Many homeowners pay careful attention to designing the inside of their homes and forget to take a good look at the outside. What does the exterior of your home look like? Does it convey a feeling of success and wealth, or does it suggest a feeling of poverty and misfortune?

I recommend you go outside and pretend you’re seeing your house for the very first time. How does it look? Is there paint peeling? Are there things to be repaired, cleaned, planted, mulched or trimmed? If so, that’s negative energy. It’s important to create positive outdoor energy to allow new “opportunities to knock.”

In Feng Shui, your front door is known as the “mouth of chi.” It’s the most important part of your home because this is where the energy enters. Your front entrance must be inviting. Is your front door clearly visible or is there confusion on where to go? Is there a clear pathway to your door? Is it well lit? If you gave me directions to your house can I find it easily? Is your house clearly numbered? If your pathway is blocked energy can’t flow in. Since the front door is known as the “door to opportunity” if your front entrance is uninviting, cluttered or blocked you might be having financial difficulties, poor health, unhappy relationships, or constantly have obstacles get in your way.

Here are some Feng Shui Tips to get you started.

A painted front door can uplift the energy outside your home and also dazzle your entrance. A green door symbolizes money, a red door represents good fortune, a purple door signifies spirituality and a gold door welcomes prosperity.

Welcome mats are great for welcoming friends as well as new opportunities to come your way. Or if you prefer, you can even hang a welcome sign on your door at eye level.

Placing plants and flowers at your front entrance in beautiful, rich-looking containers can give your porch a facelift. Just be sure to stay away from unfriendly cactus or plants with pointed, spiky leaves.

Wind chimes are great for circulating the energy outside your home. You can place them anywhere on your property. I have one on my front porch to keep the positive energy ringing in.

Water fountains are considered to be lucky elements outside your home. They can be placed in your front or back yard. Since flowing water is associated with money, abundance and prosperity, the water should always flow towards your house. Just make sure that the water stays clean and flowing.

By now you have a few Feng Shui ideas to get you started on sprucing up your outdoors. It’s important to beautifully “dress” the outside of your home and have fun in the process!

A beautifully designed and aesthetically appealing gate can enhance the beauty of the house. Hand-crafted and uniquely designed gates can make the perfect style statement at the entrance, lending a warm and welcoming ambiance to exterior decor. However, gate designs must be chosen with care.

Gates must blend flawlessly with the architecture and landscape, and enhance the beauty of the building. It could be an ornate gate, a gate with simple straight lines, or a traditional one. An ordinary gate would not go well with a traditional or historic style building. A gate must enhance the beauty of outdoor decor and not overpower it. The shape and size of gates vary depending on the architectural style of the building. A gate with simple, straight lines will be a total misfit in a traditional setting. A garden gate would be quite different from an entrance gate or a driveway gate. The design could vary depending on whether it’s a walkway gate, an entrance gate, or a courtyard gate. The design would also vary depending on its function. A ranch-style gate would be solid, have maximum strength, with a centre medallion and rock posts on either side. A contemporary style gate would have a stylish look and unique design. Automatic driveway gates would keep children and pets in a safe enclosed area and have remote control openers.

Before choosing a gate, you need to ask a few questions. Do you need a gate that locks or one that automatically closes or opens? Do you need a gate that can be seen through? Do you need a special design that matches the architectural style of the building? Do you have limited space around the gate area for it to open? Do you need a single gate or a double gate? Should it be a gate that swings or a gate that slides?

Wrought Iron Gazebos

Wrought iron gazebos are available in many shapes but the most popular ones are those of an octagon or a circle. Square or rectangular gazebo designs are also gaining popularity with time. There are covered gazebos too with side panels and blinds. Due to the flexible nature of wrought iron, these gazebos can be given any shape which can be imagined.

They are available in different styles too – from antique to more contemporary looks with modern architecture and construction. In fact, people have become so fascinated with them that they give garden gazebo creators a specific type of design that they are looking for and these professionals integrate their own  input to create amazing gazebos. Wrought iron gazebos are also preferred by people as they can be assembled and build easily with the help of hooks and bolts.

