Choosing the right curtains for your home!

Curtains have a multitude of uses besides merely covering windows. They can serve a decorative purpose, insulate your home, divide spaces, or cover ugly window frames. Before you purchase curtains, first decide what you would like their primary purpose to be.

If you would like curtains for privacy, choose a heavier curtain with a lining. You can add tiebacks for occasions when you would like to look out of the window. If you like, you can keep the look relatively simple. Hang the curtain from rings on a pole, and presto, you're finished.

To block out light, and thus lower your electric bills while protecting your furniture from fading, you will want to choose a curtain that is heavily lined, perhaps even with blackout fabric. These liners can be purchased separately and hung behind the curtains if need be. If you are someone who is not only looking to lower their electric bill, but who also needs complete light blockage due to working a night shift, consider also hanging a roller shade behind the curtain for extra darkness.

Sometimes, you may want to use curtains to provide a separate space in your home, as opposed to limiting their use to windows. If you have a closet without an attractive door, or perhaps no closet at all, but a clothes rack, you can use curtains to conceal these areas, and provide protection from dust. In these cases, you will want to choose a thick curtain that cannot be seen through. Curtains with backings, or that are made of a thick material, such as velvet, are perfect for this purpose. Suddenly, where you once saw a cluttered closet, you have a beautiful fabric treatment instead. This can also give the room a space-enhancing effect, as the curtain implies a window behind it.

You may want to use curtains as space-dividers if you live in a studio apartment, and would like to separate your sleeping area from your dining area, for example. In this case, you would suspend poles from the ceiling, and hang the curtains. It can be a particularly attractive arrangement if you have tie backs, so that the curtains can be opened, in which case, they provide a beautiful decorative effect. Again, you will want to choose a heavy curtain for this purpose, although in this case, the curtain should be attractive on both sides, since you will be able to see it from either side. A lined curtain may not be a good idea. You may want to simply purchase a heavy curtain. If you are not pleased with how the other side of the curtain appears, you can hang double panels, so that the decorative side is facing out on both sides of your curtain divider.

Many people choose curtains over shades and other window treatments because of how easy it is to coordinate them with other furnishings in the room. In this case, you may choose to have curtains custom-made for your home, or to make them yourself. If you have had your sofa reupholstered, you can choose a complementary fabric for your curtains. An inexpensive way to accomplish a similar look in a bedroom is to buy extra flat sheets and make curtains out of them that will match the bedding. In these instances, be careful not to overdo it.

You have more options than ever when it comes to curtains and their accessories. It can be overwhelming to walk into a store and see all of the different choices. Remember to keep your purpose in mind, and you will have no problem selecting the right ones for your home!

A kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a house and a lady of the house is known by how beautiful the kitchen she keeps. Woman spends most of her time in the kitchen and if her surroundings are according to her taste and well equipped, it will be very easy for her to do the work with much of the enjoyment. Moreover the food in India is very aromatic. Just a simple cooking leads to the spread of fumes in all the rooms.

The electric chimneys have answer to this problem by making kitchen and then home a smokeless one. So among other appliances chimneys are very important and make a home complete.

Most of the people think that kitchen chimneys are only for the show but they are unaware of the fact that everything is this world has some advantages and some disadvantages as well. Likewise kitchen chimneys also have some advantages in our kitchen work. Undoubtedly, they tend to keep your kitchen clean with the various latest functionality they have in them.

Electric chimneys are an efficient way of removing smoke and odor compared to exhaust fans from a kitchen. For one thing, an exhaust fan will remove the fumes from your kitchen but not before it goes to your eyes. An electric chimney, on the other hand, is your ticket to cooking wholesome tadka meals without suffering from watery eyes.

The other advantage is that it will save the ceiling (area right above the gas) from being marked with everything you’ve cooked in the week. There are two types of chimneys that you can choose from – traditional and designer. The traditional is for the utilitarian users, who want a chimney purely for their smoke absorbing abilities, while the designer chimneys are for those who along with the utilitarian aspect want a chimney that enhances the decor of their kitchen. In other words, Traditional chimney is for those users who basically focus on performance and Designer chimneys provide a combination of performance with looks that makes your kitchen look elegant.

