summersann

You should check if the DC29 is a handheld vacuum cleaner (chargeable batteries) or a canister vacuum cleaner (that runs on AC). Generally, handheld vacuum cleaners that run on batteries are not as good/powerful/efficient as canister ones that run on AC. If you're only going to keep a cat, my suggestion is to get one that's powerful enough, don't have to go all the way to a Dyson Animal. Use the Compare function on Dyson's website to compare the different models that you're interested in! That's what we did to decide if that extra hundred over dollars was worth spending

I know what you mean! Our unit is corridor, so when our venetian blinds are up, there'll be quite a bit of light coming in from the outside, so that should help! Anyway! We gave up on the accordion gate idea for the staircase. Our IDs' contractor managed to find a source for us, but because of the frequent usage of the gate and its mechanism, even if we powder-coat it, the paint will still peel over time. If we don't powder coat it, the silver finish sticks out like a sore thumb in our place (doesn't flow with the rest of the stuff). Our ID found another gate for us that we can buy off the shelf. It looks quite nice and can be retracted (so there's no swing door to get in the way). You may want to consider it - http://www.retract-a-gate.com/

Okay ladies! So it turns out that my ID "zhng-ed" the accordion lamp that we passed to him, so that it doesn't rely on the power socket that it originally comes with, and is wired together with the rest of the house's electrical wiring instead (they did the same with my pendant lights!). This is how it looks like from the outside. Note the wall that the lamp is fixed on. This is how it looks like from the other side, behind that wall. That's where our storeroom is, so he hid the trunking for the accordion lamp inside the storeroom. Nice and neat!

They're about palm-sized, or slightly bigger (unless you have really big palms ). They come in slightly different variations too, some are thinner, some are wider. But they complement each other well go to wonderland and check them out! You can also drop by saladshop (also along haji lane) for home accessories. Very pretty stuff! I've bought something each time I went

Yah! There was a bed that we wanted to get from ikea, but it was also out of stock. they only stock their products once a quarter, so they usually just say they don't know cuz they really don't. we had to forego the bed in the end I'm sure these rebate and discount things will come around again! they always do, it's their way of making us buy more things than we need

Hahaha, I actually don't know how much the tracks are, but we got ours in multiples of 2 meters. I only remember the price of the lights per piece, which is $80. Pricey indeed You should check to make sure that the lights are LED! $58 per piece seems like a good deal. Don't worry about asking questions! Renotalk is for us to help each other

eh? I didn't get any PM from you about magnetic screens! What is it about? I think ours is the DC29 multi-floor. Dyson also has one for animals, but that one is really expensive. The salesperson showed us the suction power and it's not much stronger than the multi-floor, so we decided to get the multi-floor since it can handle animal fur and also be used on parquet. I'm not sure about Miele's ones because the boy was the one in charge of looking for a vacuum cleaner that could handle animal fur. Think Miele didn't turn up in his research (maybe he missed it). It was either Dyson or Karcher, or something like that. The most important thing for us was to not get one that operates on a bag system. Animal fur will get stuck in the bag and you'll probably have to change bags all the time, super not worth it!

bleucheeze! if you're planning to have animals in future (I somehow remember you saying you wanted to get a cat, but maybe I'm getting confused), make sure you pick a vacuum cleaner that can handle the fur! some vacuum cleaners don't clean as well when it comes to animal fur. we got the Dyson vacuum cleaner because it's powerful enough to clean animal fur (without getting clogged). Not sure about the Miele one.

Thank you! looking forward to seeing your place too! have been lurking around your t-blog Thank you! I hope we get them done too. We're meeting the ID later today at our place to discuss the slightly shoddy workmanship Yup! The track lights are LED. Eh... I don't know the wattage, but we used 5 and it's bright enough for us! Lighting is a very personal thing though, so you may want to go to a shop and ask them to show you exactly how bright it is before you decide We got warm lights because I found white light a little too cold and glaring. We prefer to have a cosy feel so we opted for warm white. We hacked away the wall between the utility room and the original kitchen, and created a service yard area instead. Space is very important!

bleucheeze and makanology! I'm going to my place later to meet the ID to discuss rectifications. I'll go investigate the accordion lamp and let you guys know!

