Design Trends To Look For In 2018 And Gyproc's Innovative Products

In this blog I'll be talking about design trends and let me take this opportunity to share with you all the theme of  "World Interiors Day" 2018. WID theme for this year is "Design Without Borders". In my opinion, borders and boundaries are double-edged swords. On one hand, borders are important and good because they provide and define a structure and also because we get along well when there are borders between us. Just like the old saying goes, "good fences make good neighbours". But on the other hand, borders can't define us. Whether physical or symbolic, borders restrict and guide our creative thoughts and design choices. Think about the "Design without borders" and what comes first in mind is a well-designed space that reflects the world around your home. I am a firm believer of  Sanskrit phrase "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" which means the whole world is one family. The concept of design without borders brings the talents and inspirations from around the world together. 

Now let's talk about the design trends that will rule 2018

Being a design and decor enthusiast I always keep an eye out for the latest design trends. This year we'll get to see fantastic design trends to be incorporated into our homes to freshen up our interiors. So what we can expect in 2018 in terms of design? Well, patterns will rule the design world this year. Be it timeless floral patterns or contemporary geometric patterns, we can see them in exaggerated proportion and eye-catching high contrasting colours. Neutral hues will no longer be in trend this year though you can use them in furnishings. Be prepared to embrace rich hues that are moody yet soothing for both walls and furniture. Replace the whites and stainless steel with natural elements like brass, copper, stone, concrete and granite. Plants can never go out of trend so add as much green as you can and use fancy decorative and colourful planters for your plants. Artisans will get the due attention this year. Lighting fixtures created by artisans or by small businesses will make their way into our homes in 2018. Ceilings will get the attention too. Innovative designs in false ceilings and dry walls are here to stay for long and enhance the beauty of space.

Talking about false ceiling and dry walls, I have to mention Gyproc. Saint-Gobain's Gyproc is a world-leading manufacturer and supplier of gypsum-based plasterboard. It offers high-quality solutions for false ceiling, dry walls and gypsum plastering for a variety of spaces like homes, offices, hotels, hospitals and other such structures. Not to mention, Gyproc Indian takes care of the environmental impact of each product they manufacture right at the initial stage. Gypsum false ceilings and dry walls by Gyproc are eco-friendly, energy efficient and heat resistant. Are you still thinking what else these two elements can offer in terms of design? Let me share few more details here...

While designing our homes and office spaces, all the attention is given to four walls only and ceiling remains neglected. While decorating your space, you can take advantage of the fact that the ceiling is the uninterrupted space spread across the room and can perk up your space easily. False ceilings can beautify your space and add to the elegance. Whereas, dry walls offer you the opportunity to create partitions inside your space in an elegant way. Dry walls are lightweight, easy to install, fire retardant, offer sound insulation and enhance the beauty of any space. They are making their way into design world at a fast pace. Since both false ceiling and dry walls are made of gypsum, they offer several benefits. Dry walls are especially convenient in spaces of business and recreations such as office spaces, hospitals and hotels. Building from this trend, in commercial spaces – architects and interior designers are now exploring its inclusion in future Indian homes

Heat insulating property of gypsum keeps your home cool which results in energy saving and cutting down the electricity bill. False ceilings and dry walls are the answer to all your lighting worries. With proper planning, you can get an elegant and better-lit space of your dream. Since all the electrical wires are concealed there will be no more ugly sight of wires hanging here and there that make your space look cluttered.  

Why restrict your imagination when you can do so much with the ceiling. Walls in neutral shades in a big room with plain ceiling can make it appear dull. Turn it into cheerful space by making your ceiling an 'accent wall'. With false ceiling, you can not only add curves but also coloured lights to the ceiling. This simple trick can transform the look and feel of your space. For example, adding a cheerful burst of warm white light on the ceiling can make a room look bright and warm, whereas blue light looks cool and has a calming effect. There are so many false ceiling designs you can choose for different rooms and areas of your home.

