snowy89

Hi CountryGlow, Regarding the posting of image, it requires you to have an account like e.g. in photobucket where you upload the image. It is free to sign up. After you have uploaded the picture, then you look for the direct link to the picture, usually on the side once you click on the image you have uploaded. You then copy the link and paste it onto the icon with a 'image of a tree' then you will see your picture being uploaded here. I did not wait very long for the keys after my HLE got approved. I got a date to collect my keys within the week. This is because I suspect that my keys were already ready and it got delayed with the approval of HLE. Mainly because I just changed my job and they needed some verifications. As for the defects, I think they no longer throw cement down the drain after numerous complaints. I did check if there were chokage and water seepage too. A consolation for you is that there are actually not much defects. I am just too anal and picky for my own good. Other people may have already thought that their house is perfect as it is. Hehe. The vento fino 2 fan costs approximately S$500+ in Tampoi but it costs S$1388 in Singapore. Absolutely crazy because it is more than double!! I think Tampoi has a super wide range of fans and lightings. I did see fans with lights but generally reviews of KDK fans with lights are that the light alone is not bright enough. I guess Tampoi is a good choice because it is very near the Malaysia customs. I went there because I called down to enquire if they had my vento fino 2 fan there and they say have!! So it was my number one choice. The man had his reservations about going there because it might be troublesome to arrange for transport since we both don't own a car. But it has been a hassle free experience because I requested for transport back to my house doorstep from the shop. It can be arranged. I also want white frame windows for my service yard but you know what.. HDB only allows the same type of window panel used for the living room and bedrooms. Meaning ours have to be black. The pang giap guy said that we can do it in white frames, but risk getting complained by neighbours to HDB lor. We stay so low so it will be very obvious if our windows are different. So I just move on and resigned to fate that we are fine with black window frames. We consoled ourselves by thinking that at least we gotten the slim version so it won't be so much of an eyesore. Haha! Pang giap is also a pte ltd company so I am actually going direct for my windows.. Already taken my window measurements as well. Below is the link to the slim grilles I am getting for more info. http://www.panggiap88.com.sg/slimgrilles.html Just got news from my ID that she will be purchasing tiles tomorrow and tiling works will start on Wednesday. Hope to see some progress this weekend.

Many updates this week: 1) Bsc rectifications finally coming to an end. Likely because we have opted in for tiles and doors Rectifications include gap between skirting and wall, gap between skirting and tiles, chips/scratches on doors, grout line holes, deep grout lines and uneven tiles. Nevertheless, the BSC people have been very responsible and responsive to our needs and had rectified everything within a span of 2 weeks. 2) Bought my pull out wire mesh larder from Hafele I always wanted to have a pull out larder and if I asked my ID to make one for me, she will source for it and then charge me higher for it and the material may not be as good. So I researched for larder units and found the ideal one from hafele. But It is more expensive than I expected it to be. I bought the set wire baskets. Front pull out: 385 X 503 X 140 mm Internal pull out: 402 X 488 X 125 mm Set components complete with runner include damper, front panel connector and trays. Can hold up to 30kg each. 3) Selected my craftstone design and MBR wall tiles (overlay) All selected from hafary. Beige craft stones will be used for the TV feature wall. Bottom left picture will be used for our MBR feature wall @ shower area and the bottom right will be for the rest of the MBR toilet. My ID did gave us a cap of $3psf for the tiles, and the bottom left one actually cost $4.50psf but she absorbed the cost for us! Awesome max. I guess I can look forward to a pretty MBR bathroom soon. The selection at hafary is really big.. So I would suggest you browse their catalog online first and have a rough idea of what you want to get before you go down. Otherwise, you will just get lost!! Too many tiles seriously. 4) Signed my window grilles with pang giap The pang giap guy came down to measure my windows. The man and I agreed to go for slim grilles for the house. While aluminium grilles are cheap, it does not deter burglars from trying to break into the house. It is of concern for us because we are staying in a quite low level unit. The slim grilles come in iron wrought and surprisingly it is **** strong despite being so slim, a far cry from the flimsy aluminium that was installed in our parents' houses. I guess you really pay for what you get. He gave us some pretty good discount that it is difficult to say no. I can just say that he made us very happy. Hopefully the installation process will be a breeze. 5) Settled for my aircon works Going for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries system 4. Aircon piping went through and through with ID. Everything seems good and ready to roll. Last but not least..... 6) Our HDB reno permit has been approved! So works are going to start next week!!

