Houzz Experts: Top Decor & Design Questions Answered - Part 1
Architects Kayzad Shroff and Maria Leon, our guest experts, offer advice on queries posed by Houzzers
Over the past several weeks, our Houzz Experts Kayzad Shroff and Maria Leon of Shroffleon have been busy answering questions posed by Houzzers on a variety of design topics. Here is a selection of some of their insightful tips and advice on topics ranging from facade designs to courtyard plans to bedroom decor.
To see full discussions, visit these links: cladding for exteriors, courtyard designs, bedroom design
To see full discussions, visit these links: cladding for exteriors, courtyard designs, bedroom design
Izzah Zainab: Could you please suggest a colour combination and materials that can be used on each part of this facade?
SHROFFLEóN: Your facade seems to have primarily three planes. Our suggestion would be to treat each of the three planes independently. For the one at the back and with most surface, we would recommend you have a light, neutral shade, preferably in a beige or grey paint. For the other two planes, which basically highlight certain parts of the home, we would recommend you have complementary, though contrasting, colours, such as dark brown or black, and if budget permits for a different material, choose a wood or stone cladding.
SHROFFLEóN: Your facade seems to have primarily three planes. Our suggestion would be to treat each of the three planes independently. For the one at the back and with most surface, we would recommend you have a light, neutral shade, preferably in a beige or grey paint. For the other two planes, which basically highlight certain parts of the home, we would recommend you have complementary, though contrasting, colours, such as dark brown or black, and if budget permits for a different material, choose a wood or stone cladding.
Harshit Kumar: We’re building our one-storey, 3500-square-foot house in Dehradun. The moisture levels are high in the city – what material should I use for the front facade, which would be ideal for the weather conditions?
SHROFFLEóN: Before getting on to the materiality of the facade, we would advise you to set back the facade from the edge of the slab; make it as far back as possible. This will allow for the creation of a large chhajja, which then would protect the vertical wall against rains.
In terms of materials, it frankly depends on your budget – from double walls, walls made in dry construction, walls made in Siporex blocks that have an in-built air gap, to a simple brick wall – whichever suits you.
Read through the entire discussion thread on facade designs
SHROFFLEóN: Before getting on to the materiality of the facade, we would advise you to set back the facade from the edge of the slab; make it as far back as possible. This will allow for the creation of a large chhajja, which then would protect the vertical wall against rains.
In terms of materials, it frankly depends on your budget – from double walls, walls made in dry construction, walls made in Siporex blocks that have an in-built air gap, to a simple brick wall – whichever suits you.
Read through the entire discussion thread on facade designs
Bedrooms
rajath_rao: I wish to redecorate my bedroom. Can you suggest ways by which I can use the space above the bed for storage?
SHROFFLEóN: As counter-intuitive as it might sound, we would suggest that you box the entire bed back, all the way to the ceiling, filling it with openable storage. While doing so, have a bit of concealed lighting on the sides, as well as spotlights on the ceiling aimed at the backboard. You could then add another layer onto this by hanging some paintings or relief artworks on the shutters of the storage.
Ashutosh Maheshwari: I’ve just moved into a studio apartment in Mumbai and the space is very cramped. I want to get a bed custom-made for this space. Any tips on how I can build a bed that doesn’t make the room look small?
SHROFFLEóN: We can offer you a few suggestions. Consider a bed that is extremely low, as it will make the overall space visually larger. You could contemplate a bed that is lofted and utilise the space underneath efficiently – for a work desk, maybe? This might require some engineering, but you could look at beds that fold into the wall when not in use, allowing you greater freedom to use the space, for most of the time.
rajath_rao: I wish to redecorate my bedroom. Can you suggest ways by which I can use the space above the bed for storage?
SHROFFLEóN: As counter-intuitive as it might sound, we would suggest that you box the entire bed back, all the way to the ceiling, filling it with openable storage. While doing so, have a bit of concealed lighting on the sides, as well as spotlights on the ceiling aimed at the backboard. You could then add another layer onto this by hanging some paintings or relief artworks on the shutters of the storage.
Ashutosh Maheshwari: I’ve just moved into a studio apartment in Mumbai and the space is very cramped. I want to get a bed custom-made for this space. Any tips on how I can build a bed that doesn’t make the room look small?
SHROFFLEóN: We can offer you a few suggestions. Consider a bed that is extremely low, as it will make the overall space visually larger. You could contemplate a bed that is lofted and utilise the space underneath efficiently – for a work desk, maybe? This might require some engineering, but you could look at beds that fold into the wall when not in use, allowing you greater freedom to use the space, for most of the time.
