Presenting Love - homes where love blooms.

LOVE is beautiful. LOVE is precious. LOVE is for life. LOVE at Mambakkam features 377 magical homes blessed with an array of comforts & conveniences making you fall in love with every moment in the destination you can now call your home. 

Presenting 377 special homes at Mambakkam where luxury comes alive in several lovable ways. LOVE at Mambakkam features 377 magical homes blessed with an array of comforts & conveniences making you fall in love with every moment in the destination you can now call your home.

The 377 homes at LOVE in Mambakkam are located beside a host of modern day conveniences that'll leave you truly delighted. visit us at our latest creation this weekend. we look forward to ensuring it is a truly love-ly experience.

Visit us at http://goo.gl/nq2MaO and gift your family a lifetime of smiles!

Decorate your living rooms!

A living room is not just a part of the home. Its the place where we spent time with family. The demand for compact homes in Chennai are increasing rapidly. Here are few interesting tips to create vibrant and classy living rooms.

CONTEMPORARY STYLE

In contemporary style the whole room looks elegant and classy. Follow these tips to change the style of your living room.

1. Create focus by investing in a wall art.

2. Choose a bold flooring

3. Play around with warm color tones

4. Exhibit large size statement pieces.

RETRO STYLE 

Retro style is where the traditional antique look is maintained. If you are a lover of dark tones, choose a retro make-over and stylize your living rooms. 

1. Choose dark wood furnishing in tones like walnut, rosewood, teak etc.
2. Pick simple color schemes like chocolate brown against white & cream.
3. Minimal interiors with a classic wooden flooring.

REFLECTIONS!

MIX N MATCH STYLE

Mix n match is the new style in interior design. Throw light colors against dark and neon colors. Mix up contemporary furnishings and statement antique pieces. Being inspired by nature is also an ideal choice. 

1. Get inspired by a favorite color, a piece of fabric or an exotic painting.
2. Work with the same color intensity while mixing pastels.
3. A large or smaller floral, a stripe and a check make a great combination. 

ECLECTIC STYLE

Why to stick on to one plain, when you have many to choose? Diversity is the basic of eclectic style. Never hesitate to pick contrasting furniture. Be it antique or contemporary, eclectic gives space to all your love for furniture. 

1. Strike a balance between crisp and cozy.

2. Create islands of beauty through the use of flowers & indoor plants.

3. Set the neutral backdrop.  Use color to spice it up.

4. Mix contrasting colors and create magic. 

COTTAGE STYLE

A cottage style living room is complete only if it is decorated with natural elements. Try out and pick few seashells, oyster shells and orchids. Choose white for furnishings and curtains.   

1. Embrace nature with simple and basic style. 

2. Choose a vibrant mix of colors like taupe & grey

3. Decor with weathered furnishings.

4. Mix & layer different patterns in various colors.

5. Integrate natural elements into your home. 

THE ART OF COLOR-O-SCOPE

What all can you do to make your home in Chennai look beautiful and attractive? Paint? Change the interiors? Furnish with contemporary furniture? If you start thinking there are umpteen ways to transform a dull space in your luxury home in Chennai to a more active and bright corner. Sometimes a change in furnishing makes the difference. On some other occasion a change in the paint color will create a better ambiance. 

Vijay Shanthi presents few interesting and innovative painting ideas where we hope to touch every aspect of painting a space, from prepping the home in Chennai to applying textures and stencils. Let’s start with some basic guidelines on choosing the right paint color and tips on preparing the room before painting:

Step 1: Selecting the paint color

Select the right theme and enjoy the bright life with colors!

Before you even walk out to buy paint, finalize a color scheme for each room in your home in Chennai. Once this decision has been made, the rest is just the time needed for execution! Here are a few tips on where to start:

1. Start by deciding what you’d like the finished space to feel like; charming, cheerful, dramatic or elegant. 
2. Consider using a blocking color paint to highlight the architectural features of the room like window casings, doors, wardrobes etc.
3. Keep in mind the color of your existing flooring and other dominant furnishings while making your selection.
4. If you plan to shop for new fabrics and decorations, buy them before because choices for these items are far lesser than paint colors. Once you've got all the key essentials of your home in place, it’s all about picking complementary shades of paint.
5. Lastly, buy small tester paint and try it on a small portion of your wall, preferably in a corner close to the floor. Live with it for at least a day before you decide to proceed!

