Each Indian Kitchen is more than mere cooking areas, they can be called the central location of the house. In fact, an average Indian woman spends about 5-6 hrs a day in this area. Considering the time we spend in our kitchens, it becomes vital to groom the place to our taste and preference. From wall texture to flooring, from closets to storage, from keeping things handy to keep things safe. We ought to be careful with every minor aspect.

Here is how we can make our kitchens more interesting

1. Adding a fresh splash of paints to cabinets, you can try the catchy and flashy dose of color coming in Asian paints. Since Kitchen cabinets are small you can go with a 20ltrs or smaller paint can. You can check the Asian Paint price 20 liters and consult with a painter parallel.
2. Adding a green dose, yes you read it right. A Healthy and happy dose of greens in the kitchen is a refreshing way to start the day. Plants keep up the mood of the kitchen, for that matter any place energizes with plants. You can try your hands on wheatgrass, methi, curry leaves, and plants like Oregano as they grow very fast and need little attention.
3. Another interesting way to keep your kitchen bright is to light it up adequately. If natural ventilation is a problem, you can make sure the kitchen is lit properly with white light by opting for creative light fixtures. Brightly lit kitchens are always healthy as they give a sense of peace to mind enabling us to work more effectively.
4. You can also try to match the kitchen appliances with the colour of the cabinets, maybe a pop of mustard yellow or bright red or teal etc. The colour combinations will add a touch of class. One should be careful not to overdo or add flashy colour patches that will look odd.
5. Another interesting way of keeping Kitchen heaven is to go with inbuilt appliance panels. Such as a coffee maker, oven and microwave giving a freeway to move within the small circumference. Overwhelming yet subtle, this is a great way to keep things in order.
6. Open Shelving is another effective way to create that uncanny look. You can search for ideas to decorate crockery, spoon sets, and other ceramic kitchenware, tableware, or statement decorative kitchen croc to keep them open. The open shelving however needs a lot of maintenance and upkeep regularly. They are also easy to grab and arrange too and a great way to show your intense taste for all things pretty. A mosaic arrangement or a colourful jigsaw arrangement will add an engaging feel.
7. Adding a pinboard that is full of todo lists or important messages, reminders and checklists is another great way to keep one side of the kitchen interesting. Beaware they are not reachable to your little ones least they can snatch one of your important to-do list.
8. Playing with pastels is something that you should try without fail, even if you are not a big fan- especially the mustard yellow, tiffany blue and the hues of greens, pinks and violets.
9. If you are a fa of plains, a plain white with an earthy wood décor can be a great way to add sophistication to your kitchen. Another suggestion is that never go with mono-color as you may get bored eventually and tear off the entire kitchen down. So ensure you play the color game cautiously.

Whatever may be the interiors do not forget to add those family moments to it.

 

Securing your passwords is the first (and perhaps, the most crucial) step to securing your most sensitive information. A good password can mean the difference between a compromised account and a secure one. Even seemingly good passwords might not be as good as you think, especially if you have poor password management habits.

We often neglect our passwords, but with password breaches on the rise, securing login credentials is more important than ever. Cybercriminals are persistent and good at what they do, and it’s up to us as businesses and individuals to create a more secure internet by taking our own security measures more seriously.

Here are six things to watch for with your passwords to ensure you’re not putting your most sensitive data at risk.

1. Old Passwords

First and foremost, you need to look at all of your passwords and check to see how old they are. When did you create that account? Have you ever changed its password? Is it over a year old? Two years? Five? The older your password is, the more likely it is that it’s been breached, and could even be on a list of compromised passwords floating around on the dark web.

Old passwords are more likely to have been hacked or attempted to be. It’s important to change your passwords at least twice per year, but if you can, change each password every 90 days or so. This will keep your passwords cycling away from similar patterns, but only if you’re practicing good password creation habits. We’ll cover that in number six on this list. Read on!

2. Recycled Passwords

So, how many accounts do you use the same password for? Don’t be shy—a startling number of people (around two-thirds, in fact) recycle their passwords across multiple accounts. This might seem like a great idea, right? You’ll remember the passwords for all of your accounts, you won’t have to store them anywhere, and you won’t have to put in something different for every account and take up more time. Unfortunately, your convenience is the hacker’s doorway into your bank accounts, social media, and more.

