Natural Living

[Natural Living]

finally found one pic of a suspended loft bed that I can show the carpenter and ID!

Suspended Bunk Bed

Just hope the carpenter confident enuf to do it

[Natural Living]

You drawings are nice and practical but you can consider "no legs" really nice . I have seen many local interior mags and pics that loft bed can be done suspended. looks good and make the room looks more spacious too coz no legs. Honestly loft beds are fun and space saving, but my hb insist on no loft bed.

Oh, I hvn't seen those, but is it safe to have suspended like that?

How do they mount it to the wall?

Must go check it out. Thanks for the tip!

I saw a children's bunk bed at Furniture Mall selling for $1500 and it look to be of good quality, so I think $1400 is fairly ok.

on ur bed without head, you are looking for wooden right? I did see before, just the bed frame without bedhead

Do you remember where you saw it? We're looking for a low bedframe coz the mattress alone is already 14 inches thick!

[Wallpaper Prices And Wall Decals]

You can DIY yourself. I thk some forumers here DIYed.

have considered it but scared will not do it properly,

or spoil the wallpaper.

[Wallpaper Prices And Wall Decals]

Hi all

Went down to Goodrich showroom @ Plaza Singapura yesterday to look at samples and get a quote.

The designs I chose were mostly the latest ones and they were average $131 per roll.

I asked them what is the cheapest roll they have and the salesgirl showed me samples at $16 per roll.

They don't look too bad.

So question is, what is considered middle range price? Is $131 per roll considered a high-end price or is it the average price?

Goodrich also quoted me $300 per wall for installation and comes with 3-year warranty. If they don't do it, then there's no warranty.

Anyone know of any freelance wallpaper installer? I only have about 3 walls to do.

Kind of ex to pay $900 just for installation - it will probably cost more than the wallpaper itself!

Also came across www.winkplay.com while searching the forums and am now considering using wall decals instead of wallpaper.

Has anyone used Winkplay products before? Is it easy to use, and is it really as easy to peel off and replace as they claim in their website.

Will it peel off after some time coz of the humidity etc? My house gets a lot of sunlight in so I scared the quality will drop over time.

Same applies to wallpaper too, I suppose.

Appreciate any advice or suggestions!

[My New Abode In Bt Batok]

5.8k for curtains!!!!! wow.... i can buy a swarovski LG fridge with extras for wine chiller, man......

where is J&S btw? Is it a high end curtain place? i only budget 2k for my curtains. hahaha... don't know if i'm too conservative...

I aredi expect it so had budget abt $5K for it. Went to 4 diff places, got 4 diff quotes ranging from $4K-$11K!

Really depends on fabric and material u choose. Mbe I choose only the nice and ex ones, LOL.

ya lah, i v terrible, want nice-nice, but want to pay cheap-cheap

Oso the quote include include installation of railings and tracks.

J & S has several outlets, in Plaza Singapura, Park Mall, Tj Katong Complex, also IMM I think.

Not sure if they are high-end, mbe medium-end?? The min price for their fabric is $29 per m.

I thot, this one do one time, pay a bit more, oklah. Next time, buy cheaper material from M'sia then ask maid to sew

[My New Abode In Bt Batok]

hi umaisarah,

ya... the bedrooms are bigger, the master bedroom is even bigger than the one in my 5rm HDB, this is one of the reasons why we chose an older condo. now all the newer condos have very small rooms..

wow.. your curtains already cost $2k deposit? it must be really ex! care to share the total? hehe.

Ya lor....if u see the pics of my house, all have almost floor to ceiling windows and cover the entire length of the wall.

Even bathroom must cover up! Altogether, J & S quoted me their best price of $5,800, with average fabric price of $35-$40.

This quote is for:

- day roller blind + nite curtain for living (planter window)

- nite curtain for dining (balcony door)

- curtains for 3 bedrooms

- day roller blind + nite curtain for MBR

- roller blind for 2 bathrooms

Wanted to hv roman blinds for bedrooms but so costly and a few pple told me mtce-wise more difficult. So shelved tt idea.

My current 5RM HDB also hv lots of windows but I only did curtains for living room. Bedrooms and study used vertical blinds. But I thot not so nice to have that at new place , it looks v cheapo and like in the office

[My New Abode In Bt Batok]

Hi Merydith.

Wah, your bedrooms look so big! I so jealous. Bedrooms at my place soooo tiny.

can only fit bed and study table. Not much room to move around

Fine for a 5-year old but once they grow up, aiyoh, will feel so cramped.

Look fwd to more updates from you

[Natural Living]

My idea for the master bedroom, again using Series Supplies products. For this design to work, i need to hv a custom-made bedframe,

or get one which is without any bedhead. Got sell in the shops, meh?

Anyone used the Cocohusk panel?

Is this more suitable for outdoor use?

