How to interior design a small living room?

Living Room

It has been a big day as this morning we had an interview with Vaishali Kawalkar the founder of Sovereign Architects. She is a successful interior designer in pune with a career that bloomed in fast steps. In this interview, she shares with us the secrets of making a compact and living room feel roomy. She also gives us a few tips on how to create a spacious feel in a small living room.

Q.  Good Morning Ma’am, how should one decorate the interiors of a small living room?

Vaishali Kawalkar: Good Morning. It is a very challenging task while designing the interiors of a small living room. A space challenged living room must be well planned and well provisioned. The key elements which will successfully help you design the interiors of a small living room include the placement of savvy furniture, innovative storage options and a simple and beautiful color theme.

Q. What are your suggestions regarding the choice of furniture?

Vaishali Kawalkar: I would suggest that think big. Resist the impulse to choose only small sized furniture for a small living room. Big furniture can make a small room look grander. You can create a visual interest and make your living room have an appealing look by varying the proportions of your furniture. This also allows the small room to be more functional. It is ideal to place a sofa which is sufficiently large enough to serve the purpose of entertaining and also for taking a nap. Each piece of furniture in your small living room should have more than one purpose. A corner banquette can also be built with hidden storage beneath the seats. You can create a sense of harmony and a feeling of openness by balancing a couch with smaller and more auxiliary pieces like a glass-topped coffee table or slipper chairs. You can also add space saving shelves like floating shelves, wall cabinets, modular shelves which not only serve the purpose of storage but they also serve as beautiful pieces of interior decors which can accentuate the looks of your small living room.

Q. Will you share with us the secrets of making a small living room look bigger than it actually is?

Vaishali Kawalkar: You can make your small living room feel much larger with smart organization, multipurpose furniture and bold colors. We usually select many materials in precisely the same tone, same light natural shade including the curtains, rug, the upholstery, polished plaster on the walls. Also the scheme will not feel dull because all of these different materials are of different textures and patterns. This really helps to create a visual perception of a larger and roomy space. The polisher plaster for the walls also reflects the light and spreads an aura of radiance into the room which makes the room feel larger than what it really is. The similar colored doors and cabinets also reflect the light very well.

Q. Do you have any other tricks up your sleeve to enhance the looks of a small living room?

Vaishali Kawalkar: Yes, Curtains. A curtain gives a wonderful treatment to your windows. You can choose different colored, texture, and pattern of curtains to decorate the windows. You can change the curtains according to your mood or the seasons. Choose the right curtains and do not overpower the room. Mixing different textures of curtains will make your room look inspirational.

Q. How to organize a small spaced living room?

Vaishali Kawalkar: Keeping the small room neat and clean is very important. You can keep it clutter free by keeping the things in a more organized manner. For instance, baskets add warmth to a space and they can also be used as wonderful storage option. You can stack toys, magazines and even throws. They also serve the purpose of hidden storage for less appealing items like remotes.

Maximize the looks and minimize clutter to make your small living room look wonderful.

Go with the flow; Feng Shui and the Art of Living!

Feng Shui

Feng shui is an ancient art and science which finds its origin nearly 3000 years ago in China with a central theme being the designing of environments to support the optimal, focused energy flow to enhance life with assured health and bountiful means. The basic premise of this thought is 

- One’s Belief in the concept that “energy” on Chi that “flows” through the universe, and 

- You can, by putting in place certain factors, harness this energy. 

Ironically, despite being Chinese by birth, its birth place has place severe restrictions on its practice. Even more ironical is the fact that despite these restrictions, it has grown and grown not only into people’s homes but also their hearts! Notwithstanding the hurdles in its path, people seem to have found enough information on it to make it a stand-alone appendage to architecture. 

The word feng shui is a combination of two elements of which Feng is wind and shui water. The orient, believers of Taoism, always regarded land as alive with Chi, the life force and considered the wind and water as sources of nourishment to make life bloom. Taoism has further bolstered Feng Shui with the concepts of yin and yang, and the five feng shui elements. 

Feng Shui in its most original form gave importance to three things namely, time, Space and Action. If you want it to work, it is expedient to have the right mix of the right action in the right place at the right time. 

