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Here's the other purchases that we've confirmed with delivery to be done only after we move in: 1) Samsung Fridge RT54QBSL ($749) 2) Samsung Top-load washing machine WA-95W9MIC ($269) 3) First housewarming gift - Samsung microwave oven (we felt too paiseh to go check out the price)

We are the most kancheong people around. Our first appointment with HDB is only on the 2nd of August. Second appointment is targetted to be the 12th - 14th of Sept The reno hasn't even started and we've already started buying and ordering electrical appliances we went to the Electronics Fair @ Expo last weekend and ended ordering our fridge and washing machine to be delivered after our reno is completed. Photos of the purchases to follow shortly. But on the plus side, we were there with friends and one of them bought us a gorgeous Microwave Oven (to be delivered with our other purchases) as a housewarming present. Not bad - havn't even signed any documents and we've gotten our first housewarming gift! We also bought a Toshiba LED TV which we intend to place in the MBR. Ironically, as this was a cash and carry item ($689), we had to collect it on the spot so it's currently sitting in my HTB's place and won't be utilized until we move in. There shouldn't be any problems with the TV if we don't turn it on for 3 months or so, right? Here's a photo of the very satisfied HTB posing with the first purchase for our new house!

Thanks for the solid advice, cloudsabove... that's exactly what my HTB said as well. If I remember correctly, his exact words last night were, "You might as well buy me diapers to wear at home because if I'm watching TV in the living room, I'm not going to run upstairs in the middle of a horror movie just to use the toilet" or something to that effect That's very good advice and I'll be sure to consider it carefully... actually my HTB said the same thing as you. He said that we can find a way to either cover up the washing machine or to camouflage it properly. Unfortunately, we've already placed a deposit on a top-load washing machine.... Here's another picture of the kitchen. The sellers put 2 fridges side by side, followed by a washing machine:

The open kichen looks good! it's going to be an exciting journey, watching the transformation slowly unfold

hahahaha Welcome to the maisonette owners' club! maybe we should open up a 'West side' sub club for those who stay in the west like yourself, 3Dyms etc my only question is will I be allowed in the club since mine is a 5 Rm Maisonette and not an Executive Maisonette

hahahaha i burst out laughing when i read your comment about asking their future bfs to help out

Congrats on the start of your reno!!! Remember to chronicle the process - so excited to see how it comes along!

All the best for your upcoming reno, tangie! I look forward to watching the magic unfold!

Hi summersann, thank you for the warm welcome! (PS Yes, I know how to use the multi-quote function but everyone has been so friendly that i wanted to respond to each and every one of you personally) you're absolutely correct. actually, the bathrooms are a huge source of headache for us. We definitely need to overhaul all the toilets. Problem here is that we have 3 toilets (one in the MBR, another on the 2nd floor and one on the ground floor) With regards to the toilet on the ground floor, according to the previous owner, it was actually a wash area. They decided to convert it to a common bathroom. Now my HTB and I are in debates as to whether or not we should convert it back into a wash area. For me, I'm in favor of converting the ground floor toilet (located in the kitchen) back into my dry washing bay where I can put my washing machine and dryer. My HTB insists that we should have a toilet for guests to use on the ground floor as it doesn't make sense for them to run up the stairs to use the common bathroom whenever they need to use the loo What do you think?

Hello potatoes! *waves enthusiastically* I've taken your advice and started my own t-Blog hahahahahhaa I know! To be frank, your t-Blog was (and still is) a HUGE source of inspiration for me. Even though I've read it from start to finish, I still refer to it so often!! And please don't be so humble - you may have started wanting something 'simple and nothing fantastic... just wanted a decent and cosy home' but you've DEFINITELY managed to achieve wonders considering your budget! If we manage to obtain the kind of results that you did, we'll be THRILLED

Thanks cloudsabove! For this place, only the 2 of us will be staying in it Actually, we're realistic people. We know that with the kind of budget that we're operating with, we need to be practical and target the key areas first thankfully after numerous discussions with my HTB and the contractor (his uncle), we have all reached a decision - the marble flooring on the ground floor may be dated but it's still in reasonably good condition. Therefore we will give it a good, professional polishing and then retain it. No hacking to be done to the living room!