Hi all, Today I will discuss about buying fans and this is my personal encounter while shopping for the fans. Good or bad, I think it can serve as a guideline or warning for the rest of us who are still shopping for items for our dream house. Initially, we wanted to buy the well known haiku fan! The cheapest quotation that we have gotten so far was $1100 from Universal Union. Did not give us any face when we told them we are just looking around still as we are undecided. Those who love haiku just head straight to this shop and don't bother with the others. I tried going down to phylux as well because they have both haiku and vento fino which I simply adore. They did not want to disclose how much discount they are able to give over the phone and asked me to go down to their warehouse instead. When I went there and checked it out, I was greeted by a very soft spoken lady. She told me they are retailing the haiku at $1380 not including GST! And the best price they can offer is to absorb the GST. Same goes for vento fino series. The vento fino version 1 costs $499 and version 2 a whooping $1399. I also told her that haiku costs much lesser @ 1.1k elsewhere and she did not seem to believe me. She even exclaimed that if it is so cheap, tell her where and she also want to buy. Also, if I wanted other colours I would have to order and the stocks will only come in a month's time so I am appalled and did not want to commit to their time line. Furthermore, they seem to be only interested in serving the richer looking uncles and aunties in the shop as I asked for their black WCs catologue and got nothing after waiting in vain for about 10 minutes+ so I just left. I would say avoid phylux and just go to the shops along geylang road. Universal Union Enterprises Pte Ltd. 710 Geylang Road Singpore 389625 (recommended - served by Ivy See) Phylux 160 Paya Lebar Road, Orion #01-08, Singapore 409022 (Boycott, not recommended) However, after much discussions with the man, we decided that haiku is still way out of our budget. Also, I am bent on getting the vento fino version 2 although it is so expensive. After researching, I managed to find out that by going over the causeway, vento fino version 2 is so so much cheaper! The difference in version 1 and version 2 is that version 2 can oscillate and the wind power is so much stronger. I really love the version 2 one. ... And I simply cannot bear to buy it in Singapore. I remember seeing this shop being mentioned a few times in this forum actually.. Tampoi Lighting Centre Sdn. Bhd. No. 2,4 & 6, Jalan Titiwangsa 3/1 Taman Tampoi Indah (Batu 6 1/2, Jalan Skudai) 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. (Highly recommended!!) There are a few ways to go to JB if you do not own a car. 1) By bus Bus service Route Operating Hours Fares SBS 160 Jurong East Interchange to Kotaraya II Terminal via Bukit Batok RoadChoa Chu Kang Road (BP5 Phoenix LRT)Woodlands Road (BP14 Ten Mile Junction LRT & NS7 Kranji MRT)Woodlands CheckpointFrom Jurong East: Daily: 05:30 – 00:00From Kotaraya: Mon-Fri: 06:19 – 00:32Sat, Sun & PH: 06:15 – 00:25Normal distance-based trunk fares. SBS 170 Queen Street Terminal to Larkin Terminal via Bukit Timah Road/Duneard Road (NE7 Little India MRT & NS21 Newton MRT)Upper Bukit Timah RoadWoodlands Road (BP14 Ten Mile Junction LRT & NS7 Kranji MRT)Woodlands CheckpointFrom Queen Street: Daily: 05:20 – 00:10From Larkin: Mon-Fri: 05:20 – 00:30Sat, Sun & PH: 05:30 – 00:30Normal distance-based trunk fares. SBS 170 NS7 Kranji MRT to Kotaraya II Terminal via Woodlands CheckpointFrom NS7 Kranji MRT: Mon-Fri: 05:36 – 23:30Sat: 05:40 – 00:00Sun & PH: 05:40 – 23:30From Kotaraya: Daily: 05:15 – 00:00Normal distance-based trunk fares. SMRT 950 Woodlands Regional Interchange to Kotaraya II Terminal via Woodlands Avenue 3 (NS8 Marsiling MRT)Woodlands Centre RoadWoodlands CheckpointFrom Woodlands: Daily: 05:30 – 23:30From Kotaraya: Mon-Sat: 05:30 – 00:00Sun & PH: 05:50 – 00:00Normal distance-based trunk fares. Advance Coach AC7 Yishun Interchange to Kotaraya II Terminal via Yishun Avenue 7Sembawang RoadSembawang Way (NS11 Sembawang MRT)Woodlands Avenue 9Woodlands CheckpointFrom Yishun: Mon-Sat: 05:45 – 23:30Sun & PH: 06:00 – 23:30From Kotaraya: Mon-Sat: 05:00 – 23:50Sun & PH: 05:40 – 23:50Flat fare: S$2 (for cash payment in Singapore and all ez-link card payments)RM2 (for cash payment in JB only)Singapore-Johore Express Queen Street Terminal to Larkin Terminal non-stop via PIE, BKE & Woodlands CheckpointFrom Queen Street: Daily: 06:30 – 23:30From Larkin: Daily: 06:30 – 23:30Flat fare: S$2.40 (in Singapore)RM2.40 (in JB)Only cash is acceptedCauseway Link CW1 NS7 Kranji MRT to Larkin Terminal via Woodlands CheckpointKotaraya II TerminalFrom NS7 Kranji MRT: Daily: 05:30 – 23:30From Larkin: Daily: 04:30 – 22:45To be advisedOnly cash is acceptedCauseway Link CW2 Queen Street Terminal to Larkin Terminal non-stop via Bukit Timah Road, PIE, BKE & Woodlands CheckpointFrom Queen Street: Daily: 04:30 – 23:00From Larkin: Daily: 06:00 – 23:30To be advised. Causeway Link CW3 Jurong East Interchange to Perling Mall Terminal via AYETuas CheckpointTaman Bukit Indah (Jusco, Tesco & Giant)From Jurong East: Daily: 07:30 – 23:45From Perling Mall: Mon-Fri: 04:35 – 21:35Sat, Sun & PH: 04:55 – 21:35S$4 (in Singapore)Only cash is acceptedCauseway Link CW3S Jurong East Interchange to Sutera Mall Terminal via AYETuas CheckpointTaman Bukit IndahFrom Jurong East: Mon-Sat: 11:15, 15:00, 18:00, 19:20, 21:20, 23:15Sun & PH: 11:15, 15:00, 19:20, 23:15From Sutera Mall: Mon-Sat: 05:30, 09:10, 13:30, 17:20, 19:40, 21:15Sun & PH: 09:10, 13:30, 17:20, 21:15S$4 (in Singapore)Only cash is acceptedCauseway Link CW4 Jurong East Interchange to Pontian Terminal via AYETuas CheckpointGelang Patah TerminalFrom Jurong East: Daily: 18:30, 19:20From Pontian: Daily: 05:30, 06:00, 15:00, 16:30S$4 (in Singapore)Only cash is acceptedCauseway Link CW4S Jurong East Interchange to Sutera Mall Terminal via AYETuas CheckpointGelang Patah TerminalFrom Jurong East: Mon-Sat: 08:05 – 21:00Sun & PH: 07:30 – 21:20From Sutera Mall: Mon-Sat: 04:35 – 16:50Sun & PH: 04:35 – 20:20S$4 (in Singapore)Only cash is acceptedCauseway Link CW5 Newton Circus to Johor Bahru Customs Checkpoint via PIE/BKEWoodlands CheckpointFrom Newton Circus: Daily: 06:00 – 23:30From JB Customs: Daily: 05:00 – 22:30S$4 (in Singapore)Only cash is acceptedCauseway Link CW6 EW27 Boon Lay MRT (bus stop along Boon Lay Way) to Bukit Indah via AYETuas CheckpointFrom NS27 Boon Lay MRT: Mon-Sat: 07:30 – 22:40Sun & PH: 09:00 – 22:40From Bukit Indah: Mon-Fri: 05:00 – 21:30Sat: 06:00 – 21:30Sun & PH: 08:00 – 21:40S$4 (in Singapore)Only cash is acceptedTranstar Express TS1 Changi Airport to Kotaraya II Terminal limited-stop via TPESengkang/Punggol (SE1 Compassvale LRT)Jalan KayuSembawang RoadWoodlands Avenue 5 (NS9 Woodlands MRT)Woodlands Avenue 3 (NS8 Marsiling MRT)Woodlands CheckpointFrom Changi Airport: Daily: 06:50 – 23:50From Kotaraya: Daily: 05:00 – 22:00S$3 – S$7 (in Singapore)RM7 (in JB)Only cash is acceptedRefer to websiteTranstar Express TS8 Resorts World Sentosa to Kotaraya II Terminal limited-stops via Outram Road (EW16/NE3 Outram Park MRT)Zion Road/Kim Seng RoadScotts Road/Paterson Road (NS22 Orchard MRT)Whitley RoadPIEBKEWoodlands CheckpointFrom Resorts World Sentosa: Mon-Sat: 08:00 – 00:00Sun & PH: 09:00 – 00:00From Kotaraya: Mon-Sat: 05:45 – 21:45Sun & PH: 06:45 – 21:45S$3 – S$5 (in Singapore)RM5 (in JB)Only cash is acceptedRefer to websiteCompass Coaches Marina Bay Sands to Tune Hotel Danga Bay non-stop via Woodlands CheckpointFrom Marina Bay Sands: Daily: 09:00, 12:00, 20:00, 23:00From Tune Hotel Danga Bay: Daily: 07:30, 10:30, 13:30, 21:30Refer to website. 2) Singapore Cross-Border Taxis to Johor Bahru Ban San St. Taxi Kiosk, Singapore 911832 5 mins walk from Bugis MRT station. Travel in groups of 4 and pay $48 to reach the terminal. The man and I decided to opt for the easy way out and requested to head straight to the lighting mall at $55. They do sell LED downlights, T5 lightings and other lights as well but since I have already bought my lights from taobao, I decided that we should only buy our fans there. Here are the long awaited loots. Elmark aeronamics - 23 56" DC Motor Ceiling fan in white for our living room. A good substitue for the haiku fan. **Tip: Remember to request for the shorter rod (5") and also whether you are going to fix it up on the ceiling directly (ask for cement bracket) or the false ceiling bracket. Also bargain somemore even though the prices stated there are already very cheap. Chose my Vento Fino version 2 for the kitchen in Mahogony. The maple oak colour is nice but more suited for Scandinavian style. We are going for a more brownish overlook so it did not really fit into the theme we had in mind. Also managed to buy our storage heater over there. We bought the Joven 25L for RM500. Total expenditure: approximate RM3000, which is approximately sgd $1200 for all three items!! Satisfaction: PRICELESS.

