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Cushions, drapes, & upholstery are the fundamentals of a stylish interior. The way you put together the three elements of cushions, drapes & upholstery can make or mar your living space. Here are a few pointers to help you choose the right ones foe your home.

CUSHIONS:-

Don’t get carried away by oversized floor cushions. Stick to the conventional 16/16 or 18/18 & mix them around with smaller sized cushions to create a visual design. You can also mix conventional square with round ones, kept singly on chairs etc. Cushion covers can be in neutral shades with any décor theme. Just make sure the bold element in the neutral shade is also complementary & not contrasting. Look out for interesting designs, thread-work, appliqué, velvet, & embroidered cushion covers. Floral, paisley, & pastel hues are also very popular.

Handcrafted designs have more value than machine-made ones. You can have cushions on your sofa, divan, chaise lounge, love seat, or even on a large ottoman. But make sure you store the pillows in a chest. When used in a cluster, cushions create an impact & make the space look contemporary.

DRAPES:-

There’s an overwhelming variety when buying drapes. Most people select the fabric & have it stitched & patterned to their doors & windows. Textured, woven, & linen drapes, & those that have yarn, wool, Lycra, or silk woven into them, are sturdy. Drapes in lace, satin, & ikkat prints give your room a charming feel. Fabrics that have classic & pleasing motifs, but don’t look too crowded, also work well. You can have two sets-one that is thick & textured for the winter & another that is in organza, mul with block prints, or kadi work, for the summer. Ideally, drapes are used over windows & door entrances.

You can even use them in your kitchen & balcony depending on how stylish you want to make the space look. The ones for your living room can be rich, patterned, & pleated in a classic style, while those that are meant for the kitchen & the balcony or event the children’s room can have a frill on the edges or a valance on the top, giving it a European touch. You can have two drapes overlapping each other – one sheer & the other textured, using the lighter one during the day, & the darker one at night or when you need privacy.

With dressy wrist-watches and fancy wall clocks being quite the range, watches have become more than time-telling devices. A timepiece, especially on your wall, adds style to your room and makes a nice addition to the decor.

From antique pieces to funky modern designs, wall clocks come in a variety of avatars. An antique wall clock not only has great monetary value but also makes for wall decoration and the best specimens are actually each a great piece of art. There are different materials to choose from like teakwood, rosewood, oak, different kinds of metal, glass, and plastic. Some clocks use a combination of materials. Appearances too can vary from the elaborate, ornate specimens to the sleek, minimalist ones. Moreover, there are plenty of unusual-looking varieties in store today.

If you inherit an antique wall clock, then it adds a traditional look to your house. If you don’t have one, then are there are certified antique shops, which can provide you one. If budget is a constraint, then you can have antique look-alikes. There are plenty of clocks with retro designs and even a finish and polish, which make them, look like antiques. Among the mire popular styles are the classic grandfather clock, the aviation clock, and the cuckoo clock.

Among the modern ones are those styled to resemble human faces, animals, birds, fruits, cartoon characters, famous monuments or other objects like wristwatches, ladles, quills, etc. sometimes, the clock is in a standard and staid design and there are different motifs engraved or painted on the dial. Geometric designs are also popular with some. Modern-art inspired designs and abstract forms are also popular with those who like a distinctly different look to their wall clocks. There are lots of pieces, which come in bright colours and are ideal for children’s rooms or even the family room.

In fact, it is the function and décor scheme of the room, which will decide the kind of wall clock that is ideal for each space. A spacious drawing room, which reflects old world elegance, is the perfect place for that large, wood, classic-style clock or an antique specimen. A children’s room on the other hand, could do with a fun design like a clock, which resembles a giant wristwatch, has cartoon characters or animals painted on its dial. For the kitchen, a utilitarian specimen where the dial clearly shows the second, minute, and hour needles is ideal. The wall at the end of a corridor should have a striking clock as this is the focal point of this area and immediately attracts the attention of anybody entering and walking down the corridor. Today, as we look at the clocks on our cell phones and PCs, some of us might have sidelined the wall-clock but it is good to re-look its utility and its value as an object of decor.

