Quick & Easy Monsoon Care Tips for your Home

All of us are awaiting the monsoons after the rising and scorching heat of the summers. Though we wait for them, we also dread them in some ways. Its just a beautiful thought of feeling and experiencing the lush freshness in the air but at the same time facing the mould and moisture on everything we see around us. Since we are stepping into this beautiful season, I thought I'll give you a few tips on what to do and what not to.

Closet Care

1. Use good quality camphor balls to combat moisture and insects.

2. Neem leaves help to keep Silverfish away which is a common insect seen during monsoons.
3. Silica sachets also keep the place dry and mould free.
4. If possible, install a low-watt electric bulb in your shoe rack. This will keep it dry and odour free.
5. Sprinkle a few clove pods among your clothes to keep your clothes from smelling damp.

Leather Accessories

1. If you have leather accessories, use it as much as possible in dry places. Do not store leather in plastic bags. Its best to store it in airy spaces.

2. Do not wipe it with a wet cloth. In case it gets wet, just let it dry at room temperature. Do not attempt to blow dry with heat from the air blower. The leather will loose its natural oils and lustre.

3. If your leather couch or goods catch fungus, take a tablespoon of dettol in half a litre of tepid water. Rinse the cloth in the water and wipe the fungus affected surface. Once it is dry, you can also apply a high-quality natural oil cream which can be bought in any leather store.

Carpets, Rugs & Upholstery

1. Whenever you get a chance, put your pillows and rugs out in the sun, so that the moisture evaporates and removes the musty smell. 2. The best thing to do is roll up your carpets and rugs and put some pouches of silica inside them.

3. Spray fabric freshner on the upholstery and rugs, they keep the surface dry and odour free.

Some general do's & don't's

1. Keep windows open. Make sure there is enough cross ventilation.

2. Put silica pouches next to electrical gadgets.

3. Do not let water accumulate anywhere close to you. Its leads to mosquito breeding.

4. Start your home projects like painting, water-proofing, etc. after the monsoons.

Read More

!!! Mirror Magic !!!

All about Mirrors......

Mirrors are among the most ancient and timeless hues on the decorating palate. Let us see how we can make a difference in our homes with the help of mirrors -

Location...

When you place a mirror you consider where the light sources are located. A mirror across from a window can magnify and enhance the light in a room. This gives a perception of a larger and open space in the room. They also make the room more inviting.

Your Reflection...

For More info on Mirror & Buffet Table,
log on http://www.lively-wood.com/mirrors.html
or http://www.lively-wood.com/refurbish.html

Mirrors reflect more than just a lovely face. It changes and redefines your style statement. For example, some mirrors use large, ornate frames to stand alone as works of art. Other mirrors do not have the frame to give it a minimalist look. There are rustic mirrors natural looking mirrors, while a contemporary mirror focus on shape and structure which gives a unique and can be unique and unexpected. Mirrors are available in all the shapes and sizes you're looking for.

Don't overlook them...

For more info on the bathroom Cabinet,
log on to http://www.lively-wood.com/mirrors.html

Mirrors are such a part of your day-to-day life, that we take them for granted and do not thinking about using them to enhance our decor. But Imagine a bathroom without a mirror? Unthinkable!! So why not make a bold statement there?? Mirrors look stunning at the end of hallways - dining areas can use a mirror to give that expansive feel to the room - mirrors at a child's eye level in the kid's rooms. Its easy use mirrors, just needs a bit of thought!!

Gosh how do I keep my Mirror Clean?

Nobody likes to look into dusty, cloudy mirrors. Here are some tips on making your mirrors spotless -

• 1. Use soft and dust-free rags
• 2. Spray your solution on the rag and not the mirror and then wipe the surface.
• 3. Use warm water to remove anything stuck on the mirror first and then use a solution.
  4. Always keep the mirror frame dry. Do not let the water seep in through the edge of the frame.
  5. Avoid solutions like ammonia or vinegar.
  6. Do not expose it to direct sunlight. In the long term, it may damage the glass surface.
  7. Use of proper hanging or mounting devices.
  

