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Just wondering if Red Audi is Mr R-a-y C-h-u-a?

Congrats getting your unit soon!! notice that, on your floorplan, the household shelter is on the left side of the door, instead of in the centre of the unit (at the space beside the WC and the kitchen). I think your layout is better. If you change the opening of your kitchen to somewhere at the top wall, u can actually have a small foyer area, just after your entrance. Looks gd.

Thanks for visiting my t-blog! Do you have a t-blog? How did your renovation go? Yeah! I got similar advice from some IDs too. Coz I think I roughly mentioned it's for 2 newly-weds. No offence (to the IDs, but sometimes I think their design not very practical or family friendly). i think most of the IDs are planning their design based on your current lifestyle, and either they think you will do major renovation to build back the wall to partition a room out; or they think u'll want to move to another place (even bigger) when you have children (in maybe 5 yrs' time), or maybe they think we're yuppies and dun intend to have any kids. Both me & WTB agreed that a WIW is a waste of space and not very functional, unless you switch on aircon 24/7 (like some of the ppl who lives in a condo unit) and it's really away from moisture. One of my friends told me, her greatest regret is to build a WIW. look nice, but waste space, plus clothes get dusty and mouldy. Anyway, the view from bedroom 1 & 2 not very nice. It's facing the access balcony and there's a block at the other side... (though it's separated by an open-air carpark). View from MBR is better; pretty unblocked (plus we are on the 10th floor), and there's a slight "window", which is unblocked by the Lakeshore condo, that gives me a glimpse of the Jurong lake. LOL. I was thinking of extending the entrance to the common bathroom, so that i can convert it into a 2nd MBR with ensuite bathroom; maybe can be for parents next time. But think it's very "unfriendly" to whoever will be staying in bedroom 3 (which is likely the kids, next time). And more hacking = more money... I must say the WC at the first level (which is currently just a wash area w/o WC), will be very squeezy, but it will be really useful to have a WC downstairs. As for the shower area, i think it's a gd to have; in case, you need to wash something, there's no need to go up to the 2nd floor. For the MBR, i think it will be quite squeezy with a king-sized bed and also with a study table, but WTB wants a king-sized bed. so bed is likely to be flushed to the side near the windows, and hopefully we can still squeeze out a 80cm walk space between the bed and the wardrobe, and wardrobe likely to sliding doors, instead of casement doors. For the study table behind, I was hoping for a table - 2m(L), 0.8m(W), 0.75m(H). the 80cm depth will be easy to work on the laptop with an attached LCD monitor. I currently have a 27" LCD TV monitor which is connected to my working laptop. The extra screen space makes me more productivity at multi-tasking. LOL... and for playing games... WTB thinks 60cm depth is gd enough, as she's concerned abt the walking space behind the chairs, for whoever is going to be sitting at the side nearer to the window. As I mentioned earlier, bedroom 2 supposed to be guestroom, bedroom 3 supposed to be games/entertainment/study room. But since no money, and I guess both of us will prob be in the MBR most of the time (sleeping, watching tv, using the laptops), we can prob save on electricity (no need to switch on aircon and lightings for 2 rooms). LOL. And if need to entertain friends, just use the living room lor. Building a separate entertainment room is really a luxury item. For the bathrooms, like you've mentioned, I've seen pics whereby the pipes are everywhere and can be ugly and taking up previous space. As i didn't really take note of these pipes when I signed the OTP, i'll prob need to go down and take pics and go thru the details with my contractor (whoever the person is... haven't confirmed any yet) Yeah. agreed with you that theme or no theme, no big deal, impt is that whoever is living in it is comfortable with it. Feeling of spaciousness is impt too, and hopefully we dun clutter the space with "nice to have, but hardly used) stuffs.