Dry walls, on the other hand, provide privacy and separation. These walls are gaining popularity because they are readily available and speed up the construction process as they are easy and fast to install. Since dry walls are versatile interior walls, they are replacing conventional concrete walls in homes, offices and high rise towers. There are different types of dry walls and depending on the requirement they can be installed in different areas like rooms, shafts, bathroom etc. If you compare it with wooden and concrete wall partition then dry wall wins because it is cost effective and durable. And that’s not all… it saves time and is faster to install when you compare it to the traditional format of brick partitions. In a world where we need to be more conscientious about the scarcity of natural resources such as sand mining and water, this gypsum-based drywall solution is a great replacement of traditional materials that typically need sand as well as water.
Because of faster and easier installation it reduces the overall installation cost.

You can carve out space within space as per your requirement using dry walls. Like if you don't love an open kitchen or want to separate living and dining or there is a need to create a kids' room then you can create an elegant partition with dry wall and decorate it to suit your taste. Similarly foyer, walk-in closet, shelving and niches can be created using dry wall.

False ceilings and dry walls are the design elements top interior designers swear by these days. These elements can be incorporated into a variety of spaces like residential, industrial, hospitality and many more.
I hope you will take a cue from this blog and give your interiors a luxurious look.

I'm working on a home tour and a blog on something special for summers. So stay tuned!!
Till then connect with me here:

P.S All the images are provided by Saint-Gobain (Gyproc) and subject to copyright. Please seek our permission before using them. Thanks!

Read more

Best Indian Indoor Plants

I have been growing plants since childhood, thanks to my mom who has always been my inspiration. I wouldn't say I've mastered the art of growing all types of plants but I've gained enough confidence and a little bit knowledge to grow them indoors as well as outdoors without killing them. And today I'm sharing what are the best indoor plants that are easy to grow and how to care for them. You can 

The question then arises, "Why to grow indoor plants"!!  

Let me share my experience. Grow indoor plants to bring nature inside your home. Houseplants can perk up any dull space instantly by adding cheer and liveliness. One more reason to grow indoor plants is that houseplants purify the air by removing toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene that are the dangerous molecules to inhale and by increasing humidity. Indoor plants create a relaxing and calming environment. The last but not the least, growing indoor plants can be a satisfying and rewarding experience. You can share your experiences in comments below. I would be happy to know!

In India, we have a variety of climatic zones from tropical to temperate and alpine. Depending on the climatic zone of your region you should select the plants and care for them accordingly. Plants that are native to that particular region grow best without putting extra efforts. But if you want to grow a variety of plants then there are certain things to keep in mind as a rule of thumb and they are; well-draining soil, right amount of sunlight (which should be bright indirect sunlight or maybe artificial light) and right amount of water  and feeding your plants time to time with a good fertilizer. Below are some best indoor plants and I have added details of their light, water and food requirements. In my view, you can grow any plant as an indoor plant but then remember that you should keep it in sun everyday or every alternate day for 2-3 hrs.  

1. Pothos/ Money Plant:

Grow it in water or soil, whether it is climbing or cascading, pothos never fails to add cheer to your indoors. It comes in a range of leaf shades from green to golden and variegated. Grow it in well draining soil. Money plant is quite a hardy plant and can do well in bright as well as low light, Watering is the most important thing to keep it alive. Water it only when the 1-2" of soil appears dry. Overwatering will rot the roots and the leaves will turn yellow. Whereas if the leaves are wilting and turning brown then know that you are watering it less. Fertilize it with 20-20-20 fertilizer once in a month. Pothos cleans the air in the room. 

Toxicity: Pothos is toxic to humans and pets (when ingested). 

2. Areca Palm: 

Areca palm is the most common and beautiful indoor plant with feathery fronds. Keep it indoors to give a tropical feel to your living room. It loves moist soil and indirect or filtered sunlight. Bright sunlight may burn its leaves. Being a tropical plant it enjoys high humidity so water it regularly to keep the soil moist in summers and in winters allow the 1-2" of the soil surface to dry. Pot it in a fairly large pot so that it grows well and repot it after every 2-3 years. Fertilize it monthly with balanced liquid fertilizer in summers. Areca palm is an air purifier and cleans the toxin from the air. 