There is nothing like natural greenery. Natural, real plants are invaluable if you need to brighten up spacer or provide that vital oxygen. However, there ar4e certain times and places where you can’t afford to go for the natural one and have to do with the artificial version.
Among the many faux kinds of greenery you can bring in, there are plastic plants, and flowers and flowers and ferns in silk and glass which are especially available in home-décor or design stores. Besides, you can also go in for artificial trees. Prime among these are bamboo and palm trees. They are widely used in homes, offices and especially in hotels and spas. When these plants and trees are housed in elegant terracotta, metal or ceramic containers they enhance the aesthetic effect. Sometimes, a row of them is installed in a bed of sand with marble pebbles with beads strewn around the base of the tree to add to the décor.
If you purchase one from a good brand or something, which is a designer piece, you can be sure of a product, which looks exactly like the real thing. Also, there is plenty of variety in size and shape. The tree trunk or fronds and the way they branch out may all very. From the tall ones typically placed in corners of large rooms or outdoor party areas, to the small desktop ones, you have a great range to suit any type of use. Generally, the tall tree should be used in a spacious room as it would dwarf the small room and look totally incongruent there. There is a wide range in prices too and typically the cost depends on the height and weight of the palm tree, the extent of the foliage, the diameter of its trunk, quality of the materials used and the overall appearance that is how real or natural it looks. Advertising professional Govardhan Hegde has a wife who suffers from pollen allergy and is also paranoid about insects. However, they did want a green touch to their interiors. So, on one of his trips abroad, he brought home two big, artificial palm trees and had them installed in the large drawing cum dining room of his villa. “We have also placed a lot of silk and glass flowers, in flower vases across the home for the same reason.”
In other cases, artificial plants and trees are installed at home by a family whose members are traveling for most of the month and hence have little time to tend to the greenery at home which soon withers and wilts form lack of care. For software professionals Ujjwala and Shankear Rao, the decision to go in for their faux palm trees was because of their hectic travel schedule. They have installed several palm trees beside a couple of bamboo clusters at different points in the home like the drawing room, verandah and outside in their porch as well as one in their gazebo. “It is not only about watering the plant, even the associated problems of clearing fallen leaves or cleaning any smudges on the floor or carpets, for which we have no time, are also eliminated.” Besides, of course, one is also freed of the hassles of regular trimming and fertilizing of the tree. Indeed, the low-maintenance factor has become a big draw of artificial plants and trees. The faux palm tree, in particular needs little care. Besides, the fact that the good variety lasts long has also led to their popularity. The artificial palm tree is also chemically treated so there is no fear of damage from insects or indoor pollution. Some of the good products are so real looking that most guests can’t tell the difference until they go close and touch the tree or leaves. These palms add an unusual and interesting touch to your interiors or even in semi-open areas like gazebos, verandahs and porches. This is why there are many homeowners who can afford to take care of natural greenery and do have plenty of real plants in and around the home, but still go in for artificial palm trees.

Probably no other room in the house needs to be as tuned to your lifestyle as much as your master bedroom. Every little fancy takes prominence in this room be it as basic as a comforter or as high-tech as a home theatre, if you like it then it should be here. Even then, there are some designing principles that apply to this space.
Master plan
A room has its own constraints, mainly owing to the size and traffic flow. Both cannot be helped. Furniture arrangement will naturally be around these two factors. If the size of the bedroom is small, it is best to keep some standard furniture out of the room. For example, instead of nightstands, wall-mounted bed lights, like those in hotels, will do. The vanity counter can be replaced with a wall mirror and a shelf to keep toiletries. A bigger bedroom benefits from the extra space when the design consideration is given to personal preferences. An entertainment zone, a library, a study, home office, a seating area, or a walk in closet can be incorporated here. Sometimes, sheer size can fit in two concepts instead of one. But whatever be the size of the bedroom, traffic flow needs to be considered. It is always preferable to keep the way to the attached bathroom and the two sides of the bed free and easily approachable.
Colour scheme
Colour selection is purely personal. While one colour relaxes someone, it can evoke an opposite reaction in some other person. But designers, studies, and traditions have slotted colours with moods. The colours and the mood usually associated with them are pink for love, green to bring calm, lavender for relieving stress, and blue for serenity. These colours are most likely to be picked up for the bedroom rather than bold colours. A neutral shade like white or cream can also be used with a bold accent colour on one wall. For that matter, decorative claddings on the rest of the walls. Popular wall claddings for the4 bedroom are bamboo, timber, and marble.
Storage
A large bedroom should have a suitable walk in closet to hold acquisitions of all shopping jaunts. The rest can benefit from built in cupboards. Floor-to-ceiling cupboards offer good storage and so does a chest of drawers or a storage chest. For a small bedroom, it is better to store seasonal clothing in another room in order to reduce clutter.
Decor
Choose a theme and work with it. Furnishings like curtains, bed linen, upholstery, and area rugs need to be well coordinated. Area rugs act as great separators and can be used freely in bedrooms of any size. Flooring that looks    warm and stylish like par4quet or vinyl, for budget watchers, is good over here. Beautify the bedroom ceiling, as you are most likely to look up at it. Ornamental ceilings medallions or decorative ceilings are extremely attractive to see. A dropped ceiling will make a large bedroom inviting whereas a raised ceiling will create an illusion of space in a small bedroom. While at it, do not miss fine details like moldings, trims, and cornices, in wood or Plaster of Paris. Wherever possible, display pictures and paintings that give you immense viewing pleasure. If looking at your collection of crystals makes you happy, then go ahead and have them here in an elegant display unit. Consider extra frills like a window seat or a skylight.
Lighting
The central lighting in the bedroom is best with a dimmer to create appropriate mood lighting. However, sharing a room will require some alternative lighting that can be kept on without disturbing anyone. Thus, there is a need for bedside lamps. The entertainment zone, if present, will require soft and unobtrusive lighting. The seating or reading area will need bright portable lamps, and a dressing table will want bright strip lighting. Cupboards can be fitted with fluorescent strips that switch on when the doors are opened.

