Eggcited 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2014 Wow you've actually hack ur bedroom walls. May i know the price for that? Am thinking of hacking and install sliding doors. TIA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blackie 4 Report post Posted August 22, 2014 HiCan pass yr hacking contactors infro? Planning to coordinate my reno too.Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Tay Hong Choon 4 Report post Posted September 5, 2015 I am updating this long overdue thread after moving in for almost a year now. The purpose is to share the reno ideas and contacts with fellow members after living with it for some time to give useful comments on the feasibility of the designs, quality of the workmanship and durability of the taobao purchase. For your info, almost 90% of the furniture and fittings except for electrical appliances are sourced from taobao. TB is really a heap of treasure trove to dig and my discovery leads me to purchase in excess of 15m3 in sea shipments, not counting other miscellaneous by air. The items are cheap even with the shipping costs factored in. With such a bargain, how can I pass to minimise cost. If I were to do my reno all again, I would even consider getting the floor tiles as well for just a fraction of the price sold in Singapore…why not? As with many of the members here, cost savings, ideal designs and quality are 3 elements that matters most to us. As such, I do away with an ID as I have an absolute idea on the design and theme that I always wanted. I split the work required to 3 separate direct contractors to reduce cost further. The main con will be engaged for the tiling, hacking and false ceiling works. Subcon 1 for aircon and electrical works and subcon 2 for carpentry work. One off installation like, wooden doors, glass door, glass backing, wrought iron grille and vanity top had been sourced direct from factory. To reduce the reno costs even further, the sub subcon for interior design, painting, plumbing works, lights and fan installations, fixtures installation, networking cable laying, tiles overlaying for toilet and wallpaper pasting will be done by ME ME ME The look from outside, walnut vs cherry colour door. If you are wondering if I had changed the door? Nope, I engage the carpenter to laminate it to match my interior carpentry. I have changed the default cylinder lock to EVVA for the main door and ABUS for the main gate. I don’t like the idea to have a padlock system at the gate and the lock will only be as strong as the gate. The lockset provided by HDB is the 5 top pins variant which is really easily pick by amateur locksmith using simple tools as shown on youtube. This EVVA lock is very pick resistant as it has 5 top pins and 5 side pins which are not easily accessible using normal picking techniques. But it also has its own inconveniences as your neighbourhood ah pek locksmith might not be able to pick this lock or duplicate this key in the event you lost your key. If you are the ultimate kiasu/kiasi type and want to have the best lock, behold, this should be the one you are looking for. The ultimate pick resistant lock which till now, no one has claim to successfully pick it. The EVVA MCS http://www.evva.at/products/mechanical-locking-systems/mcs-locking-system/technology/en/ that comes with rotating disc magnet. I have also changed the “Chicken Wing” door closer and installed an electronic door peeper. No, the arm is not from FB seller but was ordered from TB for the whole set which is still cheaper. The door peeper can be set to trigger off taking video or picture based on motion sensor. The battery last for almost 2 week before requiring a recharge when set to picture taking. The touch panel is not that sensitive compared to a handphone but still usable. Overall, it performed as should and well worth it price. Had requested the carpenter to laminate the DB doors to match my door, added partition in between to place my keys/mails and pole to hang the umbrella. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Tay Hong Choon 4 Report post Posted September 5, 2015 My biggest regret for the shoe cabinet is that it is too small for me to place 2 pairs of shoes side by side. It is not an issue with my wifey’s shoes. Should have make it 1 feet wider…urggghh. Added a LED strip in the background to light up the ceramic master pieces which is also from TB. It is connected with bare copper wire as thin as human hair to make the wiring look invisible from a distance as there is no way to conceal the wiring due to last minute idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Tay Hong Choon 4 Report post Posted September 5, 2015 Installed and oversized dish rack from TB to place the pots and pans instead of lying around the basin after washing. Although it is advertised as 304L grade, it still rust after a few months of usage. Another regret is not installing the “stylo milo” Aventos HL as my initial worry is that the hinge might not be able to clear the protruding cabinet above which was proven to be wrong. Condiments tray from TB. Even though the track has soft closing mechanism, it still feel heavy to push when loaded compared to Blum. The lower cabinet opposite the wash basin are made from the leftover iquartz cut out from the hob and wash basin joined together. Carpentry work are free after I “poloso” the carpenter for all the extensive works I have engaged him…hehe. So basically, I am just paying for the skirting cost to iquartz and blum hinges and tracks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Tay Hong Choon 4 Report post Posted September 5, 2015 My Eden garden and aquarium corner at the service yard. Pardon my shrimp tank with the “moss growing” in progress as the tank is still in the dry start phase before filling with water and lots of shrimp! