated home solutions: A smart life

• Driving her way to office Malini remembers she has left the gas burner turned on, quietly she takes out her mobile, dials a code number and the gas burner of her house is turned off, and all this takes a few seconds.
• Home Net System offered by Honeywell takes care of the optimal control of temperature , lighting, gas and home appliances, among others.
• Also the availability of complete security solutions, includes high-tech integrated systems for burglary and fire prevention and entry control for visitors. The
• Home Net also has the radio alarm buttons which can signal security or residential units instantly in case of emergencies.
• The system provides home owners with information on energy, water and gas consumption enabling better monitoring of resources.
• The Home Net System will enable home owners to be at peace when they go out, knowing that the system will alert them of any unexpected situations
• Legrand, electrical products manufacturers, has introduced ‘In One’ which offers home owners the options to manage their electrical appliances through a network. The system works on the principle of customisation of lighting arrangement . Every individual situation demands a specific lighting set up which requires different lighting modes, “In One by Legrand can keep in its memory the customised lighting set ups for any specific occasion , for example the lighting situation for a family dinner or for a party arranged for your son’s birthday can all be switched on at the press of the button of remote.” .
• The best part of ‘In One’ is the fact that it can be installed without going for a wiring change.
• When everything in your house gets automated the ugly looking wires hanging from the roof tops too need a makeover.
• Sterlite Optical Technologies, the optical fibre and telecom cable manufacturer has come up with Fiber to the Home (FTTH) technology enabling the use of optical fibres instead of the usual copper cable — for cable TV, telephone and for the Internet .
• This single optical fibre carries the traffic for all the telecom and video applications and saves the cost of laying and maintaining three cable networks. Automated home Monitor water and cooking gas consumption Customise the lighting arrangements Optical fibres instead of the usual copper cables
  

AESTHETIC SEATING AREAS IN THE HOME

Seating areas in your living space have to be planned according to the demands of comfort and entertainment. They are usually designed keeping style and space as the main criteria .

Carefully chosen furniture will help you achieve a designer seating area that impresses visitors. Remember to guard against impulse purchases and shop for furniture that is according to scale and beauty.

Try to find a common theme for each of the areas.

With the above caveats in mind, take a look at the spaces that can be enhanced into designer seating areas. Living room You could have one large seating/conversation area or two seating arrangements depending on your entertainment requirements. Area rugs help to demarcate these areas. Placement of furniture must be around a focal point like a large window, an entertainment centre or an elaborate painting. Paramount to a designer look is the style of the furniture. A traditional style looks luxurious and rich. Traditional furniture goes best with this style. Sofas and arm chairs with rich upholstery, hand woven Persian carpets, an ornate centre table, side tables, table lamps, and some well-placed plants give a look of exclusivity to the seating area. A few ornaments of brass or wood can reflect this theme. A classic style looks elegant and subtle. Armchairs, sofas, swivel chairs and futon chairs in dark leather give a discreetly rich look. Club chairs, which are actually luxuriously stuffed leather armchairs with low backs, are affluent and classy. Wooden panelling, bold wall hangings and floor lamps look well in place with this theme. If you go in for club chairs, consider having matching ottomans . They can serve as seating options for extra visitors . A contemporary style is the easiest theme to handle. Straight line modern furniture or delightfully funky seating options give a sensational look to your seating area. Brightly coloured mushroom chairs, swivel armchairs and metal/hardwood frame sofas with leather/fabric upholstery are contemporary and comfortable . Metal floor uplighters, quirky sculptures and bright area rugs complete the picture. If you decide on two seating areas in the living room, the larger seating area must be able to seat at least six people . The smaller seating area can have a chaise lounge or a love couch for relaxed seating . These genre come in all the styles discussed above. Alternately, you could have two armchairs with a side table in the centre. An elegant table lamp will transform the seating area into a reading corner. Dining room Generally, conversation lingers over the dining table. The seating arrangement becomes important and the focus of the room. A formal dining room with highbacked chairs is stylish and impressive. Fabric slipcovers add elegance to the theme. A low dining table with colourful cushions in lieu of chairs, gives an informal ambience. Elegant accessories like candelabras , crystals and fresh flowers enhance the seating area.

Bedroom The bedroom is a place to relax and unwind. A tastefully designed seating area would work wonders here. A large window could be the focus of this area. A window seat can be built into a bay window and highlighted with cushions. A pair of soft armchairs, a chaise lounge or a rocking chair would look great in a nook. Side tables with reading lamps and shaggy carpets could be added for a warm look. Seating area in the bedroom can also be worked around an entertainment centre. Recliners, swivel armchairs or a love couch with a warm area rug makes for a stylish picture. A corner of the bedroom also makes a lovely seating area with a side chair and a book shelf. Other living spaces Nowadays, many homes have a cozy theater wherein the entertainment centre is installed. Home furniture like armchairs with ottomans and recliners are just right for this area. Beverage holders or side tables would be ideal. The study is another personalized place where one can read and relax. Armchairs are definitely in. You can have comfortable, low backed armchairs or wooden chairs with soft upholstery arranged around a focal point like a window, an art work or a luxurious carpet. The lobby can be made impressive with plush armchairs or settees. A hand woven rug can act as the focus of this area.

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SOIL TESTING

• The plot should have a high soil density so that it may be able to bear the weight of the structure.
• The caring rays of the rising sun should reach the plot in abundance.
• One of the methods of testing the ground is as follows :

1. Make a 2 ft deep and wide pit on the plot and then fill it up with the scooped out mud.
2. If you have mud left over after filling the pit , then it is indicative of prosperity.
3. If the mud is just sufficient to fill the pit up to ground level, then it indicates no profit no loss.
4. If the mud is not sufficient to completely fill the pit and a part of the pit remains unfilled, then it indicates loss.
5. Water may also be used to fill the pit before filling it with soil. After filling the pit with water , walk 400 steps and then come back. If the water level is unchanged,the land is good, but if the water level falls considerably, then the land is unsuitable as per Vaastu tenets.
6. If ploughing the land turns up animal remains like bone and hair, points to the unsuitability of the land.
7. Presence of vermin and termites makes the soil hollow , thus rendering it unsuitable.