Jun 9, 2018 | Blog, Home Décor
Everyone prefers calm and soothing interior decor ideas for the summer. Interior decor ideas play a critical role in managing the scorching heat of the summers. Here are a few tips on how you can keep your home cool and pleasant in this summer:
Opt for cool and soothing colours:
Using light colours within the house is the first interior decor idea for the summer. It will reflect light and heat and give a pleasant ambiance to the living space. Work with neutral colours like ivory or shades of green, to retain the cooling effect. Warm tones like olive, lilac or burgundy can be soothing, without seeming overwhelming. Blue, green and beige are the ideal colours for summer. 
Spruce up the home with natural fabrics:
Cotton is by far the best natural fabric to use in the summer, for bedding and sofas, followed by linen. It is a breathe-able fabric and have great insulating properties. Natural fabrics, like cotton and linen are skin and environmentally friendly. Changing your decor becomes easy by simply switching up your bed linen.
Go for floral this summer:
Floral is very trending right now. If you have been considering incorporating this trendy look into your home, summer is the perfect time to make the leap. It is an easy way to add a pop of nature to any room in your home.
Cool Interior Decor with indoor plants:
Keeping indoor plants is a simple way to cool a space and purify the quality of air. Indoor plants and plants on the window sills helps in bringing down the temperature. Arranging them fancy pots adds style to your house. Some
house plants like English ivy and peace lily absorb moisture from the air and reduce humidity. Plants tolerant to heat are sunflower, lemon grass, banana and palm. It gives a cooling touch to the house.
Choose energy-efficient and cool lights:
Switch to compact fluorescent or LED lamps to reduce the heat .These lights helps in saving energy. You experiment with mood lighting for a pleasant ambiance. There are a plenty of devices in the market that allows you to set different lighting tones depending on how you are feeling.
Below there are a few points that will make our home summer-friendly:
- Insulated walls and roofs and double glazed windows can substantially reduce the heat gain and reduce the load on air-conditioning units.
- Ensure that the air-conditioners in the house are serviced regularly and their filters cleaned to maximize efficiency.
- Raxene, leather and other artificial materials should be avoided for sofas. Opt for cotton and linen for a more comfortable setting. You can even use cotton slip covers on the sofas, for a quick seasonal makeover.
- For beds, keep away the heavy duvets, velvet satin silk and opt for lighter cottons.
- Cluttering makes a space appear smaller and adds to the heat. Think minimalistic and weed out unwanted things.
- Avoid silk carpets for the floor. Use stylish cotton woven rugs or let the floor remain bare.
- Installing bamboo blinds on doorways, balconies and verandas, will keep the house cool. Use natural materials like rattan and teak, for a relaxing feel.
- Use shading devices over the windows, to reduce the heat gain. Allow for ample cross-ventilation at home, by opening the doors and windows on opposite directions, in the evening.
- Add aromatic tropical scents to your living room to give your home a summery feel.
- In summer, the bathroom can be a relaxing space to beat the heat. Dress it up in colourful and stylish accessories, soft bath linen, fragrant oils and refreshing bath products.
Jun 9, 2018 | Blog, Home Hacks
There is no limit to how one can beautify her home with paper craft items. They are easy to learn and implement. Paper Craft Art needs a bit of patience and practice and one can be a pro at crafting their own designs.
It is not expensive.
Decorating up the home isn’t always about spending high. Paper craft art are low cost ideas that are high on beauty. Such crafts can enhance the beauty of the interiors at a negligible cost. Easy to learn, they are perfect for beginners and the final products are versatile decor items. Depending on your skills, select simple or intricate and inter-weaved designs.
Origin of Paper Craft
The origin of paper crafts art hails from China. The sheer beauty and simple methods to craft them, have earned them global recognition. Paper craft art have found a place not only in the craft classes in our schools but also grabbed the attention of interior designers who are incorporating them lavishly into their interior designs.
You can either get the ready-to-use paper craft art from the market or try the DIY crafts to brighten up the dull corners of your home. Read on and transform your home from drab to fab.
Blend of origami-fractal
Origami is the art of folding paper repeatedly and fractal deals with repeated forms and when mixed together, they create amazing artwork. Why not try fractal origami to deck up your space? The options with fractal are myriad, right from flowers such as fractal lotus to roses. Give it a shot to the snowflake fractal or Origami fractal pyramids. However, remember that the latter demands a lot of time. It is a tedious process. Learn Here.
3-D wallpaper cubes
If you are bored of the usual 2-D origami pieces, try a fresh twist with the 3D pieces. Begin with the easiest 3D shape, i.e. a paper cube. Gradually move to a tad difficult shapes, such as pyramids, teddy bears, penguins, birds, or even flowers by using 3D origami art.
Paper lamp
Paper lamps are in demand in the home as well as in party settings. Try your skills at ‘Do It Yourself’ and opt for origami lamps.