 Step 2: Preparing the Room

1. Move furniture and any other disruptive items out of the way.
2.  Cover up using tarp or old bed sheets which you won’t miss.
3.  Don’t forget to cover the floor using an anti-slip drop cloth as well.
4.  Lastly, tape up any power points, light fixtures and door knobs which may become painting casualties!

 Paint. Color. Stay happy! Stay bright!

Let us join hands to create beautiful homes!

Vijay Shanthi builders known for their penchant in creating fabulous homes is inviting like-minded partners. Just log on to their website and leave a few details. 

They are looking out for joint development or out-right projects of size one to five grounds in and around Chennai. Vijay Shanthi Builders have always been praised for their minimal, classic and elegant style in making homes. The latest projects from Vijay Shanthi includes i Sky Villas in Perungudi, Boulevard in Kelambakkam and many other stylish homes across prominent places in Chennai. 

Presenting iSky Villas in Perungudi.

Perungudi is one amongst the bustling suburbs in Chennai. The rise in demand for elegant homes in Chennai have been on rise since the arrival of IT parks.  Vijay Shanthi builders,  always renowned for their cutting-edge style homes in premium locations  is now launching iSky Villas at Perungudi.  Spread across an area of 8 grounds, iSky Villas hosts thirteen 3 BHK apartments in Chennai which are synonymous to luxury. Each apartment is built across an area of 3300 sq.ft. 

Watch the walk-through of these architectural opulence in the making. The amenities at iSky Villas are designed to delight each and every family member. The ravishing amenities includes a home theater, a gymnasium/ yoga hall, an indoor games area, a swimming pool, an indoor & outdoor party hall, a terrace landscaped with covered barbecue area, a stepped seating area, private guest rooms with family Jacuzzi  and an outdoor kids play area. All open spaces enjoy the luxury of beautiful landscapes.

For more information about the project log on to their website. 

Showcasing Elegance

Showcasing magnificent homes in Chennai from the finest builder Vijay Shanthi. Lotus Pond in Thayur & Infiniti at Mevalurkuppam Village. Check out classy, elegant homes spread across Chennai.
Check our website to explore more details. http://www.vijayshanthibuilders.com/

http://www.vijayshanthibuilders.com/

Showcasing magnificence.

Boulevard - Homes with finest amenities.

Zero Waste Home - Tips Series 2

This week we present tips on how to reduce waste in laundry and cleaning where a hell lot of chemicals are used. Hope this will help you to reduce chemical waste and stick on to natural cleaning solutions that does less harm to our body and homes. 

Less we use chemicals, more we earn a better life. The homes in Chennai demands use of more natural cleaning agents since the climate is humid most of the months and the migrant population is increasing rapidly. The luxury homes in Chennai are now trying to adapt eco-friendly. 

LAUNDRY AND CLEANING

1. Welcome natural cleaning alternatives: A mix of lemon and vinegar on floors and sinks, homemade all purpose cleaner, baking soda for scrubbing jobs, and vinegar for mildew.
2. Welcome alternative house cleaning tools: a metal scourer on stainless, a wooden brush for light scrubbing, an old toothbrush for hard to reach places and microfiber cloths for everything else (counters, floor, fridge, etc… for mirrors and windows, just add water… no window cleaner needed).
3. Sweep your floors with a boar bristle or silk broom, wash with a wet microfiber mop and a few drops of lemon juice.
4. Use worn-out clothing items made into rags on your non-washable messes (wax/auto grease/glue/caulk).
5. Buy dishwasher detergent in bulk and use white vinegar as a rinsing aid.
6. Let houseplants absorb toxins and clean your air. Open a window instead of plugging in an air freshener.
7. Laundry washing once a week saves time and dryer energy costs, use a laundry detergent sold in bulk, full loads, and cold water cycles as much as possible. Dishwasher detergent, chalk, lemon or vinegar work great on stains.
8. Dry on a line when possible.
9. Iron fewer things and use a homemade starch in a stainless spray bottle.

Zero Waste Home: Tips Series 1

In an era where waste management is critical and seeks attention from all corners, here are few tips to make your home a free waste zone.
Before you start:

• Ensure yourself with a reusable water bottle, a couple grocery totes, a few cloth bags and reusable jars and bottles.
• Get your 5Rs right: 

1. Refuse what you do not need
2. Reduce what you do need
3. Reuse what you consume
4. Recycle what you cannot Refuse, Reduce or Reuse
5. Rot (Compost) the rest. 

