5 Room Anchorvale Isles Renovation Journey

[Saru 4]

Revised 3D renderings are out!

More in line with what we wanted.

All white! So we can focus on artworks, posters, art pieces and photo frames in the white spaces

Closer and closer to getting started!

Information overload on the things to learn, first plumbing and now to think about lighting.

Still think $2250 for simple plumbing and sink/toilet bowl installation is madness, soliciting quotes for a 2nd opinion.

Think lights will be Tao Bao for the feature lights but main track lights will be from Singapore (somehow don't trust Taobao to get dimmable track lights)

[Saru 4]

Missed out the kitchen

<a href='http://postimg.org/image/5mgnnp4kd/' target='_blank'><img src='http://s30.postimg.org/5mgnnp4kd/image.jpg' border='0' alt="image" /></a>

Was told have to hire PE to hack service yard joking kitchen as space above door and window is a beam. That's $500 gone easily.

Wonder if PE is really necessary but given the 4-5 pipes interlocking in my service yard I guess the complication is true.

Good news is plumbing quote is now reduced to $950 from $2250. Still surprised by my id's "realisation" that quote is too high after my challenge.

[hellonub 5]

Hi neighbour, how's your reno coming along?

[Saru 4]

Hi neighbour, how's your reno coming along?

Going great - just been traveling and out of the country almost every other week so no time to post up photos. That's the reason I hired a (i think) more premium ID firm that probably understands what i need in terms of design and quality better - no time to go down to inspect. Anyway I have been kept up to date with tons of photos on each process and all seems well.

Toilet tiling and bathtub is done and looks fab.

Just finished cement screeding and should be able to lay the floor early next week.

Shall post up photos next week - each step along the way

[Saru 4]

Everyone seems to go for Taobao but I just keep getting jitters about ordering from Taobao because if anything goes wrong or not up to expectations - no matter how much the discount is - it is 100% money down the drain. Initially wanted to order quite alot of items but changed my mind later on as I am not able to actually see how the goods look before buying.

I bought my stuff (mainly lights) instead from:

Hong Kong: Dimension Living/ Decor 8/ or go to Horizon Plaza --> most designer replica items from Taobao can be found here. Prices are higher but general feeling is quality is better (HK reputation). Only issue is you have to handcarry back.

Taipei: Luminant La510 Originals (near Da-an in Wenchang street) --> antique industrial style. Handcarry back or figure a way to ship home? Can buy cheap 220V LED or whatever edison lightbulbs from Wenchang streeet as most brands made in Taiwan anyway (they OEM for big brands).

Thailand: Everyone knows the Chatuchak market and Train market *(now shifted to Seacon square) and thank goodness i speak Thai so this will be a spot where i can really dig out bargains. Other places to check out will be Papaya Vintage store - anything you need you can look out for Herbert (a Singaporean based there) who can help you source. Papaya is just hard to get to unless you are familiar with Lad Phrao area - does make it an adventure though.

and of course if i have a chance to go to Guangzhou.....Furniture wholesale market would be a dream - a massive Taobao market where you can touch and test the items before buying and shipping.

Telling myself everyday to be patient not to buy in Singapore but wait till holiday or business trips to cart back small pieces furniture!!

[Khng 2]

Your wife must be Thai?

It's always an advantage to be able to speak another language.

[Saru 4]

Your wife must be Thai?

It's always an advantage to be able to speak another language.

Haha...no my wife is Japanese. I am still trying to find time to brush up my broken Japanese. So short of time and renovating the house eats up all available free time I have. I think greatest advantage is still knowing Mandarin though - can use Taobao!!

I ordered the below and bought a bunch of photo frames as well. The prices are incredible but not sure about the quality. Awaiting receipt of items a few weeks later with bated breath!

[Saru 4]

Hacking time!

[Saru 4]

For service yard, At first was told had the keep the beam at risk of damaging the pipes but glad they could took everything out in the end.

At least it feels now the $500 for the PE was worth it? Was doubting PE was even needed but got the letter from HDB saying so, therefore "no horse run"

[Saru 4]

Bathroom works in progress - Love the wood-looklike tiles and the subway tiles with white screening.

Bought the MA- 1210 FER water heater because of the remote control and bath fill function. The small bath will make it fun and easy to bathe my baby princess. Not to forget there was a $50 petrol voucher + $20 NTUC voucher given if you buy at Somerset Gallery. I cannot wait to test it out! Reviews on gas heater vs. electric storage heaters has been mixed - cannot wait to start having my own and going around to test all my neighbours for a verdict.

Isn't that a nice opening line for kampung spirit? "Hi Neighbour, can I test how your water heater works?"

[Saru 4]

Again on bathrooms - this time for the lights.

Bought the lights at a steal in Taipei - all the lights sold in Singapore can be such a rip off.

The shop owner in Taipei carefully explained the difference of using the lights in Singapore vs. Taiwan and provided the right bulbs as well.

I asked for different bulbs from the pictures below and he has a wide range of edison-like and LED bulbs to choose from!

[Saru 4]

Looking for cheap and good multi-standard sockets - not Legrand of course.

Anyone know any place to go and how much is one? Looking for 6 pieces

Electrician is charging me $28 per piece.....expensive. I may not need many but still expensive - feels like same price as Eubiq sockets!

Is that the market price.

I did hear this is not allowed in HDB though - so not sure whether to proceed. But I see no issue if i use mainly appliances catered to Singapore power grid

Edited August 29, 2014 by Saru

[Saru 4]

Guys working hard at night to finish the flooring!

Excited to see everything taking shape!

Bought the track lights and ceiling mount spot lights at Lightcraft, sofa + desk + shelf from Commune/ Crate & Barrel today. I must say enough for now and let the furniture sit in before I buy anything else - do not want to regret my purchases!

Next up - Gas heater installation on Monday morning and service yard window installation

[Saru 4]

Popped by for a quick look and amazing the guys are working sunday to finish all the flooring on time. He's working on the skirting now. Somehow the skirting does not work for me and want to change it to white skirting - perhaps tear it out (wife thought it was really mean to do that to all his hard work)? or perhaps paint it white - idea is we do not want the skirting to "cut" the bottom of the white wall, so as to make everything look longer and wider.

Simply loved the vinyl flooring and its texture - happy it is water proof as well.

Been hearing a lot about Evorich or another brand but all the write-ups about them simply confused me. Brand or no brand - this does it for me

[Saru 4]

Gas heater installed.

Protection for flooring up!

Edited September 3, 2014 by Saru