Our 2nd Home Sweet Home - 5rm Resale

[yokechye 2]

5 years on, with 2 kids in came into our family, we decided with heavy heart to move on from our first humble home.

As our family grew bigger with my mum staying with us, we finally made our commitment to shift from a 4rm SOBF at Strathmore Ave to our future new 5rm resale just nearby, Jalan Rumah Tinggi. One might question why do we want to move away from one of the most convenient location to location that has only 1 bus serving the estate. Though is up a "hill", it is just behind Alexandra Ikea, ABC hawker centre, Alexandra Village, Queensway Shopping Centre. What's more, it is a quiet location.

Layout of the 5-rm unit. The owner had bought the recess area which we loved it. Good for shoes and umbrellas storage. 

The owner had also removed the store, but we will be removing the wall between the kitchen and living room anyway and will be creating a store at another location.

We are still waiting for the bank to approve our loan then we can proceed with all the necessary appointments with HDB to get the paper work done.

Edited December 25, 2017 by yokechye

[yokechye 2]

Had been doing some brain storming and sketchup models for the past few weeks to test out the space and what we can do to our new home. 

Please comment if you have!

Edited June 12, 2018 by yokechye

[KFC1189 11]

@yokechye Your proposed design is very nice and really functional. I have the following suggestions for your consideration:

1. The new study room is good and I think it also needs a ceiling fan.

2. Proposed to remove the overhead beam at the original balcony and incorporate the balcony into the living/dining room. This is because your balcony is too narrow.

3. Proposed not to have the small storeroom in the living/dining room. Instead install a vertical green wall at the side of the new wall in the living/dining room separating the new study room. Do take note to provide water supply and drainage for the vertical green wall.

 4. Your proposed WIW in the master bedroom should be changed to a L-shaped one so that you will have more space to put a side table at each side of the King bed.

5. Perhaps you can combine your vanity and dressing table together.

[yokechye 2]

On 27/12/2017 at 10:05 PM, KFC1189 said:

@yokechye Your proposed design is very nice and really functional. I have the following suggestions for your consideration:

1. The new study room is good and I think it also needs a ceiling fan.

2. Proposed to remove the overhead beam at the original balcony and incorporate the balcony into the living/dining room. This is because your balcony is too narrow.

3. Proposed not to have the small storeroom in the living/dining room. Instead install a vertical green wall at the side of the new wall in the living/dining room separating the new study room. Do take note to provide water supply and drainage for the vertical green wall.

 4. Your proposed WIW in the master bedroom should be changed to a L-shaped one so that you will have more space to put a side table at each side of the King bed.

5. Perhaps you can combine your vanity and dressing table together.

Thanks for the suggestions!

1. Ya I think need a small ceiling fan.

2. As much as I love to remove the beam between living and balcony, it's a structural beam :S

3. Need to plan Abit. Was originally thinking of creating that wall to keep all the kids stuffs/toys that can easily be retrieved and stored from view. Actually was thinking of doing fake green wall instead so irrigation system not required and will be "evergreen"

4. Problem now at my place is lack of wardrobe space. Lshape will mean got same length as my current house. My wife gonna kill me. Haa

5. Need to talk to my wife. She wanted the dressing table there. Initially wanted to suggest putting it at the end of the walk-in wardrobe.

[KFC1189 11]

20 minutes ago, yokechye said:

Thanks for the suggestions!

2. As much as I love to remove the beam between living and balcony, it's a structural beam :S

Believe me, the one at the top of balcony sliding door is not a structural beam because I have removed it in my flat as well.

 

21 minutes ago, yokechye said:

Thanks for the suggestions!

3. Need to plan Abit. Was originally thinking of creating that wall to keep all the kids stuffs/toys that can easily be retrieved and stored from view. Actually was thinking of doing fake green wall instead so irrigation system not required and will be "evergreen"

Don't do the fake green wall. The real green wall worth the investment and will bring fresh air and scent to your home!

 

29 minutes ago, yokechye said:

Thanks for the suggestions!

4. Problem now at my place is lack of wardrobe space. Lshape will mean got same length as my current house. My wife gonna kill me. Haa

5. Need to talk to my wife. She wanted the dressing table there. Initially wanted to suggest putting it at the end of the walk-in wardrobe.

Instead of the proposed wash basin outside of the master bathroom, why don't use the space for addition wardrobe? So keep the wash basin inside the bathroom. 

[yokechye 2]

3 hours ago, KFC1189 said:

Believe me, the one at the top of balcony sliding door is not a structural beam because I have removed it in my flat as well.

 

Don't do the fake green wall. The real green wall worth the investment and will bring fresh air and scent to your home!

 

Instead of the proposed wash basin outside of the master bathroom, why don't use the space for addition wardrobe? So keep the wash basin inside the bathroom. 

Seriously?! From my experience in HDB projects  and this era of flats I did they are structural beams to cater for the drop in level. Maybe check out again after I get my keys.

[KFC1189 11]

I think your proposed WIW will make your master bed very cramp with no space for 2 side tables. It is like sleeping in a confined box.

My idea is that your wife can have the entire "L" shaped WIW for her own use and you will take the smaller wardrobe at your proposed master wash basin area. The wash basin will return to the bathroom. Just a suggestion.

[yokechye 2]

went to get some kompacplus samples and did some testing to it.

Hot kettle and pot on the surface.

seems quite ok with the heat test

Did some sauces/spices 24hrs stain test. Especially the killer turmeric. Want to see how it fairs

Wash using just water. Turmeric, curry, carrot, briyani tomato and marmite sauce seems to be leave some stain. (the photo isn't that clear due to lighting and camera handphone photo)

Washed with magic clean and all stain gone.

Not bad at all. It gave us confident in this product.

Edited January 29, 2018 by yokechye

[yokechye 2]

Finally gotten the keys and started reno on the 1st June. But first, had to do some customary ritual!

Edited June 5, 2018 by yokechye

[yokechye 2]

Day 1 - 1 June

1st day of hacking works

The blum drawers from existing kitchen to be kept.

Edited June 5, 2018 by yokechye

[yokechye 2]

Day 3 - 5 June

new openings were created.

 

common bedroom new entrance

 

Kitchen new entrance as well as toilet new entrance in the background (right most)

Edited June 5, 2018 by yokechye

[yokechye 2]

some updates from the initial design concept and after survey at site on the existing constraints such as waste stack location, etc.

[yokechye 2]

Day 7 - 11 June

skimming completed at kitchen

Toilet tiling also started

Edited June 12, 2018 by yokechye

[yokechye 2]

Went to lamitak showroom to choose some laminates for our carpentry work. Too many choices, difficult to select! finally decided some.

[yokechye 2]

Our custom made kitchen sink arrived after 3 weeks!

We can't find a suitable sink that is 30/70 at our preferred dimensions plus can fit a wok with working space around. So decided to customize it after we chanced upon one seller that can do it. Seller was prompt which gave us the confident, plus positive reviews. Total cost: <400 for this size. Quality and workmanship is great.

Comes with basket type of strainer. comes with quite big holes though. Not sure if we will change it to a mesh type instead. See how it goes next time.

Edited June 18, 2018 by yokechye
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