cj07 0 Report post Posted February 23, 2012 We struck gold when we went to Universal Union. Lying discreetly on the floor when we first stepped in, we zoomed in on the granite sink immediately. At 533 x 457, it is the smallest granite sink found yet, and it fits our requirements perfectly. That was a good sign and we decided to just browse around to see if we can find other bathroom fittings.Went upstairs and chanced on their Grohe and Hansgrohe fittings. For some strange reason, Grohe was more expensive than Hansgrohe. There was a promotion going on then for the Hansgrohe shower and tap mixer set, starting from $368 onwards. That was the price for the shower head, handle bar, shower mixer and tap mixer. We thought of getting only the tap mixer for our MBR bathroom, however that alone cost almost $200! So it made sense to get a set instead. Having shortlist the 2, we more or less decided that we will get the MBR basin from them, but we spent a long time but couldn't find any. The sales person was really patient with us, she offered to email the pictures of sink from the catalog if she finds something relevant. Anyway we left empty-handed the first time round, deciding to see if we can find a nicer sink from elsewhere. In the end, we couldn't forget about the Hansgrohe set and the fact that it is value-for-money, so we decided to go back Universal Union and purchase our stuff. That was one week later. Our shopping:Granite Sink - exact same colourHansgrohe - A little luxury for us! Other stuff we bought were the basin and tap for the sink. Comes with free delivery. By the way, we bought a towel rack initially however decided to change our mind before the delivery. So we cancelled it and there were no issues from Universal. Very good service! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cj07 0 Report post Posted February 23, 2012 So with the big ticket items done, and we had set our minds on the VRH bathroom accessories, we went over to Sim Siang Choon in Changi instead. That is their headquarters, which is also the largest showroom in Singapore. Decided that shopping there would be a more comfortable experience.The showroom is huge, spacious, and has almost every type of bathroom fitting imaginable. It features an ikea-style kind of shopping, where you take a list and a pencil, walk around listing the code number of the items you would like to purchase. After that, just hand it over to the lady at the counter and they will get the items from their store (wherever that is) for you. They even have measuring tapes that looks exactly like ikea's. All to make shopping a better experience. Highly recommend anyone who would like to go SSC to make a trip down if it is not too inconvenient. In the end we bought the following:Not in the photo: towel rack and one other toilet roll holder. We got everything from VRH - our house bathrooms can become showroom for VRH already. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cj07 0 Report post Posted February 23, 2012 Lights!Inspired by fellow renotalkers (defelio, jumpstreet and petetherock), I wanted to get the PH5 too. Contemplated for the longest time to get a replica from Light+Form Concept, until I found an online seller who is selling the original 2nd-hand. We also checked out the online shops - Nostraforma and Connox, but found the prices on the high side. Therefore I emailed the owner, and he found one which is almost in brand new condition. It was a steal at EUR280, and we added EUR40 for shipping. He offered to clean it up for us prior to shipping it out as well, and all's good! Box it came in:Yellowed coz it's a vintage! In fact the lamps were hanging at some local council canteen in the 1970s in Germany, until it was removed. This was one of the rare few with the box and in almost mint condition. Looks good when it's finally up!Because of this light, our ID advised us not to install any L box, false ceiling, etc. as we told him this will be our centerpiece for the living room. Very glad at his initiative, we can save some $$ from there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dennis 0 Report post Posted February 24, 2012 Hi, you got a nice hangrohe... keen to get, can provide pic for all items and the price pls Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cj07 0 Report post Posted February 24, 2012 Hi, you got a nice hangrohe... keen to get, can provide pic for all items and the price plsHi Dennis,The hansgrohe that we got was the Focus E2 series -basin mixerbath mixerThe showerhead can be seen in my photo.These items were sold as a package hence I bought them. The package price was $388. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May_dream1 14 Report post Posted February 24, 2012 Your light is so special!! Have history of being in a canteen since 70s..