Friday, 25 August 2017

Points To Consider While Looking For A Luxury Home

Buying a home is an emotional experience. While you are busy finalizing the financial details; at the base lies the emotional connect you have a house. This is all the more applicable in the case of luxury house. When it comes to luxury house, there are several parameters that need to be checked and worked upon. This article takes you through some of these parameters that need to be looked into before taking the plunge of buying a luxury flat.

Furnishing/Amenities Offered – While a luxury home will have an escalated cost, it is essential to do due diligence of the furnishings (if any) offered. Also a buyer many a times expects some extra set of amenities to be available for the extra price that he/she is paying. Hence, it is crucial to find out the amenities that the house will/will not have and the same goes for furnishing.

Rate Offered v/s Resale Value – While a luxury home comes at a higher cost, one has to also keep in mind the resale value the house will get in the future. A buyer may not have decided to sell the house in the future, however it is always better to understand the options available to a buyer before shelling out the steep cost of a luxury flat.

Financing Options – A luxury home buyer has the required amount for purchasing the long cherished luxury dream home, however, he should still consider the finance options available to him to avoid going overboard. There could be sudden expenditures which can put a dent on the budget of a luxury homebuyer. In such a scenario, its best to get an additional amount of home loan sanctioned to have some cash handy in case of any exigencies.

Know Your Neighbourhood – It is better to get to know the locality a luxury home is situated in along with the connectivity options. Most of the time a luxury house is in a prominent location with good connectivity, however, without generalizing it is best to do ones homework to understand better what the neighbourhood has to offer.

Elita is located in Thane's prime spot Ghodbunder Road, a location with natural expanse. Elita has 22 storeyed tower and 7 storeyed eco-houses with 1, 2and 3 BHK fully air conditioned apartments.
El canto is Thane’s 1st musical themed living. We are building an aspirational and emotional connect with a surprise. El Canto is also located at Ghodbunder Road, Thane’s hotspot.

Today, the Dedhia Group is a family of 2500 happy home owners pushing us farther into the path of excellence and dedication. Our source of inspiration and service satisfaction- our customers have always been the sole reason we dream every day for creating skylines that dot the cityscape of tomorrow. Book your dream home in El canto & Elita for a good lifestyle.  

Tuesday, 15 August 2017

7 Sophisticated Paint Colours to Try

Ready for a shade that doesn’t rhyme with beige? Try one of these rich hues for your next room makeover

1. Navy - You can’t get much more classic than navy. This hue is getting more play on kitchen cabinetry, a welcome departure from the all-white kitchens that have dominated in recent years. Try navy on lower cabinets in the kitchen, on built-in bookcases, as an accent wall or as an allover wall colour in a compact space like the study, bath or laundry room.

2. Milk chocolate - A light brown that’s warm but not too warm, this hue looks especially sophisticated on woodwork. Milk chocolate pairs well with ivory, plum, taupe and deeper shades of brown. Try it in the living room or bedroom.

3. Smoky blue - Like a moody sky or turbulent sea, this colour is rich and dramatic. And because it’s strong without being overpowering, it works equally well as an accent or main colour. Try smoky blue in the dining room, mudroom, bath or kitchen alongside crisp white, black and shades of grey.

4. Buttermilk - Warmer than off-white but not as cloying as full-on yellow, buttermilk is a friendly, uplifting hue. Try it in the kitchen, breakfast nook, living room or anywhere you’d like a warm, cozy atmosphere. Buttermilk looks especially at home among natural wood tones, and including some black in the design for contrast keeps the look fresh.

5. Taupe - Looking for a baby step away from grey? Try taupe, which sits squarely in the middle of the neutral spectrum. It’s not too warm or too cool, making it easy to coordinate with just about any other colours or wood tones in your home.

6. Neutral green - With both grey (cool) and brown (warm) undertones, a green like this has a timeless, historic feel that works especially well with rich woods and warm whites. Try it in the living or dining room paired with wood floors and natural wood finishes.

