Properties, Homes & more

It’s all in the name of good faith! Wise old men said centuries ago that a person’s happiness rests on the good things he has in his home or place of work. Probably every family in our country has a Ganpati figurine in the house that is a sign of prosperity and good luck. Now-a-days, the trend is to have Feng Shui artifacts. It means wind and water. It is rapidly becoming a standard practice for creating the ideal and balanced environment to live in and work.

Feng Shui specifically comprises of four aspects: building, environment, people, and time. Most “masters” and Feng Shui books only utilise the first two aspects - building & environment - and miss the other two important factors - people & time.

It is an ancient chinese study of the environment that is natural and “built”, and has been practiced for thousands of years. It is a blend of architecture, interior design, Chinese mathematics and common sense. In its most accurate form, Feng Shui analyzes specifically how a building and environment supports the people and how a certain time period affects the house and its occupants.

If properly applied, Feng Shui recommendations can result in improvements in the life of the individuals who occupy the property. There are many places where Feng Shui articles are available. Now even stores like Lifestyle are also stroing Feng Shui figurines like Three Wise Men - its presence is said to ensure wealth, authority, respect, long life and good health; Laughing Buddha - a symbol for prosperity, success and financial gains in the work areas; Dragon and Turtlehead Dragon among others.

The sale of these artifacts is going really strong because they are the best way of ensuring good luck. These collectibles are priced very affordably in the range of Rs. 120 to Rs. 2,000 - according to the size & material used. You can also place Figures and Fountains in porcelain thus enhance the beauty of your living rooms. You can use Wind-chimes, available in ceramic and aluminium. In my next post, I will discuss more about Feng Shui and how one can utilize this philosophy to bring in cheer to one’s life.

The humble hard-baked red clay, which was primarily used to make earthen pots - until now considered as a low-income society item - has finally managed to enter the so-called high-income society. It is now used as a fashion jewellery, in artefacts or home decor. I am pleased to bring to you Terracotta - the latest up-market fancy fad, made up of earth. Moulded into various shapes, sizes and forms, it adds an exotic touch to homes and imparts a warm, earthy tone to the surroundings.

Terracotta is also making its mark in the fashion industry. Eventhough jewellery made from terracotta doesn’t have a smooth finish, its uneven texture adds to the charm. Modern pieces inspired from traditional designs give an ethnic touch to any outfit. They are also available in bright colours. In fact, many young hot girls are crazy about anything that is rustic.

When it comes to home décor, the most popular items are Feng Shui wind chimes, Laughing Buddha statues and Chinese lanterns. Terracotta wind chimes produce a vibrating sound that is believed to bring good fortune and luck. Apart from that, figurines of Lord Ganesha, Radha-Krishna, the Sun God; animals and decorative pots are also much in demand.

Another advantage of terracotta is that it is friendly on the pocket too. They are reasonably priced and fit well within any budget. They are also trendy and attractive. Terracotta pots are environment friendly and help retain water, thereby making it an effective option to grow plants. It is not only cost-effective, but can spruce up even the most basic of interiors. It also adds an ethnic touch to your ensemble in the form of rustic jewellery.