Aug 9, 2018 | Blog, Buyer Concerns
Which is the best decision: renting or buying property?
This question concerns people who live in rental property. Buying a house is a big step and intimidates people who have newly moved to a city or is starting a family.
We have accumulated the advantages of buying a home over living in a rented property to help you make an informed decision why you should consider buying a property.
Capital appreciation: 
The value of a property always increases and the immense growth of real estate industry makes it even more lucrative to buy a property. Cities like Guwahati are growing fast in infrastructure and investing real market brings in great returns. One can make the most of the benefit if the property is located in key areas like Ganeshguri, Bhetapara, Dispur, Zoo Road, Athgaon, etc. Having a property in possession adds to one’s social status and it gives a sense of fulfillment for one’s entire life.
Tax benefits & Subsidies:
You can claim benefits on income tax when you buy a property. If you opt for a joint home loan, you and your spouse can benefit from lower-income tax, provided that repayment is done equally by both. Also, there are Govt subsidies like PMAY and Apun Ghar Schemes that you can benefit from.
Source of additional income:
Another big advantage of buying property is that you can rent it. It will serve as an additional income. The rapid requirement of rented house in Guwahati is increasing day by day. One can also use the rental to pay the EMI of the property if one has purchased it on loan.
Residence in the Capital City: 
Residing in Guwahati, as it the capital of the State, gives one access to many opportunities. Infrastructure is always an advantage when residing in the capital of the State. Good schools, better medical facilities, everything is easily accessible.
Modification and customisation:
Owning your home means you can modify it, as you want. You can change the flooring, add a chandelier, colour the walls, pretty much anything without having to ask anybody. The value of the property also increases with the slight modifications you make every time.
Investing in real estate is one of the best decisions one can make. Buy a dream house today and reap the benefits out of it for a lifetime.
Jul 21, 2018 | Blog, Home Hacks, Lifestyle
Why are wooden furniture preferred in most households?
Wooden furniture has a certain classic appeal to it that makes it timeless. It is still preferred than the metallic alloys furniture that require far less maintenance.
Wooden furniture is very popular and most commonly found accessory in Indian homes. It not only looks great, but can also last you a long time if taken proper care. Whether it is an antique furniture or a gorgeous dining table, all of them require care.
Wood is vulnerable to temperature changes, light and moisture. It’s very important that it is taken proper care from time to time.
How to clean wooden your furniture?
Below are some few tips for keeping wooden furniture clean and shiny so that it lasts longer:
- Use Protective Mats: An essential part of everyday maintenance is to place protective mats under them. It prevents the wood from scratching.
- Protect from dust: Clean wooden furniture on regular basis by removing the dust first. Attach a dusting brush to your vacuum cleaner to remove the dust. It prevents from scratching it. You can also opt for a soft microfiber cloth instead.
- Get the right cleaner: Always apply a specialized wood cleaning product. Follow the instructions on the label, and choose your product to suit the finish on your furniture. Avoid cleaners with ammonia in it which can cause long term damage to the surface.
Know about the wood and the finishing before you clean it:
Wooden furniture comes in a multitude of styles, composition and finishing. If you’re looking to give your wood a good clean some of the most common wood finishing types are as follows:
- Unsealed finishing: The cleaner should be applied with a cloth and not directly on the furniture. Avoid keeping the furniture wet.
- Varnish: It is sensitive to water as well. Dust with a slightly damp cloth. You can use a specialized cleaning solution when removing tough stains.
- Wax: It demands a soapy wood cleaner – always opt for a targeted commercial product.
- Paint: Its surface is not as sensitive as the other ones. You can use a solution made with washing up liquid to scrub it.
Things to keep in mind while taking care of your wooden furniture:
Keep your wooden furniture away from Sunlight: Direct sunlight is good for any type of furniture as UV rays can cause very quick and direct damage to wooden surfaces. It is always advisable to keep stuff away from sunlight and in conditions that are stable.
Taking care of temperature and humidity: Temperature and moisture are essential for managing wooden furnishings. Wood expands absorbing moisture and over a period of time excess humidity will lead to cracks.
