Archive Page 2
Given that the monsoon season lasts for a few months in India, there are many aspects that need to be looked into while considering home care needs. In fact, it is a good idea to get a professional to do an inspection of your home, old or new, prior to the monsoon and ensure that you find and fix the problems that keep recurring. Once they have been fixed, after the monsoon, you can plunge into the decoration aspect.
1. Seepage in foundation walls can be due to a leaking downspout. These problems should be corrected before the monsoon. The causes can be many, so corrective action can only be taken when you have determined the cause of the problem. Stop gap measures do not really help, as the problem is likely to recur the next year.
2. Termites are a major problem wherever water leakage or high humidity levels are a feature. They would require professionals to do a really complete job, but you would need to check the whole house for any signs of termite infestation, which tend to increase during the rainy season.
3. Some easy do-it-yourself remedies for woodwork. Put Camphor in your cupboards, it takes away the moisture and protects your clothes. Neem leaves are also effective against silver fish, which are a common problem in the rainy season. Cloves are an equally effective remedy.
4. Hardwood floors need maintenance during the rainy season. Make sure they are free from moisture and wax them to protect them. Moisture content in hardwood floors tends to make them warp.
5. Carpets, especially wall-to-wall carpets need to be vacuumed regularly with cleaners that will take away not only the dirt but also the moisture that seeps into the fibers. A good carpet cleaner will also keep them from getting a musty smell. Rugs should be rolled up during the rainy season, as they just get dirty if you use them. Ideally if you can wrap them properly in polyethylene sheets they are saved from water damage and insect infestation as well.
6. Waterproofing of the roof is essential before the onset of monsoon. Check that the drains are not blocked with leaves. Ensure that water is directed away from the foundation. Check the underside of roofs for leakage or water condensation.
7. Walls need to be checked for breakages and seepage. The exterior masonry should be repaired well before the onset of the rains. Paint on the interior walls should be checked for flaking.
8. Ventilation is an important aspect of home care during monsoons. Make sure there is enough cross-ventilation and fresh air coming into your home, otherwise the humidity levels will cause a general feeling of dampness.
9. Tile joints in bathrooms should be checked and kept sealed, especially in apartment complexes.
10. Keeping areas clean can prevent mildew and by ensuring that the moisture content in the air is kept as low as possible. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are a good way to reduce the humidity levels inside a home, but the best way to protect upholstery and rugs is sunlight. A good sunning is the best way to keep moisture from creating problems.
11. An investment you can make this year is a tumble dryer. In a country with such an extended monsoon, we should use tumble dryers, not only to ensure that our clothes do not smell because of moisture trapped in the fibres, but hanging clothes inside the house to dry is one of the reasons why the moisture content in so many homes is so many homes is so high. While its wet outside, you must think of every conceivable way to keep the inside of your home DRY. That solves half the problems that are associated with a prolonged rainy season.
12. Any major work in the home should be done either before the monsoon or after. That is the first basic rule of home décor.
Filed under: Articles, interiors | Leave a Comment
It may seem that all you need to be a good interior designer is a sense of aesthetics and a flair for design. That is a good start, yes, but it gets you about five feet forward in terms of your career. The first thing to do is to turn a latent, in-born talent into an effective tool. Just because you can figure out what looks nice and what doesn’t does not make you a good designer or decorator. You may know how to use light and colour, how to synthesize architectural elements with design details and how to integrate space and design, but that is about five percent of the work. Most of the real work begins when you come to the execution.
Some formal education in the basic concepts of interior design is absolutely essential. There are many schools, which will give you a basic background course, and most of them are diplomas, but they are all very elementary in terms of the knowledge and the skills they provide you with. You could either pursue a full-fledged course at a reputed institute, preferably one with accreditation; or you could learn by working with someone who is a storehouse of talent. Work with the best, work for free if you have to, because it will be worth it. But regardless of where you get the education and for how long, the one thing an interior designer must always remember is that one is a lifelong student. Every day gives you an opportunity to learn something new about the trade and explore another aspect of its limitless potential.
