Creating an oasis in your living space

Living in an apartment and not having a front or backyard does not mean you cannot grow plants and have your own garden. A balcony is enough to transform part of your living space into an oasis of thriving green.

Space – When planning a balcony garden, first determine the size of your space and how you are going to design it. Will it be possible to include a “lounge” area (where you can put a table and chairs) in the layout, or will it be just plants there? Are you staying in a high-rise or a mid-rise building, higher or lower floor? This is vital to check whether the place is too windy to grow plants. You also need to observe the amount of sunlight that hits the space. Is it too sunny, or does it receive shade at other times of the day?

Plants – Herbs, vegetables, fruits, trees or shrubs; annuals or perennials – you have a lot of options to choose from. However, ensure to pick the ones that suit the Middle Eastern climate, and choose plants according to the amount of sunlight that your balcony gets. Either grow plants that can withstand plenty of sunlight, or choose those that thrive well in the shade. There are many garden centres and plant nurseries across the UAE where you can buy seeds, seedlings and cuttings, and even ask for expert advice on which plants are best suited to the country’s weather conditions
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Compost and containers – Since the country enjoys year-round sunshine, experts advise using loam as potting compost as it is better at retaining water. It also has good drainage and aeration properties. When potting plants, put large stones or gravel at the bottom of the pot before adding the compost to prevent waterlogging. As for pots and containers, while terra cotta provides better drainage, plastic and wood are light enough for balcony use. Most homeware stores carry plant pots in a variety of styles, shapes and designs. Opt for containers in different shapes, colours and sizes to lend your green space character and an interesting feel.

Accessories – Trellises, plant stands, hanging planters and flower boxes can add depth and texture to your garden. Throw in some dry tree trunks, pebbles and rocks, too.
Overall, all it takes is a green thumb and a little imagination to create a verdant spot in your apartment.

Interior Tips.

* Check the amount of sunlight your space receives and grow plants accordingly
* Pick pots in different sizes, shapes and colours to give your space character
* Throw in some accessories like pebbles, trellises and planters to give it texture

Tips on keeping your green space healthy.

source gn

Creating good feng shui in the kitchen

One of the main reasons for the disintegration of close-knit relationships and family life is habitually disrupting or ignoring the need for nourishment. Cooking is an expression of support. Attention to food preparation is at the core of family life and, when done with love and devotion, brings good fortune to all the family members. That is why you should pay attention to the style or the Feng Shui factor of your kitchen when you rent or buy a house.

Having a smart and good quality kitchen is already a good step towards the future. The kitchen should be decorated with solid and long-lasting materials. It is the heart of the house and you want it to be sturdy and strong. Having a worktop done in natural stone like marble, granite or limestone gives an immediate feeling of robustness. Earth elements in the kitchen such as stone and nature-inspired shades provide stability and make you feel safe.

The main elements in the kitchen are fire and water: fire for the stove, water for the sink. As fire and water suggest potential conflict in the family, you need to be aware of the relative placement of the stove and sink to avoid clashes. In a nutshell, certain issues may arise when the sink is placed opposite the stove. In this case, water attacks fire which can indicate domestic quarrels. It is, therefore, unwise to position the water element opposite the stove.

On space clearing, cleanliness in the kitchen is of vital importance. It is recommended that you use an antibacterial cleaning solution.

It is also advisable to avoid clutter in the kitchen. It should be open and organized. By using good quality materials and a cozy design, it will not be necessary to add items to decorate the space so that the energy can flow better.

The ideal location to build the kitchen in the home is east or southeast. These directions represent morning energy and give freshness and vitality to the food being prepared. If your kitchen is not situated in these directions, add green touches like green granite for your worktop or plants.

Feng Shui Tips
 
• With Feng Shui, it is unwise to position the sink or water element opposite the stove
• Put away smaller appliances like toaster or blender that clutter counters
• Avoid placing the oven and range in the northwest sector of your kitchen

source gn

Bring positivity and colour to your life with feng shui

Feng shui is beyond the misconception of placing objects like wind chimes, laughing Buddha, money frog and others. The basic principle governing feng shui is chi, the vital force or energy that activates everything.

Poor energy flow results in the imbalance of the five elements – earth, metal, fire, wood and water – the driving forces of our life.

Using colour is one of the easiest ways to shift the energy in your home in order to create a positive feng shui. Each colour is an expression of the five elements.

On a circle of 360 degrees, stand at the centre point of your house, identify all the eight directions and divide them into an angle of 45 degrees each. Once you know where the north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west and northwest are, balance them with colour as per the below tips:

• Balance the fire element in the south with the shades of red, orange, purple, pink or bright yellow to bring in supporting energy to all your career efforts and fame. Avoid the shades of water and metal.

• Balance the northeast and southwest earth element with light yellow, sandy beige and sandy mushroom colours to help create stability and protect your relationships, health and inner balance. Avoid the shades of water and wood.

• Balance the west and northwest metal element with grey, white, gold and silver colours to bring sharpness, precision and efficiency. Avoid fire and wood shades.

• Enhance the water element, which is wealth, in the north to bring a refreshing energy of calm, ease, purity and freshness. Use the shades of blue, aqua or moderate black. Fountains and mirrors are also excellent. Avoid fire and earth shades.

• Enhance the wood element in the east and southeast to bring the energy of vibrant health, vitality, growth and abundance. Energise the areas with bamboo plants, and the colours of brown and green.

 Avoid earth and metal shades.

Feng Shui Tips

• Applying colour is the easiest way to promote positive feng shui at home
• Poor energy is caused by imbalance of earth, metal, fire, wood, water elements
• Bamboo plants can boost the wood element in house’s east, southeast areas

source gn

How to organise a studio apartment

 

Living in a studio apartment is good for one’s pocket, but it comes with a unique challenge of limited space. If you are currently living in a studio flat or are planning to get one, here are some easy tips to make your apartment organised and look more spacious:

• Plan ahead – Before moving to a studio flat, make a list of all your belongings that need floor space. These include tables, sofas, TV stands, beds, wardrobes, dining sets and bookshelves. Then get the floor plan from your apartment manager or draw one by yourself. Plan how you will accommodate all the items in your list.

• Be creative – Come up with your own ideas on how you can fully utilise the area. You can use different types of wallpaper to define each space. Opt for a bright colour theme to make the space look spacious.

• Wise storage – Avoid floor space for storage. Consider the walls or false ceilings to store lightweight materials. For stuff like toys, consider tall boxes than broad ones. Throw away unwanted materials or give them to charity.

• Use dividers – Separating the living area and the bedroom space will give you more privacy. Your landlord may not allow you to make a wall partition, but you can easily demarcate spaces by arranging furniture (bookshelves, TV stands) or curtains wisely.

• Natural light – It is a fact that a well-lit room looks more spacious,
 so allow natural light to stream into your room. Do not use dark curtains or cover the windows with cabinets. If you prefer to partition, consider bookshelves with an open backside that allows light to pass through.

• Save space – Foldable furniture is the all-time favorite of studio owners. Arrange the pieces as small subrooms. Choose tables, chairs and beds with hidden storage. Use a bookshelf to store your laptop. Choose a wardrobe with sliding doors. Get a sofa that can be converted into a bed. Ceiling/hanging clothes racks are also good space savers.

Get the maximum out of your limited space by letting your creativity run, or considering the help of a professional interior designer.

Interior Tips• A well-lit space translates to a more spacious room so let the natural light in
• Bookshelves, TV stands, wardrobes and curtains make great space dividers
• Save space with foldable furniture, sofa-cum-bed and hanging clothes rack

source gn