Advocateselvakumar

Catering to evolved tastes

Tuesday, 16 August 2016

Your space, as you like it!

Handpicking products, offering exclusivity, making room for customization - a number of players in the home decor market are leaving no stone upturned to ensure that you get your home done, the way you want it.

For those setting up their homes, the approaches to interiors are varied. Each of these approaches works towards easing the process of curating looks for a home that is unique and customisable, all the while being representative of the homeowner's personality.

Technology has played a huge role in easing the once complicated processes of mood boards and selection of elements. Three-dimensional renders of possible interior options give customers a better idea of what to expect. In fact, with choices being made available at the click of a button (online), just about everything you need is now simpler to get. That being said, there is a still a good demand for customized creations for homes that can be created or curated from scratch for a completely unique home.

There are several service providers in the market that work on this. Radeesh Shetty, founder of The Purple Turtles Lighting Ideas Pvt Ltd (they create customised lighting solutions), attributes the increased demand to customers being well-travelled and knowledgeable. "Thanks to the Internet, the world truly has become small and people can access and see things happening almost in real-time. Owing to this phenomenon, people are spending a lot more time designing their space, and more specifically, furniture and furnishings to their taste and liking," he says.

"Quality and something beautiful are what people are looking for, for their homes," reckons Venkatram Reddy, co-owner of BasavaAmbara, a boutique in Basavanagudi that occupies the outhouse of the beautiful heritage home of the Mahadevans. Indian art and artefacts in various forms and media such as stone, wood and metal collected over the years by Venkatram adorn the store with their distinctive beauty and are made available to the discerning consumer.

"Today, customers are exposed to fine things from all over the world; so even in a contemporary setting, they want a piece of heritage that has history," he says, while ensuring that he picks and chooses pieces that are of quality and not simply because they are old. The connoisseur prices are well justified by the history each piece has, their age and the craftsmanship involved.

Knowledge is power

"Information on the latest trends on the international circuit empowers consumers to look out for the best piece of furniture for their personal spaces, available at realistic prices, says Sunil Kumar, MD, Cherry Pick (a furnishing store that offers international furnishing brands such as blinds from Hunter Douglas, mattresses from Simmons, carpets from Pierre Cardin and sofas from IMG in Norway, among other products).

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Thursday, 11 August 2016

Bombay HC issues contempt of Court notice to a Developer for defying its orders

The Bombay High Court has issued a Contempt of Court notice to a Developer for will fully defying its orders to give tuagenarian. The Developer R K Madhani, is also a leading Contractor in Civic and Government Offices.

A division Bench of Mr. Justice Dhananjay Chandrachaud and Mr. Justice Rajesh Ketkar on November 5 issued notice to Madhani, who is developing a Slum Rehabilitation Project off Senapati Bapat Marg, Dadar (W). The Court was hearing a petition by Sheela Ambre (75).

According to Ambre’s petition, she ran a motor garage on the premises since, 1960. The re-development commenced in the mid-90’s. Ambre contended that while she was entitled for 600 sq. ft. area, the BMC, which owned the land, rejected her claim and held that she occupied only around 443 sq.ft. area. She challenged the rejection of her claim in High Court (HC). In May 2005, the HC directed that if Ambre required an area in excess of 225 sq. ft. for commercial purpose, she should pay the construction cost. It also directed that she should be provided with two commercial units adjacent to each other, out of which she would pay for one. The Court added that since, the premises were used for a garage proper access should also be given.

Madhani’s review petition was dismissed by the HC. He moved to the Supreme Court which on August 24, 2011, directed that Ambre should be given possession of 225 sq.ft. commercial unit and that HC should decide afresh on the issue of excess area. Thereafter on August 29, 2012, the HC directed Madhani to hand over a 225 sq.ft. unit to Ambre.

Ambre’s Advocates Sanjiv Sawant and Abhishek Deshmukh argued that inspite of the Court’s orders, Madhani was defiant. The Judges also noted that Madhani, after undertaking on October 29, 2012, to comply with the Court’s order within a week, had not complied. They directed the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to take the help of Police, if necessary to enforce its order and hand over possession to Ambre.

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Wednesday, 10 August 2016

Saying no to garden pests

Be it enlisting the help of your pet or utilizing bio manure, controlling pests in your garden has never been this easy

With the monsoons setting in, you must have noticed an inexplicable freshness in the greenery around you. Rains, the harbinger of life, add an element of magic to your garden too - be it a sprawling one, a terrace setup, or even a few pots.

