adidaem

Using it in my balcony. Works fine. Any reason why it's not recommended? We got it from Khind/Relite: http://relitespecialty.com/

Oh dear. Really bad huh? Maybe can consider asking HDB to install roller screen for your door. But am surprised the 8 month door is showing signs of weathering. Does your front door get rained on very often? My old door condition was ok so fingers crossed that my current door will continue to look ok. All good so far. Pics pls! Or are you starting a t-blog?

Haha, thanks babe. Umm, thanks but am sis. LOL.

Oh the roller screens are installed by HDB FOC I think. Installation at the common corridor so think has to be done by HDB. Stray animals? You mean non-ground floor units the stray animals also will go up and erm... explore? True re: really heavy rain/strong winds. Encountered a handful of times where the entire door got wet. Thanks for the pic! How come 6 month old door so easily damaged? What material is the door made of? Mine is Nyatoh and still doing ok after a year plus. My old main door also was re-usable even tho I think it's 16 yo.

Do have a look at this post to see how to attach pics: http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1142 Am interested to see how the acrylic panel is attached too. I also get some rain at my front door during the occasional heavy storm, though nothing as dramatic as a mini flood in the living room. Did consider writing to HDB to install roller screens to protect the door but didn't know if it's too troublesome to maintain cos the S&P agreement states clearly is owner to maintain screen. Sources: - http://mndsingapore.wordpress.com/2011/06/06/solving-daily-problems/ - http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10297p.nsf/ImageView/TermsConditions/$file/Terms&Conditions+of+Resale.pdf Does anyone have roller screens to protect their door? Any feedback?

Based on what I've read it won't be allowed. Even extending the bathroom requires permission and then not more than 600mm and must be dry area if I recall correctly (many restrictions lar). So completely relocating the toilet sounds like mission impossible. Nevertheless, there is always a first time. All the best with your reno and congrats on your new home!

Hey, Oddyssey sold a Diamond clock for $80 recently: I guess pricing depends on condition of item, model etc so don't just compare prices lar. Thought to highlight cos the store is having sales now, so vintage lovers may wanna pop by: I also see Diamond clocks pop up periodically on sites like Gumtree: http://singapore.gumtree.sg/c-Stuff-for-Sale-antiques-jewellery-collectibles-Diamond-Brand-Electric-Clock-10-inches-3-colours-available-W0QQAdIdZ432872164

Agree with Cleong. If you can stand the current condition, try to renovate all in one go 6-8 months later. I read a few cases where the owners tried to live-in during the reno. All said it's a terrible experience. E.g. false ceiling... can you imagine contractors trying to position all the false ceiling boards over your furniture and appliances, screwing them in and then plastering and painting over?? Quite a nightmare ya? I did some minor carpentry and roller shutter installation a few months after I moved in and it was still very dusty tho these are just fairly minor work.

1. Because HDB says so? Examples of Renovation Work Not Allowed: Extending floor area by covering over void areas (e.g. covering over void areas within maisonette flats) Source: http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10324p.nsf/w/HomeRenoNotAllow?OpenDocument Many many things cannot be done simply cos HDB says so. Do familiarise yourself with the do's and don'ts so you don't contravene any major rule. HDB can force you to dismantle the illegal structure or make good whatever wall you whacked without permission. 2. DVader just did a skylight. The contact and cost is in his t-blog. http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=53985&view=findpost&p=760000

Oh your ID hasn't been given your design brief? Cos for me/us when we did our ID sourcing we went to them with the same brief and told them our key concerns (kitchen too dark, staircase too dark, wanna retain balcony space, etc), and then evaluated the designs/quotes based on how well our brief was adhered to and how well the 'problems' were addressed. Anyway you are so lucky to be able to retain your marble flooring.

Oh, my fav type of glass railings! Nice, do share more pics!

Well... I do think the 100mm drop will be visually jarring, which is why I suggest to go for the artificial grass. It's a huge contrast colour and texture wise, which makes it look purposeful (rather than trying to hide the difference, sorta bring it out more) and gives a clear separation between the living room (marble) and balcony (grass). Re: wood tiles/timber decking, I did consider but abandoned the idea cos... think cos of the original condition of my place. Lemme show you the contrast: Also similar to what was done in this reno: Dunno, just don't like it. My personal preference I guess. I don't like the wood/marble contrast. Cost wise, both tiling and timber decking is expensive too. Esp if you plan to hack and then tile, you may also risk damaging the marble at the edges. If you do the artificial grass, just lay it over the existing tiles. Thought it's the most economical way. Anyway if you are not gonna use the partition (which you probably won't cos there is window anyway), then don't waste the $. You'll save a few k on that one item. Ummmm... am being a total kaypoh. Think you can try asking the other Gen 1 owners on their thoughts. They've stayed in their place for a while so would be good to tap on that experience. Edit: Oh ya you probably can't level up anyway. The standard material used in the past has been banned cos of fire safety. Dunno if anyone has found a way around the new ruling, but read a few reno where this is causing a lot of angst.