LOL... last time, i also think it's quite ma fan to get to holland v. but now i got direct bus (185) to the bus terminal, but still need to walk a bit la. anyway, holland v going to have MRT station soon... should be more accessible then. I used to take 157 to school @ Bt Timah last time. Ard 45min ba. I think he's staying ard Taman Jurong area; might have taken 154 instead. think 154 takes a longer route? Hahaha... i think most people do that too. but the area i'm looking at is near my current place, so I roughly know where got what, so don't really need to walk around to check out. as for calculating the walking distance (not direct distance), i just use OneMap's measure tool, to measure lor. normal walking distance should be ard 400-600m ba and usually within 1 bus-stop; anything more not really considered walking distance (though everyone's definition of walking distance is quite different). Anyway, i work on maps, during my daily work. maybe i can "mash-up" something for potential homebuyers to use to check out amenities in their neighbourhood, during my free time at home (which is not alot, coz i'm still studying part-time ... ) I suppose there might be ready solutions out there already. For the time being, you can check out OneMap. Personally, it's not with the best interface to use; and might not be easy for "lay-person" to use easily, but there's a wealth of info inside. PS: I do not work for OneMap, but i use their info for some of my projects. Yeah! Given that i'm mostly a West-sider for 20+ yrs of my life, I think Serangoon is very far. Prob never set foot there for more than 5 times. But went down there 1-2 week ago to meet ID from Ideal House. BUT... looking at my current place @ JW and Serangoon North on the map.... Serangoon North (purple marker) is actually near to the centre of SG than my place @ JW (red marker). Ang Mo Kio & Bishan are considered centre of SG. With the N-E line, it's pretty fast to reach places like Dhoby Ghaut and Chinatown. Though for me, if I'm to go to Orchard, I'll prob take 502. It's prob faster. With the new NEXmall at Serangoon MRT, the place can be quite happening too.

LOL. that's taken while I was holidaying at Bali.

The first time, I tried using it, I was trying to trace the unit walls using the floorplan as the base. Then I realised there's no need to do so. just use the floorplan as the background lor. think there's a function to do calibration so that the furniture are to scale with you floorplan size. It will be very useful, to gauge the depth of your wardrobe and kitchen cabinets, so that it's realistic and you can see how much allowance is left, for walking around.

Visit Floorplanner!! It's free! I hope you have your floorplan in softcopy. You can import it inside as the base and start drag-drop stuffs on top of it, or changing the surfaces and stuffs. Have fun!

Thanks! I'm quite tied up with school work (final year project submission) and office work these few days. Was hoping to pop by the seller's place to take some pre-renovation pics to post here, but my weekends are packed with classes and other prior commitments. Will try to do so soon, else it will be during the inspection before the 2nd appt. Just want to confirm on a renovation contractor and start working on the details and budgeting soon.

I'm quite tired of meeting with the IDs and contractors. And I'm thinking of engaging Joo Guan Huat (JGH) Design and Contract @ TradeHub 21. Incidentally, they are the first ID/contractor we met, when we first gotten our floorplan. And so far, their quote is the lowest and is within my estimated budget. Both me and WTB have agreed that since we are not doing much carpentry, except for the built-in wardrobes in the MBR and Bedroom 2 and the kitchen cabinets, not much pt getting ID, coz we won't be making full use of their design expertise. Anyone engaged JGH before? any comments?

Is it really that bad? hmmm... I think I post using my iphone on 3g also not so slow leh.

Yeah. I was reading some of the articles abt using the LACK and EXPEDIT series of shelves as a bench / settee. Apparently not very sturdy. As for installing the legs, it can be done, but it has to be precisely under the area whereby there's a vertical adjoining piece; if not, the legs might just puncture through under weight. Furthermore, it's prob necessary to install an extra pair of legs at the centre to prevent sagging. Was browsing the online catalogue and noted some other alternatives. 1. ALVE storage bench 69x30x49 cm white $199 Materials: Basematerial: Fibreboard, Acrylic paint Top panel: Particleboard, Foil, Acrylic paint, ABS plastic Seat cushion: Highly resilient polyurethane foam (cold foam) 40 kg/cu.m. 2. GREVBÄCK bench with shoe storage 79x38x46 cm antique effect $99 Materials: Moisture resistant particleboard, Foil 3. TJUSIG Bench with shoe storage 108x34x50 cm black $159 Materials: Basematerial: Solid hardwood, Acrylic paint Tube: Stainless steel Top panel: Moisture resistant fibreboard, Acrylic paint 4. SKAR Bench with shoe storage 76x37x48 cm white $99 Materials: Particleboard, Foil ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The GREVBÄCK bench with shoe storage seems like a gd choice, at $99 (it's relatively more affordable), and the color and finish fit my theme better. And at 79cm wide, it's wide enough to squeeze 2 small butts. But I'll prob look at other furniture shops too. haven't really started sourcing for furniture WTB likes Scanteak stuff. Some friends recommended getting those package from Cellini (which includes bed frame, sofa, coffee table, etc). Anyone using the Ikea GREVBÄCK bench with shoe storage??

