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A structure begins to feel like home when you add personal touches to it. This could mean having your favorite colors on the walls or adding your choice display pieces and family pictures around. Curtains, lighting and plush carpeting are some of the other things you might need, to personalize your home.

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Taking possession of your new home is a momentous occasion, a milestone to be celebrated. However, there is a need for caution at this time as you want to make sure that everything within the home is in order as mentioned in the contract. Aside from this, the paperwork needs to be in order along with the necessary agreements and certificates.

While this may seem like a dampener at your moment of happiness, you just can’t afford to take the risk. So, here’s a simple checklist to guide you through:

Intimation of Approval – Given by licensing authority to the builder.
Commencement Certificate – Issued after all specifications are fulfilled by the builder.
No Objection Certificate – Proof that the project has been approved by all the concerned authorities.

Encumbrance Certificate – Proof that the property is free of any monetary or legal liabilities.
Khata – This document contains all details about a property including name of owner, location and building particulars.
Occupation Certificate – This is provided by the Municipal Corporation signifying that the project is in full compliance with building Laws.
Building Plan Approval – This is proof of approval by the building authorities. Without this, the building construction is illegal.
Handover of Documents – Issue of original registration documents, approval of authorities, blueprints, car parking allotments and agreement by maintenance agency.

Apart from this, you need to take a close look at the apartment as well. Ensure that all the sanitary fittings, drainage outlets, switchboards and door knobs are in functional order. You will need to look for leakages and check if the taps are in functioning order. Ensure that the paintwork is double-coated as mentioned in the agreement. You will also need to check for any cracks in the walls, ceilings or foundation before you sign off on the possession deed. There is no harm in measuring the sizes of the rooms to check if they are as per the agreement. Finally, check if all the amenities promised in the glossy brochure are available on ground.

Going with a reliable, reputed builder like Fortius Infra however takes away the pressures associated with cross-checking. Check out their amazing ready-to-move-in ‘Fortius Waterscape’ apartments available at Krishanrajapuram in Bangalore. More information here: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

Due to rapid urbanization, infiltration of rainwater into the ground has reduced drastically and many cities are running short on fresh potable water supply. In areas with a decent water table, groundwater is being used to supplement the shortage of piped water. Apart from these 2 sources there is another alternative source for water. This is the rainwater run-off from the roof, and flat surfaces. Installing a rainwater harvesting (RWH) system in your building ensures that groundwater gets recharged and water table is maintained It’s not some new technology but has been used from the time of our ancestors who harvested rainwater for irrigation as well as for livestock.

The term self-sufficiency is a part of sustainable living where nothing is consumed outside of what is produced. By installing an RWH system, you are investing in a viable solution for sustainable living as well as charging the aquifers. In 2009, Bangalore’s BWSSB (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board) issued an order that makes rainwater harvesting mandatory. In buildings having a sital area of over 2400 sq ft and above and private homes with sital area of over 1200 sq ft, it is mandatory to have an RWH system installed. Failure to do so attracts a fine as well as higher rates for piped BWSSB water.

The good news is that fine collections have come down from around 1 crore to about Rs 65,000-70,000 recently indicating that more people are taking up RWH. Having an RWH system in place in your apartment building ensures that there is a supplementary and sustainable source for water requirements. It is an ideal solution for water shortages faced during the dry summer months in certain areas. With rivers and lakes drying up and the water table dropping, an RWH system also contributes towards recharging of the aquifers.

Harvested rainwater can be filtered of debris and used for gardening purposes, washing cars or floors or flushing toilets. As rainwater may be contaminated, it’s usually not fit for drinking or cooking. Some people however, are known to process rainwater and use them for all their water requirements.

Most of the reputed builders are aware that installing a rainwater harvesting system not only provides homes with sustainable options, but also increases their market value. If you are interested in buying an apartment that provides rainwater harvesting, then look no further than the ‘Fortius Waterscape’ apartments that have achieved the highly-coveted Gold IGBC certification for Green Homes. Located in Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore, this gated community offers 80% of the area as green cover along with excellent views of the Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake next door. Get more info here: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

It’s easy to find a purpose with the centre of a room and even the sides, but it’s the corners that tend to pose decor issues. Finding a purpose for room corners requires a bit of creative imagination and ingenuity. Since every home has at least one awkward corner that gets you thinking, here are some ideas to help you make the most out of these challenging corners.