Most of the waste at home is mainly comes from kitchen. To begin with the zero-waste home tips, here are few tips for a clean kitchen.

KITCHEN

1. Welcome alternatives to disposables.
2. Swap paper towels for reusable rags, swap sandwich baggies for kitchen towels or stainless containers, drop garbage liners all together.
3. Buy in bulk or at the counter, bring reusable bags, jars (wet items such as meat, deli, fish, cheese, oil, butter) and bottles (liquids: oil, soy sauce, shampoo, conditioner).
4. Shop the farmer's market: they'll take the egg carton and the berries baskets back for reuse. Your veggies will also most likely be free of plastic and stickers.
5. Use bulk liquid Castile soap as a dish/hand cleaner, baking soda as a scrubber with a compostable cleaning brush. Purchase dishwasher detergent in bulk.
6. Reinvent your leftovers before they go bad. Go thru your recipe binder/box and only keep the recipes that can be achieved with zero waste in mind.
7. Reuse single-side printed paper for grocery shopping and errands list, use your lettuce cleaning water to water plants. 

Tips courtesy: http://zerowastehome.blogspot.in/p/tips.html

Space Saving Tips

Nothing makes you feel more cramped in your homes than clutter and confusion. Follow these tips to help you minimize the mess and tidy up your space.

1. Add shelves above doorways.

2. Banish room-darkening shadows with additional light fixtures.

3. Put glass shelves across deep-set windows.

4. Use a chest or an ottoman with storage inside as a coffee table.

5. Put low bookcases along a sofa back: they'll double as a sofa table.

6. Keep the flooring throughout a small space the same for visual continuity.

7. Line a room with a shelf high up on the wall.

8. Keep window treatments simple.

9. Run a low bookcase underneath windows.

10. Stretch your space to the outdoors by making a patio or deck comfortable and welcoming.

11. Place a large bucket for magazines next to your favourite chair.

12. Line a hallway with bookshelves.

13. Use a wicker hamper as both an end table and storage space for blankets.

14. Buy a coffee table with a drawer for remotes.

15. Carve out shallow display space between wall studs.

16. Use fewer, larger pieces of furniture and accessories to reduce visual clutter.

17. Choose sofas and chairs with plain or textured upholstery rather than vibrant prints.

18. Install shelves around a window.

19. Add window seats with lids.

20. Run shelves up to the ceiling.

21. Buy a magazine rack or stack magazines in flat-bottom baskets underneath a console or coffee table.

22. Take advantage of wasted space with corner bookcases.

23. Think monochromatic.

24. Eliminate obstructions: the further you can see into and through a space, the larger it'll seem.

25. Arrange furnishings to avoid blocking views of windows and doors.

Space Saving Furniture Ideas for your home.

Today many people in big cities like Chennai have more opportunities to have a small room rather than a big space. This limitation makes them have to be smart to choose the right furniture.

When it comes to buying furniture for home the main thing that comes to the mind is it should be of right material, color, shape and size. The search for perfect furniture is not an easy one especially when you are living in relatively small homes.

Space-saving furniture

Multifunctional furniture is what got the biggest interest nowadays because in addition to unique furniture designs, many functions are present only in one furniture. Furniture like this saves enough space to live comfortably. The main idea of all this furniture is the efficiency of space so you still have plenty of room to move freely. This practical furniture is not only highly functional but also looks very modern and stylish.

With an ever rising population, the demand for space is only going to increase with time and if there is one thing that many modern homes lack is space. In such situation space saving furniture comes to our help. Following are some of the tips to using money and space saving furniture which will be ideal for small space living. Always try to use furniture pieces that make your room look bigger. For example; instead of a bookcase if you use bookshelves it will make the room look bigger.

• Use dark floor against light colored walls and furniture. It can really make the place feel more spacious.
• Using a large mirror gives an illusion of more space.
• Use expandable dining table.
• On blue walls you can always use big arts and wall hangings to make the space look bigger.
• You can use a storage bed so that you don’t need to have a dresser.
• Always try to use striped floor this gives the room a bigger look.
• Storage furniture like an entryway bench will help to store your shoes as well as reusable bags in one place.
• Using light-colors on the countertops will also give a bigger look to the room.
• Furniture raised on legs will help to make the room look bigger as it gives a sense of light and space in the room. For example sofas and arm-chairs.
• Using furniture on wheel will also help to make the room look bigger as this furniture can be easily pushed out from the way when not in use.
• A shelves and storage that are tall but have a small footprint provide lots of space and help to look the room bigger.

