Nuar

Hi, May_dream1, I came to check your reno blog! And I must tell, that I looooove your floorplan! That's the type of flat I would buy if I was looking for 4rm flat! - no coridors, no walkways, just simple squarish design. I think open concept kitchen would fit perfectly! Congratulations! Hope your reno will start soon! Did you decide on the theme/consept already?

Hi, Always happy. Hmmm... now you make me think... Why do you think it's not possible to extend the living area into the kitchen that much? Just wondering... My contractor told can do, maybe I should question him..? I cook quite often, but the small kitchen that I plan look quite cozy to me. First, that's gonna be one person kitchen. Either only me cook or only my husband. Never both of us. Secondly, I don't see any problem with choosing appliances... We already bought stove, oven, sink. Shortlisted the fridge, and washing mashine. We don't have much space for laundry drying - that's true. Because of this we are considering buying washer+dryer combo dispite its unreliability. I mean, normally combos are not as reliable, as separate washer/dryer. I emphasized my comtractor that the hight of the kitchen counter should be at least 86cm before the kitchen top. So that the washing mashine can fit underneath. Hopefully he will not forget about it. )) I'm actually planning to put all my requirments in writing and pass to him, so that it was clear for both of us what we agreed upon. And thridly, now we are renting 3rm flat with a normal long kitchen counter (along one wall) and even dispite my heavy cooking I ever hardly utilize all of it. I use only half of cabinets. And most of counter top space is occupied with bottles of sauses and spices - that's only because I don't have any rack to put them in. But in my dream kitchen I have planned a space for all small bottles, so the kitchen countertop will be mainly free from stuff. I hope so. ) But anyway, please let me know why you think it's not possible to extend the living into kitchen. We actually intended to rise the floor, and lay parquet in that area. Now there is 100mm drop right after kitchen door. So, contractor will increase floor in half of the kitchen. What do you think?

Wow, your reno is still a long way to wait... But it's good to plan early. Actually my contractor told that he is also gonna buy from Excel, so the price will be the same as on their website. One thing I don't like about their baskets, is that they are quite short - only 480mm deep. Since a standard depth of bottom cabinet is about 600mm - looks like a lot of space is gonna be wasted... Ikea's baskets (they have three sizes: 350mm, 450mm, 550mm width) have the same depth - 560mm, so can put more things. I'm gonna go and check them this weekend. If quality is ok, I buy from Ikea, as the price is much more attractive - 25, 30, 35 SGD! Most important, must check with contractor if they can fit them into my cabinet...

Hi, Dexufto. Thanks a lot for your links. That was very usefull. I discovered online shop on their website, so now I'm more aware of how much an avarage expect per basket.... Prices look ok, but I'm still waiting for my contractor's quote, hopefully he can get it for me with discount. I browsed through your blog before, but didn't notice that post, maybe it was added later. I also found your excel drawing of kitchen cabinet compartments (the one that describes where to put what) very useful. Now trying to do the same with regards to my kitchen. Previously I estimated what stuff put where, but excel format just makes it much more easier. Thanks for idea! J.

For those of you who takes HDB loan, you can use this HDB tool to check how much should be paid during first/second appointment: https://services2.hdb.gov.sg/webapp/BB29FIN/BB29FINP.jsp very simple. Not sure if similar tool exists for culculations using bank loan.

My mum was also advising me to top up for baskets, she sais it's super convinient, not worth saving $$ here. Recently my contractor quoted 80 per drawer - but it was for drawer, not for pull-out wire basket. Basket shoule be cheaper. I'm waiting for his revised quote and in the meanwhile wonna check price in other places. Going to IMM tomorrow to check Song Cho. Also saw wire baskets on Ikea website at SGD 25, 30 or 35 only, but I'm afraid the width might not be suitabe. I quite like to cook, recently been cooking almost every day (partially because my old fridge in rental place got spoiled just 1 month before moving out, and it's really useless to fix it - I tried already, so I prefer to cook a bit every day and don't keep any leftovers). Although a bit tiring, but good for health! Do you use any pull-out drawers or baskets? Which brand?

Hi, May_dream1. Thanks for welcoming. I'll try to keep my blog updated. Now considering if I should go for sliding out wire baskets in kitchen bottom cabinet. Very convinient, but additional expencess again... Huh...

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