If you have an eye for design, make sure that is turned into an artful skill, by practicing at every opportunity. Read everything you can, observe design aspects wherever you go…make mental notes and if possible keep a journal with points you pick up along the way. There is no substitute for hands on experience so get into it as early as possible. If you aren’t paid for it, don’t worry…learn all you can and explore every opportunity to test your know-how. Because it will tell you all you don’t-know-how-to. Use your home and any space that is offered to you as a guinea pig. Work out your concepts and present your vision. Explore the dimensions of your own creativity before you ask others to entrust their money ,time and space to you.
Create a portfolio of your work. Try to do as many varied projects as possible. It will teach you all you need to know first-hand and also work as a showcase for your talent. Interior design or decor is about space planning, conceptual genius and a lot of hard work. While design is a major aspect, if you don’t have fundamental business skills, you will never be able to succeed independently. When you strip it of the design and glamour accoutrements, what you have left is a lot of planning and time-management skills, labour management, client handling, costing analyses and execution abilities. If you cannot transform what is in your head into something that is concrete, you are perhaps better suited to the drawing board.
Research every aspect of your trade. Find suppliers, understand products and build relationships. These people will be your backbone. The stronger they are, the more upright your standing will be professionally. They can get you better deals, which means you can offer clients a better deal, and that is one way a new kid on the block gets business. Once you are familiar with different styles, concepts in flooring, wall coverings, soft furnishings, accessories and art you must find the suppliers who will actually deliver the goods.
While you are meeting clients, learn to do one thing. It will determine your success as an interior designer. It is not your ability to design. It is your ability to LISTEN. Understand your client. Find out what their lifestyle is. Discover what their likes and dislikes are. Find out what they need and desire. You will find that it may not necessarily coincide with what you would instinctively recommend. Which leaves you with two choices. If you can find a point of convergence, try to assimilate their wants into your presentation as much as possible. If you find no meeting ground, you are better off recommending someone who can deliver the goods rather than work on a project where you will derive no satisfaction, and the client will offer no appreciation. At the end of the day your designing style and their requirements have to meet halfway. For it to be a worthwhile enterprise.
A smart thing to do while you train to become an interior designer is to specialize. You could always diversify later, but initially it is a good idea to find a niche for yourself. If you would like to do residential interiors focus on that for a few years. If commercial spaces are your cup of tea, gain experience in such contracts. If you think you want to be left only to design and stay away from the rest of the madness, then stick to just designing. If organizational skills are your forte, turn to project management. Find out what your skills are and then start honing them. Until you reach a stage when you can start honing another skill.
A good interior designer should be able to work well with anyone from the architect to the civil contractor. If you just want to do your own thing regardless of their suggestions or requirements, the simplest project will turn into a nightmare. At the end of the day, if you, along with all the others involved in the project, including your client, cannot be a cohesive team, the whole thing will fall apart.
If your creative genius can be coupled with practical ability, you are well on your way to becoming a successful interior designer.
Learn the ABC of being a good designer
–Integrate concepts and styles to give a unified décor
–Maintain a sense of equilibrium. Balance is the key.
–Know your field. Know your client. Never presume to be bigger than either.
–Never stop learning–Never stop listening
–Innovate. Don’t get trapped into predictable design.
–Never underestimate the value of good service. It tends to pay higher dividends than design.
–Time management and scheduling skills. Plan and execute.
–Coordination skills and being a team worker.
–Business expertise. Do an MBA if you have to but get your business concepts right.
–Patience–Eye for detail–Design Skills–Style
–Knowing the latest trends. Information keeps you ten steps ahead.
–Understanding different decorating styles, their uses and limitations
Filed under: Articles, interiors | Leave a Comment
Read my article in India Today Home
Copper is one of the oldest metals used by mankind. In one form or another, its use dates back 10000 years. It has a very long life cycle and its malleability has given us the opportunity to use it in different ways. While its biggest use has been in electricity, power transmission and telecommunications given that is a great conductor and ductile, copper has been used effectively in architecture and interiors over the ages, apart from decorative and artistic applications. It is an integral part of sustainable design because it can be recycled. In fact, all the copper around you has probably been used at one time or another in some form!! Less than fifteen percent of the world reserves have been mined and more than two thirds of the metal that has ever been mined is still used in one form or another today. No other metal is perhaps more environment friendly
Although it has been used for solar heating for water, the most eco-friendly use of copper that would change the face of architecture and construction is perhaps its use in solar panels. Photovoltaic cells made of copper could convert sunlight into electricity and power homes across the globe. In the near future, this is likely to become more prevalent as will be the introduction of smart wiring in homes.
