Max383

Anyways... I am trying to upload the picture again. The TV console is nothing complicated... but my wife likes the black glass top.

Wife and I really enjoy the place. Low cost carrier range and everything is cheaper than HK. Nice weather if you go during winter...10+ to 20+ degrees. But if you go during summer, there will be more suitable clothings to buy. Great place for shop for clothes, shoes, bags.... and lots of good food at very reasonable prices. Some seafood like the sturgeon fish (China bred, not the endangered kind), you don't even get in Singapore or HK. Love that fish! And no... I don't get commission from the tourism authorities... haha... Think we plan will go there every 1-2 years... that is... if RMB doesn't appreciate too much!!

Sure... can give me your e-mail address? Can't send e-mail through this forum for some reason. Btw BunBun, how did you manage to complete your reno and move in in just 20days? Wow... and right in the middle of CNY rush. Amazing!! !! We may need to buy more furniture like bookshelf, extra wardrobe... but these items are not urgent. Can send me your contact of your JB furniture shop(s)? Thanks!!

Btw... just FYI, we did overlay method for our parquet in all three bedrooms.... cost us $2.6k. I like it very much as it gives the rooms much needed warmth.... in a rich coffee brown colour. I think customised study tables are the most expensive stuff, given the simple materials involved. We also try to avoid a lot of built-ins so that we don't have to worry about the laminates being chipped off in the future due to wear and tear. We have more of a buy, use, throw-away attitude.

Hi assirac... Guess Bishan folks are not quite active in this forum. Welcome to Bishan! I am moving in on 1 March. It will be further from my work place but nothing beats matured estates for convenience... and Bishan is a good mix of heartlanders and younger crowd. This forum has plenty of info and recommendations on IDs for your reno, but you have to do lots of homework and get quotes. All the best for the creation of your dream home!

Got my keys on 2 Jan... started reno 2 days after that and target to complete by 28 Feb.

Haha... honestly... I am too lazy to start a T-blog... just want to get my reno done and over with and get everything set up.. and start enjoying my new home. Guess it is always worthwhile to pay for good service and peace of mind. Many people we know engaged designer only to have their ideas clash.... err... did I say ideas? More like egos. Worst case is if owners start to compromise to please the ID.... cause they are the ones who will live there eventually... and they have to be 100% happy with any idea. In our case... we shop around (at least 10 IDs)... did not go for the cheapest but one of the lower quotes that we feel comfortable with. We ruled out anyone that seemingly try to pull a 'fast one' on us. We did not require IDs to give us a lot of ideas... actually... after talking to so many... it helps to correct our ideas and make us more wise to the game and look out for ridiculous quotes. Eventually we learn and know exactly what we need. So we don't have 3D drawings (I wish I have though)... in fact, I did some of the "drawings" myself... haha. We just wanted a contractor that can execute without issues and delays. At the end of the day, its a leap of faith.... cause even if we pay more, there is really no garuantee on how our reno willl turn out.... but so far so good.

Wow...thats really quite ex...I think. Have u compared quotes from other IDs? Mine is 4rm resale at 100sqm. We are doing just about everything including hacking and shifting of a wall to enlarge living room, and hacking service balcony walls to merge with kitchen. Homo tiles for living, dining, kitchen and toilets, and parquet for all three bedrooms, but no carpentary work on two common rooms. All these reno works cost me about $28k.... plus aircon, lights, electricals, hob, hood, heaters, curtains, mixers, tub, furniture, TV... all in.... total damage is estimated to be about 43k (reno still in progress). If your cost fo 42k is just on the reno... and the only key difference is the carpentary work and rewiring... then it is a lot of difference indeed....14k higher from mine. Mine also on break for CNY now... but only starting reno again on 18 Feb. I am surprise your contractor can start work again so soon on next tue... usually they will break for at least 10 days.

Hi Wilberforce, I noticed that your reno period is very short, especially considering the CNY break for most workers. Did you have to pay extra to speed up the job? I gather that your reno cost itself is 38k? It is on the high side for 85sqm. Did you choose expensive materials for flooring, counter top, carpentary...etc?

Haha... I think TV consoles of ANY length is just pricier for no good reason. If you think about it, it is just like any cabinet, size for size, material for material. The profit margin is just higher because they called it 'TV console'. But what to do? If you need one, you need one. Btw... what do you mean by "CMI"? Already e-mailed you the picture of my TV console. Happy Lunar New Year! !! !!