But monsoon is also a season that spells trouble for your green spaces. The high humidity, constant showers and damp weather can take their toll on your precious plants. Apart from these, another major disadvantage of monsoon is the sudden influx of pests. Be it a rat that nibbles on your veggies and spreads diseases or slugs that damage your plants, garden pests can undo all your gardening efforts in a jiffy. But before you decide to reach out for the chemical insecticides and pesticides, here are a few eco-friendly and safe methods to eliminate garden pests.

Prevention is better

Rats, squirrels and some insects make their home in cracks, crevices, discarded pipes and other items. So first, attend to these and close all openings, which could potentially house the pests. As they are shy creatures, it is only when they multiply that we begin to notice them. Snails stick on to the underside of stones and rotting wood. Clear out all debris to send them a clear signal of inhospitality.

Plants need to be pruned as monsoon arrives. This helps them grow better. However, ensure the pruning is carefully done, as pruning them improperly can damage the plant. As the plants receive plenty of rainwater, proper draining of the excess water is essential. This keeps the roots healthy and vibrant. Make sure that there is no stagnation of water around the plants, which attract insects to breed. Delicate plants can be kept indoors or in the veranda to prevent them from rotting.

Encourage visitors

Next, take assistance of some friendly visitors to your garden that naturally feed on the unwanted animals without affecting your plants. A cat in the compound keeps the rats away. Birds visiting the garden feed on bugs and insects. So, having a birdbath or a small birdhouse will not only add an element of attraction to the garden but also help in pest control.

But beware if you happen have fruit trees around. You may want to protect the fruits from birds by covering them appropriately. Earthworms in the soil make it fertile and feed on the moss and fungi. Beetles or ladybirds, grasshoppers and frogs feed on aphids and other insects. So, encourage the presence of these animals to keep the pests under control.

Encash on their dislikes

Plant garlic, onion, mint and dandelions in proximity of the garden. The strong odours of these elements discourage rodents and insects. Some insects run away from peppermint sprays. Sprinkling turmeric prevents ants from raiding the soil and damaging the roots.

Another way is to strengthen the plants naturally and make them pest-resistant is to sprinkle neem powder, onion, garlic, ginger and cardamom peels on the soil. Bio manures like cow dung are very effective and nutrient rich for plants. This not only fortifies the soil but also keeps fungus and insects at bay.

Get rid of them

Some infestations call for extermination. Aphids are white, velvety type of insects that cling onto the plants and destroy them. They can be one of the most difficult plant infestations to get rid of. Use a harsh jet of water to dislodge them. As they hold on to the plant by their mouth, the spray of water dislocates them. You can buy beetles from horticultural suppliers and spread them around to eat the aphids away. Additionally, spray neem oil mixed with vinegar and a little detergent on the plants to ward off the aphids. They hate the bitter mix and will not choose your garden as a home.

To eliminate snails and slugs, beer is found to be quite effective. Placing small containers of beer around the garden attracts them to it. They ingest the intoxicating liquid and usually drown in the container. Weeds grow at an alarming rate in this season and eat up space and nutrients, hampering the growth of the plants. Diligently de-weed the garden as soon as you spot them.

And it's time to see your garden flourish!

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Tuesday, 9 August 2016

Kitchen of your dreams

Flexible: Modular kitchens can go with you if you move homes, and be modified to fit into the new kitchen.

Quite simply, modular kitchens are highly adaptable, custom-built kitchens. They consist of separate, pre-made modules, which when fitted together, make up a fully-functioning kitchen. The various units are designed to suit your kitchen space and then installed in it. They follow different layouts — straight, galley (or corridor), L-shaped, U-shaped — and you can choose the one that works best for your home. While a regular cabinet structure is permanent and immovable, modular units can be dismantled and reassembled. This means that they can go with you if you move homes, and be modified to fit into the new kitchen.

Truly customized

A modular kitchen is all about you, and built to match your every whim: your space, usage style, needs, likes, and budget. Every kind of personaisation is possible, from different-sized sink units, tall units to save (horizontal) space, and wall units to save on the floor area used. You also get to design the look and feel of your kitchen to match your taste. This includes choosing shutter finishes, materials for counter tops and cabinets, and kitchen accessories. Whether you’re moving into a new home or are looking to renovate an old kitchen, modular kitchens come at prices that are perfect for different budgets.

