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Vastu Shastra for Home Makeovers

Vastu Shastra or Vastu is the traditional science of architecture practised in the Hindu community. The ideas and concepts of Vastu Shastra are models for the organisation of space and form within a room or a collection of rooms or structures, based on their functions in relation to each other, as well as their purpose and usage. While Vastu Shastra includes advice and guidelines for all rooms design in a home—such as the bedroom, kitchen, living room, playroom, home office, prayer room and the outdoor spaces—its science has also been incorporated in the building of cities, townships, gardens, roads, waterworks, and other large public areas. The basic principle of Vastu is to integrate the architecture with the five natural elements, namely, fire, water, air, sky, and earth.

For a house to become a home, it needs to radiate the right kind of energy. According to a number of traditional beliefs, each home comes with its own energy type. A person dwelling in a house comes under the influence of a specific energy field, which in turn influences him in one way or the other. Therefore it’s very crucial to understand the link between the healing art of Vastu and our homes in honing positivity and good vibes.

1. Vastu for the Main Entrance: Doorway

According to Vastu Shastra, the main entrance to a home is not only the entry point for the family, but also for energy. As per Vastu, the main door should be constructed in a way to ensure that when you step out, you face the north, east or north-east direction.Considered as the “archway to victory and progress in life”, the main door should face north, east or in the north-east direction. It must be constructed in a way to ensure that when you step out, you face the north, east or north-east direction.

The main door to your home should be constructed with superior quality wood. It should tower above the other doors in your house, and look the most appealing.

If there is a wall at the entrance, don’t leave it naked. Naked wall represent loneliness especially if it is at the entrance. It looks sad and negative. Show your creativity and decorate the wall. You can hang the picture of the God or place a statue there; it all depends on you.

Avoid placing a fountain, or any other decorative water-centric element, outside the main door.

Avoid placing a shoe rack or dustbin outside the main door.

There shouldn’t be a bathroom near the main door.

Ensure the main entrance is well lit.

Avoid painting the main door black.

Decorate your door with beautiful nameplates and auspicious torans.

Avoid placing animal statues or figurines near the main door.

Ensure your main door opens in a clockwise manner.

2. VASTU SHASTRA FOR BEDROOM

Health is wealth! You cannot be healthy without a good sleep. The bedroom should be arranged according to the rules of vastu.  For the master bedroom to be harmonious and happy, it should be built facing the South-West and never the South-East, as this second direction is governed by the element of fire.

Since this is a space to unwind, rest and relax, consider using a softer colour palette for a Vastu-compliant style. Avoid also the use of photographs representing unrest, strife or war, alongside with anything that stirs unhappy or negative emotions, to not disturb the restful vibe of the room.

 Keep the bedroom well lit with natural lights during the day. Let the fresh air flow into the room by keeping the windows open for at least 20 minutes every day.

 If it is the room of a couple, keep a single mattress instead of double. It is the symbol of togetherness.

Mirrors should not be located inside the bedroom as they lead to frequent quarrels among the members of the house.

The bed should be located in a way that allows your head to rest towards the South or the East, as these directions bring good sleep and ensure a long life. Don’t put the bed in the corner or pushed along the wall.

3. VASTU SHASTRA FOR THE KITCHEN

Vastu shastra is all about balancing and adjusting the energies of the nature to bring peace and prosperity to your home and eventually in your life. Kitchen is the food factory of our home and it needs to be in perfect balance because the two opposite force of nature, fire and water, exist here.

As per vaastu shastra, south-east is the ideal kitchen direction for every household. Southern or eastern directions are secondary choices.  Avoid kitchen directly under or above pooja/prayer room.

Do not have kitchen directly under or above toilets.

Avoid kitchen directly under or above bedroom.

Do not place cooking gas burner or stove directly in front kitchen’s entrance door.

Do not have main door of kitchen in any corners; place it in East, North or West wall.

A kitchen in North-East causes mental tension among family members and they suffer great losses.

Kitchen in South-West leads to clashes among family members.

A kitchen in North-West direction is acceptable but it leads to increase in monetary expenditure.

Most dangerous kitchen is the one placed in North direction; as North is Lord Kubera’s (the God of Wealth) direction, having kitchen in North will increase expenditure of family beyond expectations and control.

Never face west while cooking as this leads to severe health problems to the cook.

If – while cooking – the cook faces south then family has to face monetary losses.

Avoid black color for kitchen wall and flooring.

