The Festive Edit: Durga Puja For October 2020

Colour Stories

Festivities are about to begin with Durga Puja just round the corner. Read on for some fun decor tips.

It is the time to celebrate the victory of good over evil. It is the time of the year to pray for good health, wealth and prosperity.

Since festivities are synonymous with home decoration, let’s begin straight from the entryway of your home.

Give it a classic Indian touch with a framed ethnic painting or a striking wall hanging. You can even add traditional bells for a playful touch. This is the perfect occasion to hang colourful ethnic puppets that reflect Indian art and your love for colours.

Use your creativity! Pick up a brush and paint it to bring an artistic appeal to earthen pots. You could also get crafty and create decorative urns for display.

Since no festival is complete without lights, you can add a personal touch to your space with hand painted diyas. You can also illuminate the festive nights with lamps, fragrant candles and string lights. Options galore!

Plain walls lack the fun and festive vibe. Choose house paint in vibrant and rich shade. Spruce it up with murals and wall paintings. You can derive ample painting ideas from Pinterest. Alternatively, you can explore our website’s Get Inspired section.

You can play with the colour palette by painting one wall in a brighter shade and others in lighter tones to maintain a balance. Bold colours such as deep reds, maroon, mustards and burnt oranges are a great way to get into the festive mood.

When it comes to upholstery, opt for fabrics and intricate artwork such as a patchwork carpet and silk or brocade cushion covers. Spread out brand new bed sheets and change the curtains, preferably in vibrant colours.

Another easy way to decorate your home is with paper lanterns on the ceiling. You will be amazed to see how these simple papers transform your house into a wonderful, festive space.

Durga Puja makeover for your home is a great idea but do not forget that sanitising and disinfection of the rooms and floors is equally important in order to have safe celebrations with your loved ones.

As we gear up to celebrate this joyous occasion, we, at Berger Paints India, wish that Goddess Durga brings prosperity and happiness to your family.

Colour Trivia

Colour Facts For October 2020

1. Whether you are getting a fresh coat of paint on your home exteriors or just looking to make some improvements, one of the biggest factors in the outcome of the exterior look of your home is the colour you choose. For exterior wall paint, you need to know which colours will work (and which don’t) before you start painting away. Blue, brown, beige, charcoal grey and olive green are popular exterior colour choices. A combination of the colours can work well to make your home stand apart. Subtle contrasting colours on the trim or windowpanes are a great way to enhance the architectural elements.
2. According to colour psychology, different shades have the potential to make people feel certain ways. Colour is a form of non-verbal communication. For example, green is often interpreted to represent abundance, freshness and hope. Different shades and tints of green can also convey certain emotions. For example, light green carries a different meaning than dark green. A sage green carries a different meaning than lime green. The former being reminiscent of a muted, subtle green whilst the latter reminds you of an almost neon-like green with yellow undertones. Many painters, artists and creators use these associations to emphasise the messages of their works.
3. If you are planning to put your house on t
4. he market in the near future, the wise course is to consider which exterior paint colour is going to attract buyers and even increase the value of your home. It might seem like a lot of work to begin with but if you pick the right exterior colours and get a reliable painting service like Berger Express Painting, then the returns on your investment will be a lot higher since freshly painted home exteriors can boost your home’s value by leaps and bounds.

Colour Quotes For October 2020

• I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.

  - Georgia O’Keeffe

• In nature, light creates the color. In the picture, color creates the light.

  - Hans Hofmann

• I paint on the ground. I paint with sticks, with big paint cans, and whatever else falls in it. Basically, what I'm doing is capturing unbridled emotion and putting it on canvas. It's like capturing lightning in a bottle.

