Home Ceilings

1. Types of ceilings

Even though you have to look upto them to appreciate them, ceilings form an important part of your home décor. There are two types of residential ceilings. They are the original slabs or the main ceiling and the false ceiling.

The main slab can be straight or in any shape like a dome, a sloping one or pyramidal. If the main slab is a straight RCC slab, you can create a false ceiling below it in any shape to make it look different from inside. False ceilings can be made of materials like Plaster of Paris (POP), wood, gypsum boards, fibre glass, fabrics, etc.

Lights can be used to enhance the look of any ceiling. Lights can be concealed in false ceilings so as to show the glow and not the light fixture itself. Coloured rope lights can be fixed on the inner edges of false ceiling slabs to give out colourful illumination.

2. How to maintain/ clean a ceiling

Ceilings with carved patterns in wood or POP are presentable only if they are clean and free of any dust. So it is important to regularly clean such ceilings. This can be done using a wet cloth. Wooden members of the ceiling should be polished after a period of time to retain their shine. Brass ceiling patterns or cornices can be cleaned by using liquid brass cleaners and a cloth.

3. Fire protection (in case of wood)

Fire retardant and intumescent coatings should be used to treat wood and protect it in case of fire. These coatings can be applied on the wooden ceilings after they are placed in the frame as a ceiling.

4. Installation of ceilings

Usually, false ceilings are suspended over a framework of wood, steel or aluminium. The most preferred material is aluminium as it is comparatively cheaper than the rest and is light weight. The framework is fastened to the main ceiling by screws and the sheets of POP or wood are screwed on to the lower surface of the framework.

5. How to select the right type of ceiling for your house

It is important to consider the height which is available to play with in case of false ceilings. Sometimes the height available is so less that a false ceiling has to be ruled out. Ideally minimum 9 feet height should be made available below the surface of the false ceiling. If the height of the room is less, certain areas like the dining area or the seating space can be highlighted by using a false ceiling only in that much area. You can go for a frosted acrylic false ceiling in your bathroom to conceal any fixtures like the heater on the top. You can also have diffused light through the frosted acrylic.

6. Cost involving on doing a ceiling

A simple flat POP false ceiling on aluminium frame can cost around Rs 55 per square foot. Curved and angular ceilings can go upto Rs 150 per sft in POP. Cost of wooden ceilings depends on the wood used. A teak wood plank false ceiling can cost Rs 350 per sft while the same using rough wood or sleeper wood can be cheaper. Fibre glass or acrylic ceilings can cost around Rs 200 per sft for a flat ceiling.

7. And something about beams

Beams are the horizontal structural members in any framed structure. They cannot be eliminated or tampered with in any circumstances for a better design. But they can be hidden using a false ceiling that covers them. A stepped or curved false ceiling can cover the beam without revealing whats inside.

All about Doors

1. Types of doors available in the market

Doors can be categorized as

· Main Doors

· Safety Doors

· Sliding Doors

· Glass Doors

· Bathroom Doors

2. Materials from which doors are made

Doors can be made of wood, ply or block board, glass, acrylic, metal, etc depending on their use.

Glass doors can be used for kitchens so that there is enough light into the kitchen. The glass can be etched with designs for an aesthetic look. Stained glass can also be used to add colour.

Wooden doors can be decorated with simple grooves to make them look minimalist and classy. This can be done for veneered or laminated doors too.

Safety doors can be made from wood and the grill can be a wrought iron one. Simple patterns on the grill look the best. Wrought iron grills can have coloured stones or stained glass filled in between the grillwork to create a masterpiece. This makes the usually boring safety door a colourful one.

Safety door with coloured stone grill

3. Maintenance of doors

Wooden and ply doors require more maintenance. The doors should have at least 6mm ground clearance. The bathroom doors should be made out of marine ply of a good quality. Make sure that the wood is sealed and well polished to prevent entry of moisture or water into the wood. Bathroom doors can alternatively be made out of acrylic sheets fixed on to an aluminium powder coated frame. Such doors are not that aesthetic but do not require maintenance.