Think the hole shouldn't show because accordion lamps have a long base for the accordion anyway (and the hole needed for the power socket shouldn't be that big either). Mine doesn't show

Heh, I'm going to throw another idea in here, don't hate me. I actually think the flower shades from Wonderland would be a much better choice for your dining table! It'd give a very vintage feel (only if that's what you're going for) and would look really classy. Otherwise, I vote for the caged lights! Just curious, have you seen the actual ikea pendant green light in person?

didn't notice any shower heads or rain showers in ikea! Only kitchen mixers. my accordion lamp comes with a normal power socket, so you can simply plug it in. i suspect most of these lamps do. the only thing is, these lamps look good mounted on a wall, but if you imagine a power cord running down from it, it doesn't look as nicely finished. What my ID did for mine was to drill a hole for the lamp's power socket to go through, so that the lamp's power cord is hidden out of sight (the cord is either hidden inside the partition wall, or inside the storeroom behind the wall where the lamp is mounted. not sure about its exact location ). I hope this is making sense

The website doesn't list it (I tried looking for it there too )! But it's definitely in store because I see it every time I went so far. It's in the kitchen section, placed with the kitchen sinks. Comes in matt black, white, matt silver, shiny silver. They even have different handles!

IKEA sells matt black taps! I got my white one from them, and I quite like it. It's very simple looking though, no rims or fancy design. Take a look!

Haha, mine is more vintage looking than industrial. If you're into industrial, you should call Make Room up and ask if they still have theirs!

haha we totally like the same type of lights! I love the red cage light. It's gorgeous!! I got my dining table pendant lights from Roccoco Kent, so it's vintage. But Wonderland (which you already took a picture of) sells the shades! Not vintage, looks brand new, but is very pretty too! And much cheaper (should have just gotten mine from them ).

This is how it looks like after set-up. Instructions here. It's fun and quite cute

Sorry for butting in! I was curious after reading that IKEA has accordion lamps! http://www.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/40226002/ The online stock prognosis says it's not in stock though! Didn't see this lamp the past few times we went to IKEA. Maybe they just stocked them again Make Room had one accordion lamp the last time we went. It's quite industrial looking, if that's what you're looking for.

A rug helps pull all the furniture together and adds a different effect. My favorite article about rugs and how to use them here!

Some pictures to distract myself from angst-ing over the slightly shoddy workmanship. Our first boardgame for the house!

Tell me about it We got the accordion lamp from World Savage (aka Stevie General Store), but their lights are usually one-piece only, so we bought the only one. They do have other lights, so you can check out their website Yup, the track is charged separately. But the track is cheap. It's the lights that are pricey. Look around for better options! Howards has a good selection of stuff for laundry and kitchen, so you definitely should pay a visit! Thank you! Feeling about the slightly shoddy (at least in our opinion) workmanship. Shall see what our ID has to say after the CNY break. Haha same to you HappyAng! Can't decorate yet, don't even know when the rectifications can be done once and for all. If only we could all be our own contractors/IDs, because we'd do the best job The IDs better rectify everything

Hahaha I guess that then depends on how long you need to clean it. The place never feels clean after many rounds of cleaning after renovation The websites always contradict. If you want to pick an auspicious date, use the Chinese lunar calendar and that's enough I guess. Haha

Average weight (don't remember it being very heavy or very light)! Or at least to me it was

Holes drilled in the wrong places, but only patched up with plaster (or whatever it is they use to patch holes). Messy finishing between the skirting and the floor. I cannot even begin to describe what's wrong with this. Yup. No ID/contractor is ever perfect.