Recycled passwords are like candy to a hacker. All he has to do is acquire one account’s password, and he has access to all of your other info. Your Facebook account got hacked, but you used the same password for your banking app. Whoops! Now you’re out $2,000, and the hacker has opened a credit card in your name. It can happen that quickly, and that easily.

3. Poor Management + Storage

Let’s say you’re not recycling passwords. That means you’re using unique passwords for every account, which is great—unless you’re storing those passwords in a Google Doc or Microsoft Word document. Maybe you’ve got them stored on a sticky note somewhere in the heap of paperwork on your desk? Either way, you’re equally at risk.

You don’t want to store your passwords just anywhere, and a little bit of maintenance and management can increase your security tenfold. That’s where tools like a free online password manager come in handy. You’ll be able to store, manage, and generate new, secure passwords directly within the app/software. So, put the sticky notes away, delete that Google Doc, and start storing your passwords properly.

4. Suspicious Login Attempts

If you’re already at the point where you’re being notified about failed login attempts or logins you didn’t participate in, a hacker already has your information. What do you do? First and foremost, you notify the website that your password has been hacked. It’s best not to try to log in and try to recover anything until you’ve spoken with the security team about your account.

You’ll likely just need to reset your password and boot the hacker out, but by the time you get there, he may have already acquired the information he was looking for.

5. Odd Emails

If you suddenly start receiving odd emails out of nowhere, one of your accounts might be compromised already. Don’t open strange or suspicious emails, as they could be a phishing attempt or even a virus. Check each of your accounts, change the password(s), and see if the emails stop coming.

Most email accounts will have a spam folder where you can store such emails for deletion. If you continue receiving them, you may need to contact your email provider or delete accounts altogether.

6. Poor Password Generation

Creating secure passwords isn’t rocket science, and there’s a simple formula that anyone can follow to increase their passwords’ security tenfold.

Always use upper and lowercase letters.

Use numbers and symbols, too.

Don’t use familiar phrases, common words, or any numbers/words that relate to your identity (yes, that means birthdays).

Always scramble letters, numbers, and symbols into a random order.

If you follow this simple formula, your password creation skills will increase. You can also use a password manager to help you automatically generate secure passwords for any website if you’re not great at making them yourself.

Our tech habits are getting more complicated by the day. We now have to buy products for our products. Since their release, AirPods have been one of the hottest-selling consumer products. They come with a strangely compelling case. One of the most popular add-ons to AirPods is a case for the AirPods case. You heard it correctly. It is a case for a case. That is what we have devolved into.

Smartphones used to be considered accessories. Now, they are the center of our accessory world. Styluses for tablets have accessory holders. Earbuds have decorative skins. Smartwatches have screen protectors and protective outer cases. Apps can be themed. Is there no end to the madness?

Even so, it is not all bad news. There really are some very useful and interesting tech that makes our existing tech more interesting and useful. It is not all like wearing a hat on top of a hat. Here are some examples of tech that work with or for your current tech to make it all better:

Tech to Inspect Your Tech

We don’t often think about the technology that powers the military, law enforcement, and industry. That technology far outpaces what is available for consumers. We can only speculate about the tech hidden behind layers of national security nondisclosure. What we can know is that those technological assets have to be inspected and maintained. And the tools commissioned to do that work can be as interesting as what it maintains.

One such example is a pipe inspection robot that can move over difficult terrain, traverse stairs, fit into tight spaces, and give the operator a clear view of whatever they need to see. These low-profile machines are also discrete. That makes them ideal for remote surveillance in the appropriate settings.

We often focus on the end product. But sometimes, the more interesting piece is the tech that inspects, maintains, and supports other tech.

Tech to Sell Your Tech

You can use the same tech solutions for selling your home to sell other tech. If you like to finance your new gadgets by selling your old ones, you are going to need a good camera for that all-important product photography. You are going to want a big smartphone or tablet to keep up with all the bids. And you will need a money-transfer process to take payments.

There is also the matter of logistics. If you do this sort of thing a lot, you might need one of those postal scales small businesses use to save money and time on shipping. Your Etsy business can be made or broken by logistics. Gadgets to help you sell other gadgets are a good use of your gadget budget.