What do you intend to do with your balcony? Will it be part of the living room, or for growing plants, or as a chill out spot? I think the suggestions should take into account your lifestyle, and is definitely something that your ID should help with. Say you want it to be a balcony, grow some plants... have a small breakfast nook. Perhaps can consider installing artificial grass so that visually it looks like a balcony? I wouldn't bother with sliding doors/partition cos those won't be cheap and your budget is pretty tight. Something like what ymjp100 did, except that his was open to the weather: His t-blog: http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=36231 His EM layout is very much like yours, so makes for good reference I think. Btw, since you have engaged an ID, make use of his/her service. Else pay design fees for what? I'll be interested to know what your ID has suggested. After all it should be their forte to provide space planning and suggestions that suit your lifestyle. This includes guiding you through colour selection, and creating a design that helps you keep to your budget.

You can try Comfort furniture.

LOL!! But ya, 2 rows of cabinets like what you've shown. Think 700 mm is definitely too cramped based on this ergonomics guide. Plus problem opening cabinets. If you need to plan the kitchen triangle, you can refer to this post: http://emrenoblog.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/what-is-an-ideal-kitchen-configuration/

How about 2 facing rows of cabinets so that there is more space for the dining table? Unfortunately it means no gallery kitchen, but it makes for a much more spacious dining area. I find it quite terrible that HDB didn't come up with a decent alternative before issuing the blanket ban. Mabbe can complain on KBW's fb.

Nah... I'm a computer klutz. I just turn to trusty Google for pics. Ta-dah: https://www.google.com/search?q=tiffany+blue+kitchen&hl=en&client=safari&tbo=u&rls=en&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=QUeuUOj5Oo3trQezn4HIAQ&ved=0CC0QsAQ Anyway I always wonder if people with strongly coloured rooms ever get sick of those colours? I mean, just for kitchens I've seen red, pink, green, yellow, blue, maroon... well, like all the colours of the rainbow, but do owners ever get sick of those colours? Just curious cos I can't imagine staying in a pink or blue room for the rest of my life... Any owners can share their thoughts/experiences?

I prefer Tiffany blue with white pairing, much like their boxes: With black cabinet and counter, the entire kitchen may look a bit dark? It's all down to personal pref, but if black granite top is a must, I'll go for black granite top, white cabinets, metal backsplash and tiffany blue accents like these: Or if tiffany blue backsplash is a must, I'll go for tiled kitchen tops (like Paloma's place) or white solid surface or marble top with tiffany blue backsplash. Both options gives a 'bright' kitchen, which I like. I guess I consider tiffany blue to be an accent colour rather than a main colour, which I find to be a bit overwhelming in large doses: Then again, my place is nearly all-white, which speaks volumes about my 'colour tolerance'. :rolleyes: Most important is to go for whatever your missus wants. :lol:

You may find this useful as reference for estimating walking space: I kinda did a look thru for my place using the above as guide to make sure that there are no strange cramped walkways and awkward cabinets as I've seen in some reno. Hmm... if no need to plan for kids, how about a storeroom (really really important to ensure a non-cluttered house) or perhaps a multi-purpose storage in the study for your luggage, christmas tree and decor, toilet paper and other supplies? You can never have too much storage space and the little store under the stairs is vastly inadequate. Oh, and future maids room I guess... we actually left the study in place for a just-in-case scenario. Plus we thought older folks don't appreciate stairs too. Other itty storage I wished I'd thought of catering for when I was renovating: - newspaper/old mags dumping spot/corner (! important !) - mops and pails, vacuum cleaner (! important !) - ironing board (ok, did cater for this) - detergent, laundry bags, etc (ok, did cater for this) - bulk supplies storage (kitchen towels, mineral water, toilet paper) - mahjong table - Christmas and other festive decor Is your pull-out under the stairs for any of the above? What are you planning to do for your stairs railing?

But if I do that I won't have $ to buy another property... or retire earlier... hmm... needs vs wants. Mabbe I can convince my sis to get a new place instead and help her to shop... haha! Evil sister me...

Very mysterious... do you have a 5 room, or are you renovating now? Or do you have an EM?

But your new condo unit will also be ready in 2 years? You planning to move to your condo or back to EM? So nice to have 3 properties. I keep telling my hubby I need a new house so that I can shop for more furnitures.

Yep... and they work with IDs/contractors so they are usually more willing to make more than 1 trip to do the piping and blower installation separately. This is really important if you plan to conceal ugly ac trunkings. I tried going to G*** C*** and some other big electrical stores but the sales people just pushed the usual 9k BTU x 3 or 4. Such a turn-off. Don't even think they know how to calculate BTU requirements. My ac specialist made at least 4 trips - 1 for initial assessment (and discussion with ID re: blower placement), 1 for piping installation, 1 for blower installation, and 1 more for rectification of not so aligned bracket (tho no one else thought the non-alignment is obvious since you have to look up and be anal about straight lines like me). Don't think my aircon price was the cheapest, but for the service/time provided think was well worth the extra $.

I like your s/s kitchen. Really not common in Singapore (tho I see lots in US mags). Do share more pics when the rest of the house is ready. When do you plan to move in?

Thanks for liking my place. You can have a look at this post for other inspirations: http://emrenoblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/maisonettes-featured-in-homedecor-magazine/