Unless we are talking about Lorenzo, Massimo...etc etc, which I agree that their brands carry some weight,... the rest of the furniture shops like Nova, vHive, Novena carry very generic items that can be found in many places... besides... these shops are not known for their quality or service at all. So their "brand" tag does not mean much to us... to be honest. There are two main sources where these shops get their furniture - China and Malaysia. The latter especially if it is more custom/*****. China produces a lot of cheap (and ok quality) furniture but it is mass produced and distributed to just about everywhere. So if the furniture you like is produced in China, don't waste your time hunting for better bargains in Malaysia.... Singapore shops' direct import is cheaper. TV consoles can range VERY widely from simple few planks of wood to complicated glass design and some even come with built-in lights when u open the drawers. So BunBun, you cannot compare just by the length lah. Of course, to each his own taste and budget. Our aim was to find a decent looking console with glass top that does not look run-in-the-mill type (if you know what I mean).... but we do not want to break the bank buying one. The ones we saw in Singapore that matches our requirements is among the higher range, no less than $699 type... excluding GST and delivery. So we had to get innovative. I will send you the picture once you provide me an e-mail. If you like what you see... I can PM you the contact. The shop's other furniture like dining table sucks.... but for TV consoles, this shop has a few nice ones... range from 5-7ft... longer also have, but have to order from catalog. Just remember, whatever the price they write on the price tag... it is always negotiable.

Can give me your e-mail address? I will send you the picture. I can't seem to send e-mails via the forum. Sorry... too lazy to sign up with more networks.

Thanks.... dono why link not working now. Oh well... if anyone wants to see the picture, please PM me. We are not really the fussy type... so can live with scratches as long as it is not too obvious. You are right... one will need patience to shop around in JB. A few shops in Singapore actually get their furniture from JB... so they act like middleman. If you are lucky enough to find the furniture you like in JB with the same design, then you can save some money... but if you are in a hurry... then this might not be the best option. Took us awhile and by accident to find a place with nice TV consoles (which I think is overpriced in Singapore). It will be delivered in three weeks time.... I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Gosh... we just ordered a coffee table from them. Are you refering to the store in Hougang or TradeHub? I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Yes..... but patterns can DIY ma.... you can either use wallpaper or winkplay decals.

There u go...

U can try to install a partition wall that sticks out about 4inch from your wall.... full height, six feet wide. You can use paint or wall paper finish depending on your budget. Using paint finishing.. it will cost u under $400 and it is strong enough (steel reinforced) that you can mount your flat screen TV on this partition wall....wires run behind and come out at the bottom to connect to any 6ft TV console. Seen this done...can look quite tasteful.

You know the road along Pelangi Plaza all the way till Southern City (about 1km ahead)? There are shop houses at the left side of that road.... many sell lightings, curtains, electronics and furniture. Even shops that sell electronics downstairs, they usually have a 2nd floor displaying furnitures that they sell. Not all are nice... you have to browse around... but we like the TV console we bought.

Bought a black glass top TV console for RM1000 including transport, levy and GST in a small shop at JB. Could easily cost over S$800 if I buy the same thing in Singapore. But can't find other suitable furniture as the shop has limited range for other things. Let me know if you need the contact for TV console. Other than that, Lorenzo JB is also cheaper if you are into the brand.

Finally bought a Hansgrohe Talis E series bath mixer from the Balestier shop. It is an old design and they are phasing it out with the cheaper E2 series but we like it... so pay lor. Got a decent discount since it was the last piece. Anyways... now considering the basin tap mixer from Focus E series, which we heard is made in China. Can anyone share your experience on the Focus (made-in-China) series? Wonder if it is in anyway inferior in the mechanism. It is definitely cheaper... but we won't want to compromise if it is inferior to the German made series. Guess it should be ok, right? It is carrying the Hansgrohe brand so we assume it must be up to standards.... no?

They have quite a few sofa models and materials to choose from. Don't think they have website that display these models. You can drop by Compass Point or Tiong Bahru Plaza... both outlets have sofa display. Worth a visit.

You should really give Sea Horse HEECOM brand a try... it's cheap and good. Definitely below $650 with delivery.

Last season? Who would mind?? These items will last for years!! Thanks a lot... will definitely go check it out.

Wow... thanks for the tip!! Will go down and check it out.