The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has been an overwhelming situation for us all. With restrictions and sudden changes to certain personal, professional and social affairs, it has been a difficult ride. Now while we adults have adapted to the situation and are taking every possible precaution to keep ourselves safe, how safe are our children? Moreover, with the third wave-making around across the nation, it is understandable to know if you as parents/guardians are feeling anxious and so are the children.
Unlike adults, children find it difficult to understand the progress a state or country is making. This leads to possible anxieties and hearing negative situations from other people can make them vulnerable to feelings of stress and depression. Apart from this, they should also be aware or at least introduced to a healthy and precautioned living situation to keep safe during the third wave. So, let us check a few quick tips that you as parents can take over to help keep your children safe during the current wave of the Covid-19 pandemic:
Communicate with your children
This is of utmost importance and should be a practice to follow by all parents and children. Have an open and supportive discussion with your family that involves children to help them understand the ongoing situation. Keep the positive points at maximum and the negative points to a minimum, while giving hope to cope and keep going.
Explain the importance of healthy eating
“You are what you eat” is a common phrase we hear when it comes to the significance of eating healthy food. The pandemic has helped millions of people understand the importance of eating healthy and it’s time you make your children learn the same. Show them examples of people who have recovered or kept themselves safe by also incorporating healthy eating to motivate them.
Incorporate physical exercises
Stepping outside when not necessary is definitely still the foremost rule to follow since the outbreak of the pandemic. However, children require exposure to exterior spaces to enhance and maintain their physical and mental health. Allow them time to step outside and play but teach them how to keep safe by wearing masks. Those residing in Protech Homes need not worry much as each residential project comes with special amenities that can be used to incorporate exercises such as swimming pools, walking tracks, yoga centres and more.
There are many points to take into consideration to keep children safe during the Covid-19 third wave. They are discussed, learned and incorporated by everyone such as washing hands, using sanitisers and avoiding crowds. However, the points mentioned above are not very highly discussed and incorporated when it comes to children especially. Hence, we highly suggest that you start communicating, explaining and incorporating the three significant tips mentioned above and help keep your children safe during the third Covid-19 pandemic.
For more such informative reads, don’t forget to check out the Protech blogs section.
While buying or constructing a house, it is very important to ensure that along with the other rooms, the bathroom is also Vastu-compliant. The bathroom is the place to clean up. And hence, it can become the storehouse of negative energy if you are unaware.
Like our previous blogs from the series, “The Art of Vastu Shastra – Radiate Positivity,” we shall learn in this piece how you can take steps to eliminate negativity from your bathroom. While many people know how important it is to have a clean and hygienic bathroom, it is also necessary to check if the Vastu rules are being obeyed. Every space inside a home can emit positivity. All it needs is a little attention.
Below are some rules of Vastu Shastra that must be followed while constructing or designing a bathroom:
Always make sure that the bathroom is located in the North-West direction of the house. Many people have bathrooms in the South-West direction and that causes many ill-effects to the inhabitants. To nullify this effect, you must place a Vastu Pyramid on the outer part of the South-west wall.
Almost every person wishes to have an awesome interior design. While you may also be an aesthete, avoid going too far. Having decorative statues or religious idols inside a bathroom is not allowed according to Vastu.
The best material for a bathroom door is wood. Avoid metal doors as it fosters negativity. It is said to cause adverse health effects.
The most suitable colours for a bathroom are shades of brown, beige, cream, and other earthy shades. The unfavourable colours according to Vastu are black and blue.
Just like the favourable direction of a bathroom concerning the house, there is a favourable direction for the placement of toilet seats concerning the bathroom as well. The northwest direction supports the elimination of waste and therefore, placing the toilet seat in that direction is said to support the elimination of toxins from the body.
Ventilation inside a bathroom is significant. The exhaust fan must be towards the east or North-East direction as it signifies the flow of fresh air and sunlight.
As per Vastu, the washbasin and shower area must be in the East, North or Northeast. Also, the correct direction for the outlet of drainage and water in the bathroom is the same. The bathroom floor must slope in the same direction as the outlet.
If you want to have an attached bathroom, always construct it in the west or north of your bedroom. Also, remember that the bed should not face the bathroom directly.
No matter how little space you have in your home, do not construct a bathroom under the staircase.
Having a mirror inside the bathroom is common. So, ensure you hang it in the right direction. According to Vastu, the North or the East direction is the most ideal. They hold true for the ideal directions of the washbasin.