Carved doors wooden should be cleaned regularly by a moist cloth to make them look new and so that the design always stands out. They can be repolished every two years to maintain the shine.

Glass doors should be wiped clean regularly to maintain them. If the glass door has a larger area, insist on a toughened glass to prevent the glass from falling apart in case of breakage

4. Everything about veneers, laminates, intricate designs on the doors

Veneer finish consists of thin slices of real wood, which are adhered to a surface to give it the glowing appearance of real wood. This also allows each piece to have the same grain direction and colouring. Veneer can be polished to give it a glossy or matt look or to change the shade of its existing colour of wood.

Laminate is layers of wood, plastic, or other materials bound together, usually having heat and pressure simultaneously applied. Laminates are available in many colours and textures. They are usually referred to as Sunmica or Formica which are actually brands of laminate. The laminated door does not require polishing and is easy on maintenance. But the veneer look is richer and warmer than the laminate one.

Wooden carved doors add a touch of ethnic grandeur to your home. Readymade carved panels can be stuck on to a wooden door to make it look beautiful. This can be done by making a niche in the door and filling it up with a ready carved pattern.

5. Tips

Things like letter boxes and name boards should be incorporated with the entrance door to make it look like a complete design. There should be continuity or a flow between the door design and the name board to make it look unified.

The same theme can be carried to include the name board in the doorway. Now days people insist on having a Ganesh idol in their doorway. This can be incorporated in the door design itself by making a wooden panel for the idol and treating it with the same laminate or veneer.

Measurements:

Main doors are usually 3’x7’. The width should be such that big pieces of furniture and appliances an easily come through the opening. The room doors can be 2’6” wide and 7’ high. The bathroom doors can be 2’ wide is the space is less.

Framing:

Main door frames are best in teak wood. Wooden frames enhance the character of the door. If the existing wooden frame has deteriorated, it can be cladded with veneer or laminate matching the door. Internal and bathroom doors can either have wooden frame or a stone frame. Granite and green marble frames are commonly used.

Colours:

Colours can be used to brighten up a door and the room. Laminates can be used to do so. Kids room doors could have a collage of bright colours like red, yellow and blue. Just a strip of silver laminate on one side of a dark coloured door can make it stand out. Colour of the door can be matched with the colour of the furniture or the walls in the room. A combination of two contrasting colours also looks dramatic.

To check out more door designs visit www.dimensionsarchitects.in

Kitchen Design made easy

Kitchen is an important space in your house. Like your living room and bedroom, the kitchen also needs to be trendy. But many homes today have less kitchen area and the storage that goes into it is enormous. A space saving modular kitchen is a good option to fulfill your storage needs and also make your kitchen look great. A few points listed below should be considered while designing kitchens.

Colour:

The colour of your kitchen cabinets and the wall tiles usually depends on your personality. You may have bright colours like yellow and red or light shades in cream or white. It is best not to use more than two different colours for the cabinets. For example go for red and yellow or cream and brown. Metallic colours can be used as accents to give your kitchen a trendy look. If the kitchen is too small, it is better to go for light colours as they reflect light and make the kitchen look larger. The overhead cabinets which touch the ceiling can be painted in the colour of the walls to make the kitchen look less bulky.

Ventilation:

It is very important to have a window in the kitchen which gives you fresh air and ample light. Invest in a good quality chimney even if the window is of a fairly large size. Chimney makes the kitchen less suffocating and keeps it fresh.

Layouts:

Decide the layout of your kitchen depending upon the size. If the kitchen area is very small, a compact C-Shaped layout would work well. This way you can utilize maximum space for storage. An L- Shaped or a parallel layout would work well for an elongated kitchen. If your kitchen is large or you plan an open kitchen, go for the island concept. You can have colourful lamps hanging over the island counter to add a zing to the kitchen.

Storage:

Try to keep most of your appliances inside the cabinets. This would make the kitchen look neat. Plan for storing your toasters, blenders and food processors inside the cabinets to keep the counter free. You can have a separate shelf above the counter for your microwave. Use the corners below the platform effectively by placing magic corners or revolving units. Use pull outs for storage of vessels and grains to avoid the task of bending to reach these things after you open the shutters.

