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Hi! I'm one half of this home, thought I'd contribute with my side of this home planning. Here's a quick review of some of the furniture places we've visited.

Personally I like one-off furniture a lot, things that have a little bit of story in them. I'm always on the look out for such shops especially if they come at reasonable prices! :good:

Noden Collective

They’ve got beautiful vintage furniture. A coffee table caught my eye but unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be, it was sold when we went there. The pieces are mostly one off, and we were told that they source their furniture from Europe.

The staff are very friendly and unobtrusive, they let us roam around and will come to tell us a bit about the furniture when we asked.

Their prices varies, I think it depends on how rare or which designer the furniture are from.

Will continue stalking their website to see if they’ve got stuff we’d like. :notti:

Like That One

I’ve been stalking their flickr account for like the longest time! Was really excited to finally make the trip down to check out the place (it’s at Bukit Batok, for us staying at Sengkang it’s really far). And of cos very proud owner of a shelving unit. Will continue stalking their site, will purchase more stuff when we move in since we don’t have much storage space. Do check out their flickr account or website for what they’re all about.

Galanga Living

Was pleasantly surprised my office is just right across from this shop and got the chance to check it out a couple of times during my lunch hours. They have a lot of industrial furnishings and we fell in love with a bench. Hopefully it’ll still be there by February! Foresee we’d be making more purchases here.

Things Your Mother Throw

Checked this place out but didn’t stay for long. I think they have mostly local vintage furniture, the place was really small and cramped so it wasn’t really comfortable. But I think they’re expanding or something, check out their Facebook page. If you’re looking to get some vintage furniture, this could be one good place to start.

Scanteak

We bought a bed, chest of drawers and a laundry storage box just so that we could make it to $2,500 for free delivery! They also allowed us to put off the delivery dates. So far we’ve had really good experience shopping here, the staff are very attentive and friendly. For me I think we have enough of Scanteak furniture, I don’t want my home to turn into a showroom for the brand.

We also went to Tan Boon Liat Building, thanks to a blogger who did an unofficial furniture listing for the building

Journey East #03-02

They’ve got a huge and nice showroom, quite good selection of industrial furniture. But their prices were out of our budget and we didn’t really like anything we saw. I think I only liked the artwork they carry.

Mountain Teak #07-02

They have really nice furniture with simple and clean finish. But the price is so out of our budget, besides we got most if not all of our teak furniture from Scanteak.

The Shophouse #07-03

It was the first shop we stepped into. I’m not quite sure how to describe their style, I think like a bit mid-century, a bit modern, a bit ‘60s-ish and a bit retro. But we did liked a bedside table they had and their staff was really friendly. Most of their stuff like their sofas, coffee tables are out of our budget but it’s not that overly expensive. Will probably check out their accessories they have at their Tanglin Mall branch.

More to come as we check out more places! :rolleyes:

The focus of the blog suddenly shifted to home networking and I forgotten to introduce my wife. :wub:

We thought it will be great if she post and interact with her own account, so here she is.

 

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Hello mavi, can I just confirm with you on your network layout.

Let's assume you signing up for MyRepublic internet and Starhub's Cable TV.

Internet Setup

1) TP has 2 ports labelled 1 and 2 and its located in closet near door. Assume port 1 is used for Myrepublic Internet.

2) TP Port 1 (@closet) connects to MyRepublic's ONT (@Living Room) via your own fiber cable.

3) ONT(@Living Room) connects to Router (@Study Room)

4) Router (@Study Room) connects to 24 ports Switch (@Study Room)

5) 24 ports Switch (@Study Room) connects to many patch panel leading to each room.

*End Result: Every room has LAN connection coming from the 24 ports Switch.

Cable TV Setup

1) TP has 2 ports labelled 1 and 2 and its located in closet near door. Assume port 2 is used for Starhub's Cable TV.

2) TP Port 2 (@closet) connects to Starhub's ONT (@Living Room) via existing cable layout by HDB.

3) ONT (@Living Room) connects to Starhub Modem (@Living Room) which connects to TV (@Living Room).

4) <im not sure what's next>

*End Result: How to be able to watch Starhub's Cable TV in every room?