Tech that Connects Other Tech

The new iPhone 12 models would not have made for much of an announcement had it not been for 5G connectivity. Apple talked about Verizon 5G as much as they did their own technology. It is an acknowledgement that even the most popular tech in the world is nothing without top-flight connectivity.

It is not just smartphones. The internet connection in the home is the most important connection in the world right now. More than ever, people are stuck at home. They work from home. They use that same work connection to play games, watch TV, educate their kids, and keep in touch with friends and family.

The medium-speed connection that you were getting by with a year ago, the one with data caps, is simply not going to cut it. You can’t run your internet-connected toaster with that old connection. You thought it was hard to turn on and off your lights with a switch? Try doing it from your smartphone with a spotty connection. You can’t do it. If you don’t spend the money on a good connection for your tech, you just as well not spend the money on the tech.

For the love of all things sacred, don’t buy a chain for the case that holds your AirPods case that holds your AirPods, which themselves, are accessories to an accessory. Just make it stop! That said, be sure to pick up the tech that inspects the tech, that sells the tech, and that connects the tech.

 

There are so many things to consider when buying a house, it’s impossible to account for every scenario. Some issues are harder to spot than others and therefore could quite easily be missed off your list, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less serious or damaging. One of those issues is woodworm.

What is woodworm?

Woodworm refers to the larvae of several types of beetles. Adult beetles lay eggs in wood and timber. As the larvae grow over the course of up to five years, they eat through the wood and create tunnels. When they grow into adults, they lay more eggs before leaving.

Types of woodworm

As mentioned, there are lots of different types of woodworm. Beetles responsible for woodworm include:

• Common furniture beetle
• Death watch beetle (this beetle makes a ticking noise and is commonly found in areas with wet rot)
• Powder post beetle
• Wood boring weevil

There are many more types of woodworm, but these are some of the most common.

Where can woodworm form?

Woodworm can be found almost anywhere that’s wood. This includes wooden beams and house structures, sheds, dining tables and other furniture. Generally, they prefer damp wood, so if you have damp in your house, you’re more likely to be susceptible to woodworm. That being said, the issue can occur in dry wood, too.

What are the signs of woodworm?

Unfortunately, woodworm is very easy to overlook, and when left untreated, infestations can happen. Tell-tale signs of woodworm include:

• Holes in wood. If you notice a piece of wood has lots of tiny holes in it, it’s likely the result of woodworm. The holes are typically between 1mm-2mm in size.
• Beetles in your house. If you notice the presence of beetles in your home, there’s a high chance you have woodworm.
• Crumbling wood. Woodworm can affect the structural integrity of the wood they infest, so if you notice a piece of wood in your home is crumbling, it could be because of woodworm.
• Frass. This is the name given to the excrement left behind from woodworm. It resembles a fine powder, so if you notice this anywhere in your home, it’s a pretty solid sign that woodworm is present.

Woodworm can disappear by themselves (usually if the damp wood dries out), so if you notice holes in wood, you should try to determine if they’re from a previous infestation or if it’s an active infestation by looking out for things like frass and beetles.

Is woodworm serious?

Generally speaking, woodworm isn’t serious. It takes an exceptionally long time for it to damage the structural integrity of a piece of wood, especially if the issue is within beams or timber in your home’s structure. The biggest issue caused by woodworm is usually cosmetic, but nevertheless, it’s still vital to treat the area as soon as you notice it to prevent the spread and the risk of any serious woodworm problems later down the line.

How is woodworm treated?

If you think you have woodworm in a smaller item of furniture, you can treat it yourself using a chemical treatment from a DIY shop. Many people believe using vinegar can help, but vinegar doesn’t eradicate the issue completely. It’s best to use a professional treatment in order to preserve the wood.

Can every house get woodworm?

There is a common misconception that only older properties are subject to woodworm, but that’s not true. Whilst older houses are more likely to fall victim as they’re more likely to have issues with damp and wood rot, woodworm isn’t an exclusive problem. Although newer houses are built with comprehensive damp proofing which reduces the risk of woodworm, given the right conditions, any home can have an infestation.

Woodworm are more of an annoyance than a serious problem, but knowing how to spot and treat the issue is essential knowledge for any homeowner.

 

With wood flooring being a lifelong investment, it’s important that we take good care of it, the last thing you want is to cause avoidable damage! Fixing a damaged plank or replacing our flooring is not always simple and can be very costly, so of course the best thing to do is to avoid it happening in the first place. So, what’s damaging our wood floors?