[Natural Living]

Posting some drawings I made using Google Sketchup for my daughters' bedroom

and for my master bedroom. In case, I don't get an ID

The idea behind the 1st design is to save space and build the bottom bed on the bay window,

and create a loft bed so that part of it can be above the bay window.

But I'm installing a ceiling fan, so loft bed cannot be too high. Not sure if this design is stable coz the legs of the loft bed is offset to the left.

any expert in engineering or physics can comment?

2nd design is with more stable legs for the loft bed.

3rd design not even sure if can be made coz the leg of the loft bed will be sitting on the bay window itself.

May not be strong enough to support the bed with person on it.

In the end, 2nd design is the one I chose, like the picture I posted earlier. Oso, the bottom bed is not fixed so can be move to another room in future.

[Natural Living]

Hi all readers of my blog

I've drawn up 3 possible designs for my feature wall. It'll be abt 9' long. I'm planning to use wood and glass/mirror combination.

I also like the panels from www.seriessupplies.com and want to incorporate them into the feature wall.

The TV console is the same, 2 drawers at the sides, and a middle portion for the DVD player, SCV box etc.

So, here's the 1st design which is the basic design. Wood in the middle, and glass/mirror at the sides.

2nd design using the Veneer Carved Panel in the middle portion and slightly bigger mirror/glass at the sides.

The 3rd design is a bit tricky as it has a grille panel which is normally used as a room divider. My idea is to fix the grille against a dark tinted mirror

so you can still see some reflection. The other side is a wood panel coz I need a fairly stable wall base for my TV to be mounted on.

Anyone out there who has used Series Supplies product and can comment on the wood quality?

The Grille panel is made of Medium Density Fibreboard. One carpenter told me that is the lowest quality kind of wood and so will be quite flimsy . Anyone know if this is true? The carved panel is made of high density fibreboard. I got the price for the carved panel at $700 per 8 by 4 feet piece. Is this considered expensive compared with laminate of same size?

So, can I put this to a vote? Which design you like best? Tell me oso if you think all 3 designs are horrible

Appreciate all feedback and suggestions!

[Natural Living]

Hi Umaisarah,

its me porcupine ...i'll continue our chat here. Nice to hear you have 3 kids too . We were contemplating a 4 bedder too. Its size vs location, in the end, location won and we got a 3 bedder. Also I prefer to be maid free, cannot get a big unit n kill myself with the hsework . but of coz, now i see the benefits of getting a bigger unit lol.

If all my kids are of the same gender, I'll put them in 1 bedroom n convert the other into a nice study. But i hv both gals and boy..so cant do that . I want to build bed on bay window too to save space!

i'll be following your blog closely !

Hi Porcupine! Yeah, my first fan

I wish I can be maid free, hope to be in a few years' time when my daughters all grown up and they can do all the housework for me,

By tt time, the other daughter can have her own room too, or convert the room to study cum chill-out corner.

One of the ID told me my idea of bay window bed + additional single bed cannot be done because the room will end up very cramped . He suggested putting two single beds separately. We said ok, but now having 2nd thots coz the room will end up v cramp. May resort to bunk beds. But problem is the bunk beds sold here are so boring. Not creative.

I found a few US websites that specialise in bunk beds and they've got some really nice ones. You should check them out to get some ideas.

Simply Bunk Beds

CSN Bunk Beds

CSN has the better models and the beds look to be of better quality.

What I did was to pick the one I like and ask one of the contractor to make something like that.

Jason from Steel & Bamboo quoted me like $1,400 for it which is quite reasonable.

This is the design I picked.

I also liked this one. Like the groove design on the bed frame but not sure if the carpenter can create that look.

I really like this one but it's too big for the bedroom.

I was playing around with some designs using Google Sketchup. Will post them later.

[Natural Living]

Latest Updates

Got a call from Alicia from House Plan who apologised that Douglas is on overseas assignment so she's taking over. Asked for an appt to meet her coz she has prepared the quote. Am planning to meet her on Sunday morning.

Jason from Steel and Bamboo has also come back with a quote. Within my budget, but I think can cut down some more. Meeting up for 2nd appt on Sunday oso.

More damages! Went window-shopping on Sunday but wind up buying 2 items, one very major.

The first is a coffee table from Natural Living which closely matches the weave of my sofa. I got the sofa from them too about 3 years back.

There was one with the exact weave but it was too big and bulky. The one I bought is just nice in terms of size and height, and cheaper by a few hundred $$.

The other item is a king-size bed! We currently have a queen-size and was contemplating to 'upgrade' to a king-size.

Went down to IMM to look at the Serta shop and after much discussion with hubby and salesman, we cfm purchase of king-size Sierra Hills mattress (no bed frame).