The art of clipping trees, shrubs and hedges to create designs and sculptures goes way back many centuries. Topiary is an art that is striking and varied. The different shapes give an unusual yet ordered look to the garden.
Basics
The selection of the plant is the first step towards a beautiful topiary. The foliage needs to be dense with small leaves. The plant chosen should be evergreen and needs to grow in a stout compact manner or as a column. The world’s tallest topiary in Imphal has grown to 61 feet. The topiary, Samban-Lei Sekpil, is clipped from the Nilakantha plant. To get a shape from a growing plant requires a lot of patient pruning. However, you can get a specific shape by training the plant around a wired frame. Beginners need not be discouraged if the shape is not as desired. A little bit of manipulation can probably get another form, which may be equally delightful. Either the clipping can be done as the plant is growing or after it has grown to the required height. Also, topiary shears are available for intricate clippings.

Designs
Elaborate designs are art pieces. However, they are equally difficult to create. To begin with, ivy can be used to train over wire cages or balls to give clean geometric designs. For a more complex spiral pattern, experts advocate tying a string, preferably nylon fishing line, from the top of the plant and circled around in downward sweep. Subsequently, any stray twigs or leaves can be clipped to maintain the shape. Weak stems can even be tied to keep with the shape of the design. Sharp and straight designs are achieved with plants that have small leaves.
Aesthetics
A garden gets a face-lift with elegant topiaries. For a formal look, geometric designs are better suited. One such example is freestanding topiary globes dotting the lawn. Hedges along a lawn can be dotted with green columns and arches can be made along entryways. Simple designs can be achieved with a little practice. Once these are easily dealt with, elaborate forms can be tackled. These can be either standalone designs or part of a tableau, which can incorporate other elements. You can get creative here grounded only by the formation of the design. Animal designs are particularly popular and the frames for them are easily found. Elephant and bird patterns are popular in animal designs. Tableau scenes generally require human figures or fairytale characters which are slightly difficult to conceptualise on a wire frame. Other designs that will look good in any garden are mythical creatures and automobiles.
Maintenance
Topiary needs regular maintenance for its shape and health. You must regularly water it. Over-watering is a sure way to kill it. Mist all parts of the topiary with water. Occasionally spray insecticide to keep away spiders and other insects. Plant supplements can be used to ensure that the topiary remains healthy.
Some tips
If you have a potted bougainvillea, ivy, or jasmine, then there is an easy way to have a beautiful topiary. Simply trim the leaves to form a series of globes and your topiary will be the focus even in a small balcony. When using a hollow round frame, it is better to first stuff it with wet moss. Gently place the roots of the ivy on it and make sure that the roots entrench into the moss by making tiny holes in it. Use simple hairpins to secure the plants to the frame.

It is slowly becoming a trend to be conscious of the amount of power consumed by your household. This is practical, budget friendly, and also helps the environment when you exercise power saving options.

CFLs:-

          Today, incandescent electric lamps are slowly being replaced. Although they are of low prices and of simple technology, these lamps have comparatively low efficiency and high running cost for a given light output. It is also not as long lasting as a CFL, which last at least 10 times longer. CFLs use 80 percent less electricity as compared to an incandescent lamp, which means that number of watts used to create the same light output will be far less than an incandescent lamp. Here are some standard conversions that you may need while replacing an incandescent lamp (IL) with a CFL. 60W (IL) -15W (CFL) 100W (IL)-20W (CFL) Also, carbon dioxide and heat emissions will be higher for an incandescent lamp than a CFL. CFLs are best used in places where the light does not need to be frequently switched on and off. They work best if they are left on for about ten minutes. Frequent switching on and off generally reduces the lifespan of the bulb. Fluorescent lamps with efficient ballasts are also power-saving. CFLs come with integral electronic ballasts. For maximum power saving, buy only superior quality lamps that are recommended by the government.

Dimmers:-

  CFLs cannot be use with conventional dimmers meant for incandescent bulbs. In case of halogen and incandescent light bulbs, using a dimmer will save considerable power. Torchiers and some light fixtures, meant only for incandescent lamps, can be fitted with dimmers to create mood lighting as well as save electricity.

