Apartments in Kerala

 Times are a changing and with it, so is technology. Now we have solutions to almost everything (Note – we are not talking medical conditions here!), whether at work or at home. With more and more couples leading busy working lives, running a home smoothly can sometimes become a little dicey. Once you have left home in the early morning rush, there is always that niggling doubt creeping in whether you switched off the coffeemaker or switched on the security system… However, with the advent of ‘smart homes’ (or ‘domotics’ as it’s also known), you don’t have cause to worry too much. A glance through your phone or tablet should be sufficient to put your mind at rest. This is because all technologically-smart devices and appliances that use electricity can be connected to your home Wi-Fi network and used to communicate with one another and you, at a tap from your smartphone. Home automation is the latest trend in new technology-supported homes where appliances like washers/dryers, ovens, f

They say charity begins at home; but with all the earnest ongoing debates on global warming, looks like cutting carbon emissions should also begin at home! Aside from reducing your electricity bills, reducing the consumption of energy at home also goes a long way in saving our natural resources for the future generations. We have reached the point where it’s becoming essential to save energy because its manufacturing and use affects the environment and all the people living in it. Wind, water and solar energies are considered as clean, renewable sources of energy that do not pollute the environment; fossil fuels like coal, gas and crude oil products on the other hand are non-renewable sources of energy that lead to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The time is fast approaching when we need to really buckle-down and make energy-conservation a part of everyday life – if we want to slow down global warming, that is! When we talk about energy conservation, we are simply referring to

Everyone loves being outdoors, communing with nature, the vibrant colours, open air, feel of soil under their feet as well as the satisfaction that comes with growing things. However, living in apartments might feel a little restricting for those with avid green fingers. But don’t let that get you down as a lot can be done even when living in a high-rise building. Provided you have the will and a little imagination, you can still get the satisfaction of growing your own herbs, vegetables, summer flowers and even trees and shrubs! Gardening on a small scale can be enjoyable and fulfil too, the trick lies in container gardening which can be used in different ways – growing upwards, hanging downwards and even as the new, exotic vertical garden walls… While balconies are great places to grow your plants, do check how much sun it gets as some plants require more sun than others. Then buy the plants accordingly. Eight hours of sun is considered as fully sunny while less than four hours is co

The kitchen is the heart of the home, the area where delicious meals are cooked to nourish the family. It’s also the place where the family hangs out and creates special memories layered with the aroma of favorite dishes. Modern lifestyles have ensured that the traditional kitchen is no longer the domain of just the woman of the house, but other members of the family contributing too. It’s now evolved into a multi-purpose room with a multiple-cook concept. When choosing a home, the layout of the family kitchen matters a lot as it influences the way you cook as well as socialize in this area. Your kitchen should represent the amount of time you spend in the kitchen, the kind of cooking you do as well as the size of your family. The kitchen layout refers to the shape that is made by the arrangement of the counter-top and major appliances including the cooking range, the washing area, the working area and storage areas. Some of the layouts can also include an ‘island’, a very practical co

The quality of air you breathe in makes a big impact on your general health condition, causing incidences of lung cancer, asthma, strokes and heart disease to go up. Statistics show that about 3.3 million deaths annually are attributable to pollution-linked diseases. And if that didn’t get your heart thumping, consider this: though many would find it hard to believe, the air indoors is actually 2 to 5 times more polluted and toxic than the air outdoors! We go for regular check-ups and pop pills, but we never think that the problem could be coming from within our home environment. However, there are simple and inexpensive ways by which you can detoxify your home. Fix leaking taps and pipes as high humidity encourages the growth of mildew, molds and dust mites in our clothes, towels, mattresses, etc, – and worsens asthma, rashes, coughing, irritation in the eyes. Toxic formaldehyde is found in household goods like insecticides, shampoos, shaving creams, glue, carpets and even cigarette s

Since November 6, 2016, demonetization has dominated every conversation with debates flaring up incessantly on its effects on the various sectors. The realty industry hasn’t been left out of the debate either and due to fears of what demonetization could mean to ready-to-move-in homes, many buyers have been holding off from investing. Of course part of the reason is due to paucity of funds with many predicting that this could lead to further reduction in prices. With the realty sector contributing about 5-6% to the country’s GDP, misinformation on this can lead to potential chaos. Almost a year has passed, but rumours are still flying around about the effect demonetization has had on realty sector. Of course, the naysayers are of the opinion that paucity of black money has lead to lower sales rates, but builders obviously are of the opinion that the expected softening of interest rates, as well as the thin margins in the industry, haven’t resulted in price cuts or any negative impacts

