Homeowner

Yep. Started baking recently...pumpkin muffins! I'm going to try carrot cake and pineapple tarts one fine day 'cos I like them...procrastinating 'cos the recipes look like a lot of work! Need to grate lah. Hehee...maybe if they're good, you can come to try. I considered the countertop all-in-1 oven - the Panasonic one (I think), a friend's sister bought and said it's good. But, in the end, we got the convectional one instead 'cos we already have a microwave oven from our old place and cannot afford anymore countertop space.

Yah, people evolve all the time...marriage is ultimately a commitment. It's really nice having kids, especially when you have support now and then e.g. hubby, grandparents. It's really wonderful if you and back-up caregivers share similar ideas and can be quite stressful if you all don't. If you have to cope and handle the baby, kid alone...sometimes, it can be quite overwhelming. I think it is good to discuss and consider what life will be like after kid(s). E.g. when baby cries and poops at night, will he help out? When you are exhausted, need to study for test, will he help out? Just to set the expectations right.

Hi Rummi, how's your reno. going? Some people believe that microwaving food kills nutrients. Research is inconclusive. Steaming is believed to retain the most nutrients in food. The only problem with a countertop unit is simply that - it occupies precious countertop space and in most small kitchens you would want as little on the countertop as possible so that you have space to prepare food. And all in one unit seems like a good idea if you are getting a countertop microwave anyway. But, is the baking function as good as a normal convection oven? Not sure about that. Just my two cents' worth.

Kitchen's a must do after so many years. But , am not keen on the open concept kitchen that is very popular nowadays 'cos oil fumes will escape to the dining/living room area when cooking. I think you'll have to consider that very carefully 'cos I know of at least one who had to rebuild the kitchen wall after knocking it off. Parquet get scratched easily so if you are doing it for the study room, you may have to put some kind of plastic mat (I think Ikea sells) under the chair to prevent scratching. Parquet for bedroom is fine. Nice to wake up and put your feet on wood, instead of cold ceramic.

My neighbours gave a box of Le Cafe moon pies (Middle Road). Very nice and buttery, for those who like pineapple tart sort of pastry. Pine Gardens (Blk 529, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10) sells very nice traditional types of mooncakes e.g. the Teochew type with flaky skin, sesame paste moom cakes.

It's really very old; usable though not in very good condition. Just that it was tailor made for the living room and we can't bear to spend any more money. So live with it, loh.

Hello88, same same! Still using the old one left behind by sellers!

Your kitchen has really strong colours - black and red!

It's a good idea to design your own and fit everything to your own needs. You can post your designs here if you want feedback! Is this an open kitchen? Or are you having glass walls to keep out the oil?

Very nice.

Hi Bekind If you regret strongly, why don't sell it? You can sell it after 1 year. Don't bother to renovate.

The area under the stairs is really small. Did you measure to see if you can fit in a single bed? Just a suggestion: Instead of building cement walls which costs a lot, maybe you can use gypsum boards. They are a lot cheaper and can be easily dismantled if you choose not to have a room under the stairs in future.

Wah, didn't know buying toto is so complex. It just went over my head...

I agree with your parenting style. But, yah, its tough when parents disagree 'cos the key to discipline is consistency. How about a compromise? Whatever he feels compelled to buy for your son goes into your stash for you to doll out whenever your son is good.

That's okay, lah. Mine was also $22 for kitchen and 3 toilets. MaCe keeps saying that the toilet is the most ex to renovate.

Thanks, Bigbird. My previous place had laminated flooring. After we moved out the furniture, we noticed dents left behind by the furniture legs and different colours on parts exposed and parts covered by furniture. I guess these cannot be serviced away.

You mean that the dents on the laminate can be serviced away?

No, dear..your thinking is not warped. I'm not a perfect mother but my kids are happy. They love being alive and really hate going to sleep. They face "kids' problems": sometimes they don't get their own way, sometimes their friends don't want to befriend them, etc. As they grow older, they'll face stress from school and work, and I hope I'll be there to encourage them. Do your parents regret having you and your brother? My guess is no. I'm significantly poorer than if I were childless and still working. I think a research puts the figure as half a million. But, I think my life's significantly richer. I've experienced life as a mother and whoa! it's a real roller coaster of an experience and, if I have a choice, I would do it all over again. I love my 2 boys, even though they are such tiring and frustrating rascals sometimes. Children are truly blessings.

Nice. Did you do a shower seat for the master bathroom? There appears to be some kind of counter linked to the sink. Pity about the chute in the living room though. Very red kitchen - very yang

Suggest that you get a few quotations and go and see the workmanship yourself. Mace's done by Ho Bee, popular in this forum. Mine's by Callicrates (Mr. Lim, Tel: 9766 5695)

Yah, I agree. The affordable marble nowadays have lots of holes. The old type is a lot better. I'm sure there are really good quality ones available still but you probably have to pay the sky for them.

Thumbs up for their workmanship. I found the installers excellent. The designer so-so. The installers were very professional, took pride in their work and cleaned up after themselves. While installing, the installers pointed out a design flaw (a door blocked the drawer from opening fully) and got the doors changed for me, at their own cost. Yah, I did a shell for the study room. No regrets. One reason why we finally agreed to spend - the Seng Kwong wardrobes can be dismantled and reinstalled. Only thing, I think we have to let our buyers know that they are not included in case they make a ruckus on the 2nd appointment date.

Big Bird Great job there. Your floor plan is exactly the same as mine. Would you mind sharing how much you spent on your reno. and in detail, the cabinets in the living room, please? Saw that you covered up the pipes in the upstairs common bathroom, too. Can the pipes be accessed (i.e. are there doors that can be opened)?

:bowdown: Wow! 3 kids! I love babies..but we are really throwing the towel after 2...really cannot cope anymore.

Kids give a lot of joy and a lot of stress. Best that kids are highly anticipated and born into secure households where they will be loved and cherished 'cos really, they need a lot from the parents. It helps that they are just so naturally cute, so forgiving, loving and sweet. You understand your parents a whole lot better when you become a parent yourself. Think that if a marriage is already rocky...a baby is the last thing to save it 'cos babies cause a lot of stress - they cry, they demand immediate attention, they might cause tensions amongst family members who have different ideas on taking care of babies and children...