The Best Journey Always Leads Us Home

[Ely1 0]

Just out of interest, have the lighting points, especially for spot lights been simulated for you. I understand that some places can give an idea of how much light you would need for a specific result. A google may help as I have no more info though .

The reason I ask is that we have far too many spotlights in or lightbox than is needed and it is common for people to over spec what they require. Would have though you could get away with 6 in the living area saving running costs.

RB

They were designed by my ID, with the inclusion of the Halogen track lights when I said I would be hanging metal art on those two walls.

The ones in the balcony are tentative, and only implemented if we get the wall water feature done. If not, I'm only looking at floor lamps for the balcony, which both the ID and electrician said would make it too dark, but I like it cosy! Even the bedrooms seems a little dark - Master has 2 ceiling lamps since we're closing up one window entirely, and the wardrobes are only lit within. The vanity would only be turned on when I'm using it to examine pores and wrinkles, whereas the other bedroom only has one ceiling lamp and a lit wardrobe.

I'm actually the sort who lives with a 5w bedside lamp and blackout blinds. The downlights were recommended by my ID because he said we would turn on the lights when guests come and "the effect would be better"... which I predict would be very infrequently since we're so reclusive

We have that extra odd downlight in the dry kitchen cos I'm using that nook as a study corner - don't want to be shut in a room as I'm on the computer a lot. I have a feeling a lot of the lights would be under-utilised~ The only lights I requested for were the T5 tubes, for cabinet and feature wall lighting.

-Ely

[RimBlock 0]

They were designed by my ID, with the inclusion of the Halogen track lights when I said I would be hanging metal art on those two walls.

The ones in the balcony are tentative, and only implemented if we get the wall water feature done. If not, I'm only looking at floor lamps for the balcony, which both the ID and electrician said would make it too dark, but I like it cosy! Even the bedrooms seems a little dark - Master has 2 ceiling lamps since we're closing up one window entirely, and the wardrobes are only lit within. The vanity would only be turned on when I'm using it to examine pores and wrinkles, whereas the other bedroom only has one ceiling lamp and a lit wardrobe.

I'm actually the sort who lives with a 5w bedside lamp and blackout blinds. The downlights were recommended by my ID because he said we would turn on the lights when guests come and "the effect would be better"... which I predict would be very infrequently since we're so reclusive

We have that extra odd downlight in the dry kitchen cos I'm using that nook as a study corner - don't want to be shut in a room as I'm on the computer a lot. I have a feeling a lot of the lights would be under-utilised~ The only lights I requested for were the T5 tubes, for cabinet and feature wall lighting.

-Ely

Sure. So a fair amount of thought has been put in to it.

What the previous owners of our place did and we kept is put the living room down lights on three switches so any one switch only turns on 1/3 or the lights but all three can be used for all of them.

For us, 1/3 is usually enough but we do have around 10 lights in a 5mtr long living area (4x2 for the sides and an extra 2 front and back) which we didn't change but will in the future.

RB

[Ely1 0]

Sure. So a fair amount of thought has been put in to it.

What the previous owners of our place did and we kept is put the living room down lights on three switches so any one switch only turns on 1/3 or the lights but all three can be used for all of them.

For us, 1/3 is usually enough but we do have around 10 lights in a 5mtr long living area (4x2 for the sides and an extra 2 front and back) which we didn't change but will in the future.

RB

Yeah, I wanted as much control as I could over the amount of lights controlled by the switches, but recently had to make some sacrifices because we forgot about dimmers! Mostly, I group all the downlights into 2 with one switch.

Since you're also in the East, perhaps you and your lovely Virgo wife can come over and help us with our HTS once we're more or less settled! I'm near Changi/Tampines.

-Ely

[RimBlock 0]

Yeah, I wanted as much control as I could over the amount of lights controlled by the switches, but recently had to make some sacrifices because we forgot about dimmers! Mostly, I group all the downlights into 2 with one switch.

Since you're also in the East, perhaps you and your lovely Virgo wife can come over and help us with our HTS once we're more or less settled! I'm near Changi/Tampines.

-Ely

Should have no issues with that. Let me know nearer the time .

