Mr & Mrs Johnb's Little New Home

[Ken82 6]

Hi JohnB,

Nice reno works going on there and will love to see the final outcome.

Will you kindly share with me on Kelvin's contact for changing the door's arm thingy please?

Thank you in advance,

[DR28 0]

Hi JohnB,

Could you also give me the name of the contact of the door slider/arm?

Thanks!

[Pomme 2]

Flooring

We also briefly considered Pandomo. Keith introduced it to us. It looked as though it could be a perfect fit for us! He told us its approximate price, which, unfortunately, seemed to be beyond our budget. If only we had deep pockets!

(This is Mrs JohnB here, by the way.)

Hi JohnB,

Din expect to see the Pandomo Floor & Wall recommendation here. Saw it at a Taiwanese renovation program and love the look and effect of it.

Care to share how much is the quote for the flooring?

If price still meet the budget, I would love to have it for my next new home.

Thanks

[JohnB 15]

hello! Looks like your house is going to turn out great!! =D will frequent your t-blog for updates haha !

Hello back, The Kairas! We are really hoping that everything will turn out well! And thank you!

[JohnB 15]

cant wait to see your final product!

Thanks, Takaishi! I can't wait too. I am keeping everything crossed that it will go well!

[JohnB 15]

Hi JohnB,

Nice reno works going on there and will love to see the final outcome.

Will you kindly share with me on Kelvin's contact for changing the door's arm thingy please?

Thank you in advance,

Thank you, Ken.

Sure I will. Let me send you a PM. My ID has also asked me for Kelvin's contact number. The door arm thingy seems to be a sought-after product.

Kelvin is on FB, he and Uni-Arm are one and the same. He mentioned that someone will respond to enquiries on FB, and also, that WhatsApp or messaging is recommended.

[kenoro 1]

Hi JohnB, can you also PM me Kelvin's contact please? Many thanks.

[JohnB 15]

Hi JohnB,

Din expect to see the Pandomo Floor & Wall recommendation here. Saw it at a Taiwanese renovation program and love the look and effect of it.

Care to share how much is the quote for the flooring?

If price still meet the budget, I would love to have it for my next new home.

Thanks

Hi Pomme. I like the look and effect of Pandomo too! Would that we could afford it.

$7,316, I think, for our living/dining room + two bedrooms + hallway. I think the sum covers preparation (levelling and such) as well as installation. $7,316 comes from $4,416 + $2,900 (Keith told us we would have to add about $2,900 (ballpark figure) to the flooring rates in our quotation at that time). That is if my memory serves! Don't take my word for it.

Are you thinking of getting back the concrete/cement look for the flooring in your next new home? I popped into your blog just now. Your current home looks nice. I especially like the LED light effect in your patio; it looks pretty cool.

[JohnB 15]

Hi, can pls share the contact for the door holder? Thanks alot.

Hi JohnB,

Could you also give me the name of the contact of the door slider/arm?

Thanks!

Hi JohnB, can you also PM me Kelvin's contact please? Many thanks.

PaintedLady, DR28 and Kenoro, I have PM’d you too, by the way. I tend to forget to come back and reply after sending the messages.

[JohnB 15]

Which direction to lay the tiles?

This question arises because our tiles are rectangular.

I wonder if owners of vinyl and laminate flooring face this question as well, as the pieces/panels are rectangular?

Anyway, I have listed the case for and against the options that we considered. Hopefully, it will help you somewhat when you are planning your flooring and renovation. =)

The Options

We posted them on FB and IG. (A bit of fun ensued; our friends’ dry sense of humour never fails to delight and make us laugh!)

A received the most number of likes while B was placed second. C did not fare quite as well, and D put up a brave fight and lost with its dignity intact!

We had originally leant towards A (instinctively), but also liked B, C and D.

A

1) ID’s choice! Keith prefers this. He mentioned to my husband that there might be less wastage going with this direction, and also, that it would be easier for the tilers.