These variants are one of the simplest yet stylish ways of incorporating origami decor in your abode. Get some coloured origami papers, preferably the bright-hued ones and start making your lamps. A few popular ideas to consider are the geometric shaped lamps, intricately cut paper lamps, rolled paper lamps, and the pendant lamps to craft an origami paper lamp. If you don’t want to make it by yourself, try the ready-made ones easily available in the market.
Learn to create, click here.
Variegated animal paper heads
There must be favourite animals of your little ones and they would love to have their replicas in interesting ways. Instead of stuffing their rooms with soft toys, try to create variegated animal heads with paper and adorn the walls with them.
While the children’s room appears to be the best spot to flaunt them, alternatively you can be bold and create a small zoo on the living room’s wall. This quirky display is sure to earn you rave reviews from the onlookers. If you wish to make them look real, use the same coloured paper akin to the skin of the animals you are crafting. Add an extra touch by painting it with other features, to make them look like the heads of real animals. Learn to create one.
Get the ready-to-use paper craft designs from the market or try DIY crafts at home. You can learn from the various videos on YouTube, to brighten up the dull corners of your home. Protech Group encourages DIY crafts.
May 15, 2018 | Blog, Buyer Concern
Apun Ghar
Apun Ghar is a interest subvention scheme by the State Government of Assam. The aim is to provide housing loan to the regular State Government employees through the State Bank of India (SBI). Apun Ghar is a Home Loan Scheme to provide home loans at a lower interest rates for the state government employees. As per data released by the Government, about 4.5 Lakh Government employees will benefit under the home loan scheme.
In order to avail benefits of this home loan scheme, the applicant must be above 21 years. He or she must be employed in any of the state government departments for a minimum of 5 years and above.
It is important to note that the benefits of Apun Ghar Scheme will be available to only those State Government employees who will apply for a housing loan within 2 years from the date of issuance of the Government notification.
Difference between SBI Loan Rate and Apun Ghar Loan Rate
SBI has decided to extend the home loan to the State Government employees at an interest rate of 8.50% for women and 8.55% for men. Assam Government will provide 3.5% subvention of interest provided the employee applies for the subvention. Once the subvention application is approved, the effective interest rate of home loan will be 5.00% for women and 5.05% for men.
The EMI of the Apun Ghar Home Loan will be charged to the employee by SBI at 8.5% and 8.55% respectively, and the State Government will credit the subsidy of 3.5% into the salary account of the State Government employees.
The interest rate for a normal home loan from SBI is around 9% for an ordinary citizen of the country.
Other Benefits of Apun Ghar Home Loan Scheme
Loan Amount: Under this Apun Ghar Home Loan Scheme, the eligible employees would be able to get the maximum loan amount of Rs. 15 Lakhs.
Loan Tenure: Apun Ghar home loan scheme will provide home loan for a period of 20 years. For pensionable service holders, the loan has to be repaid by the age of 70 years. For non-pensionable service holders, the loan has to be repaid by the age of 60 years.
No Processing Fee: Unlike the other home loans offered by the state banks of India, Apun Ghar home loan will have no processing fee for the State Government employees.
Floating Interest Rate: The State Government employees will enjoy a floating rate of interest so that they can take the benefit of a reduced market lending rate.
Purpose of Loan: The loan will be sanctioned for the following purposes – 1) Construction of a house on an existing plot of land either in the name of the State Government employee or the spouse; 2) Purchase of land and construction of house on it; 3) Purchase of flats or readymade buildings within the state of Assam. It will not be given for purchase of land or house from close relatives.
Mortgage: There is no need for mortgaging the property or land of the State Government employee up to a Apun Ghar loan amount of Rs. 10 lakhs. For loans above 10 lakhs, SBI will release the Title Deeds and issue a ‘No Due’ certificate to the borrower with a copy to the Finance Department of the Govt. of Assam.
Loan Transfer: State Government employees will be able to transfer their existing home loans with SBI or any other bank into this Apun Ghar Subsidy Scheme to avail the interest discount.
Loan Application: The loan applicants are required to visit the nearest District Drawing and Disbursing Office with the complete set of documents as per the check list and application form provided by the SBI.
Joint Application: Close relatives can come together to avail the home loan jointly, provided they are both employees of the State Government of Assam. The combined loan amount should be within the prescribed loan amount limit.
When was it announced?
The Apun Ghar housing loan scheme of Assam government was announced by the Assam government in the month of March 2017. The scheme will kickstart in the Financial Year 2017 – 2018.
Apun Ghar is clearly an initiative taken under the vision of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to provide housing for all by the year of 2022.
Apr 12, 2018 | Blog, Home Hacks, Lifestyle
Why is it important to keep the house clean?
We all know that we should keep our house clean, but we all have busy lives and we tend to procrastinate and get lazy about it. Let us admit it – cleaning the house is not fun. Gradually, we become used to living in a dirty, untidy place. It is a simple matter that one must keep their house clean for health reasons. Apart from health, here are 10 reasons which should give you that extra energy to find time to keep a clean & tidy home on a regular basis.
Finding stuff:
Long lost stuff, that you might have thought you lost can be found during cleaning. Going through mails, papers, clothes, household items will help you find many things and you may find it useful again. This reduces your cost and you also get your valuable stuff back!
