january

oh hey, I didn't realise you had a tblog until now. you really have a lot of bay windows... I think the one in the MBR you can use it to extend the wardrobe. Anyway happy hunting for contractors, and good luck!

You don't need the drainage cells if you're putting it indoors. About $10psf, depending on the grade.

testing...

updated with Dream Interiors, Lorgan's Retro Store.

I'd like to get one of these myself. If anyone knows about it please write in.

Hi mae29, seems like you're doing an awful lot of camping at your new place to get things installed. Did you have an arrangement with your ID for things like this? At least you don't have to take so much leave...

Thanks everyone. I'm surprised how good the grass looks. I welcome anyone with a balcony to do the same. It costs less than timber decking and also looks better (I think). @lazybum9, you don't need to do it specifically on the balcony. You can do it anywhere really. Indoors even. Just use your creativity! @ryce, the pebbles you can buy from any nursery (those that sell plants). As for the grass, you can call Mr Wong.

There are plastic drainage cells installed underneath the artificial grass, so there should be no problems with the drainage (that's what the grass guy told me). I don't think we'll get dirt though, only dust. Nothing a regular vacuuming can't solve I suppose. Anyway I can easily remove bits of the artificial turf because not all the sides are glued down.

The grass and pebbles was my idea *proud*. Am planning to have potted plants there and I thought some grass would make it look more garden-like. Yeah my contractor is a massive headache. I really should have just managed this whole thing myself. Prolly less headache.

sfk7, your reno is progressing reallly quickly!

Thanks everyone for the tips about the WM! I wouldn't have known otherwise. Dryers don't spin as quickly as washing machines, so they are less susceptible to moving around and (potentially) falling off the table. Nonetheless, I'll give that a go and see what happens. Have discussed this issue with the family and have decided to secure the washing machine to the wall with a metal chain. Will need to drill the back of the WM to secure the metal chains. And then we will add some foam under legs to absorb the vibrations. *** In other news, the balcony's done! You'd be surprised that the little strip contains 40KG of pebbles. I only bought 2 bags (10KG each) at first and had to buy 2 more... lucky the nursery nearby sells it. I think I still need 1 more bag, but that can be done some other day.

Korean owner prolly thinks that you will take better care of the house, so he sold it to you. Good choice, I would say

Being specific is good, but sometimes we just don't know enough to be specific, and it should be the ID or contractor's duty to probe and advise. But sometimes no matter how specific you are, they just don't listen. Because they don't want to think of the difficult stuff. I think most contractors are like that.

I wanted to do it at first, but all the curtain makers I spoke to were quite against it. Apparently it's impossible to clean it after you've installed it. Whether that is true or not, I don't know. Keep that in mind though.

I read your post about IDs and contractors and I must say that you hit the nail on many of the issues. I can't stress the importance of a proper ID though. Think of an ID like an analyst... you have these issues and requirements, and they have to advise you of the best way to address the issues and fulfill all if not most of the requirements. Most IDs have a certain aesthetic sense, but sometimes forget to look after function (you need to remind them). The really good ones will think of everything for you (including how to organise your storage), but these are hard to come by. Contractors, as far as I know, will just do as they are told and won't give you feedback on whether something is too big or too small for your space. Also, mine doesn't do any quality control. All the QC is left to me. Which is BS. And really tiring as well. If you're gonna be busy, you better find someone who can do the QC and rectification work. Actually, the most important thing is to find somebody responsible. You can always come to us for design input Anyway, I wish you all the best in this scary world of renovation. May you have a good experience in your reno!

$450 is for what size of headboard? I thought the headboard would be something really special at first, but apparently no. I'm going to have a nice long talk with my contractor after this whole thing is done... I think even paying $450 for something like this is being kind. Either way, he's definitely not getting $900 for that.

Thanks everyone for their kind comments... posting here helps me manage my frustrations towards my useless contractor/PM. I told him about the less than ideal paint job today, and he asked me to inspect all the walls and flag them with Post-Its. Ò_ó What am I paying him for if he's not going to quality control for me? You know what, that sounds like a good idea. Maybe I'll spray paint the legs. What colour do you think? White? Black? Hello hello. Mine is the only unit on my floor that is still undergoing renovations. Do drop by if the door is unlocked... and if I'm not around leave a note Hey there, thanks for the heads up. The steel legs do look a bit flimsy, but what to do? There's not enough really enough space to put the machines side by side, which is actually my preferred layout. If I do that then I wouldn't be able to hide in the bomb shelter in case of an air raid. I haven't had a chance to test the washer on a full load yet, but on an empty load the vibrations are minimal. If the vibrations do become a problem, then, I'll have to think of a way out.

I already compiled a furniture directory. Click on the link in my sig. Happy shopping. And do contribute if you find worthy shops.

The lighting at the staircase is excellent... well done cleong!

Someone said they wanted to see the steel table for the washing machine, so here it is. The dishwasher will be placed underneath. Wallpaper installation is ongoing today. I think it would be better if the part below the bay window also has the wallpaper... Doesn't this look like real grass? But it's artificial grass. I'm gonna have this installed on the balcony next Tuesday morning.

Thanks marshmallow and dex! See you both on Sunday.

hey there. I think you need a wood frame, foam, fabric and stapler gun to DIY your headboard. From what I see I don't think it's too difficult. I'll show you my contractor's poorly made ones. I'm sure you can do better. To fix it to the wall you need two pieces of wood... and then slot the headboard in. Something like that.

hey your granite bay window looks good! My marble bay window is still problematic... I don't get it! This second time is done by the professional marble installer... Read your post on my t-blog about your foyer. I don't know much about your lifestyle, but I find it useful to have a landing area in the foyer as a place to drop off keys, mobile phone, mail etc when you come back, and perhaps a memo board for reminders before you leave the house. Seems more useful than a display cabinet... Congrats reglxt! Your house is looking good

Thanks for the encouragement singabox! And wow, you sure wake up early. I am now 1000% certain that the wallpaper for the MBR is of questionable origins. Take a look at the "Operation Manual". I feel so guilty laughing over this. I do like that the manufacturer takes the effort to explain how to properly put up the wallpaper, albeit in a less than comprehensible manner. Wallpaper of questionable origins, a sample.

Apparently they're closed on Wed and Thurs.