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Green homes or eco-friendly homes are built with another larger home in mind – Mother Nature. Crafting green buildings is the only way forward for the coming generations to survive. Global warming and depletion of natural resources is rapidly eating away into the thread-work of planet earth. There is a pressing need to use resources like water, electricity and green coverage in a more efficient manner.

Green buildings built with locally-sourced sustainable materials incorporate effective use of land, water and electricity; they are also environmentally-friendly, recycle household waste, are energy-efficient and cause lower pollution. Rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, recycling waste water and using solar panels as well as more of natural lighting are some of the key concepts applied in green homes. These efforts can also result in reducing around 30% of your water and electricity bills, thus making green homes more financially viable.

As awareness about conserving global resources and decreasing carbon footprint is on the rise, the use of eco-friendly buildings is also increasing. Though the use of this concept is still in its nascent stage in India, more and more real estate developers are incorporating this concept into their apartment and villa projects. Fortius Infra in Bangalore also incorporates this green concept and their Fortius Waterscape apartments have received the green building Gold Certification from the prestigious IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) body. These energy-efficient homes are located in Krishnarajapuram close to the scenic Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake.

The importance of the gold certification for Fortius Waterscape is further strengthened and supported by the state government of Karnataka. Under the recently proposed Karnataka Green Building Incentive Policy, the government is seeking to provide an array of incentives for both builders as well as homebuyers of green homes which include a reduction in property tax and stamp duty. Under the policy which is still being refined further, environmental clearance for green building projects will also be fast-tracked to encourage more builders and homebuyers to invest in such projects.

It is expected that green buildings will be incentivized on the basis of benchmarks proposed by green building certification bodies like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), IGBC (Indian Green Building Council), EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) and GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment).
With the new upcoming green building policy, this is the ideal time for potential homebuyers to take the plunge and invest in green homes like the Fortius Waterscape. Find out more about them here: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

Finding the perfect apartment which meets both yours and your family’s needs, can be a little daunting. Whether the apartment is for buying or for renting, you need to be careful as you navigate through the process of apartment hunting. Here is a look at some tips that will make apartment hunting a breeze:

-Before starting your hunt for an apartment, you need to have a fixed budget. It should be based on how much money you can afford to part with every month without upsetting the household budget. This can be in the form of rent or as EMI, in case you are planning on investing in an apartment.

-The next step to decide on is a feasible location that will fulfill your needs. It should ideally be near your place of work and/or your children’s school. One can also look at the proximity of convenience stores or if there is a consistent online delivery system in place to take care of your daily provision shopping. It will be an added benefit if there are avenues for entertainment as well as recreation for the whole family. At the same time you want a decent neighbourhood that is low in crime rates and sound and air pollution.

-It’s now time to make other decisions that include the ‘must-haves’. This would include the BHK in an apartment as well as the kind of amenities that you consider essential for a better quality of life like, a well-equipped health club, well-maintained pool, play area for kids, jogging tracks, senior-friendly parks etc. And if you have a pet, you will need an apartment that is pet-friendly too.

-Now that you are done with all the preliminary homework and gotten your priorities sorted out, you can start your hunt for an apartment. Scour the internet and newspapers for adverts and zero down on the apartments that seem to fit the bill.

-Take your spouse along with you when apartment hunting as you need to make joint decisions. The presence of another person also grounds you from making hasty decisions. Remember not to get carried away by an apartment just because you like the paintwork or balcony view. It should satisfy your ‘must-haves’ list as well as your budget.

-Once you feel an apartment is right for your needs, ensure that your furniture will fit into it. You also need to make sure that all the fixtures, switches and plumbing are in working order and the bathroom and kitchen fittings are up-to-the-mark with no leaky pipes.

-Finally, find out if utilities like water, electricity and monthly apartment amenities charges are also included in the rent. And if you are buying the apartment, find out the monthly maintenance charges.