Tips for Installing and Maintaining Wrought Iron Gazebos

• Ensure to buy the gazebo that is treated with anti-rust coatings during manufacturing process itself. Its best if they are finished with powdered pigment coatings. This will protect them from rusting.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions while assembling the pieces of gazebo.
• Take care about not to scratch or damage the finish because the bare metal will rust once exposed to the outer elements.
• Clean the iron gazebo with mild soap and water occasionally.
• If you have bought an easy to assemble wrought iron gazebo, take it indoors during the winters.
• If leaving the gazebo outside in the winter months, make sure to secure it well in the ground so that it may not collapse in strong winds and winter storms. Also apply protective anti rust solution if you leave it erected during this season.

You can even get wrought iron furniture to go along with your gazebo and can have fun time- dine outdoors, picnic with friends or barbecue. You can even learn decorating wedding gazebos and offer your lovely place for that memorable day of your loved ones.

Wrought iron garden furniture is very aesthetically appealing to look at. A special type of iron that has additives to make it malleable, with a low corrosion rate is used to create wrought iron. Impregnating iron with tiny slivers of iron silicate that changes the chemical properties of the iron creates this useful and valuable metal.

This decorative iron is used in creating patio furniture, garden benches, and even window screens. It has special features that make the furniture made out of it anti corrosive, and also gives it a great finish. Most metal benches are found to have ugly patches of discolored rust when they corrode, however wrought iron benches distribute the rust into a dappled coppery or brownish finish that, adds to the beauty of the piece.

The size of the wrought iron chairs and seats has to be borne in mind. They are generally made big and more people can squeeze into it than traditional wooden seats. It is advisable to buy wrought iron furniture from the local store.

Wrought iron garden furniture is quite heavy and solidly constructed, but it may be less comfortable to sit on. Hence a buyer can use cushions or pillows on them, to make it more comfortable.

It is advisable to ensure that the furniture suits the needs as well as, the aesthetics, before going in for the buy. It is important that the wrought iron furniture suits the garden.

It is worth noting that the wrought iron garden furniture can be custom made to the taste of the buyer. They can give their choice of design and have it made accordingly.

There is an additional feature that adds on to the advantage of this type of furniture. That is its cost factor. It is relatively affordable in comparison to the traditional garden furniture made of wood.

Contact us for more info of wrought iron.

Having the right railings in your house is important because you want to keep your deck safe. You don’t want anyone to be leaning on your deck and fall over!

If you want to protect your deck and your neck, you might consider iron railings. This kind of material keeps your deck safe and sturdy and will protect your loved ones against falling.

Decks are great for parties and such, and you want a material that will be able to withstand the test of time. If you’ve already seen a problem with your railing, it’s important that you fix your deck immediately.

You can use a railing to showcase your style as well. If you want to make your deck look cool and nicer than what most people usually have, get a cool looking wrought iron railing!

Have some style, don’t be boring, get a cool looking and safe wrought iron railing. Wrought Iron is very strong and will keep you and your family safe.

The quality and style of iron should convince you to get an excellent sort of railing for your deck. Make the best choice, get a good looking and high quality deck railing.

Contact us at Delux for our collection of wrought iron railings.

Changing your current gate decor can create huge impacts in home interior decoration improvement. Replacing or complimenting your old furnishings with a wrought iron wall decor is a fine choice to help you achieve this particular objective without having to exert too much effort or spend a lot of money. It can add a touch of elegance and class into any room, and their affordability makes them even more an attractive option to consider. Decorations made from wrought iron have a distinct, romantic aura that makes them look great in any room or on any wall. Wall grilles, plaques, sconces, sculptures, hooks and hangers fashioned particularly from this material have become readily available in the market.

Compared to other kinds of artworks, these decorations are actually very cost-efficient, providing almost any person to incorporate fashion and art into their homes without worrying about the costs that such an endeavor would incur. Because of the plethora of styles and designs available, you do not have to worry about finding a perfect match for a particular motif that you want. You would surely find the piece that would satisfy your preferences. And because of the versatility of these items, more often than not they will fit into any kind of design theme, and they also blend well with other trinkets and decorations. Although flexible in nature, before you hang these decorations on your walls, you should consider certain factors first. For one, take into consideration the proportion of your particular decor with the size of the wall.

Logically, smaller decors would be best if placed on narrow walls while the larger decors would be best for the more spacious walls. One trick that you can do is to hang the longer pieces of decors horizontally to create the illusion of width to a relatively narrow room. This is particularly useful for entryways. Another method that you can try is to group various kinds of decors together to add depth and interest to a wall. On the other hand, placing a huge piece of wrought iron metal decor on a spacious wall will help fill in the gaps and make it a focal point in the room. Eye-level placement would be the best positioning of choice. And who ever said that you can’t play with color? In order for your wrought iron to better compliment a particular room’s interior design, you can choose to coat it with paint to create a more flavorful finish and add dimension and distinctiveness to your walls.