Source: http://www.commonfloor.com/guide/space-saving-furniture-ideas-for-your-home-27906.html

Vijay Shanthi Boulevard -

Presenting Vijay Shanthi Boulevard. Magical homes with 70% open area that will make you fall in love with life all over again. Talk to us to own a home you'll treasure forever.

Your key to happiness is just a hop away!

Vijay Shanthi Builders, known for their elite and finest homes, has now come up with few projects across Chennai. From OMR to Kothari Road homes from Vijay Shanthi offers homes that are designed for stars. 

Visit us at stall D to discover fabulous homes.

Vijay Shanthi Boulevard : Truly class apart.

Bliss. Luxury. Happiness. Comfort. Elegance. All these can be encapsulated as 
'Vijay Shanthi Boulevard'. 

Presenting the 321 luxury apartments on OMR created to delight those who love elite living. Away from the chaos of the city, yet close to the modern facilities of urban life, these homes in Chennai is designed to delight you everyday. 

Assured Rental returns in Vijay Shanthi Boulevard.

Home for stars - Boulevard from Vijay Shanthi Builders

Vijay Shanthi builders always come up with homes that are classic and elegant homes with ravishing amenities.

Whistling woods - luxury apartments in Mambakkam

Vijay Shanthi Builders, always known for their penchant in creating masterpieces now launches their luxury apartments in Mambakkam, The Whistling Woods.  Basically all homes from Vijay Shanthi provides 70% of open space with world class facilities. Strategically located at Mambakkam, the prime suburb near Tambaram, Whistling Woods hosts fabulous 2BHKand 3 BHK apartments ranging between 900 sq. ft. and 1800 sq. ft. Providing a memorable and impeccable experience, Whistling Woods offers an engrossed life in a natural wilderness which is magical, soothing and enchanting. 

Highlights of Whistling Woods:

1. Unique design
2. International style
3. Lake view apartments
4. World's finest facilities
5. 3 BHK homes with Penthouse
6. Amenities - luxurious and trendy.

In close proximity to educational institutions, entertainment avenues, health and service options, Whistling Woods offers a great experience at the bustling suburb of Chennai. Stay tuned for more updates about the project.

 

Boulevard: Luxury homes at Melakottaiyur

Vijay Shanthi Builders, one of the finest names in the real estate segment in Chennai presents, Vijay Shanthi Boulevard, a new range of premium apartments at Kandigai, on the Vandalur- Kelambakkam Road. Vijay Shanthi Boulevard is located at a well-connected location that easily connects to GST, Tambaram Camp Road, the OMR and the outer ring road that connects Oragadam. Vijay Shanthi Boulevard promises to be a close knit community living destination that’s in close proximity to the IT hub of Chennai. Boulevard offers a cluster of 321 truly amazing 3BHK homes spread across 9 grounds with a covered car park for every apartment. The luxury homes at Vijay Shanthi Boulevard feature apartments measuring from 1170-1262 sq. ft. and row houses measuring from 2315-2380 sq. ft.

The premium homes at Boulevard are well ventilated and feature top notch amenities and premium fittings. The homes at Boulevard feature vast copious amounts of lung space amidst green spaces that make it a true delight. Our efforts are to develop a community living between like-minded and like-status people. Boulevard is also located close to a range of advanced infrastructure facilities such as train services and hospitals.

In addition, Boulevard is superbly connected to the IT corridor and the outer ring road of Chennai. The creative expression ‘Happy Homes’ give our customers value for money, whilst providing the perfect living experience. Equipped with modern facilities to satisfy all the varied needs of owners, these are the best choices for the perfect home”, says Ms. Jayanthi, the Head of Marketing, Vijay Shanthi Builders.

Vijay Shanthi Boulevard is situated close to numerous educational Institutions like VIT Deemed University, Tagore Engineering College, Crescent Engineering College, Madras Christian College, SRM University, Delhi Public School and hospitals such as Chettinad and Hindu Mission. Boulevard is also close to multinational companies like Butterfly, Mahindra City, Ford, and Reynolds. Vijay Shanthi Boulevard is expected to be completed by December 2013.