RB

[insane 0]

Just to add to this, Blurays do not, for the most part, have region codes. Some do and you can search around the internet for a list. The most important fact though is that the code for Singapore is the same as the code for the US so even if a disc you buy from Amazon or E-Bay in the US is region coded, it is the right region code for Singapore (unless the seller imported from elsewhere).

If the seller is not willing to send overseas then just use something like vPost or Borderlinx (Citibank credit card required) which provides you with a local US / UK address for sellers to ship to and preferred rates for you to get the items shipped to Singapore (around 50% of standard DHL rates last time I checked).

Personally I just rip the discs straight to hard drive which removes the region code if one existed anyway.

RB

pardon me if i sound stupid, im a IT idiot. Rip the discs means u copy them and store them into hard discs?

[Ely1 0]

pardon me if i sound stupid, im a IT idiot. Rip the discs means u copy them and store them into hard discs?

Yes Don't worry about sounding stupid, we all start somewhere

-Ely

[Kobelala 8]

DAY 37

Master Bedroom windows (view from balcony - the windows on the right are basically dummy windows as it's all going to be covered with my wardrobe keke):

Extended roof (awaiting glass for balcony):

-Ely

Hi Ely, OOOH your place is... hmmmm... I know where your place is.. .. really really a nice nice place; quite ,peaceful, cosy, serene and yet convenient...

[Ely1 0]

Hi Ely, OOOH your place is... hmmmm... I know where your place is.. .. really really a nice nice place; quite ,peaceful, cosy, serene and yet convenient...

Haha, someone guessed it from the floor plan much earlier. But the cat is out of the bag - yes, it's Loyang Valley We love the place so much because it's so quiet and idyllic.

-Ely

[eggroe 0]

Haha, wise as in old .

Google is really a great tool if you know the terms to search for.

RB

And old is gold

So, what other things are cheaper to buy from the internet than locally? Electricals? Kitchen accessories?

[Ely1 0]

And old is gold

So, what other things are cheaper to buy from the internet than locally? Electricals? Kitchen accessories?

RB would have a good idea about audio/visual equipment purchased overseas if you're interested in a HTS, so you can definitely consult with him on that.

I think kitchen accessories is more of reglxt's forte I'm more a bit of everything - DVDs, clothes, bags, art, handmade stuff, pet items, workout gear, vitamins, skincare, cosmetics, accessories etc. I even buy my underwear online so... I tend to think *almost* everything is cheaper online

P.S. But don't take it from me, I'm a self-confessed online shopping addict.

-Ely

[RimBlock 0]

And old is gold

So, what other things are cheaper to buy from the internet than locally? Electricals? Kitchen accessories?

IT / computer stuff is around the same price here as buying from the US especially if you include shipping and import tax etc. Until recently Bluray PC drives were much cheaper from the US than here but the market in Singapore is now catching up and whilst they are still cheaper in the US the price difference is becoming less and less. You can always check out newegg.com or Amazon.com for deals though.

Home theatre is cheaper in some areas but you have to pay shipping for either big or heavy or both which can work out expensive. A amplifier I am looking at I can get for S$400 second hand in the UK but shipping the 25KG bulk comes in at around S$380 inc tax. If I can find one then I have seen them for 500-600 locally second hand, it is just finding one.

If buying any big ticket items then check out the shipping and warranty. Some manufacturers offer world wide service whilst some do not. When I first started looking, the projector I bought was quoted around 4k. I could get it from the US for around 2.3k. Downside, no local warranty and the issues if there was any problems during shipping (broken bulb would cost S$400+ to replace) could eat up the price difference quite quickly.

Bluray movies as we have mentioned are a lot cheaper for the most part importing. DVDs / CDs are around the same price and not really worth doing unless you are looking for something not easily available locally.

The other big advantage of importing is the amazing choice available. The US and UK are big for internet shopping and to be honest I was very surprised to see that Singapore had not embraced the concept from a sellers point from view. They could get their products out there, people can order and get delivered straight to their door, prices are available to save wasting trips all over the island but people can still visit showrooms. Here shops still seem to rely on the power of the sales person rather than great prices and the item selling itself. If someone was willing to get the ball rolling (probably an IT company from Sim Lim) and do it properly, as most web store attempts here are half hearted and not very intuitive or regularly updated for stock and offers at the moment, then they could make a killing with sales whilst seriously cutting costs.