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Tay Hong Choon 4 Report post Posted September 5, 2015 The big wall clock on the feature wall at the dining area was the centre piece of attraction which wowed many guests during the house warming. Many guests asked why do I need such a big clock, my answer to them was simple “I am heavily short sighted”…keke. There is even a contractor that ask me whether the clock really works. Initially I wanted to incorporate a full height tinted mirror as it create a sense of space and good for fengshui as well but decided against it as it is not possible to install the mirror in 1 big piece, higher cost than tiling and harder to maintain. And I like the effect of the cove light which cast a slight shadow on the tiles to create a 3D effect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Tay Hong Choon 4 Report post Posted September 5, 2015 My design philosophy is simple. Less means more. I like neutral colour, simple line, spacious living, warm lights with lots of lights option to suit the ambience I would like to create. I try to minimise horizontal surface as they are dust magnet. I would prefer the dust to drop on the floor and pick up by my robot vacuum. The reason for choosing beige and woody is to match the colour of the bronze window which I could not change. And ya, the curtains are from TB as well. Just provide them the dimension and design and choose the colour and materials from their site and they will handle the rest. The materials are very thick and good with almost 90% light blocking effect. The pricing are unbeatable!! My arty farty airport runway. Yup, the bomb shelter door is also laminated to match with the rest of the doors. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZzzMonster 7 Report post Posted September 5, 2015 Your house is very nicely done up! May I know what laminate u use to laminate your door? Is it the same type of laminate used for carpentry? How much does it cost? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Tay Hong Choon 4 Report post Posted September 6, 2015 Yup, it is the same wood laminate used for carpentry works. It cost about $150 to laminate 1 side of the door. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bykaraanne 30 Report post Posted September 6, 2015 Yup, it is the same wood laminate used for carpentry works. It cost about $150 to laminate 1 side of the door.Hey DeadEnd!How's the laminate on your main door working out?I wanted to laminate my main door but my contractor recommended not to as it might "pop" over time, since the door is not optimal for laminating over...Wonder what's your take on it after living with it for a while? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Tay Hong Choon 4 Report post Posted September 7, 2015 Great!, I like it as the original cherry red does not goes well with my interior design. Heard from the carpenter that he started off with a flat piece of laminate which had been laid flat for it to settle down to reduce the chance of warping. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifp 0 Report post Posted September 7, 2015 The big wall clock on the feature wall at the dining area was the centre piece of attraction which wowed many guests during the house warming. Many guests asked why do I need such a big clock, my answer to them was simple “I am heavily short sighted”…keke. There is even a contractor that ask me whether the clock really works. Initially I wanted to incorporate a full height tinted mirror as it create a sense of space and good for fengshui as well but decided against it as it is not possible to install the mirror in 1 big piece, higher cost than tiling and harder to maintain. And I like the effect of the cove light which cast a slight shadow on the tiles to create a 3D effect.hi, your clock is gorgeous! may I enquire where did you get the clock? I'm interested to fit one at my place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Tay Hong Choon 4 Report post Posted September 8, 2015 Hi, I bought the clock from TB. Unfortunately the link is not broken, if you search for wall clock, there will be a lot of choices for you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Del8 0 Report post Posted November 25, 2015 Hi, can post the tb link for your pendant light? Many thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