-If the corner is close to a door, you can place a small table with a drawer and create a message point. Every home needs a place to keep the landline, a tray for regularly used knickknacks like loose change, keys, tape or scissors. A green indoor plant will complete this picture.

-A corner is also the ideal place for a freestanding shelf. Depending on the room, you could use it for displaying showpieces if in the living room or children’s books and toys if in the kids’ rooms. In the kitchen, they can be used to store extra dishes or pots.

-If you have young kids, you could create a corner play area; this would ensure a designated place for books and toys and prevent their clutter from spreading around.

-Corners are also the perfect place for keeping high-backed chairs. Since these chairs create visual problems with their height, a corner is the best place for a couple of them. Place a low table between them and a small rug and you end up with a cosy secluded corner to chat away.

-If you have a lovely corner view, you could get an interior specialist to add in a scenic corner window that would be great for keeping the dining table. You will find your dining table being used for eating, writing or gatherings as everyone loves a great view!

-You could also place a game table in the corner along with some chairs for some great unplugged gaming fun. Make it a focal point by adding a hanging light over the table.

-If you have a highly decorative chair that’s just waiting to be admired, then place it in an unused corner along with an elegant standing lamp on a small table – you end up with a secluded nook to do some recreational reading.

-You could also utilize an unused corner as your own work space. Place a writing desk diagonally in the corner and use it for checking your mail, writing notes or preparing lists.

The spacious ‘Fortius Waterscape’ apartments at Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore, is sure to offer you pleasurable moments while decorating its aesthetically-designed interiors. Find out more about them here: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

Once in a while, it’s good to take a look around your room and check whether you really need all the things lying around. And if you don’t really need them, it’s time to chuck them out. This is the way minimalist décor works. It’s all about following a décor style that is simplistic and basic and provides ample open spaces. Minimalism celebrates simple clutter-free existence that’s a welcome break from the traditional Indian home décor which is heavy on opulence, color and ornamentation.

Decorating in a minimalistic style is also about exercising restraint so the end result is a clutter-free tranquil space. Minimalism doesn’t mean cold, sterile spaces as they can also be made to look cozy with a little bit of imagination. Here are a few tips to get you started:

De-clutter – Clutter and minimalistic décor don’t go together. Keep only a few essential items on display, whether it’s on the kitchen counter or in the sitting room cabinets. Using a pale/white background with a splash of color here and there, works wonders.

Color palette – Go with understated colors like brown, beige, grey or white. Limiting color usage to just two per room along with an accent color reflected in throw pillows or décor items is sufficient to create a sophisticated, warm minimalistic look.

Lighting – Unadorned or minimally adorned windows go well with minimalistic décor. Blinds or sheer curtains brighten up your home, creating a better ambience.

Space – Space creates a visual balance and anchors the gaze onto outstanding focal points. These have to be minimalistic in nature to add simplicity to a room. Open spaces also add an aura of peace and coziness to your home.

Textures – Going with basic colors in neutral tones can make the room look a little boring; the correct use of textured materials using the same color tones can make the room look more lively and charming.

Patterns – Minimalistic décor includes a little bit of pattern, if at all. Patterns can be used in a small way in similar base tones or unobtrusive designs. You could use them as accent pieces such as for throw pillows, a central rug or even as curtains. They will add an element of interest to the room.

Furniture – Furniture with well-defined clean lines and curves adds clarity to the mind, is soothing for the eye and follows the minimalistic decor style.

Fortius Waterscape apartments in Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore, are set in a sprawling green campus and offer you beautifully architected homes that are perfect for minimalistic designing. Find out more about them here: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/.

Window treatments or window dressings can have a big impact on your home decor with the right type of window treatment enhancing the overall look & feel. There are a variety of window treatments and styles to choose from, so selecting the right treatment can get overwhelming.

Would you need drapes or blinds? Café curtains or shades? One easy way to make the right choice is by knowing the purpose of the window dressing. Do you want it for privacy or for natural light – or for both? Knowing this makes the selection process a lot easier. Here are some useful tips to guide you further:

Purpose of the room – Every room in your home has its own purpose and calls for a specific type of window treatment. If you want more light in a room, you could go with sheer curtains or blinds. Heavy, blackout draperies or wooden shutters are useful when you want better light and noise control.

Purpose of the windows – The function of the window determines the type of window dressing that’s best for it. If you are using the windows for light, then seamless roller shades or sheer curtains are best. And if you open your windows often, then choose coverings that won’t get in the way.

