PHOTOGRAPHS, FOR A PICTURE-PERFECT HOME DECOR

Took a nice selfie or have an interesting photograph from your childhood? We tell you how you can use photographs to make a simple, yet, dramatic change to your home’s decor

Photographs are the most common medium, to capture images of the time spent with loved ones. Moreover, they can be used in interesting ways, to add a personal touch to your home’s decor.

An arrangement of photographs with your loved ones, not only brings back fond memories, but also helps to create a relaxing atmosphere, says Dhaval Dadia, director of HashtagDecor.

“Creating a gallery wall, is the best way to make a personal statement. Photo arrangements can either be in the form of a family tree, or can be placed in a creative layout on your gallery wall. One can even mix black-and-white photos with coloured ones of different sizes,” suggests Dadia.

Be Creative

Photographs can be displayed in various ways – by using different textures, materials, sizes and shapes, adds Dadia. You can add it to your home’s decor, by framing it and hanging it on a wall, or by placing it on a side table or study table. It can also be placed in nooks and corners of the house, to brighten up the space.

Home owners can also choose from a vast array of frames, to add a personal touch, points out architect Rajiv Khushalani, founder of Khushalani Associates. “Wood and metal are the most popular framing materials. Wooden frames provide a traditional and warm look, while metal frames are contemporary and bold. Acrylic and other eco-friendly frames are ideal for DIY enthusiasts and are best for casual and informal settings,” explains Khushalani.

One can shop for frames online, or buy from photo studios and curio shops. The most common shapes are rectangle, square, oval and heart (single, as well as multiple). Prices start from Rs 200 and go as high as Rs 5,000 for ornate silver and gold-plated ones, depending on the size.

Five Important Components

A picture frame should have the right balance of five components, maintains Khushalani.

“The first component is the frame. Second, is the board (the thick protective paper/canvas border between the frame and the picture), which is available in numerous colours. Then comes the backing, on which the photograph is fixed. The fourth component is theprotective glass face on the picture and last and most important, is the photograph/painting itself,” he explains.

Photographs can also be displayed in creative ways – on mugs, cushions, calendars, ceramic plates, wallpapers, clocks and tiles. “In my daughter’s room, the wardrobe doors have huge, three-feet frames, on which are her photos. She loves it and it adds a personal touch to her room,” shares Meera Sharma, a resident of Noida. Many printers and photo studios, nowadays, also provide personalised services. In terms of creativity, the sky is the limit, for home owners.

Tips to Use Photographs in Home Decor

• Do not put up photographs on a wall that is already cluttered with other objects.
• Place the frames at eye level and ensure that reflected light does not hinder the view.
• You can include photos of various sizes, by grouping smaller pictures around a larger photo.
• The colour of the frame can alter the mood of the space, from soothing to exhilarating. So, select carefully.
• The frames should be arranged in a logical pattern.
• Hang photos in common areas, where people can see them, such as dining rooms and corridors. Collections of photos also look beautiful on mantles, low tables and the work desk.
• Photographs can be displayed on wardrobe doors, soft boards and on refrigerators, with magnetic frames.
• If you plan to use an entire wall, you can opt for large-sized prints of family portraits.
• You can personalise a frame, by decorating it with beads, mirrors, brocade, crystals, jute work, gemstones, shells, pearls and ceramic work

RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS IN GHODBUNDER ROAD, THANE Contact PRESTIGE RESIDENCY sales office to Know More @ 022 25985951 - 55

Prescon Realtors & Infrastructures Private Limited

   

201, Prestige Precinct, Near Nitin Casting, Almeida Road, Panchpakhadi

Thane West - 400601

Phone: 91-22-25985951-55

Email: prescon@prescon.in   

TOP NEW YEAR RESOLUTION FOR YOUR HOME

New Year is that time of the year when you make resolutions. Whether it is your home, profession or personal front - starting afresh is the best way to welcome a New Year. So, what are the common New Year resolutions for home owners?

