Creating A Home With Your Own Hands

[ayukie 0]

The doors took a while to finish and meanwhile, the bedroom cabinets were also being constructed.

The carpenter asked me if I could shift the bedroom fan which was blocking one of the cabinet doors and I told him to change the design of that particular door instead. The fan took me so much effort to install and you want me to shift... no way man. So decided to just make do with separate doors instead of a full one like the other 4 cabinet doors. I thought it's pretty ok as I wouldn't normally open that compartment to take things and it will require me to use a chair to reach it.

This settles the bedroom issue.

Meanwhile, the thought of putting the washing machine at the intended position seems wrong whereby there's actually a lot of space on the other side but the architect had to squeeze everything on the narrower side..... Well, I wanted to give it a try. Bought some stainless steel pipes and adaptors from a hardware shop at my workplace and started extending the pipe for the washing machine. The fact that I've never seen people install pipes and with only others suggesting ways to fix up the pipe, I had to do some trial and testing. It took me 2 nights to complete as I didn't get the correct adaptor and had to buy a suitable one the next day.

It was well worth the effort as it really fit in better on the other side

Of course there was still the power socket issue which I solved it by buying an outdoor socket for $25. All in all it costs me less than $50 to shift the washing machine position. I guess if you ask a contractor to do it, they'd probably charge you $150 or more to do that.

I now have a nice area I can use to for washing and there won't be obstruction when we hang our clothes.

you make me wonder if i should shift the **** washing machine joint too ... but then how about the drainage issue since the drainage is on the other end ?

[alant18 0]

Wow, time really flies..... it's been ages since the last post and I finally have time to settle down and post the remaining story of my escapade for the house. Being a person who likes to DIY all the time, I made some adjustments to the washing area.

The drainage pipe took me a while to decide whether to make a permanent one or use a flexible hose.... in the end I thought it will be good to do a PVC pipe instead. Having little knowledge about piping works, I asked around for the correct size to use and bought some adapters to fit the current drainage pipe. had to cut off the washing machine hose to fit into the PVC adapter. the top is actually removable if need to. have been using it for 3 months and no issues so far.

Edited October 15, 2011 by alant18

[rottenramone 1]

wow. u're into special effects? can you help me make this?

[ayukie 0]

wow u really hands on sia ..

[Simontsh 0]

for a DIY master

[renoseeker 0]

wow. u're into special effects? can you help me make this?

LOL

[pinkwhale 0]

Really power le for all these DIY!!!

[centrino2 0]

Wow, time really flies..... it's been ages since the last post and I finally have time to settle down and post the remaining story of my escapade for the house. Being a person who likes to DIY all the time, I made some adjustments to the washing area.

The drainage pipe took me a while to decide whether to make a permanent one or use a flexible hose.... in the end I thought it will be good to do a PVC pipe instead. Having little knowledge about piping works, I asked around for the correct size to use and bought some adapters to fit the current drainage pipe. had to cut off the washing machine hose to fit into the PVC adapter. the top is actually removable if need to. have been using it for 3 months and no issues so far.

Next was the shower area which was always making the toilet bowl wet in both toilets. searched around for a suitable screen but none of the available ones were able to install angled except for this one from IKEA. Luckily I had the pipe cutter when I was doing the water pipe for the washing machine. Not a very lasting type of bar but I think for less than $80 for both toilets including good quality curtains, I can't find a better deal anywhere else. By the way, I also installed the water heater and toilet fixtures on my own.

Had some issues with the power point that was just above the hob and after turning on the flame, I realized it wasn't a good idea to not shift it. Looked around for glass backing and found something I could use from my work place..... spray painted the glass and managed to find a suitable power socket to relocate to the higher area of the wall. I did some rewiring and installed some lights below the cabinet using the same power point.

after 4 days of work in the night, it's done.

U really are able to hide the loose cable well....so DIY-PRO man

[renoseeker 0]

Nice reno lo.....really beautiful

Thanks for sharing.

[alant18 0]

Next was the shower area which was always making the toilet bowl wet in both toilets. searched around for a suitable screen but none of the available ones were able to install angled except for this one from IKEA. Luckily I had the pipe cutter when I was doing the water pipe for the washing machine. Not a very lasting type of bar but I think for less than $80 for both toilets including good quality curtains, I can't find a better deal anywhere else. By the way, I also installed the water heater and toilet fixtures on my own.

There was the ugly heater pipes that I wanted to cover up and finally got the IKEA toilet cabinet to fit in just below the pipes.

[alant18 0]

Had some issues with the power point that was just above the hob and after turning on the flame, I realized it wasn't a good idea to not shift it. Looked around for glass backing and found something I could use from my work place..... spray painted the glass and managed to find a suitable power socket to relocate to the higher area of the wall.

I did some rewiring and installed some lights below the cabinet using the same power point.

[alant18 0]

Finally after a few months of work, everything was almost in place. The wall between the kitchen and dining area was half hacked away to allow more light into the kitchen area (not DIY). Now I can finally complete the last light to install to the existing sockets.

and did some deco to the wall afterwards.....

Then there was also the entrance light which I needed to get another power source out from the DB to make it work... though there's trunking used but it's inevitable.

Took a week to slowly install the lights, do up the trunking, repainting them and changing the original two pole switch to a three pole one. I also added another power socket beside the DB since there wasn't any power points on that side of the wall.

Then there's the TV console lights..........

and after a little decoration.......

[centrino2 0]

Not sure if you have already do so but have you thought of adding LED strips to your deco. I have bought from a on line vendor LED strip that you can DIY on your own as it comes with remote control and UK plug power adaptor. Price is by far cheaper than those I can find in Singapore. Already installed them in both living and mbr light coves. Will be installing them at TV console and kitchen cabinet once the carpentry is up next week. PM me if you need the contact.

bought 15m of LED stripswith remote control to change color

living room light cove

[alant18 0]

Here's some other things I did....

Well that sort of wraps up the stuff I DIY for my house. It's a lot of hard work but you get lots of satisfaction after that.

This journey gave me many new experiences which you will not get in other things you do. The most important thing when you DIY is that you know this is your precious home.... do it well or don't do it yourself at all.

[alant18 0]

Not sure if you have already do so but have you thought of adding LED strips to your deco. I have bought from a on line vendor LED strip that you can DIY on your own as it comes with remote control and UK plug power adaptor. Price is by far cheaper than those I can find in Singapore. Already installed them in both living and mbr light coves. Will be installing them at TV console and kitchen cabinet once the carpentry is up next week. PM me if you need the contact.

bought 15m of LED stripswith remote control to change color

living room light cove

I did install some LEDs for the toilets and TV console. Yes, they're really cheap from ebay compared to what they sell in Sim Lim.... like $5/m compared to $20/m.

Wanted to install additional LEDs but I bought too many lights before I started renovation and still have a few more that I can't find places to install.... didn't really make sense to buy more LEDs.

BTW, I realise that the lights I installed for the TV console especially is under-utilised. They look good but you probably won't turn them on most of the time.

Color changing LEDs are cool but not for my home I guess, too fancy.

Edited October 16, 2011 by alant18