Interior style – You need to match up your interior décor with the window dressing. The color of your drapes or shades shouldn’t clash with the color of the rest of the room. If the room has minimalistic décor style, then you should go with plain-colored window treatments. Using accent colors to liven up the room is another option. Similarly, ornate window dressing with valences look good in formal rooms, but not in the kitchen or the children’s rooms.

Privacy requirements – Rooms on the ground floor need greater privacy than the upper floors. Sheer curtains can be used to let in the light and another layer of thicker drapes, blinds or shades can be used when greater privacy is needed. Blinds work better as the slats can be adjusted to permit light entry without exposing the interiors. Drapes look elegant, but best not used in the bathrooms. Blinds or shades are more effective here.

Once you have understood the way different window treatments work, you can assess your needs better. And if you are buying into the picturesque Fortius Waterscape apartments in Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore, you will love your windows! They offer mesmerizing views of the Yele Mallapa Shetty Lake on one side and verdant greenery on the other sides. Get more information here: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/.

Technology has been a real boon to modern lifestyles as so many tasks can be accomplished with just a click of a button. This technology is being increasingly adopted into homes, turning them into ‘smart homes’. This ‘smart’ tag is being applied to an increasingly long list of devices and is touted as the future of new age homes.

Some of the devices and appliances that are available as smart home technologies include lighting, indoor climate control, audio & video systems, security systems, TVs, computers, access control, alarm systems and various kitchen appliances including the fridge, coffee maker, oven, etc. These can all be controlled remotely by an app installed in your smart phone.

Aside from making life easier for its inhabitants, there are a number of benefits to installing smart home appliances. Here’s a look at some of them:

Convenience – There is nothing like getting help with the day-to-day things in life and if the omnipresent smart-phone can accomplish these chores with a click of the button, then nothing could be better. You can switch off lights, control gate access, lock doors, adjust your cooling/heating system or play with your stereo’s volume control – all without getting off your comfortable seat!

Energy-Saving – Energy conservation is fast becoming the need of the hour with the constant reminders of global warming. Smart home technology is most helpful in conserving electricity and improving functionality as they can switch-off automated lighting systems as well as put-off devices and appliances when not in use. For example, light intensity can be controlled on sunny days and cooling systems can be automatically cut-off during winter months.

Help for Vulnerable Members of Society – Smart home technology is a boon for elderly or specially abled members of society. It’s easier for them to accomplish the otherwise-tough and stressful tasks with the simple click of a button. Smart technology also takes care of their health needs, helping them adhere to medication schedules, monitor calorie intake or call emergency services.

Safety and Security – Smart technology offers a very effective security system. It can detect any security breach and immediately send an alert to your smart phone or set-off an alarm system and even alert an associated security agency. And just in case you forgot to lock your gate, a button click can take care of that too! Outbreaks of fire and other dangers are also reduced, as smart technology switches appliances off when not in use.

The best way to invest in smart homes is by buying into the spacious Fortius Waterscape apartments in Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore. Find more information about these semi-automated homes here: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

Everyone loves a spacious home, but with cities getting more congested, space is running out and homes are becoming smaller. Even though smaller homes look cozy and charming, they can be a challenge to decorate as you want it to look spacious too. However, there are always ways to make your dream-home spacious too. With a bit of skillful adjustments, almost every home can be made to feel more open and luxuriously airy. Here are some tips to unlock open spaces within the confines of your home to make it look more spacious:

-The first feature to deal with is the color palette. Light-colored spaces look larger and more elegant. Go with walls and floors that are painted in light hues of your favorite colors. Creating continuity in floor color between the various rooms also enhances the appearance of the room making it seem more spacious. A break in colors segments the floor into smaller spaces. The same concept goes with the walls of the home; the fewer the variations in colors, the better the visual continuity, thus creating an illusion of space.

-Bring in more light. Well-lit spaces look larger and more airy. Avoid going with cumbersome curtains or heavy drapes on your windows; go with translucent blinds in light shades instead as they will bring in natural daylight to liven up your interiors. The use of large mirrors is another elegant way of lightening up space while enhancing your décor. Mirrors create an optical illusion and are one of the best ways to expand space visually.

-Minimize space usage by creating storage spaces under your beds, under the coffee or side tables and using wall shelves for your display pieces. You could also create niches inside the walls and paint them the same color. The continuity in color will make them unobtrusive and leave the size of the room unaffected. Avoid buying large furniture and over-sized sofas as they will cramp your spaces.