Additional Questions

1) Where can we buy a roll of super long CAT6 cable?

2) Where does cable run? Usually along the ceilings or along the floor skirting?

 

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Just want to share. In Hardwarezone, there is a forumer who can convert your telephone points to Ethernet point at an affordable price. Please note htat he only convert the endpoints (from telephone to ethernet) and not the cables.

However, I am unsure what is the speed of the cables HDB installed in our house.

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/garage-sales-18/services-fiber-telephone-point-lan-data-ethernet-point-conversion-services-4390951.html

Hi,

Thanks for the techie info. Its difficult even for me! Anyway, looks like this is THE place to ask for tech and wiring stuff for home reno.

Anyway, I saw that we have phone cables to almost every room. Any chance to convert the phone points to cat4 cables(about 10mbps) or cat5 cables or you have experience in homePNA?

Phonelines should be technically useless now(due to free voice) and intent to conceal all WIFI, modem router in the drawer :)

Good sharing!

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/phone-network.htm

 

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Hello mavi, can I just confirm with you on your network layout.

Let's assume you signing up for MyRepublic internet and Starhub's Cable TV.

Internet Setup

1) TP has 2 ports labelled 1 and 2 and its located in closet near door. Assume port 1 is used for Myrepublic Internet.

2) TP Port 1 (@closet) connects to MyRepublic's ONT (@Living Room) via your own fiber cable.

3) ONT(@Living Room) connects to Router (@Study Room)

4) Router (@Study Room) connects to 24 ports Switch (@Study Room)

5) 24 ports Switch (@Study Room) connects to many patch panel leading to each room.

*End Result: Every room has LAN connection coming from the 24 ports Switch.

Cable TV Setup

1) TP has 2 ports labelled 1 and 2 and its located in closet near door. Assume port 2 is used for Starhub's Cable TV.

2) TP Port 2 (@closet) connects to Starhub's ONT (@Living Room) via existing cable layout by HDB.

3) ONT (@Living Room) connects to Starhub Modem (@Living Room) which connects to TV (@Living Room).

4) <im not sure what's next>

*End Result: How to be able to watch Starhub's Cable TV in every room?

Additional Questions

1) Where can we buy a roll of super long CAT6 cable?

2) Where does cable run? Usually along the ceilings or along the floor skirting?

Your description basically sums it up except for the following, there is a ISP's RG located in the study between the ONT and the switch, and StarHub cable TV runs independently on the cable network. Each room (coaxial cable point) will require a set-top box to decode the cable TV signal.

If, in the future, StarHub launches IPTV on the fibre network, only then will the ONT and structured cabling come into play as the service will be provided through a second port on the ONT.

You can get short custom length or a 1000ft (300m) reel LAN cable from Sim Lim Tower. Incidentally, I am looking for someone to share a reel with me. Based on my requirement, I will roughly need about half a reel including buffer length.

As for running of cables in HDB homes, I believe the most common practice is running them along ceilings. In a post I shared earlier, someone actually laid the cables on the ground prior to cement screeding to minimize the amount of surface trunking. Another alternative is to use the indsturial theme pipe conduit which is quite the rage these days. Of course, if you have the cash to spare, electricians can conceal new cabling into the walls for the right price.

 

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Just want to share. In Hardwarezone, there is a forumer who can convert your telephone points to Ethernet point at an affordable price. Please note htat he only convert the endpoints (from telephone to ethernet) and not the cables.

However, I am unsure what is the speed of the cables HDB installed in our house.

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/garage-sales-18/services-fiber-telephone-point-lan-data-ethernet-point-conversion-services-4390951.html

There are a few persons offering such service and they only cater to homeowners of new BTO units as the telephone points are wired using cat 6 cables. It is actually a viable option if you only require one or two cable concealed data points.

 

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Hi eno

I am currently having both fibre broadband and StarHub TV.

My current broadband network (described in more detail in my blog) is similar to what you have described except:

- Service Provider is StarHub not MyRepublic

- Switch is 8 ports not 24

Note: I believe ONT is supplied by Nucleus Connect, the operator of OpenNet network, and Router (known as Residential Gateway or RG) is supplied by ISP.