Energy-efficient appliances:-

          It is a given fact that newer models of any appliance introduced in the market are more energy efficient than their predecessors, thanks to better technology. However, one cannot keep buying the latest model. So, for starters, it is recommended to buy appliances from reputed brands known for premium quality. Devices like washing machines, water geysers, air conditioners, microwave ovens, and refrigerators need to be bought keeping household needs in mind. Extra large capacities will only consume more power. The refrigerator is easily the highest energy consuming device in the kitchen. Flat screen monitors for the computer will be more efficient than the standard CRT monitor and well worth the price. Important power savers that will require a bit of installation work are solar panels and solar water heaters. Both justify their initial expenditure with highly efficient performances.

Usage:-

          It is not enough to buy appliances that conform to international standards of quality. Their usage must be efficient too. For instance, run full loads in the washing machine. Using a dryer instead of air drying laundry and washing in hot water, will consume unnecessary power. In case of refrigerators, place them away form heat sources (windows too). Do not keep there refrigerator door open for too long. Even if you are going on a week’s holiday, switch it off instead of letting it run throughout the period. Replace old, inefficient refrigerators with new ones. Use an air conditioner only when required. Buy one that is proportionate with the room’s size. A darker room will require a lesser capacity appliance. Never keep any equipment on standby mode for too long. This includes computers, DVD players, and televisions.

Architectural power savers

          Simple elements like skylights, lattice grillwork to facilitate air circulation and proper positioning of doors and windows will create a bright and well-ventilated house. Ask an architect for tips that will ensure low power consumption on a consistent basis. Apart from these measures, proper window dressings including sun control firms for glass panes will ensure a cooler environment.

• Do not touch freeze by dirty hand.Because their become spot of dirty hand.Some time that spot do not remove by cleaning.
• Freeze cleaned by sponge or thin cloth.Freeze is cleaned by sodium bicarbonate or liquid soap.So, freeze become shiny.Do not cleaned by detergent because by this way your freeze has dull shine.
• When electric power gone,food smell come out from freeze.So, take one bowl of water and mixed half lemon in it.Put it in freeze.So,remove bad smell of food.
• Medicine and beauty product keep in other rank in freeze.
• When you go out of station ,keep lower temperature of freeze.If you want to go power off of freeeze,you can clean your freeze by dry cloth.Apply newspaper in every rank.

• Energy isn’t free. The grown-ups in your house pay for all the electricity you use. So wasting energy is the same as wasting money – and we know that’s not a good idea !

• Wasting energy isn’t good for the environment either. Most of the energy sources we depend on, like coal and natural gas, can’t be replaced – once we use them up, they’re gone forever. Another problem is that most forms of energy can cause pollution.

• So the more energy we save, the better off our pocketbooks and our earth will be.

Tips to save energy at Home

· Do shut off the lights when you are done using them and turn off the TV, computer and other electrical stuff when you leave the room.

· Don’t leave the refrigerator door open. Every time you open the door, up to one-third of the cold air can escape.

· Do replace burnt-out light bulb with a new compact fluorescent bulb. Fluorescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy, and they last 10 times longer.

· Use cold water in the washing machine. Hot water won’t get the clothes any cleaner, and it wastes a lot of energy.

· Do turn off dripping faucets. One drop per second can add up to 165 gallons of hot water a month – that’s more than one person uses in two weeks!

· Do close the curtains during hot summer days to block the sun. During the winter, keep the curtains open.

· Put plastic sheeting on windows. Blocking cold drafts is called “weathering’ and it can save a lot of energy.

· Do plant a tree to help shade your house on hot summer days.

CAN

Cans are usually made from metal and are rigid and non resealable. Cans made of metal (on top) and plastic (in the lower part) are also found sometimes.

Here we give the tips for carpet whatever care you are taken before and after buying it.

• You are select woolen carpet as your home efficiency.For change of flooring look ,there is linoleum carpet is best.
• Linoleum have two types i.e. tile and role. tile have shape average 12*12 inchs.role have standard size.
• Both carpet are fitted by good craftsman.
• Before stretch carpet on floor,there is clean floor.If dust leave their, it is comes out from carpet.And if you want to stretch wall to wall carpet,there is essential to do same level of floor.If level is not same ,carpet is break up.
• If you stretch tile carpet,so you can be able to change one tile.This facility do not available in role carpet.
• You must be think for buying carpet for bedroom or drawing room.In bedroom have good matching for light coloured carpet and dark coloured carpet are good for drawing room.
• If you have woolen carpet ,it want more care for cleaning.it may be clean with vaccum cleaner weekly.Carpet is also dry cleaned in laundry.