The Art: The masterpiece homes in Nungambakkam

According to K.V. Raman’s ‘The Early History of the Madras Region’, Nungambakkam features in an 11 century copper plate pertaining to Rajendra Chola. He also adds that there are mentions in epigraphs of the large Nungambakkam Lake which was alas, filled in to make way for a residential area in the early 20 century. With a proud history and magnificent landmarks Nungambakkam elates as one of the elegant areas in the residential real estate. Amongst the four prime residential areas in Chennai, three are in Nungambakkam; Wallace Gardens, Khader Nawaz Khan Road and Kothari Road. 

The areas of Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Kothari Road and Wallace Gardens are home to many western brand outlets, cafeterias and swankiest boutiques and much more for the luxury loving Chennaites. The number of art galleries in these areas contributes towards satisfying the art lovers in the city. The educational institutions, consulates, French and Russian Cultural Centers makes Nungambakkam an international hub amidst the bustling city. Being home to all these don’t take it away from the blues of nature. Hence the creator of masterpieces, Vijayshanthi Builders has launched the ultimatum of their creations in architecture, ‘THE ART’. 

Inspired by Pablo Picasso’s cubist style of painting, ‘THE ART’ is perpetually endless in aura and style. Spread across an extensive area of 51,000 sq. ft. The Art hosts 21 handpicked apartments on Kothari Road. Each apartment is spread across 5498 – 5969 sq. ft. with 4 BHK option and divided into 3 blocks.  The 10,000 sq. ft. basement includes state-of-the-art amenities like gymnasium, yoga, aerobics, massage and steam rooms, sauna room, billiards, bar lounge, mini theater, lounge, party hall, dance floor and indoor games. The facilities include two car parks per apartment, underground sump & pneumatic pressure pumps, water softening plant, access card system and video phones connected to security cabins. The true beauty of 'THE ART' lies in its everlasting design and overall outlook where function and form are in harmony.

For more details about The Art, please log on to: http://www.vijayshanthibuilders.com/ongoing-life-theart-intro.aspx. 

Ready to occupy homes from Vijay Shanthi.

Receiving the key to your dream home is like receiving the key to happiness. The wait is over for the dream home.  Move on to your new abode of happiness now. Vijay Shanthi homes offers the homes that is a delight of all times. 

Lotus Pond, the new set of homes from the premium builder in Chennai, Vijay Shanthi is now ready to occupy. Lotus Pond is an exceedingly fine set of apartments on OMR. The main attraction of this project is that with just 14% in common area, they have 86% plinth area for your own private living.

It is a revolution and a revelation in the art of modern day living life is a mystery revealed here. Vijay Shanthi Lotus Pond is spread over an area of 11 acres with 60% open area. The project consists of 1106 apartments offering 1, 2 and 3 BHK. Lotus Pond is ground plus 7 floors structure with excellent amenities such as library, health club, skating ring and lots more to enjoy. 

For more details, log on to : http://www.vijayshanthibuilders.com/ongoing-happy-lotus-project-details.aspx

Malles launched their new homes in OMR.

Homes in OMR has become a pride now a days with the arrival of IT parks and the ongoing Metro Rail project.OMR has also become a favorite spot for most of the builders. Malles launched Altius in 2012 is coming up with a new project in Perumbakkam which is just 700 meters from the Medavakkam - OMR link road. 

Known as Chennai's own builder, Malles Aashira offers a cluster of 478 elegantly-designed 1, 2, 3 and 3 BHK + terrace homes spread between 550 and 1620 sq. ft. Aashira is surrounded by abundant greenery amidst a calm, serene location. With ultra-luxury amenities like landscaped garden, multipurpose hall, swimming pool, club house, spa and salon these homes are truly a delight. All homes are fully vastu-compliant and is equipped with necessary facilities. 

Perumbakkam as developing suburb is in close vicinity to IT parks, shopping and  Medavakkam Junction, OMR & Shollinganallur. Malles Aashira is very close to the city, yet a little away from the hustles and bustles. Living amidst the nature is a blessing. Malles Aashira offers this and more.

Malles Constructions has come up with special offers for homes in Aashira. Anybody can avail these by visiting their stall at FairPro 2013. The entry passes can be downloaded from Malles website. FAIRPRO is the Fairest Property Fair which is being organized by CREDAI and is to be held in the Chennai Trade Center.