Read More

Come visit us at the event Art with a Heart @ The Urban Ashram, May 16-17, 2009 from 11am-8:30pm

Schedule for Events & Workshops

An alternative pocket amidst the corporate and technology driven Pune city, Urban Ashram keeps the possibility of the human heart alive. This May, Urban Ashram celebrates its first anniversary or shall we say celebrates the strength of truth, beauty and love!
Art with a heart as the name suggests, hosts an array of events. From photography to wood art, from paintings to social cause, from events to workshops. For the body and the soul. It has it all!

Artists -
1. Sonia (Lively-wood) displays a wide range of hand crafted wood items. From subtle to bold, ethnic to contemporary, each item is unique in its design, color and embellishment.
2. To enjoy these creations the event has abstract & fine art Phtotography Exhibition by Mayuresh (Shadow Photography).
3. Kanchan (Southpaw Creatives) displays her artwork ranging from paintings, typography inspired designs, sketches and contemporary designs.

Social Cause -
1. Blue Cross Society, Pune will bring their pets ready to be adopted on the spot. The visitors can actually meet, play and cuddle some of the puppies and grownup. Also here’s your opportunity to volunteer for/help/or get acquainted with the Blue cross Society, Pune.
2. Seva Sahayog – a networking organization in recruiting volunteers will be present to highlight the need to develop the neglected fields of education, rural development, health, etc.
3. Crossbow club is another organization promoting social causes, as part of the nourishing ambience.

Events & Workshops -
1. Rupali Daaga from Mind Ventures will present various arrays of child development.
2. The event also gives a chance to the visitors to enhance their beauty and rejuvenate. Dr. Deepa & Dr. Rupa from Cute Care Naturopathy Institute will hold a demos & tips session on enhancing beauty using natural products available easily.
3. Apart from visual appreciations, seekers also have the possibility of participating in events like Drum Circles, a Naturopathy Beauty Seminar, Yoga and Meditation etc.

The event holds a simple thought of spreading awareness and smiles. A part of the collection from this event will be donated to the Blue Cross Society, Pune.

The 16th-17th of May 2009 from 11am-8:30pm, all seekers are invited to participate, celebrate and explore a fragment of meaningful living. All are welcome with a spirit of love, peace and gratitude to the Urban Ashram, Mukund Nagar.

For updates on events log on to – www.theurbanashram.org , www.lively-wood.blogspot.com or email – theurbanashram@gmail.com, livelywood@gmail.com or contact – 9960643579, 9881099886

Read More

Tibetan Art & Architecture

Just recently, I came back from a trip to Sikkim. Now you might think that the article is titled Tibetan Art and I am talking about a visit to Sikkim. The fact is, Sikkim is heavily influenced by Tibet and its culture. Most of the people in Sikkim have direct origins from Tibet and have migrated to India in the last 100 years and more. The place is so surreal, untouched, spiritual and colourful that I couldn't help but write more about the art and architecture. It deeply inspired me to implement it in my work but before that I wish to share it with all of you.

Tibetan Architecture





Tibetan architecture is one of the most simple, colourful and splendid form of art. Its simplicity brings out the temperament and character of the lives and people of the place. Tibetan Buddhist architecture, in the cultural regions of the Tibetan people, has been highly influenced by China and India. For example, the Buddhist prayer wheel, along with two dragons, can be seen on nearly every temple in Sikkim. Many of the houses and monasteries are typically built on elevated, sunny sites facing the south. Rocks, wood, cement and earth are the primary building materials. Flat roofs are built to conserve heat and multiple windows are constructed to let in the sunlight. Due to frequent earthquakes, walls are usually sloped inward at 10 degrees .





Tibetan Furniture



Furniture from Tibet has always been quite rare. Except for the wealthy, Tibetans used very little furniture in their homes, and the population of Tibet has always been so small that not much was ever made. Most of it was probably always found in the monasteries, and of course most of these monasteries were destroyed by the Chinese during the "Cultural Revolution" along with huge amounts of furniture. Made primarily from pine and other Himalayan soft woods, it is noted more for its sometimes lavishly painted surface and/or carved decoration than for its joinery.



