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Time for choosing flooring. At the very beginning, already decide to go for laminates but then learnt of vinyl in the market. So did some study and realize perhaps vinyl may be a better option after all. As mine is a resale unit, the flooring are laminate, after removing, the previous layer of tiles are revealed. This is perfect for overlaying with vinyl, no need for hacking, no need for leveling and no need for cement screeding as well. In a way, there is some savings for myself. So why vinyl over laminates. Simple reason, it looks like wood but without the wood properties. Laminates are not exactly waterproof. If water are left on laminates, it will absorb and swell over time. Laminates are also more hollow when step on and not as resistant as vinyl. Vinyl needs no skirting but laminates is a must due to contract expand properties of wood. so there is always a small gap at the edge of the wall. Hence skirting are needed to cover up this gap. From what I understand, replace a defect piece of vinyl is easier than laminate. For vinyl, simply replace the defect one while laminate have to start from the wall nearest to the defect piece. There are concern of vinyl emitting poisonous gas but local brands have this covered. Most had sent to relevant authorities and pass the requirement test. The gas concerned here is formaldehyde which is harmful especially to children. Passing the test does not mean no gas but more likely means within an acceptable level. No brand will be "champion" to tell you no gas whatsoever. Then and again, if we cant do anything about the annual haze, why the concern about these, let alone the daily fumes fro the traffic. Another plus point about vinyl that appeals to me is the texture and grooves, it provides friction prevent slipping when wet and feels great like wood. Next time shall go a little on the brands and pricing.

Last but not least, the artwork of us which I drew and painted and is hanging now in our living room. This was a scene when we were in Maldives and we really love the sea, sand and sun (although Mrs might not like to be too tanned) 那些年， 我们一起看的大海。 执子之手， 与子偕老。

So you have another door entrance to the WIW from the master bedroom?

it should be 4ft by 8ft.. its huge.. this is the size the carpenter buys in pieces..

Yesssss, Heng Heng heng Heng..... all 4D toto and Big sweep I kenna before liao.... Now is waiting for the top prize as toto I kenna 3 and half number, big sweep kenna last two number and 4D most is second price...hahahha

There's also 2 shops selling wall clocks at Tanjong Katong Complex (near Hoe Kee), but now i want to go to Bencoolen Square to compare prices and also maybe got more designs variety there.

Sharing Our Kitchen Planning (and welcoming suggestions of course!) Spent the last 3 days researching on kitchen ergonomics and realised that the work triangle won't apply in my case. This design is called a kitchen galley design. Please take this sharing with an open mind, especially if you already cook very frequently at home and find the below planning nonsensical. LOL. Will be happy to learn more from you guys.. Here's our kitchen after minor amendments so you can gauge the orientation of the kitchen (still pending addition of lights under the upper cabinet on the oven side and changing of many of the cupboards into drawers): 1. Kitchen height - the ideal height is to take our height divide by 2 and + 5cm to that. As shared by a fellow renotalk blogger 2. Toe kick (In our terms, the kitchen cabinet base) is essential for cooking ergonomics. Basically, it provides a recess for our feet so we can get close to the counter top without losing our balance. Without that, we will be leaning over more and straining our back, shoulders and arms in the process *ouch*. 3. Planning our storage around the kitchen Our kitchen is divided into 5 areas - the consumables (food), non consumables (cooking ware), cleaning (sink / wet area), preparation & cooking area. The most used items shld be placed on the bottom of the top cabinet, and the top of the bottom cabinet, followed by the less frequently used items and finally the rarely used items (working our way up and down respectively). I find this Blum Dynamic Space Planning page really useful in terms of having an idea what we need to store in a kitchen (especially since this is our first home, and... I don't cook). So here's our two sides of the kitchen! This is the fridge, sink and cooker hob side: This is the oven side: All pictures on organising the stuff inside neatly are taken from a super nice website - I heart organising! Loads of tips on keeping our house really neatly organised! P.s After doing up the planning did I realise that we have more than enough storage in the kitchen for a small family. Haha!

Hi, it sounds pretty complicated in your description - no photographs to look at with just description... To clarify what you are saying, does that mean that there are 2 issues now? Namely, your door grilles to the corridor which u would want to realign becox it doesn't allow u entry into your flat by just opening one panel & your main door which is a HDB fire rated door that dropped down on the floor becox the metal door frame couldn't support its weight?? I would suggest that you call up HDB technical officer for your flat to see if he could conduct an inspection for your main door problem. Based on my understanding as a home owner, all flats in relatively new estates come with a fire-rated metal door frame & doors. The contractor cannot simply hack off the door frame & attach the door to the concrete. There has to be a door frame, you can't simply attach the door to the concrete without a door frame. It doesn't work that way. And hacking off door frames would damage your tiles... I knew all about this because our flat had demolishing works done while we are still staying in the flat. The HDB technical officer for your block would be able to advise if the metal frame belongs to HDB or it was replaced by your owner. He will have records of their renovation & what's done in your flat's HDB case files. Please get a professional to check if it's your door hinges that are spoilt and replace them before doing anything drastic - if you know of any door contractors who had previously replaced any of your other doors, you could get them to step in out of good will to take a look becox they normally don't entertain repairs unless doors are installed by them. I would also suggest that you consult your HDB technician for your block & get him to inspect your door frame - I found it odd how come your door frame couldn't support the main door! The ones which are originally installed by HDB during construction of flats are supposedly sturdy. I even get bruises when I accidentally knock against our metal door frame (main door). As for your metal grille gate issue, please contact Roger from Metalworld Pte Ltd - they have to assess to see if alterations could be done. If it couldn't be altered, they would let you know after they make the site visit. Please note that they do not deal with repairs (unless the gates & grilles are installed by them). However, they do take up alterations even when the gate & grilles aren't done by them. Hope this helps!

That's good to hear. I also read that the softness comes after 5 to 6 years and may be uncomfortable. And ! really hope not. What about the symphony pillow?? I have yet to try but it sounds good. Size M smaller and lower and more suitable for me. Size L is thicker and I didn't like it. Fiance is is getting that instead.