  - Richard Grieco

Colour Tips For October 2020

1. Your terrace is the most exposed area of the house that faces harsh weather conditions. This includes heavy rains and scorching summers. Such climate changes can deteriorate the condition of your roof because of water seepage if precautions are not taken to begin with. It is often leakage from the terrace that causes major dampness in the ceilings. This is why you need to waterproof your terrace to prevent potential damage. Look out for areas like pipes that come through the roof or parapet wall, water tank corners, cables and electric wires etc. that need to be taken care of when waterproofing. Where possible, drainage needs to be integrated, must be of proper size and made available all over the roof. Get in touch with Berger Home Shield for the best waterproofing solutions.
2. There are some painting hacks that professionals use over traditional methods that make it a faster, better, cleaner painting experience. Paint spraying is one of them, saving both time and paint wastage. It allows painters to spray quickly and effectively to cover large areas. It is also great for achieving a perfect, uniform coating of paint. If your house is rich in architectural details and design work, paint spraying is one of the precise and easiest methods. Berger Express Painting experts use advanced tools like Airless Paint Sprayer for a seamless and fast painting experience.
3. Simply enhancing the home’s aesthetics is no longer the only expectation when it comes to what wall paint can do. Have you ever dreamed of transforming the walls of your home into a natural air purifier, perhaps an anti pollution paint? The dream of living in a clean, breathable environment is now possible, thanks to an innovative paint technology. Berger Silk Breathe Easy is proven to significantly reduce pollution and kill bacteria. It is a green, environment-friendly paint that promotes a healthy habitat for both the residents and the planet, at large.

World Of Colours

Colours & Emotion For October 2020

1. Though not a popular choice in web design, brown can be extremely effective under the right circumstances. As the colour linked to the earth and trees, brown can lend an outdoorsy feel, maximised by a pairing with green. Its connotation with the tree gives it a sturdy and reliable feeling. This wood colour can be a great choice for your living room, kitchen or balcony walls. Spruce up the space with contrasting white linen, wood grain furniture, hardwood flooring and a faux fur rug, and voila - you have created a comforting ambiance for yourself!
2. Did you know that when individuals see a colour or even simply hear the name of a particular colour, it brings to mind several associations such as moods, objects and even temperatures! Yes, that’s a fact. According to historian and symbologist Michel Pastoureau, the author of the book Blue: The History of a Color, these associations are established way back in their childhood. For instance, if you see a colour worn by your favourite sports team, it may send a rush of positive feelings your way. If you were a child that loved playing with a Barbie doll, it is quite possible that simply hearing the word "pink" could bring warm, fuzzy feelings of joy. Isn’t it amazing the way colours and emotions work?

Colours & Fashion For October 2020

Who said neon is only for clothes and accessories? Get ready to paint your favourite wall in vibrant, punchy neon that has brightened global runways as well as ramp shows in India. You can either create an accent wall or add pops of it in your room. It’s all about getting the best of fashion on your walls with fun house paint! Contact Berger’s Express Painting service for a fun wall makeover today. It is recommended that you leave the other walls in a neutral tone if you wish to create a feature wall with a neon shade since it can get overwhelming.

Colours & Gems For October 2020

1. Unakite
   This mottled stone that you are looking at is known as Unakite. It gets its name from the Unakas Mountains of North Carolina in the United States where it was first discovered. It exists in various shades of pistachio green and pink, a beautiful combination and a visual delight. You can incorporate these two shades as your interior house colors. This stone can be easily cut and polished to produce beads, tiny sculptures and other ornamental items for the home. It is a stone that works through the third eye chakra and is believed to relieve stress.
2. Grandidierite
   What you are looking at is one of the rarest minerals on the planet. This crystal is called Grandidierite, named after the French naturalist Alfred Grandidier who discovered it in 1902 in Madagascar. It shows strong trichroic pleochroism, which means it can display three different colours depending on the viewing angle: dark blue-green, colourless (sometimes very light yellow), or dark green. Fascinating, don’t you think? Admired for its beauty, it is also believed to possess significant metaphysical properties. It is believed to aid in communication, expression and intuition. It is also associated with faith, trust, patience, and respect.

Colours & Nature For October 2020

1. Fairy Wren
   The dainty blue bird that you see in the picture is known as the Superb Fairy Wren. This bird belongs to the Maluridae family found across the Australian continent, mostly in the south-east part. With its gleaming, velvety blue and black plumage, it is too hard to ignore this bird. You can derive inspiration from its blue and black colour combination and choose it for your house wall colour! 

   This bird is notable for its interesting behavioural characteristic. Male wrens pluck pink or purple petals and display them to females as part of a courtship display. Recent research reveals something equally fascinating if not more. Male wrens sing to their eggs and their chicks come out recognising their parent’s unique song!

