zihui

No need to panic. Maybe I was the only one who faced all these issues because Peeka kept coming back to us to ensure that the size of the basin is correct, to inform us that the LED downlights were OOS, then the replacement ones that I ordered were OOS once again, so had to find a 3rd seller to buy from. For all you know, all of the items that you ordered are readily available and they have super prompt delivery to the China receiving centre? However, even if the items can all be shipped out by next week, the vessel shipment lead time from China to Singapore is approximately 2 weeks (depending on weather) - unless you opted for express delivery / air freight.

That's not true - I saw your photos and am happy to see the progress in your renovations! But if you just submitted your TB list yesterday, that means it'll be almost 4-6 weeks before the items arrive.... did you go for express / economy delivery? Which shipping agent are you using? Personally I used Peeka (economy delivery). Don't forget that after submitting your shopping list yesterday, they still need to query and clarify the exact items + description that you need to buy, collect the deposit from you, place the orders, inform you about the OOS items (especially if the items you bought are on timed sales) etc, wait for the items to arrive at their China collection centre, inspect the goods, re-pack them and then they can finally ship out. Shipment lead time from China to S'pore is approximately 2 weeks. I just logged into my Peeka account and checked my history - maybe we're notorious procrastinators but we initially submitted our shopping list to Peeka on the 8th of Sept. It took until the 27th of Sept for the items to be shipped out from China to S'pore... we're still waiting for the arrival. However it's our fault - not theirs. Many of the items that we bought required clarification (in terms of size, color, price etc) and some of the items we bought (particularly LED downlights) went OOS all the time.

Great to see the progress at your place!! Looking foward to seeing more photos soon

JT's Daily Update (9th Oct '13): It's been a generally busy couple of days. Yesterday, the electrical guy came over the run the electrical wiring, which is why you'll see wires dangling all over the entire house right now. Tendrils of electrical wiring - In addition to the electrical wiring being run, the scaffolding for the false ceiling is also up as well. Here's the scaffolding for the MBR - In addition to that, the workers have put in place the tracks and the frame for the balcony's sliding door. However, the glass panels aren't installed as yet as JT is worried that one of the workers might break it by accident. Not sure if you can see it but the white frame is up - Tilers have also started with the wall tiling. Here's a close up of the selected wall tiles for the balcony - Wonder how long more it'll take for my TB purchases to finally arrive in Singapore... they've been shipped since the 27th of Sept which means in theory, the cargo should be arriving in Singapore by the end of this week or next week... ... The electrical guy keeps hounding me for the required lights for him to install

Hi verre, PM sent! Hope the info helps!

Hi cookiegal, I'm also looking for this. Do you mind sharing with me via pm which supplier you got this from, the system as well as the price? Many thanks in advance!!

JT's Daily Updates cont'd: In addition to the MBR toilet, tiling is taking place in other parts of the house as well. In contrast to the MBR toilet, we're having a simpler looking 2nd floor common toilet - Close up of the selected wall tiles for the common toilet - Tiling going on in the kitchen - As well as the balcony - As you can see from the selected tiles, we're going for base colors in general all over the place. Lots of black, white, shades of grey (preferably 40 different shades *wink*), cream and brown. This morning, the nice Starhub technicians came down to the place to set up the modem and router. We now have WiFi in the house - something that the HTB cannot live without!!

JT's Daily Update (7th Oct '13) And the tiling continues - Master Bedroom Toilet: Initially, we were planning on using mosaic tiles to further accentuate the design of the 2nd floor common toilet. However, JT has informed us that it'll end up looking too messy. Therefore, he sketched out a new idea for us and lay out the mosaic tiles in the MBR toilet instead. After quick consultations with the HTB (managed to catch hold of him before he boards a plane to Phnom Penh), we've decided to go with Jt's recommendations instead - Close up of the mosaic tiles in question - This is a mock up of what the MBR toilet's shower area will look like with the mosaic tiles laid - Close up of the MBR shower area:

I know! What's more if you factor in the price, this purchase was a no-brainer. Taka is even providing us with free delivery of all the purchased items. Awesome!

