What To Look/avoid For Kitchen Sink

[BlueFly 0]

Hi BlueFly,

You've got an exotic name, "carnoonxy" sounds like some kind of granite, slate material ?

No matter -- yes, the Blanco came with 2 s/s perforated stoppers that you plug into the respective drainage hole for each bowl, as the sink has 2 bowls. I like the stopper design -- as you said, you simply press the stopper down to stop water draining out of the sink bowl, and just pull up slightly to let the water drain out.

Thanks for the info! Your blog was also very useful as it provided lots of info on reno works. Nice house too! Btw, I realised that we used the same red tiles for the common bathroom, except that mine was not a whole part of the toilet but a few red and yellow ones here and there for design. Also noticed the price of the tile has gone up. It now costs $3.50 instead of $3. We also have the same red cabinets for the kitchen!

Btw, how much did you spend on your back splash for the kitchen? Am thinking of doing one too. Is it worth doing?

Happy you find the blog useful. Hv not updated the blog for several months now, as I am struggling to produce a lighting plan for my flat. Info on how to light up home interiors is scarce on the web, hence I hv to experiment and improvise. That will be put up on the blog when I hv finished my lighting plan.

Yes, in the past, cabinets with solid wood doors and trimmings, etc were specified for premium kitchens. Today solid wood kitchens are still popular, but the look seems "retro" to me, and I now prefer the fresh look of "glossy" kitchens in beautiful colors. Such modern design kitchens hv appeared with glossy laminate on doors and cabinets -- which I find very appealing. Must say I like the new look of my present kitchen much, much more than my previous solid oak door kitchen and corian worktop. Thus glad we hv similar tastes.

Glass Backsplash? Well, now that it has been installed, I would prefer the original white tiled backsplash, coz it gave the kitchen a more airy and spacious feel. Not that we don't like the glass splashback -- we love it -- but I don't think it was worth the cost. I was charged $800 but subsequently negotiated it to $600 (original $400). The $800 arose because the guys had to re-cut the glass as 1 single piece instd of 3 separate pieces (detailed on the blog) -- I didn't want seams to show b/w the glass pieces. ID admitted the fault was his, as he forgot to pass instruction onto the glass factory. So in the end, for goodwill and because my ID did a good job on my reno, I accepted part of the increased cost without murmur.

The glass backsplash makes cleanup easy after frying, unlike the original tile wall, as oil could get into the groves b/w the tiles. That is the only benefit I could see -- good for lazy ppl like me who likes cleanup quick and easy, since I hate cleanup ! So you find my blog likes to share things that make cleanup easy and quick, and if you have kitchen tips, please let me know so I can put them on the blog to share with other readers.

Aesthetics? Well, the glass spashback may look nicer than the original tile wall to some people. In my case I wld be equally happy with the look of the tile wall or glass spashback. So worth it? Maybe, if it had cost $400, but certainly not $600. Conclusion: we love it but I don't think it was worth that cost.

[carboonxy 0]

Glass Backsplash? Well, now that it has been installed, I would prefer the original white tiled backsplash, coz it gave the kitchen a more airy and spacious feel. Not that we don't like the glass splashback -- we love it -- but I don't think it was worth the cost. I was charged $800 but subsequently negotiated it to $600 (original $400). The $800 arose because the guys had to re-cut the glass as 1 single piece instd of 3 separate pieces (detailed on the blog) -- I didn't want seams to show b/w the glass pieces. ID admitted the fault was his, as he forgot to pass instruction onto the glass factory. So in the end, for goodwill and because my ID did a good job on my reno, I accepted part of the increased cost without murmur.

The glass backsplash makes cleanup easy after frying, unlike the original tile wall, as oil could get into the groves b/w the tiles. That is the only benefit I could see -- good for lazy ppl like me who likes cleanup quick and easy, since I hate cleanup ! So you find my blog likes to share things that make cleanup easy and quick, and if you have kitchen tips, please let me know so I can put them on the blog to share with other readers.

Aesthetics? Well, the glass spashback may look nicer than the original tile wall to some people. In my case I wld be equally happy with the look of the tile wall or glass spashback. So worth it? Maybe, if it had cost $400, but certainly not $600. Conclusion: we love it but I don't think it was worth that cost.

Hi BlueFly,

It'll be nice to see some latest pictures of your nice reno. Then I can imagine how my red and black glossy laminate kitchen will look like! (Currently just finished the floor tiling works) .... Am now keeping my fingers crossed that I won't regret choosing those glossy laminates coz the cleaning is not gonna be easy! LOL

Thanks for sharing on the backsplash. Will most probbaly not get it coz now over-budget already!

[BlueFly 0]

Hi BlueFly,

It'll be nice to see some latest pictures of your nice reno. Then I can imagine how my red and black glossy laminate kitchen will look like! (Currently just finished the floor tiling works) .... Am now keeping my fingers crossed that I won't regret choosing those glossy laminates coz the cleaning is not gonna be easy! LOL

Thanks for sharing on the backsplash. Will most probbaly not get it coz now over-budget already!