Fortius Waterscape apartments in Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore, offers luxurious ready-to-move-in apartments.The plethora of world-class amenities that comes with the apartment ensures that spending quality time with your family will be effortless! There are some apartments available for renting out as well. Do check here for more information: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

With the winter fast approaching, it’s that time of the year when you need to make some changes in your home to turn it to a warm and cozy space. Get a jump-start on the weather by being winter-ready before the cold sets in. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Windows – While light curtains are perfect for warm summer months, you will need to make changes to your window dressing for the winter. In order to keep them well-insulated, go with heavy drapes. These could be thick velvet or some other tightly-woven thick material. You might also want to caulk any leaky areas in your windows to prevent cold drafts seeping in.

Balcony – Secure your balconies for the winter too. Your potted plants would most probably need to be brought indoors before the weather becomes too cold, so find space for accommodating them in warm sunny spots near windows. Wooden porch furniture is also better kept inside to prolong their life.

Flooring – If your flooring is hardwood, tiles or concrete, then this is the right time to bring out the rugs. Aside from making your home look more cheerful and cozy, rugs also keep your feet warm and prevent loss of heat. This might even be the time to invest in wall-to-wall carpeting, especially in the bedrooms as you wouldn’t want to walk on chilly floors in the morning.

Bedding – You should think of laundering your summer bed linens and storing them away. This is also the time to air your heavier duvets, and stay prepared for the cooler months ahead.

Wardrobe – Just like your home, your wardrobe needs a makeover too. It’s time to bring out the sweaters and thicker jackets and pack the lighter summer clothing away.

Redecorating – You could think of adding layers to your living rooms by using knitted throws or woolen shawls to make it cozier. Brass décor, terracotta and gleaming wood can add to the cozy winter ambiance.

Heating system – You should check your heating appliances and see if they are working properly or need servicing. While portable electric heaters are convenient for smaller spaces, you might want to think of investing in reverse-cycle air-conditioners. Though they are heavy on the pocket initially, they are quite economical in the long run.
Check out the innovatively-designed Fortius Waterscape apartments at Krishnarajapura in Bangalore. They are located next to the Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake, and offer you amazing vistas of migratory birds during the cooler winter months. What’s more, these apartments are ready-to-move-in! Check here for more information: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

Unknown to many, curtains do much more for a room than just adding privacy or controlling the sunlight entering the room. They have multiple functions beyond just dressing your windows and are an integral part of the room’s décor.. Curtains can be draped in different ways to become the focal point of a room.
The fabric and color of the curtain is very important as they add to the mood of the room. You can go with heavy velvet materials in rich jewel colors or just opt for khadi materials in neutral tones. They all add purpose to a room and complement your spaces. Here are some tips on their use:
Most homes have a shelved open-storage area that is impossible to keep tidy and organized at all times. Curtains are great at hiding such areas. With a single swing of the curtain, the room can look respectable again.
If you want to create a sense of space and make the room look larger, the humble curtain can again come to your rescue and do double-duty. By simply raising the curtain rod a little higher up the wall towards the ceiling or extending the curtain rods to a width greater than the window, you can make the window look larger or the ceiling higher making the room appear bigger.
Curtains make excellent door replacements in small areas. If you feel there is shortage of space in a room, then consider unhinging the door and hanging a curtain there instead. This way, there will be sufficient space without interrupting the physical flow.
Curtains can be used to make a focal point. This can be by taking attention away from something that is not so attractive or by using it to draw attention to something close to itself. A curtain behind the bed can be used to draw attention to the bed or the headboard. Curtains can also be made into a focal point, when there is lack of one in the room. You can make it more attractive by using stylish draping with valances for extra elegance. Or how about making the curtain stand out by contrasting it with the wall color and not be monotonous.

