Stone Flooring

Interior stone floors are common in warm and hot climates due to the ease of maintenance. In cooler climates, new technology is now making stone floors a viable alternative. Read on to find out what kind of stones are suitable for your floor -- both inside and outside.

Types of Stone used for Flooring

Some popular stone flooring options are:

• Sandstone - is extremely durable so a good choice for flooring in medium traffic areas. For indoor use, any finish matt, glossy or satin can be used. Sandstone tiles usually need resealing after every 4-5 years.
• Limestone - the quality of the stone varies. Soft varieties can be used in areas of low traffic. Harder stones may be used in areas of high traffic.
• Slate - Hard varieties of slate are used in outdoor flooring and in areas of medium traffic.
• Marble - usually this is a hard stone. So it can be used in hallways, that is areas of high traffic. It is also suitable for bathroom floors.
• Granite - The hardest stone available, granite can be used in high traffic zones and in kitchens. Polished granite exudes a feeling of opulence and grandeur in a space.
• Terra-cotta - is a man-made stone that has properties similar to natural stone. The process of its creation involves compacting clay and then firing it. This process imbues terra-cotta tiles with properties similar to natural stone. The tiles have color variations that may be used to add to the esthetic appeal of the floor. The surface can be smooth or rough. Patterns and textures can also be created on the surface of the tiles.
• Terrazzo - another man-made stone that is frequently used in floors in high and medium traffic zones.

Installing a Stone Floor

Usually installing a stone floor is quite complicated and requires skilled workers. However, if you are confident about doing it on your own, here are some links to installing a stone floor.

Exterior

Compound wall: The compound is the wall that covers the boundary of the house. The compound wall should of more height and thickness in Southern and Western sides as compared to the Northern and Eastern sides, as it prevents negative energy in house. Light walls in North and East sides are beneficial as they ensure morning rays and proper light in house. This way the South and West sides will also become heavier than the rest which is very auspicious.

Garage: The best place to construct a garage is the north-west and south-east corner, and never in the north-east, north or east portion of the house.

Overhead tanks: Overhead tank for water storage should be placed/constructed in south, west or south-west. However, south-west direction is considered best for an overhead tank according to Vastu. And any kind of underground tank created for storage of water should be in the north-east; it should be noted that an underground tank should never be constructed at the point where north and east directions meet. It should either be in the east or in the west but never in the center.

Underground Reservoir: It should always in the northeast and should never be in southeast or south-west. One should cover the all inner portion of the tank with tiles, preferably of white colour, so as to ensure cleanliness of the tank.

Well / Bore Well / Tube Well: These should be constructed in North - East or eastern sides to bring all round prosperity and new opportunities for growth.

Open space around the building: We have to carefully examine the space given to us around the building and make sure that you are leaving the maximum space in North and East side and less on South and West sides. The construction should never be on the Northern and eastern wall as this violates the basic principle of Vastu. The left area in North should not be less compared to the open area left in the South.

The proportion: The ratio between the length and breadth of the building should be 1:1 or 1:1.5 or maximum up to 1:2. It should never exceed this limit in any circumstance, otherwise it will become a 'long bar' shaped plot and is not at all auspicious.

The Levels: At any level the West, South, South - West sides should be more elevated than the North, North - East and East sides. Basically, the flow of water should always be from the South to North or West to East.

Terrace / Porch / Portico / Balcony: All these should always be located in the North, East or North - East sides of the building to bring the health, wealth and happiness. If one needs to construct balconies in in the southwest, they should be smaller than balconies in the northeast. One can construct an open terrace in the north-east, by constructing major part of the first floor in the southwest.

A Guide To Buying a Land For Residential Purposes

According to Vastu,some plots are more auspicious than other, while some plots are entirely unsuitable for living purpose. Below mentioned are some of the points which one should consider while buying a plot:

1. Barren Land with no sign of greenery.
2. Land on which shadow of temple, towers, temple walls, temple flag post fall.
3. Avoid buying a land with too much wet soil or water seeping from ground.
4. Avoid buying a land near bridges and large buildings.
5. A plot which is narrower in the west or in south, in comparison to the north and east portion, is not good.
6. Land with many cracks in the soil/ground is not good for living.
7. Presence of bones and coal in the land is not good.
8. Land which previously, in any time, belonged to any temple or charitable trust etc.
9. A plot which is very much raised in comparison to it's surroundings.