Hi Countryglow, Maybe you can get your ID to customize one for you? Especially since they are good at french theme. For my ID, I am only getting them to do cornices (A must for any french theme) and the rest of the furnitures I am getting those ready made ones because I am not confident whether they can deliver to the exact theme that I want for the MBR. Buying furnitures from taobao will be flat packed and we will have to assemble the furnitures ourselves. The man and I are still thinking of paying $$ to the carpenters to save us trouble of figuring out how to fix them up Here are some links that you may be interested in for french styled glass cabinets: http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.1.zWFTBn&id=23439108189&ad_id=&am_id=&cm_id=140105335569ed55e27b&pm_id=&abbucket=15 http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a220o.1000855.1998025129.1.teKcbE&id=18109965084&abbucket=_AB-M32_B6&rn=&acm=03054.1003.1.131089&uuid=YwbEHzDI_an/FDFIDpBkCAa%20c3dZfkZHd&abtest=_AB-LR32-PV32_895&scm=1003.1.03054.ITEM_18109965084_131089&pos=1 Buying through Peeka is more for convenience cos they will follow up and really do their job well in checking for any defects before shipping them over to us. It is easy to follow up on them as well. Any top ups, they will inform you accordingly. You should start your t-blog thread once you received your keys! Really looking forward to seeing more of topaz residents posting in this forum. Haha.