2. Aladaglar Mountains
   You are staring at one of the most amazing natural phenomena! These are the Aladaglar Mountains in the Zanjan province of Iran. You will come across these mountains while passing the city of Tabriz. They are so incredible that for a moment you might wonder if it is photoshopped or for real. The name “Aladaglar” is derived from ''Ala'' which means colourful and ''Dag'' which means mountain in Azeri Turkish language. The mountains are known as Rainbow Mountains and when the sun shines at the right angle, the golden and copper colours of the mountains tend to glow. It provides a unique opportunity for eco-tourists and is an absolute delight for photography enthusiasts!

DecorProtect one of the most dampness prone areas

Water tanks are usually placed underground or overhead in building complexes and even in small houses and bungalows. If the tank is poorly constructed or not waterproofed to begin with, water is likely to seep through the common joints between the house and the tank and ruin interior and exterior walls with dampness.

Since water can travel through the smallest of capillaries, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact source of damage. Repairing and waterproofing a water tank can be a long, painful process. Let’s learn how to tackle this with the help of ‘vigyaan’, aka scientific waterproofing solutions.

The conventional way to waterproof water tanks is to use chunna, plaster or chemical that will stop the leakage for the time being. However, sooner or later, the dampness will find a way to show up on walls again. Since these temporary solutions only add a film between the plaster and the paint, it is not a long term and reliable solution.

The more sustainable and economical way to waterproof a water tank is to consult professionals like Berger Home Shield and use best-in-standard waterproofing paint and solutions. The experts use Moisture Meter, a handy device that detects moisture levels trapped in walls, helping them pinpoint the right source of leakage and dampness. Depending on the damage in the walls, appropriate treatment is applied. The professionals are trained and experienced to understand how wall waterproofing works, so there is no dishing out of fake ‘gyaan’, only proven and scientific solutions.

Everything You Need To Know About Water Tanks Waterproofing

Water tanks are usually placed underground or overhead in building complexes and even in small houses and bungalows. If the tank is poorly constructed or not waterproofed to begin with, water is likely to seep through the common joints between the house and the tank and ruin interior and exterior walls with dampness.

Since water can travel through the smallest of capillaries, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact source of damage. Repairing and waterproofing a water tank can be a long, painful process. Let’s learn how to tackle this with the help of ‘vigyaan’, aka scientific waterproofing solutions.

The conventional way to waterproof water tanks is to use chunna, plaster or chemical that will stop the leakage for the time being. However, sooner or later, the dampness will find a way to show up on walls again. Since these temporary solutions only add a film between the plaster and the paint, it is not a long term and reliable solution.

The more sustainable and economical way to waterproof a water tank is to consult professionals like Berger Home Shield and use best-in-standard waterproofing paint and solutions. The experts use Moisture Meter, a handy device that detects moisture levels trapped in walls, helping them pinpoint the right source of leakage and dampness. Depending on the damage in the walls, appropriate treatment is applied. The professionals are trained and experienced to understand how wall waterproofing works, so there is no dishing out of fake ‘gyaan’, only proven and scientific solutions.

Serious home repairs like water tank waterproofing must not be ignored. Even a small leakage or dampness can cause major damage to the structure of the entire building or apartment.

Colours & Ancient Sciences

Feng Shui For October 2020

Suffering from family conflict and negativity? Fix these bad Feng Shui culprits and restore peace.

Create Good Feng Shui In Your Home!

It is important that you decorate with the correct objects for proper energy flow in the living space. Here are some common mistakes along with some simple interior design ideas for living room, bedroom, bathroom and the kitchen.

Mistake #1 Storage under the bed

While it may be practical for you, storage underneath your bed consisting of old clothes, photos, electronics and shoes is not considered good in Feng Shui. You spend many hours sleeping over all this stuff which could have an adverse effect on you.

Pro Tip: Store only bed linens, blankets and pillows, if you must. Remember to keep the area under the bed as clean and tidy as possible to make it energetically clear.

Mistake #2: Incorrect water feature placement

The worst assumption you can make about the water feature placement is adding it in any corner of the house. Water is believed to attract very powerful and active chi energy. If placed incorrectly, it is believed to flush away love and prosperity.