Thanks again 3Dyms! One thing you're definitely right about - reno talkers give outstanding advice and everyone is so welcoming and friendly!! the problem here is that we have different ideas on what the important parts are hahahaha however, we understand the limitations of our situation so we're going to have to really prioritize certain portions of the renovation If we can't make magically transform this into our dream home, then we'll have to slowly finetune it as we go along! *beam*

Hi mrmerry, you are absolutely correct! we won't be using an ID in order to save costs. Instead, we'll be using my fiance's contractor uncle who has cleared his entire schedule to make sure that he can oversee his crew during this crucial period to deliver the house by early November so that we can move in after our wedding. Buying a house, planning a wedding all at the same time on a shoestring budget - hence the title of my t-blog!

Congrats annastans! the entire place looks absolutely droolsome and like what 3Dyms said, your marble flooring is.... wow. speechless

4) The ground floor toilet 5) The 2nd floor toilet 6) The storage unit created by the current owners under the staircase

Thanks for the good wishes cleong... I understand the enormity of the task at hand which is why I'm trying on a daily basis to lower my expectations. Every single cent counts now Thanks mark!

Some quick photos of the current state of the unit - 1) View from the front door (looking inside the unit) 2) The dining area 3) Kitchen Shot

After silently lurking here for ages, reading other people's t-Blogs and silently absorbing as much information as possible, it's finally time to take the plunge and set up my own t-Blog so that I can chronicle the entire renovation process. After settling all the other costs, we have a miniscule budget of only around $40K to do a major overhaul of the entire unit and another $10K for furniture and home appliances. Can we do up a dream home on our shoestring budget? Please refer to the title of my t-Blog. Nonetheless, we're going to give it our best shot and see if we can stretch our dollar to the max to come up something that closely resembles our dream home. First things first - the floor plan: WISH ME LUCK!!

OMG i seriously love this idea.... would you mind if i draw inspiration from you and did this for my upcoming reno? i've been thinking of what to do with my Ikea bookshelf and your idea is OUTSTANDING!

I agree with mishmish - the washer dryer area caught my eye too hee hee

Hi cjred, I'm a silent reader of your t-blog and I've been admiring how you've managed to overhaul the entire place into a neat, clean and practical unit with AMAZING little quirky touches here and there. Especially like the use of splashes of color here and there. But when i saw your larder unit, i can't help but to quote and give you a huge ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS and uber practical! $800 well spent!

Mission failed. We went over to IMM to walk around to get price estimates, scout for appliances as well as to get inspiration for the house design yesterday. everytime we came by designs / furniture that hints at the French cottage look, i would coo and drop obvious hints that these furniture pieces would look great in our new place. my HTB would then suddenly suffer from a case of temporary deafness actually, he's going to turn the balcony into his private smoking corner. i've banned him from smoking in the house, so the only place he can smoke at is the balcony (after closing the sliding door naturally). therefore he's going to do it up nicely and spend as much time there as possible. last night, i think i heard him mumble, "Bar counter at balcony.... bar counter at balcony..."

now i know for a fact that you're being too humble i've read your t-blog from start to finish and i'm amazed by what you've managed to do with your limited budget. frankly speaking, if i'm able to achieve similar results (considering the fact that our budget is similar to yours) after the reno process is complete, i'll be very happy. actually, the previous owner already converted the wash area into a small toilet on the ground floor. so we're going to keep it that way, just do up the tiles. unfortunately, quite a major overhaul of the entire unit is required. the previous owner didn't really take good care of the unit so now it's up to us to try and work magic within the confines of the budget

Hahahaha you're absolutely right if i let him have his way, the entire place will be nothing more than black, white and glass

hahahaha thanks for the kind words but please don't be so humble - i'm now an avid reader of your T-blog and it's GORGEOUS. now i'm off to scheme and think of ways to 'psycho' my HTB into agreeing that your design scheme is timeless and classic unfortunately, my HTB has already called dibs on the balcony. he intends to turn it into his private enclave where he can sit and relax after work. cheapo escapism hahahahaha