The Diary Of A Wimpy House Owner

[green giraffe 0]

Hi green giraffe,

I found ur blog after I was searching for info about d'bodhi sinks.

We bought a black marble sink from them but before its installation, we found that it was all cracked at the marble veins! There was glue in the cracks. The sink was delivered all wrapped up so we didn't check it properly when it first arrived. Now the shop is saying that it was my contractor who broke it and glued it together. My contractor said when they unwrapped it, they found it all already cracked and glued up. She said the marble must have cracked during the manufacturing process and they glued it up and sold it to us.

I don't know what to do now. Did u buy the black square/rectangle marble sink? Were there any cracks? What does ur contractor think about this?

Was there cracked lines when you short list your basin at the shop? Initially, we short listed 2 square marble basins and upon close inspection, one of them has fine hairline scratches. They said they cant polish it without causing uneveness so we changed our order to 2 round black marble basins without seeing them. When they were delivered, one of them has crack veins like this

Fortunately, we checked on the spot and called the sales person to ask for a change. However they did not have any more round black ones in stock and we couldnt wait for them to indent new ones so we change to this :-

We are satisfied with the condition of our current basins. If they dont have stock for the one you bought, try to change to another design. They also have a sister company, Journey East at Joan Rd. They carry similar basins and share the same warehouse. Maybe can change for those at Journey East. Hope you can resolve your basin issue.

Edited September 7, 2010 by green giraffe

[green giraffe 0]

We have moved....

Yes! We have made the big move a few days ago and have been making many small moves these few days. Am now making the 2nd last trip to our rented place for the past 9 months to pack some odds and ends. Am disappointed with Singtel service, still dont have internet connection at new place yet after waiting for ages and making many phone calls. So am taking this opportunity to check mail and post some pics at the old place while the very hardworking and multi-tasking hubby is busy loading the car with stuff, take a break, cheer for Torres, reads the instruction manual for the fridge, critise the defenders, circle and highlight page 26 of the manual, reminds me to throw away the first 30 pieces of ice and first 5 glasses of water when using the fridge for the first time.

Without further ado.. some pictures I have taken before the move (have not taken any pictures after we moved cos too busy, too tired, too messy)

Living Room - Shoe cum bag cardboard next to main glass door. 14 doors top hung storage cardboard for books, board games, tons of memory in the form of photo albums, tons of old CDs, violins, music books etc.

View of TV console from sofa.

View of front door. The platform will be carpeted as a play area for the kids.

[green giraffe 0]

Open concept kitchen - from left to right, cantilevered breakfast counter, drawers for cutlery and cockery, dishwasher, sink and a corner cabinet.

U shaped drawer under the sink a la Blum

Hafele peanut shaped corner unit (hubby was so impressed with the mechanism that he insisted of getting it although i think it's way too expensive)

[green giraffe 0]

More kitchen pix...

Steam oven, oven, hob and hood on the right (not in view, pl pardon my photography skills or lack of)

Oops.. hob not installed in this pix yet. Fridge have not arrived also when picture was taken. Will post the updated version.

Hob half done in this pix. Gas hob on left and right done, carpenter to open a bigger hole for the induction hob.

TV on top hung cabinet facing the dining table.

Now showing... the Incredible Hulk, my fellow greenie

[leechaorui 2]

Hi GG,

How many bedrooms do you have in the house? Everything looks very spacious.

[gals_mama 0]

Wah shiok ah, can watch tv while eating. Do u have a maid btw?

[green giraffe 0]

Hi GG,

How many bedrooms do you have in the house? Everything looks very spacious.

Good morning leechaorui, on the first floor, we have a music room which can be converted into a bedroom. There is also a maid's room. On the second floor, we have 2 bedrooms for the kids, a family cum study room and master bedroom.

[green giraffe 0]

Wah shiok ah, can watch tv while eating. Do u have a maid btw?

Well, the irony is that I dont allow my kids to watch TV while they are having their meals (my eldest says I am the strictest mom in the whole wide world, he thinks I need to take a chill pill). The TV in the dining area is more for guest. Wanted to have a sports bar concept with a TV screening soccer matches.

Thank God I have an efficient domestic helper now. Cant imagine how i can cope with the housework in a bigger house (would probably have to borrow more super power from Samgalz ). Did not have domestic help when I had my first 3 kids but my previous house was much smaller and easier to upkeep (we had lots of build in cabinets to hide the mess..hee hee)

[leechaorui 2]

Good morning leechaorui, on the first floor, we have a music room which can be converted into a bedroom. There is also a maid's room. On the second floor, we have 2 bedrooms for the kids, a family cum study room and master bedroom.

Hi GG,

Your place look very spacious, 6 bedrooms for 2 storey house.

My built in for the first storey is about 920 sq ft and my land is about 2500 sq ft. Hence, my house is occupying about 37% of the land. The interior of my house is actually quite small.

How about yours in terms of built-in of the first floor vis a vis the land area?

Edited September 13, 2010 by leechaorui

[green giraffe 0]

Hi GG,

Your place look very spacious, 6 bedrooms for 2 storey house.

My built in for the first storey is about 920 sq ft and my land is about 2500 sq ft. Hence, my house is occupying about 37% of the land. The interior of my house is actually quite small.

How about yours in terms of built-in of the first floor vis a vis the land area?

Hi Lee,

The house looks spacious from the pix cos we have not put in our furniture and lorry loads of barang barang. Dad got a shock when he saw the number of boxes labeled toys and books. He said we had a grand total of 1 box when we were little.....will probably use that as an excuse to start giving away toys.

My land area is 3320 sq ft. The original built-in is about 2100+ sq ft, we extended the back part of the second story to create a new master bedroom and bathroom. We also extend a little of the back yard on the first storey. We did not extend the side of the house cos we wanted to have a big outdoor garden space for the kids to run around. The new built-in area after A&A is close to 2800 sq ft.

When are you starting your reno?

[leechaorui 2]

Hi Lee,

The house looks spacious from the pix cos we have not put in our furniture and lorry loads of barang barang. Dad got a shock when he saw the number of boxes labeled toys and books. He said we had a grand total of 1 box when we were little.....will probably use that as an excuse to start giving away toys.

My land area is 3320 sq ft. The original built-in is about 2100+ sq ft, we extended the back part of the second story to create a new master bedroom and bathroom. We also extend a little of the back yard on the first storey. We did not extend the side of the house cos we wanted to have a big outdoor garden space for the kids to run around. The new built-in area after A&A is close to 2800 sq ft.

When are you starting your reno?

Hi GG,

My Reno is work in progress. The structure, door frame, aluminium window frames, etc... are up already. Pipings, electrical wirings, DB box, tiling of kitchen and toilet more or less completed. Now, the contractor is working on plastering the external wall. When he finished plastering the external walls (est 2 weeks from now), he would paint the place and install the ground floor tiles and bring in the parquet. I supposed that's about all that is left before he applies for TOP. In the meantime, the contractor is also plastering the boundary wall and finishing up with with the external works.

Should be completing my reno by end Nov. Contractor is trying to finish by early Nov.

Edited September 15, 2010 by leechaorui

[vanna 0]

your house is so super swee!!!

[reizzz 0]

just gotta love your house :dribble:

[patsy_sg 1]

can't wait to see the whole thing with all the furniture in place! think will need video to fully appreciate it! (or an invite to see the house in person ;) )

[froggy 0]

wow, envy envy envy .. such alot of space you have!

have not been very on-the-ball with following t-blogs here, but this is def one that is not to be missed!

btw I read yr post on yr laminated glass door. All that rectified?