Back in the UK I used to get all my food shopping delivered apart from the standard day to day stuff I would pick-up on the way home. Saved so much time, browse on-line and choose, it then arrives at your door. No more clutter in the isles, no more inconsiderate people blocking your way, no more big queues for the tills. Your fruit and veg may not be the absolute best you could get if you went yourself but it should always be acceptable and if you were really fussy then you go shopping for those and get the rest delivered. I believe the supermarkets are catching on with this now but last time I looked only deliver during working hours . They used to do this in the UK. It was not until they expanded to out of working hours that it really took off.

Anyway ..... Amazon (US or UK), newegg.com, could try kmart and sears from the US too although I do not know if they deliver and have never used them myself. Ebay (US & UK) is also great but you need to be a little more cautious. I was also shocked to discover that Amazon also has a 'Health and Wellness' section with items of, how shall we put this, an intimate nature which are significantly less than those bough locally err, or so I am told .

Bare in mind though that some things may be cheaper locally. Still shop around here as well.

RB

[Ely1 0]

Anyway ..... Amazon (US or UK), newegg.com, could try kmart and sears from the US too although I do not know if they deliver and have never used them myself. Ebay (US & UK) is also great but you need to be a little more cautious. I was also shocked to discover that Amazon also has a 'Health and Wellness' section with items of, how shall we put this, an intimate nature which are significantly less than those bough locally err, or so I am told .

Bare in mind though that some things may be cheaper locally. Still shop around here as well.

RB

As far as I know, Walmart, Kmart, Neiman Marcus etc don't allow non-US issued credit cards, so even if you get past the checkout system (which I have - even with confirmation order), the order will be reviewed by the sales people and they'll inform you the transaction has to be cancelled, and your money refunded. (You could always engage a vPost/Borderlinx concierge to do this for you though).

Skinstore.com, Drugstore.com, newegg.com, Amazon - all allow international credit cards.

But yes, do take RB's advice and shop around here first before buying online. The things I buy I know for certain are cheaper online, like my True Religion jeans which cost S$750 at Bread and Butter here!!

-Ely

[january 0]

Hi Ely! You're making good progress on the reno

I'm looking at the lighting points and I have some comments...

I think you have way too many downlights in the living and dining rooms. Like, way too many,

I personally think you need about 6 in the living and 4 in the dining... less lights but get the 26W ones. Makes the ceiling less cluttered... but maybe you like things super bright. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it's possible to dim PLC lights? If you want a cosy feel you should definitely replace the PLC with halogen, just because the light effect is 2000000 times better (but that's my personal preference). Plus halogen is dimmable.

Also, the light in the toilet. I think the point should be above the sink rather than above the toilet bowl... makes more sense that way.

Hope everything will go smoothly for u.

Lighting Points

I so need to alter the floorplan measurements... sigh.

-Ely

Edited April 6, 2011 by january

[RimBlock 0]

I personally think you need about 6 in the living and 4 in the dining... less lights but get the 26W ones. Makes the ceiling less cluttered... but maybe you like things super bright. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it's possible to dim PLC lights? If you want a cosy feel you should definitely replace the PLC with halogen, just because the light effect is 2000000 times better (but that's my personal preference). Plus halogen is dimmable.

Halogen is also hot. We had a dining table ling hanging light and never used it as the halogen bulbs made it uncomfortable to sit under.

I would be wary of halogen unless it is coupled with a fan or aircon. The light quality is nice though.

RB

[january 0]

I agree that halogen is very hot.

The trick is to put halogen in places where people won't be lingering for a long time

Like in front on the tv console. Corridors. Display areas.

The area with the sofa I suggest LEDs cuz they kinda sorta look like halogen and emit negligible heat. Still not as nice as halogen though cuz the ones we get in Singapore use small led modules with cheap and stupid lenses.

If you can afford it get the LED ceiling lights from Occhio. They're so beautiful. And really nice light quality.