There must be sufficient air and light inside the bathroom. Because of this, it is also desirable to have a window along with an exhaust fan. Having one of them is good too. But the primary purpose of having both is to keep the place hygienic and bacteria-free.
It is good to construct a bathroom at least a few feet above the ground.
Often, due to limitations in space, people are unable to follow Vastu rules even if they want to. It is also difficult to find apartments that are Vastu-compliant. This is another factor that comes to significance while selling real estate. The properties that are Vastu-compliant sell at a higher price. Let us also keep in mind that many people live in rented spaces. If these problems sound like yours too, then there are simple solutions for you.
Keep your bathroom doors closed at all times to prevent negative energy from spreading inside the house.
Ensure your bathroom is clean and ventilated but always keep the main door closed.
Keep a bowl of sea salt somewhere inside the bathroom. It is highly effective in absorbing all the negative energy.
Hopefully, the above points prompted you to check if the Vastu rules are being followed in your bathroom. If you found the information helpful, make sure to keep checking our blog section to find more such helpful tips for your home and better living.
John Abraham, who has made a name for himself in Bollywood over the past many years, owns a luxurious penthouse in Mumbai that overlooks the beautiful Arabian Sea. Besides being a fabulous actor, did you know that John is also a successful producer and an entrepreneur? Yes! Vicky Donor was the first-ever Bollywood movie that John produced, and it surprisingly turned out to be a great hit in Indian cinemas. Many of us know John as a fitness proponent who has inspired thousands to not only build muscles but to also take fitness seriously. Recently, the actor also picked up a minority stake in Guardian Healthcare, the master franchise partner of the US-based health and nutrition company, GNC, in India.
John Abraham’s House | Villa in the Sky
Photo courtesy: Abraham John Architects
The actor’s sea-facing house is a representative of a wooden rustic treehouse. The duplex apartment in Mumbai is a 4000-square penthouse that is located on the 7th and 8th floors of a residential complex in Bandra West. Called the ‘Villa in the Sky,’ Architectural Digest released that the design team of Abraham John – Alan Abraham, Anca Florescu and Anahita Shivdasani, combined two old apartments into one modern, spacious two-level flat and terrace.
The two apartments have been combined and interlinked with a chic wooden staircase. A floor-to-ceiling window in the living room overlooks the Arabian Sea and accounts to be one of the most attractive features of the property. The actor’s house has been designed with minimalist features and is mostly covered with modern but rustic accents.
It was designed by the Mumbai-based architecture firm, Abraham John. The actor’s house has a hi-tech glass-walled media room that acts as a boundary for the indoors and the outdoors. The luxurious penthouse has a garden terrace and a spacious wooden deck with a skylight.
The living room has low-seating furniture with wooden floors and a volumized rug. But trust us, everything in the house has a homely feel to it. He also has a comfortable seating area which has a glass centre table with wooden frames, perfectly blending with white lounge couches in cream and off-white.
Photo courtesy: Abraham John Architects
The kitchen area is stationed at the southeast corner of the house according to Vastu. Besides the beautiful ceiling spotlight lighting, the room witnesses immense natural lighting. It is a modular kitchen with black walls and a central dining table with long chairs. In front of the kitchen is a wooden cafe table with tree truck chairs and a bench.
Photo courtesy: Abraham John Architects
The balcony area of the house is quite spacious as it has a rustic wooden bench. By the looks of it, natural materials were used as interiors for John’s house.
Owning a home is one of the primary aims in life for most people. Many end up spending a major portion of their income and lifetime savings in building or buying a home. People with a healthy financial background can afford to buy a property with convenience from their income. But a majority of them require taking external assistance initially to do so. While some take the step of borrowing money from informal sources, many others take the reliable step to get a home loan offered by reputed banks.
Borrowing from banks to buy or build property is considered to be the safest and convenient way. However, there can be certain disadvantages as well, one of the most common ones being high interest on home loans. Home loans are one of the biggest liabilities that one can have, and it is important to carefully approach such a hefty commitment. This would go a long way in managing your finances well and prevent you from becoming insolvent. Below are 6 effective and clear-cut strategies to use right from the moment you decide to take a home loan.
Start with a larger down-payment
When it comes to taking any kind of a loan, it is best to pay a larger down payment. It reduces the amount and burden of paying back the money that you haven’t even earned yet. Even if you face a problem at the moment, consider paying more initially. If you generally run on a tight monthly budget, plan your next 2-3 months ahead of time. Reduce your unnecessary expenses and try not to run out of your emergency fund.