Good for children:
Infants and young children while crawling will pick up things from floor. They are susceptible to microbes as immune system is yet to develop. You don’t want mildew, dirt and other particles entering the tender body. Keeping house clean and sanitized keeps children healthy and happy.
Visiting friends will appreciate:
You will have friends visiting your home: Your home will welcome your friends. A dirty house does not invite people and makes visitors move away. If you want to socialize and have a community life consider keeping your kitchen and entire house clean. It will motivate you and boosts your confidence to meet and have fun with people that will make you feel good.
You will be creative:
When you clean the house, you will find things that are disorganized and kept in places where they should not be. If you focus on cleaning, your creativity starts to flow and you might find an interesting hobby like decoration, interior designing, indoor gardening etc.
Makes life easy:
Cleaning also involves organizing. It means you will find stuffs easily and when you want. You will know where exactly things are kept and it helps you accomplish work easily by end of your day. Keeping house clean means fewer distractions and more work done!
You will prevent pest infestation:
When you keep house clean you won’t invite pests like cockroach, mice, mosquitoes etc. If you don’t let clutter pile up, you won’t be having pest problems at home.
Extend life for home materials:
Regular cleaning of household items and materials make it lose longer. For example, a clean mixer will perform better. Cleaning carpets or rugs regularly them look and smell fresh. Similarly, bathtubs, dining table, sinks, trashcans – smaller to bigger things should be kept clean for a longer life.
You will spend less time cleaning:
Regular cleaning makes it easier to clean house fast. It saves lot of time and house always looks fresh and inviting. It also saves time for you and family. It becomes less stressful and you will relax without the clutter around you everyday.
Improves quality of the indoor air:
Air quality of the house is important for health. Regular cleaning reduces allergies, asthma and any breathing problem. It reduces dust bunnies, mildew and animal dander.
You will sleep better:
Yes, this is true! After cleaning the house, you will feel calmer and stress free. Cleaning is also physical exercise. This will make you to go bed without dust and dirt around the house. With the satisfaction of having cleaned, and having a clean bedsheet and clean pillows gives you more relaxing sleep.
Conclusion
Whether a big or small home – A clean organized home is always a beautiful home. Organizing helps you to focus on quality than on quantity. It gives happiness and spreads joy in the family, and in the neighbourhood.
Apr 9, 2018 | Blog, Home Hacks, Lifestyle
:: Outdoor Vs Indoor ::
While external air quality is a variable of multiple factors and it is, most often, out of one’s control, here’s how you could still improve the indoor air quality for a healthy living.
The quality of air in the urban areas is deteriorating. People are advised not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary. It is a prime time news that the situation of air pollution is going out of hand. Air quality indoors however is a lot more in our control.
Citizens should not only be aware of environmental air pollution, but also of indoor air pollution in their homes. It is often caused by ordinary household items, which can sometimes be toxic. For example, formaldehyde contained in composite wood and chemicals contained in common cleaning materials release pollutants in the air and cause grave health hazards. Citizens should be aware that any garbage that goes to the dump is at risk of burning and should practice recycling at home and societies.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
All is not lost yet. There are a number of things citizens can do to protect their health in such a scenario. You can still take some steps to purify air indoors and preserve your health. Plants are the best way to naturally purify the air around you.
- You can also add a few succulents in your bedroom. Unlike other plants that exhale carbon dioxide at night; succulents continue to give oxygen even at night. It makes for a healthy oxygen balance while you sleep.
- It is better to use loam-based compost and cocopeat mixture for indoor potting. Also, we should regularly prune the indoor plants.
- At times, plants get dusty and this dust can block sunlight, which will slow down photosynthesis – spray water on the plant to keep the dust away. If spraying water is not an option as the plant is placed indoors, use a moist sponge or cloth to wipe the leaves.
- Apart from increasing oxygen levels, indoor plants can filter chemicals from the air and help trap pollutants, thus minimizing air pollution. Indoor plants with air purifying properties are:
- Spider plant;
- Dracaena;
- Weeping fig;
- Peace lily;
- Mother-in-laws tongue;
- All species of Pothos (Money plant);
- Aloe Vera;
- Philodendron.
- Fragrant plants are a natural and chemical-free way to freshen your home instead of using artificial air fresheners. Lemon and rosemary are examples of plants with a refreshing, wonderful fragrance. Keep small aromatic saplings in your bathroom too, if space permits.
- Plants also work wonders for your mental health; seeing a plant can subconsciously make one feel calm and relaxed, thereby reducing stress. Instead of placing pots on the ground, we may place them on a bench at eye level. Hanging plants in an interior space adds a new layer to your home decor.
- We may use branches in the balcony instead of placing pots to give the balcony an interesting look.
- You may skip decorative show pieces and opt for small fresh plants at the centre table to give your living room a whole new dimension.
Conclusion
We may not have control over the external environment, but we can definitely try to breath fresh air inside our homes. It would be very healthy for the children to grow up in a fresh air environment.