It’s important that you take your child’s opinions and ideas into consideration when it comes to decorating their rooms. Figuring out cute and practical storage solutions for your kid’s endless number of toys and small bric-a-bracs can pose real challenges, especially when you are living in an apartment where structural changes aren’t possible. So what do you do! You harness your kid’s limitless imagination and creativity and merge it with your own ideas; that should help you get started on the journey of keeping your kid’s room tidy and well-decorated.
To help you through the process of finding decent storage solutions for your child’s room, you will first need to have a budget. Once that’s done, you now have an idea of how much you can invest and on what.
While it is easy to just go and buy new sets of cupboards and furniture, it does make more sense not to crowd the child’s room with bulky pieces. They need more space to move around in, so their rooms need to be spacious and airy.
For simple storage solutions, you could consider adding a decorative skirt around the bed. That way all your kids’ things can be stashed away neatly in a jiffy when your friends come visiting!
Shelves make a great way of maximizing use of space with minimal efforts. Leaving all your kids stuff displayed on the shelves helps them know where everything should be placed and also trains them on the importance of neatness.
With racks, the walls can be used for storing things too, leaving the much-needed floor space available for play. You could also place hooks on the walls for hanging clothes or hats or even peg boards to create extra hanging storage space on the walls.
Unused old boxes, wooden crates or hard suitcases that are not useful anymore can be recycled and used for storing toys. Just toss the toys in when not needed and you can have a neat room real quick. You could even decorate these boxes with your child’s favourite stickers or posters.
Another alternative is to custom-build storage drawers under your kid’s bed, work table or even the window seat. These are nifty ways to utilize space and store books, toys or even clothes, without having to resort to buying more furniture.

Most people these days know better than to wait around for ill health to catch up with them. With better living standards and a more globalized lifestyle, even the young ones are making great strides into living active lifestyles and making healthier choices. Wellness here means more than just health, exercise and a proper diet.
It also refers to the physical, mental and spiritual well being of the individual and working towards attaining that right balance. The six main dimensions of wellness include the following:

Physical health

This refers to healthy living styles where you can get through the daily demands of life or routine without getting fatigued or needing help.

Emotional health

This refers to the ability to cope up positively with the plethora of emotions that life throws your way – anger, fear, grief, happiness, stress, etc.

Spiritual health

This refers to your ability to establish peace with your inner self.

Social health

This refers to your ability to connect with the people in your world and maintain positive relations with them.

Occupational health

This refers to personal satisfaction attained from your chosen profession and the desire to contribute to your organization and society as a whole.

Intellectual health

This refers to your ability to have an open mind to accept new ideas, concepts and experiences, and the desire to pursue greater challenges.
Interestingly enough, the kind of home you buy also influences your health choices and wellness aspect. This is because most of the branded builders are going with apartment projects that also offer clubhouses, multi-facility gyms and outdoor game courts too.
Having fitness facilities right on home turf ensures that the inhabitants indulge in these wellness facilities and live a healthier lifestyle. So buying homes that offer wellness areas ensures that you lead an active life, and stay healthier for longer. You invest in your health by buying apartments that come fully equipped with such wellness facilities.
The Fortius Waterscape apartment project in Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore, comes to mind. Aside from a plethora of amenities designed to keep you healthy and fit, these apartments are also located close to the 260-acre Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake. If you look to nature to meet your fitness goals or are interested in water- sports, then this is the best bet Find out more about them here: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

Most people would be surprised to learn that the air indoors can be more polluted than the outdoors, even in some of the most polluted cities. With about 90% of people spending maximum time indoors, it becomes imperative that you trace the source of these pollutants and create ways to steer clear of them effectively. Since poor air quality exacerbates allergies and COPD, triggers asthma attacks and makes you more vulnerable to a host of infections, improving the air quality of your home should certainly be a major concern.

There are three categories of indoor pollutants and they include:

VOCs

These are volatile organic compounds that are released as gases from household products including paint, varnish and certain cleaning and disinfecting supplies. Other sources of VOCs include furniture adhesives, craft glue, air fresheners, synthetic fragrances and even some personal care products. VOC chemicals include formaldehyde, acetone, benzene, ethylene glycol, etc.

