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DO YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR GARDEN, KITCHEN OR BATHROOM IN THE MONSOONS?

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Our previous post spoke about how you could care for your home during the monsoons. Today, we will share a few more simple tips that will help you enjoy the rains sitting in a green garden or balcony. And how you can keep your kitchen & bathroom smelling great and free from mildew.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR HOME GARDEN IN THE RAINS

Not everyone has a green thumb. But the rainy weather is your best friend if you want to grow something in your garden. Just keep in mind a few dos & don’ts and you can enjoy this awesome weather amidst thriving green surroundings.

Rain-Proof Your Outdoor Deck!

If you have patio seating, ensure that it all-weather-proof outdoor furniture. You could use weather-proof polish on wood or get furniture in materials like wrought-iron, plastic, rattan or synthetic leather.

If you have a balcony that is partially covered, put it blinds that that keep away the rain water from. You can choose from a variety of options like bamboo or PVC-chiks or even transparent ones depending on your preference for fibre and finish. You could also install retractable awnings.

You can brighten up a gloomy day by add some color with artificial grass that can withstand rain. You can add bright cushions too – these can easily be carried indoors when not in use and hence saved from rainwater.

Avoid Over Watering

Be it a lawn garden or in a balcony, all of us have been guilty of overwater at one time or the other. Since the moisture content is already very high during this season, pay attention to how much water you are feeding your plant. Some plants don’t even need watering every day! Make sure there is no stagnant water by choosing well-draining bright pots and planters. This will help avoid root rot, keep away the mosquitoes and related ailments.

Prune Away!

Only when you prune, do you make way for new life to start on your plant. So snip away at the right places and watch the green shoot-out & flourish!

Befriend Your Natural Gardener!

Frogs, toads, earthworms – while they may make us go EWWWW they help your garden thrive as they keep away insects, pests and help to keep the soil fertile.

MODULAR KITCHEN CARE FOR THE MONSOON

Wiring? Leaks? Check

The moisture affects the electrical wiring and sockets. And your kitchen is a space that has many of these because of the appliances that are used. Make sure you do a check of these periodically to avoid any accidents or malfunction.

Check for water leaks in the kitchen, especially under the kitchen sink cabinet. These can have water leaks which could lead to mildew in the weather. Similarly, check for any holes or gaps and fix them with cement as monsoon attracts ants as well.

Food Storage

If you have open packets of snacks, chips, biscuits or pulses, seal them in airtight containers or zip lock pouches. You can also place small packs of silica gel as these absorb moisture.

Clean & Disinfect

Monsoon attracts a lot of germs. Always wipe down your kitchen counter tops and keep them free of moisture. Use natural disinfectants like citronella or neem essential oil that also keeps away bugs.

Aromatic Kitchen

The damp odour that is typical of the wet weather may be common in some kitchens which don’t have good ventilation. The natural aroma of freshly brewed coffee or a cake in the oven or some hot yummy food on the stove covers the smell of mildew to a large extent. For other times, keep perfumed bath salts in cabinets or burn essential oil to ensure that your kitchen is always smelling good.

TIPS FOR BATHROOM MAINTENANCE DURING MONSOONS

Strange but true fact – this is an area of the house which offers peace and comfort due to its privacy. Hygiene is of utmost importance and needs extra attention in the rainy season.

Electrical Connectivity Check

Here too, a wiring and electrical check is mandatory. Ensure your exhaust fan is work as this help air out the closed space of the bathroom and keeps the air circulating. Check your geyser is working well – you can enjoy luxurious dip in a bathtub of hot water in this damp weather!

Mats and Shower Curtains

Remove cloth foot mats as these don’t dry well in the rains and can give out a damp smell. Replace them with all-weather anti-skid bath mats. Similarly, ensure your shower curtains are dry and aired well to avoid fungus.

Bathroom Décor

Finally…pay special attention to the décor. Personalise your bathroom and create a soothing ambience by adding a few things. You can add a small pot of plant like Orchids which love the humidity of the bathroom or a Snake Plant or Aloe Vera which helps purify the air. Add small pots of aromatic bath salts or potpourri & burn scented candles. These not only make your bathroom look chic but also ensure that it smells great!

What are the other things that you do to maintain your garden, kitchen or bathroom during the rainy season? Do write in with your tips!

