Self Designed House.. Project 2014

[bianzi 52]

The journey of securing my 4 room resale flat started after I accompanied my fren on her house hunting trip in early Jan this year.

Was ''targeted'' by her agent and one month later, I managed to secure the OTP for a 4 room flat in the North east and hence started my lifetime liability for the next 25 years...

Finally after waiting for almost 4 - 5 months, I finally got the keys to my flat in July....

Like most people here, I went to a couple of Ids to get quotes... but in the end, i decide to go for workmanship and decided to use a contractor for my renovation. His prices are ID prices... but since he is my fren's relative, i trust that I am in a pair of safe hands.

Well, it is still too early to tell now, but so far, the workmanship for the projects that he did was quite good..so i hope that mine will turn out fine...

the only con is that there is no 3d and basically i am designing this house myself..... trying to achieve a clean scandi (or modern mid century look) ... getting rather confused ... haha

​Oh i am doing getting an ID to do the carpentry for my kitchen, shoe cabinet and wardrobes.. cos my contractor's price for internal pvc is not very competitive and this is a must have for me

Edited July 31, 2014 by bianzi

[bianzi 52]

The before reno pics... no need to tell me that the house is already very nice... i know.. cos 101 people already told me that....(even the Aircon man told me that) arghhh but then again... i don't really like modern theme and also hate maintenance of open concept kitchen ... so all have the go!

Edited July 31, 2014 by bianzi

[bianzi 52]

My first house purchase. A kitchen mixer from insani. Received the goods in good order. Satisfied as of now. Hope it works after installation.

I got the rest of the shower accessories from Heritage and sanitary wares from wasser bath.

My 60 inch big *** fan... i opt for white as the living room is not really that big...and having a black thing towering above me gives me a feeling of having a giant moth above me...

My fav SONY brand tv.. I am a sucker for Sony products...

the only samsung product in my house as i could not afford a fisher .. lol

Sonos play bar and subwoofer

Edited July 31, 2014 by bianzi

[bianzi 52]

Picked an auspicious date 12 July to start the "dong tu" ceremony.
Confirmed with the contractor that they will start work on the 14th July.. So everything is planned..
Who knows, when I opened my door that morning, they already went in to do minor hacking and dismantling of the fixtures in the house!! Was super sian... Called the contractor and he acted like he was not aware of my dong tu ceremony Nevertheless what is done cannot be undone so I just went ahead with the ceremony... Hiccup #1



This was what I saw when I stepped into the house..


On the same sat day, they came and lay the cardboard paper and removed my windows grilles in a flash.., need to action so fast meh??
Oh ya I decided to take away the grilles as well... ( this is the only part that i was a bit hesitant abt as it was still in ok condition, but i still prefer to be grille less... Which means $$$ off as I am considering to do a privacy solar film...

Edited July 31, 2014 by bianzi

[bianzi 52]

Official day one - war zone mode





Bomb shelter mirror feature wall gone. Not going to cover this as doing chalkboard paint on bomb shelter wall.. But wondering how to hide the wires...cos it was previously hidden behind the feature wall...



Took off one part of the existing false ceiling to make way for my 60 inch fan...(hope this fits as it is going to be like 30cm beside the 2 L box)
I had to design the false ceiling myself as not very satisfied with the contractor proposed design...


Day 3 hollow blocks ready for building up the kitchen wall


My $750 worth of sand for kitchen flooring

Edited July 31, 2014 by bianzi

[bianzi 52]

Day 6 - hollow block up halfway.. Met with electrician to discuss lighting points... Have a feeling that it is going to cost me a bomb! Concealed cat 6 cables for 3 pts... He said cost add $200+ a point...


Day 10 - hollow block wall up and complete. Common toilet wall tiles up (why does it look like a public toilet?? )




Day 12 - master bathroom.. The tiles on the rainshower wall are not symmetrical due to the fact that the shower area being extended outwards... I am really doubting my choice of tiles now...sigh



Close up look... Lines like not flowing properly


Day 18 - not much updates
Suddenly slowing down... Aircon piping done today and tomorrow... Toilet ledge with cement up... Toilet wall tiling completed..actually not completely done as they still need to do the grouting... else the lines are so ugly...

Toilet floor screed smooth for tiling..

Edited July 31, 2014 by bianzi

[bianzi 52]

reserved

[bianzi 52]

reserved

[OceanEleven 203]

The journey of securing my 4 room resale flat started after I accompanied my fren on her house hunting trip in early Jan this year.

the only con is that there is no 3d and basically i am designing this house myself..... trying to achieve a clean scandi (or modern mid century look) ... getting rather confused ... haha

Congrats on getting your own loft and starting the blog.

There is no con about having no 3D. Most 3D cost money and delay the reno.

Imagine waiting 2 weeks just for drawings which you may not like afterall.

Some need deposit to start 3D only to realize not the right ID and forfeit the deposit.

So brace up and enjoy the journey.

[Songz 132]

Good luck for the Renovation.

Any specifics which you will be doing ?

[bianzi 52]

Hiccup #2

As i have a very small kitchen cum dining space planning is quite challenging on my kitchen layout.
Being a first time owner, generally I am very excited abt my house purchases.
I bought my sink a month back and sent the specifications to my contractor. Let's call him C..
It was a double bowl sink measuring 83cm in length.

As I was expecting delivery this weekend, i went and confirm the measurements again with c.
And he was like huh u bought such a big sink? The countertop reserved for the sink was only 80cm..
Looks like I need to get this changed to a single bowl instead.
I really dunno if all contractors are so forgetful or they just ignore stuff sent over whatsapp or maybe I bombarded him with too many pics? Another super sian hiccup.

I have delayed the delivery to next week and ask him to do that exact measurement after the construction of the hollow block wall.

Update: C just called to say I can only get a sink below 70 cm! That leaves me with the only choice of the single bowl 65cm sink from wasser bath... Not sure if it will be too small for washing

Edited July 18, 2014 by bianzi

[binzz 10]

This look like a 5-6 years old place.. Are you doing a major rehaul of the place? One thing i like about new flats is the conceal wirings... But didnt manage to look for one myself...

Edited July 18, 2014 by binzz

[bianzi 52]

Things to be done
1. Kitchen overhaul - flooring wall tiling carpentry wall building, black aluminium frame windows and door (still deciding on the design ...
2. Toilets overhaul - hacking and redoing all
3. False ceiling for living room
4. Master bedroom wardrobes
5. Shoe cabinets
6. Polishing of parquet floor
7. Overused Craftbrick wall, but I still like =)
8. Tv console - still deciding if I shd do a wall mount or free standing
9. Aircon change
10. Storage heater - decided against gas as can't take the ugly piping

Good luck for the Renovation.
Any specifics which you will be doing ?

Edited July 18, 2014 by bianzi

[bianzi 52]

Yes this is a pretty new BTO..

This look like a 5-6 years old place.. Are you doing a major rehaul of the place? One thing i like about new flats is the conceal wirings... But didnt manage to look for one myself...

[guojiawen 101]

Hello bianzi,

You have started your own t-blog! All the best and wishing you smooth renovation ahead