From using recycled material to managing unused space, people take various kinds of New Year resolutions for their home. New Year is the time when people decide to start afresh, not only in their life but also for their surroundings, including their home. Your home too requires your personal attention and what better time to take care of your home than the start of the year. Taking resolutions for your home this year can not only make it more livable but also beautiful, efficient and clean.

Based on valuable feedback from industry stalwarts, we brings to you some of the top New Year Resolutions for your home:

Streamline stuff

Every year, we all collect a heap/stack of stuff that is of no use. This creates a clutter and jammed drawers and cupboards, making it difficult to find the stuff that we use the most. Plan to clear each and every room and discard or donate things (old clothes and books) that are of no use. Keep things that bring in positive energy.

Proper ventilation

Most of the people forget that kitchens, toilets and bathrooms are the biggest sources of moisture and generate unpleasant odors. It becomes even more important to install an exhaust fan and clean the drain frequently which most of us do not do. Clean the grill, blades and vent of the exhaust fans twice a year. If you have windows in your bathroom and kitchen, open it regularly and let fresh air come in.

Remodel areas you love

In the beginning of the New Year, everyone plans to give a new look to certain areas of their home but before doing so, ask yourself if this is actually required. Invest in areas where you spend most of your time rather than wasting your hard-earned money on remodeling your home every year.

Reduce Carbon footprint

The simplest way to reduce carbon footprint is:

• Switching off the lights, fans and ac when you leave the room/not in use.
• Insulating your home properly and sealing any drafty area
• Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED
• Using energy efficient home appliances with star energy star label like refrigerator, ac and microwave
• Installing solar panels on top of the roof of your home. This will initially cost more but will be cost effective in the long run

Manage unused space

With the changing lifestyle of people and reducing size of apartments, space management becomes equally essential. "Open kitchen with attached dining table are in trend these days. The reason being that they are installed with tall units and Dispensa accessories that offer brilliant space usage," says Sandeep Kumar, Founder & CEO, Floorspace. In addition to this, wall units stretching up to the ceiling is another way of making optimum utilization Floorspace. In addition to this, wall units stretching up to the ceiling is another way of making optimum utilization of this dead space.

Take eco-friendly measures

If you are taking some resolutions for your home, why not do something for the planet? Planting shrubs, flowers (such as agapanthus, lily or jasmine) or herbs like Tulsi with medicinal properties compliment the theme of your home, make it look more presentable and bring in positive energy.

Recycle old material

Add a fun touch to your home by using recycled material that is not of use. For instance, : you can spray paint on old tyres, hang them and add plants or use it as a swing. Color old paint tins and use it for planting flowers or use it as a decorative item for your home.

Paint your doors

Pay attention to the doors of your home as the color may peel off sooner or later. This will not only make them look unpleasant but also makes them fragile. Hence, it is important to take care of the doors. Painting doors not only makes them annpalinp hut also inrrpasps their durability.

RESIDENTIAL PROJECT NEAR YEOOR HILLS THANE Contact PRESTIGE RESIDENCY sales office to Know More @ 022 25985951 - 55

Prescon Realtors & Infrastructures Private Limited

   

201, Prestige Precinct, Near Nitin Casting, Almeida Road, Panchpakhadi

Thane West - 400601

Phone: 91-22-25985951-55

Email: prescon@prescon.in   

STAMP DUTY IS COMPULSORY DURING PROPERTY REGISTRATION

Stamp duty is mandatorily payable upon registration or transfer of property. Those investing their money need to be cautious about future obligations and such clauses

Stamp duty is a compulsory obligation payable on the document which encapsulates the transfer of immovable property, such as real estate. Home buyers are required to pay this when registering the agreement for sale. “Different rates of stamp duty are payable in different states, depending on the legislation prevalent in that state,” points out Ameet Hariani, managing partner, Hariani & Co. “In Maharashtra for instance, the Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958, regulates the different rates of stamp duty payable on the various instruments of transfer of immovable property.” In Maharashtra, the stamp duty is equivalent to 7% of the transaction value or the ready reckoner value – in case, the transaction value is lower than the ready reckoner value.