Indoor Zen Garden and Balcony Garden

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A Zen Garden, or a Japanese Rock Garden is a stylised garden created through a careful arrangement of sand, rocks, bushes, moss and water. Zen Gardens were originally created with the intention to imitate and recreate the feel of nature, in a miniature version that would aid in meditation and maintaining peace.

The newest growing trend is an Indoor Zen Garden within homes or in office spaces. Indoor Zen Gardens may be set up in a small corner, or even in a flat bowl.

Unlike the open space Zen Gardens, Indoor Zen Gardens are easier to set up and require lesser elements.

The two basic elements are required for an Indoor Zen Garden are rocks and sand. Small plants like Bonsai or succulents may also be added for aesthetic.

The sand used in Indoor Zen Gardens is fine sand. Sometimes, white sand is also used as it creates an appealing colour scheme.

The rocks used may be river rocks, or decorative glass rocks. This depends on the discretion of the individual. The rocks are generally either place one on of the other, with the largest rock at the bottom and the smallest rock at the top. Alternatively, the rocks may be kept in a line formation. The size and placement of the rocks may depict different things in the Japanese culture.

Keep in mind, that the formation and combination of sand, rocks and plants should not overcrowd the Zen Garden, and cause it to lose its essence.

Since Indoor Zen Gardens are much smaller and cosier, they are usually ideal for relieving stress and calming the mind.

Japanese Balcony Gardens are ideal gardens in a modestly sized balcony. They are also good for small space gardening. It permits full utilisation of the balcony space. Japanese Balcony Gardens are known for being a serene space with a minimalistic layout and presentation.

The inspiration of a Japanese Balcony Garden is Nature. The essence of the Garden is to create a space within the house where different elements of nature can be seen in harmony.

Nature is known to have a calming effect on the fast-paced human mind and the Japanese Balcony Garden attempts to calm the mind and relieve stress.

The elements seen in the Japanese Garden include stones, water or sand and plants. In the Japanese Garden, unlike the Zen Garden, has no specific symmetry or formation that the different elements have to be place in.

The elements in the garden depict different things.

For instance, Water symbolises life, and brings life to the garden. Water may be replaced by sand or gravel. Stones symbolise eternity and strength. Green plants depicts longevity and adds a longer life to the arrangement.

Rocks, in any type of Japanese Garden are a fundamental element that represents mountains, or are seen as a symbol of the figure of Buddha.

In both Indoor Zen Gardens and Japanese Balcony Gardens, a small statue of Buddha may be added to add an element of tranquillity.

12 EASY MONSOON CARE TIPS FOR YOUR HOME!

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BRIGHTEN UP A GLOOMY DAY – MAKE YOUR HOME WARM & INVITING!

Monsoon is here and it is a wonderful weather where we all would love to enjoy a hot cup of masala chai with some spicy pakodas! It is the ideal weather to curl up, just be and enjoy the nature is all it’s soaked up green glory!

While most of us love this weather, our homes do not feel the same way and need special care and maintenance in the monsoon season. Here are a few home care tips for the monsoon to prevent moisture damage indoors and to lift your spirits!

ENTRANCE & FOYER DÉCOR TIPS FOR THE MONSOON

  1. Use coir or all-weather doormat at the entrance. This helps absorb rainwater and mud from the shoes even before you enter the house.
  2. Keep an umbrella/raincoat stand near the door. This will come in handy to leave the wet things at the entrance itself instead of getting them indoors and leaving a trail of rainwater. If you have space outside your main door, you could place them there. Else, just place them at the entry foyer. A shoe rack too could be placed here with some silica gel to keep away the musty smell.
  3. Put up a floating wall shelf or an accent table near the entryway. Create a caddy to keep your face masks (which is a MUST HAVE in these times) and hand sanitizers. This way you or your house helps or any visitors can ensure sanitization before you enter the living room area or the rest of the house. Your masks also have a designated place to be stored without getting tossed around the house. This is not just for the monsoon but can be followed as a safety tip all through the year. You could also keep a small bowl or glass jar of potpourri – this not only adds a pop of color but also gives out a pleasant smell and masks any musty odors from the wet umbrellas /coats /shoes.