Not sweeping enough

Sweeping regularly is the best way to avoid your flooring getting damaged. This is because lingering debris and stones are likely to scratch it so get them up before they get chance to! This can cause your floor to become dim and lost its shine over time, so make sure they’re removed!

Not using the right hoover attachment

Although something you might shrug about, it’s actually quite important. Avoid hard wired brushes, as they can be too harsh on the wood’s surface. Instead, use a soft nozzle for those nooks and crannies.

Not cleaning up spillages as soon as possible

If any sort of spillages occurs, get them up as soon as you can – whether that be food or water! If you let it dry, this can cause irreversible damage to your floors and they’ll need to be refinished or replaced. Use a cloth and blot the spillage and try avoid wiping as much as you can. Never use a soaking wet cloth either, go for a damp one.

Using the wrong mop

As boring as it is, using the right mop is very important. As mentioned before, lots of water is a big no when it comes to wood flooring as it causes it to warp and swell, so dry mop. Never use a steam mop either!

Shoes

Yes, your shoe type can have an impact! Most of us take out shoes off before entering a home and this becomes especially important when it comes to wood flooring. Place mats by entrances. High heels are another story – the pressure can cause dents to the surface, so make sure these are removed!

Using the wrong cleaner

Always check what the manufacturer suggests, especially with wood flooring. Don’t assume! We’d always recommend getting specialist floor cleaner, it’ll be worth it in the long run.

 

As the global population hurtles towards 10 billion people by 2040, WSS (water supply and sanitation) industry continues to experience all forms of pressure, especially because of the climatic change. However, the UN has put this issue a top priority, and part of its goals is to achieve a great future for everyone.

With more focus put on providing clean water worldwide, most companies and organizations have come up with ingenious strategies. The ultimate goal of these companies and organizations is for everyone to access at least 30 liters of clean and safe water to bathe, cook, and drink every day. For them to achieve this, some technological advancements have been designed to solve water contamination and shortage problems. Some of these technological advancements include:

Fog Catchers

Fogs can provide a source of clean and freshwater in dry regions and might be harvested through low-cost and simple collection systems. The systems are stabilized between two different posts and designed in the form of a mesh net.

Once the droplets are collected, they flow through storage tanks and shipped to nearby locations. In places such as the Andes, the collected water is piped through towns or delivered by trucks.

Purifiers

It is very important to be sure that your water has been treated or purified before drinking. If your water is already contaminated, there are purification methods, which you can use today. The most common method is to use a water purifier, which sucks up contaminated water and filter out micro-organisms and sediments.

Some purifiers use electrostatic charges, but others use chemicals to capture or kill bacteria and viruses. The earliest purification method used to involve chlorine. Though because of chlorine ineffectiveness to kill protozoa and negative impacts on human health, the technique has lost its popularity. Today, there are other effective purifying techniques, such as:

• Reverse osmosis
• UV

The Drinkable Book

For individuals in rural areas or developing nations, accessing clean water can be as easy as opening a book or ripping pages out. This is the same idea behind ‘The Drinkable Book, designed by a group of US researchers in partnership with a non-profit company.

A single page from this book can filter around 120 liters of drinking water and can offer a sustainable and affordable solution for people suffering from sanitation problems.

Softeners

Naturally, water has different minerals, like magnesium and calcium. Whether water is regarded as soft or hard, it depends on the number of minerals. Soft water has low levels of magnesium and calcium when compared to hard water.

The decision to soften water is a matter of personal choice, which may affect the environment and your home. If the hardness is more than 120mg/l or 7 grains per gallon, you will need a water softener to make sure your appliances operate well and improves the taste, look, and smell of water. Basically, water softeners consist of three components, including:

• Brine tank
• Control valve
• Mineral tank

Final Remarks!

Water insecurity is a complex issue, and part of it is because of the limited groundwater supplies and large population. Billions of gallons of safe water systems and infrastructure are also crumbling down.

However, thanks to new technology, everything is about to change. With the likes of water purifiers, softeners, drinkable book, and fog catchers, people can now get clean water, which can change lives in important areas, including poverty, child development, and health.