Hi MelanieTan, Sorry to hear about your bad encounter. I have read ample topics which asked us not to give any deposit to the ID firms/contractor before we decided to sign with them. I guess they enticed you to put a downpayment so that they can churn out the 3D you wanted. I wouldn't say R&R is good yet, because my renovation has not yet started. Will give a fairer assessment once everything is done. But given that I paid a premium for their service, and considering that it is on the higher end company, I expect more from them. End of the day, I just want a fuss free reno because the man and I aren't the very free type who can keep going down to do spot checks. You can paint over the bombshelter door so that it sort of camouflage into the house. It doesn't protrude, not to worry. As for the ugly, round ventilation cap, I have seen someone showing pics of what their ID had done in the topaz group and I am impressed!! So you can show this to your ID and see what he/she can do: Left: ugly metal piece Right: problem solved!

Hi CountryGlow, It's always nice to know that I have neighbours here in renotalk!! I guess I am one of the earlier batch to receive my keys, staying at 260C. I'm glad we still can do something about the kitchen entrance after all. I don't like stuffs blocking my way when I am walking through, so I did not bother with a "buffer" zone to block the view from the main door. There was another idea which is to install a half shoe cabinet and the other side seattee that could act as your dining chair for privacy too. Rather feasible. My privacy is to close the main door. Hahaha! Country style seems interesting. I have seen very classy country french houses done up by some of the t-blogs. Their ID pasted frames across the walls and I think they look absolutely beautiful. One thing we have in common is the amount of wallpapers we are going to have in our house. I guess wallpaper can last up to 10 years, which is the same amount of time any house should repaint in order for a face lift. Just keep the joint lines away from the aircon and pray that everything will turn out well. The wallpaper that I am getting from taobao according to the seller is a supreme grade so I hope that it won't be easily faded or whatsoever. Will update again on the quality when the shipment reaches! I agree taobao market is limited to ppl who aren't proficient in Chinese. But you can try going to our neighbouring country for lightings too I am going over there during the weekend in hopes that I can shack a good deal for their fans. I'm so excited because they do carry the brands that I want and hearsay that they are half priced too, even after the 7% tax. This would mean I can have more funds to buy more useless stuffs from everywhere else.