Kinds of Chimneys:

There are number of brands in the Indian market which offer a great variety of Kitchen chimneys. Two kinds of chimneys which are usually found in the India are Baffle Filter and Metal Grease Filter. Baffle Filters are considered to be better than the metal grease filters in terms of Indian cooking style as baffle filters contain overlapped filters which suck the grease out with their sucking capacity. Metal grease filters have the tendency to suck the grease in proportions.

Features to keep in mind while going for Electric Chimney

• Air Suction Capacity - This refers to the motors capacity to suck the odor and oily vapor and is measured as m3 per hour. An electric chimney with a higher air suction capacity is ideal for an Indian home as the cooking involves a lot of frying. For heavy cooking such as non vegetarian food or deep frying go for HIGH SUCTION above 401 m3/hr. For normal cooking go for MEDIUM air suction capacity at 400 m3/hr and below.

• Number of blowers - The blowers run simultaneously with the motors to provide effective exhaust of unwanted smells and oil vapours at different speeds, thus providing better operation at lower noise levels. Higher numbers of blowers ensure more effective removal of unwanted smells, oil and grease. If your cooking largely involves deep-frying, then going in for more number of blowers is a better option.

• Size – Consider the size of Electric Chimneys before buying, generally they are available in two sizes – 60 cms and 90 cms.

Modes/Fitting:

Ducting

In the ducting mode, heavier particles of Oil/grease/spice are trapped in the baffle / mesh filter, and the smoke/fumes are ducted out of the house. Ducting requires PVC pipes. Since this is a permanent fixture, it also requires some carpentry work. But this is a good solution for those who don’t want to spend time and money on changing their charcoal filters every now and then. It is a one-time investment unlike the charcoal filters.

For ducting check details like pipe diameter, ducting length, maximum number of bends your ducting pipe can have from your manufacturer to ensure reliability.

Recycling

In recycling mode, heavier particles of Oil/grease/spice are trapped in the baffle / mesh filter and the smoke/fumes are filtered through the activated charcoal filter. The clean, deodorized air is then re-circulated into the room.

A Few tips to remember:

• While Cleaning – Cleaning is easier depending upon the filter design of the chimney – mesh filters should be washed in in warm detergent water every 8-10 days. Baffle filters need to be cleaned in warm detergent water evey 2-3 weeks. charcoal filters need to be changed every 3-4 months. These time periods are for regular use.

• Install the chimney at a lower heights so that you can easily reach to clean. And also be effective in getting the smoke out.

• It is recommended that the chimney should be at least 4 feet above the appliance cooking surface.

Kids and Apartments do mix!

As people are rediscovering the benefits of urban living – mass transit, walking and biking everywhere, nearby grocers, sidewalk cafes, proximity to work, nightlife – they are moving back toward apartment living. Apartments are easier to find than houses in cities, not to mention less expensive. But if you have kids, living in an apartment becomes a little trickier. Space, safety, noise … what’s a parent to do?

First, check out the neighborhood. It should contain parks, sidewalks, and plenty of less-traveled side-streets. Find the area schools and learn the school bus stops and routes. If your child is able to walk to school, find out how many other kids will be walking that sidewalk – there’s safety in numbers. Also, where are the crossing guards?

Next, check out the apartment complex. Make sure it is set back, away from the parking area. An open green space is excellent, and a playground is not only a major plus for those “I’m so bored!” moments, but it is a sure sign of the kid-friendliness of your chosen apartment complex. A club house or game room is great for older kids, as is a gym and pool.

Now the apartment … no matter how you slice it, apartments just don’t have the same space and storage as a house – especially if it is in the heart of a major city. For one person living alone, this isn’t a big problem. But kids come with stuff – lots of stuff.

Find multiple functions for rooms – perhaps the dining room can double as an office with a small, roll-top desk. The living room can double as a play room with an ottoman or coffee table that doubles as a storage unit for toys. A futon or Murphy bed can make any room into a guest room. Look for closets – especially if your child is still in a stroller. Make sure there’s a place to put it.

Noise can often be an issue in an apartment, so try to find one on the ground floor. Running, scooting toys around, and dropping toys on the floor can be very loud and annoying to the tenants beneath you. If you find yourself on an upper floor, use foam puzzle mats where your child likes to play. They muffle noise and can quickly be picked up and stacked away when not in use.

In your child’s room, storage may be an issue, especially if her room is small. Use baskets on shelves to store toys, under-the-bed boxes to store out-of-season shoes and clothes, and avoid buying large, bulky items. It may look great in the store but if you don’t have anywhere to put it, you’ll just end up tripping over it. Same goes for furniture – smaller scale items will fit better. And if it isn’t absolutely necessary, do without it.

