Rosicky 4 Report post Posted August 25, 2014 I have been a follower of this wonderful forum for a long time, a quick check on my profile shows that I am a member since 2004! That was when I am renovating the current place that I am staying. Time flies and it has been 10 years, and it’s time for a mid-life upgrade. There are several challenges, thus I named the blog “Hopefully” as I am not sure if I will succeed. I will be hiring a contractor, thus I will be the “designer”. Challenges:Budget. After long discussion with CFO, the budget was set at $20k. With an upgrade to a system 4 air-con a cardinal requirement, effective balance is only 16k. Coordination. As we will be staying in for the renovation, extra effort will be required for the coordination to minimize disruption and stress to the residents (wife, 3 schooling kids, helper) Theme. After browsing through the tons of information in the t-blogs, I must say that I like the “Scandinavian” look. The challenge for me is how I can achieve this without making major changes to existing infra and within budget.Scope of WorkL-Box & Plastering for 3 bedrooms Vanishing of Parquet for 3 Bedrooms Glass Partition to create new study room Laminate floor for Study Sliding door for Balcony Lay wood decking for Balcony (6m x 1.5m) Brick tile for TV wall Shoe Cabinet Cabinet for Master Toilet New System 4 Aircon Retrofit Oven and additional Kitchen Cabinets New WardrobeThe following is my floor plan just to get the ball rolling. It’s a 5A unit @ 136sqm. I had made some changes to the layout during the last reno by hacking away half the store room to create a new entrance to the kitchen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
admin 12 Report post Posted August 25, 2014 Hi Rosicky, welcome back to Renotalk and thanks for your great support!We remember you as our Renotalk Pioneers Do post up your renovation progress for us to follow 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rosicky 4 Report post Posted August 25, 2014 Thanks for the great work in making the forum a success. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rosicky 4 Report post Posted August 26, 2014 (edited) As I am not engaging an ID, will not be having any 3D concept diagrams. I had done up my concept in 2D using floorplanner, quite easy to use. http://www.floorplanner.com/ Edited August 26, 2014 by Rosicky 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rosicky 4 Report post Posted August 26, 2014 Need advise on lighting... Did a draft estimate, and realize that that I will need around 39 LED down-lights! As I intend to buy from Taobao, the material course is not too high. But the installation and wiring could kill me? If per point cost me $25, then I will need to cater for around $1k just for lights! Anyone can advise if the plan below is overkill? Can reduce? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Songz 132 Report post Posted August 28, 2014 Welcome back to Renoblog and congrats on the upgrade My view is that the Living Room & Rooms downlight seem a bit too much.Hope this helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mummychua 4 Report post Posted August 28, 2014 It do looks like you have too much downlights. by the way, perhaps you will like to reconsider the bed position for bedroom 3. its not good to have a sharp corner pointing towards the occupant while sleeping. and it might be noisy for the person to rest as the tv is just one wall away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bianzi 52 Report post Posted August 29, 2014 Need advise on lighting... Did a draft estimate, and realize that that I will need around 39 LED down-lights! As I intend to buy from Taobao, the material course is not too high. But the installation and wiring could kill me? If per point cost me $25, then I will need to cater for around $1k just for lights! Anyone can advise if the plan below is overkill? Can reduce? That is cheap for your lighting points. Mine is $40 per point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rosicky 4 Report post Posted September 2, 2014 It do looks like you have too much downlights. by the way, perhaps you will like to reconsider the bed position for bedroom 3. its not good to have a sharp corner pointing towards the occupant while sleeping. and it might be noisy for the person to rest as the tv is just one wall away. Thanks mummychua and songz, think i will reduce the number of downlights.Hi Bianzi, $25 is my own estimate, $40 sounds a lot?! Is this the going rate? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rosicky 4 Report post Posted September 2, 2014 (edited) Time to post some pics of the current condition, starting from the living and kitchen areas. Panoramic view of the living/foyer areaLiving AreaCurrently the TV is in another corner of the house and this area is not heavily utilised. The idea is to shift the TV to the yellow wall, with white brick walls. The sliding door for balcony will be replace with top hung folding types, and full wood decking for the balcony. Hopefull this will create a clean, open, airy feel. FoyerThe partition at the foyer will be removed to make way for a shoe cabinet. There will be an L shaped sitting area on the perpendicular wall. Study RoomThe current TV corner will be converted into a study room. the platform will be removed and replace with laminate flooring. Tempered glass will be used for the partitioning. KitchenSome enhancement to the kitchen. First is to modify current tall boy unit to incorporate a build in oven and microwave. Will also be building a new cabinet encapsulating the fridge to create more storage. Edited September 2, 2014 by Rosicky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rosicky 4 Report post Posted September 6, 2014 (edited) Shopping for Fan in MalaysiaJust came back from 3D2N staycation in Johor. While wifey and the kids are at Hello Kitty land, I took a 3 hours round trip to Tampoi with a local guide (fren staying in jb). Had planned to get the KDK sensa 4 and the KDK baby, but end up buying 5 made in Malaysia fan.1. 3 x Deka Baby G @ RM$185 each2. 1 x Alpha SW8-5b 56" @ RM$3733. 1 x Alpha SW8-5b 40" @ RM$299Total damage RM$1194, about SGD$475 for 5 fans. I bought the alphas from Tampoi Lighting, while the Dekas are marketed by Starworld, which is at the other corner of the same building. I believe I might had bought all 5 deka if I had went there first, as the price is much cheaper than Alpha, which is a more establish brand. But nonetheless, the alpha do look better finished. For those interested, Tampoi carries KDK, Alpha, Fanco and Elmark, while Starworld only have Deka. Both brands are winner of Malaysia super brand awards. Another thing to note is that they only accept cash for KDKs. Lugged the 3 Dekas back today, while the 2 Alphas are with my friend, who will help to bring in for me another day.Like the design of the Alpha SW8 over the KDKs.Chose the gun metal black color for all 5 fans. The deka brand was recommended by my fren who installed them at his JB house. They are quiet and reasonably windy, so far no issues reported after 1 year. The Baby G model also come with a led light variant, but cost 100rm extra. Edited September 6, 2014 by Rosicky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rosicky 4 Report post Posted September 8, 2014 Has been researching and getting quotes for my balcony folding panels. Anyone has done plantation louvers? Dun seems to be a popular option in singapore? But I like the cosy feeling. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rosicky 4 Report post Posted September 15, 2014 Had been busy getting quotations from contractors and 2 IDs. Consolidated the pricing from the shortlisted (cheaper) ID and the combination of contractors. Likely to go for ID for most of the items, and contractors so a couple of items. Please help to advice if the price is reasonable? Thanks in advance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mummychua 4 Report post Posted September 18, 2014 Has been researching and getting quotes for my balcony folding panels. Anyone has done plantation louvers? Dun seems to be a popular option in singapore? But I like the cosy feeling.hunter douglas has this. but you wont want to spend that money. you can see the sample at the curtain shop i used: Fabrik Etc at bukit timah plaza. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rosicky 4 Report post Posted September 18, 2014 hunter douglas has this. but you wont want to spend that money. you can see the sample at the curtain shop i used: Fabrik Etc at bukit timah plaza. Yup, think its out of budget for me. Will be going for aluminium folding doors. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