Deciding on a modular kitchen over a regular one helps minimize the wastage of the three most sacred things in our modern era: space, time and effort.

Space: In most Indian homes, the lack of space can be overwhelming. With modular designs, you can use and access every nook and corner of your kitchen.

Time: The time it takes for a carpenter to deliver the kind of kitchen you have in mind, is many times what it takes to get a pre-manufactured modular one. You’ll have the kitchen up and running in less time.

Effort: The pre-determined designs of modular units have been tried and tested for years. What you see is really what you get, with no unpleasant surprises.

In such setups, modules are thoughtfully designed to maximize convenience and comfort, so everything you need is at your fingertips. Tall units for groceries,

Bottle racks for spices, plate racks, cutlery drawers, sink units with an inbuilt dustbin — there’s a place for everything. Carousels that roll out when you open the storage unit help you reach far corners with ease. In case of breakage, every unit can be assembled, disassembled, and hence repaired easily. Also, if you want to get something repaired, that part can be taken out separately and sent for repair.

Modular kitchens are seriously good-looking kitchens. They’re sleek, modern, elegant and easy to maintain. A bevy of pre-designed templates ensure that you get to choose from the latest designs.

Play with deep reds, midnight blues and moss green, or stick with classic teak or mahogany. Choose from a range of textures and colors for your shutters, like solid wood, veneers, lacquered finishes, laminates, acrylic and glass shutters and water-resistant materials. Add your own creative touches. For instance, you can opt for stained glass panes for your crockery cabinets, and jazz them up with LED lights.

While there are many options, granite works best in Indian kitchens. It’s also available in different colors. Select a slab which has raised edges to contain small spills or one with smoothly-rounded corners, which are easy to clean.

No more pains

The trick to minimizing aches and pains in the kitchen is to use an intelligent storage system.

* Keep the most frequently used light items within easy reach, preferably at a height between your elbow and shoulder.

* Heavy jars and containers that you use on a daily-basis are best stored at waist level to avoid having to heft them.

* Heavy stuff that is not used regularly can be relegated to the bottom on your cupboard.

* Miscellaneous items that you don’t use much can be stashed away on the top of your cabinets.

* Stretching to reach for things can cause pulls. So, invest in cabinets and storage areas that come with pull-outs to minimize stretching.

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Company Law

Monday, 8 August 2016

Growing orchids at home

Most orchids are easy to grow indoors because they thrive on air

Orchids are a challenge to look after. You need a lot of patience.

And just when you are about to give up, they surprise you with their real beauty -in various shapes, sizes, colours and fragrances. And like most pretty things, they are high-maintenance. However, not all orchids are difficult to grow. Some are practically indestructible. It is estimated that there are more than 1,300 species of orchids found in India, primarily in the Northeast -Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh -and also in Sikkim and south India. Most orchids are perennial herbs with simple leaves and if raised in the right conditions (temperature not less than 1617oC), they should last eight weeks with flowers, after which the blooms slowly start dropping off. They eventually re-flower. A word of caution: Never cut off the aerial roots, and never, ever remove the orchids from the pots they root in.

BEGINNERS' CHALLENGE

Growing orchids can be addictive. Most orchids you get in nurseries are hybrids, created specifically for flowers. They are easy to care for at homes and offices. However, a few things should be kept in mind, like light and humidity. If you can imitate a plant's natural habitat, it will thrive.

FOR A GOOD START

The most commonly available orchids, such as the Moth Orchid, Phalaenopsis and Cattleya are so popular because they grow well at home. Phalaenopsis hybrids are usually considered the `beginners' orchids', largely because they rebloom under the conditions most windowsill growers can offer them. They require lower light. African violets can adapt to different humidity levels. They, however, easily die off due to over-watering. Under watering can be a problem too. In Vedic scriptures, there is mention of a plant named Vanda, which has been adapted as a generic name for one of the most beautiful group of orchids. Vandas could be mostly found on trees. And unlike most plants, they do not grow in soil, but air. Their roots attach to trees or rocks, and they draw moisture and nutrients that wash over them in the forest. Beginners often make the mistake of assuming that orchids need to be potted in soil like other blooming flowers. That would be a grave mistake. Most orchid roots need far more air than potting soil would give them. So, look for a porous mix.