The three most important factors affecting the study of Feng Shui, in the order of importance are: 

•  The first and most, the ‘earth luck’, which indicates the energy prevailing in your present space and time. 
• The second is the ‘man luck’, which you either make or break with your own actions and free will. Opportunity lands in everyone’s lap. How you use it is what makes for the difference, and  
• The third rather obviously is the ‘heaven luck’. Most call it destiny or fate. This is not within our scope to create or change. It happens on its own , which is your fate and destiny and least in your hands. 

These three factors make us aware of why people occupying the same house under one lineage going in varied trajectories in life. The main tools of the trade are: 

• A compass, called Luo-Pan consisting of bands of concentric rings arranged around the magnetic needle. 
• Bagua: A feng shui energy map connecting energy levels to periods in time which also contains the feng-shui oracle, I Ching  
• Knowledge of the five elements ie understanding nature, how it evolved and its functioning and how one can balance it in one’s life. 
• Knowledge of Yin & Yang ie the positive and negative energy. 

Feng shui offers a variety of cures to improve life situations like the use of aquariums to attract prosperity to the use of crystals and fountains to colours and clocks. There are many ways you can improve the energy in your home or office with solid, good feng shui. 

Nothing is without strings attached, including prosperity. Money and material affluence may not always spell peace and happiness especially when you are in a race. Pune is no exception. From being the pensioner’s paradise, it is moving quickly to be the tensioner’s paradise! 

Thankfully, all is not lost. Since it is about places of dwelling, it is but natural that the experienced hands of architecture would have found a solution. Some like Soverign Architects, interior desigers in Pune, do have. Go to them, do as they suggest and see life change for the better.

Interior Designing tips for Indian homes

Tip for Interior Designing

“A real building is one on which the eye can light and stay lit”.

Everyone’s dream is to have a dream house of their own. There are a lot of passionate people who decorate every available space in their house and make it look so colorful and wonderful. People approach a good architect too for the innovative ideas, usage of resources, to be economical and help them improve in making their dream house come true. There are a number of such interior designer in Pune and across India. You can get one of them to do the job with perfection. And remember a good architect always has a vision and then make it appear to others keeping their eyes lit by the beauty of architecture.

India is a country rich in various cultures and known for Unity in Diversity. People of each culture have their own taste and style of designing their house.

Designing Indian Homes:

Although India is a huge country with a great variety in climate, much of it is hot, so the purpose of much of the decor is to avoid the hot sun and admit cooling breezes to the home. Floors tend to be made of wood, stone or ceramic tile, and because heat rises, rooms are often built with high ceilings for the heat to rise into, while most living takes place on or near the floor, where it's cooler. Traditional Indian furniture is often built low to the ground: low cushioned couches or divans, floor cushions and woven rugs are typical. Lacy, perforated screens let breezes enter the home while preserving privacy.

In cold conditions, Using lots of cushions, on the floor as well as on your furniture, chaise (A form of a  sofa with a backrest at one end only) or daybed will help create a relaxed, informal feel. Hand woven rugs on wooden floors enhance the decor.

Color & Pattern:

Color and pattern are the best tools for creating specific Indian style.

• Paint color is one of the simplest and least expensive ways to transform the look of a room and add value to your home.
•  Jewel colors may be added in curtains, cushions, carpets, or other accents.
• One can make bed hangings, pillows or window curtains from saris, for example; these beautiful garments may be brilliantly colored, sheer, and ornamented in gold thread.
• India also has a long tradition of making a beautiful cotton fabrics block-printed with floral or animal designs or elaborate paisleys. Using these fabrics for bedspreads, pillows, curtains or wall hangings will help you create an authentic Indian atmosphere that's quite different from Hollywood's idea.
• Indian furniture is often made of dark, richly carved wood, solid and rustic. Adding even a single carved wooden piece, such as a table, chair will help achieve Indian style.
• Cushions or boxes decorated with animal motifs will help create the style.
• Ornate arches are a typical Indian architectural element that may be reproduced in mirrors and headboards.
• Wooden boxes or other items with bone inlay, and furniture or fabric decorated with tiny mirrors are also typical of different Indian regions.