Been feeling extremely under the weather of late so decided to take a mini-break from the renovation process while I get back to speed with work and other items that require my immediate attention. But we still found time to head down to the Takashimaya Anniversary sale over the weekend (Additional 10% for Taka members / Taka credit card holders? WOOT WOOT~~!) and setttled the purchase of our cookware! Initially considered this WMF package - But a quick check online turned up numerous reviews which said that if you're cooking over gas, the stainless steel handles get extremely hot and uncomfortable. This was something that was reluctantly confirmed by the Taka staff so we decided to skip this purchase. Instead, we got the following: 1) La Gourmet Thermal Cooker (my mother swears by this) 2) Happycall Ceramic pot & saucepan in PINK! 3) Tefal chinese wok & frying pan On a sidenote - I spotted this ADORABLE table lamp but we didn't get it in the end *sad*

Don't worry, my budget is already burst with all the things that I keep adding in hahahhahaha

hahahahahahahaha i burst out laughing when i saw your last comment. I actually work for the FMCG company that produces Mama Lemon and will be sure to feedback the customer response to our marketing & product team.

Hi soonliew, actually a 60K budget for an EM (inclusive of hacking on both floor, re-wiring of the unit etc) is already very reasonable. Vanessa's right - due to my budget constraints, there were many expectations that had to be tempered but the re-wiring of the unit was something that we could not possibly scrimp on due to the age of our estate.

JT's Daily Update (2nd Oct '13) And today, the tiling has finally begun! They started with the MBR bathroom so without further ado, quick photo updates! 1) The tiler hard at work (looking quite fit while he's at it): 2) The bathroom wall is finally taking shape! Here's a close up of the selected wall tiles and how they look - Pity I can't go down tonight to check it out but I've got a ton of errands to run. Really looking forward to going down tomorrow evening - there should be even more done by then! *excited*

I agree! Pics required! But it's nice to hear that the progress at your place is good!

It really depends - the contractor keeps saying that it can be done but we've repeatedly told him not to overstretch himself. we're not in THAT much of a hurry. Certainly don't want to sacrifice quality for speed.

They're going to have a Home Improvement Program for our estate. The problem is, I spoke to the HDB and they can't be certain when it'll be carried out - it could happen anytime within these 3 years. So after looking at the current state of our toilets, we decided to do them up ourselves and then opt out of the HIP when the time comes

The flooring looks quite decent, soonliew! I guess you can save some money there - are you planning on hacking the flooring?

Hi potatoes! havn't chatted with you in ages - how's everything? Thanks for stopping by! It's tiling day today so naturally, i'm bouncing! hahhahahha

I agree with soonliew - more photos of the process! I know exactly what you mean about living close to family. right now, my HTB's family lives in a HDB block where there are only 4 units on their floor. His family takes up one unit while his grandmother takes up another unit on the same floor. The other 2 units are owned by old folks - this is in a very good neighbourhood too. So when it came time for us to start with our househunting, the first thing the HTB's mother did was to go to the 2 neighbours (non related) and ask them if they had any plans to sell their units anytime soon. hahahhhaha The HTB and his brother still fantasize about buying over those 2 remaining units and then the entire floor will be theirs! haahahhahahhaa

Wow, you really buy a LOT of stuff from taobao! Thanks for sharing!

honestly... i don't think the hubs watches Nigella Lawson for the recipes hahahahahaahhaa oh and you're right - he hates kylie kwong. hahhahaa have to ask him what he hates about KK - is it the accent, the clothes or her face in general

*roll eyes* you have to ask the HTB he was very specific with the decal guy which names he wants in larger fonts he seriously likes Nigella Lawson... i personally am not too impressed with her but oh well, somebody is obviously into foodporn

JT's Daily Update (1st Oct '13) According to JT, apart from OpenNet, the other main item today was the fact that the tilers were all busy doing the bedding screed in preparation for tomorrow's laying of floor tiles Here's a quick pic of the poor tiler in action: Will be heading down to the unit after work today to check on the delivered items and to see the progress for ourselves. Yay!!

No problem, Vanessa. Looks like we'll have to source for wine after the dust settles and we finally move in! *grin*