Counting down the days for collection of keys. 5 more days to go!! Hopefully my unit won't have too much rectifications needed. *cross fingers* My taobao items will be delayed because I am pre-ordering the french wallpaper, only paid down payment and awaiting for the seller to close the preorder in a few days time before shipping it over to peeka's warehouse. Therefore, I think I will only receive the items on end nov or early dec.. In the mean time, I have started sourcing for window grilles manufacturer. Anyone used pang giap before? Seems like they are the only ones who have the slim grilles in Singapore. Not considering invisgrilles because they can be cut and it is hard to close/open the windows with the permanent fixture. Looks like this. I'm won over by the slim-ness of the grilles. Fans are also in my consideration at the same time but I don't understand why those that I love are the crazily expensive range, namely haiku for the living room. Also, I am eyeing the vento fino 2, because the mini fan is so cute and totally suit the small area in the kitchen as I will tend to sweat like mad if I cook in kitchen. But hor, a bit hard to open my mouth to tell the man that I want them cos I don't know how to justify the price.

Hi, I am interested in haiku fan and vento fino 13/vento fino16 fan. Please PM me the prices! Thank you~

Hi, can PM price for haiku fans & vento fino version 1 (13), vento fino version 2 (16) as well as your catalogue? Thank you.

Haha, I can be a demanding wife and I can say the man spoil me rotten by letting me have my way most of the time. Taobao is a like a heaven for most of us undergoing the reno process so you are not alone, I am guilty of overshopping in taobao too. I have made the purchase of 40 items (1st batch) and my 2nd batch already contains 50 items (looking to add more actually ). Overall, I think the pros outweighs the cons by a lot and we all can manage to save on this aspect so that we can splurge on other much needed necessities. My second batch I am looking to order around that time as I would have collected my keys and sea shipment usually takes around 1 month plus to reach. So can see if I can take advantage of any cheaper items that are in my cart that may be on sale! What about you?

Sharing some of the purchases that I have taobao-ed so far but not yet arrived. I did my own sourcing, but the main criteria to online shop is to always check out the seller ranking and the feedback on the items by other customers. Like all the others, I will only give the links here and review them after I have receive them physically. This is to ensure that that the item is really good to use. Don't want to intro bad stuffs to you all also at the same time. Nonetheless, if you die die want the link and cannot wait, drop me a PM. For my living room & dining room area, I bought these items: Mainly downlights and track lights for the corridor. I also managed to source for the exact same light shown in the inspiration photo. The man and I love this light and couldn't find it anywhere at first. Taobao rocks. The floral spotlight is for our shoe cabinet. Also decided to get our coffee table and dining table in this design. Both which will only be purchased as the second batch. First batch mainly consists of lightings, basins and taps etc. Moving on to the next area, our kitchen! The light is kind of artistic right? My first choice was OOS, and I managed to find this as a replacement light. But this light kind of grew on me and I love it more than the first choice now. Got the popular sellena sink, drainer and tap as well, heard of the recent rust problems and I am going to get the SS stain spray to ensure that this sink will be good to go in time to come. I am also looking forward to have a pull out larder installed for my canned food. Told the man this is a must and I refuse to budge on it. Heh heh. Also, as our recess area in the kitchen is all fixed with spray glass, we do not wish to risk drilling into it and breaking the glass, hence I managed to find these suctioned handle to be used to hang all the utensils to dry. The eubiq track is a recent purchase in a expo sale. We bought the 1000mm SH1 track, was given 5 TLH4 adapters and a lamp. It comes with free kitchen rack for a deal of $399, cash and carry. Next, I will be touching on my common bathroom area, something that I have not been talking about. Mainly because I am keeping the tiles that HDB has given me. I am glad that it is in the shade of blue mosiac tiles, because I want it to be of a sea theme, not really the nautical theme but think of seashells, mermaid and the ocean. Gonna have the same rainshower and spraygun set for my MBR bathroom. Wanted something to stand out as a feature in the common bathroom, so we decided to go for a stand alone basin. The mirror and light is also meant to be matchy with the blue mosiac tiles. Last but not least, I will go on to my MBR area, because it is my favourite and I am biased towards it. Lol, I can talk about it forever but I don't wish to bore you guys with the details. So hopefully the pictures will do the talking. After browsing through zillions of french furnitures, the man still think that majority of the furnitures are very ugly. The man have higher and stricter standards as compared to me so after viewing like 23143 pages, I finally came across this set of vanity table with matchy side table. I loved it and showed it to him and he reply,"美!" Meant beautiful in chinese, thus there we have it, our confirmed set of furniture we will buy for batch 2. The smaller french looking light will be placed on top of the bed and the chandelier, obviously in the vanity table. I have also showed a brief preview of what my wallpaper is going to be for the MBR if you can spot it. Also shown in the picture are our bedside lamps and atas looking tissue box (a must for the man cos he is always sneezing). Lastly, the pair of angel decoration that I have to have. Had to before the man gave the green light for this. I simply love it, it completes the french MBR to a perfection level. There are still many stuffs that I have placed for order but simply too many to share so they can be reserve for future posts. The agent I am using is peeka. I know they are not the cheapest, but they are also the best at repackaging and ensuring that the items do not break, i.e. inspection in the warehouse. Thus, it is like buying extra security.