For more details log on to: http://malles.in/

Urban Tree offers new social media services!

The day you decided to buy a home in Chennai, you might have surfed through many brochures from various builders in Chennai. Finally you might have landed upon one such good builder whose policies and terms and conditions are worth your investment. The brochures will have  terms like Floor carpet area. Assessment Value. Carpet Area. Built up area. Floor area Ratio etc. that sounds to you like the language of aliens.

Ever wondered about this? Have you cross examined any of these words at least once? If your answer is yes, then you have a fabulous way to explore the meaning of those terms. 

Urban Tree, the premium builder in Chennai has started a new series in Twitter, explaining the real estate terms. You can follow them here.

 

They also have an option to guide you through all these terms with an efficient buyers guide. You can either call their helpline or check their website. Urban Tree also has a display of construction materials in their office which assures their promises of quality and transparency. Walk in to urban tree office or be a part of the regular customer meets.

For more details log on to their website. http://www.urbantree.in/

Top 10 Interior Design Trends for 2013

We are looking forward to fascinating interior design trends in 2013. Even though we can not anticipate how most of the projects will look, we ran across some interesting trends for this year, which we would like to share further. Here are the top 10 most talked about key tendencies in interior design for 2013:

#1. A New Relationship Between Men and Interior Design

Society is changing and its “movements” have collateral effects on all aspects of life as we know it. In developed countries, men are known to spend a lot more time at home than in the past, helping out with children and housework, as a result of the proclaimed men-women equality. In 2013, interior design will thus begin to mirror male preferences like never before.

Sober furniture details, less flashy colors and functionality over “cuteness” are just some of the features expected in a home. If you think about it- strictly from an aesthetic point of view- this situation can create a great visual balance, one that will make both partners feel at ease in their own crib.
#2. Group Dynamics

Men being more involved in interior design is not the only social trend for this year. Another interesting shift will be made from personal tastes to group tastes and from a single designer to interior design teams. Efficiency will go sky-high, as project tasks will be well managed by more than one person.

For example, when it comes to designing a room, one team member could do the planning, another could take care of the lighting effects and the third designer could take on the finishing touches. Having more people dealing with a project is a good way to share responsibilities and speed up the work process for the client.
#3. Do It Yourself (DIY) projects

Desire for self expression is more and more obvious in the houses of people everywhere. We want to have furniture and decorations that mean something, that make us smile and that ultimately make the place feel like home. Re-purposing various objects and materials is now both a passion and a form of art.

DIY projects are slowly starting to gain power in the process of interior design, whether we are talking about old chairs being revamped or new candle supports being created. Creativity is once again taken to the next level and the home owner is more than just an innocent bystander- he is now in complete control of the project’s outcome.
#4. Texture and Touch

If people did not pay much attention in the past to how a furniture object feels when touching its surface, this is probably due to the fact that functionality used to be the main sought after characteristic in a household item. Now things are much different. People are in search for “touchable” textures, which inspire warmth and comfort as a way to engage and experience a proper home atmosphere. Suede and wood are two of the materials which will define the interior design world in 2013. Variety of texture will also be a key factor in arranging spaces.
#5. Embroidery and knitting

Embroidery and knitting is a major trend for 2013. From colorful carpets with thousands of knots to various storage baskets and poof covers, handmade is back and appears it will be here for a while.

The modern twist of these items produced by hand gives them a particular charm, one that can not be obtained from any industrially produced household decoration. 

 
#6. Stripes, stripes, stripes

In 2013 social spaces will likely turn to design dynamics, in order to inspire vibrant living and energy. One of the most simple ways to achieve this effect is by employing stripes in an elegant manner. Carpets, wallpapers, upholstery, graphic art- each of these elements can wear the distinct feature of movement as long as they are defined by… stripes.