As for Cable TV, as what Mavicaste said, currently, StarHub is still relying on their co-axial cable network to deliver their TV content. So, currently, the TP and the rest of your structured cable network does not come into play. Basically, you can only watch StarHub Cable TV in any room that has a SCV point and you must rent a SCV box for every room that you want cable TV.

The best comparison is SingTel Mio TV because they have moved to the fibre network. From what I know, the MIO TV box is plugged directly to any of your ports in your RG, or alternatively to a network port in your room that is directly cabled to your RG. The one thing I was told recently (but have no personal knowledge) is that you cannot put a switch in between your SingTel RG and the MIO TV box, unless the switch is a "managed switch". I don't know enough about this to explain.

As for the cabling route, unless you run concealed, the trunking should normally be just above the skirting, as that is least obvious.

Edited by kstoh
 

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Your description basically sums it up except for the following, there is a ISP's RG located in the study between the ONT and the switch, and StarHub cable TV runs independently on the cable network. Each room (coaxial cable point) will require a set-top box to decode the cable TV signal.

If, in the future, StarHub launches IPTV on the fibre network, only then will the ONT and structured cabling come into play as the service will be provided through a second port on the ONT.

You can get short custom length or a 1000ft (300m) reel LAN cable from Sim Lim Tower. Incidentally, I am looking for someone to share a reel with me. Based on my requirement, I will roughly need about half a reel including buffer length.

As for running of cables in HDB homes, I believe the most common practice is running them along ceilings. In a post I shared earlier, someone actually laid the cables on the ground prior to cement screeding to minimize the amount of surface trunking. Another alternative is to use the indsturial theme pipe conduit which is quite the rage these days. Of course, if you have the cash to spare, electricians can conceal new cabling into the walls for the right price.

Thanks for the explanation. I'm clear on your internet setup. Just not clear in cable TV setup as I am not familiar. Don't mind the basic questions on cable TV.

1. Is it possible to use 1 setup box to play the same stream to 2 TV? ie. to say someone's watching the SAME channel on the kitchen and another person is watching in the living room.

2. How does the contractor lay the coaxial cable point in each room? Does it have to be connected using CAT6 cable from the cabinet (@entrance of the house) to the room?

This question is on laying the cat6 cabling.

1. Let's say from the study room (where the 24 ports Switch is), we want 10 connections to MBR. Does that mean we need 10 separate cat6 cable from study room to MBR?

Hi eno

I am currently having both fibre broadband and StarHub TV.

My current broadband network (described in more detail in my blog) is similar to what you have described except:

- Service Provider is StarHub not MyRepublic

- Switch is 8 ports not 24

Note: I believe ONT is supplied by Nucleus Connect, the operator of OpenNet network, and Router (known as Residential Gateway or RG) is supplied by ISP.

As for Cable TV, as what Mavicaste said, currently, StarHub is still relying on their co-axial cable network to deliver their TV content. So, currently, the TP and the rest of your structured cable network does not come into play. Basically, you can only watch StarHub Cable TV in any room that has a SCV point and you must rent a SCV box for every room that you want cable TV.

The best comparison is SingTel Mio TV because they have moved to the fibre network. From what I know, the MIO TV box is plugged directly to any of your ports in your RG, or alternatively to a network port in your room that is directly cabled to your RG. The one thing I was told recently (but have no personal knowledge) is that you cannot put a switch in between your SingTel RG and the MIO TV box, unless the switch is a "managed switch". I don't know enough about this to explain.

As for the cabling route, unless you run concealed, the trunking should normally be just above the skirting, as that is least obvious.

Hey kstoh, thanks for the explanation. I read your t-blog but I must have missed the networking portion.

Put it simply, switches are meant to be used as plug and play without configurations. A managed switch is a more powerful Switch that you can configure (such as VLANs, VLAN taggings, etc).

A quick read on Singtel MioTV suggests that singtel pushes these 4 vlans from the ONT.

Vlan 10 - Internet

Vlan 20 - MIO Tv

Vlan 30 - VoIP

Vlan 40 - Management

From what I read, the reason why people configure the managed switch is to enable them to use their own router instead of the one given by Singtel.