Well, at the same time in this globalized world, people are exchanging their styles in designing homes too. Most of them are getting attracted towards posh and neatly designed homes. Not only on the cultural base but also as per the person’s nature and thinking the interior designing are preferred. ‘Sovereign Architects’ one of the talented interior designers in Pune can help you in creating a beautiful décor to your home.

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Please feel free to post your comments below.

About Author :- Vaishali Kawalkar is the head of Sovereign Architects.

Interior Designing Tips for Bungalows !!!

Bungalow Interior Designs

To design the interiors of bungalows needs a great deal of planning and lots of creativeness. Care has to be taken to ensure that each and every part of the bungalow is designed perfectly. The Bungalow designers in Pune, like Sovereign Architects are trying to render services to their client in such away wherein optimal utilization of space is resorted to. The designers while designing the interiors of bungalows put forth their creativity, craftsmanship and spatial management to the maximum to produce the best effect.

Check out these interior designing tips for every room in the bungalow to give the wow effect to it.

General

•  The designing should add elegance, beauty and style combining varied spectrum of colours, geometric patterns and unique designs.
• It has to be reliable and cost effective.
•   Provision of ethnic, colonial and modern designs should also be provided.

Furniture

• The use of decorative accessories and dining furniture will surely create a positive impression.
•  Innovative methods of designing will also add a touch of style.
• A blend of wooden and steel furniture is ideal for the interiors as their designing is more antique. Also the furniture is more durable.
• Furniture with exposed frames will highlight and emphasize their construction.

Upholsteries

• Choose the right upholstery fabric like a dense tapestry fabric, or natural leather and bled it with wood to make your furniture look stylish and comfortable.

 Walls

• While designing the interiors of a bungalow, take the inspiration of the colours of nature. The colours ideal for the walls would be sage green, terra cotta orange, soft brown or mustard yellow. If you want to give a vintage look to your walls add a tint of gray.
• To give an authentic look, choose wallpapers with varied motifs like geometrical patterns or patterns with nature theme.
•  To reinforce the wall décor create artistic designs by using stencils or wainscoted painting.
•  If you want to frame the walls, then choose wooden mouldings that have a dark tone to make it look visually pleasing.

 Accessories

•  Stylish art and craft accents will personalize the décor of your bungalow.
• Add pattern and design to the floors of the bungalow living room, bedroom, and dining room by laying large area of rug.
• Angular designed motifs on rugs in harmony with the other interior elements.
• For reflection of natural light hang a dark framed oak mirror above the fireplace on the wall. It also makes the room look spacious.
• Handmade potteries are great accessories when you want to decorate the room artistically. It also highlights the artistic and craft style flair of the bungalow.

 Lighting

•  A bronze or copper lamp further accentuates the artistic style of the house.
• Most of the bungalows do have stained glass window with geometric and angular designs. You can further enhance the look of the room by placing a stained glass lamp with geometric designs on the table in the entrance.
• Mica shaded lighting fixtures and antique light fixture make your bungalow rooms look classic.
• Chandelier does give a royal look to the house and defines the interior décor of the house more profoundly.

Interior designing for bungalows is an exciting and creative experience because you can plan the designs more specifically and artistically.

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Please feel free to post your comments below.

About Author :- Vaishali Kawalkar is the founder of Sovereign Architects.

What is Landscaping ???

Landscaping

When you visit any apartment, office space, malls one thing captivates all of us is the landscaping.  They truly add beauty to the surroundings. It has been practiced for more than thousands of years by the Mayans, Indians, Romans, Native Americans and the Mesopotamians. It was mainly used to beautify the areas around the temples, palaces and other areas of public interest. The walkway of the Mayan temples was lined with elaborate paintings while landscaping the area.

What is landscaping? It is more than scenery.  The modification activity of the features of an area of land which is visible is known as Landscaping. The aesthetic appearance of the land area is improved by bringing in changes in its contours. The planting of shrubs and trees and adding ornamental features is also an integral part of landscaping. It is a combination of both science and art.

Architects in Pune also include landscaping while designing various building structures like malls, houses, apartments, museums, temples and other monumental structures. They blend the elements of nature and their construction technique to bring in the best landscaping. The main goal of the architects in Pune is to create within the landscape a beautiful, creative and artistic environment.