Bold red and black & white patterns are the highlight of the design themes again, only this time associated with minimalist decor complements. The idea is to make things stand out, without compromising in elegance or visual harmony.
#7. Floral patterns with a white background

Floral patterns are also back in style, only this year they come with a twist: a white background. Ensuring a very romantic touch and giving the feeling of a perpetual holiday, these stylish additions make a strong statement in a room. You can go for a variety of colors, as long as the overall result is appealing. Try new fabric covers, graphic art, wall paintings and wallpapers- the effect will be pretty strong.
#8. African influences

More and more modern homes are starting to showcase unique design themes and African influences are particularly considered dynamic and “exotic”. In 2013, African influences are said to be a major trend, bringing warm colors and animal skin imitations back into the eclectic interiors of most fashion enthusiasts. In luxury holiday villas across the globe you will likely observe wooden furniture elements decorated with carvings or wrought iron, sculptures and handmade decorations, all defined by the African style.
#9. Hand sketching and wall writing

Hand sketching and wall writing will be more and more popular this year, as graphic artists will start collaborating with interior designers in creating original wall imprints. Imagine your favorite message elegantly written in the hallway or various letters adorning the ceiling. 

 
#10. Green walls, garden rooftops

Green living will be a key factor in design and architecture this year. From mobile plant panels to framed plant screens with lighting effects, this idea can bring a fresh touch to any apartment or public space. This approach is not only healthy, but also original and elegant. The advantages of having such a green wall? Air cleaning, humidification, evaporation of the air and appreciations from visitors.

Suburbs hold key to Chennai’s real estate growth.

Chennai is becoming the real estate hub of South India. It is an economic hub and has been listed in “Forbes-Top 10 Fastest Growing Cities in the World“. Chennai’s residential market is considered stable compared to some other metros in India. In the past one year, its residential space absorption has remained stable unlike other tier I cities including Bangalore where there have been a slump. Let us take a look at Chennai residential market in 2013 with the apparent trends and shifts, with special reference to the suburbs bursting with realty vigor.
 

Chennai residential sector

Chennai has witnessed price rise in many of its localities. Analysts have predicted that realty development will see migrating into suburban Chennai in the near future. Suburbs are predicted to be where the residential development would be taking place. The reason being that no longer the city’s real estate activity is limited around areas like T. Nagar and most of the central areas in the city are on the verge of inflation.

Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), Oragadam, Madipakkam, GST Road, Sriperumbudur, Tambaram, Medavakkam, Oragadam, etc are some of the emerging realty destinations in Chennai. Most of the apartments located in the suburbs of Chennai have witnessed a price appreciation of over Rs 1,000 per sq ft in the last two years. Residential projects are now going beyond Melmaruvathur along NH45, Maraimalai Nagar and Chengalpet in Kancheepuram.
 
Emerging suburbs

Medavakkam is among the most promising upcoming real estate destinations in India. The suburb close to the Airport saw a 15% price appreciation over the past one year. The average residential property price in 2010 was about Rs 3200 per square feet , which had gone up to Rs 3300 per square feet and Rs 3800 per square feet in 2011 and 2012,respectively.

Old Mahabalipuram Road is another growing suburb where realty development is rapidly sprinting forward. It has witnessed about 20 percent increase in property prices since 2011. The average price per sq ft in this area is Rs 4800.

Thiruneermalai, Madhavaram and Semmencherry are also few of the emerging residential real estate hubs. In Thiruneermalai, the rate per sq ft has increased from Rs 2,500 in 2010 to Rs 3,900 in 2012 and in case of Madhavaram, prices have gone up from Rs 3,300 to Rs 3,900 per sq ft.

South and West suburbs of Chennai are going to see the maximum additions of residential space in the next five years. More than 60 percent of the total residential space is estimated to come up in the South and nearly 30 percent to the West of the city. While Medavakkam will see 103% price rise, Pallikarni could rise by 93% over the next five years.
 
Drivers of residential development

Information technology, allied services and financial services are the sectors which primarily drive the real estate market and dictate the areas of residential development in Chennai.

Apart from IT/ITeS and financial services, Chennai’s economy is driven by the automotive, manufacturing and telecom sectors as well, since the city is home to a large number of automotive companies including Hyundai, Renault, Nissan Motors, Ashok Leyland, Daimler AG, Caterpillar Inc., Komatsu Limited, Ford, BMW, etc. and also shelters telecom giants like Nokia, Siemens, Motorola, Dell, etc. It is ranked 4th in hosting the maximum number of Fortune 500 companies of India.

A lot of job opportunities are being created by these companies and urban population is increasing. Since availability of land is scarce in city areas, suburbs are where the realtors are focusing upon. Astronomical prices of the city properties have made them out of reach for potential home buyers. As a result, more and more number of residential apartments are being launched in the suburban areas and investors as well as end users are going for these projects.