Thank you for the advice, I will rmb to wipe it after washing. I saw the Baron brand online but not sure if the flushing power is any good? I am looking for those one tick ones. So that one flush and everything will be gone. Haha!

I went to Heritage some time back to source for my black WC, there are a few in the market but really very little choices lor. Just awaiting for key collection now so that I know what kind of WC I can buy given the limited WC S trap size HDB has. Need to measure first before knowing if the WC can fit. Haha, I don't mind the design actually. Been wanting to do a swing bathroom door since day 1 but the cost deterred us. Now we have a reason to do it.

Sorry to hear that your ID is so irresponsible! I don't think he can withdraw the discount just like that, and we can always take the item out of the quote should we find another cheaper alternative? Try to withhold any balance payment till your house is almost completed and then try CASE.

This is my finalized quotation. However, please understand that I am unable to provide the breakdown cost of each and every item. Demolition Works Common Bathroom Area 1) Labour to dismantle existing sink @ common bathroom area. Kitchen Area 1) Labour to hack existing (est L2.5ft) full ht wall @ kitchen entrance area. Bedroom 2 Area 1) Labour to dismantle existing door & door frame @ bedroom 2 entrance area. 2) Labour to hack existing (est L3.5ft) full ht wall @ bedroom 2 area. Master Bathroom Area 1) Labour to dismantle existing sink @ master bathroom area. Carpentry Works Foyer/Dining/Living Area 1) To design & install (est L6.5ft) full ht casement door shoe cabinet c/w big open niche using solid-ply laminate with internal polygen finishing @ foyer area. 2) To design & install (est L6ft) low ht settee c/w flip up storage using solid-ply laminate with internal polygen finishing @ dining area. 3) To design & install (est L6ft) half ht settee backing c/w selected P.U leather cushion using solid-ply laminate finishing @ dining settee area. 4) To design & install (est L6ft) half ht tinted mirror @ above dining settee area. 5) To design & install (est L2400mm x H1500mm) half ht TV feature wall using solid-ply wood with craft stone finishing @ living area. 6) To design & install (est L7ft) suspended TV console c/w flip down doors using solid-ply laminate with internal polygen finishing @ living area. 7) To supply & install (est L10ft) full ht false wall using gypsum board partition finishing @ living area. Kitchen/Service Yard Area 1) To patch & make good all damaged areas after hacking @ kitchen area. 2) To supply & construct (est L6ft) half ht concrete wall using hollow block finish @ kitchen area. 3) To supply & construct concrete kitchen cabinet base,fridge base,washing machine base c/w tiles finishing @ kitchen area. 4) To design & install (est L30ft) top & bottom cabinet using solid-ply laminate with internal polygen finishing @ kitchen area. * Blum anti-slam drawer runner tracks (For 3 nos of drawers) FOC * Blum anti-slam hinges (For all casement doors) FOC * Blum HK anti-slam overlift system (1 no) FOC * Stainless steel dish drainer(1 no) FOC * Installation (only) for hood & hob FOC 5) To design & install (est L2ft) full ht tall larder using solid-ply laminate with internal polygen finishing @ kitchen area. 6) To supply & install (est L13.5ft) selected granite surface top @ bottom kitchen cabinet area.(20 mm profile) 7) To supply & install (est L13.5ft) spray paint glass backing @ between top & bottom kitchen cabinet recess wall area. 8) To supply & install (est L6ft) half ht (10 mm) tempered clear glass fixed panel @ half ht wall area. 9) To supply & install 1 no of (10 mm) tempered clear glass swing door @ kitchen entrance area. Common Bathroom Area 1) To supply & construct 1 no of shower kerb c/w tiles finishing @ common bathroom area. 2) To supply & install 1 no of (10 mm) tempered clear glass fixed panel @ common bathroom shower area. 3) To design & install (est L2ft) top hung casement door storage cabinet using solid-ply laminate with internal polygen Bedroom 3 Area 1) To design & install (est L5.5ft) full ht sliding door wardrobe using solid-ply laminate with internal polygen finishing Bedroom 2/Master Bedroom Area 1) To patch & make good to all damaged areas after hacking @ between bedroom 2 and master bedroom area. 2) To seal up existing door way using plaster board partition finishing @ bedroom 2 entrance area. 3) To design & install (est L16ft) full ht sliding door wardrobe using solid-ply laminate with internal polygen finishing @ bedroom 2. 4) To design & install (est L9ft) half ht study desk c/w drawer units using solid-ply laminate with internal polygen finishing @ bedroom 2. 5) To design & install 2 nos of (est L2ft) suspended wooden ledge using solid-ply laminate finishing @ bedroom 2. 6) To supply & install 1 no of (10 mm) tempered clear glass sliding door c/w top hung track mechanism @ bedroom 2. Master Bedroom Bathroom Area 1) To supply & overlay selected homogeneous wall tiles @ master bathroom area.(Gloss/Matt Finished, 300mm x 600mm @ $3 psf) 2) To supply & construct 1 no of shower kerb c/w tiles finishing @ master bathroom area. 3) To design & install (est L2.5ft) suspended casement door vanity cabinet using solid-ply laminate with internal polygen. 4) To supply & install (est L2.5ft) selected granite surface top @ vanity cabinet top area. 5) To design & install (est L4.5ft) top hung casement door mirror box using solid-ply laminate with internal polygen finishing. 6) To supply & install 1 no (10 mm) tempered clear glass fixed panel @ master bathroom shower area. --> needs to be changed Ceiling & Painting Works 1) To design & install false ceiling c/w recess cove lighting effect using plaster board partition finishing @ foyer/dining/living 2) To design & install cornices using plaster board partition finishing @ master bedroom area. 3) To supply & paint whole house walls,ceilings,pipings & door/door frames using ICI/NIPPON paint.(Vinilex 5000) Plumbering Works 1) To install 1 no of kitchen sink.(Sink fittings provided by owner) 2) To install 1 no of storage heater.(Storage heater provided by owner) 3) To install sink, handspray & bathroom accessories @ common bathroom area.(Fittings provided by owner) 4) To install sink,handspray & bathroom accessories @ master bathroom area.(Fittings provided by owner) M.I.S.C 1) To supply & lay corrugated protection paper @ all working areas. 2) Labour to provide general cleaning & washing. 3) Labour to provide haulage and clearing of debris / Uploading and downloading of materials. Professional services 1) Design Consultation 2) Space Planning 3) 3D Perspective & Detail Drawings 4) Material & Colour Proposal 5) Project Management 6) Site Supervision