2) This direction puts emphasis on the longer side/direction of the L-shaped space. It is said that, in a square or rectangular room, one is generally recommended to lay rectangular tiles in the longer direction as it will result in less grout lines (and so an aesthetically more appealing effect). If we try to apply that rule to our L-shape, could it be this direction then?

3) It appears running the tiles in this direction creates a pleasingly long line for our eyes to follow at the bedroom side. This adds length to the space visually! And making it, as a whole, look bigger.

4) By all accounts, this direction may be better fengshui-wise? A chi thing. And quite funny! Apparently, chi that comes in from the main entrance is generally thought to be good chi and should be retained.

With this direction, the chi is led into the kitchen where it is grounded by the square tiles from HDB (it seems square tiles ground chi or something, and apparently having good chi in the kitchen is something one would want to achieve). Or, it is bounced between the bomb shelter wall and living room wall, or between our bed wall and living room wall. Either way, the chi is kept inside the house, possibly blessing us with fortune and abundance, plus an overall sense of well-being and balance! Hilarious.

If the tiles lead to the windows, then apparently so follow will the chi. Entering from the main door, following the tiles and heading straight for our living room windows – and exiting. And along with it, fortune and abundance, evidently. To say nothing of that sense of well-being and balance!

B

1) Laying the tiles parallel to the view direction from the main door may well make the living room appear longer. Meaning a nicer entryway?

2) Furniture-wise, this direction may produce a more coherent flow! Consider the layout of the sideboard, study desk and wardrobe. It seems to look more organic if the tiles were to run in the same direction.

3) It is said that one is generally recommended to follow the direction of the main source of light (the windows in our case). Apparently, this can a) help disguise imperfections in the tiling and make them less readily noticeable, and b) create the illusion that the floors stretch on and on!

C and D

These two were not as well-received, unfortunately. Mostly because they were deemed to be too much for tilers here – we were advised not to take the risk unless we were sure of the skills of the tiler.

I read that a diagonal tile layout might make the floor feel expansive! So if you have confidence in your tilers, no harm going for it, perhaps?

The Choice

We took Keith's advice and chose A!

He is a good ID and we have grown to trust his professional opinion more and more.

[JohnB 15]

Day 9: Laying Tiles & Windows Permit

The first steps, so to speak! We were thrilled when we saw Keith’s photos!

Can you see the concrete flooring in the corridor? I am quite thankful that the tile colour mirrors that of concrete – that light, cool colour of concrete before being coated with epoxy. For that is the colour I have been hoping for. I’m afraid I often worry about colours and palettes! #phew

The permit for the service yard windows was approved on Day 9.

[JohnB 15]

Day 14: Kerbs

The kerb at the main entrance. (To prevent water and dust/dirt from getting into the house when the town council folks do their regular washing. Or so we hope!)

Keith informed us that the the bathroom floors were not level with that of the bedrooms and that he would have to construct kerbs where they met:

[JohnB 15]

Day 15

1) Keith replaced the bathroom tiles. He bought the tiles and got the repairs under way quickly!

We are very grateful for his kindness, and the efficient way in which he took care of the repairs.

2)

3) He also gave us a sneak peek at the floors!

[JohnB 15]

Concrete-Inspired Solid Surface

Aren't these nice? Here is the link for them! The ones that Keith showed us are from the Concrete collection.

(The small white sample in the photo is the Alpine White, from the timeless White, Gray and Black series. There are quite a few whites in the series. Have fun!)

I also like the Breeze from Breeze collection. I read that it would go with a variety of interior finishing materials including wood, steel and concrete. I think I may prefer this!

Edited January 23, 2015 by JohnB

[FATFROG 4]

This house plan is very tasteful and unlike many wannabes, able to exude the coziness and warmth even in an industrial minimalist appeal. Particular impressed to hear that it is owner design. Congrats and hope everything is well and on the way.