Oh! Actually, my fiancee has visited your t-blog before and left a msg some time back. her nick is "symisa"

Hi, If you haven't gotten your floor plan, I suggest you go to HDB website to purchase a soft-copy online ($5 via credit card and instantly email to your acct). Click here to purchase floor plan from HDB Armed with your floor plan, check out EXPO for any upcoming home decor fairs (usually there's abt 1 fair - spanning over 2 sundays - per month). Go ask some questions and let the IDs do the thinking for you. Hear from at least 3 different IDs (even the $$$ ones, sometimes, they have nice designs, just very $$$). JUST DON'T SIGN UP ANYTHING IN YOUR FIRST TRIP! With your soft-copy floorplan, you can also play ard with Floorplanner and see how you would like to do your space planning to your own lifestyle and needs. After they have come back with the draft design and quotations, you prob would have a clearer idea what you want to achieve (cos they prob overload you with tons of info on materials and different project portfolios) and roughly how much it will cost. Sometimes, the IDs give free home decor magazines (like home and decor and squarerooms), because some of their projects are showcased inside. Very gd free source of reference. And as mentioned by RimBlock, go read the T-blogs of fellow EM owners. I gathered a lot of info there. Do plan your budget too (factor in electrical wiring, lightings, sanitary wares, electrical appliances, furniture, aircon, etc.). you will soon know how much you actually have left for renovation. then it will be a matter of balancing what's most impt right now, and what's nice to have. I haven't confirmed my ID yet... coz my resale EM unit is in quite bad shape. And just doing basics, can be ard the range of $40K-50K. hope you have a smooth renovation journey and gd luck! Sigh.

Ohh... i didn't know there's EMs there... I only know got EAs there... hmmm.... anyway, feels that side is more "quiet". but gd thing is that it's near to Chinese Gardens (got lots of water and greenery)

Blk 33x series is at Jurong Polyclinic or at Yuan Ching area? I thought the EMs at blk 323 - 327 also not too bad very near to the Jurong East Sports & Recreation Centre; but slightly longer distance from Chinese Gardens MRT (ard 800+m) Yes. I also find the journey from Jurong to town very long. I work ard Tanjong Pagar area. Morning train to work still ok. Able to pass time by reading news on iphone and surfing FB; going home after work is tiring though. Thinking of changing jobs. LOL. find some office job at Jurong East area (maybe @ the international business park).

i think ulu or not is up to individuals ba. For me, EMs ard Lakeside MRT (blk 469-472 series) not very ulu at least it's near to MRT and amenities; to my friends living in the North or East, Jurong is considered a super ulu place (so any unit ard there is also ulu). LOL For me, the EMs at the blk 548-559 areas considered a bit ulu, coz distance > 1.2km from MRT. Those areas, the EMs' valuation is below 500K; I've seen 405K - 430K (before COV). EMs at blk 9xx series are considered very ulu for me (it's almost at the fringe of civilisation). So are EMs at Teban Gardens area (not very accessible). Sorry if I offend anyone. Just my personal opinion. I haven't really looked at EMs at other parts of SG, so won't comment on those.

Yeah! LOL... my agent actually told me that Rulang is like one of the top primary schools (maybe in the West area)... but I'm ok with sending my children to Shuqun next time, since I'm an alumni there, plus it's only downstairs. the children can afford to wake up late and still make it in time for sch. More imptly, it's that it's relatively nearer to the Lakeside MRT, compared to my current location (which I'll usually take a feeder bus - about 3 bus stops - to Lakeside MRT). From the new place, I can just walk to the station (it's ard 1 bus stop away). Cos I'm not owning a car now... and with the COE prices rocket-high and me really broke after getting the flat, doing the renovation and preparing for wedding next yr, I don't think I can afford a car anytime soon. Will be taking the train for some time...

Hougang EMs seems like a gd catch too, huh? You have completed your renovation? Any pics to share?

Toh Guan is quite a gd place too. Nearer to Jurong East. With the upcoming Jurong Lake District development, JE may become more happening within the next 5 yrs (hopefully). How much was your renovation? Any pics to share?