Requirement for Landscaping

While planning the landscaping, the designers should take into account the following plants:

• Understanding the land is very important for landscaping. Complete knowledge of the topography, climatic conditions, quality of the soil and the land terrain is very important.
• Thorough knowledge of the flora and fauna of the place should also be taken into account.
•  An unsuitable land should be reshaped before landscaping is done in it. This is also known as grading. It also involves the removal of rocks, soil and excess waste.
•  It also involves completely changing the land’s topography with regards to land elevation and land position.

Tools required for Landscaping:

•  A rough layout and design of landscaping should be made to create the necessary effect.
• Illustration of the pictures with different pencils through graphics is also required.
• To create a lush environment, trees, shrubs, plants are added.
• Beautifying the walkways with ornamental plants and lightings is another tool of landscaping.
• To beautify the landscaping pools, gazebos, stone walls (retaining ones), fountains, and other beautification features are added.

Attributes of Landscaping

Landscaping provides the following attributes :-

• They add scenic beauty to a place.
• It offers tranquility, peace, enjoyment and a sense of belonging.
• It is a means of recreation and health improvement.
• The natural scenery of a place is represented artistically which is pleasing to the eye.

Landscaping blends with the natural environment seamlessly and enhances the existing features of the natural surroundings.  The landscaping and the structure should be in harmony. It helps in grooming your yards and any area of land and keeping them healthy.  It has to be ensured that the landscaping should be maintained extensively to make it look good all the time. A gardener can be entrusted with this job and it should be periodically supervised. The first thing that one will see on entering any building is the landscape and the first impression is always the best and lasting impression. Landscaping adds beauty and an aesthetic sense of joy forever. 

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Please feel free to leave your comment below.

About Author :- Vaishali Kawalkar is the founder of Sovereign Architects.

Veneer...Adding Elegance to Your Furniture !!!

Veneer Ply Wood

“Put your best foot forward” The motto of most Architects and Interior Decorators in Pune. Your shoe might be anything but presentable but you still have to put it forward….and make an impression!

How ??

By putting a Veneer of respectability around it! Stitch it, polish it…do anything but make it look good….and economical. That, then surmises the very essence of veneer; an air and a layer of respectability on an otherwise bland medium.

Remember sharpening pencils in childhood? Who doesn't? One way of taking out frustration was to needlessly sharpening pencils! Ever wondered what happens to the thin slivers of wood that the cutter sliced from the pencil? Well, nothing. It was pure and simple waste. Now juxtapose the pencil for a log of teak wood. Everything else remaining the same or with slight alteration, what you get as the sliver is a veneer of teak wood!

Simple though it may sound, it is a rather delicate and complicated process given that  the price of a solid log of high-quality teak is well just that, high. Manufacturers of plywood and ply boards have found a new and elaborate way of earning that extra bit by giving you a slice of the real thing. Mind you, only a slice! The rest still remains with them. But then, when it looks good, take it that it IS good. Why bother with what is behind it!

 

People confuse between vinyl (sun mica) and veneer. One is make-belief and the other a slice of reality. Vinyl despite its advancement is still ranked way below veneer. This can be attributed to the fact that vinyl is made to order in a factory through and through with no element of uniqueness. Veneers on the other hand come from natural products, trees and can never be 100% similar. 

Vinyl though has the advantage of a laminated surface and requires much less efforts to apply it to the required surface. It is quite resistant to daily wear and tear and does not give way easily. Comparatively, Veneer is much more expensive in its raw form and requires complicated and expensive processes to stick it to the required surface not to talk about future maintenance. Being a wood-based natural product, veneer is also vulnerable to all those elements which affect wood like natural decay and termite attacks to name a few. 

That apart, veneer gains in terms of being the real thing, and that too in controlled quantity i.e. the good thing gets shared between a lot of people. One needs to have a very experience carpenter to get the best out of veneer. Since it is a thin layer, there are chances of damage and wastage much in excess of something much more durable such as solid wood.

Puneites, with their exquisite taste and deep pockets have something to look forward to. Architects and Interior Designer in Pune have more than their share of times shown to the world that when it comes to giving quality and taste, they are next to non. Players like Sovereign Architects have dedicated themselves to this order by procuring and using the latest in terms of technology, workmen and raw material at their disposal.

Any you are still waiting with your bland piece of plywood?! Time to veneer it!!

