countrylover

Some updates....ID came down two weeks ago to rectify some minor problems and everything seems to be in order now. She brought the chief carpenter down too and he personally fixed the lights and some electrical problems for us without any complaints. Very nice and humble guy! Overall, very pleased with the customer service and workmanship from Forest. It's been three weeks but we've still not finished packing! At most 70% done . This is what we have in our study room now. Sewing corner with my ironing station and sewing cabinet properly set up. My Arrow Sewnatra sewing cabinet when closed...neat and compact

So has your reno started? When is it expected to complete? Me still not done with packing my new room...so much stuff to pack

Overall, we are very happy with the design and workmanship...finishing is great with no major defects found. However, as in every reno, there are some minor problems which we are highlighting to our ID: 1. Hinges in one of the drawers in study room not working well 2. Keyhole missing in one chest of drawers 3. Glass shelving given to us instead of wooden ones in study room 4. One pelmet light unusable, as the workers have accidentally discarded the plastic casing with the switch 5. Problems fixing down lights in the wall hutch in dining area, as the fitting is wrong (I hope they will not have to remove it and reinstall) My ID is coming down with the carpenter on Tues, hopefully these problems can be easily resolved.

Here's the wall hutch in my dining area. This is the new home for my Precious Moments figurines, Lilliput cottages and other vintage collectibles. Love these intricate rope columns and gold trimmings! Closeup of vintage door knobs:

More photos of study room: My sage green cutting table/craft cabinet:

Been having problems uploading my photos to photobucket. Sharing some completed photos of my study room: Love the heart-shaped die-cuts which my ID has specially requested for me!

LOL. I still need to rectify some small issues. So far, Helen has not asked me for payment yet

Usually for whole home reno, can take up to 1 week or longer. Last time mine took about a few weeks. Did Forest tell you how long it takes?

Yes, agree that their carpenter Ali is very nice and experienced. His workers are very professional too and work very fast. Everything was installed within 7 hrs.

Reno is done! hehe...welcome over any time! Just sms me ok? Gonna spend the next few weeks arranging stuff etc...hopefully can be done soon! Cos of the reno, my MBR and living room are becoming like a warehouse!

Helen is also the ID whom I'm working with. Very nice and warm lady! Explains things very clearly to me too. Btw my reno was completed today. Very happy with the workmanship and overall design except for some minor problems, which I'll be highlighting to her tomorrow. Check out my t-blog. I'll be posting photos over the next few days. I didn't reno my kitchen, only study and dining area. Doing my study in sage green for the bottom cabinets and white with gold trimmings for the top....nice combi! With regards to the colour for your kitchen, it depends on whether you do lots of cooking. If you do, suggest u go for French blue or sage green as maintaining a white kitchen cabinet is no joke!

Finally...the day has arrived! Today is the day of my renovation and the carpenter was early...he came with his workers at 8.30am although my ID had informed earlier that they were coming at 9am. The workers worked swiftly and professionally and both my study cabinets and wall hutch in the dining area were fully installed by 3.30pm. Here are some works in progress photos to share: Will be sharing some photos of my completed renovation shortly.

Hehe...my installation is tomorrow! Yeah!!! My finishing is in ramin ply for the external doors and solid ply for the inside.

Yes....renovation starts tomorrow! And I'm so excited! Here's how my study room looks like the night before reno. Looking forward to the makeover and transformation tomorrow! Keeping my fingers crossed that everything will go well.

We finally painted our study room over the weekend to prepare for renovation. Did a cleanup to get rid of the junk lying around too! Our ID called us two days ago to inform that they will be starting the reno this Thur. However, as our electrician is unable to make it that day, we had changed the installation date to next Tue. Very excited....can't wait to see the transformation after the reno! Will be busy this weekend shifting things out and moving the existing tables away to make way for the reno.

My reno will start next Tue!!! Very excited....can't wait to see the transformation!

You can refer to the following for instructions on how to upload photos: http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1142

But Forest will charge extra for special colours like French blue or sage green. Try to discuss with them, ask them to waive! I went down to see the sage green sample door last week...looks good! Hope they can hurry come to install. Wait till neck long long liao!

It all depends on the overall look and style of your reno/furniture. I think you mentioned that yours is French country look? If so, than I think white will be good, preferably with a distressed look! Or white/beige with gold trimmings which Forest could do. I'm using this look for my dining and study too. Maybe can even consider sage green/French blue, which I think it's a classic and vintage look.

Thanks for offering to drive me there. Will PM you my contact, then we could try to arrange a day.

A closer look at some decor currently displayed on the dresser.

We got rid of our two single beds and bought a new bunk bed and dresser for the girls' room, to make way for the new study room.

The owner of the pushcart has a showroom at her house in Jln Pemimpin. She told me she got many items there, cos can't display all at the pushcart. Been wanting to go leh but very far and I don't drive. When you go IMM the next time, u an take a look at her catalogue and request for her to bring over those items u like if they are not displayed at the pushcart. Generally I think her items are at least 20-30% cheaper than those sold at Lovely de Art.

So how did your discussion go? Managed to settle details for the renovation? Did they say when they are starting? Mine supposed to start 2 weeks later but Helen said will be delayed for another week or so.

Do u intend to cook often? Cos white diff to maintain, since it gets greasy with frequent cooking. Lovely de Art has nice decor items but very expensive. I always go to the pushcart at IMM. I know the aunty who owns the pushcart very well & her items are much cheaper. If u happen to be around the area can take a look.