countrylover

Hi KittyJems Hiya, I been bugging my hubby to call but he's been too busy to do it! He's the fierce one, so it's better I leave the job to him. I hope to get the issue rectified soon too, cos the peeling paint is happening in more areas! Will keep u updated yah? Hope your reno will go smoothly and not end up like mine.

Hi claud302, you've got mail!

Hey KittyJems I've been really busy with my new job and no time to call Forest to complain about the peeling paint! Think I must really make an effort to get it done soon. Though it's not a very big problem...not very obvious unless you see very clearly, but it's our hard-earned money lor. When you see them the next time, feel free to tell them about my problem lah. Tell them we discuss this on the forum, so they better do a good job for u so u won't slam them on the forum. haha.... So when is your reno starting? Have they given u all the perspective drawings?

I went to Roomyroom once. Agree with piggiedearz that they do not have a lot of French style furniture in their showroom, though website shows a wide range....quite misleading if you ask me. From what I understand, their furniture are custom made in Indonesia. If you really want to save costs and willing to take the risks, you should consider doing them in Indonesia then ship here....cheap and good workmanship! I had my French fireplace and mirror custom made in Indo. Quite a hassle but worth the time and effort. If anyone is interested, I can pass u the contacts.

Hi KittyJems The $9k includes the display hutch in the dining room...study room alone costs $7k+. Initially my budget for study room is only $5k...haha! Had to stretch my budget a little cos hard to work around with the $5k budget. Lately I discovered that the spray paint in some parts of my study has started to peel off...alamak!!! I don't even remember any hard knocks in those areas leh. Gonna call Helen soon to feedback and see what could be done, cos I remember her telling me the spray paint could last for many good years. Quite upset, cos it has only been four mths since my reno.

Hi Enviro I'm not sure if Forest could do simpler cabinets at a lower price. The rope design was part of the package, I didn't request for it. Seems to me like their designs are quite standard, cos I saw the rope design on most of their cabinets. Maybe u could just get a quotation from Forest? Tell them your budget and ask them to work around it. This is what I did too.

Hi KittyJems Yeah it's true that a small reno project can cost a bomb...especially with IDs like Forest! Haha....mine also cost $9k just for the study room and small dining display. Though they are really quite ex, it's really like 一分钱一分货, cos we are paying a premium price for their good workmanship and quality. Does your $15k budget include the kitchen cabinets? Try to negotiate lah, tell them if they give more discounts, you will recommend more people from Renotalk! hehe.... If they can't meet your budget, then u would need to prioritise, see which are the "die die" must reno items. In my case, the initial quote was almost $10k just for the study! Then we cut down on the full height cabinets and only went with the top and bottom cabinets to reduce the cost. Or instead of wooden doors, replace some with open shelves or glass doors....that would cut down the cost too.

Hi techaview I had the chandelier shipped over from USA.

Hi bigbag Thanks for your compliments. The wood used for my cabinets is raminply in spray painted colour for the door panels and plywood with maple polyester finishing for the internal construction. Can't remember exactly the cost psf but I paid abt $7350 for the study cabinets. Will check and update here a bit later. Bought my girls' bunker beds from Littlewode Furniture (http://www.littlewode.net/). Their showroom is at 105 Tampines Road #01-01A Wing Tai Building. Very cottage style and affordable. I've scanned a copy of the Sun Times feature. Think it's quite small though.

Thanks Yeah white furniture need to polish often, if not will turn yellowish over time. There are some polishes avail in the supermarkets and DIY shops. Actually I dun mind them turning yellowish....cos gives an aged and shabby look! ECO Links has nice furniture but I agree with u too they are quite pricey. I bought mine from this shop at IFC called "Country Style Furniture"...they've got a good variety but workmanship is not too good. Recently I bought a dresser and bunk bed for my kids room at this place called Littlewoode Furniture (http://www.littlewode.net/). Though their collection are for kids, but they've got cottage style dressers, study tables and wardrobes u could consider. I also saw country-style fabric sofas at their showroom which are quite nice too. Showroom is at 105 Tampines Road, you can consider taking a look.