SOURCES :-
1) Wikipedia

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Please feel free to post your comments below.
About Author :- Vaishali Kawalkar is the founder of Sovereign Architects.

Plaster of Paris & Its benefits !!!

POP Texture on Wall

The lab name “Calcium sulfate dihydrate CaSO4•2H2O” is sure to confuse its most die-hard user. Simply put, Gypsum. Further simplified, Plaster of Paris- the stuff with which we make those elegant (though sometimes it is anything but elegant!) flower, petals and grand scenery on the ceiling!

If only Shahjahan knew of it. So much marble and trouble could have been saved! Imagine the Emperor and his men dipping their hands in a bucket full of POP and trying to make the Taj with it. They could have managed one, the table top variety!

Gypsum or POP then is a material aiding in the finishing of walls and ceiling. It can never replace cement and mortar, only beautify it.

Found in the earth like any other crystalline mineral, the big lumps thus dug out are ground into a fine powder and heated in special ovens to around 2000C in a process called calcining. What comes out is the base for POP, Gypsum boards and plaster.

POP/ Gypsum boards are prepared by passing the gypsum slurry between sheets of special paper on a contentious conveyor which passes through dryers. At the end of the conveyor, water evaporates from the slurry leaving a hardened layer of gypsum in predetermined size which can further be cut to sizes as required.

Its being the choice of material for various interior decoration uses stems from some obvious advantages it presents, such as :-

Ease of installation:

It is lightweight for its size which can be as much as 12 feet x 5 feet which requires less manpower to move and store it. Compared to wood or other materials, a larger area can be covered with a single seamless sheet. Its internal structure being fairly simple one can cut and paste it using everyday tools like saws, files and glues. It has reasonable holding strength and can be held in place with normal everyday fasteners like screws, nuts and bolts.

Fire resistant:

Gypsum board despite its hard exterior still retains miniscule quantities of moisture within it - despite years of use, which retards the spread of fire. When singed, it does not emit any harmful smoke. In fact, where installed in sufficient quantity, it is an effective fire retardant.

Sound isolation:

Its porosity does not aid in the sound passing through it making it an effective barrier though it should ideally be installed with known sound isolator materials.

Durability:

There is no bio-degradable material within a gypsum board and if installed properly will give years of service.

Economy & Versatility:

Easily available raw material and ease of processing makes it cheap to procure. Its properties mentioned above make its use diverse, something most interior designers love.

Interior designer and Architects in Pune have been using gypsum board and POP for years and with the spread of the city given its economies, in times to come its usage is sure to increase further. Some like Sovereign Architects have put it to use in novel ways with the whole interior of houses looking very stylish at a very economic price.

Seasoned hands using gypsum board/ POP can turn your long-held dreams of a beautiful home with silk smooth walls and ceiling can turn into reality. So, happy dreaming! 

SOURCES :-

1) Wikipedia
2) Wisegeek

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Please feel free to leave your comments below.

About Author :- Vaishali Kawalkar is the founder of Sovereign Architects

Interior Designing of Bedroom !!!

Bedroom Interior Designing

A place where you can rejuvenate, recharge after a hard day’s work is the bedroom. It is the place for you to unwind and feel stress free.  Make your bedroom a spacious and special retreat with these tips from an interior designer that will make your feel absolutely cosy and comfortable. The interior designer in Pune have a plethora of designing ideas for your bedroom that can make it exotic and inspiring.

Bedroom Furniture: Choose carefully the furniture taking into account style, design and look. The bedroom furniture can accentuate the looks of your bedroom and make it look great. The furniture includes bedside cabinets, side-tables, etc. In a bedroom, the bed is the main focus.  Add a luxurious look to your bedroom by choosing the right bed linen. Also place plenty of cushions on your bed to make it cosy, comfortable and absolutely splendid. The furniture can be a vintage one or a modern one. It has to be stylish as well as functional.

Wall Paint: While designing the interiors of your bedroom choose the correct hue for your walls. You can also add serenity and calmness by varying the shades. To make visually appealing mix different patterns like stripes or floral print.

Upholsterers and Bedroom furnishings:  You can add colour to your bedroom by using rugs. They can be changed to compliment the seasons or to match your upholsterers.