Try to avoid taking a loan against a low EMI
When you pay a higher EMI, your interest reduces significantly as compared to a loan taken against a lower EMI. Also, your loan repayment tenure becomes shorter which is always a relief. Often, people opt for a low monthly EMI that will not put pressure on their resources. But the truth is, by the end of their repayment period, they end up paying a lot more than they realise which is quite unfortunate. So, if possible, try and commit to a decent EMI plan which you can afford but also see if you can reduce your loan repayment tenure.
Consider paying more when you can
Often, you may have more money than you normally have. That could be because of lesser expenses during a particular month. So, consider paying more than the EMI amount when you can. It will go a long way in reducing the burden of a home loan on you. Because, on the flip side, there may also be times when you are not able to pay the EMI because of unprecedented expenditures. Try to see what you can do to maintain the balance.
Increase the Interest rate if you can pay more than before
At any point, you may turn out lucky and earn more than before. So, use it to pay more EMI. This will significantly reduce your tenure as well as the overall interest that you’d end up paying otherwise. The goal is to finish repaying your loan as soon as possible. But always track your expenses and don’t commit to an EMI amount that could potentially affect your daily life. Repayment may be your priority but along with that, it is crucial to not put too much burden on your monthly budget.
If there’s an option, make regular prepayments
In the initial few years, you actually pay more towards the interest and less towards the principal amount. Whenever you can, try not to miss any prepayments on due dates. The sooner you finish your prepayments levied towards interest, the better it would be for you.
Transfer home loan balance
If you feel that it would be better to transfer your home loan balance to another bank, go for it. Especially if you are not able to afford the current interest rate and if there is no way that the bank would reduce it, you can always look for another bank charging lesser interest and transfer the loan balance. Doing this will ease your repayment process.
We hope the above tips provided you with some helpful insights and will help in the long run. If you are thinking about taking a home loan, know that it is a serious commitment. If you approach the decision by keeping in mind the above-mentioned points, you will surely make the most out of home loan facilities. Also, ensure you keep checking out our blog to read helpful articles like this one and more.
For many people, their bedroom is probably one of those places that is missed the most when staying anywhere but home. It is the place where you wind down after a long day. You rest, relax and rejuvenate yourself every day and make yourself ready for the next day. It is a safe haven where you can be yourself.
In our previous two blogs from the series, “The Art of Vastu Shastra – Radiate Positivity”, you have learnt how to improve your living room and kitchen by incorporating Vastu tips. Today’s blog will help you work on your bedroom by adding significant Vastu Shastra tips. Sometimes, people end up disturbing the energy balance of a room for the sake of aesthetics. It is often seen that people unknowingly do this to their bedrooms as well.
Keep reading this post till the end to learn about some of the easiest and the most effective Vastu remedies that you can immediately apply to your current room. And the best thing is, you will also learn about a remedy which you can use if you cannot make any changes to your current bedroom due to space constraints.
The Best Direction for Bedroom
Directions to choose: Vastu says that bedrooms are best built in the southwest as it is associated with prosperity and good health to the owners. Even the north is considered lucky for everyone. Children’s bedrooms can be located in the east or northwest. It is said to give them a sharp intellect.
Directions to avoid: Southeast and Northeast. Also, avoid the centre of the house i.e., the “Brahmasthan.” This is the place through which energy flows continuously. That is not something that you would desire for a place meant for resting.
The Ideal Bed
Vastu says that a square or rectangular shaped wooden bed is considered the best. Wrought iron beds are very harmful to your health as they can interfere with the magnetic field of your body and can lead to serious health issues. Also, avoid using two single mattresses to fit into one double bed.
The Ideal Bed Placement
Your bed must be placed with its head towards the east or south. It is desirable to place your bed against the wall in the south or the west so that your legs point towards the north or the east when you lie down. Avoid sleeping with your legs pointing towards the south. Vastu is also against the placement of a bed in the corner as it restricts the free flow of energy. It must be placed along the central part of the wall. Ideally, you should be able to get down from both the left and right sides of the bed.
Placement of Mirror
Having a dressing table in the bedroom is common. Vastu emphasizes the fact that mirrors can amplify energy which results in restlessness and worry. So, make sure to place it in such a way that the bed is not reflected in it. If that arrangement is not possible, simply cover the mirror when not in use.
