bykaraanne

Hey Freb! Thanks for sharing your reno journey so far. I'm really enjoying it. BTW, could you share with me how to appeal with HDB for the cement screeding? Asking on behalf of my kanchiong neighbours.

LOVE seeing 3Roomers here! Share more leh! haha Thanks for sharing btw!

My fourstar mattress fits perfectly into my IKEA bed frame though! haha!

Thanks for sharing! Enjoyed seeing your posts. Love your doors especially.

Because Photobucket decided to take away all the pictures from third-party hosting, these links will usually return no images. I've updated the thread with a 2015 post (during move in) and 2017 post (today), and update for 2 years living in the 3R and how everything held up. CONTENTS: Idea Organization using Evernote Contractors and Budget Theme and Highlights / Inspiration Bare House Furniture 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Electronics Lighting Chosen Tiles | Actual Tiles Air Con Installation (and the super slanted ceiling) IKEA Kitchen (scrapped) Custom Kitchen | Before Solid Top Master Toilet with Bathtub (Progress Shot) Painted! DURO Master Key System | Doors Taobao Buys | More! | And Some More! | And EVEN more! Amazon Buys | More! Gloria Solid Top Test Art Sinks MiscellaneousMove-in Review (after ~5 months)Kitchen drawer organization COMPLETED LOOK: Living Room Dining Area Entry and Foyer Area Kitchen Guest Bathroom Master Bathroom Master Bedroom Home Office Service Yard Bomb Shelter

Our home came much quicker than expected, cus I was 30 out of the units available and signed in April 2013, but we just got the HLE letter and saw that the fences have already been torn down. Apparently ours is the first block and it's only been a little more than two years (Nov 2012 BTO, though!). Anyhow, we chose a 3R because (1) We balloted for PLENTY of 4Rs and just didn't have the "luck" for it, so we thought maybe that's just not God's plan for now; (2) I was just starting a business then and we didn't want to carry debt. We are super young (23yo) and debt-free, and this house is quite low maintenance for us so we are quite happy with it! No plans for children but even if we have one it can take it. Haha! So I am quite excited to get the house going but we have a great place to live right now so we're not in a hurry to move. Having lived in an area that's surrounded by renovations / construction, I know how "vomit blood" it can be to clean it everyday. And I've heard stories from other RenoTalkers. But somehow, the people in my estate don't believe how hard it is to clean! Haha! We went down to see our block since it was unfenced (but stairs still sealed up, only got to go up to the carpark) and generally was happy with what I saw. Love the colors and placement of things, and love the way everything was built. Should be a happy 5 years (or more)! Starting with our floor plan: We are meeting 3 contractors next week, and probably a 1 - 2 more in the next few weeks. Met with an ID but I have such a clear vision of how I want everything to look in my head (I am a designer, albeit not interior designer, by trade) and the IDs really disappointed me and bombed us with ridiculous amounts like $44k even though I didn't need that much. London is my second home and holds a super important place in my heart. I've collected various London trinkets from our honeymoon and our longish trip this year, so I hope to bring a piece of it here. So many IDs keep interpreting it as "victorian" which isn't what I want, so hopefully the contractors can help me out! And this is also why our home will be "Little London" -- like Little India or Chinatown. Haha! Will update as time passes and link everything to a content post in the next post! Hope I can help fellow 3Roomers as we're SO hard to find but I personally love 3 Room transformations!

Jus wanted to say your house is GORGEOUS. I really enjoyed seeing every picture and I love how the theme flowed throughout, even in the spare bedroom. And the display in the living room? Out of this world!! Really awesome. One of the best homes I've seen in renotalk! enjoy!!

Your contractor's workmanship seems really good! I've been going about the forums and my friends' houses and am starting to learn how to tell LOL. And your ID's ideas are pretty great too, considering you had no ideas in mind previously! I would also love to know your ID's details. Just got my HLE letter last week. TFS!

Thanks for all your effort! I learned a lot from your T-Blog!! Will be sorry to see you "complete" your t-blog. xo

Thanks for the insightful PM!

Sorry about your cat!! I know how losing a pet feels. Also a 3Roomer here so excited to see what y'all cook up.

Firstly, I want to say, I LOVE YOUR T-BLOG! Seriously. So enjoyable yet so detailed. Thank you for taking the time to do something like this. I really appreciate it. Secondly, I wanna annoyingly ask you for the contact. I am getting my 3R BTO soon and want to do it up without any reno loan too. Your contractor seems perfect for me, so I want to find out for myself if we really are a good match. (Especially after getting quotes like $44k without electrical and with 1/4 of your carpentry -- seriously). Thank you! Have a wonderful week! (Meant to send you this in a PM but your box is full again. Sorry for the trouble and thank you in advance!).

I already have my own design! And I've had a few IDs look it over to see if it was "feasible", but have yet to find a contractor because they feel that it's far too early. (My block now already has windows up and painting completely done... My side of the carpark has also been done. But so far, no news from HDB yet. Does anyone know roughly how long it is between developer handing over for inspection (to HDB) and key release? Someone asked our developer and they said the first block (probably mine) will be handed over in June for inspection.

Hey DaddyWinter! I am a 3Roomer as well and hope to get your contact too. Thank you!

R&R quoted us an INSANE amount for my 3R. Even though we don't really have a budget, we were quite shocked because it didn't really include many things. Excited to see how yours progresses. I know their workmanship is good, but the price is just crazy!

YAY! So happy to see another 3Roomer. Excited to see how your house turns out. All the best!!

Thanks for all the responses!! My block just started painting works so I guess I better get going. I've went to Reno fairs just to take a look but haven't sat down with anyone for a quote. Going to start doing so! Thanks again!

Awesome home!! HUGE and endless potential. Have a blessed day, looking forward to see your renovation pan out

Hey guys, Just wanted to know, how soon do y'all start looking for a contractor for a new build? They are building the last level of our block of flats right now, usually, how long more does it take to key collection -- and when should I start looking (like, any milestone to take note of? When the painting is done or something else... etc.) Thank you in advance!

You are amazing!! And so fast. AND you're preggers!! I love what you did with the house - really maximized space for all of you! Congratulations!

Thank you, thank you for your reply! Genuinely grateful. Seems like the size is just nice. I was thinking no legs better, easier to clean underneath... Yours looks really nice and reasonable price too imo! Thank you!

Hey jeeppoo! Awesome home! I just wanted to know, how big is your tub (and if possible, where did you get it from & $, if not it's okay )? Been searching for a reasonable tub for my MBR toilet as well! Thank you!

Haha I'm sure it'll be worth its while and so much more! Hope you're having a better time now that things have gained momentum!

LOVE the curtains!! Super good job! Thank you for sharing. And your WIW?!?! To die for. Honestly! Super talented! I have been thinking of crown mouldings too, even though mine won't be a French-style home. I'm not really into the cove lightings stuff. So it's refreshing to see your home! I have never done this but - could you PM me your quote? Or maybe I could PM you if that's easier? I'm just starting my research, we're hoping to get our home less than a year from now! Oh yes and I have a question (for everyone who's ever gotten the keys to their house) -- approximately how long before collection were you notified of the house's completion date (not the probable one)? When you agar-agar see the painting start? Thank you, thank you! x

So nice to hear this! It's true, most of us are complaining about the cramped space, but maybe a little creativity will do the trick! So happy to see that your house is progressing well so far! Excited for you