Vastu For Selection of Paint Colors

Color has a profound effect on our mood. In clothing , interiors , landscape and even natural light , a color can change mood from sad to happy, from confusion to intelligence , from fear to confidence. Particular colors have different effects on each individual. Response to a color may be influenced by a number of factors such as the body's need for a specific color , a sad or happy memory associated with a color.

In previous decades , certain colors or group of colors dominated every palette . Now in millennium , the stopper is out and uniqueness and personal preferences are really in. There are no absolutes in the world of color. Some colors make you want to get out of your chair , others make you want to nestle down and read. Some colors are articulate and must be listened to. Others are very quiet . Some colors indicate that you have traveled or are well read. Yet others create a desire for closeness , intimacy and love. Following are some of the most typical responses to various color groups.

Nurturing Neutrals

These colors create a sense of peace and well being. They foster quiet conversation with family and friends and can dispel loneliness. Throughout time , mankind has found a sense of peace and tranquility when in touch with "Mother Earth" . It follows that colors which impart a sense of warmth and serenity come directly from the earth. In addition to the earth colors in the neutral group are colors associated with sea such as sand , shell , coral , pearl , stone , seaweed. GREEN is a color which helps us to adjust to new environments and situations. It will always be found among the 'nurturing neutrals'. The BLUES represented here will range from winter sky to stream to midnight. The neutrals are somewhat like the furniture while other palettes are more like accents or accessories.

Intellectual Colors

These are the sharp , witty and unique colors which convey a message that the owner has traveled , is well read and has something to say. These colors will command respect without being overbearing. This palette also starts with a earthy , warm base. Gray is a color which promotes creativity and will often be found in foundation of an intellectual palette. These grays will be warm and gentle. Some tones of blue suggest communication and trust , so it will naturally be found in the intellectual palette. Navy blues will often find their way in this palette , but its effect is warm and never cold and fragile. Red also appears in this intellectual palette , but the shades will be earthy and complicated burgundy , cranberry.

Playful Colors

These colors are exiting and used for a fun providing environment These playful , whimsical palettes create their own kind of music , like the sounds of children playing. There are highs and lows, lights and darks and always movement and activity. Used in active spaces within the home , a 'playful' palette can add energy and vitality. But if overdone , this type of palette becomes irritating and stressful. The foundation of this palette is WHITE . This could be anywhere from vanilla ice cream to snow drift to winter moon. Then comes the bubble gum pink, buttercup, wintergreen, all the berry colors and crayon colors. Many of these colors will be cool, and even in lighter tones there will be brightness and clarity. The bottom line in creating this type of palette is that the colors should suggest a sense of freedom , play and downright fun.

Healing Colors

This palette includes the colors which are very refreshing and rejuvenating. Like nurturing colors , 'healing colors' also begin by getting in touch with nature. The first group of colors considered in this palette is GREEN. Because they have the power to help us adjust to new environments , skillful designers use lots of plants and other forms of green . Healing greens may be warm or cool , but not muddy or mysterious like those in the intellectual palette. Healing palettes also take inspirations from warn earth tones. These palettes usually contains contrast as well as a clarity of color that is inspiring. They will include a range of lights and darks but will never be muddy.

Romantic Colors

Many species including the human beings attempt to attract the opposite sex with colors. RED is the color of sex and lust and is often called the most romantic of colors. It is no accident that red is the chosen symbolic color for the Valentine's Day. In interior design , however , a less intense , softer tone of red is far more conducive to romance than the pure hue. Often referred as PINKS , these colors vary from cool to warm and from light to dark. Pinks have an interesting quality that seems to halt the body's ability to stay angry. PURPLE is another color which is definitively romantic because of its passionate , unpredictable and quixotic characteristics. Paler , less intense tones of ORANGE such as apricot and peach are often included in the romantic palette , suggesting purity and innocence. BLUES in the romantic palette will be cool and inspired by water.

Personal Style

There are no trends in color as important as personal style. Today , most designers draw from many historical periods as well as contemporary influences and mix them together to create unique personal spaces. The most effective color palettes reflect and enhance the interests , collections and activities of the people who live there as well as architectural features.