Toxicity: Areca Plam is not a toxic plant.

3. Spider Plant: 

Spider plant or chlorophytum comosum is the easiest to grow houseplant. This is an excellent plant for those who have a brown thumb and wish to start an indoor garden. Like other indoor plants, plant it in well-draining soil. Place it where it receives bright indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moist in summers and allow it to dry a bit in winters. Spider plant looks lovely in hanging baskets. It can easily be propagated by planting the spiderettes that grow from the main plant. Spider plant is also a good air purifier and can be kept in bedroom as well. 

Toxicity: Spider plant is non-toxic to pets.

4. Song Of India/ Dracaena Reflexa:

Song of India or dracaena Reflexa is the most popular, easiest to grow and very low maintenance plant. Keep the bit dried. It loves less water and diffused sunlight. It grows well in a warm climate but excess sunlight can burn the leaves. Overwatering or moist soil will cause the root rot and plant will die. So always allow the soil to dry between watering. Song of India can be propagated easily from cuttings. This houseplant also purifies the air.

Toxicity: It is slightly toxic to pets.

5. Croton & Coleus:

Croton and coleus plants are often grown outdoors but can be grown indoors as well. They come in a range of leaf colors and shapes. Their amazing colors make them an excellent indoor plant. Like Areca Palm, Croton & Coleus are tropical plants and love humidity. So keep the soil moist constantly. Since these are tropical plants they enjoy bright light so place them near a window. Fertilize them every 2-3 weeks. Croton & Coleus can be propagated by stem cuttings.  

Toxicity: Croton is toxic to humans and pets.

6. Arrowhead/ Syngonium:

Arrowhead, American evergreen, Elephant ear plant and butterfly plant are some common name of Syngonium. I love this plant for its fuller look and low maintenance. It is also a tropical plant and loves bright light and high humidity but do not keep it in direct sunlight as it will turn the leaves brown. Keep the soil moist in summers and in winters water only when the soil appears dry. Feed the plant 2-3 times in a month.
Toxicity: Arrowhead is a poisonous plant

7. Snake Plant/ Mother-in-law's Tongue:

Oh! what a funny name it has got, isn't it!! But contrary to its name it is the beautiful and really a very good plant. This plant is tolerant of a variety of light conditions but prefers to be in indirect sunlight. Water it less because it doesn't love overwatering also, don't water the leaves while watering. A small amount of fertilizer during summers is all that it needs. It is known to be a great bedroom plant because unlike other plants it gives off oxygen at night. It also cleans the air by removing harmful molecules of xylene, toluene, formaldehyde and benzene.
Toxicity: Snake plant is toxic to humans and pets.


8. Shamrock Plant/ Oxalis Triangularis:

Shamrock plant or Oxalis comes in a variety of shade from purple to green, orange to yellow. It is an attractive plant because of its clover-shaped leaves which folds up at night and opens up during the daytime. Purple Shamrock is called oxalis triangularis which grows pink flowers and has beautiful purple leaves. I have a green variety called Oxalis Stricta which is a rampaging weed but I love its leaves and delicate flowers so I love to grow it as an indoor plant. Shamrock plant enjoys sunny spot so keep it near the window. It can be grown well in a compact pot. It goes dormant in summers. Do not over water Purple Shamrock. Always allow the soil to dry between watering. Fertilize it once in a month in growing season.
Toxicity: Oxalis is a slightly toxic indoor plant.

9. Aloe Vera:

Aloe Vera (Ghrutkumari or Gwarpatha in Hindi) makes a wonderful houseplant. It is a succulent and stores water in its leaves so do not over water. It can go a long time without water which makes it a fuss-free plant. Make sure the pot has enough draining holes so that water doesn't accumulate inside the pot and cause the roots to rot. Aloe Vera loves bright light so ideal spot to keep it would be near a window. You don't require to feed Aloe Vera with fertilizer. It can be propagated by division. Remove the offsets or babies from the mother plant and plant them in a different pot.
Toxicity: Though it has medicinal uses but the outer skin of it when ingested can be harmful as it is slightly toxic.