New technology affects every aspect of our lives, and if you are about to put your home on the market, this article was written with you in mind. One of the most challenging aspects of selling a property is finding the best real estate agents, and now there are digital solutions in the form of an online real estate agent-finding service, which is completely free to the Australian homeowner.

LocalAgentFinder

This is a national network that homeowners can use to gather essential information that covers the entire country, and when you use LocalAgentFinder to source the best agent to list your property, you can access the following agent information.

• The total number of property units sold this year.
• The current number of property listings.
• The average sale price of a property.
• The average number of days a property is on the market before being sold.

The other important information available is the agent’s rate of commission, and you can easily compare this with the national average.

Search, Compare & Connect

Using a real estate agent-finding service enables you to search through all of the registered agents that cover your area, finding out how they have performed this year, and this service is totally free to the homeowner. Once you have chosen an agent to list your home, you can contact them directly from the agent-finder’s website, which is more than a little convenient. If you would like to maximise your chances of a quick sale, you could have several of the top agents listing your home, which really does give you maximum exposure. If you need some help organising your computer files, click here.

Transparent Pricing

This is what you want when listing your home for sale, and most agents are very transparent over their fees, and with no hidden extras, you know how much the agent will receive when they find a buyer for your property. Of course, commission rates do vary, and it might be better to pay a little more if the agent can secure a timely sale, which is often how things work out. Here is some government information on buying and selling property in Australia, which is an informative read.

Eliminate Human Contact

As we are going through a global pandemic, technology enables you to arrange the listing of your home, with as many agents as you wish, and the only time these is social contact is when a potential buyer comes to view the property. The real estate agent-finder’s website is the only place you need to visit, and after you have entered the information in the required fields, a click will bring you a list of local real estate agents and you can make comparisons then make an informed decision on who to have list your home.

When you make good use of the free real estate agent-finding service, you can choose your agent wisely and that should ensure a quick sale that enables you to move on to the next exciting chapter of your life.

 

A moving company can make or break your endeavors. With the right company, you’ll experience a seamless move, but in the wrong hands, you’d be better off with a DIY move. From broken items, delays, wrong routes, and poor packaging, to mention a few concerns, such a company could frustrate your move in various ways. Therefore, as you hit the market, you need to ensure that you find a reliable and reputable service like SDC international. It might not be a walk in the park, but with a few pointers, you can comfortably manage the process. Here are some tips to ease your search.

Start with license and insurance

The last thing you want is to deal with rogue movers. Should something happen, you can’t protect your rights as there is no legal framework of following up on an unlicensed operator. A licensed moving company is bound by the industry’s rules, meaning that once you sign the agreement, they are liable for any losses, and you can claim damages.

Insurance is another considerable element, giving you the peace of mind knowing that should your valuables be damaged, the company has a fail-safe to provide the right compensation. Licensing and insurance might seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised by the number of movers who overlook it and suffer later. Find a company such as SDC International Movers with Offices in Los Angeles and examine such documents to your satisfaction before sealing the deal.

Consider the experience

Buying moving trucks and setting up an office doesn’t mean that a company is ready for all kinds of moving requirements. Experience matters, and especially while dealing with particular concerns, for example, international moves. Such instances require adherence o certain laws, and without much-needed experience, your moving can be frustrating. As you choose a company, it is wise to consider how long they’ve been in the industry and if they’ve handled other moves similar to your needs.

Reputation

Reputation can’t be ignored, and the best part is that establishing it in today’s online-oriented world is not that challenging. You don’t have to collect a few numbers and contact previous clients to establish their reputation. With reviews and ratings, you can get an idea of how the company operates. While reviews and ratings are an excellent approach, don’t make the mistake of settling for what you find on the company’s site. Check out unsponsored sites like Yelp for a balanced opinion, since they don’t hide or delete the not-so-good reviews like companies would to caution against loss of customers.

The charges

How much can you afford? Your financial stand is a significant consideration, but that doesn’t mean you should go for the cheapest service. Comparing the value of the services delivered against what you pay is recommendable. This ensures that you choose a moving company capable of addressing your needs without breaking your bank.

Choosing the best moving company, such as SDC international, might be a little challenging, but it is worth the time and energy invested. With the right company, you’ll enjoy a stress-free experience, ensuring that you get the full value of your money and save more time in the process.