LIGHT

Direct sunlight should be avoided. Some common types of orchids that thrive on bright light are Cattleya and Vanda, while low light is preferred by Phalaenopsis and Pahiopedilum, among others. Orchids should be given as much light as they can tolerate. Varieties with thicker and erect leaves can tolerate more light than those with thinner or more horizontal leaves. Too little light is one of the common mistakes beginners make.

TEMPERATURE

Warm-growing orchids like day temperatures between 21oC and 29oC. This includes Phalaenopsis orchids. The commonly available orchids that are sold in nurseries do well in temperatures that are comfortable for human beings.

HUMIDITY

Most orchids like about 70 per cent humidity in the atmosphere, which is more humid than most homes. So, you have to make an effort to provide your plants with extra humidity. Orchids usually appreciate misting with a spray bottle. If the plant has aerial roots growing up and out of the pot, those roots will like getting some moisture. At home, you can keep the planter on a tray. Fill it with water and gravel. As the water evaporates, it will provide some extra humidity to the plant. For anyone keeping tropical plants on a windowsill, this technique really helps.

NUTRITION

Orchids need nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium for growth.

WATER

Overwatering kills far more orchids than under watering. When in doubt, just don't water. The potting mix also has a lot to do with how often an orchid needs watering. Most orchids are sold in mixes that allow for weekly watering. Don't water until the soil is approaching dryness. To water an orchid, just submerge the pot in a bucket for a few seconds, then lift it out and let the excess water drain off.

PRUNING

Beginners often wonder how to prune orchids.

Trimming old flower stems that have turned brown is a good idea. If it's still green, it may re-bloom, either from the tip or by branching further back on the stem. Trimming orchids should only be done to remove leaves, roots, or flower stems that have already died or have turned brown. You must sterilize your cutting tools or use disposable ones so that you don't spread diseases between plants. The best time to re-pot is when new roots start to grow. So, what are you waiting for? Get started.

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Saturday, 6 August 2016

Grow a herb garden at home

Herb gardens can be grown in the smallest of spaces and add more to your menu

It is a myth that these exotic herbs can't be grown in hot climes because the seeds aren't available. Those who stay in small apartments and cannot indulge in gardening due to lack of space, also have reason to rejoice. Floral beds and manicured gardens sure have that come-hither oeuvre and magnetic appeal. Welcome to herb gardens that are garnering a lot of interest these days.

EASY TO GROW

These exotic herbs can easily be grown at home. City entrepreneur Ashok Agarwala, who has a green thumb, reveals, “There are a lot of people who try and create special atmosphere for exotic herbs, but you can grow them easily at home if you give balanced love, care, light and humidity and not over indulge these delicate plants. I grow three varieties of basil, celery, lettuce and many other herbs with regular care given to them and the results are heartening. But yes, you have to shield them from extremities of weather.“

SEEDS AND SAPLINGS

It is a myth that these exotic herbs can't be grown in hot climes because the seeds aren't available. There are a lot of shops where you get the seeds of almost all the herbs. And in certain cases, you can order them online too. Sanjay Lokhande, one of the owners of a nursery, adds, “Seeing the growing demand for kitchen garden plants, we have started selling the saplings of various herbs. And we plan to add more of these herbs to our stock.“

SPACE NO CONSTRAINT

Those who stay in small apartments and cannot indulge in gardening due to lack of space, also have reason to rejoice. Artist Gunjan Khandelwal, who has turned her small terrace into a vibrant garden replete with varieties of fruits and vegetables shares, “I have a specific corner dedicated to herbs and they are the pride of my tiny garden. Right from thyme to green garlic, basil and oregano, everything grows in these tiny spaces. You can also nurture them in pots and bring out the gardener in you.“

START IT SMALL

There are certain enterprising gardening enthusiasts who believe in the goodness of starting their own herb gardens from the scratch. You can start your own mini herb garden right on your kitchen window sill. You can grow fresh garlic by putting a few pods in a pot and grow mint and coriander without any fuss. Using the fresh ingredients picked while cooking can add that beautiful aroma to any dish. From bay leaves, basil, black pepper, lettuce to lemon grass and more, grow them all. It is such a satisfying moment to see these glorious beauties grow right in front of your eyes.

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