Its rust resistant properties and ability to be joined easily allowed for application in pipes for plumbing, while its heat conducting properties led to its use in radiators, refrigerators, air conditioners and even cooking pans. In bronze and brass it found artistic expression. Architects have used copper for roofing sheets, tiles,gutters,downspouts and a multitude of other applications not only because of its longevity ( over a hundred years ) but also for its malleability, resistance to fire and water and its appearance—the patina being its most enduring visual feature. Shingles were used extensively for roofing in many parts of the world, not only for its practical properties, but its aesthetic attributes as well.
In modern textiles it has been used innovatively by weaving it with other yarns and creating fabrics that have a luster and interesting detail. Another modern application is using it for wall claddings, panels and furniture. Interior wall cladding is fast becoming a distinctive feature in contemporary interiors, with architects and interior designers using this metal in interesting and innovative ways. In furniture strips and decorative inlays of this metal are being used as design elements. It is also being used in decorative tiles for kitchen backsplashes, bathrooms and panels. Its use in the kitchen has gone far beyond pots and pans and now from the backsplash to the kitchen sink all the way to the hood, copper is becoming a trend .Cooker hoods which were primarily in stainless steel have now made way for their copper brethren, by making a style statement. Copper countertops are attracting a lot of attention in kitchen design as an alternative to corian, marble, granite and stainless steel. Because of its oxidation properties, scratches disappear over time and the colour has its own individuality that is constantly changing. Because of its anti bacterial properties it gets full score on hygiene.
In the world of window treatment hardware, copper has again created a niche in terms of its applications for finials and poles, decorative accessories and tiebacks. Copper leaf is increasingly used in gilding. Gilding itself is making a comeback in the world of interiors and furniture. This beautiful metal is also being used for fountains and waterfalls because of its patinated look. For those that want the copper to retain its original colour and shine, the clear coated option is also available.
Copper as a colour tone has also become a rage; primarily because of the metal mania raging in the world of design– a dash of copper/bronze is a recurring theme in modern palettes. The copper finish and verdigris treatment is finding it way into faux finish walls, lighting fixtures and decorative accessories for the home. Light fixtures are available in copper from extremely contemporary designs to the more traditional variants reminiscent of country cottages. Hammered copper is being used extensively for photo-frames and decorative lamp bases. Copper insets are being used in flooring design as well. It is absolutely everywhere in some form. In all likelihood, the use of metal in interiors will shift from steel and nickel to copper and bronze in the next few years.
An accessory that has become a fashionable trend in recent times is the decorative rain chain in copper, which acquires a patinated finish over time and becomes even more beautiful. It could not perhaps replace downspouts and gutters in areas which have heavy rainfall, but its usage in rainwater harvesting is perhaps not as effective as its appeal for garden enthusiasts. The Japanese combined practical use and inherent beauty to create something that is quite a charming addition to any home. Fireplace screens in copper and bronze are also popular but their use in India is limited.
Because of its excellent properties, this unique metal is an artist’s delight. Coppersmiths use it for interesting light fixtures, furniture and interiors—apart from sculpture and garden accessories which have always been the mainstay of Cu in the arts. In landscape lighting, copper is an ideal choice as a material, because nothing else will give such a range of dimensions and respond so well to climatic conditions over a period of time, in a manner that only serves to accentuate its beauty. Its resistance to corrosion and sunlight couple with a long life cycle are major factors making it suitable for extensive outdoor use. Our increasing ecological awareness and a desire to move towards sustainable design will see copper being used extensively in the architecture and design industry in years to come.