Colour of the bedroom
When it comes to bedrooms, it is best not to have too many distracting colours and patterns on a bedroom wall. Vastu recommends using light or pastel colours as they are soothing to the senses. Newly married couples can use a subtle hint of red. But, take care not to overuse it because it represents fire and can cause temperament issues.
Bonus Vastu Tips:
The usage of false ceilings may enhance the look of a room. But according to Vastu, you must be careful not to choose the one having pointed designs hanging from it. It causes bad sleep. Avoid skylight ceilings too.
If you have an attached bathroom, keep the door closed when not in use.
It is also advised for couples to not have pictures, paintings or artefacts of lonely animals or birds. Have things in pairs. Also, if you like paintings, keep the ones that represent love and togetherness.
Hope you made it to the end of this blog post. Before concluding, here is a simple Vastu remedy for you if it is not possible to make any changes to your current bedroom due to lack of space and other inconveniences. Simply place a bowl of sea salt or camphor crystals in your room. Sea salt and camphor absorb negative energy and are highly recommended as Vastu remedies. And needless to say, keep your space clean.
Do not forget to come back to our blog section as we will be sharing more helpful tips for your home and better living.
Like every space of your home, your kitchen too deserves a unique and pretty ambience. Right from the use of furniture to the kind of crockeries you choose, each addition matters. Similarly, the kitchen racks play a crucial role in beautifying your kitchen and helping you organise and store your containers and more.
While buying a kitchen rack or more is not at all a daunting task, getting a unique and stunning one can be pretty tough. So, here we have for you 10 of the trendiest and prettiest kitchen rack design ideas that you cannot miss and should get your hands on immediately:
Hanging Shelves
The open shelving rack design in kitchens not only give a large amount of storage but also adds to the aesthetic. Vintage pewter, porcelain and another tableware mix with everyday items like plates and glasses. The openness of the shelves further contributes to the space’s tranquil and spacious vibe while also echoing a period when most kitchens had practical shelves rather than banks of cabinetry.
Open Cupboards
When it’s hidden behind closed cabinet doors, it feels a lot less real. We understand if you’ve been fighting open shelving, but hear us out. If done correctly, it can appear outrageously sleek and completely controlled.
Free Stand Kitchen Storage
When it comes to kitchen remodelling, the kitchen storage cabinets get a lot of attention. They must be both functional and appealing. For every kitchen designing plan, items such as appliances, paint colours, and even cabinetry are crucial parts. This free stand storage allows you to use your kitchen storage effectively.
Glass Shelves
Tempered glass shelves are resilient, durable and 100% safe and secure. It gives a great stylish look to your kitchen. Individual compartments for glasses might be included, or it can be one large open rack. When the correct size is used, these racks are designed to reduce breakage.
Stainless Steel Kitchen Rack Shelf
These are not of very high range and are usually wall fitted, which helps take less space. As stainless steel is less likely to rust when it comes into touch with water or food, it requires less effort to keep cutlery clean and usable.
A Line Up Of Open Rows Of Kitchen Wall Shelves
To create a sense of space and to store and exhibit your valuable kitchen things, open the rows of wall-mounted shelves. Fix the brackets to the wall and arrange the shelves on top of them. For an ethereal vibe, use brackets creatively for an interesting feature or opt for floating shelves with disguised brackets.
Wooden Kitchen Shelves
Open wooden shelves will provide a unique touch to your kitchen. Given the great variety of wood available and the material’s versatility, you’ll easily find ways to incorporate wooden shelves into your kitchen — from the most basic to the most elaborate.
A Corner Kitchen Shelf
An open shelf is a terrific way to make the most of the corners of small kitchens that are often overlooked. A corner open shelf adds to the beauty as it runs along two adjacent walls and keeping it open makes it easier to reach those hard-to-reach places. Match the corner shelves to the rest of the kitchen and add a touch of glam by adding lights under them.
Floating Shelves
It’s impossible to go wrong with two floating wooden shelves on the wall just over the countertop. This style of kitchen shelving, which blends in with the traditional racks, is more on the contemporary side and never fails to add a professional touch to the kitchen. A floating shelf is an easy and economical way to upgrade your home.
Shifting It Above
If you don’t want to see the crockery and essentials at eye level, you can raise the racks. Remove the cabinet doors to create a sense of spaciousness in the otherwise cramped room and add ornamental touches that appeal to you to instantly change and update the kitchen.
We hope that these stunning kitchen rack designs helped you with your plans to revamp or give a stylish touch to your kitchen space. You can read more such amazing tips and tricks on our home décor section and ace up your home décor goals as per the latest trends.