Avoid keeping refrigerator in North-East direction.

4. Sparkling fortune

Sparkling clean glass of windows and doors attracts fresh and positive energy in your home and to your life. If you have space, create a small garden outside the window and have curved pathway or pave the path with pebbles and install a fountain. Keep a water fountain in the north-east part of your home and make sure that the flow of water is constant. Flowing water symbolizes the flow of energy and prosperity.

5. Swimming in the positive energy

Bring home an aquarium and with it bring home positive energy. Aquarium attracts fortune and wealth. Make sure that the fishes in the aquarium are healthy, active, strong swimmer and always on the move. The constant movement of the fish will keep the flow of wealth energized. Keep the water well aerated and clean. The ideal place for the aquarium is the north-east position of the room.

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Feng Shui Home Decor Tips for A Peaceful, Prosperous Space

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy that seeks to find balance and harmony between elements. The words literally mean “windwater,” which are associated with good luck, and good health. Not only are these two elements basic and vital to human existence, but they also move and flow around the world. Incorporating feng shui goes beyond Western design tenets of comfort or aesthetic. Instead it places emphasis on physical and mental health, success, and healthy relationships, which is brought on through positive energy flow.

The five important elements of feng shui are wood, metal, earth, water, and fire.

Wood
Symbolizes growth and vitality. Placing wood items in your space encourages personal growth. Plants and wooden furniture are easy ways to add this element.

Metal
Symbolizes logic and intelligence. It supports knowledge and mental sharpness. Add this element to your space with metal frames or sculptures.

Earth
Symbolizes stability and balance. It helps to ground and stabilize. Bring the earth element inside with rocks, crystals and landscape imagery.

Water
Symbolizes wisdom and serenity. It helps with clarity and relaxation. Mirrors, reflective surfaces and aquariums are ways to add the water element to your space.

Fire
Symbolizes passion and energy. It’s representative of transformation, expansion and volatility. Use candles and red objects to enhance your space with fire.

To increase the amount of good vibes in your home, follow these easy feng shui home decor tips 

Good Chi Flow in a Clear, Open Space

The single most important objective in creating feng shui is allowing for the flow of good energy, or chi, throughout your home. Chi brings good health, wealth and luck. When you see the homes of wealthy people, the number one thing that you actually see is open space. An abundance of open space. Strange, no? Rarely do you see wealthy houses full to the brim with all sorts of stuff. It is the luxury of open space and plenty of breathing room that attracts more wealth energy. In feng shui terms this basically means there is open space to allow more and to enjoy more. To create more, explore more and be more .

Declutter your home

Clutter is stuck energy, and the essence of cluttered spaces  – as well as the dominant energy of people who live in cluttered spaces – is based on fear mixed with pessimism.  Decluttering must be thorough—simply hiding your stuff won’t cut it. Items under the furniture, overloaded bookcases and closets, and outdated or broken items all affect chi flow .Directly connected to the concept of a clutter clear space is clear organization. If you do not have an organized house, chances are you will start quickly accumulating clutter again. Each item in your home deserves a space of its own, no matter how small; this makes for a peaceful house with strong and clear energy.

Add plant :

Nature is the ultimate manifestation of unlimited wealth and abundance, so replicating the lush energy of nature in your home will help you attract the same quality of energy. Money Plant or not, lucky Bamboo or not, know that decorating your home with lush, verdant happy plants in good looking, solid pots is an excellent feng shui wealth magnet. Plants also attract vibrant chi energy due to their life force. As long as the plants are kept healthy, you’re attracting good energy.

Some plants are better for feng shui than others. In fact, some plants, like cactus, are considered bad feng shui, because they lack the need for water (water is like wealth), or they’re spiky and “unfriendly.”

Here’s a list of some of the best (and luckiest) plants you can invite into your space. Most of these plants are low-maintenance, and do very well indoors:

  • Lucky Bamboo
  • Peace Lily
  • Ficus
  • Rubber Plant
  • English Ivy
  • Palm
  • Boston Fern
  • Philodendron
  • Spider Plant

Use Feng Shui Wealth Colors

Colors play a very important role in feng shui; add them through wall art, decorative objects or paint.