Filed under: Articles | 2 Comments
Tags: interior design, rekha nambiar
I was sent this link by Maria and I really enjoyed reading this post by James Curry, Executive Editor of Epicurious, who blogs about renovating his kitchen. If you have recently renovated your kitchen, or are planning to, I am sure you will identify with this article. I was recently was asked by a client if their kitchen could be completely re-done in 10 days. Here, we do not have the paperwork issues, but there are other issues. Cooking out of a microwave is not an option and Ranibai refuses to work in a makeshift place !! The design is finalised, and even though we do not have all the appliance options available in other countries, and there is a budget restriction —deciding on a new fridge,chimney,backsplash and flooring is turning out to be a whole project in itself 
This is what James has to share —-
So how’s the kitchen renovation going? S-L-O-W-L-Y. Here’s what I’ve had to face over the last few weeks:
Architect/Contractor Negotiations
I love the folks I am working with but they have questions, lots of questions. Not just: How much can you spend? But also: Do you want an island? (Yes, we want one.) Should the island have electrical outlets? A heat source? Wheels? Internet/TV like in the photo from dvice.com (uh, no thanks). Do you realize that moving plumbing and/or electrical outlets will devour your pathetic budget? And finally, are you prepared to cook exclusively with a microwave for a few months?
Asbestos Testing
It’s going to cost $500 (by far the cheapest rate we could get) to find out if demolition will unearth unspeakable chemicals into the air. Another few grand if the walls are asbestos-filled. Our house was built in 1910. My fingers are crossed. My stomach in knots.
Filing Paperwork
The city government will have to approve our plans. So our architect, Susan Sloan, has drawn the most detailed plans I’ve ever seen; she included shelves, lighting, and even nooks (technically “niches” on the plans). The finished design looks nothing like our existing house (a good thing). Soon, we file and wait for a stamp of approval. Or something like that. It is the beginning of many fun waits, I am assured.
Appliance Indecision
I thought I’d know which brands I wanted by now. Yes, we decided to go with a “French door” fridge, a member of the side-by-side family. We especially liked the CleanSteel GE Appliances 25.0 cu. ft. GSL25JFTBS recommended by Consumer Reports. But now we’re wondering if we should take advantage of one of those buy-a-bunch-of-our-appliances deals and select range, fridge, and microwave from the same company. Or is that a sucker ploy
Filed under: Articles | Leave a Comment
Tags: epicurious, james curry, kitchen, renovation
One Saturday afternoon, I was invited by a young friend to his house for an evening tea and on reaching there I found him reading a piece on New Media Art. My friend is nurturing an interest in art and art market for quite sometime now and often found him going through various articles in newspapers and magazines.
I found him to be lost in his thoughts, as if trying to figure out something. I couldn’t help myself but ask about what was in his mind, need I can help in anyway or not. He then asked me, ‘what do you mean by Interactive Art?’. Phew! There the question was out and my frown turned into a smile and made me think as to how to make him understand. He was just out of the college with commerce background and was interested in Indian visual arts was more for the rising market value of Indian art in the World Art market. So making him understand about Interactive Art and making him see reason of practising it was bit difficult. So thought of trying to make him perceive the art practice in a different way, so I asked him, ‘Do you know what is art? He said quite flatly, ‘maybe something which gives a person an aesthetic experience.’ I felt an urge to prolong the argument and clarify about what he said but decided otherwise and thought of sticking to the question he posed at me, initially.
To make him understand, I decided to split the word ‘Interactive Art’ into two – Interactive and Art.
Now, What is Art?
In the present scenario, defining art is one of the most difficult aspects.Art, be it of India or of any other part of the world, has always been a medium of communication between the artist and the world at large. With development of new techniques and technologies brought about by liberalisation and globalisation, the art of conveying a message got transformed, as a whole. The traditional form of writing, execution of a painting or be a performance in a theatre, got surpassed by the mixed culture of communication in the last decades of the 20th century. Today, Art is more of a language, where it is not merely a device for communicating ideas about the world an artist’s view but it’s rather a tool for bringing the world into existence with an aesthetical outlook.
My friend instantly asked me, ‘how interactivity is related to art, where the artist is already communicating with the people at large through various mediums?’
I smiled and realised that he knows about the word interactivity and its uses. Analytically speaking, Interactivity means an active participation between 2 people, or between a person and an object. This is an ongoing process. Interaction in every aspect brings about new realities in practices or re-defining an existing language of practice or creates a new language. Examples – An interactive session in a lecture hall, interactive Computer, TV and Video games and the most recent ones the Internet or the World Wide Web.