Tibetan Motifs



The eight Buddhist auspicious symbols consist of - a parasol, pair of golden fish, the great treasure vase, a lotus, the right turning conch, the endless knot, the banner of victory and the wheel of dharma. These originated from a group of early Indian symbols of royalty which were presented at special ceremonies such as the coronation of a king. The symbols differed between different groups, for example the Jains and Newar Buddhists. In Buddhism these symbols of good fortune represent the offerings that were made by the gods to Shakyamuni Buddha immediately after he attained enlightenment. Brahma appeared offering the thousand spoked golden wheel as a request to Shakyamuni to turn the teaching wheel of dharma. Indra appeared presenting the right spiraling conch shell as a symbol of the proclamation of the dharma and Sthavara presented the golden vase full of the nectar of immortality.


Sri-Yantra



The Sri Chakra or Shri Yantra is formed by nine interlocking triangles that surround and radiate out from the bindu point, the junction point between the physical universe and its unmanifest source. It represents Sri Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance on all levels, in abstract geometric form. It also represents Tripura Sundari, "the beauty of the three worlds." Four of the triangles points upwards, representing Shiva or the Masculine. Five of these triangles point downwards, representing Shakti or the Feminine. Thus the Sri Yantra also represents the union of Masculine and Feminine Divine. Together the nine triangles are interlaced in such a way as to form 43 smaller triangles in a web symbolic of the entire cosmos or a womb symbolic of creation. This is surrounded by a lotus of eight petals, a lotus of sixteen petals, and an earth square resembling a temple with four doors.

Read More

Politicians: You All Look the Same to Us

When wielding a large regulatory hammer, sometimes everything looks like a nail.

In the quest to identify and regulate 'systemic risk' and increase the tax base, our politicians have decided they don't want to be in the business of defining 'what is a hedge fund, what is a private equity fund, what is a vc fund', etc. So they are seeking to apply a broad prophylactic that will only further damage a fragile dynamo of economic activity.

It has been written that venture capitalists, while representing something on the order of .02% of annual US GDP, have backed businesses that now represent nearly 18%. Whether that's a stretch or not I do not know; the point is, this is not about a small 'adjacent' asset-class that is simply collateral damage in the war on systemic risk, as some politicians would have us believe. It is a direct assault on the future industrial outputs of our nation. Competitor countries will not wait for us to discover how misguided these efforts are and reverse them; they will rush in and capitalize on the opportunity, filling the vacuum.

Far more than simply an issue of debt levels and systemic risk, the very nature of the venture business is fundamentally different than that of its 'cousin' enterprises in private equity, leveraged buyouts, and the hedge fund world. VC funds are small (rarely more than low to mid-nine digits and usually quite a bit smaller). Their partners do not get rich off of fees irrespective of ultimate outcomes. Funds do not have meaningful – or even measurable – debt leverage ratios. The companies in which they invest almost never have more than a handful of employees and negligable (or zero) revenue.

In sum, it is an industry that by definition exists on the left side of Schumpeter's curve; that is, the creation part of 'creative destruction', where job growth, tax roll contribution and economic output (including significant positive trade-surplus) curves move up and to the right.

Politicians fretting over falling victim to the 'game theorists' and thus avoiding the ‘definitions' conundrum are doing a great disservice to our country; unfortunately, by the time they realize - and reverse, amend or except - various policies, it may be too late.

Read More

Identify & Renew Antique or Old Furniture

Like all other material, furniture wears out over the years. Sometimes the entire finish is worn or heavy-use spots are seen. Even if wear and tear adds character, there are some technique which help in restoring furniture.

Let’s start with identifying different finishes. Before you decide to film or recoat the piece, it is essential to determine the finish of the furniture. Try small tests to identify between polish, varnish, paint, shellac, varnish, lacquer, etc.

1. Wax Polish
This is a semisolid polish and does almost no harm to the wooden surface and is widely used in India. It involves a lot of physical labour. Since it is stable and durable, it needs to be applied infrequently. Polish gives a natural and penetrating appearance rather than film-building look to the furniture. It usually has a dull sheen look to it.

2. Varnish
Varnish is a combination of drying oil, resin and a thinner. It usually gives a glossy look though it may be designed to produce satin or semi-gloss look. Usually varnished surface is sanded carefully and then varnish remover is used which can be found in hardware stores. Be careful because there are some varnishes that stay permanent.

3. Paint
It is easy to indentify paint on wood due to its different colour. Most paints are oil based and can be removed with thinners or paint removers.