After a few years of living in rental properties, the constant upheavals of having to move house as well as pandering to the whims of your landlord, begin to get tiresome and get you thinking; should you buy your next home or continue with the insecurity associated with renting home. While every person dreams of owning a home of their own at some point in their lifetime, buying a home doesn’t come easy in the pocket either. That having been said, buying a home is one of the best ways of building equity. With every EMI payment you make, you are making a saving as it increases the equity in your home. Owning a house makes your expenses more predictable over the years as against renting which is only set to swing upwards. Owning your own home also means that you are saving towards your future as home values only go up. Additionally, the interest and property tax payment portions of your EMI payments are eligible for tax deduction. Here are some pros and cons of renting vs. buying: Stage o

Home automation has been around since the time of creation of the electric bell, hooking people since then to have their homes and offices do things for them for a change! This technology is forever improving, sweeping more aspects of the home under its automated wings. Automation creates a safer environment with an efficient security system, makes homes cheaper to maintain and frees up time for the owner to indulge in other more comfortable activities. Instead of doing things the traditional laborious way, automation throws open an entirely different world where the advancing wireless technology chips in its share by connecting with various gadgets, features and appliances in your home; it makes them respond to the press of a button on your smartphone or even a voice command to do the repetitive chores which you are better off without. However, you will only find these advanced home technologies in high-end luxury homes, where ultimate comfort bears a lot of importance to the discerni

With the resurgence in the real estate sector, people who were earlier staying away are now back to shopping for homes. However, there are so many different types to choose from, it can sometimes get a tad confusing. Right from villas, apartments, filaments to regular homes, premium homes or luxury homes- the choices are unlimited! At the end of the day, regular or premium homes have greater selling markets with only a few discerning ones going for luxury homes. One point to note is that all categories of homes are constructed with quality solid materials that provide strength to your home. It’s in the fittings, finishings, and amenities that the real difference between the various categories of apartments lies. So that you don’t get fooled by some dubious builders out there, you need to know that luxury homes come with a range of mesmerizing interiors of the best quality. Apartments in Trivandrum They usually come with imported fittings, lavish interiors and exteriors, taller ceilings

Brace yourselves for the findings of the latest studies on the quality of air within homes – researchers show that indoor air is actually 2 to 5 times more toxic than that found outdoors! Research also shows that about 3.3 million deaths annually can actually be attributed to pollution. This should get you thinking about the pollutants your daily activities introduce into your home environment – and hopefully give you a better idea on how to improve your indoor air. Indoor air can contain irritants like dust mites, mold, pet dander, gas fumes, chemicals from cleaning agents and aerosols. Aside from causing various skin conditions, they can also aggravate asthma, cause irritation of the eyes and sometimes even lead to cancers. This makes it imperative that you find ways to improve ventilation in your homes and purify the air. Here are some tips: Increase ventilation Bringing in fresh air will dilute the level of pollutants indoors. You could go for exhaust fans to get rid of polluted ai

The atmosphere inside the house has a direct and significant impact on the health of the family members. Research, in fact, has even shown that indoor air pollution is more toxic to the body than that found outside! As most people spend most of their time indoors (roughly 90%), involved in their various activities that generate a set of indoor pollutions, it becomes imperative that you take a close look at the importance of ventilation and its significant contribution towards health and comfort. Indoor pollution can lead to aggravation of asthma, allergy issues, dizziness, headaches and spread of infectious diseases within an enclosed space. Unknown to many, a significant amount of air pollutants are generated from the use of cleaning chemicals and air fresheners, exhaled air, carbon monoxide, pets as well as products of combusted cooking gas. Condensation is one of the main culprits for the growth of mould and results from lack of proper airflow; this leads to an increase in moisture

 A residential community or a project that is often characterized by features such as closed gated boundaries, big walls, fences etc. with round the clock security systems is termed as a gated community. If you are someone who loves enjoying a quiet life but with access to all modern facilities and amenities, living in the gated community is the ideal choice for you. Living in such communities encompasses several benefits making it a desirable choice for your dream abode. Generally, gated communities are situated at strategic locations promising you easy accessibility to all the important hubs of the city and to all social infrastructures. Here are a few perks of Advantages of Living in a Gated Community 1)Safety A first and most important facet of gated community living is the elevated feeling of safety and security. With features like 24/7 CCTV surveillance monitored by active security staff and surrounded by big walls, gated community living is an ideal place to have your home. This