 

Adults spend half of their day at their office. This means that a significant part of our life is dedicated to our workspace. Hence, it is incredibly important that we make our workspace surroundings peaceful. According to psychologists, the environment of your workspace has a huge impact on your mood and daily lifestyle. If your office space is hideous and makes you feel depressed then it is time to brighten things up!

Here are 5 unique and simple ways to help you add some color and life to your boring office space:

1. Add Plants and Greenery

Adding plants and greenery is a great way to uplift your working space. Not only does it help you purify the air but the greenery also adds freshness to space. A study found out that people surrounded by foliage and flora actually perform better and pay more attention to their tasks. So, get a couple of nice small indoor plants and place them on your desk!

1. Light It Up

Proper lighting can make a world of difference in your workspace. Search for different options like arabesque decorative design and simple functionality to add a great touch of light to brighten up space. A simple and affordable way to do so is by using high bay led lights for warehouse. You can hang them on the ceiling to add extra light to your gloomy office.

1. Use Decorative

Get artsy and pick out different pieces of art and photo frames to add to your office space. Use your favorite personal items and other decorators to make your workspace feel more personal. You can also use led light for room to hang around the frames on the walls. This will brighten up the walls and at more details to the framing.

1. Use Bold Colors

Contemporary office spaces are all about being bold and edgy. A simple way of doing so is by adding a touch of color to your workspace. Use bright yellow, blue or oranges to add some life to those boring white walls. You can also add colorful elements like cushions, rugs, or furniture to boost your spirits.

1. Add Reflective Surfaces

Mirrors and reflective surfaces are the best way to increase additional space and brightness in a small space. Mirrors also help increase the natural light in your office and provide an illusion of a brighter room. Place a mirror o to in your office and enjoy watching them reflect light.

Apart from aesthetic purposes reflective surfaces are also beneficial for your mind and have positive effects on your health. Increased light protects from the lack of vitamin D and insomnia. With a nice bright office, you will feel fresher and more attentive during the day.

Conclusion

Your office must be comfortable, bright and a place that you want to go to every day. To brighten up your office space and improve your productivity with an office environment that you will enjoy spending time in, use the simple tips mentioned here!

 

Just like other home remodeling and renovation areas, the garage floor is one of the most common projects and the industry has become saturated with numerous options available to home consumers. Aside from finding the right company, it is also important that you’re knowledgeable about the different kinds of garage floor coating options available. Not only does it help you save time, but knowing all these different options will help you decide which method can help you save money and be more economical in the long run.

Epoxy Coating

This is the most common type of floor coating that is often offered to most households with three main types such as the water-based epoxy coating, 100% solid epoxy, and solvent-based coating. The most durable among the three options is the 100% solid epoxy coating, followed by the solvent-based with the water-based being the last, but is considered to be the ‘greener’ option.

The longevity of the 100% solid epoxy coating may last up to 20 years and can withstand scratches, hot tires, and even oil spillage. However, they’re commonly used in more professional garage floors, and they can be a bit pricey at the same time.

Polyurea Garage Floor Coating

Unlike epoxy which consists of a few materials to finish the garage coating process, the polyurea garage floor coating in Canada is mixed with multiple properties. With proper installation, on average, this coating may last from 20 – 25 years. With highly elastic properties and can accommodate expansion, this by far is one of the options that helps prevent cracking and another durable coating that works best for your garage floor.

Flake

Another commonly used garage floor coating and is often done by the professionals. This is for those who wanted a more aesthetic look on their garage floors. Its colour addition makes it an eye catcher for most homeowners, and at the same time, more pleasing to the eyes because the contrast in colour and design makes it hard to see if there are “floor imperfections”.

Polyspartic

This coating is becoming more popular but is on the more expensive side in floor coating options. With a fast curation time, the floor will be ready in as fast as 10 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the solution that has been used. This means that the garage floor can be installed and finished within a day, making it the top choice for most individuals who wanted to get things done in a faster time frame.

They can be as durable as epoxy but may tend to be slippery at times. Additionally, they’re difficult to remove and need to be installed by professionals.

Conclusion:

When choosing a floor coating, make sure that you consider these:

* Who will install?

* How much is your budget?

* How long will the coating last for?

* How difficult/easy would the maintenance be?

Asking these questions will help you determine the right type of coating that is most suitable for your needs.