INTERIOR DÉCOR & CARE FOR THE MONSOON

  • Monsoon is synonymous with dull gloomy weather. Brighten up your home with a simple change in furnishing. Add brightly colored curtains or cushion covers to brighten up your living room. You could also add some paintings or wall decorations. Bring in some freshness with flowers – use up vases or wine bottles to place some long-stemmed seasonal flowers or place a brass urli, add some water, float some candles & tiny flowers to give the room a new and fresh look.
  • Sometimes there is a musty smell that lingers because of all the moisture in the air during this season. Make sure you air out your home well with cross ventilation. If you have areas with sunlight streaming in, make use of it, and open up the blinds. Let your home soak in the warmth and light. To mask the smell, you could also use a dehumidifier or a diffuser. Just add a few drops of natural essential oils like Citronella or Lemongrass to the water and it will leave your house smelling fresh! You could even burn camphor in the diffuser if you don’t have essential oils.
  • Carpets and Rugs are difficult to clean and maintain in the monsoons. Put these away for the season and use ones made of bamboo or coir similar material for an earthy feel. If you can’t put them away, ensure you air them out in indirect sunlight regularly.
  • Your furniture also needs special attention in the monsoons. If you have wooden furniture, this season could attract termites and pests. Use neem oil / leaves or cloves available at home as natural repellents. Move furniture away from walls and windows, wherever possible. Don’t use a wet cloth to wipe down furniture – instead, oil-clean them regularly and use a dry cloth to dust them every day. Upholstered furniture also needs to be kept away from wet cloth during this time. Use fabric deodorants on your upholstery.
  • Remember those tiny packets of silica gel that come with your packages? They are your best friends this season. Don’t throw these out – start collecting them in a jar. They can be placed inside open food packets or spice jars to keep them fresh. Put them inside shoes to keep out the smell. Place a few in your cupboard to keep the moisture in the air away from clothes. Put them in your bookshelf to keep them from going bad due to humidity. One tiny packet – multiple uses!
  • Do electrical sockets & wiring check. If you have not used good quality wiring, this could get affected because of the moisture and may pose safety hazards. Make sure to check your wiring across the house before monsoon sets in.
  • Monsoon attracts germs. When mopping your floors every day, use a good quality disinfectant. Choose a chemical-free natural one (like citronella based) to get a long-lasting freshnes
  • Check for leaks and gaps through which rainwater or moisture could seep in. Plug these in advance to avoid damage to both health and interiors.

Did you find these monsoon tips and hacks useful? Do you have any other home remedies that you follow for monsoon care? Do let us know in the comments below. We will be back soon with more monsoon care tips for the kitchen, bathrooms & your garden!

“Happiness is a small home, and a big kitchen”-Alfred Hitchcock

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The kitchen indeed is the heart of the house, and so the way a kitchen is done up in a house is of utmost importance.

While selecting a kitchen, apart from the availability of workspace, cabinets and storage space, the golden work triangle must also be taken into consideration. The Golden Work Triangle is an imaginary triangle that is formed between the sink, refrigerator and the stove.

A modular kitchen is a modern way of setting up a kitchen so as to suit one’s needs. Based on the type of house or requirement, there are several different types of modular kitchens to choose from.

GALLEY

The most popular kitchen type is the galley kitchen. The layout is two rows of cabinets facing each other creating a narrow walk way in the middle.

This type of kitchen also encourages economical use of cabinets. Additionally, there is ample space to store appliances and adequate workspace.

Added bonus: Since there are no protruding corners, they are also less prone to injuries.

ONE WALL

One wall kitchens are best suited in small houses. In this type of modular kitchen, all the cabinets are set up against one wall. Such kitchens utilise vertical space efficiently.

Alternately, also called a kitchenet or an open kitchen, this type of kitchen provides the joy of cooking in minimal space.

L SHAPED

An L shaped modular kitchen gets its name from its design layout. It forms an L shape since the cabinets form a perpendicular on adjacent walls. L shaped kitchens provide ample room for appliances, storage and a large workspace. The L shaped kitchen gives a good proportion for the golden work triangle.

L shaped kitchens also give the feel of an open kitchen.

U SHAPED

The U shaped kitchen provides 3 walls for cabinets. This kind of modular kitchen can be opted in a comparatively larger space, as it would make the kitchen look cramped if it is in a small space. U shaped kitchen provides a huge amount of working space and room for storage. The golden triangle is an easy fit in the U shaped kitchen, providing ease and efficency in the cooking process.

ISLAND KITCHEN

The Island modular kitchen design is gaining popularity among urban households. Island kitchens are a combination of one wall, L shaped or U shades kitchen along with a freestanding kitchen top which may have drawers and cabinets for storage. High stools may also be kept for an additional seating option within the kitchen. Alternatively, it may also used for keeping appliance.