Pro Tip: It is recommended that you place a water element like a fountain right at the entrance of the house, like the one you see in the picture.

Mistake #3: Displaying dead plants

Living green plants and fresh flowers are believed to bring positive life energy into a home and are considered excellent Feng Shui. If a plant is sick, do your best to heal the plant since it indicates ill health for the inhabitants of the house.

Pro Tip: Place plants like Areca, Boston Fern, Golden Pothos, Jade and Lucky Bamboo that are believed to promote gentle and nourishing energy. Avoid cactus that is believed to have ‘spiky’ energy.

Mistake #4 Cluttered kitchen

Kitchen shelves and cupboards are the easiest to become cluttered. For a Zen cooking experience, it is important to have a kitchen that is well-organised.

Pro Tip: Store “like with like” such as mugs with mugs, spoons with spoons and plates with plates.

Hope you find these tips useful!

Reiki For October 2020

Wondering how to set up a Reiki room for yourself? Here are some select decor elements.

A Guide To Reiki Essentials

Someone has very rightly said that the best way to appreciate Reiki is to view it as our “experienced sense of being alive.” When choosing the decor for your Reiki room, you can derive inspiration from beautiful places that you found relaxing such as the beach, a forest or a spa.

Keep scrolling for some Reiki room essentials to generate positive energy and create a sacred space within your home.

Sage

Sage is believed to have a cleansing effect on negative vibes. Think of it as hitting the reset button.

Plants

Plants are more than just pretty home decor. Place plants in your room to feel connected with nature. It can add a touch of natural energy into a living space and also add visual appeal to it.

Fragrances

Smell is an absolutely personal experience. Make sure to have a sweet-smelling room. From fragrant candles to essential oils, you can improve the scent of your space for a relaxing atmosphere. Take your pick from ylang-ylang, sandalwood and peppermint.

Rose quartz crystals

Rose quartz crystals are a great addition to your room. Sit in meditation and hold onto the stone, feeling what you want to feel. The crystal is believed to retain the vibration.

Tibetan bowl

Tibetan bowl songs are believed to reduce stress, increase the blood flow and lower the heart rate. Each Tibetan bowl is designed to vibrate to a different chakra. Listening to the soothing sounds of these ancient instruments is said to be deeply relaxing and meditative.

Indoor water fountain

A portable indoor water fountain is the perfect addition to your Reiki room as it can create a calming ambiance. You can choose from a variety of fountain designs, colours and sizes. You can enjoy the comforting sound of running water and benefit from the negative ions emission.

By making use of these decor elements in your daily Reiki sessions, we hope you are able to generate feelings of well-being, peace and attract positive vibes only!

Vaastu For October 2020

Want to create a positive home environment with the help of colours? Read on for some simple tips.

Creating a Vaastu-Compliant Home

Colours play a major role in making us either happy or sad and tend to play an important role in our health and happiness. Re-organise individual spaces of your home based on the best vaastu colours for home interior.

Living room

Your living room is where you spend quality time with your family and friends. You also entertain your guests in this area of your house. Keeping this in mind, it is a good idea to introduce colours such as yellow, tan, beige, cream and light blue. These colours bring in warmth and honesty in conversations and relationships.

Master bedroom

Your master bedroom, the king of all rooms, is meant for relaxation and rejuvenation after a day’s long work. Vaastu colours for the master bedroom can include blue, pink, mauve and light green. These colours represent prosperity and also help induce sleep.

Kids room

The Vaastu colours for the kids room can include light green, light pink, light yellow, light blue or lavender as it can improve the child’s focus and also enhances his/her personality.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home – a zone where delicious and wholesome food is prepared. Hence, the kitchen walls should be painted in light chocolate, saffron, brick orange, peach or woody green. According to Vaastu, these colours are believed to have immense benefits like increasing the appetite and metabolism, and also accelerating the digestion process. These colours also stand for purity, good health and energy.

Dining room

Dining room is where we feed ourselves either for survival or pleasure or both. This area is also where you tend to catch up with our family. According to Vaastu, your dining space should have walls in shades of orange, green or pink. These colours are believed to bring prosperity, health, peace and healing. They are also believed to aid in proper digestion

Hope you find this guide useful and incorporate the colours recommended to reap its benefits.