Some more houseplants are Boston Fern, Dumbcane, Peacelily, Philodendron, zeezee plant, arelia, Bamboo Plant and some more succulents. You can find a complete blog on indoor succulent garden here. This brings me to the end and I really hope that this blog and video help you to create your own wonderful indoor jungle.

#IndianDecorBlog #IndianDecorBlogger #IndianGardening #Gardening #IndoorPlants #Houseplants

Read more

Home Tour: Ashima Sharda

I must say that Army wives decorate their homes in the most beautiful and unique way. I have great respect for them and always fall for their aesthetic sense. The nomadic life they lead, packing and unpacking constantly and moving from city to city can be a daunting task for us all but army wives become quite adept not only at moving house but also at transforming it into a home. Today I am showcasing one such home of an army wife.

Dear readers, please welcome Ashima Sharda, a journalist, writer and an army wife who opens the door to her eclectic bohemian home for us all. Come on in!! Here's a tete-a-tete with Ashima.

"I am a trained journalist and writer by profession and home decorator and stylist by choice. Ever since I got married to an army officer and started making my home in every part of the country every few years, I began experimenting and trying out new home styles."

It is quite evident that Ashima has a thing for various kind of paintings. Walls in white create a perfect backdrop for all the colourful paintings that have found their rightful place in Ashima's home. And mind you that all these paintings are done by the talented lady herself. Proud of you Ashima! 

Ashima's home appears to be reflective of world travels. Here is how she cultivated well travelled home.

"Every place I went to – Jodhpur, Wellington, Kashmir, Tripura, Manipur have had a big influence in my home decorating style. There is an essence of every place that I have lived or travelled to, in my home. Both my husband and nine-year-old son love our home décor, which I keep changing almost every two months because I get easily bored of one style."

Ashima is a globetrotter and has travelled to many places which led her to start a travel blog "Come Lets Wander Together" to journal her travel stories and experiences.

Upon asking how would she define her decorating style, Ashima readily says,

"My home decorating style is a mix of eclectic bohemian and traditional. I love putting up gallery walls and filling them with pictures and my art. Also being an artist, I love painting on acrylic and mostly all the art hanging on my walls is done by me."

I love the wall of masks (y'all already know that) and when Ashima showed me pictures of her mask wall, I was stunned to see her huge and appealing mask collection. Here's what she says about her mask wall. 

"Also being an avid traveller, I have curios and souvenirs from all parts of the world. I am also a collector and have a huge collection of masks from all over. Be it Korea, Japan, China, Bhutan, Nepal or even Venice and Africa, one wall in my house is always dedicated to the masks that I love immensely."

"Most of the small curios in my home are animals and birds, rhinos, elephants, pigeons, swans and cats. These curios are bought keeping in mind that I am an animal lover and like to keep nature close to me."

Ashima loves to collect and that's what makes her home a curated one.
"I get inspired daily by nature and of course the internet. Being active on Instagram has helped me
connect with like-minded individuals from across the world whose work I admire and try to encapsulate in my style as well. I pick up accessories from anywhere and everywhere. From a flea market to an upscale home store, I have been very generous when it comes to buying things. Being an impulsive buyer, many times I have also improvised on my décor items which I liked in a shop but couldn’t figure out how they would be used in the house."

That's all my dear readers. I hope you enjoyed this lovely home tour and will be leaving some sweet notes for Ashima in the comments. Thank you Ashima so much for letting us take a peek inside your eclectic bohemian home and for inspiring us. Wish you love, luck & sunshine!!
You my readers, you must have seen my recent Video on Renters Friendly Wall Decor Ideas, if not then click right here to watch it!!!

P.S: All the images are Ashima's and subject to copyright. Please seek Disha's or Ashima's permission before using them.









































#IndianHomeDecorBlog #IndianDecorBlogger #HomeDecorBlog #IndianHomeDecorBlogger

Read more