Over the next five years, around 21 million sq.ft of additional office space will be absorbed in Chennai with the southern parts accounting for more than 18 million sq.ft. It will guide the residential developments in these areas.
 
Challenges for realty growth in suburbs

However, Chennai still has miles to travel before it can boast of favored environment encouraging residential development in the suburban areas. The Metro rail project and mono rail projects in Chennai are welcome catalysts for realty growth as they will enhance the connectivity of outskirts with the city areas.

Community living as a concept is nascent in case of Chennai, when compared to its neighbor, Bangalore. Integrated townships are the answer to residential needs of the city and steps are being taken towards it. Compared to Chennai, residential supply has been more or less uniform in Bangalore localities. It is also due to the fact that Bangalore market is matured in comparison to Chennai.

The biggest challenge that lies ahead for Chennai realty is to develop the infrastructure in the suburbs. Most of Chennai suburbs still lack social infrastructure. Due to limited land availability; schools, malls, multiplexes, restaurants and supermarkets in suburbs are less in number as compared to other metros. In strategic localities like Oragadam and Sriperumbudur, civic facilities such as water supply, sewerage system or health and recreation facilities are yet to be developed. To be able to witness influx of townships, the civic amenities need to be developed.

Source: http://www.commonfloor.com/guide/suburbs-hold-key-to-chennais-real-estate-growth-22287.html

Go Green! Tips on eco-friendly living in apartments

This year let us go green by making Eco-friendly solutions. Let us adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle and reduce the carbon footprint. Here are some ideas.

Use paper bags instead of plastic ones:

Give a start to your green resolution for the year by opting for paper bags instead of plastic bags. Teach the same to your kids and family members. Stores within the apartment complex should also stop distributing plastic bags and instead use paper or cloth/jute bags.

Going green with vegetation:

Do not fret about the lack of space in your apartment for gardening, instead plant vegetables in containers or create a small patch within the garden. Grow your favorite vegetables in your home garden. A number of people can take up community gardening in an apartment and stick to the resolution for the year. Take initiative and plant trees in your apartment as well.

Trim down energy consumption:

Get hold of energy efficient appliances. Let natural air come indoors and use the thermostat and fan only when required. Get rid of the fluorescent lights/chandeliers and get LED (light-emitting diode) lights which are energy saving and long lasting. If you stay in a colder region, caulk your windows and doors and avoid cooling of your home, as increased cooling means increased thermostat power. Turn of the lights and other appliances when not in use. Opt for solar generated outdoor lights.

Efficient use of water:

Think of ways to reuse water in your apartment. Ask your apartment authorities to install a sewage treatment plant. Avoid running the fast flow of water in your kitchen and bathroom and instead install low-flow shower-heads, faucets and toilets. Install solar water heaters.

Avoid bottled water:

Start drinking filtered tap water instead of buying bottled water. Even if you prefer bottled water, ensure that the bottles are reusable/recyclable. Plastic bottles form a large amount of waste collected each day.
 

Recycle to the utmost:

Start collecting things in your apartment which can be recycled. Create awareness program  within the society and appoint people to collect the recyclable items. Think of ways to recycle, reuse and re-purpose objects in and around your apartment. For e.g. make use of the kitchen jars and kitchenware to plant trees and store waste. Do not forget to have a compost pit in your apartment.

Ride instead of driving:

Avoid driving to distances which can be reached on foot. Make it a point to cycle to your office at least on weekends. Make it a family resolution to drive less and carpool with your neighbours and friends.

Eco-friendly products and décor:

Dispose all the chemical based cleaning products and instead opt for eco-friendly cleansers. Contemporary concepts of eco-friendly furniture and decor are available in most of the outlets today. Get creative and make decorative out of used objects like jars, tins, etc.

Create an outdoor space:

Make efficient and minor usage of electricity by creating an interesting outdoor seating area. Start by installing a hammock and place few jute/cane seats and a table. This can be a grand recreational spot for you and your friends.

Efficient use of paper:

Save trees by making lesser usage of paper from magazines to books. Teach your children to value their books. Try and make your bill payments online which will help you save paper. Avoid buying too many magazines and books and instead lend the same books to your friends to read as well.

As the saying goes, every drop forms an ocean, so does every green living effort of yours save our planet.

Source: http://www.commonfloor.com/guide/top-10-environmentally-friendly-new-year-resolutions-22304.html