7. Purple-grey - Purples can be tricky, but a shade with a lot of grey in it is far easier to work with than others. Violet Verbena is a purple-grey with a soothing, not too sweet feel. Try it in the bedroom or bath paired with grey, cream, oatmeal and natural fibres.

Elita is located in Thane's prime spot Ghodbunder Road, a location with natural expanse. Elita has 22 storeyed tower and 7 storeyed eco-houses with 1, 2and 3 BHK fully air conditioned apartments.
El canto is Thane’s 1st musical themed living. We are building an aspirational and emotional connect with a surprise. El Canto is also located at Ghodbunder Road, Thane’s hotspot.

Today, the Dedhia Group is a family of 2500 happy home owners pushing us farther into the path of excellence and dedication. Our source of inspiration and service satisfaction- our customers have always been the sole reason we dream every day for creating skylines that dot the cityscape of tomorrow. Book your dream home in El canto & Elita for a good lifestyle.

Elita is located in Thane's prime spot Ghodbunder Road, a location with natural expanse. Elita has 22 storeyed tower and 7 storeyed eco-houses with 1, 2and 3 BHK fully air conditioned apartments.
El canto is Thane’s 1st musical themed living. We are building an aspirational and emotional connect with a surprise. El Canto is also located at Ghodbunder Road, Thane’s hotspot.

Today, the Dedhia Group is a family of 2500 happy home owners pushing us farther into the path of excellence and dedication. Our source of inspiration and service satisfaction- our customers have always been the sole reason we dream every day for creating skylines that dot the cityscape of tomorrow. Book your dream home in El canto & Elita for a good lifestyle.  

Saturday, 5 August 2017

How to Plan a Japanese-Style Kitchen

Pure, clean, uncluttered and balanced are all words that can be used to describe Japanese-style interiors. And what better place in your home to apply these looks and feelings than in the kitchen – a place in everyone’s home that can be busy, untidy, hot and cluttered on a daily basis.

There are several Japanese interior styling concepts and principles that we can apply when designing our own kitchens, to create a space that not only looks great but is a pleasure to work in.


1. Careful planning
Japanese houses tend to be small and compact, which means their kitchens, too, are smaller than what we may be used to. Occupants of any small Japanese homes have learned how to live in these spaces comfortably while still ensuring they have everything they need at hand.

The key is being organised. Carefully plan your space so everything you need within your kitchen has a place, to ensure you always find what you’re looking for, and that all of your cupboards and drawers are uncluttered and easy to navigate.

Write a list of everything you need to store in your new kitchen so you don’t forget anything and use this to help with the planning process. You might find you need more shallow drawers than you first thought for the likes of tea towels and utensils. Also measure your small appliances so you can plan wide and deep enough to store them off your bench top.


2. Wabi-sabi aesthetic
The aesthetics of any kitchen are important. Wabi and sabi are two of the key Japanese aesthetic concepts.

Wabi-sabi alludes to the Japanese art of appreciating things that are imperfect and transient. Characteristics of the wabi-sabi aesthetic include simplicity, economy, modesty, asymmetry, austerity and appreciation of natural objects and materials.

Simple, clean lines play a big part in the planning of a Japanese-style kitchen. This doesn’t mean boring, though! Instead, think streamlined and simple.


3.Shoji screens 
Shoji screens play a huge part in Japanese interiors. They are generally used as room dividers and are usually sliding as opposed to hinged, so they don’t take up valuable floor space. An authentic Japanese screen is usually made of fine translucent paper inside a wooden frame.

You can incorporate a similar look into your kitchen design using wooden frames or even painted frames with glass inserts to make entry doors, pantry doors or even small overhead cabinet doors.


4. Embrace nature with natural tones
The Japanese culture embraces the beauty of nature and that is reflected in the natural colours that they use to decorate their homes.

When you are planning your Japanese-style kitchen, select natural and earthy colours and materials such as timber, organic green and brown colours and natural stone. Complement these with soft whites and calming creams to create a soothing, Zen-inspired feeling.