Here’s a general list of what each color activates:

  • Red: luck and wealth
  • Orange: happiness and fun
  • Yellow: mental stimulation, power
  • Green: peace, balance, healing
  • Blue: calmness, communication, spirtuality
  • Purple: wealth, high spirituality
  • White: cleansing and purity
  • Black: power, especially when paired with red
  • Brown: nurturing

Feng Shui Wealth Cures

There is a variety of popular classical feng shui money cures that can work for you as wealth magnets (if you genuinely like them). The top 5 classical feng shui wealth cures are:

1. The Laughing Buddha

2. Arowana fish figurines (or real aquariums made to feng shui specifications)

3. The feng shui money frog

4. Various hangings and tassels made with Chinese coins

5. The wealth vase.

These are just the basics of feng shui; there’s much more to the art and science, including directions, numbers, elements and more. Getting started with these tips should be a good start; you should feel the difference in your space in no time!


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12 Household Items to Replace and When

credit educaplay

You will improve your home’s function and safety when you replace certain indoor and outdoor items regularly. Simply add these 12 home improvement tasks to your calendar, and you’ll stay on top of necessary and beneficial home updates.

1. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smoke detectors last up to 10 years. Carbon monoxide detectors last up to seven years. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that working smoke detectors increase your house fire survival chances by 50 percent, so in addition to replacing these devices regularly, remember to replace the batteries in both detectors at least annually.
2. Fire Extinguisher
Rechargeable fire extinguishers last up to six years. Disposable fire extinguishers have a 12-year shelf life. To ensure your fire extinguishers are ready to keep you safe, check the pressure gauges monthly and verify that they’re still charged or full. Recharge or replace the extinguishers if needed.

3. Water Filters
The water filters in your refrigerator should be replaced once every six months, in your portable water pitcher every two months or 40 gallons, and in your whole house system every three to six months. This schedule reduces your exposure to harmful bacteria, chemicals and heavy metals as you stay hydrated.

4. Refrigerator
Plan to replace your refrigerator every 15 years. You may opt for an earlier replacement to take advantage of energy-efficient models, particularly since a 10-year-old refrigerator uses twice the energy of a newer Energy Star rated model.
5. Dishwasher
A dishwasher may last eight to 10 years if you regularly clean the tub, door, accessories, and other parts. Consider replacing your dishwasher around year eight if you want to save money on your water and energy bills.

6. Washing Machine
If you clean and maintain your washing machine regularly, it should last eight to 12 years. Your maintenance tasks may include replacing the door gasket or tightening water connections under the machine if you see leaks. You may also need to balance the machine or replace the motor mount if the machine makes excessive noise.
7. Water Heater
After eight to 12 years, you will want to replace your water heater. Drain this appliance twice a year to reduce sediment buildup and improve efficiency. Additionally, you can lower the thermostat to reduce overheating and prolong the life of your water heater.

8. Shower Head Filters
Change your shower head filters every six to 12 months. Mineral deposits affect the shower head’s efficiency, and bacteria buildup affects your health and the shower head filter function.

9. Carpet
Carpet can last up to 10 years under ideal conditions. If your carpet suffers damage from pets or kids, replace it sooner since pet stains can cause asthma, allergies or skin and eye irritations.
10. Air Conditioner
Install a new air conditioner unit every eight to 10 years. Regular maintenance may prolong the life of your air conditioner, but humidity issues, temperature fluctuations, or excessive noise signal that it’s time to replace the unit.
11. Gutters
Aluminum gutters will last 30 years if you clean and maintain them regularly, but you’ll have to replace vinyl gutters more frequently since they can be damaged easily. Check your gutters and downspouts after heavy storms or at least twice a year to verify that they remain properly connected to the house and don’t leak or overflow.

12. Roof
Metal or clay tile roofs last up to 50 years. Wood shake or shingles last 30 years. Composite or asphalt shingles usually last up to 20 years. No matter which type of roof your house has, replace it sooner if you notice leaks, sags, or curled, cracked or missing shingles.

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Warli Art

Warli painting is a style of tribal art  mostly created by the tribal people from the North Sahyadri Range in India. This range encompasses cities such as Dahanu, Talasari , Jawhar , Palghar, Mokhada and Vikramgadh of Palghar district. This tribal art was originated in Maharashtra, where it is still practiced today.

Originated in Maharashtra, these rudimentary wall paintings use a set of basic geometric shapes which are symbolic of different elements of nature. The circle and the triangle come from their observation of nature. The circle represents the sun and the moon, while the triangle is derived from mountains and pointed trees.  In contrast, the square appears to be a human invention, indicating a sacred enclosure or a piece of land. The central motif in each ritual painting is the square, known as the “chalk” or “Shaukat” .