The strength of this particular material lies in its adaptability. It can not only blend well with other decors and oppose a cluttered look, but the accent that it provides simply creates a very tasteful fashion statement. Whatever tips have been previously mentioned are just a few of the many possible options that you can take to make the most out of a wrought iron metal décor. Do not let yourself be limited to them. Use your imagination and you will be surprised how far that will take you in beautifying your home interiors with a kind of appeal that will be able to withstand the test of time.

There are a multitude of reasons to having a security gate installed. And these gates often function via a voice activated intercom or touch pad system for ease in operation and control.

The security gate systems are convenient and very easy to operate. A remote is often use to open and close the gates so you’ll not need to get out of the vehicle to activate the gates. And the gates often closes automatically with the assistance of a timer or a sensor to detect when a vehicle is out of reach.

In a lot of cases its possible to get a more competitive insurance rate with security gates installed. Most insurance companies offer a range of discounts if the property and its perimeter are well protected. These gates are constructed in a range of materials, such as metal or solid wood and can add value to the property if stylish in design and pleasing to the eye. Security gates can also provide a degree of privacy.

The cost of these security gates can vary greatly, especially if its equipped with a security camera as a way to see who’s at the gate. Size of the gate, type of material, and whether its automatic or manual are just some of the factors that decide the cost of installing a security gate. And if its an electronic gate it will need to be serviced on a regular basis.

Although the home security gates can be an extra expense they are able to give a further level of security and provide one of the better deterrents against home burglars.

To know more about our Unigate, contact us at Delux now.

Ensure you have balance!

There are many different types of gardens from zen to english cottage, from Mediterranean, to modern to courtyard.

Some of us love elaborate gardens while others are happy with simple potted plants. Regardless of what type of garden you have you can apply simple principles to ensure that good Feng Shui is in place! Good chi from a beautiful garden with surround your home with positive energy!

The type of garden you set up should be within keeping of the type of space you are using that garden for. Do you want a meditation space or tranquil thought? or a busy lively backyard where the family gathers to play? Either way you need to ensure that there is a balance of yin and yang energy in the space. A place to sit quietly and a place to also play. Sunlight brings yang energy and helps to grow and distribute positive energy – while shade is equally important to offer quite balance to the yang energy of sunlight. Both are needed – but neither should be overpowering.

Some simple rules for an effective Feng Shui Garden include:

1. Ensure paths and garden bed are curving and meandering

Straight lines are frowned upon and chi will not be allowed to circulate gently

2. Asymmetrical gardens are favoured in Feng Shui

The tai chi or central portion of your backyard or garden is best lets clear

3. Less is more!

Your garden should be spacious avoid overcrowded where chi cannot flow freely

4. Protect your garden!

Minimize any harmful energies from entering your garden from disagreeable neighbors or poison arrows. Do this by planting hedges, trees or a fence to keep you garden safe. Hang beautiful wind chimes to strengthen the good chi and keep it circulating.

5. Fill in any missing corners

Is your Home L shaped and you want to square it off? Us a heavy pot, trees, sculpture or boulder to square off the area where a wall would be that would make your home square or shine a bright light in the area.

6. Fences

Fences are common to homes around the world. If you have a choice vertical shaped fences (symbolizing growth) are ideal. If you are putting in a gate – two doors opening inward is best.

7. Balance of Shape

Your garden should be a mixture of small and tall shrubs, trees and a mixture of colours to ensure good balance of yin & yang.

8. Water features

Water features attract positive chi and symbolize prosperity. Try a small fountain or pebble pond in the South East for added abundance!

Trackless & Replaceable Folding Gate System

Delux’s Unigate

This maintenance-free automatic gate system saves you hundreds of Ringgit and years of heartache

Thinking of installing a new automatic folding gate? Or replacing your old one?

Well, here’s a tip.

Whether you’re a first time buyer or already own a system, there are maintenance-free, energy saving answer that also gives you better convenience and security. Never again worry about sinking tracks (which 80% of conventional folding gate owners face). Neither should you give a thought again to unaligned and dirty track and rollers and rollers that damage your lovely tiled floors.

Yes, the answer you’re looking for are over 100 designs that are easily changeable.