5. Shibui principle 
Modesty is the best policy! If you are drawn towards photographs of pared back, minimalist kitchens when you flick through magazines, then a Japanese style kitchen is prefect for you – and you will love this principle.

Shibui is a wonderful Japanese Zen principle that basically means something is beautiful by being understated. In other words, the object or space being described is exactly what it is supposed to be, and no more.

Think pure and simple, elegant, minimalist, functional and beautiful without being flashy or unnecessarily elaborate.


6. Embrace the outdoor world
Japanese culture embraces nature. They respect it and live in harmony with it.
Add some plants to your kitchen space to bring the outdoors in – maybe in the form of some potted herb plants.If your kitchen is positioned in an area of your home that allows you to have large, fully opening windows and doors that break the division between inside and out, then go for it. 

7. Ditch the clutter
The aesthetic principle of Kanso refers to the elimination of clutter and omitting non-essentials.

Keep your kitchen design fresh, clean, neat and tidy by keeping unnecessary items off your bench tops
Strip back the contents of your kitchen cabinets to their bare essentials and you will have mastered this principle. You’ll be surprised how much space you can free up, and how much clearer your mind will feel if you get rid of all those appliances and gadgets you have never used or have retired to the back of your cupboard for the day you ‘might’ need them.

Elita is located in Thane's prime spot Ghodbunder Road, a location with natural expanse. Elita has 22 storeyed tower and 7 storeyed eco-houses with 1, 2and 3 BHK fully air conditioned apartments.
El canto is Thane’s 1st musical themed living. We are building an aspirational and emotional connect with a surprise. El Canto is also located at Ghodbunder Road, Thane’s hotspot.

Today, the Dedhia Group is a family of 2500 happy home owners pushing us farther into the path of excellence and dedication. Our source of inspiration and service satisfaction- our customers have always been the sole reason we dream every day for creating skylines that dot the cityscape of tomorrow. Book your dream home in El canto & Elita for a good lifestyle.

Elita is located in Thane's prime spot Ghodbunder Road, a location with natural expanse. Elita has 22 storeyed tower and 7 storeyed eco-houses with 1, 2and 3 BHK fully air conditioned apartments.
El canto is Thane’s 1st musical themed living. We are building an aspirational and emotional connect with a surprise. El Canto is also located at Ghodbunder Road, Thane’s hotspot.

Today, the Dedhia Group is a family of 2500 happy home owners pushing us farther into the path of excellence and dedication. Our source of inspiration and service satisfaction- our customers have always been the sole reason we dream every day for creating skylines that dot the cityscape of tomorrow. Book your dream home in El canto & Elita for a good lifestyle.  




Tuesday, 25 July 2017

Which Interior Finish to Choose: Wood Veneer or Laminate?

Two popular surfacing materials are on the frontlines. Know about their pros and cons and pick your winner

Wood veneers and laminates are among the most commonly used decorative materials for surfacing cabinetry, furniture, walls, ceilings and much else. Wood veneers are thin layers of wood precisely cut from a thicker log while laminates are multi-layered sheets of paper and plastic resins glued together into one. Both veneers and laminates are pasted on a sub-base of solid wood or wood composite plywood board or MDF (medium-density fibre board) that is usually the original surface (of cabinetry, tables, etc.).

Are you unsure about which one to choose – wood veneers or laminates? Read on for some clarity. In this blog, both will be judged on the basis of durability, aesthetics, affordability and ease of maintenance.

Wood veneer

Pro: Looks great.
 As veneer is derived from actual timber, each sheet is different from the other. Embedded natural patterns offer a more organic and high-end look, one that only a solid wood surface possesses. Wood veneers can accentuate any space; see how the caramel-toned veneer adds elegance and high style to the whole space!

Pro: Can be stained and textured as required.
Just like solid wood, veneer sheets can be coloured and polished to achieve the intended hue and grain that goes with the design theme.

