Properties, Homes & more

The Plants World nursery and garden centre provides a new and an exquisite collection of planters for landscape architects and avid gardeners alike. Geared to match all kinds of house décor, whether sleek and modern, where a contemporary planter should be your logical choice, while weight may become an issue for the window box.

There are metal, fibre, ceramic - there are all kinds available to match the décor both inside and out. These are also available in a range of finishes - antique, stone, slate, terra cotta to name a few. While choosing your planter put thought into its final location, size and the plants that you would be planting inside it.

Celebrate this festival of DIWALI by making a difference in the lives of some young girls who wish to pursue their dreams of being successful and confident like you and me. This is an effort by the team of “Mission Awareness” to help these girls in a way which will make them self independent…

Let me brief you about “Mission Awareness“. This is an organization run by enthusiastic youngsters who want to help the world by giving some time, talent and resources from their lives to make it a better place. They are involved in many activities to spread awareness about global warming, energy & water conservation, fuel conservation, etc. They now have come up with the bright idea of getting Diwali Diya’s made by these underprivileged girls.

The money that will be accumulated from the sale of these Diya’s will be used to conduct handicraft, acting & dancing and educational camps for the underprivileged children in primary schools across Mumbai & Greater Mumbai. With the help of very helpful teachers and friends, they have taught some underprivileged girls the art of painting Diya’s in a unique and different way. And see what they have made… A huge collection of beautiful & eco-friendly Diya’s that can make your Diwali even more colorful and bright. Find below the photographs of some of these awesome Diya’s alongwith their price.

LEAF Single: Rs 30 | Pair: Rs 55	PEACOCK Single: Rs 40 | Pair: Rs 70
FLOWER Single: Rs 20 | Pair: Rs 35	SWASTIC Single: Rs 20 | Pair: Rs 35
FLOWER-2 Single: Rs 20 | Pair: Rs 35	KAIREE Single: 20 | Pair: Rs 35
GANESHJI Single: 30 | Pair: Rs 55	SUN Single: Rs 70 | Pair: Rs 125
FLAT SHANKH Single: 20 | Pair: Rs 35	PLATE Single: Rs 40 | Pair: Rs 70
SHANKH Single: Rs 30 | Pair: Rs 55	TURTLE Single: Rs 40 | Pair: Rs 75
ROSE Single: Rs 20 | Pair: Rs 35	SUNFLOWER Single: Rs 20 | Pair: Rs 35

To order, please email to GUNCHA @ guncha.khare@gmail.com and mention your order & contact details. Guncha manages this Mission and will ensure that you get your Diya’s well in time in nicely wrapped package. I have bought 5 of them and believe me, they are simply superb. So go ahead and place your oder and help underprivileged a little bit in your own way…

Times Property proudly present the most awaited and widely appreciated property exhibition in Mumbai from July 3 - 5. This exhibition, like its earlier sessions, promises big bang in the property market. Various reputed builders (including small to big sharks) would showcase their properties in this exhibition. There would be ready possession, almost ready, and upcoming projects up for grabs. Besides homes, there would be plots, penthouses, second (or weekend) homes, commercial properties (including office space, IT parks, etc.), interior designer shops, and other stalls selling useful home-making materials. One can also book their dream homes in this expo and they would get handsome discounts right there!! Needless to say, there are tens of exciting offers from loan-lenders too. Spot discounts and instant approvals are complimentary.

Do not forget to attend this grand event…

The latest foreign trend is to incorporate plants into furniture design, going green in a totally literal way. The easiest way to enjoy nature is to have a garden. Maintaining a full-fledged garden is no child’s play so most people settle for a few potted, inhouse plants in theie homes. Though they add “green” quotient to your homes, if not planned properly they end-up into general clutter.

That’s precisely the point which gave rise to inhouse plant designing; someone designs multipurpose furniture with a difference - where you can plant your favourite greens within the design parameters of the chair or table itself, or even display units which make do with an ever changing element - living plants.

	The potted plant table by Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka saves space by having the pot incorporated below the table, with a simple white surface to enhance whatever the colour of the plant. The Little Garden is a round, metal, low table produced by Moroso. Its top is supported by a central circular stem that has a flower pot at the base.
	Designer Greg Zulkie has gone a step further and come up with the Stitch Table. It is a coffee table with three stainless steel pots that can hold anything - even plants. This is to do away with the necessity of plonking a pot (in however pretty a planter) on top of your shiny coffee table and thus spoiling the lines of the table, or even worst, risking scratching the said surface. These steel pots don’t need to only hold plants; they can also hold all the other miscellanea of life at home like magazines, papers and even dirty cups.
	The living display wall units are another idea which consists of two frames sandwiched together with pockets of soil to hold the plants upright. There is a feeder system to ensure that the plants don’t go thirsty, without water seeping all over the upholstery. This dynamic display of The Living Wall Planters will be extremely popular, especially once the manufacturers are able to get rid of the amateurish look of the product.
	Another idea is the living bench or ‘Bushy Bench’ by 5.5 Designers that has space for earth and plants to be grown to quite a height, to make up the backrest and arms. You can even colour coordinate the plants to match with your ornaments, or just let it be the center of attraction! This is the half effort bench though there are full ones where every inch can be covered in grass or ivy, some soft, sittable plant - ideal garden furniture. Of course, these may not be especially easy to grow, but just think of the oxygen contributed to the atmosphere quite apart from all the oohs and aahs that it will engender.

<< continued from tips to conserve energy & save money

Energy can be conserved in day-to-day life by making small and simple changes in the way we use devices. Here are a few tips that can help achieve results, without compromising on your lifestyle.

Heating and cooling systems

1. Use a ceiling fan or table fan rather than an air-conditioner wherever possible since it costs you close to 30 paisa an hour to operate against Rs. 10 for an airconditioner.
2. Set the temperature of the air-conditioner to 25 degrees centigrade since 3-5 % of energy is consumed to reduce the temperature by one degree.
3. Use the timer facility of air-conditioner and leave the unit off for some time since a good air-conditioner shall require only half an hour to dehumidify and the cool the room.
4. Clean the filter of the air-conditioner regularly to reduce consumption of energy.
5. If the air conditioner is old then cost of replacing the unit might work out cheaper than repairing and maintaining the old unit.
6. While buying new electrical equipment, opt for the highest star rated energy saving device.
7. Reduce the temperature setting of water heaters from 60 degrees centigrade to 50 degrees. You can save 15-20% of energy required to heat the water at high temperature.
8. Insulate the pipes of water heaters to minimize the loss of heat especially when the pipe is running through unheated areas.
9. As a long-term solution and future investment use solar water heating systems rather than conventional water heaters.

Cooking systems

1. Refrigerators should be placed away from sources of heat, including direct sunlight, radiators, and appliances such as the oven and cooking range.
2. Refrigerator motors and compressors generate heat. Hence allow enough space for continuous airflow in and around refrigerator to make it more efficient.
3. Do not stack the refrigerator full; keep some free area inside for air circulation.
4. Allow hot and warm food to cool down before putting it in refrigerator. Also cover food items.
5. Use the microwave oven, which consumes close to 50% less energy as compared to a regular oven, especially if the quantity of food is less.