The effects of color on mood will vary from individual to individual. Color schemes have emotional messages too. An awareness of the emotions generated by different colors is helpful in planning personal palettes that will be pleasant to live with , but it must be understood that this information is not absolute. Subtle changes in tone can increase or decrease the emotions evoked by a particular color , allowing it to be included in many diverse palettes.

SEVEN VASTU TIPS FOR THE BEDROOM

Vastu Shastra, the sacred science from India that creates harmonious stress-free living and working environments, supports your success in all areas of life, even in the bedroom! Something everyone has in common is sleeping. It takes up approximately one third of your life and therefore is an extremely important factor in your overall health. Here are some wonderful ideas to improve the bedroom, a place where we spend more time than in any other room of the place we call home.

1. The door you enter to your bedroom is considered a symbol of the possibilities your life has to offer you and should open at least ninety degrees to fully allow positive opportunities to flow to you. A door that cannot open fully will limit this support that makes your life more interesting.

2. Upon entering, your bedroom, the first thing you see is something that gives you the feeling of peace and serenity. This could be a photograph, a favorite quote, a painting or sculpture, even flowers will enhance these positive, life supporting feelings.

3. Removing clutter in your bedroom creates serenity and will help you feel more efficient and function optimally. Clutter, especially under your bed, weighs you down and keeps your mind subtly connected to the past, which does not allow for forward progress. Clutter represents all that has not been completed in your life. Wherever it exists, your life force energy (prana) becomes stagnant. To tackle clutter, first take on small projects to help you avoid the feelings of being overwhelmed be the task at hand. Clear areas of accumulated papers, magazines, and newspapers to help you create a sense of organization and space. Begin with drawers and, as you feel inspired, focus on sections of your closet or storage areas. Remove everything from under your bed, as storing clutter here will also affect your subconscious mind and cause disruption during sleep.

4. Sleep with your head to the south. Positive magnetic energy comes from the north. The blood in your body contains iron, making your body magnetic with the positive polarity in your head. When you sleep with your head to the north, these two positive polarities repel each other, disrupting the flow of blood and affecting your sleep and health.

5. Having a mirror on the wall opposite the foot of your bed can disturb your sleep. You throw off stress during the time you sleep and a mirror will hold the stress and reflect it back to you when you wake up once you sit up in bed. Move the mirror or cover it at night for more restful and replenishing sleep.

6. Try not to sleep in direct alignment with sharp corners. Sharp corners act as energy spears and create stress in the nervous system. There is not serenity in a room that has sharp corners except by softening them by placing plants in front of them. You can also try moving your bed away from direct alignment with them.

7. Exposed beams or slanted ceilings are symbols of oppression as they create a cutting effect. If your bed is directly underneath an exposed beam or in a slanted room, it will be difficult to have peaceful rest with this energy looming above you. One remedy for “lifting” this effect energetically is to hang bells from beams or slanted ceilings.

Doors and Windows

Entrance Door To the House

The entrance door should also be taken in consideration while the application of Vastu to your house. Entrance door should be in North, East or North East of the house. The entrance door size should always be larger than the other doors of the house.

Number of Entrances

Many houses may have more than one entrance on the frontage. Some rules however, have to be followed for providing these doors. If there is only one main entrance door to the house then more wealth is expected over other factors. If there are two doors in the entrance then a comfortable life for the inmates can be expected. If there ar three doors than it is harmful to the residents. If more than three doors are provided as main entrance than it causes many problems.

Placement of Main Entrance Doors

One Door If only one entrance s provided to the house it should be placed in east or north for the best results. Doors in the west and south are not good/allowed, but these directions can be used for a entrance in commercial establishments. Two Doors

If a house has two doors than they can be in the following combinations:

• East in combination with north and west.
• West with north and East is allowed.
• South and West Doors are not allowed.
• South and East Doors are not allowed.

Three Doors

• Three doors excluding the east is inauspicious.
• Three doors excluding south is auspicious.
• Three Doors excluding north is inauspicious.
• Three doors excluding west is auspicious.

Four Doors
If the house is aligned to the magnetic orientation than keeping the door in all the 4 directions is very auspicious.