Pro: Lasts long.
Though strength and overall appeal of the veneer application is largely dependent on workmanship, quality installations last long … and longer. Veneers are likely to stay intact for a minimum of 15 years if installed and maintained properly.

Pro: Is eco-friendly.
Veneers are a renewable resource and they go a long way in economically replacing solid wood applications. One log of timber produces a number of veneered wood slices, boosting its cost-effectiveness. Not only that, pricey veneer sheets can be backed by an inexpensive wood board or plywood board to achieve the desired rich look within a budget.


Con: Not resistant to stains and scratches.
Veneer sheets are softer than laminate sheets. Once the polish layer wears off over time, the veneer becomes susceptible to abrasions. The veneer sheet may bubble or warp if moisture seeps into the core material or if the top layer is exposed to heat. So they are not great options for kitchens, bathrooms and other wet areas.

Con: Requires timely polishing.
To keep up the lustre, veneers need to be repeatedly polished (a process of spraying or painting the polish material in order to regain any lost colour or texture). Depending upon the thickness of polish applied, the surface can be sanded and repainted to cover warps or tears.

Con: Some can be high-priced.
Slicing of veneer and installation of the sheets over any surface requires skilled craftsmanship. This extra effort makes them expensive in comparison to laminates. Furthermore, some premium veneer sheets can cost a bundle.


Laminates

Pro: Is affordable.
Laminates are machine-made products and are, therefore, easy to produce. Their cost of production is low and they are widely available.

Pro: Available in a variety of colours and designs.
Since laminates are pre-printed, one cannot find natural variations in the sheet like one does in wood veneers. However, other endless designs can be manufactured to choose from.

Due to availability of both glossy and rough textures, laminates can replicate almost all surface finishes including wood, stone, marble, leather and more.. Some digital printers produce personalised prints on the sheet too.

Pro: Is strong and easy to maintain.
Laminates are produced by compressing two or more layers under high pressure, resulting in highly durable and impervious sheets. Laminates tend to fight heat, moisture, stains and scratches better than veneers, making them easier to clean and take care of. Therefore, they are great for high traffic and damp areas like kitchens and tabletops. Most laminate manufacturers provide a minimum warranty of 10 years on their products.


Con: Looks cannot be altered.
Most laminates are coated with a thin transparent plastic protective sheet above the printed decorative layer. Unlike veneers, they cannot be sanded, stained or textured according to demands of the design.

Con: Is non-renewable and sometimes toxic.
A laminate sheet contains plastics and resins. Some resins give off harmful gases.

Con: Is prone to clipping at edges.
In most veneer installations, the corners and seams are sealed by the polishing material. On the other hand, the edges of laminate applications remain open and sharp. Inferior workmanship often leads to clipping and breaking of hard laminate sheets which can only be solved by replacing the worn sheet by a new one.

The above tips will give enhance & brighten your kitchen area.  
Elita is located in Thane's prime spot Ghodbunder Road, a location with natural expanse. Elita has 22 storeyed tower and 7 storeyed eco-houses with 1, 2and 3 BHK fully air conditioned apartments.
El canto is Thane’s 1st musical themed living. We are building an aspirational and emotional connect with a surprise. El Canto is also located at Ghodbunder Road, Thane’s hotspot.

Today, the Dedhia Group is a family of 2500 happy home owners pushing us farther into the path of excellence and dedication. Our source of inspiration and service satisfaction- our customers have always been the sole reason we dream every day for creating skylines that dot the cityscape of tomorrow. Book your dream home in El canto & Elita for a good lifestyle.

Saturday, 15 July 2017

5 ways to give your dark kitchen in a bright new look


Does your kitchen resemble a dark cavern from lack of natural light or because of its walls colours or dark cabinetry? A gloomy kitchen could impact your cooking. They say the heart of the house is kitchen. If not the heart of the house make sure that your kitchen is place where you can experience and create sumptuous food for the family. Read through these solutions to transform a dull and a poorly lit kitchen into a space you won’t want to leave.

