mmycheng

Welcome! I also have a dog at home, it's a Maltese. Can I ask how you are doing your reno to make it dog friendly?

Thanks! My hb wanted to be greeted by bright and cheery colours when he comes home.

Kitchen

Have finalised the designs of my carpentry works with my ID. Here are some pictures to show. Living room feature wall Study room working area Study room bookshelves MBR feature wall (other walls will be grey)

Sounds lush ...thanks, will check out if my lighting shop has something similar.

Want to leh...your lighting shop is so much cheaper...but difficult cos I already bought my lights from this shop...so I can only change from the same shop otherwise will have to forfeit my $

$345 can be reasonable considering the condition of the flat and if you like it a lot. Also, you basically can save quite a bit on the reno, maybe just put in some additional carpentry work. Buy already don't fret, just enjoy and make the best of your new home.

Welcome and congrats! Your house looks very new.

Two main things to share today: One, today we had to make some decisions about our carpentry. After taking into account site measurements, design and costings, we had to give up the following in order to incur minimal additional costs to our renovation works. Very sad... 1. Give up additional 6ft WIW on right side of bedroom 2, will only be left with an L-shaped 18ft WIW on the left side. 2. Forgo larder unit in kitchen cabinet as the pull-out drawers themselves were expensive and the construction of the carpentry works to support it made it freaking expensive...I'm talking 4 figure sums here. Two, if you have not embarked on your renovation yet and is still deciding between choosing a contractor or ID, I have some advice to share. Basically, I realised that an ID is essentially a project manager for your reno or you can liken he/she to a wedding planner for a wedding. So if you simply enjoy the shopping and decorating process, but hate managing contractors, suppliers and making sure things stick to a scheduled timeline, then you're like me...so have to employ an ID. However, if you enjoy doing the designing all on your own, have the time to supervise the contractors, liase with suppliers and push people to get the things done then it is worthwhile to just go with a contractor, plus you get cost savings too. For me, choosing an ID was a right choice as both me and hb are rather busy with work. One of my friends who's also renovating house at the moment started 1 1/2 months ago and progress at the moment is on par with mine which started 1 and a half weeks ago! They said they only went to see the flat once a week and contractor basically took his time as they didn't have the energy to 'chase' him. Now they are worried when their reno will eventually finish. Of course, at the end of the day, whether choosing an ID or going for contractor, both can be equally gratifying ways to build a home. You just have to weigh the pros and cons carefully.

Thanks all for your comments and contacts. We will consider. Perhaps we can also get advice on other suitable types of dining lights besides chandeliers? More choices to consider better...hee

Thks rdnest!

Wow...black chandelier with crystals...should be quite ex right? My budget not that high for dining lights..

Thanks for your comment. I bought the lights before the dining table... and I can see why you feel that kind of contrast... what kind of lights do you suggest? I have to bear in mind my dining feature wall which is black glossy laminate plus a smack of bright yellow for my shoe cabinet which is also around that area...

Wah...looks like u bought lots of stuff liao...any pics of them?

Since reno started a week ago, I have only been to see the house twice... today I managed to take a few pics of the tiling work and the patching up of my study bedroom wall to the halfway mark which was hacked off previously. The two M'sian chinese workers there very cute...they were obviously a bit shocked to see me and one immediately made a dash for his shirt as they were not wearing any tops...the other was very shy also... they smiled when I guessed they were from Ipoh... I bought them drinks too...6 cans for 2 persons, I was expecting a few more people there but nvm... they can bring home later. I was only allowed to stay near the doorway as the tiles were not done up completely so pics are a bit limited but nonetheless something to document the process...heh The only thing in the reno works still pending is the MBR toilet door... too many restrictions and looks like only a PD door may be most suitable... but I really prefer a frosted glass one (either swing or sliding). I told my ID to do a creative problem solve for me... but hor... I think if I get fed up... I will have NO DOOR! open concept all the rage i hear....but if I really do this, I will have to ban all 'big business' in that bathroom due to the travelling 'aromas'....

I saw the SMEG fridge in the retro multi-colour one in one of the mags... if I had seen the black one...i would have thought of buying it...how many cents is it ah??

If you want lifetime warranty for the tempered glass, then I think you can go for Hobz. For me, I bought Straaten (from City Gas), I think also lifetime warranty. I found it's chimney hood with powerful suction and a cup holder which collects the grease/oil. The hob's flame comes with an inner and outer burner so you have more control over the flame size.

Wow...you must have bagged a good deal! And your dining light cost $400 plus over at my lighting shop!!!

You'll be working at taka? Where specifically? Can go try one cuppa a day... That reminds me... I should see if I can convert my starhub and cc card points into taka or ck tang vouchers...will come in handy when I want to buy household accessories later on.. hee

I know which chairs you're refering too...I likeee too... but ex leh...there's also another similar range of acrylic chairs which outlines the shape of a naked butt... i was drooling over that too...imagine...four naked butts at the dining table! haha ... but hb frowned at me...say it looks crude...

Nice work! clap*clap*clap* Waiting to see more pics...hee

Nice swtiches on your kitchen backsplash. May I know what they are called and how much did they cost you?

Nice modern design and matching furniture... you got great taste! Looking fwd to more pics.

Thanks Angel81 It is a process we go through which makes life all that more meaningful...and you're right...new excitments will come our way soon enough. When is your reno starting? What broke the bank?? I felt like AIG yesterday...bankrupt and waiting for the federal govt to come with a rescue package... it did eventually...in the form of Sg shares growth dividends!! It's a small sum but nonetheless, thankful for something. heh... Did you eventually go to taka and try the kopi machine???