I said, most of the artist who practice Interactive art performs an exchange between themselves, the work, and the participants (viewers). It often emphasizes communication, process, and the building of perceptual systems. Today, many artists do not believe in the constraints of specific artistic identity. They stray freely in the speculative zones of science and technology, mysticism and philosophy. Artists are breaking free from the constrains of categories, intellectually and emotionally and creating new realities, new languages, new practices…
I was continuing with my talk but was was stopped mid way when I saw the same frown in my friends’ face yet again, and found him asking me, ‘is it practiced by Indian artist in a big way?’ I said, ‘the Interactive art is practiced in India by few artist and as an art practice it is still in a nascent stage, but its surely going to have a bigger platform in the future…ofcourse one cannot deny the fact that interactivity in very much there in our ritualistic and cultural practises.’
Now the smile which he gave me was really a convincing one this time…:)
Filed under: Art | Leave a Comment
Finding your colour quotient
As Holi, the festival of colour, is around the corner, I thought I would discuss the use of colour in living spaces.
Have you ever wondered why you never find people using blue in a kitchen? Did you notice that generally people gravitate towards certain colours according to the mood they are in, or would like to be in? We choose the colours in our home based on our notions of the mood that a particular colour combination will create in a room. The more open we are about out own preferences, the more defined the choice of colours in our homes will tend to be.
Colours can affect your mood from the moment you step into your home, so if you attempt to create different spaces you could always find some part of your home that would perfectly complement your mood on any given day.
Getting back to why we rarely see blue in kitchens, especially in India,I think perhaps one of the reasons could be that it is a cold colour and by consequence reduces the appetite. Interestingly, we do not food that is blue—-blue and black are more signs of decay or toxicity in food, which is perhaps why we do not associate this colour with kitchens. But blue is an ideal colour for bedrooms. Especially is you are looking for peace and tranquillity and there is a lot of natural light coming into the room. The colour is believed to increase a person’s level of productivity and perhaps that is why boys tend to be more active in rooms that are blue!!! To keep a room cool and contemporary offset the blue with pale grey, metallic silver and white. To make it warmer bring in tones of gold and beige. The particular shade of blue would affect your mood differently. An aqua is quite a different mood setter from a midnight blue.
Warm colours that suggest cosiness, abundance and comfort and commonly used in dining rooms, kitchens and entrances. Red, the colour of vitality and passion is a great accent and creates an element of drama wherever you find it. Used in the right proportion it brings a surge of energy into a space. It may be too overpowering for a bedroom, but the deeper tones of claret or the softer ones in rose and peach work well for sleeping areas. Pink the colour of femininity and romance is often used in girl’s bedrooms and works well with in all its tones.
Orange,an equally strong colour that requires selective use, is a great pep-up colour and gets you cheerful just by virtue of its psychological effect. In a small area where you could curl up on an armchair and unwind, it can give you that space that recharges your batteries.
Yellows and tones of orange and green work well in almost any space and the only variation that comes in is in terms of tone. Often used in kitchens greens, earth tones and yellows suggest the abundance of earth, and create an inviting atmosphere. Since yellow tends to speed your metabolism and can be overpowering, it is rarely used in bedrooms. In dining, kitchen or even living areas it works beautifully and brings in all the optimism it is associated with. Purple, is the colour of opulence and also peace, depending on how you use it. It heightens your creativity and smoothens frayed nerves if used in a setting appropriately. In depth and liberal use, it creates an aura of luxury and sometimes just the sheer luxurious abandon helps a person relax.
Neutral tones often dominate contemporary living spaces, in stark contrasts or subtle blends and make any space look more open and elegant. They work best in modern settings and complement with glass and steel. In more traditional décor, neutral tones tend to make a living space look bland if the right amount of colour is not introduced in accents.
Pastels are a favourite with most people, especially in tropical climates as they are not overpowering and the statement they make is very subtle. While they are easy on the eye, the warmth of the deeper hues is a far more effective stress buster.
Metallic tones are being increasingly used in homes to create an element of splendour and drama, and used in the right places, they serve as beautiful accents. They work best in ceilings, niches and bathrooms.