-When tiling your bathrooms or kitchens, go all out and tile all the way to the ceiling. This creates an impression of the much-needed space and height. Remember to go with lighter shades as they provide a feeling of openness. Installing svelte sliding doors in place of regular doors also creates visual continuity and fluidity of space.

And if space crunches in city apartments bother you, then check out the spacious Fortius Waterscape apartments in the Krishnarajapuram area of Bangalore. These luxurious apartments have been meticulously designed to throw up lots of open spaces. Get more information here: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

Shopping for your new home can be fun, but you do have to keep an eye out for the kind of neighborhood it is located in. Choosing a neighborhood is almost as important as choosing your dream home as you won’t just be buying a home, but investing in its neighborhood too.

Choose a location that offers facilities which make a positive difference to your day-to-day living needs. If your perfect home is located in an unfamiliar area, then you should take the time to stalk out the neighborhood – both during traffic peak hours as well as during the night. This will give you a better idea of the kind of neighborhood you will be buying into. Some of the factors to look out for include:

Transport – Ensure that there is a convenient public transport stop within your neighborhood. Having a metro or railway station not too far from home is also a very big plus. Easy accessibility to important places from your locality is also very important.

Good Schools – No-one wants their kids to travel long distances daily just to get to a decent school, go with neighborhoods offering decent schools that aren’t too far from home. Resale or rentals of homes located close to good schools also fetch better rates.

Crime rates – Safety of you and your family is always a priority. You should plan on purchasing homes within low-crime areas where your unaccompanied child can move about safely.

Cost of Living – Some parts of the city are more expensive than other areas. High-end neighborhoods predominantly offer big brand shops and expensive grocery stores within their folds. Ensure you buy into a neighborhood that sits comfortably on your pockets.

Prestige – Some neighborhoods offer prestigious addresses to be proud of while others may not speak so well of your home. Go with neighborhoods that offer you the perks of well-known addresses.

Pollution – Before purchasing a home, scout out the neighborhood for sources of pollution. There shouldn’t be unsightly, smelly dumps or smoke-spewing factories within the vicinity. Noise pollution can also be a major deterrent, so do ensure that your home is located in a serene area without traffic snarls.

If you are planning on purchasing a home in good neighborhoods in Bangalore, then check out the Fortius Waterscape apartments located in Krishnarajapuram. Aside from being a classy neighborhood, this green locality offers easy accessibility to top city spots too. The nearby scenic Yele Mallapa Shetty Lake further improves the appeal of these apartments. Find out more about them here: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

The modern-day kitchen is no longer a room for routine chores, relegated to the back of the home where the woman of the house drudged all day to feed her family. There has been a silent revolution going on, and today the kitchen is the ‘nerve centre’ of a home with most activities revolving around it. With the concept of open-style home designs gaining popularity, there are fewer walls and partitions and the kitchen has become more inclusive. Fewer walls also mean your apartment becomes more spacious and airy.

The kitchen has become more than just the heart of the home; it now serves multi-functions both as a social hub and an entertainment area too. It has become an informal sitting area that integrates the study area, the living room area as well as the dining area. This means that as you are whipping up a meal, you can still watch over your kids, enjoy a television program and interact with the family or guests.

All this makes it essential that aesthetics be an integral part of the kitchen design along with its efficiency and functionality through technical innovations. The spatial design of the new age kitchen displays a clean and crisp appearance with hidden storage areas offering clever functionality. Luxury is unveiled in a minimalistic manner with the use of exceptional quality natural materials like veined woods, rich veneer finishes, bronze and rare stones etc. High-glossy finishes are out and a neutral color palette of white, gray and stones like marble, limestone or concrete are in.

With the open plan home designs, the kitchen is also getting equipped with integrated technology; this ensures that you don’t have any awkward stand-alone bulky appliances that spoil the design flow of your kitchen. Open-plan kitchens also offer better technology like more efficient extractor fans to get rid of cooking odors, fridges with touch-screen temperature control panels, other integrated high-tech appliances and intelligent lighting systems that can be used to zone individual areas within the space.

In an open plan design, the kitchen island is both aesthetic and functional. Aside from being a food preparation area, it also provides storage space as well as serves as a breakfast bar and doubles up as a stylish informal sitting area too. It’s a great idea to use classy materials that ooze luxury for creating the kitchen island.

And if you are in Bangalore, check out the Fortius Waterscape apartments in Krishnarajapuram which offer great-looking, modern Vaastu-compliant kitchen areas located in the south-east direction. Find out more about them here: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/