Introducing the Delux Unigate system – a revolutionary trackless automatic folding gate, unlike any other in the market today.

Quality Finishing & Built to Last with Anti-Rust

One smart innovation with the Unigate is the use of Multiple waterproof ball bearing system (24 pcs), which most gates only have 12.  This makes movement smoother and the adjustable hinges can be adjusted easily enough to significantly reduce the impact of sinking after several years.

In addition, the whole body of the gate is screw-fabricated so no welding is done. This maintains the product’s finishing without any damage during installation.

In addition to its superior quality and durability, the system’s intelligent design saves 50% of space  and has 48 hours of back-up power for uninterrupted operation.

It’s also rust-free thanks to the hot-dip galvanized finish and premium powder coated. Rain or shine, Unigate is able to withstand the weather, keeping it operating well and looking great.

Better Safety & Security – Multi Open Function

The system also comes with a built-in alarm system (useful if thieves and robbers try to tamper with the gate), can be operated by a remote control with multi opening function.

Choices, Choices & Never Go out of Fashion

With 100 designs to choose from, you’re bound to find that looks great! But what’s even better are that the inner panels can be easily replaced to create your own customised style.  So as time goes by, your gate will continue to look new!

The Delux Unigate is available at Homedec and  Delux store near you. For more information, call 603-80608804 or send us an enquiry.

StarSpecial, Wednesday 30 September 2009

Sin Chew Daily, Wednesday 28 October 2009

Sin Chew Daily, Thursday 22 October 2009

StarSpecial, Wednesday 4 November 2009

There are many reasons to decide on having electric gates installed, Children’s safety, pets and animals safety. Security and convenience. As well as just stopping other vehicles turn around on your driveway.

In addition to the physical barrier of the gates, there is also the feel good factor of the gates always being closed. Also at being able to choose who or when you speak to the person at your gateway from the comfort of your own home, no more nuisance callers that always turn up when you are in the middle of something.

Safety is your first consideration when installing electric gates.

As well as deciding if you want swing gates or sliding gates, you will also have to cover all of the safety hazards of your gates movement.

Then go on to deciding additional safeties, access control, Who gets through the gates and how?
And finally communication to the gateway whether it be a simple door bell, a voice system or video, whether it is colour or B/W and of course CCTV.

So the Method of deciding what you want from your gates as well as what you can have from your gates is them finally decided by the costs amounting from the your needs or desires.

Decisions to be made in order from start to finish.

1. Existing post or brick piers, are they suitable to accept the gates that you would like? or do you need new post or piers?.

2. Is the gap between the posts or piers big enough for your needs and others that may use it?

3. Is the surface across the driveway level to allow the gates to swing inwards without hitting the ground?

4. Can the gate slide to one side allowing more space on the driveway?

5. Would you like Wooden gates or Metal gates?, price can be similar for either material.

6. Once all of the above questions have been answered the you can make a decision on the amount of times the gate will open per day and per hour, This will tell you how intensive the use is, above 20 openings per hour would be considered intensive and then you may want to consider either 24volt operators or Hydraulic operators.

7. The next decision and probably the most important is about safety.
a) Sliding gates, photocells possibly both sides of the gate, possible protecting the back of the gate and or maybe a photocell cage working as one beam forming a cage.

b) Leading edge strips attached to the ends of the gate that stop the gate when pressure is applied.

c) A leading edge strip fixed to the wall or post where the gate slides past to prevent a shearing action.

d) Swing gates, photocells through the gateway and possible on the end of the swing to protect objects through the swing of the gate

8. Access control, (who gets in and how?) Most gate automations are supplied with 2 remote controls, beyond that instead of buying lots of remote controls, a simple code lock or keypad added to allow access via the input of a simple code.

I. Swipe card (Proximity card or tag) allowing access via a card swipe.

II. Communication either wireless or hard wired from the gateway to the house allowing two way speech and access via a push of the phone button.

III. GSM allowing telephone speech via call unit to a mobile phone or dedicated phone from a GSM call unit.

IV. Video intercom B/W or colour hard wired only at the moment with few exceptions.

V. CCTV allowing monitoring of the gateway, some speech and some access control built in

9. In addition to access control, you can also have a simple press to exit or even a press to open button, obviously depending on levels of security, but at little cost.

10. Postman, often overlooked, a post box can be fitted on the gates, outside the gates or access can be on a timer to allow access within the specified times.