Shemal Shah: Which ceiling lights (from above) should I install in my bedroom? I want them to be bright and stylish.
SHROFFLEóN: Out of the two images you have shared, we would suggest you go with the right image, which has the black lines with the lights in between, as it has a more contemporary look. What we would advise, however, is that rather than using cylindrical lights that are suspended from the ceiling, use lights that are within the black channel itself, as it exudes a residential look.
Read the discussion thread on bedroom designs and arrangements
SHROFFLEóN: Out of the two images you have shared, we would suggest you go with the right image, which has the black lines with the lights in between, as it has a more contemporary look. What we would advise, however, is that rather than using cylindrical lights that are suspended from the ceiling, use lights that are within the black channel itself, as it exudes a residential look.
Read the discussion thread on bedroom designs and arrangements
Courtyards
Rita Bhatia: I wish to create a setting like this in my Nagpur home’s inner courtyard. What kind of materials can I use to cover the top? Will using glass insulate the space and make it hotter?
SHROFFLEóN: I would not suggest you cover it in glass; it would make the courtyard a hot box. My first choice would be to keep the top completely open, and not use it at certain times of the day. If covering it is an absolute must, I would suggest one of two things – use either a retractable roof with a fabric-like cover, or have a trellis above, which is engulfed in greens.
Simran Prakash: We are redesigning a small courtyard in our Bangalore home and want to add seating in this space. Since we face a lot of unpredictable rains, what weather-resistant outdoor seating would you suggest?
SHROFFLEóN: If you are looking at loose furniture, you will need to invest in good-quality outdoor products. Locally, you could look at Loom Crafts. If you’re looking at European pieces, you could consider Vondom or Paola Lenti. If fixed seating is something you are okay with, then you can make bench-type seating in civil work, and clad it in stone.
Rita Bhatia: I wish to create a setting like this in my Nagpur home’s inner courtyard. What kind of materials can I use to cover the top? Will using glass insulate the space and make it hotter?
SHROFFLEóN: I would not suggest you cover it in glass; it would make the courtyard a hot box. My first choice would be to keep the top completely open, and not use it at certain times of the day. If covering it is an absolute must, I would suggest one of two things – use either a retractable roof with a fabric-like cover, or have a trellis above, which is engulfed in greens.
Simran Prakash: We are redesigning a small courtyard in our Bangalore home and want to add seating in this space. Since we face a lot of unpredictable rains, what weather-resistant outdoor seating would you suggest?
SHROFFLEóN: If you are looking at loose furniture, you will need to invest in good-quality outdoor products. Locally, you could look at Loom Crafts. If you’re looking at European pieces, you could consider Vondom or Paola Lenti. If fixed seating is something you are okay with, then you can make bench-type seating in civil work, and clad it in stone.
Deval Patel: This is the plan for my new home. Could you please guide me on an inner open-to-sky courtyard?
SHROFFLEóN: Our suggestion would be to have a maximum of openings towards the side of the courtyard, with the furniture arrangement oriented in that direction. Also, having a lot of greenery within the open space makes for a cosy setting on the inside. Lastly, we would advise you to use the compound wall as an opportunity to make a feature wall, which can become a backdrop to the spaces within the home.
Browse through the full discussion on courtyard designs
Read more:
Houzz Forum: Top Designers Predict Home Interior Trends
Tell us:
Have any questions related to facade cladding? Post your queries in the Discussions forum.
SHROFFLEóN: Our suggestion would be to have a maximum of openings towards the side of the courtyard, with the furniture arrangement oriented in that direction. Also, having a lot of greenery within the open space makes for a cosy setting on the inside. Lastly, we would advise you to use the compound wall as an opportunity to make a feature wall, which can become a backdrop to the spaces within the home.
Browse through the full discussion on courtyard designs
Read more:
Houzz Forum: Top Designers Predict Home Interior Trends
Tell us:
Have any questions related to facade cladding? Post your queries in the Discussions forum.
Rahul Satija: What material should I use for my front elevation – simple exterior paint, wood cladding or terracotta bricks?
SHROFFLEóN: Here are our suggestions:
Terracotta brick
Unless you have used bricks that are meant to be left exposed, ordinary bricks will take in a lot of water and leave the walls damp, and hence are not a great idea. You could, of course, cover it with a veneer of brick cladding, but that is something we would not propose.
Between wooden cladding and paint
It frankly depends completely on your budget. Wood cladding looks extremely good but is quite pricey. Our suggestion would be to paint the majority of the home, with highlights in parts in wooden cladding.