Discounts

To promote sales, some developers are offering stamp duty discounts such as:

• Sellers splitting the stamp duty amount with the buyers.
• Sellers allowing buyers to pay half of the amount initially and the other half, later.

Commenting on stamp duty offers, senior chartered accountant, HS Aneja, an FCA and proprietor of HS Aneja & Company, explains that “In case the seller is offering the discount on the payment of stamp duty, a clause mentioning the same should be incorporated in the agreement to sell, or any document constituting the agreement to sell. Above all, in case of offers, the buyer should ensure at the time of the registration of the sale deed, that the title of the house is clearly transferred in the name of buyer, without any condition of future obligations.”

Experts point out that stamp duty needs to be paid before or at the time of execution of the document or immediately thereafter. If the document isn’t adequately stamped, it becomes impermissible as evidence in the event of a dispute. For example, the document may be impounded by an authority under the Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958, until the stamp duty along with the penalty, is paid by the concerned person. As per the law, it is the onus of the purchaser of a home to adequately stamp the document.

Should buyers accept a full waiver of stamp duty?

Generally, it is the buyer who pays the stamp duty but it can be paid by the seller as well. The rate of stamp duty varies according to different assets, and it is either fixed or ad valorem – the rates of stamp duty are in proportion to the nature of the assets and their sales consideration.

“Buyers can accept a full waiver of stamp duty by the seller, provided the title of the property is not affected. At the same time, the buyer should also examine that the title of the property is free from hidden and future obligations. In fact, the stamp duty is paid only for getting the title of the property transferred in the name of the buyer, in an authenticated manner” opines Aneja.

Experts emphasise that the registration of a document which transfers the rights of an immovable property, is compulsorily required to be stamped under the Registration Act, 1908, that is applicable all over India. Without registration, a document for sale, or purchase of immovable property, is incomplete, and does not transfer the title of the asset.

RESIDENTIAL PROJECT NEAR YEOOR HILLS THANE Contact PRESTIGE RESIDENCY sales office to Know More @ 022 25985951 - 55

Prescon Realtors & Infrastructures Private Limited

   

201, Prestige Precinct, Near Nitin Casting, Almeida Road, Panchpakhadi

Thane West - 400601

Phone: 91-22-25985951-55

EASY WAYS TO SPRUCE UP YOUR BALCONY GARDEN

Looking for easy ways to spruce up the balcony garden in your apartment? Here are 7 fun, inexpensive tips!

Get some furniture specially designed for use in balconies, maybe a centre table and a couple of chairs or a reading sofa.If you are on a tight budget, you could turn some wooden crates into comfortable seating and table arrangements for your balcony!

Light up your balcony with soothing lights. You could use Christmas lights, paper lanterns, little glass chandeliers or small lanterns.

Putting some traditional Indian lamps or strings of lights in your balcony could do wonders to the way the place looks. A simple string of lights is also enough to turn even the simplest of furniture and decor pieces into a glamorous and romantic setting!

Even with quite a few potted plants, bare railings around the balcony give a wide scope to have a charming balcony garden design. Fix up a few planters on the railings, as many or as few as you like, choosing from the variety of plants available in different shapes and colours.

Dedicate a space for balcony gardening to grow different kinds of herbal plants. Many herbs aren’t easily available in the market and growing your own plants like rosemary, oregano, thyme or lemongrass isn’t difficult at all.

Choose little quirky decor items to add to your balcony – a small rug here, a ceramic frog there, a watering can to place it in a corner, a curtain for the window, or a few cushions for your reading sofa.

Get a bed or litter box for your pet, so they can enjoy your balcony garden with you!

RESIDENTIAL PROJECT NEAR YEOOR HILLS THANE Contact PRESTIGE RESIDENCY sales office to Know More @ 022 25985951 - 55

Prescon Realtors & Infrastructures Private Limited

   

201, Prestige Precinct, Near Nitin Casting, Almeida Road, Panchpakhadi

Thane West - 400601

Phone: 91-22-25985951-55

Email: prescon@prescon.in