Lighting:

As mentioned above, it is important to have natural lighting in the kitchen. Besides, have ceiling mounted fixtures which will illuminate the kitchen well. Use pelmet lights below overhead storage to light up your kitchen platform. You can have spot lights to illuminate crockery units or cabinets with glass shutters.

With a little bit of your imagination you can make your kitchen functional and trendy. So go ahead and design it to make it the best part of your house!

Colours in Interior Design

When we say ‘Colour’, our mind wanders into a palette of different colours. Colours, light and dark, vibrant and pale, all sorts of them give different signals to our brain. Each colour has a meaning attached to it.

Different colors have different effects on the human mind and a combination of colours can work wonders. Few colours can be used as ‘accents’. Accents are colours used in small quantities to accentuate the ambiance of the room. Here are some colours which can be used on your walls, drapes and furniture. Their meanings will help you select where to use these colours.

Red is the colour of bravery and believed to carry good luck. It is a very popular and important colour in Asian societies. It is always seen on the walls in Chinese restaurants. A red wall in the house entrance suggests boldness. Red should not be used for a bedroom as it increases your heart rate, and what you usually want to do in your bedroom is relax and sleep. But red can be used in the living room walls or on sofas and drapes with a white backdrop.

Blue is a cool colour. It is quite calming and great for using in bathrooms and bedrooms. It can be teamed up with white, beige or yellow.

Orange is a warm and happy colour. It can be used for old people's homes and institutions as it is an anti depressant and decreases hostility and irritability. It makes you feel cheerful. Orange is a great colour to use as an accent. Throw around some bright orange cushions to brighten up a dull room or put some orange flowers in a vase for a lively room. You may use textured orange as a feature wall to create a focal point. Using colour in small amounts is a nice way to introduce strong hues into your home.

Yellow- think of it and you start feeling vibrant already. There are many meanings for the colour yellow, the most obvious ones being sunny, warm and radiant. Various shades of yellows to use are the ochre yellows, muddy yellows and antique golds. They have their own personality and go very well with timber furniture. Yellow is a great colour for painting your bedrooms, dining rooms, hallways, in fact you can use yellow almost everywhere. A deep shade of yellow for a dining room is also known to help digestion. Yellow is a positive color and useful in teenager's bedrooms or studies as it sharpens the memory and is good for studying. Yellow is fabulous for retail shops because of its eye catching and welcoming virtue. Too much yellow in a room may cause hostility, so ensure that you break it up with accent colours like white, black or red.

Green is associated with wealth. It is a cool colour and is known to calm actors before they go on the stage to perform, and that’s the reason behind the name ‘green room’. It can be used in bedrooms and bathrooms due to its soothing properties. It does not reflect well on skin and hence should not be used in beauty salons or apparel stores.

Purple or violet is not used frequently. But it can do wonders if used in small amounts in your bedroom as it relieves stress. It signifies royalty and spirituality

Black signifies mystery, drama and sophistication. It can be used in combination with white or red to create a great wall. It is best used to conceal something. A matt black paint will make anything disappear.

White signifies purity. It is quite refreshing in hot weather as it reflects heat. It is also an indicator of cleanliness and hygiene. This is because dirt is easily seen on white and has to be cleaned immediately. Due to this white is used in kitchens and bathrooms. White also makes a small space look large and so it should be used if a room is too small in size.

To see various colour combinations used in home decor check www.dimensionsarchitects.in

A cool home

Every season has its mood and flavour. Seasonal decorating can be fun and challenging, so pre-plan and get ready for a bit of seasonal change. When we think of summer, all we can see is clutter, heat and tired faces. What is required is a refreshing change which can be achieved by a slight change in our homes.

Summer demands a cool and cosy look. Maintain fewer items in your room, as it will make it look bigger and provide an open space for air to flow. Keep the windows open for cool and airy effect and remove all dark coloured stuff.

