In need of decorating advice? Trying to find a particular product? Our design guru is here to help.
Rahoul B. Singh is the principal of award winning design firm RSDA (Rahoul Singh Design Associates). His past projects range in scale from small bathroom renovations to residences, restaurants, offices, and larger developmental works, both in India and the Middle East. Educated in Fine Arts and Architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design, he is a regular columnist for magazines and journals and has recently written a book titled, “Gardens of Delight”. Send your design queries to asd@Livingetcmagazine.co.in and visit www.rahoulsingh.com for more on the designer.
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Are there any interesting flex available for hung lights. Where can I find them?Are there any interesting flex available for hung lights. Where can I find them?
Vineet, Pune There is a lot of stuff that is available – the place to check is with a person who fabricates signages, they would know suppliers. Unfortunately, since I`m not familiar with the market in the city you are writing in from, I cannot be more specific.
Is it possible to get a deck installed on the terrace of an old house?Is it possible to get a deck installed on the terrace of an old house? If so, what would I need to take care of?
Rahul, New Delhi Yes, it is most definitely possible. You would need to be aware of the fact that it will raise the level of the floor (assuming you are making it above your existing terrace flooring) and this will have repercussions with regard to the doors that lead into the space and perhaps even the electricity points that are just above the floor.
Also don`t forget to consider where the water would flow in the event of rain. A slight slope in the floor is imperative to ensure proper drainage. This would need to be factored in while laying the deck. What material do you plan to make your deck of? It should be as durable and lightweight as possible, such as wood or even bison panels (cement bonded particle boards).
Is brick cladding on an inside wall of a living room a practical option in Indian situation of dust and grime?Is brick cladding on an inside wall of a living room a practical option in Indian situation of dust and grime? How does one maintain it?
Mrinali, Gurgaon It will collect dust and you will have to clean it! If the wall is white washed then the advantages are numerous and I would recommend it – additionally giving it a lick of paint is cheap, easy and quick, making it a viable options.
I generally don`t recommend cladding with brick tiles unless it is absolutely necessary.
I want to colour paint one of my balcony walls. It`s unfinished, rough surfacedI want to colour paint one of my balcony walls. It`s unfinished, rough surfaced, lime washed as of now. What colours and type of paint will make the uneven surface look nice (read design element!!)
Kanika, Noida Choose a vibrant and contrasting colour(s) to draw one`s attention to the wall and then accentuate its surface texture.
I would not recommend changing the type of paint though. Depending on the size of the wall you could consider either making niches in it or lighting it up with LED lights.
Can you suggest some nice and affordable agency for laser cutting of wood and metal stencils in New Delhi?Can you suggest some nice and affordable agency for laser cutting of wood and metal stencils in New Delhi?
Gautam, New Delhi Most of the places are in Kirti Nagar, Pahar Ganj or Greater Noida. You can try JB Art Design Studio (011- 64554288/99) and Tirupathi Graphics in Pahar Ganj (9811178010).
Prices vary greatly depending on the material`s thickness, the intricacy of the design and the number of pieces that you would want cut. I would recommend that you get it done from the person who is supplying you with the material,they usually have tie-ups. In general they will ask for a soft copy in either a tiff or dwg format.
I need an update on inverters because I`m planning on getting oneI need an update on inverters because I`m planning on getting one for my 1BHK apartment: 3 fans, 3 lights and fridge need to work on it.
Ruhi, GurgaonI am not sure what you mean by an "update", but nonetheless here are a few pointers. Make sure your inverter runs on good quality batteries, opt for a reputable company. Over size your inverter by about fifteen to twenty percent. At time its efficiency will go down and you may want to add more electrical appliances to it. Make sure your inverter runs on good quality batteries, opt for a reputable company.
As with most battery operated devices, keep it in a cool dry place and make sure that the connectors on the battery are clean. Reputed brands of inverters are Su-Kam, Luminous, LG etc. Alternatively you could consider clubbing both a UPS and an Inverter in one machine – slightly more expensive but saves space and offers a "seamless" transition.
Does white lacquer work well for us here in Delhi? I saw a piece at a friend`s houseDoes white lacquer work well for us here in Delhi? I saw a piece at a friend`s house which had started looking grey.
Sumeeta, New Delhi You shouldn`t really have a problem with it. I have some stuff that was lacquered years ago, in white, and has travelled with me.
No problems on that front, either in New Delhi or elsewhere, though as you might imagine you would need to clean it!