My Humble Abode For My Two Munchkins

[Melaniessl 3]

Those of you who are looking for toilet accessories on taobao can look at this site - they're stuff really nice!

Common toilet in yard area toilet.

http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.5.w4011-2880173961.79.0zyaZf&id=17296787603&rn=82361a670d6d88ed5b5c0e7606d45965

http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.5.w4011-2880173961.89.0zyaZf&id=20091268248&rn=82361a670d6d88ed5b5c0e7606d45965

http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.5.w4011-2880173961.124.0zyaZf&id=38356704511&rn=82361a670d6d88ed5b5c0e7606d45965

Actually i wanted to order some really beautiful floor drain traps but my ID warned me not to in case cannot fit or leakage problem.

[Melaniessl 3]

Anyway will take pics of actual products when i receive my loot from taobao - hope everything is ok - i paid $80 shipping for all items.

[Melaniessl 3]

I searched like mad and asked around a million people and finally realise that i have an ex colleague friend who works at Philips. So i asked him to help me buy LOTs of Philips lights for my house. I also bought some at the recent carnival sale.

My downlights - in a mixture of warm light and cool white light:

Downlights for other areas like staircase, walk in wardrobe, toilets etc:

Simple ceiling light for kitchen and verandah - i sort of regret and wish i bought downlights for my kitchen now.

Wall light for staircase area and master toilet - after i bought it i realise that my master toilet may not have a wall light point anymore after i redid the toilet wall tiles.

[Melaniessl 3]

Lights for my son's rooms - each have one so no fighting: This will actually be on the wall instead of the ceiling as one has downlighs in his room warm light so this will provide him with white light. Other son's room ceiling too high so can only put this light on the wall.

Bought this light for my older son's toilet so cute couldn't resist, Cos he has a space for a wall light need to replace old wall light. He also has 2 white downlights in his toilet - this is just for show.

This light is a two way light for my son's loft staircase in his room - to light up the staircase area: This light is actually discontinue already but i begged and bought the display piece.

Wall light for my kitchen to replace current wall light: Mine is white colour.

I also bought all Philips T5 LED lights for task lightings under study table top cabinets, kitchen top cabinets and for my son's table. And T5 for both my storerooms.

TOTAL my philips lights cost me $2600! And this is already with staff discount and buying at carnival sale. Imagine if no staff discount. I think the downlights were the killer cos we have about 30 downlights.

[Puggy 13]

The taobao toilet stuff are really nice! Great find!

[Melaniessl 3]

The taobao toilet stuff are really nice! Great find!

Thanks Puggy. Let's hope they turn out well. Will let you guys know if they turn out well.

That's the thing about taobao - really depends if you happen to chance upon the nice stuff cos there's just so much out there.

[sharonk3001 4]

UPDATE:

I have chosen my ID company and this is a summary:

Mr K - i called him twice and emailed him all my requirements - he promised to call back but DID not so i gathered he was too busy to take on my business so better not venture there

Renzz - WE chose them - I really like Marcus and Gilbert - they're the two nicest IDs out there i think. We laugh a lot and crack jokes all the time. Great chemistry. Paid my first payment and i will get my house back on 1 June from the tenant. We will start reno very soon and will update more soon.

Posh Home - I really liked both Calvin and Ephron - saw Ephron more and he's a great young chap with lots of potential and very sincere and fast response. Design and ideas wise they are quite good and Renzz beat them out based on chemistry which is hard to explain as it's a very personal thing. But thank you to Calvin and Ephron for all your efforts.

Sebastian from Visual Dreams - my friend's recommendation as he's a partner at the firm. Sebastian was the most prompt and responsive and sincere and he painstakingly hand drawn all the designs he had in mind. Plus he's the only one who tried to suggest a different way of space planning for the house and for that I am eternally grateful but like i said in the end we chose Renzz cos of chemistry.

In a nut shell - it was a very hard decision and close fight as all 3 shortlisted were fantastic with roughly similar prices. So good luck to me. If anyone wants any of their contacts please PM me. I think i would have had a great renovation even if i chose ANY of the 3 shortlisted guys. Hence i think the shortlisting process even before you first call them is very important.

Update - I am still a complete NOOB at uploading pictures hence have not gotten around to uploading my floor layout yet. SIGH

For aircon installation, i will most probably be going with Cool Serve - they do my servicing and i really like them. A bit ex but i'm not going to take the chance with aircon installation and try to scrimp on that. I did some research and basically there is no air con company that does not have a bad review - but seems like cool serve has less bad reviews than others LOLOL.

I've also been reading Renotalk forum for the following contacts - and my head is spinning liao - so if you know any contacts for these third party suppliers, pls let me know: I'm trying to call 3 for each category:

1. Electrician
2. Bifold doors and casement sliding doors
3. Sliding windows, grills
4. Insect screens
5. invisible grills - is it true that it can't take much weight? My children are monkeys and like to hand off the grills
6. Painters

Thanks, much appreciated

Posh refer to Le posh? I have a quotation from Le Posh. Looking around for review on them.

[Melaniessl 3]

Posh refer to Le posh? I have a quotation from Le Posh. Looking around for review on them.

Hi Sharon, I got a quote from Posh Home. I think it's different from Le Posh. Good luck in your ID search

[mechu81 1]

Hi Melaniessl, of the IDs you contacted above did any of them charge GST? So far I have focused my search on contractors but I am thinking to expand to a few IDs cos I feel I really need some design and space planning advice since this is my first home.

Good choice on Coolserve I think. I recently engaged them to service my aircon and the service is very good. Very easy to make appt and the technician was very professional too. Btw for purchasing of aircon, do they accept credit cards or is it cash only?

[naizal79 2]

Hi Melaniessl,

Shortlisting Renzz as our ID too.

Have you complete your reno?

Hows the workmanship?

[faustinet3 0]

Melaniessl :

Any updates on your Reno? We are also looking at engaging #Renzz...

We are very concerned with workmanship and their service quality...

So far we've seeked #SkyCreation+DC & #Renzz quotation, and only Marcus was quite communicative so far.

None from #SkyCreation+DC since 31st Oct 14.

There were quite a few who try to engage us in the quotes via Renotalk's ask a quote -- but most are without HDB licensing or with Dubious background in their Main company holding the license. LOL

Edited November 5, 2014 by faustinet3

[Yelena 8]

i LOVE the loft area and your son's choice of color for that area! The knobs and giraffe light are really cute too! What material are the knobs made of? It looks like ceramic in the pictures.