For the moment I am without any camera. I believe photos of the completed kitchen were already posted.

In any event, if you wish to visit for a close-up look, give me a pm and I will arrange.

[carboonxy 0]

For the moment I am without any camera. I believe photos of the completed kitchen were already posted.

In any event, if you wish to visit for a close-up look, give me a pm and I will arrange.

Hi BlueFly,

Thanks for the offer. Am quite busy at the moment (coz told myself I shall monitor my reno more closely after some hiccups initially). Will let you know if i'm interested.

[jeslynsm 0]

Hello carboonxy,

You've got an exotic name, "carnoonxy" sounds like some kind of granite, slate material ?

No matter -- yes, the Blanco came with 2 s/s perforated stoppers that you plug into the respective drainage hole for each bowl, as the sink has 2 bowls. I like the stopper design -- as you said, you simply press the stopper down to stop water draining out of the sink bowl, and just pull up slightly to let the water drain out.

As regard the tap you mentioned, my previous tap was like that, a designer piece from Grohe in red and white. I mentioned my (unsatisfactory) experience with that designer tap on my blog and explained why -- "May 20, 2008 Choosing a new faucet". <-- click to access

Those comments however may not be true today, as taps evolved and newer and better faucet designs are launched.

Nevertheless, it is wise to check out friends' experience with the specific faucet you are eyeing, simply because when you buy at the shop there is no provision to test out the faucet first.

Hi Bluefly

Sorry to ask you again about the extra hole of the Blanco sink for your soap dispenser. Did you get the soap dispenser from them as well so they can know the size and cut the extra hole for you?

I deleted some of your PM message and can't remember clearly how is it. Hope you don't mind. I just placed order on the sink yesterday and forgot to ask them whether they can help to cut the extra hole for me

[noobhouse 1]

Depends on your budget. Friend were telling me to look for sink with rounded blend. This means that it is produced and stamped out from single piece of metal instead of welded. I think good brands like Blanco should be stamp from single piece of metal.

However, when we were selecting our sink, our selection criteria was more wrt to design, practicality(some pretty cool with metal basket at the drainage), FS(your FS master might tell u what direction u need for your tap etc), usage needs and space constrain(* Important to check via measurement or with your ID to make sure u get a sink that is not too big)

Good places are like Poh Joo for value for money. Personally, I don't like to buy from Hoe kee if got a choice cos people aren't very friendly thru price ok. Go Jalan Besar and u will have full of choices. Cash and carry best for me cos can inspect and make sure what u pay is what u want.

hi hseeker, how u see with naked eye if e sink is welded from just 1 piece of metal & not welded?

i went hoe kee just now but e staff were only lukewarm friendly & told us no catalogue etc. but their range is quite great.

(jalan besar) poh joo cheap meh? i compared couple things like 2 tier corner rack & clothes hangar, eg. clothes hangar at

poh joo sell $35, another place sell $28 !

Don't agree. Poh Joo carry cheaper sinks and taps than Hoe Kee. Of coz brand differs, but they are all sinks isn't it?? Hoe Kee stuff are of better build & quality.

Different market:

PJ=budget to medium priced brands

HK=medium to high priced brands

actually u only need to look at the above 2 places for the items u are looking for.

erm, so u bought any from hoe kee? share yr experience? (see mine above)

Hi Bluefly, I just bought a similar blanco black granite sink like yours. Glad to hear that it's a good sink! Phew! Btw, does it come with two stoppers (the type that you press down to stop the flow of water) for the sink?

Btw, anyone ever tried using the type of kitchen tap where you can pull out with a hose attached (like restaurant style)? IS it recommended?

Hello carboonxy,

You've got an exotic name, "carnoonxy" sounds like some kind of granite, slate material ?

No matter -- yes, the Blanco came with 2 s/s perforated stoppers that you plug into the respective drainage hole for each bowl, as the sink has 2 bowls. I like the stopper design -- as you said, you simply press the stopper down to stop water draining out of the sink bowl, and just pull up slightly to let the water drain out.

As regard the tap you mentioned, my previous tap was like that, a designer piece from Grohe in red and white. I mentioned my (unsatisfactory) experience with that designer tap on my blog and explained why -- "May 20, 2008 Choosing a new faucet". <-- click to access

Those comments however may not be true today, as taps evolved and newer and better faucet designs are launched.

Nevertheless, it is wise to check out friends' experience with the specific faucet you are eyeing, simply because when you buy at the shop there is no provision to test out the faucet first.

bluefly & carnoonxy, so u 2 bought granite sink? issit good to use ? easy to scratch? if oily, difficult to wash?

was told it's only good to look at & not as good as stainless steel

[noobhouse 1]

other than hoe kee or poh joo, which other shops along jalan besar is recommended for

granite kitchen sinks in terms of quantity, pricing & service? for those who use granite sinks before, any comments?

[noobhouse 1]

everyone in cny mood?? nobody??

[Parasite 0]

Got my sink and all taps at distributor at AMK industrial park. Contractor pricing

[melvin 0]

Got my sink and all taps at distributor at AMK industrial park. Contractor pricing

whats the address or contact?