1.Paint it white - White reflects light, which can help brighten up dull areas. Painting the walls and cabinetry white can create a seamless flow of surfaces that easily blend into each other. This will not only make the kitchen brighter but give it a feel of openness too.

2. …or mix with accents
Juxtapose your neutral walls with wood or brighter colours to liven up the space. This will energises the ambience with a subtle brightness.

3.Accentuate with metallic shine
A little shine is always good particularly if you have a kitchen that lacks lustre and brightness. If your budget permits, go for metallic cabinets. Alternatively, you can also bring in stainless-steel sheen with kitchen appliances like microwaves, refrigerators, chimneys, and so on.

4. Place a mirror, bring in a faux skylight
The lack of a window can make the kitchen a claustrophobic and dreary space. Hanging a mirror (or setting up a wall-to-wall one as shown here) can help reflect light and give the illusion of expanded space. The mirror can also double as a handy backsplash and perk up the lean and long kitchen. If you are up for a slight remodel, explore the option of a skylight if the layout of your house does not permit a window.

5. Declutter and organise
There is no doubt that a clean and an organised kitchen seems nicer and brighter than one filled with too many appliances and clutter. A clean and clutter-free kitchen brings a positive vibe and intensifies the available light. Glass cabinets are a clever addition to minimise clutter and reflect light, livening up the zone.

The above tips will give enhance & brighten your kitchen area.
Elita is located in Thane's prime spot Ghodbunder Road, a location with natural expanse. Elita has 22 storeyed tower and 7 storeyed eco-houses with 1, 2and 3 BHK fully air conditioned apartments.
El canto is Thane’s 1st musical themed living. We are building an aspirational and emotional connect with a surprise. El Canto is also located at Ghodbunder Road, Thane’s hotspot.

Today, the Dedhia Group is a family of 2500 happy home owners pushing us farther into the path of excellence and dedication. Our source of inspiration and service satisfaction- our customers have always been the sole reason we dream every day for creating skylines that dot the cityscape of tomorrow. Book your dream home in El canto & Elita for a good lifestyle.

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

5 Ways to Make your home a happy space for kids


From wrangling school bags and finding lost shoes before dropping the kids off at school, to the last kiss at bedtime (and just one more drink of water), life is a adventure with kids. We can’t prepare for everything but these 5 small changes can make the time spent at home with our kids a bit easier.

1.Stash kids’ books in the dining room
Keeping a selection of children’s books (and perhaps some drawing paper) in the dining room can help antsy kids stick it out a little longer at the dinner table. And between mealtimes, if the dining room gets more use as a play space, storing a few favourite books and games here will make cleanup time quicker and easier.

2. Hang a big wall clock to keep the family running on time
Analog wall clocks can help kids get a sense of how much time they have left to play (for example, “when the big hand is on the two, it’s time to put on your shoes") without as much parental nagging. And there’s a side benefit: if you usually use your phone to check the time, having a centrally located wall clock may help curb mindless media browsing (since checking the time on your phone can easily lead to checking social media or email).

3.Clear out a ‘scooter alley’
On rainy days, finding ways for kids to get their energy out can feel next to impossible. Enter scooter alley: a cleared-out hall or side of a room where mini vehicles have (relatively) free rein. The same space can be used for racing matchbox cars, laying out tumbling mats or unfurling a big roll of paper for a spontaneous art project.

4.Designate a temporary art display space
Feeling swamped by the amount of art projects coming home from school? Kids are proud of their work, so it’s natural that they feel reluctant to let you toss it right away, but that doesn’t mean you must keep every water colour and crayon drawing forever. Designate a central place to display favourite incoming artwork for a limited time. When new work comes home, choose something from the board to recycle (or upcycle into thank-you cards, gift wrap or bookmarks) and store only the most special pieces in an art portfolio.

5. Put a little table in the living room
Stationing a play table in the living room (or whatever room your family tends to hang out in) gives little ones a designated space for putting together puzzles and lego creations. Choose a table with a built in storage, and stash favourite toys inside for easy cleanup.

