thirdrockdweller

The search for the right dining table has been anything but fruitful. The wife and I have something quite specific in mind. Tragically, the one we've seen almost meeting our requirements also carry with them rather hefty price tags. To us, the dining table is more than just a piece of furniture. It is almost a "place" where family members learn about the connections between food, feelings and family life. It is quite disheartening that the importance of dining at the dining table has almost become passe. With this in mind, our dining table, above all else, has to be functional and not purely ornamental. It must be able to withstand the rigor of everyday use and does not mind, but rather welcome the occasional scuffs. But we also can't deny the fact that we appreciate pretty things and the dining table aesthetic wise, shouldn't be an exception. So long as form follows function, we're game. So, we've decided to make our own. Of course when I said we, I meant our contractor . We'll supply the design and he'll put everything together. Our only condition was it shouldn't cost too much. In fact, this was initially going to be my DIY Project #2 with the preconception that this was going to save me some $$$. Went to a timber supplier to do the usual investigation and discovered that indeed prices of wood seem to be quite reasonable as already suggested elsewhere in the forum. My initial estimation was about $3xx to make a solid wood 180cm x 95cm, 6cm thick table. But when our contractor learned of the project, he (bless his heart) so very nicely offered to do it for us. And guess what, he could do it at an even lower cost . We'll be constructing something very similar to this; Stay tuned

Hey tigertgr, Trust me, you won't regret your decision to seal off the kitchen from the rest of the place. I do alot of cooking and I never understood the merits of having open concept kitchens. To get a good grill going (a nice juicy steak ) or flaming up the wok (chilli crab ), there will be smoke, lots of it. Let's cook!!!

Shopping Update More stuff added; Philips Eco-Mood Pendant Light for the study room. Bought from Philips' first Philips Lighting Brand Store in Singapore. Do check out the store. If you're crazy about lights with a technological bent, you can really geek out @ the store and admire Philips' range of Ledino and Eco-Mood lights. Be a fan of theirs on Facebook and get 10% off storewide! BLux's Ronda Drum Pendant Light for the Baby/Spare Bedroom At this point, shopping for general lighting is complete. The rest of the flat will be using a combination T5 cove lights and halogen downs. Phew!

Shopping Update A couple of more stuff for the kitchen; Electrolux EMS2048X (Basic microwave oven. Don't need one with fancy features.) Brandt TG890 Gas Hob (Would have loved an induction hob but I think we're threading dangerously close to our electrical max load limit. Anyway, this hob's 4kw burner would be great for woks! )

Thanks thanks , but seriously, can't really take any credit for the design. A very clever Daniel Saakes dreamt up this amazing idea. Full instruction available via Instructables and do check out his flickr set for more pictures. (The one with 32 lamps is incredible!!!)

Thank you thank you

Haha, thanks!

DIY Project 1 - Completed! A dozen of this (Ikea Lampan) + some time + Lots of patience = The Dodecahedron Platonic Sun Found the plan to build this off the internet sometime ago and I told myself I just had to make one. Was originally intended to be hung above the study table but that was before I realized how ridiculously massive this thing is . It has since been repurposed into a floor lamp Nevertheless, I still have a faint urge to have it be my study room pendant lamp. We'll see

Don't worry bout it. All discussions welcomed and encouraged!

Totally agree

Retails for $515 but got it knocked down to about $450 I guess you could have different bulbs tested out @ the shop. Nothing like a good experiment

Hi samgalz, It uses an E27 bulb. Wattage and type (Energy saving or otherwise) is up to the user. I went with a 75W incandescent bulb. The shade of the lamp is actually a series of polycarbonate lenses and with the bulb turned on, the bulb is visible through said lenses. Somehow, the traditional shape of an incandescent bulb (as opposed to the modern compact fluorescent lamps) looks nicer and I believe convey the intended effect of the design (Lighthouse). Ultimately, this is highly subjective and an imprecise science. To each his own. Nothing wrong with using either

DIY Project 1 A dozen of this (Ikea Lampan) + some time + Lots of patience = ??? Stay tuned

Hi Zelly, We got it from VLUX (722 Geylang Road). I believe they have another branch @ Jalan Besar. I've also seen it sold in a number of lighting shops along Balestier.

Thanks! Definitely more pics coming!

Thanks!!! As for the cost, I guess it depends on how extensive is the intended renovation.

Reno Day +25 (18-04-2010) 3D Renderings of our place (One of the pages is for another project. Reference for the workers?) Love this little cove my contractor made for us for our MBR toilet . Wonder how many bottles can fit in there?

Reno Day +25 (18-04-2010) View from the MBR of the new flooring. Living area. Another view. Parquet from the bedrooms was kept. They'll be stained to a new shade to match the new flooring.

Reno Day +25 (18-04-2010) Look! We have FLOOR! Teak flooring laid down. Raw and unvarnished. Needs to be polished and stained. Look closely. There are nails all over the place. Its temporary if I'm not mistaken. Without flash. (Gotta get a new camera )

Greetings tigertgr, Just stumbled upon your blog. Firstly, hearty congrats on your newborn. She's so cute!!! We are expecting our first one too!!! Ah, the joy of parenthood. Can't wait. Your reno is progressing very very nicely I see. Its moving along a lot quicker than my reno. And your place is HUGE!!! Your daughter will love the space. Plenty of room to grow and play. Loving your updates. Keep them coming.

Shopping update Gateman V20 for the main door. Bought from Desmond from Interlock. What a bargain and he delivers too!

Shopping update Innermost Lighthouse Pendant light for Dining Table. Bought the 46*30 cm version (Shown on the right)

Shopping update Ikea's DOMSJÖ sink bowl (W62.4×D64.6, H22.9cm) for the Kitchen Ikea's LILLÅNGEN basin for the guest toilet

Reno Day +23 (16-04-2010) Entrance area Tiling for entrance area. Sorry about the footsteps (I think most of those are mine)

Reno Day +23 (16-04-2010) MBR Toilet (In progress) Marble tiling completed! Shower area This definitely must be boxed up