Our Preferred Layout (to be finalized) - Part 5/5 Toilets 1. Shower area with shower screen 2. Rain shower will be a bonus (though not very keen on having a storage heater; think don't have storage heater, the pressure not enough for rain shower) 3. Vanity top is prob a must (for vain people, LOL... not me... ) 4. Some air-purifying plants will be gd 5. Want to install ventilation fans too; hopefully will keep the toilets drier; but WTB thinks it's useless and waste of money (she says "you think it's office toilets ah?" LOL) This would only happen in my dreams (coz no space and no money to do this... LOL) Courtesy of thirdrockdweller The wood decking for the shower area really gives a very cosy resorty feel, but i wonder abt the durability of the decking and also the maintenance (cleaning the dirt/hair/etc underneath it) Woah! Loves the bamboo ladder cum towel holder. Reminds me of the gd times in Bali and Koh Samui. Courtesy of Banned Very hotel-like. Loves the stone wall feature. This looks good too. Nice and functional. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Most of the pics I've posted here are from this forum or from magazines or ID websites. I've downloaded them for my own reference earlier and did not take down the source. But I would like to acknowledge the source of these pics, hence if any of you see your pics here, pls let me know I'll add the acknowledgement to you and link to your t-blog. That's all for now. Took 1 day off today. Going to school in the early morning to work on my final year project.

Our Preferred Layout (to be finalized) - Part 4/5 Master Bedroom 1. Want to be able to watch TV from bed or from working desk behind the bed 2. Want to have king-sized bed 3. Want to have wall-mounted TV 4. Want to have built-in wardrobe Idea is similar to this. Likely to source for COTS products from Ikea (though I know their tables sux... I'm using it now; and the centre portion is warped under the weight... zzz) or V-Hive or other places Bedroom 2 (Guest Room) 1. Want to have queen-sized bed 2. Want to have built-in wardrobe Thought this is pretty cool. Can double up as study room most of the time; and when guests are ard, can still convert to guestroom WTB thinks I'm siao... Bedroom 3 1. Intend to make it the study room or games/entertainment room 2. Next time, can convert to children's rm; but decided to just leave it empty and squeeze the study/work desk in the MBR instead. 3. Anyway, out of budget, and no immediate need; so yeah...

Our Preferred Layout (to be finalized) - Part 3/5 Kitchen 1. Refer to preferred layout and also the attached pics - it's almost exactly how I want it to be 2. Color scheme - looking at white-based laminate for the top cabinets; dark wood laminate for the bottom cabinets; white-based solid surface; cyan coloured sprayed glass backing First 4 pics - Courtesy of HC Interior (EM @ Bukit Batok) Colour scheme similar to this but with white-based laminate for top cabinet and also cyan coloured sprayed glass backing Wash Area 1. To relocate entrance of wash area 2. Construct a shower area (half-height partition wall with glass panel on top, shower kerb) 3. Construct WC and install corner basin at half-height partition

Our Preferred Layout (to be finalized) - Part 2/5 Living Room 1. To place 4-seater sofa + chaise (2.4m - 2.8m) 2. Simple TV console (maybe IKEA Expedit hacks) + wall-mounted TV 3. IKEA Expedit shelves beside the staircase 4. Some plants beside the TV console area Loves this! The kind of feel I hope to achieve Courtesy of Reiki Sanctuary Balcony 1. Currently unsheltered; intending to keep it open and have outdoor feel 2. Wanted to have outdoor wood decking (chengal wood); but too $$$ + maintenance may be an issue 3. Hack sliding door and replace with collapsible doors 4. Intends to have sandstone-type wall tiles 5. Would like to do some outdoor BBQ using electric grills

Our Preferred Layout (to be finalized) - Part 1/5 Main Entrance & Recess Area 1. Main grilles to be hacked and relocated outside of recess area 2. Main door to be replaced Foyer 1. To have a shoe cabinet cum settee. IKEA LACK shelf hack... but may not be sturdy enough for me... Utility/Storage 1. To be used as storeroom for now (coz no budget to do up) 2. Just re-tiling and painting Dining Area 1. To place 6-seater dining table Staircase area 1. Re-varnish parquet flooring of staircase 2. Replace handle part of the handrails 3. Construct gypsum partition under staircase to be used as a storage area (spare folding chairs, vacuum cleaner, etc) 4. Put up photos along the stairway (like a mini gallery)

I think you can use Floorplanner (http://www.floorplanner.com) and import in your floorplan (in JPEG, etc) as the base, and build the surface and drag-drop the furniture, etc