The Island modular kitchen also requires a larger space for both the design and for adequate space for movement.

PENINSULA KITCHEN

A peninsula kitchen is similar to an island kitchen. However, whereas an island kitchen is a freestanding top, a peninsula kitchen is attached to a wall on one side. This extension may have cabinets. It may also be used an extra workspace or a table top to sit at. The peninsula kitchen incorporates the golden triangle too.

The secret to finding the right kitchen is identifying ones needs and deciding kitchen type based on what suits one the best. Afterall, when the food is the art and the cook is the artist, the canvas has to be selected carefully to produce the perfect masterpiece.

WFH SERIES – HOW TO MAKE THE E-LEARNING OPPORTUNITY EFFECTIVE!

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This year has brought the concept of eLearning to the forefront as most schools and colleges have started offering online classes.  The system of education is adapting rapidly to improve the learning experience for students while ensuring their safety. Many reputed institutions are also offering an array of courses with covetable certification for working professionals.

Online learning has several advantages like learning from the comfort of your study table at home, ample break time, more time for assignments, lower fees etc. For working professionals, this is a great opportunity to get certified for skills they have wanted to acquire but never had the time. Self-paced learning gives you the flexibility to learn alongside your professional and family commitments.

Needless to say, this online learning has its own sets of drawbacks like lack of face-to-face support, procrastination, need for self-motivation, lack of a study room etc. Here are some tips to make the learning experience more enjoyable and productive for you.

ENVIRONMENT IS THE KEY TO PRODUCTIVE LEARNING

Being comfortable is the key to absorbing what is taught. But if you get too comfortable, that doesn’t work as your mind tends to wander and you could end up snoozing. That is why a controlled classroom environment works well.

Make use of a study room if you have one. If you don’t have a separate home study, you can rearrange your bedroom interiors to put together a writing desk where all the related books, laptops, stationery etc., can be organized. 

Place the study table where you get natural light and fresh air, so you stay fresh and alert. When opting for additional light, ensure that it does not glare at your eyes or onto the screen.

Ensure that the table has proper electrical sockets nearby and receives good internet connectivity.

Keep it clutter-free so that you can get at what you want easily. You don’t want to be searching for notes or a notepad or a pencil in the midst of a class. You could get desk shelves or partitions to keep things in place.

Many students don’t have access to a computer but learn using smartphones or tablets.  Create a stand or a holder for the phone. This way, your hands will not have the strain of holding a device for a long time and you are free to take notes. You can create this by fixing a wooden shelf or plank at eye-level or even stacking books, on which to rest the device.

If you are sharing your study room, use earphones so that your lectures do not disturb the other person.

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LEARNING

Make yourself accountable for your learning – be it live online classes or recorded sessions for self-learning. One easy way to do this to make a TO-DO chart and set tasks to be completed with specific timelines. This way you will not miss out on any important deadlines. You could fix a whiteboard vinyl sticker to the wall in your room or on one part of your table surface. Put up what you need to do and erase as you complete tasks! By being organized, you can get more value out of your learning. Else, you can find yourself studying last minute before tests or submitting poor quality assignments.

TIME MANAGEMENT IS CRUCIAL

You could be a student who is taking extra courses or a working professional who is learning a new skill. Since this system offers you the advantage of time flexibility, make the most of it! However, if each course is not allocated a specific time based on your learning speed and other commitments, it can be easily forgotten or put off indefinitely.  Schedule a weekly plan on your desk calendar as a reminder for you to complete your course. Allocate specific hours in the week for assignments, video classes, extra research, studying etc. That way you are sure to complete your course even with your regular commitments. Figure out what works for you – some may learn well during the morning hours while others may study well at night.

DON’T GET DISTRACTED

This means turning off your phone (or the notifications at least if you are using your phone to learn), the TV, Music etc. Plan and finish important chores/tasks beforehand so that you can concentrate without any worry.

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST – SELF-MOTIVATION IS THE KEY!

Just because you are not in your classroom does not mean the classes can be taken lightly. Online classes are as much ‘real’ as classroom sessions. Though it offers you some flexibility, you still have to participate and take the initiative to learn to take advantage of its potential. Motivate yourself by actively participating in online sessions, joining study groups or discussion forums. Consciously collaborate and engage with classmates and professors to gain valuable insights.

What is your study room like? How did you make online studying more interesting and productive? Do let us know in the comments below.

Happy learning!