Deciding what colour to use in which space will also determine your own psychological response to that space and your comfort levels while being there. So, if you tend to have long lazy baths, make the bathroom and point of focus for colour. If the bedroom is where you spend time to relax, choose a palette that will comfort your senses. Perhaps, you may want to pay attention to the study or entertainment area if that is the place you go to at the end of a long tiring day, seeking to renew your energy. Whatever, the case may be, if you use colour effectively to suit your own temperament, you will find that your home replenishes every molecule of energy the outside world drains out of you. Without you even realising its therapeutic properties.
While colours are used extensively for design purposes and for the visual effects they generate, you need to decide which colours will create an ambience that will help you unwind and then take it forward from there. Find your colour quotient and use that to evolve the mathematics of a living space.
Filed under: Articles | 1 Comment
Tags: colour, interior design
Home furnishings are perhaps not accessories in themselves, but using decorative pillows, a throw or an interesting set of serviettes and napkins is a great way to accessorise. A new rug is often enough to change the look of a space. It will bring with it new possibilities of colour and theme and next time you go shopping, it will allow you to bring in some added elements into the room
Paintings are the best way to bring in colour and substance. You could make a large painting the stage for the rest of the setting and the colours and theme would dictate the décor style to some extent. It is important to decide on the theme in a particular room and then find the right furnishings to complement it. Framing is an important aspect and how you frame even an old piece of artwork and the manner in which you place it, can change the setting dramatically. To create a formal look, work with sets of paintings placed together in a symmetrical way. To achieve informality break the symmetry in a space. The kind of frame would also determine how casual trendy or old world a setting is. Appropriate lighting for paintings is important. Placed properly it will give the paintings in a room a defined role and they play their part accordingly. Small pictures, photos and prints may also be placed in groups in corridors hallways and niches and create points of interest in otherwise neglected areas of the home.<
Colour is not really an accessory on its own, but keeping colour in mind while picking up accessories would allow you to be a little more experimental and indulgent when looking at artefacts and accessories for the home. An interesting vase, a vibrant lampshade, a sequinned cushion or a hand-woven rug in unusual colours would completely redefine a space. Colour lets you bring in change and drama, and removing aspects of colour allows you to create more minimalist settings. If you keep it in mind it opens the doors of your imagination in many ways
Mirrors can be used effectively in corridors, above consoles and in areas with insufficient light to add some interest. They work best when they reflect something interesting like a textured wall or an interesting artefact
Filed under: Articles | Leave a Comment
When you are talking to your architect/interior designer, the first three meetings should have absolutely nothing to do with the design of your store. Ideally, what you should be talking a great deal about is given below. Finish the ‘Retail Workshop’ and then talk about design. When you read on, you will understand why. Ideally, you should also have your marketing and public relations person at this workshop.Put it all on paper. Read it . Talk about it. Sleep over it. Act on it
1. Talk about your corporate philosophy. If you do not have one, go get one. Without it, you will be swallowed up by the ghosts of retailing and thrown into a cauldron of bankruptcy by the wizards of the land of online storytelling.
2. Get into the depths of what your company is all about. Then move ahead and talk about what you want it to be all about. You will realise there is a marked difference between the actuality and the aspiration. Build the first bridge here.
3. Think about what you want the store to do for you. Yes, of course, it should generate sales and make you rich and all that–but get into specifics. Find out why a consumer should come to you and not your neighbour. If you haven’t found five reasons , work on that first.
4. Chart out your customer profile–the target, the present client base and the ‘avoidables’. You will have to cater for all three in the design of your store. The three of them will not necessarily get along, so you have to make sure each one does not realise the other two are also being thought about in the ‘design’. It is a challenge. But one that has to be dealt with.
5. List out your product line into the following categories
—-the showcase range : this is your ‘face’. Get the make-up right
—-the profit range: this is what keeps the fires burning and generates the numbers and profits.
—-the budget buy : to prove that you can cater to a budget buyer. Even a top end designer has a budget buy section. The section exists–the budget is all that is variable.
—-the impulse buy : things that consumers pick up on impulse. I have seen stores where these impulse buys are placed right at the back….bad positioning.
You could have more categories.In which case, list them all out and explain the significance of each to the designer. Remember, YOU have to make the designer aware of this. Understand the subtle and not-so-subtle differences in your products, so that they can figure out the accurate positioning.