Draperies: Draperies make your interiors look more elegant and beautiful.

Wall Paper & Wall Decals: Make everyone swoon by giving your wall an impressive flair.  Give a complete makeover to your bedroom be it the master bedroom or the guest bedroom with the help of wall papers. Match the wall paper patterns to your bedroom furniture and wall paint. They sure make the bedroom more vibrant.

Wall Hangings: While designing interiors, wall hangings play a key role in decorating your room. Give an artistic look to your bedroom by displaying beautiful and decorative mirrors. An artwork will also give a classic look to your bedroom walls.

Wall Moldings: You can create architectural detailing by adding molding to the walls and give it a classic touch. The moldings when painted white compliment your walls and make it look bolder.

Headboard: Headboards are a great for designing your bedrooms. You can go in for a custom-made headboard upholstered with fabric or add patterns to your plain headboards by painting them.

Lighting: Illuminate your bedroom with proper fixtures to make it more effective. You can choose from a wide range of lamps like the crystal ones, pin lights or sconces to give the perfect ambiance to your bedroom. You can also keep a bedside pendant which makes great reading lights.

Shelves: You can save space by going in for open shelves to place books and other decorative pieces to make it look absolutely cool. You can make your bedroom clutter free by using cabinets that will help in keeping your things in a neat manner.

Flooring: The best material for flooring for your bedroom is wood, laminated flooring, or carpet. They are anti-slip. Ceramic, marble or granite flooring is not advisable as you can easily slip and they also make your floor cold. 

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Please feel free to post your comments below.
About Author : - Vaishali Kawalkar is the founder of Sovereign Architects.

Tips for interior designing of living room

Interior Designing of Living Room

Your home defines you, and the living room serves as a trailer. It a known fact that trailers do carry movie to great heights!

That said, don’t you think your abode should reflect the real you and what you aspire? It should. And it will, where you step in the right direction.

The art of making your home look and feel like one is called interior designing. It is not only limited to aesthetics but also helps conserve space and make homes user-friendly.

Known Interior designer in Pune like Sovereign architects have over a period of time refined certain techniques which have been compiled here (though not all!) and would be of use to you.

• Furniture : The very purpose of the living room is to meet people, sit with them and relax. In this, the role of seating arrangements and furniture can never be understated. Depending upon the person’s stature and resources, the furniture should be adequate, smart and never overdone. Furniture here may mean the usual seating arrangement like sofas, seaters, chairs and accompaniments like stools and side tables. These, to the extent possible should be of durable and comfortable material in line with the weather patterns of the place. In India, one can choose between traditional items like cane chairs to traditional sit-outs of wood to ultra-luxurious leather-lined sofas depending upon one’s needs and choice.

• Decorations: Since this is a seating and meeting area for guests and hosts alike, it goes without saying that decorations are a must. Yesteryears saw these in the form of wall hangings like paintings, portraits, photographs and murals and items kept in strictly appointed places like showcases. These seem to have undergone a sea change what with money and means available in plenty. Now you can have walls themselves being a piece of decoration with painting technology having undergone some serious changes. Innovation is the name of the game. You dream and you get it! Things like Chinese lanterns, Moroccan lanterns, mud lanterns etc are increasingly being used as means of decoration on walls as also corners of the room. Glass urns, and copper and brass vessels classily made are also an interesting addition with things kept in them to add to the beauty. Figurines of brass, silver and even clay are very affordable these days and add to the charm of decorating you space. This is one area completely at the mercy of one’s imaginations!

• Electrical fixtures like ceiling fans and lights are no more functional. These too are means of ornamentation with ceiling fans morphing as light sources! Yes fans with built-in lights like a chandelier! With the advent of LEDs, you can have small lights in the most unthinkable of places adding to the aura. Sources of light are no more supposed to be seen in their naked form; diffused lighting is the latest fad and rightly so. Here, if one is resourceful enough, one’s wishes are certainly someone’s command and that too within reasonable reach and price!

If you still seem confused or unsure, well there are interior designer in Pune (like Sovereign Architects) more than ready to help you. So, Dream, analyze and employ!

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Please feel free to leave your comments below.
About Author :- Vaishali Kawalkar is the founder of Sovereign Architects.