I got stalk your t-blog, your house is simple but also very nice! Exactly the kind of theme I want for my bedroom 3. Hope that you will have a smooth reno as well.

I am actually the one who demanded for the black WC as I wanted a classy black and red theme for the toilet. I don't think the tiles will make a big difference to the bathroom size cos our bathroom is already pathetically small. Haha! My MBR bathroom did not have the fugly window above the toilet bowl but it was exactly like how my ID had predicted the window to be. There was a big hooha about the designer of the project being stupiak for not doing it that way though.. as the showerhead is being placed in the opp side of the WC and we can't do a shower screen only as this will block the entrance. We will have to have a full swing glass door and this is how I could still have my big storage mirror there. I am getting my keys in nov too! Just that it is early nov~ Hope to see you start up your t-blog soon so that we can all exchange reno tips.

So envious of the amount of space you have. New bto is like a pigeon hole as compared to the old ones. Keep the updates coming!

My personal favourite - our MBR, Not going to have the fan, instead another small french style light would replace its space. Reason being, our bed is actually quite tall, so we are scared that the ceiling fan will chop off people's heads accidentally plus we are going to have aircon installed anyways. WIW + study area, to be matchy with the french theme with usage of whites, cream beige and some contrasting colour for the table top. Our MBR toilet. I know it is actually very drastic change but actually got link one lah. I am going to put red roses in the bedroom so this red roses and black toilet would be matchy with the french theme bedroom as well. Also, managed to source for rose tap and basins. My ID again showed her talent by suggesting the laminate for the cupboard under the basin to be of the dark rose design. It is so chio I can't even... Also going to overlay the wall tiles with this tiles that I seen in one of their showrooms. It was love at first sight for both the man and me again. So as you all can see, I love themes to a drastic level. So our house is swinging from one extreme to the other, but I still love them very much. We are trying to keep an area to its unique theme, like the living room + kitchen and service yard - resort spa feel. MBR + WIW room - french style etc. To me, having a single theme would be kinda boring and overbearing but that is just me. The man and I even joked that we have the perfect showroom for our ID to showcase to their future customers cos can show so many different themes all at once. LOL! I am feeling so excited about this as the time to collect our keys are near.