The above tips would create a better world for kids within the four walls.
Elita is located in Thane's prime spot Ghodbunder Road, a location with natural expanse. Elita has 22 storeyed tower and 7 storeyed eco-houses with 1, 2and 3 BHK fully air conditioned apartments.
El canto is Thane’s 1st musical themed living. We are building an aspirational and emotional connect with a surprise. El Canto is also located at Ghodbunder Road, Thane’s hotspot.

Today, the Dedhia Group is a family of 2500 happy home owners pushing us farther into the path of excellence and dedication. Our source of inspiration and service satisfaction- our customers have always been the sole reason we dream every day for creating skylines that dot the cityscape of tomorrow. Book your dream home in El canto & Elita for a good lifestyle.

Sunday, 25 June 2017

5 Reasons to Bring Jalis Into Your Home

Traditional Indian architecture developed in response to local contextual issues, such as the climate. Wind towers, deep overhangs, courtyards and jalis (lattices) and so on were used to bring cool relief to homes when temperatures soared. A jali is a commonly used element of architecture to combat a hot climate even today. It is a sheet or surface with small or large perforations. In the 16th century, the Mughals used intricately carved marble and other types of stone to create jalis, a very fine example being the Taj Mahal’s arched screens. They used jalis as railings, skylights and partitions, too.

With changing times, wood, metal and other materials evolved as alternatives to stone for making jalis. Manufacturers started building them from brick and reinforced concrete, too. Technology introduced laser-cutting machines and 3D printers, which made jali fabrication much easier. Finally, this made way for extreme customisation.

This multi-functional design element has many benefits, particularly suited to Indian homes. Let us dig a bit deeper…

1. Jalis cut down heat…
There is no denying that summer is unpleasant in most parts of India. Many of us rely on air conditioners to maintain a cooler indoor temperature. This green tool can help you reduce the energy load of cooling and the costs associated with it.

The punctures in the jali efficiently lessen the ingress of heat in the daytime. They also block the entry of direct sunlight, making for pleasant indoors. This feature makes it a boon for homes in hot-dry and hot-humid climatic regions.

2. And control light
Jalis are a great replacement or accompaniment for windows as they block off the glare but welcome the much-needed filtered daylight without fully obstructing the view outside.

3. They stimulate air movement
Here’s something about the relation of jalis with breezes. The physicists Bernoulli and Venturi studied how air flowing through small apertures compresses and gains increased velocity even if the breeze is mild outside. As it emerges from the apertures, it expands and cools. They found that incoming air can be controlled by carefully positioning and sizing the openings on a jali panel. The natural phenomenon of compressing and releasing the cooled air inside is similar to that of a mechanical air-conditioning compressor. Literally cool, isn’t it?

4. Jalis aid seclusion
Jalis let us see out but not be seen – though this largely depends on the size of the slits (apertures) and how much light they let through. Such perforated screens are often also used in the exteriors of homes, as skylights, windows, partition walls, railings, door panels and more. They are also great for hiding bathroom vents and piping systems.

5.They are super picturesque
Jalis can be very pretty additions to your home. They introduce a sense of ornamentation and elegance. Lattice patterns abound and can complement both traditional and contemporary decor.

Elita is located in Thane's prime spot Ghodbunder Road, a location with natural expanse. Elita has 22 storeyed tower and 7 storeyed eco-houses with 1, 2and 3 BHK fully air conditioned apartments.
El canto is Thane’s 1st musical themed living. We are building an aspirational and emotional connect with a surprise. El Canto is also located at Ghodbunder Road, Thane’s hotspot.

Today, the Dedhia Group is a family of 2500 happy home owners pushing us farther into the path of excellence and dedication. Our source of inspiration and service satisfaction- our customers have always been the sole reason we dream every day for creating skylines that dot the cityscape of tomorrow. Book your dream home in El canto & Elita for a good lifestyle.