 

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Thanks for the explanation. I'm clear on your internet setup. Just not clear in cable TV setup as I am not familiar. Don't mind the basic questions on cable TV.

1. Is it possible to use 1 setup box to play the same stream to 2 TV? ie. to say someone's watching the SAME channel on the kitchen and another person is watching in the living room.

2. How does the contractor lay the coaxial cable point in each room? Does it have to be connected using CAT6 cable from the cabinet (@entrance of the house) to the room?

This question is on laying the cat6 cabling.

1. Let's say from the study room (where the 24 ports Switch is), we want 10 connections to MBR. Does that mean we need 10 separate cat6 cable from study room to MBR?

A quick check on StarHub's site states that the digital set-top box is no longer available for new signups and it has been replaced with the HD set-top box. The HD set-top box output interfaces are HDMI and component. So, unless you are going to run either of these cables from the living room to the kitchen through a splitter, you will not be able to "simulcast" the programmes on two displays.

Most HDB units built from end '90s should already have coaxial cable points in every room including the household shelter and is termed "cable ready". The coaxial cable network is a separate infrastructure altogether and the fibre network is meant to replace it as cable has reached its limit for internet access speed several years ago. You can perform a status check at the following StarHub website.

http://www.starhub.com/personal/broadband/app/cabling_search.html

About your question on laying one cable for each point required, yes that is what will happen in my plan as I require that each and every point to be directly connected to the switch. An alternative solution, as kstoh has pointed out, is to run 2 cables (second one for redundancy) to each room and provide multiple points through a switch.

 

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Just sharing what I think is a fantastic deal which was just launched today.

Get a $688 voucher for use on any Samsung fridge or washer with purchase of selected model fridge or washer.

So happened the both the fridge models RT35FDACDSL and RT59QBSL are eligible for the $688 voucher and I believe there is still a concurrent promotion of a free vacuum cleaner and $50 supermarket vouchers. Now, all we have to do is to find a place to store the fridge for a couple of months. :unsure:

SamsungFridgeWasherPromotion.jpg

Edited by mavicaste
 

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Thanks for the explanation. I'm clear on your internet setup. Just not clear in cable TV setup as I am not familiar. Don't mind the basic questions on cable TV.

1. Is it possible to use 1 setup box to play the same stream to 2 TV? ie. to say someone's watching the SAME channel on the kitchen and another person is watching in the living room.

2. How does the contractor lay the coaxial cable point in each room? Does it have to be connected using CAT6 cable from the cabinet (@entrance of the house) to the room?

This question is on laying the cat6 cabling.

1. Let's say from the study room (where the 24 ports Switch is), we want 10 connections to MBR. Does that mean we need 10 separate cat6 cable from study room to MBR?

Thanks for the explanation. I'm clear on your internet setup. Just not clear in cable TV setup as I am not familiar. Don't mind the basic questions on cable TV.

1. Is it possible to use 1 setup box to play the same stream to 2 TV? ie. to say someone's watching the SAME channel on the kitchen and another person is watching in the living room.

Yes possible,but you need a customised HDMI/COMPOSITE cabling to the intended placement

http://sewelldirect.com/Sewell-Dual-Band-InjectIR-IR-over-HDMI-for-Remote-Controls.asp For a more complete understanding.

2. How does the contractor lay the coaxial cable point in each room? Does it have to be connected using CAT6 cable from the cabinet (@entrance of the house) to the room?

Depending on what house your living now.All BTOs have SCV cabling done in very room.No it doesnt use Cat6 but Coaxial cable called RG6,most contractor will tap the connection from the nearest point if you required more than 1 point in a room.The cabinet/closet is called a Internal Point(IP)distribution closet.

This question is on laying the cat6 cabling.

1. Let's say from the study room (where the 24 ports Switch is), we want 10 connections to MBR. Does that mean we need 10 separate cat6 cable from study room to MBR?

Yes.

