Archive for the ‘LifeStyle – Daily Star’ Category

Just as plants turn their leaves to face the nearest window, humans crave natural light. Sunshine offers a healthy good feeling that is hard to beat, so it's no wonder that many of us dream of escaping for a few days to our village homes. While builders of modern homes are increasingly addressing our desire for natural ... Full story

Modern ovens have become hightech appliances not only in design and engineering, but also in terms of the varied cooking styles they are capable of facilitating. Gone are the days when a conventional oven was used only for roasting and heating. Modern ovens boast a variety of cooking approaches and the latest versions even come with multiple functions. Having a ... Full story

The term 'wall covering' includes an enormous variety of designs, patterns and colours, as well as texture and finishes. Careful selection and application is the key and given the options, it should always be possible to find a covering to complement perfectly the atmosphere you are aiming to create. The walls and ceilings of your rooms can be enhanced in ... Full story

The most ancient doors were in timber, those made for King Solomon's temple being in olive wood, which were carved and overlaid with gold. The doors dwelt upon in Homer would appear to have been cashed in silver or brass. Besides olive wood, elm, cedar, oak and cypress were used. A 5,000-year-old door has been found by ... Full story

  In a tea garden, the day begins before the first light of dawn. As the mist rolls over the low tea bushes, only the tender's shoots (two leaves and bud) are delicately hand plucked solely by tribal ladies and tossed expertly into deep wicker baskets called 'dokos' slung onto their backs. These leaves ... Full story

When we talk about an indoor setting, we usually refer to four walls that define a room which need to be furnished according to need or preference. But in terms of outdoor settings, a few fruit trees, a flowering pergola, someterracotta pots, two small wooden chairs or a single bench under the umbrella can suffice to create ... Full story

Although technically nothing but reflective glass, mirrors have probably done more to define modern-day culture than any other invention. While a mirror may tell you how you look, all depends on the way you look at yourself. Mirrors have a long history of use both as household objects and as objects of decoration. The earliest mirrors ... Full story

As an interior designer, I have always had an affinity for our traditional crafts and this week, I want to discuss the art work of four legendary folk artists. Pattachitra refers to the folk paintings from the state of Orissa, in the eastern region of India. 'Patta' in Sanskrit means 'vastra' or 'clothing' and 'chitra' means paintings. ... Full story

The floor plans of our homes are the blueprints of our lives. It may sound odd to say so, but one of the cheapest decorating tricks is to do nothing- or, at least, to do the absolute minimum. Many of us feel under pressure to make our homes a reflection of our personal style, so it's ... Full story

TIPS Freeze factor Modern decoration is simple, elegant, and functional. It is a fusion of the latest trends in furniture and accessory design and cutting-edge technology. More than being simple functional appliances, televisions, ... Full story