6. If you have an active branding and adverising campaign, talk about that with the designer. It would be useful to tie that into the design and create a comfort level that results out of familiarity in the mind of the consumer.
7. Talk about the image in your head when you visualise your product in terms of a store. What are the colours you identify it with ? What style of decor does it have a synergy with ? What do the words trendy,stylish,fashionable etc mean in the context of your product.
Work on these aspects with your designer and you would have gone a long way in helping them create a design that would reflect your image in the most effective manner
Filed under: Articles, Retail Design | Leave a Comment
Tags: india, Retail Design
Entertaining at home
In today’s urban setting, most professionals are required to entertain frequently and while the social requirements often merge with personal spaces, many people are uncomfortable entertaining at home because they feel they are not equipped to do that. While catering is always an option for large gatherings, you may want to manage more yourself for quiet dinners and cocktails for colleagues and associates.
To entertain at home means a lot more than just organising a good meal. Here are some ideas that may help you turn the next dinner party into something people will remember
The first thing you have to cater for is appropriate seating. Make sure the placement of sofas and other furniture allow for people to move around and connect with as many people as they like. Keeping them flexible often means it is less of a strain on you as a host.
Keep nest of tables handy for snacks and for people to place their drinks somewhere. Coffee tables and end tables alone do not always suffice. Creating a small area where the snacks could be placed and well within reach and line of sight for everyone is generally a good idea.
A good bar is essential if you entertain frequently. Apart from stocking up on the required alcohol, you could also check if you have the necessary glasses, stirrers, napkins and other accessories. Keeping a few chairs near the bar is also useful for those who never stray too far from it. Making sure you have a proper bar also means that you do not have to lay out drinks on a table which makes it look more like a college get together than a formal party. The style factor on this one thing is something almost everyone notices. Having a good wine rack, preferable with a decent collection of wine as well, is another thumbs up!!
If your dining seating cannot cater for all your guests, then place the table in a way that allows everyone to help themselves to their dinner, and keep the seating separate, but do ensure there is a nice display in the centre of the table and candles/flowers would not be amiss either. Using an interesting runner would work well if you have coordinating serviettes and napkins. It goes without saying that the food has to be good, but you could also perhaps focus on the ‘display’ of the food as well. Think about colours and create a setting that is pleasing to the eye.
In fact if you work on lamps to set soft accent lighting and do not use any wall lights the entire ambience would change. Use candles and flowers to soften the effect even further.
Another place your guests are likely to check out is the powder room. Get some nice flowers and candles for that as well. A good set of hand towels, some nice bath accessories and above all an interesting décor in the powder room itself works wonders.
If you have a lawn or access to any open area, then create a seating there as well, complete with lighting and accents. Most likely, that is where the smokers will drift after a while and it helps to create the ambience that lets them feel comfortable and relaxed.
While music plays a huge role in defining the ambience you should place the speakers in such a way that you create spaces where people can just talk and another space where the wild ones can shake their booty. Putting one in the face of the other generally means no one really has a good time. And keep the dance area and the bar FAR apart.
These basic tips should help you throw a party at the drop of a hat, with relative ease and still create an indelible impression in the minds of your guests.
Filed under: Articles | 1 Comment
Lighting is perhaps the most important and dramatic element of accessorising. The kind of lighting used will set the mood of the entire room and create the play of light and shadow, warm and cool areas and visual geometry in the room. Whether you use the conventional wall lights and ceiling fittings, or have recessed lights and table lamps to light up an area would determine the entire look and feel of the room. Change just the lighting aspect and the room gets completely transformed. The right kind of table lamp, the appropriate placing of a light fixture and even the kind of bulb used, would contribute to subtle nuances of drama and subtlety depending on what you are striving to achieve. If you are looking for drama, romance and soft subdued lighting candles are the best way to go. Nothing quite compares with their appeal and the warm glow they bring to a room. Choosing the type of candle that is best suited for an interior space is in itself a whole exercise. But great fun and will never go un-noticed
Filed under: Articles | Leave a Comment
Search
-
You are currently browsing the Interior Spaces 24/7 weblog archives.