Allergy triggers

Common indoor triggers include mold, dust mites, second-hand smoke, pollen and pet dander. Presence of moisture and dark corners triggers build-up of molds, and carpets, stuffed toys and even pillows are known to harbor dust mites. And if you have a furry pet, you are surely adding dander to the melee here.

Combustion

Wood stoves, gas stoves, fireplaces and water heaters are sure to add obnoxious gases or particles to the air you breathe in, if they aren’t vented properly or have been poorly installed or maintained. Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are two common gaseous pollutants.

Ways to reduce indoor pollutants:

Ventilation

It’s important you open windows and other vents daily to get the stale air out and fresh air in.

Regular cleaning

You need to dust and mop your apartment frequently to prevent dust-dwelling pollutants.

Cleaning supplies

When shopping for cleaning materials, ensure they don’t contain toxic chemicals and VOCs. Alternatively, you could make your own supplies by using vinegar, baking soda and lime – the way your grandmothers did!

Grow plants

Certain indoor plants are known to act as air-purifiers to remove chemicals including formaldehyde and benzene from the air indoors. Time to invest in indoor plants like English ivy, peace lilies, money plant, bamboo palms, etc!

Clean pets

Grooming your pets on a regular basis ensures less fur and dander in your home, thus reducing allergic conditions.

Apartments with good ventilation and large balconies don’t have such indoor pollution issues. The spacious Fortius Waterscape apartments in Bangalore fits this bill, and what’s more, they are ready-to-move-in. too. Check here for more information: https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

To keep up the energy levels of your home on a high and positive note, you need to inculcate the principles of Feng Shui. This ancient art of living deals with the relationship between energy, cosmos and man. Its tenets deal with the location of your apartment, décor, design and alignment. By incorporating these tenets into your home, you create an atmosphere for healthy and harmonious living. These tenets formulated thousands of years ago, can be applied to both single and multi-storied buildings.

Here’s a look at some generic Feng Shui tips to help in the unhindered flow of positive energy through your home.

Location of the Main Door

The main door should be the largest door and shouldn’t be close to the kitchen or opposite to it, as the positive Chi energy entering inside would be lost to the kitchen. In such a case, consider placing a screen in-between.

Location of Living Room

This room is meant for relaxation and according to Feng Shui, the central portion of the home receives least cosmic energy, making it an ideal location for the living room. But do orient your heavier furniture in the south-west sectors of the room.

Location of the Master Bedroom

Sleep is essential for good health, making the location of your bed important. The bed shouldn’t be opposite the door, neither should it receive reflected sunlight from a mirror. It should be made of warm wood instead of cold and oppressive metal. Ensure that your bedroom isn’t cluttered as it chokes energy flow.

Kitchen Location

Your health not only depends on the food you eat but also on where you eat. This makes the location of the kitchen vital for overall harmony at home. The kitchen houses elements like water, fire (stove) and metal (utensils) and a balance between them is essential. For instance, the stove (fire element) shouldn’t be adjacent to the sink or opposite to it either. It shouldn’t be opposite the door too, as it disrupts the Chi factor. The stove should ideally be kept against a wall, to ensure stability of energy.

Bathroom Location

In ancient days, the toilets were located away from the main house, but in modern homes, they are built en-suite. As energy from the toilet is incompatible with energy from the kitchen, they shouldn’t be located close to one another.

