Turn Off The Lights, Right Away! - Saving Electricity

As there are limited resources to generate and manage energy, it would be a wise act to work up ways to save on the limited resources available. There are a number of things you can do to keep your electricity bills down in summers too. It is necessary to keep the walls and windows of your home from leaking air. There are varieties of inexpensive weather-stripping tapes available in the market these days. Make use of these tapes to seal up any cracks in your doors and windows. To ensure that your air conditioning system is operating efficiently you must clean the filters on your air conditioning vents at least once a month.

Wherever possible make use of fans instead of air-conditioners. Fans are very useful to cool rooms. Fans consume far less electricity as compared to an air conditioner being used in full blast. Simply by installing fans in your house you will be able to program your thermostat up to 4 degrees higher because of the air circulation that fans provide. Whenever possible try line-drying your clothes instead of using a dryer. If you must use a dryer ensure to clean the lint trap after each use. To save electricity set your dryer to the proper moisture setting.

As far as possible try not to use the dryer, oven or any other electrical appliance that can heat up the house during the hottest time of the day. For example instead of cooking in the afternoon try to finish cooking in the cooler morning hours or late in the evening after the sun goes down. You can save 10 to 15 percent on your annual electricity bills merely by turning off electrical appliances when not in use. Turn off and unplug your computer, TV, Stereo and any other home electronics item when you are not using it.

Saving electricity at home is a habit which you can cultivate over a period. Irrespective of season, it is indeed possible to conserve energy if you really want to. All that is required from you and your family members is a change of habits. Simple things like turning off electrical appliances and unplugging it when not in use can go a long way to reduce your annual energy consumption. It is not difficult to save electricity and cut those high electric bills. Doing a simple do it yourself home energy audit can identify problems that waste electricity and cost you money. A home energy assessment will reveal problem areas and help you to see where valuable energy is being wasted.

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The Royal Haven - Architecture of Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rashtrapati Bhavan is considered the most prestigious and esteemed artifact of India. This prominent building is enveloped by exceptional political and cultural annotations as it is not simply one of the most magnificent architectural structures of India, but is also the official residence of the President of India. When the capital of India was relocated from Kolkata to New Delhi, the British Empire sensed the need to construct a residence for the British Viceroy in the new capital of the country. With regards to this intention, the building structure was designed and constructed with excellent artistry considering all the requirements and comforts of a King. The construction is spectacular with its two shade sandstone architecture that reflects a pure intermingle of Mughal and classical European architecture. The most breathtaking and distinctive perspective on this edifice is the dome, its elegance and design taken from the famous Stupa at Sanchi. The dome is superimposed on the structure in a way that it is visible from a very long distance and is breathtaking. The contemporary Rashtrapati Bhavan was the residential home of the British Viceroy, which was designed by Edwin Landseer Lutyens.

Apart from this there is the Durbar Hall with the throne of the Viceroy. The Hall is embellished by the bright and stunning colored marbles that enhances the impressive ambiance of the construction. Then there is the Ashoka Hall designed with wooden flooring beneath a Persian style painted ceiling. Other attractions in the building are striking Indian architectural patterns like the Buddhist railings, chhatris, chhajjas and jaalis. Chhatris are festooned beautifully at the rooftop; chhajjas are stone slabs below the roof to safeguard the structure from sun rays in addition to heavy rains during monsoons; and jaalis are stone slabs with lots of perforations designed with an array of floral and geometric patterns.

The sanctioned amount for the construction was 4, 00, 000 pounds . Nevertheless , it took 17 years for constructing this Indian monument and the amount approved was amplified to 8, 77, 136 pounds (equivalent to Rs 12 .8 million then). The cost including construction of Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mughal Garden and the staff quarters amounted to Rs. 14 million.

Moreover, the Rashtrapati Bhavan embodies an assortment of appealing Indian temple bells in its pillars. All these greatly enhance the aesthetic appeal of the architectural marvel. The Presidential Estate comprises a drawing room, dining room, ball room, tennis court, polo ground, golf course, cricket field, museum and banquet hall. To the west of this incredible structure is the exquisite Mughal garden reflecting a blend of Mughal and British style.

It is spread across a land of 13 acres and is a home to many native and exotic flowers. The garden is divided into a grid of squares through four channels, two running north to south and two running east to west. The crossings of these channels are adorned with lotus shaped fountains that elevate the magnificence of the garden. In all aspects, like form, style, and structure, the Rashtrapati Bhavan fascinates all visitors and tourists as much as the other architecture marvels of the country. Rashtrapati Bhavan is extended over four floors having 340 rooms in all. With a floor area of 2, 00, 000 square feet the structure is built using 700 million bricks and three million cubic feet of stone. A limited amount steel has gone into construction of this Indian monument.

The highlight of Rashtrapati Bhavan is its dome. It is visible from a distance and is known to have the most attractive round roof in Delhi. Experts assert that the dome is strikingly similar to the Stupas at Sanchi. Rashtrapati Bhavan has Buddhist railings, chhajjas, chhatris and jaalis similar to those at Sanchi. Another Indian feature present in the building’s architecture is the use of Indian temple bells in its pillars. Having temple bells on the pillars was a good idea since it is a part of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions. Blending these bells with the Hellenic style architecture is a good example of how Indian and European designs can be fused.