Hi KittyJems Thanks, I'm very pleased with their service and workmanship....glad that you are considering them as your ID too! Yeah, though I admit their quote is more ex than other IDs, it's really worth every cent I spent, cos quality is excellent, unlike other carpenters who use normal plywood. I love their French blue kitchen cabinets too! If I remember correctly, that set is on promotion, so you may want to ask them to quote you too. Frankly, if you are already doing reno for your MBR and girls' rooms, then might as well consider doing the kitchen too at one go...to save you the trouble of having to do reno again at a later date. Too bad my kitchen cabinets are still very new (I first reno 3 yrs ago), so no excuse to have a new kitchen cabinet. Btw, whom are you liaising with from Forest? I liaised with Helen, who's the Manager. She's very nice and easy going and gave me quite a lot of discounts. Tell her you are my friend (my name's Vivien)...see if she can give u further discounts. All the best to your reno....pls share photos when it's done!

Hi MM & Potatoes Thanks! Was very excited to see my home featured in Sun Times too!

Yup Forest gave me all the Blum systems for drawers and doors, all included in the quotation. Actually my MBR is also very small but my carpenter then managed to give me a 3-door built-in wardrobe. I also had a queen size bed there. Discuss with your ID on space planning, I'm sure it can be done. Actually sliding doors can also be country! I purchased a sliding door wardrobe for my kids room...let me try to take a pic and post it for u here. One thing though, I went to Forest instead of Cottage Crafts cos the latter took forever to revert on a quotation and I didn't have the time and patience to wait.

Thanks for your compliments! Yes, I'm very much into quilting...cos quilts bring so much warmth into the home. See my reply to LADY_R on where I bought the Sewnatra.

This is quite surprising cos it's usually the other way round. We ladies LOVE country-style but our hubbies are strongly against it! LOL Maybe u could discuss with her to see if you could just keep a room or space (eg kitchen) country-style? Then it'll not be an overkill with the entire home looking too country.

I had this sewing cabinet shipped over from USA...think was around S$600+ including shipping. It's from the brand Arrow which specialises in sewing cabinets. The model is "Sewnatra". They don't distribute to Singapore, so I had no choice but to buy from USA. LOVE their cabinets cos they allow me to convert to a compact size when not in use, ideal for the small area in my home. Bought from this store: http://www.homespunhearth.com/Sewnatra-Sewing-Machine-Cabinet-by-Arrow.asp The Arrow company has excellent customer service. When the cabinet arrived, I found some damaged parts (including the door) and they actually replaced them for me FOC...no questions asked! If you are really interested to ship from US, pls PM me. I'll share with u my shipping lobang.

I had the chandelier shipped over from USA when I first reno my place 3 yrs ago. Think it costs me less than S$300. It's a lot of trouble but worth the price as the chandeliers here are all over my budget.

A journalist from Sunday Times contacted me earlier this week to ask if I'm interested to feature my home in the "My Space" column. She saw photos of my home in Renotalk. The photographer came down yesterday evening to take photos of my family. Story will be out this Sunday.

Haha not surprising. Used to get this sort of response when I did my first reno. So for my 2nd round of reno this time, I just go for IDs who specialise in country style. Have u shortlisted those IDs whom you are interested in? A few of us here have engaged Forest Woodworking...really worth considering as their workmanship is excellent!

Hey your reno started yet? Can't wait to see the end result!

Hi I'm not sure if Country Concept is a HDB registered renovation contractor. If you can't find them listed in the website, then chances are they might not be. Maybe u could call up HDB to check? Sorry but I've not heard of those other IDs u mentioned, hence unable to comment. Have u tried approaching Forest Woodworking and Cottage Crafts? They are some of the few better IDs specialising in country style. Good luck!

Thanks for your compliments. It's a very expensive "passion".

The door knobs are provided by my ID. I've actually seen decor doorknobs been sold in shops. Try Lovely de Lace at Thomson Plaza or Country Rose shop at Tan Boon Liat Bldg. Else look for suppliers of door knobs, they shd be able to provide. I agree these vintage doorknobs would enhance the country look for our cabinets.

Display hutch in dining area I've started to display my Precious Moments figurines, Lilliput Lane cottages and other collectibles in the cabinet. Will take some photos and post them up here.

More photos of study room... My fabrics cabinet: Decor items: