Hello Sir, For an apartment building, mold shall not be much of an issue. If it is done properly and the gaps are closed then even insects/cockroaches are not a problem in the brick walls. In fact they become more beautiful after some weathering and exposure. The man-made alternatives to actual brick finish are, brick tiles, brick wall papers, brick design laminates and MDF sheet. They are a close replica but personally we prefer actual bricks for the exteriors. Thanks, Nitin Cornerstone Designs Bangalore

Hi Puspa, Here are some ways in which you may convert an existing wall into a brick wall - 1] If you are alright with replacing the existing wall entirely, then terracotta bricks are your answer. A terracotta brick wall gives a rustic buy neat finish as compared to the conventional brick masonry. However, this would require major civil work. 2] Another way is to strip the existing wall of its plaster and expose the underlying masonry. You can protect this masonry with a lacquer coating (your painter will help you with that). However, this again required some amount of civil work. 3] If you want to work with the existing wall without breaking it, opt for cladding materials. You may go for brick like cladding materials like terracotta wall cladding. These come in a variety of colours and are easy to apply and maintain. They come for both interior and exterior applications. 4] Punning is another way of achieving the desired look on a wall. The painter or false ceiling guy can help you with this task. Basically he will pun the wall in pop and engrave grout lines so as to give it a brick wall look. 5] Lastly, you may go for brickwork looking wall paper or a 3d panel. While a wallpaper would look flat and unconvincing, a 3d panel would do the trick. You can either paint on the 3d panel or leave it as is. As far as procuring items locally is concerned, I am sure a local vendor or contractor will guide you through. Regards, RnD Atelier Nagpur

Blending traditional style interiors with modern apartment spaces is often a big challenge. But this is exactly what Bhuvana Suren, the Principal Architect of Venturebee interiors was asked to do in the 3 BHK apartment in Chennai. The client had a penchant for Tanjore homes from traditional southern India. With an impressive ancestral collection of wooden furniture and paintings, she wanted a home that reflects her love of tradition and sustainability but at the same time have all the trappings of a modern home. As you enter the kitchen, you cannot but be drawn to the the rich, bold hue of green cabinets against the geometric backsplash tiles with accent colours. The emerald shade of green on the cabinets against the hexagonal shaped backsplash provides a wonderful contrast and acts as a focal point in the kitchen. By keeping the countertop and appliances simple and neutral, the rest of the kitchen can really shine. The use of brass accents throughout the space gives it a high-end look that feels both modern and traditional The impact is clear as soon as you enter the house. The gaze automatically lifts to the wooden exposed beams in the ceiling giving a stunning entry to an ethereal space. An exposed brick work as a feature wall brings the added touch of a Tanjore house whilst creating an harmony between the lounge, dining and kitchen areas.A brick wall is the perfect starting point for a comfortable, traditionally decorated living room and provides a distinct focal point to arrange furniture around. Whilst the 10' ceilings could be decorated with wooden beams, the floor space was a challenge. A traditional south indian wooden swing with brass chains provides the rustic touch and the extra seating. And ofcourse the touch is completed with the highlighted Tanjore painting aptly framed.

Hello, Exterior paint finishes are required to protect the walls from weathering. So in case if you leave the plaster without painting, you will be leaving those minor hairline cracks/pores in the plaster to absorb moisture and water during damp seasons. Hence it's advisable to not leave it at the plastering stage. However there is another way. You can put a wire mesh and cast a 2-3 inch thick layer of concrete (without coarse aggregates) over the brick wall. This might be equivalent to the cost of exposed concrete texture finish, and also make your wall thicker, but it will provide the authentic look you want without compromising on the safety of the structure in long term. I hope this was helpful. Regards Ar. Nilanshu Kadu (Proprietor, WEIRD)