This 'Empire in Stone' was transmogrified to the permanent institution of democracy on January 26, 1950 when Dr Rajendra Prasad became the first President of India and occupied this building. It was from that day that the building was renamed as Rashtrapati Bhavan or the President's House. When Chakrabarty Rajagopalachari assumed the office as the first Governor General of India and he began living in this building, he preferred to stay only in a segment of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This segment now comprises the family wing of the Bhavan. The then Viceroy's segment is now being used as the Guest Wing of the building where the honorable heads of state and delegates of other countries stay during their official visits to India. Therefore the grandeur and vastness of Rashtrapati Bhavan has left ace architects  of the day awestruck.

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A Cozy Crackle in the Rocks! - Designing a Stone Fireplace

If you are looking to allure nature indoors, installing a stone fireplace could be a step in the right direction.  Quality stone veneer can easily transform any common home corner into one filled with personality. Applying this method when it comes to fireplace surfaces can have a rewarding aesthetic effect. It is difficult for a free-standing fireplaces not to capture attention.

With any type of outdoor fireplace made of stone, you have several options in materials. Natural stone is the most common material of all design outdoor fireplace. You can choose from an endless series of natural stone that you can use as you see fit. They can be used to design whole stack or only in certain parts of the chimney. Like say, you might have a stone fireplace with a mantle wooden or stone coat if you wish. The stone material is very low maintenance that requires only water leak after a few years. It is also extremely durable.

Cultured Stone is another option for any exterior landscaping stone fireplace. The difference with this type of stone is a stone that is cast. This means its lighter, can be manufactured in different sizes, and it is much easier to handle and implement. If you do not look at this option, you may want.

Some of the other options can include Marble, Limestone, Slate or Granite. These are a few popular variants of aesthetic stone units, very popular, especially if it is an outdoor fireplace. Marble is expensive, but a multitude of design capabilities. Granite works well because it's easy to be cleaned and that is the ultimate in no maintenance.

Add a stone finish, and it is likely to become the focal point of the room or surroundings. Color is also an important factor to consider. You can decide to go with a stone fireplace to match the overall tone of the room or surroundings, or pick a hue to contrast it- either way, you will be happy with the result. A stone fireplace design is one of those areas where you can really use your imagination and your creative instincts.

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Kitchenette Evolution - Modular Kitchens

The evolution of the modular kitchen has succeeded in bringing about an enormous change in the way a kitchen appears. Traditional kitchens are being replaced by these sophisticated and elegant kitchen designs. The need for more space or limited space in homes and flats has contributed to the emergence of such modern kitchens.

With the incorporation of stylish designs including kitchen cabinets, storage facilities and other accessories, the traditional and conventional kitchens are fast fading from the modern lifestyle. Modular Kitchen design is a set of style related to kitchen furniture. The modular kitchen is known to bring comfort and convenience to home makers in many ways. This includes kitchen cabinets and other furniture.

Pre-fabricated kitchens have now become an accepted feature at this juncture. Units for the floor and wall, deep units to accommodate electrical appliances and gas trolleys, and a wide choice of accessories in the form of wire baskets, carousels, adjustable shelves and pullout units characterize the basic modules in a pre-fab kitchen. These well-organized kitchens can suit the requirement for any household kitchen. Pre-fab kitchen units can be made of powder coated trolley system, stainless steel trolley system, or can be a combination of both. Instead of wood, they are made of steel pipe structures, which are very light and easy to maintain.

Maintenance of these things is very easy. The standard layout sequence for a modular kitchen or for that matter any kitchen should include all the aspects of storage, availability of a quality sink, preparation, serving and dining accessories, an oven and cooking gas. Apart from the wooden cabinets, accessories, countertops and electro domestic gadgets like chimney, oven, sink, dishwasher etc. a worktop is also a very essential entity of a modern day modular kitchen.

Modular compartments in drawers have made life very easy for women in the kitchen. Systematic division of spaces for dishes, quarter plates, bowls, cutlery, spoons, vessels and containers of various sizes has helped in time and space management. Granite worktops are much favored by a lot of people when choosing worktops for their kitchens. In fact they can be considered as very good investments as they add value to the form of any kitchen apart from imparting a unique charm on the looks.

Modern appliances of all kinds are storming the market every day, each one flaunting their special features. But the present generation of people also are intelligent enough to know exactly what they want from an appliance and have their own criteria to choose the best among kitchen accessories, out in the market keeping in view the present trends and the needs of every woman with a modern outlook and practicality.

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Sculpting Architecture - Cave Sculptures in Ancient India

The history of Indian architecture  begins with pre-historic rock paintings, which till date can be seen in several caves in several regions of the country. The advanced township planning of Harappa and Mohenjodaro is another example of the ancient Indian's creative mindsets. The creative sculptures of that time, like dancing girl from Mohenjodaro, depict how much creative the people of those time were. From there you will get the idea of the ancient India's superiorly developed architecture.

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