This post will be all about the 3D images that I have gotten from my ID, I would say it is about 80% of what the final product would look like because we are still making some changes! In order to make sure that the design we will be getting will be 耐看, I have spent a long time looking at it to ensure that I will really like this in years to come. Living room, I am super insistent on having the craft stone as feature wall in the living room. When I was still young, I remember falling in love in it when I saw it in some of the bungalows' feature and thought that if I have to have a house in the future, I die also have to do it. Foyer Area. Carpentry would include the shoe cabinet with a box carved out in the middle portion so that I can sit there to wear my shoes. Also worth a mention is the dining table settee that we are doing to save some walking space. We changed the layout of the kitchen entrance so that nothing would be blocking it. My ID was the one who suggested that we should use glass for a partially see through kitchen, aka ding tai feng style. The man and I liked the idea so here it is. The big mirror behind the settee area will be tinted bronze to fit in to the rest of the theme. Brown Kitchen. Thinking of changing the black spray glass into white instead. Green Kitchen that we have decided to drop. Bedroom 3. Actually only doing up the wardrobe at the side but the ID is kind enough to provide an entire 3D for this room as well. I am intending to change it to white with black frames. Changing this to a black and white theme room! Perhaps with some grey to make it less harsh as well. We initially wanted to shift this ikea hemnes day bed that was currently placed in the man's room but decided not to for now but our kind ID photoshopped everything in so that we can better visualize it. In fact, I sent her a powerpoint stating the furniture and lighting we are intending to buy so that the 3D will look as realistic as possible. (To be continued...)

Thank you for the sweet replies. After much discussion, the man and I decided to just stick to the white and brown theme for the kitchen especially so that it will look more consistent like what ma5quer mentioned. Nevertheless, we will have some green in the service yard. Still brewing in the process I guess. Most of the time, I am the one looking through Taobao and deciding the stuff to buy and then go through once or twice with the man. I guess he really let me make the decisions on what to buy since we have rather similar taste on what is nice to us and what isn't. Plus I suspect it is because he is lazy to go and source for them. Lol. Not easy to find the perfect one given so many options anyway. Meanwhile, we have made another big ticket purchase - Our sofa! We went for the gracious living exhibition @ Singapore Expo to look around for a sofa. Our requirements are: 1) Comfy. I am a sucker for plushy sofa. ​2) Aesthetically nice, don't look too bulky. 3) L shape with Ergonomically inclined Leg Rest (optional) Our budget was around 2.5k for a full leather one. But we still exceeded the budget because the man can tell the difference between the lower end leather feel and higher range ones. Really is 一分钱一分货... In the end, we decided to just give in to our wants and bite the bullet to purchase it. Our 2.8m sofa. Scratch proof, stain proof and fitted with latex so that it won't be too warm on a warm day. The price they gave to us is the same as their 2.5m one. So it is like a free upgrade. The two short sofa are equipped with ergonomically inclined Leg Rest. Technically we do not know if it is a good deal or not because it still exceeded our budget for the sofa. The colour of the leather we chose is taupe, colour not really true to this picture, with dark brown trimmings, not really obvious because it only covers a tiny part of the sofa. This is so that the sofa can blend into the woody feel we are trying to create. I have not told my ID about all these purchases yet. Hope that she will not have too much of a headache. Hahaha.

Hi, Could you pls pm me prices for the following items. 1) Rinnai hob RB-3Si 2) Fujioh FX900 or any slimmer, newer fujioh hood (non-chimney kind). Also how many years of warranty does these come with? Thanks a lot.

The man and I have been toying with the idea of having a green kitchen, also because it blends with the natural greenery feel, with a slight European touch. However, it has been such a dilemma between a quirky green kitchen or just stick to the safe, brown kitchen. Simply cannot make up my mind. The man is more for the green kitchen but I still have my doubts. I have share some pictures that I scoured over the net for inspiration for the kitchen. White cabinets with some splashes of green and black graphite. White with brown theme, similar to the living room theme. Which one of them is the nicer one?

kwoni: Their quote is on the high side as compared to many of the quotes here. The original quote for my house reno is 47k but after many many rounds of special discount, it has been greatly reduced. Also, because we agreed to be their show flat after, so I guess that kind of offset the entire cost. Hopefully the reno workmanship will be super good since they want us to be their show flat right? Cannot be show bad quality stuff. Hahaha. ma5quer: The man wanted to retain the room so that won't have much hacking, so in actual fact, we only switched the door positioning into our MBR. I have too many clothes seriously so I need the wardrobe space! Even with my 16ft L shape wardrobe I doubt I have enough. So there is no way I can squeeze my clothes into a wardrobe that is built into the MBR itself. FeliciaChua: For mine the next owner just have to accept it, hack the cupboards and change back the entrance of the door. Or they can use it as a private study room anyways. But I intend to stay 10 years minimum. So already get back the value bah. Sure, looking forward to seeing more reno posts, can serve as a guidance for me as well! Jabbethehutt: Only the man and me are intending to stay in the house, so we just wanted comfortable living for now. We also built a desk area next to the WIW so that my man can do his gaming whereas I do my online shopping there. So it is a 2-in-1 room. Quite ideal IMO. The spare room can be our guest/future baby room.

diva79: I also wanted a half glass wall MBR bathroom initially but was told that if I hack the walls then the warranty for HDB will be void. So this "fish tank" idea will be incorporated to the kitchen area instead. Thanks for the warm welcome btw!