If you are looking to buy a new home in Bangalore, head to the spacious Fortius Waterscape apartments in northern Bangalore where applying  Feng Shui tenets can be so practical & effortless. Check here for more details:  https://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

The reasons for renting out a property could be many and you need to do your share of homework before taking the plunge into becoming a successful landlord. This way, you won’t get bogged down by the common problems associated with tenants. They could misuse your property, refuse to vacate or worse, not pay rent on time. So here’s a list of points to keep in mind when renting out your apartment:

• There are a set of rules and regulations that you as a landlord need to be aware of. These pertain to taking responsibility for the safety of the apartment that is being rented out.
• You need to determine how much rent your apartment attracts and be realistic about expectations. The amount expected will be determined by the accessibility of the locality, and the easy availability of necessary facilities and infrastructure.
• Renting out your property is like running a small business. You need to do a careful study on the outgoing costs and incoming rent and ensure that the numbers stack up in the end. Outgoing costs will include periodical repairs of wear-and-tear of the apartment.
• In case you are still paying off your loan on the apartment, you need to inform your loaner bank about the change in status.
• Another fact is that income earned as rent is also taxable. When calculating your outgoing costs, do remember to include the percentage of rent income to be deducted towards tax.
• Then you have to consider what type of tenancy agreement you want. Are you going for an annual agreement to be renewed every year or are you interested in long-term tenancy agreements. You will need to have the contracts drawn up legally to avoid any loopholes that would leave you in the lurch.
• You will need to reach an agreement on maintaining a refundable deposit from your tenant equivalent to atleast around 3 months of rent – in case of default in rent payment.
• Finding the right kind of tenant is crucial to how well your renting business goes. Select the places you advertise accordingly or go with a reputed agent. You will also need to check the background details of the tenant yourself.
• In case you have property insurance, you will need to change it to ensure that the contents of the property is not included. If you’ve furnished the house or store any of your personal belongings there, you may require separate insurance to protect these items.
• Finally, you should be ready for void periods too, when there are no tenants and thus no rental earning. Becoming a landlord is one of the easiest ways of earning a second income, if you follow the rule book to the T!
  For those interested in investing, do check out the luxurious Fortius Waterscape apartments located off the Old Madras Road in Bangalore at: http://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/

Indian aesthetics refers to the unique philosophical and spiritual appreciation of arts, literature and architecture. It has to do with the dominant emotional theme of an ethnic work of art and the primary feelings evoked in the person who views it. It’s an appreciation of beauty in its heritage forms.

How we dress up our home says a lot about our tastes, personality and influences. Finding the right way to infuse traditional elements into modern home designs can be tricky. And if you want to add a dash of your cultural heritage into a contemporary home to offer a glimpse of Indian eclecticism, here are some ideas for you to work on:

-There are various ways you can go about it, but the best way is to juxtapose a vital contrasting element against the rest of the room interiors. For this, you can use traditional motifs, fabrics or colors to add a touch of the region’s unique identity. Select them carefully so that they aren’t overwhelming, yet stand out from the rest of the décor. Think of textiles like khadi, jute or Tussar silk; use them on throw pillows, wall frames, blinds, bedspreads or upholstery.

-The deep and vivid colors of India have an earthy vibrancy about them and can be included into your interiors in dramatic ways or in subtle rustic tones. You can use the walls to create an ethnic look by going for Indian-style artworks or miniature Mughal paintings. Framed Kashmiri carpets or embellished Rajasthani fabrics can also add to the Indian look in an otherwise contemporary-styled room.

-Indian crafts also add ethnicity to a modern apartment. Think about including carved temple pillars, antique wooden coffee tables or storage boxes that can double up as side-tables or intricately carved ceilings reminiscent of the days of royalty. These will add a delicate Indian context to contemporary décor.

-If you want to think more seriously about fusion of styles, you could opt for exposed red bricks or cement areas on a key wall or floor area. When done rightly, they improve the Indian aesthetic flavor in your homes’ décor.

-Alternatively, you can use ethnic accessories to add aesthetic touches to your contemporary-styled rooms. These could include candle holders, antiques, knick-knacks, and clay pottery, large brass Buddha busts or even Ganesha statues. Or you could think bigger and go for the luxurious traditional Indian rugs with their jewel colors reminiscent of a bygone era. The secret to creating the perfect balance is to use ethnic materials in small doses for the key areas.

For those interested in investing in prestigious apartments in Bangalore, check out Fortius Waterscape at: http://www.fortiuswaterscape.com/.