Get them polished once every year or two by a professional: Polishing is a specialized job that requires care. This might appear as a costly venture, but the number of years it extends the life of your furniture will ultimately make it a profitable option.
Jul 2, 2018 | Blog, Home Hacks, Lifestyle
How are indoor plants beneficial for us?
Studies show that anxiety and stress are the main reasons of insomnia. Spending time in the nature reduces our stress and anxiety levels. What better way to bring nature to our bedroom in this fast-paced life, than to bring in indoor plants.
Poor air quality from pollution, odors and mold fungi can impact our breathing, thus making our regular sleep next to impossible. Sleepless nights can take their toll on our energy, productivity, mood and quality of our life.
How do plants help us to sleep?
Plants have a calming effect as it releases oxygen and improve the air quality inside our rooms. NASA did a whole study on how plants help in our sleeping patterns. So, plants not only make for a good looking interior but also bring vitality and health.
What are the plants that have calming and purifying properties?
We have compiled a list of plants based on their calming and soothing properties to ensure that you have a good night’s sleep.
Jasmine: This exotic plant has a gentle, soothing effect on the body and mind. As a result it reduce anxiety levels, leading to a greater quality of sleep. The positive effects of quality sleep are that you enjoy increased alertness and productivity during the day.
Aloe Vera: Listed as one of NASA’s top air-improving plants, Aloe Vera emits oxygen at night, making for a more restful slumber. It’s also one of the easiest plants to grow.It is very low maintenance and so doesn’t require frequent watering.
Peace Lily: Peace Lily is another of NASA’s superstar plants, helping to filter out harmful benzene, trichloro-ethylene, and formaldehyde toxins. It suppresses airborne microbes that can lead to allergies. A nice shady position and weekly watering is all the Peace Lily needs.
Bamboo Palm: Also known as a Reed Palm,this small plant is a fantastic air purifier. It effectively removes airborne smells and toxins. Not only will you be able to enjoy your home’s pure, fresh air during the day, but you will enjoy a fantastic night’s sleep too. Keep the soil moist and place the plant away from direct sunlight.
Jun 27, 2018 | Blog, Home Hacks
Store-bought Cleaners Vs Home-made DIY Cleaner
Our kitchen cabinets get dirty easily. From spilling to cooking oil to cake batter, our kitchen slabs are often covered in grime. Most often, we clean the grime and grease with store-bought cleaners.
Store-bought cleaners works fine. But they are loaded with chemicals. Using chemical cleaners for a long period of time may hamper our health. Secondly, we keep groceries on our chemically-cleaned kitchen slabs and cabinets. We may unknowingly contaminate our food.
Natural cleaners, on the other hand are free of toxins, are effective and affordable. They in fact, works better than the store-bought cleaners. Even better, if we can learn how to make a DIY cleaner at home.
How to make natural cleaner at home?
Vinegar is the go-to natural cleaner when it comes to cleaning kitchen grease and grime. Mixed with half proportion of water, it can clean even your toughest stains.
Ingredients that you will need:
- One cup white vinegar
- Liquid soap (to clean extremely tough grease)
- One tablespoon of baking soda
- Warm water
- Essential oil (optional, if you want to smell your kitchen really fresh)
Tools that you will need:
- Clean spray bottle or a bowl
- A sponge
- Clean dish-cloth
Steps to make the DIY Cleaner:
- Rinse out spray bottle with warm water.
- Add vinegar, a drop or two of liquid soap, and baking soda to the spray bottle.
- Fill the spray bottle to the bottom of the neck with warm water.
- If desired, add a few drops of essential oil. Essential oils help mask the smell of vinegar. Citrus oil make your home smell fresh and clean. You can use whatever appeals to your nose.
- Shake spray bottle vigorously.
How to use your natural cleaner?
- Wet the sponge with the solution and rub it in the kitchen slab, and on the outside of cabinet doors and drawers.
- Use a toothbrush dipped in the cleaner to scrub the handles, and the crevices of ornate trim.
- Use a second cloth or sponge dipped in clean water to remove the cleaner from all surfaces.
- Dry all surfaces thoroughly with a clean towel.
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.