Even if you scale it down, there are certain things a parent will find themselves surrounded with — toys, books, plastic dishware, stuffed animals, strollers, high chairs, bottles – yikes! Don’t get overwhelmed in a small space. Clear out what you don’t need often. Once your child is a toddler, for example, the baby toys can go – along with the bouncy seat and baby swing. Don’t be sentimental about them or think you might need them again someday – if you don’t have an empty closet to store them in, get rid of them. Same goes for your school-age child and all of the cute drawings he’ll hand you – keep it on the fridge for a week or so then put it in a photo album, scan it and save it to a folder on your computer, or throw it out. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself buried under a mountain of papers.

Don’t think your child is getting “less” somehow by living in an apartment –kids in apartments have plenty of opportunities to socialize since they will be visiting public parks to play, and apartment living will provide plenty of playmates. And if you choose an apartment community with a pool, clubhouse, and social events, your child will be very happy with apartment life.

How to keep your Kitchen Clean!

Cleaning your kitchen is a huge part of cooking. Not only is it easier to cook and bake in a clean kitchen, but clean surfaces will keep your family healthy and safe. Because you can’t see, taste, or smell the bacteria that cause foodborne illness, cleanliness is essential.
10 helpful tips on how to keep a clean kitchen:
    1.    Always wash your hands in warm, soapy water before and after preparing food.
    2.    Clean raw fruits and vegetables before consuming. Remove surface dirt with a vegetable brush, and cut away damaged or bruised areas of produce, as they may contain bacteria.
    3.    End each day with a clean, empty kitchen sink. Try running the dishwasher before going to bed and unloading it first thing in the morning.
    4.    According to Better Homes and Gardens, “One way to eliminate the bacteria that thrive in sponges and dishcloths is to soak them in a diluted bleach solution (3/4 cup bleach per 1 gallon water) three times a week. Sponges should be allowed to air-dry. Wash dish towels often using the hot cycle on your washing machine. Use paper towels to clean up spills, especially juices from raw meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish. Then immediately dispose of the paper towels.”
    5.    Cutting boards should be thoroughly washed with hot, soapy water, then rinsed and allowed to air-dry or patted dry with paper towels. Cutting boards should be cleaned after each use.

 
    6.    If you don’t have a self-cleaning oven, scrape up any large spills, then spray cleaner inside the oven, close the door and let it sit overnight so the cleaner has time to work.
    7.    Wipe up spills in your refrigerator immediately. Clean your refrigerator with hot, soapy water and rinse. Once a week, throw out perishable foods that should no longer be eaten.
    8.    Clean your pantry once a month. Start with removing all food from your pantry, wipe down with a clean damp cloth, check for spoilage and expiration dates, then replace items in their designated places.
    9.    Keep your pets off your kitchen counter tops and away from human food.
    10.    Put a piece of lemon or lime through your garbage disposal every few days for a clean fresh smell.

Welcome to luxury - Welcome to Central Park!

Making sure your Bathroom is the best!

In your apartment, your bathroom is one of the few places where you really get any privacy when you live with a lot of people. Here are a few lovely tips on giving your bathroom a more dashing and desirable look.

A nice vase for the counter. Vases are a lovely touch for any bathroom regardless of whether or not you have flowers in them. Depending on what style vase you have it can give a nice classical or rustic look to the bathroom.

Bring in the floral joy! It's surprising to see how few people like having flowers in their bathrooms. Fresh flowers give the room a beautiful fragrance as well more vibrancy to the room. If the fresh flowers are a tad too pricey, fake flowers can still bring a nice vibrancy to your bathroom. If it's an aroma you desire, try some fragrant potpourri or a candle and display it whichever way you choose.

Good lighting is a must have. This is something so many people underestimate. It’s always wonderful to have natural lighting but if it is unavailable for any reason (ie. nighttime), make sure there is ample lighting. If the bathroom is too poorly lit, it looks so uninviting and can seem rather dismal. Make sure, however, to light the room the way that makes you comfortable and not in a way that screams florescent public bathroom lighting.

No one should ever have to walk into a bathroom and be appalled by how it looks and feels. A few little touches here and there can make a bathroom go from mundane to magnificent in an instant!