Glass should be used as much as possible as it gives a feeling of openness so necessary in the summer. Wood can also be used. Wrought iron can be used as a base for tables with glass top. In fact the age old khas khas mats and chataais are the best bet to cool your home. You can even introduce a floor seating arrangement and a soft mattress with pastel coloured bed sheets at a corner of the hall. Leather sofas and steel furniture should be avoided as it gets too hot in summers.

Do away with the synthetic curtains, thick and dark upholstery. Cotton is the best fabric for upholstery during summer. Use pastel shades like lemons, powder blues pinks and whites to cool your senses.

Another way of doing up your drapes is by using a soft sheer cotton curtain and a linen curtain together. During mornings and evenings, the linen curtains could be pulled up to let the breeze cool your home. Similarly, linen curtains can be drawn in the afternoons to avoid hot sunrays from entering the house. Another smart and eco-friendly option is bamboo or chik blinds that can be easily rolled up when not required. Soft cotton and jute furnishings are ideal summer wear for sofas.

Cool colours definitely make you feel cool in summers. Walls can be tinted white or fresh green, in yellow or blue, in subdued or muted tones to maintain the ralxing effect. Shades of aqua, blue or green can be used in the bedroom. The childern’s room and liing room can have bright shades like yellow and pink.

Summer is the perfect time to place plants inside the house. Place them at the entrance of the hall or corners to make a refreshing change in your home interiors. Lots of plants should be used in summers as they give out oxygen in the process of photosynthesis. Indoor plants like money plants which are low maintenance can be used. Flowering plants with fragrant flowers like lilies and jasmines can be refreshing. Ixoras can be potted to add colour as the flower in summer.

Use white and blue iridescent accent lights. Change your yellow casting light bulbs with cooler daylight mimicking light bulbs. Look for bulbs that simulate natural daylight, the healthiest eye source for the human eye with reduced eye strain.

So this season give your house a makeover and see it will also enlighten your mood and bring magic.

For more of such cool ideas visit us at www.dimensionsarchitects.in

Design ur living room in just Rs 1 Lac

The living room is called so because there is a lot of life in there and it has to be made lively enough. A little planning and a stipulated budget can do wonders to your living room.
Whatever the size of the room, large or small, keep only what is required. The most important aspect is the furniture, where comfortable sofas or Indian seating is cost-effective. Customised sofas range from Rs.15, 000 to Rs. 20,000 while ready-made ones will cost around Rs.30,000. Furniture made in wood and steel are other good options.
Plain coloured upholstery with patterned or bright coloured cushions can be used to make the room look beautiful. Upholstery material can be cotton, satin or velvet. Glass shelves near the TV unit for storage and glass centre table add more style. The conventional concept of the dining place has been shifted from the kitchen to the living room. Thus, a dining area subtracts the formalness of a living room. A ready-made but simple dining table of steel with a glass top is feasible in a fixed budget.
The colour scheme of the living room could match the furniture with the usage of creams and whites with one wall highlighted in a darker tone like bottle green, red or navy blue. A dramatic coloured wall behind the TV unit and the rest of the walls in neutral shades can also make the room attractive. Accordingly, the drapes or the curtains can be chosen with the right colour and quality to match the colour scheme. Here, cotton is best suited for a single drape or curtain with a pleasant colour and such curtains are available ready-made.
Vitrified tiles are the best for smart homes with a budget of Rs. 1,00,000 for a living room. Wooden flooring in a certain part also may complement the look, which comes at a cost of Rs.100 to Rs.150 per sq.ft. It is not necessary to have a false ceiling in the entire room. It can be restricted to the ceiling above the seating area leaving the rest of the area with a normal ceiling. Giving the false ceiling a darker shade than the rest of the ceiling can highlight that part. This will bring a different identity to the living room unlike the other false ceiling styles. False ceiling in plaster of Paris (POP) costs around Rs.50 per sq. ft.
Last but not the least, good lighting is essential. Nowadays, yellow lights are preferred in living rooms where a simple single chandelier can add to the elegance. A simple lampshade on a corner table lights a certain area, which creates a cosy and warm atmosphere. Once every aspect of the living room is covered, paintings, coloured glass vases or ethnic artefacts at an affordable cost can be used to enhance the beauty of the décor.

for more cost effective ideas visit our website