4. Shellac Finish
Shellac is derived from a resin that is secreted from an insect native to certain forests in Southeast Asia. Shellac is non-toxic and can be added to any colour very easily. To determine shellac finish, use mineral spirit or turpentine and rub it with a white soft cotton rag in an inconspicuous area. The apply denatured alcohol to the spot and leave it for 5 minutes. If the colour dissolves and the rag picks up the colour of the furniture, then it is a shellac finish.

5. Lacquer Finish
Lacquer is a coloured or clear varnish which produces is very hard and durable look. It comes off effectively only with the lacquer solvent.

Simple home cleaner and more....

Always buff and sand the piece of furniture you want to restore.

1. Utensil Detergent
Use warm water and detergent to clean finishes and leave it to dry for a while. Mostly it does works on painted and clear finishes. Do not pour the solution on the wood as it may open up the wood grain and cause damage to it. Soak the cotton rag in water, rinse it dry and then work in sections by wiping it. Take another clean rag and dry the surface again.

2. Thinners
There are several types of thinners. You can find paint, polish, metal...etc thinners at any hardware store. They are easy to use and are very widely used in cleaning surfaces in India.

3. Mineral Spirits or Turpentine
Mineral spirits and turpentine are two different solvents which have similar applications. They both are very good in case there are grease or oil stains and work great on painted and primered surfaces. This one is widely used in restoring furniture. In India turpentine is widely used though working with mineral spirits is easier and safer. These are usually available at paint shops.

4. Denatured Alcohol or Ethanol
Denatured alcohol is weaker and slow-working and good to clean light surfaces. It helps to more easily remove the excess dust that results from sanding wood, because it does not open the wood grain. It is widely used for shellac finishes.

5. Lacquer Solvent
Lacquer solvents are strong and will dissolve them quickly. They are used on lacquer finishes only.

Hope you have got an idea about the different types of finishes that appear on the piece of furniture you want to restore. I will certainly talk more about removing spots, grease and water marks in my next article. For now please try to understand and care for your furniture. Always remember, old is gold. Restore and treasure it as much as you can!!

Read More

Social Norms in Forever-Networks

How does one manage a (literally) virtual bouquet of electronic connections in a world that never forgets and has full access? Or to put it another way, how can I determine who can see what from whom within my electronic networks, and do so without the guilt?

I always think of this problem in a metaphor I call the 'three spheres'. It is essentially like a bulls-eye target. The center sphere - the core - is the smallest circle, and includes immediate family, relatives I feel close to, best friends and the like. The second sphere (a concentric circle around the first) includes people I work with, people I have known a long time and/or interact with frequently, etc., i.e. those I would describe as 'pretty close to'. The third concentric circle - and the largest - is for casual acquaintances, business contacts, folks I may have known during life's travels but were never really close with, etc. [I suppose for those with an online 'following', perhaps a fourth, perimeter circle might be appropriate to house people one has never (or barely) met but whom nonetheless fall at the edge of one's 'network'.]

Of course, online social networks offer a multitude of approaches, including 'friending', following', 'linking', 'joining', 'fanning', etc. They also offer a host of tools to determine interaction, but with the bluntness of an axe as opposed to the accuracy of a scalpel: 'ignore', 'delete', 'remove', or - my current favorite - 'archive' ( sounds so much more pleasant). At least one very smart fellow, Fred Wilson, found his solution in categorizing multiple social networks as either personal or professional.

To me, online social networks - and norms - need to evolve to permit easy management, and transference, of people into one of the spheres (and indeed across sphere's as relationships change). Facebook, for example, has rudimentary 'group' capability, but it is clunky and 'permissioning' is essentially non-existent today. Likewise, twitter - which relies on 'following/followers' - essentially a subscription model - provides even fewer choices.

There are in my view a number of societal and cultural social norms that need to change in an electronic, forever world, including loss of the guilt or stigma associated with 'ignoring', 'deleting' or otherwise classifying individuals (including into the spheres I refer to above). A world where people you meet are (quite literally) with you until death does them (or you) part - at least in an digital sense - requires a shift in mindset. I certainly want my children to be able to 'keep what (who) they like, leave what (who) they don't' as they live their lives, without such social limitations. I also want them to be able to easily decide who can see, hear or connect within those spheres.

Read More