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cj07 0 Report post Posted February 25, 2012 Your light is so special!! Have history of being in a canteen since 70s.....Thanks. I had a hard time searching for this lamp. It was a good thing I manage to find this original piece in almost mint condition. Andrew was shocked at the condition of the lamp. He couldn't believe that it was a 2nd hand lamp. Even the Zenterra people were surprised at the good condition of the lamp when they were preparing to install it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cj07 0 Report post Posted February 25, 2012 Dimmable LightsLet me digress a little...During the course of reading the many T-blogs in RT, I came across this set of dimmable lights - Philips EasysceneThe bulbs are energy saving bulbs with E27 base. What this means is that the bulbs can be fitted onto any E27 holder and used immediately. Not only that, the bulbs can be dimmed/brightened using a remote control. Sounds like loads of fun. However, the downside is the cost. The Easyscene starter kit costs $99 for 1 remote and 2 bulbs. Each additional bulb costs around $37 I think. The start-up cost is slightly higher, but it would be great fun to entertain guests with the Easyscene. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cj07 0 Report post Posted February 25, 2012 Update on Progress! Our unit is scheduled for handover 3 Mar, but after checking today it is almost ok for handover, just a pesky drawer that refuses to close properly despite having the soft closing mechanism. anyway some pics after that initial painting...MBR wardrobe is up, dresser at the corner near the 3/4 height windowsMBR door - we opt for laminated doors in contrast to wardrobe door. Effect was good! Close up of the floral laminate on the wardrobe.MBR toilet entrance - Due to the big entrance, we opted for fixed glass at the side. Also so that the vanity top in the toilet will not be restricted by the wall.Glass shower screen in MBR toilet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
restlessfeet 0 Report post Posted February 25, 2012 Lights!Inspired by fellow renotalkers (defelio, jumpstreet and petetherock), I wanted to get the PH5 too. Contemplated for the longest time to get a replica from Light+Form Concept, until I found an online seller who is selling the original 2nd-hand. We also checked out the online shops - Nostraforma and Connox, but found the prices on the high side. Therefore I emailed the owner, and he found one which is almost in brand new condition. It was a steal at EUR280, and we added EUR40 for shipping. He offered to clean it up for us prior to shipping it out as well, and all's good! Box it came in:Yellowed coz it's a vintage! In fact the lamps were hanging at some local council canteen in the 1970s in Germany, until it was removed. This was one of the rare few with the box and in almost mint condition. Looks good when it's finally up!Because of this light, our ID advised us not to install any L box, false ceiling, etc. as we told him this will be our centerpiece for the living room. Very glad at his initiative, we can save some $$ from there. I love your lamp! Do you mind sharing the seller's website? Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cj07 0 Report post Posted February 25, 2012 Living room - Bar counter. Probably our "highlight" for the reno. Like that it is curved downwards. This doubles up as dining table. Gonna add a rack to put the wine glasses below the table too. Anyway, good service from Andrew - the initial bar counter was only in 1 colour - the beige shade. As we felt that it was too plain, we asked him if he can get the carpenters to change the laminate for us to the flora design at the side for a bit of contrast. He agreed without hesitation - and the next time we saw it, the laminate is changed. No extra cost even. TV console - No feature wall for us, no suspending console. Just the old school TV console which sits exactly at the plug point and we added more power points to accomodate the WII, PS3, SCV, HTS, TV...and counting. Where we will be cooking. Got a slim hood in the same dimensions as the cooker. Full height cabinet with oven in the kitchen. The fridge shall be on its right by the window.Washing area - plumbers not in yet, no tap installed yet. This is on the other side of the wall opposite the full height oven. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May_dream1 14 Report post Posted February 26, 2012 Laminate doors are good, right? Can choose whatever laminate.... I like it too cos it's more unique. 😉 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bestman33 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2012 Laminate doors are good, right? Can choose whatever laminate.... I like it too cos it's more unique. 😉wow cj you got beautiful door, wardrobe , kitchen cabinets and your bar table is very special. Could you recomend your carpenters to me .Thank you.My email address is jurongbat@yahoo.com. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May_dream1 14 Report post Posted February 26, 2012 wow cj you got beautiful door, wardrobe , kitchen cabinets and your bar table is very special. Could you recomend your carpenters to me .Thank you.My email address is jurongbat@yahoo.com.We can only recommend our contractor, not the carpenter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bestman33 0 Report post Posted February 26, 2012 We can only recommend our contractor, not the carpenter.cj thanks then pls recomend me your contractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