 

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A quick check on StarHub's site states that the digital set-top box is no longer available for new signups and it has been replaced with the HD set-top box. The HD set-top box output interfaces are HDMI and component. So, unless you are going to run either of these cables from the living room to the kitchen through a splitter, you will not be able to "simulcast" the programmes on two displays.

Most HDB units built from end '90s should already have coaxial cable points in every room including the household shelter and is termed "cable ready". The coaxial cable network is a separate infrastructure altogether and the fibre network is meant to replace it as cable has reached its limit for internet access speed several years ago. You can perform a status check at the following StarHub website.

http://www.starhub.com/personal/broadband/app/cabling_search.html

About your question on laying one cable for each point required, yes that is what will happen in my plan as I require that each and every point to be directly connected to the switch. An alternative solution, as kstoh has pointed out, is to run 2 cables (second one for redundancy) to each room and provide multiple points through a switch.

Hey thanks for the explanation. It is better to run 6 cables for 6 points rather than running 2 cables with 6-ports switches.

Thanks for the explanation. I'm clear on your internet setup. Just not clear in cable TV setup as I am not familiar. Don't mind the basic questions on cable TV.

1. Is it possible to use 1 setup box to play the same stream to 2 TV? ie. to say someone's watching the SAME channel on the kitchen and another person is watching in the living room.

2. How does the contractor lay the coaxial cable point in each room? Does it have to be connected using CAT6 cable from the cabinet (@entrance of the house) to the room?

This question is on laying the cat6 cabling.

1. Let's say from the study room (where the 24 ports Switch is), we want 10 connections to MBR. Does that mean we need 10 separate cat6 cable from study room to MBR?

Thanks for the explanation. I'm clear on your internet setup. Just not clear in cable TV setup as I am not familiar. Don't mind the basic questions on cable TV.

1. Is it possible to use 1 setup box to play the same stream to 2 TV? ie. to say someone's watching the SAME channel on the kitchen and another person is watching in the living room.

Yes possible,but you need a customised HDMI/COMPOSITE cabling to the intended placement

http://sewelldirect.com/Sewell-Dual-Band-InjectIR-IR-over-HDMI-for-Remote-Controls.asp For a more complete understanding.

2. How does the contractor lay the coaxial cable point in each room? Does it have to be connected using CAT6 cable from the cabinet (@entrance of the house) to the room?

Depending on what house your living now.All BTOs have SCV cabling done in very room.No it doesnt use Cat6 but Coaxial cable called RG6,most contractor will tap the connection from the nearest point if you required more than 1 point in a room.The cabinet/closet is called a Internal Point(IP)distribution closet.

This question is on laying the cat6 cabling.

1. Let's say from the study room (where the 24 ports Switch is), we want 10 connections to MBR. Does that mean we need 10 separate cat6 cable from study room to MBR?

Yes.

Thanks man. That's a very good site! But can we find something similar in Sim Lims for the HDMI splitter with the remote thingy.

 

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Hey thanks for the explanation. It is better to run 6 cables for 6 points rather than running 2 cables with 6-ports switches.

Thanks man. That's a very good site! But can we find something similar in Sim Lims for the HDMI splitter with the remote thingy.

SIM LIM TOWER hor not SIM LIM SQ...the mecca for electronics and DIY projects...the other is SLS the mecca for chop carrots and IT stuffs.When i was doing a project in KL for one of the pay tv service provider,the contractors have all the IR stuffs for watching 2 or 3 tv using one decorder. Theres always TB and Amazon to your rescue.

you can always do the 2 cables to 6 ports switch.but its redundant cause you still need to run cabling to the 6 port switch.Logic rite?You will need a switch regardless cause the default RG/modem comes with 4 ethernet port. So the ideal scenario is to house all ur IT equipment and FTP and modem set up at one centralised corner.Like how office set up is ,all goes to server room.

Edited by Freakerz
 

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An update on the status of our block.

It last failed the SCDF Household Shelter inspection on 8 January but the issue has since been rectified and the Household Shelter has been commissioned as of yesterday. So we are looking at TOP between a week to two right now, provided the stupid contractor does not screw anything up again.

 

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I thought the SCDF would have commisioned the household shelter when HDB gave out the keys to the flat. How come there was another inspection?

 

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