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Hello Reno-talkers! I'm finally able to start my own T-Blog after months of reading and waiting for keys to our new BTO flat! We have finally started renovations this week! Firstly, a shout-out of "thank you" to all fellow T-Bloggers who have shared and contributed your design ideas, home/reno pictures and TEN-cents worth of knowledge and experience from your reno-journey. So much are in store here for a noob like me to gain ideas and information to our big project R-E-N-O-V-A-T-I-O-N Well, I will first start off by explaining a little on the topic title to my T-Blog - "Maison de style champêtre @ Punggol" (means Country-style home in French). The reason why I name it as such is because I always adore country-style themed homes and would love to design my first home to one of such theme! Thank God my hubby is cool to live in my desired theme for our first home and I shall invest all my time and effort to research and create a beautiful country-style maison for us! I always love English and French country homes (the Laura Ashley sort) and had done a fair bit of research in the ID, decorations, accessorising etc. We embarked on our quest for our country-designed home about 1 year ago when my friend recommended us to her neighbour who owns a ID cum furniture company which sells french furniture (victorian, baroque, modern classic..). The lady boss was hosting a tea party that day with a 50% off storewide promotion and we had popped by for some window shopping to gain inspirations for our dream themed home. Never to know that I fell in love with the furniture there and bought ourselves a fireplace mantel, serpertine, french buffet cabinet, sideboard and mirror! I could have bought the entire shop home if renovations had started then! Geez...thank goodness it had not but we only came to realise that we had bought our furniture way before we even collected our keys and we were kinda like stuck to this French theme for our home as we have already spent quite a bomb on the furniture (no turning back now!). What comforted us was the 50% storewide savings and the lady boss was so nice to keep all our furniture items in her warehouse until our house is ready. We thought that was really nice of her as she knew our flat would only be ready about 1 year from then and yet allow us to take up her storage space at such great discounted prices. Since that day, it was the start of our "maison de style champêtre" adventure...no turning back or regretting...Which we didn't, surely! As a prelude, let me share on the floor plan of our BTO 4-room maison. (As everyone would say, typical floor plan it is!) Here are some photos & examples of our hope-to-achieve dream home

Hi Jasper, Singapore contractors or IDs are somehow higher than other countries. Maybe is due to supply and demand, and also the manpower and material costs in Singapore. For 20k to fully furnish a 5 Bedroom flat is near impossible as stated by Darren. By getting many quotes would not help much as well; you may confuse the contractor/ID/yourself later. Set the correct expectations from the start of the renovation process is important. I started with the wrong footing and that's why I am sharing with you. Fortunately, I have completed my 4 room BTO flat renovation by end Jan 2016 without much problems. I did all carpentry works for shoes cabinets and display, features walls, kitchen cabinets, wardrobes for all 3 bedrooms, airconditioner (Sys 4), electrical works,etc for a total about 31k. No flooring and no GST. Also this is after I ask for extensive discounts as most contractors will ask you to add this and install that during the installation period, and the final bill can be slightly higher than the initial quotation. ( Bear in mind and keep records of the renovation items) I have friends regretted after they sourced for the cheapest quote without going thru' details and contractor/ID didn't do what they promised or materials/services didn't match. Please remember; cheapest is likely not the best, the best is likely not the cheapest!!! you can pm me if you want to know more. Hope you have a smooth and pleasant renovation experience!!!