Hello, people! Weekend is here- are we going shopping or are we going shopping? With all these awesome online stores coming up though, I don't think we really need to step out to find great stuff for our ourselves or our homes. I am here to introduce you to my latest discovery- Deco Window -think affordable range of curtains, blinds, tie backs, bedding and cushions- which can transform the look of your rooms in a jiffy- obviously for the better!

Deco Window is one of India's first online portals to have taken the demand for decorative curtain hardware like rods, tie backs and rings this seriously, other than bedding, table runners, and cushions. One of the most interesting products from Deco Window and my favourite is the Garden Torch- say hi to happily lit up gardens and backyards! You can instantly change your outdoor space into a dreamy paradise- all it takes is a little fuel, which by the way, is also available on the website!

The online portal features three product ranges- Window, Home and Essentials. Deco Window is more focused on curtains and rods, Deco Home features home decor products like cushions, bed spreads and table runners and Deco Essentials features an affordable yet luxurious range of curtains, rods and tiebacks and cushions.

The website features one product every week on the website putting its best products at offer. The policies are hassle free- free shipping (no hidden minimum costs), convenient payment methods, easy returns and guaranteed customer satisfaction.

So, what are you waiting for, guys- start browsing Decowindow.in and gift your home something new!

{ All images via Decowindow.in }

There are colours that are in for a particular season and then there are colours that are eternal. One such colour is coral- it has the warmth of red, the vibrance of orange and adds a happy vibe to your home if used correctly. Since coral is a very bright colour, one must be careful in not going overboard with it and try to balance it with softer and subtler colours. It can instantly lend your house a pop of colour when used with the right combinations. 

The thing about the Monsoon is that it means happiness and gloom at the same time. While the weather is uplifting, the dullness of the surroundings is kind of melancholic. I think the monsoons are inspiring. A boon to the creative soul. And as for the dullness, we can always add a little colour to our homes and our surroundings. The trick is to neutralize the psychological effects and impressions of monsoon with bright, cheerful colours while also making sure that you don’t go overboard with them. Your home should be warm and welcoming and not too loud. The combinations need to be subtle yet vibrant. 

Each colour that we see has an effect on our mind. Different people may associate a particular colour with a different feeling. While choosing the colour for your home, you should take care of the psychological impact of different colours so that your home becomes a pleasant place to be in. For monsoons, particularly, one should go for colours that exude warmth. Ideally, bright reds, oranges and yellows against neutral whites and beiges immediately have a positive impact. A colour that I also think of when I think of Monsoon is obviously, blue. You can opt for 2-3 different shades of blue for a single room and play around with highlights and shadows; highlights being the lighter blues and shadows being the darker shades of blue. You can do this with any other colour of your choice.

Since home decor in the monsoon is mostly about uplifting the mood and spirits, it is important to understand the connotations of colours. Here are a few general notions that come along with each colour. It might not be true for every individual, but this is how a majority of us perceive these basic colours:

Red- Red instantly brings a picture of energy, warmth and excitement. If you ask me, it is the best colour for a happy home.

Yellow- Yellow is the colour of creativity. It is one of the most positive colours in the universe.

Blue- Blue is calming. Blue is soothing. However, it is a cold colour and should be used in combination with a warmer colour.

Green- Green is the closest colour to nature and thus, it signifies balance. Green is also often associated with peace and can create a harmonious vibe in your home.

Other than these basic colours, you can always try something unconventional. The colour dictionary of the world is ever expanding, with new, colours blossoming into dominant trends. For example, mint—a combination of blue and green is the perfect monsoon colour that is happy, bright yet, soothing. Subtle oranges with off white are comforting and stylish. There are numerous options to play around with colour this monsoon for your homes. You can find your favourites using Asian Paints Colour chef—a wonderful way to discover what works best for your homes. Try it out here.

Image Source: www.asianpaints.com

The house I live in turned 16 years old last April. Naturally, over all these years, it has lost its sheen and newness, despite many rounds of repainting. One of the main causes is the dampness in the exterior walls. Dampness is a problem that one should carefully deal with at the very first stage of construction because it gets increasingly difficult to fix once the moisture creeps in. Plus, you can’t prevent moisture because it is present everywhere, right from the building materials used in the walls to the air that surrounds them. Strong winds that make rains strike the walls of your house also allow moisture to seep in. 

Dampness is actually excess moisture in the walls that is unable to escape. This happens due to incorrect waterproofing methods that trap moisture instead of allowing excess moisture to pass through the walls into the open air. You would know your walls are suffering from this problem when you experience that stale smell and witness ugly patches that mess with the entire look of your house. Nothing makes a house look duller and gloomier than dampness! Moreover, excess moisture causes damp and mould that come with various health issues like skin rashes, allergic reactions, and even asthma attacks. This affects the overall hygiene of the house you live in.

So, the best way to avoid this situation is to take effective steps and expert guidance at the very beginning of the house planning and layout. One should not compromise on quality and rather think of waterproofing expenses as an investment—the return being good-looking and damp-free houses in the years to come. I say this, because we did not pay much attention to this aspect and then ultimately suffered and had to spend a lot on waterproofing within two years of the construction of the house. Make sure you use quality water proofing solutions such as the Smart Care range from Asian Paints. Consult an expert for complete solutions before the damp sets in. Don’t wait for a problem to occur before attempting a solution because prevention is always better than cure.