Inner Doors

Height of the doors should be at least 7'-0", and with of the door should be at least 3'-6".

Number of Doors

The number of doors within the house should be even in count, but not ten or multiples of eight. There are several rules to be noted before counting all ten doors within the house. the main gate or the doors in the outhouse are not counted with doors in the house. It is to be noted than two flanged doors are counted as one door. Entrance may without doors but if they are covered overhead to form a enclosed passage, than they are counted as doors. Doors to partitions within the house which do not touch the ceiling are not counted as doors. Following is the explanation of number of doors in the house and their effect:

2 Doors	Auspicious
3 Doors	Cause Enmity
4 Doors	Cause Extended Life
5 Doors	Dieses
6 Doors	Good Child Bearing
7 Doors	Death
8 Doors	Growth of Wealth
9 Doors	Des ease
10 Doors	Robbery
11 Doors	Destruction of the good
12 Doors	Growth of business
13 Doors	Lowers the man's life span
14 Doors	Increase in Wealth
15 Doors	Destruction of the good

Designing the Doors

Vastu allows decoration and carving on the main entrance and other doors, but has some rules to be strictly followed for the same:

• Lakshami seated on lotus with elephants is good to be used on doors.
• Traditional guard images can be carved.
• The gods of wealth emitting coins can be used for decoration.
• Kul Devta, the family deity can adorn the door.
• Birds like parrots, peacocks, swans images are good to be used on doors
• Nature paintings etc.
• Pictures or Sculptures of war scans etc. are not allowed.

One should keep in mind that any god images etc. should not be used on the outer side of the door as it may lead to poverty and other problems.

Windows Windows in the house provide us with fresh and light to enjoy our life with. All the windows should be on the exterior walls of the house and not opening within the rooms. All the windows bigger in size should be in the north-east and smaller window should be in the south-west. The number of windows in the house should be in even numbers (when counted in total), and not in the multiples of 10. Sun Shades The slopes of all sunshades constructed above doors and windows should be towards the north-east, so that the rain water must flow from south-west to north-east.

Vastu For Starting of Construction

Staring the construction holds a major part in the appliaction of Vastu.

Things to do Before starting Construction

• Determination of Direction
• Cleaning of Land
• Leveling of Land
• Well in East, North or North-East
• Raw Material
• Construction
• Bhumi Pujan
• Excavation
• Temporay Shed

Determination of Direction The directions of the plot should be dermined with the help of compass, and all the corners of the plot should be 90 degree aligned and boundry wall should always be constructed only after the proper alignment of the corners.

Cleaning of Land The plot should be cleaned before any furnither work is done on the land. Any type of pits, stones, throny bushes etc must be removeed while cleaning the land. If there is a gun arabic tree(babool) in theland, it should be uprooted first. Levelling of Land South-West of the plot should be gently raised in comparison to the north-east side of the plot. If the land contains any well or other depressions, they should be filled up and leveled. Well in East, North or North-East A well or temporary sump should be dug in the east, north or north east and only water from this sump/well should be used for cunstruction and water from any other souurce must not be used for construction.

Raw Material

Raw material to be used for construction like cement, bricks etc. should be kept in the south, west or south-west of the plot, and never in the north east.

Construction The construction of the house must be started within 90 days from the day of coomplition of the boundry wall. Bhumi Pujan

Its is extremely necessary to worship the land before starting the construction. The prayer should be done in the north-corner of the plot by a learned Pandit.The first digging must be done by the owner or the architect on a aspitious time as set by a learned astrologer. The aspisius munths for starting work are:

• March - April
• April - May
• July - August
• October - November
• January - February

And the best days for starting the work are:

• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday

Excavation

Excavation for the main house or any other portion including the boundry wall should only started from the north-east direction of the house, and it should progress from north to west ot east to south. An when these excavations are to be filled i.e while laying foundation, while starting the construction, they must be filled from south to east and from west to north.

Temporay Shed

A temporary shed, if needed to be constructed, for a watchman or for storage purposes, should be counstructed in the south-west of the plot. And the door of the shed should be in the north-east. The construction of this shed in accordance with Vastu prevents thefts and helps in smooth flow of the constructon work. After the completion of the work/construction of the builing this shed must be demolished; and should not be used for further storage/living etc.