Not sure if this was a tactic by the shop, but they had a sign which states original was like $8199 and they were offering at half price. Final selling price was like 55% off and I got 1 mattress protector, 3 bedsheets and 4 pillows thrown in as free gifts. Funny thing is, I found old RT posts from 2007/2008 where the mattress was going at almost the same price (but tt was for a Queen size). So this half-price sale was just a gimmick I think . Anyway, I think it's a fairly good deal for the quality. Now must find bedframe. Time to go 'window-shopping' again, keh keh

[Natural Living]

[edited for brevity and to give real company names]

My Renovation IDol search continues

These are the people I met onsite on 25th. By this time, I was a little more savvy, having read thru Renotalk (heh heh). In fact, most were from recommendations from RT posters.

Kelvin, B&E Group Design and Contractor

- referred to by my property agent's partner.

- Very professional and polite

- Quoted abt $18K

- Supposed to requote and show some drawings based on onsite meeting

Verdict: Shortlisted

Jason, Metal & Wood Contractor

- PMed me via RT

- Quoted $16.5K but quoted for wrong dimensions for TV feature wall and console

- Meeting again at their factory to observe workmanship and discuss specs and quote again

Verdict: Shortlisted but will need plenty of handholding wrt design and specs

Nick, Ideal House ID

- recommended by a few RT posters

- Didn't say much and noticed didn't write anything down during on-site mtg. Got photographic memory, meh?

- No news (is good news...??)

Verdict: ????

Mr Lau, Roheleton ID and Contractor

- Another recommendation from a RT-er.

- didn't say much at on-site meeting but look to be v experienced. Also own Closet Design.

- No follow-up from him yet.

Verdict: Maybe out leh if he never contact me by Thu.....

Lastly is Cynthia from 1 Inch Square Design, another ID recommended by posters coz she can do 3D drawings even without confirm contract. Couldn't get in touch with her on time for onsite viewing on 25th but have emailed the floor plan and list of work to her. Meeting up with her on Sunday afternoon.

So, that's the top 9 of my Renovation IDol search. Don't think I want to look for some more coz very tiring....

But today I going to IMM, so mbe can visit 1 or 2 more companies and see if anyone can give me good quote.

So far, am getting good vibes from the ID peeps, but hv to look at their prices first.

[Natural Living]

[Edited for brevity and to give real company names]

Our search for an ID/Contractor started in early Feb.

Right now, we hv no preference for either ID or contractor.

Having gone thru the posts on RT, I kind of know the pros and cons of ID vs contractor.

Hopefully can get a contractor with some design background coz for things like the ceiling plan, TV feature wall and space layout for the MBR,

I really need a designer to help think it out coz we hvn't decided yet.

Unfortunately, so far, the 3 contractors I've met and discussed so far haven't exactly inspired my confidence.

Hope to make decision by 2nd week March.

Here's the people we've talked to so far, 1st batch is people we met before the onsite appointments on 25th Feb.

(person names changed to protect their identity):

Lennon, Rest and Relax Interior

- Met at Expo. Pester us, so we give floor plan and list of specs.

- Met again 2 weeks later. Didn't really read through our specs, and gave us wrong layout

- Cannot give quote without measurements

Verdict: Out

Ali, - Contractor

- gave on the spot quote of $17k

- was very pushy, trying to get us to confirm because price valid only during CNY period

Verdict: Out

Douglas, Home Guide Design

- Met up and gave floor plan and specs

- Currently overseas and handed over project to colleague

- Meeting colleague on 7/3

Verdict: Disappointing but let's see how next appt turns out

Jeannie, Inner Room ID

- Designer did a project for Renovaid, so one point in her favour (?)

- Good 1st appt even tho we only comm through email

- Meeting again this weekend

Verdict: Possible, if price is right and she willing to listen to our ideas too

PS: LOL, the word 'Classic' is censored again! Can someone explain this to me, pls???

[Natural Living]

Here's a link to the floor plan. Hope it works this time.

I will post the picture itself next week. (ran out of storage space in my flickr a/c)

My Floor Plan (go to D2 plan)

As for my reno, here's a list of what I intend to do:

Living/Dining:

- false ceiling/L-box/Cove Light

- TV and dining feature wall

- wood deck for balcony

- shoe cabinet (outside the main door)

Bedroom 2 & 3

- bed and study desks for my 3 daughters

Master Bedroom

- main feature wall

- TV console

- work area (for me to use laptop and some paperwork)

- bifold door for bathroom

- wood deck for balcony

Kitchen

- cabinet above the washer area

As you can see, very minimal work. I budget about $17K for everything, including wiring but excluding lights and accessories.

Is this realistic? So far, I got two quotes between $17-$19K. Still a bit on the high side, I think.

For covering my bay windows with wood top and cushion, one company quoted me $100 psf!

Is this reasonable? I thought it's so ex.

The ID's excuse is that I have a lot of bay windows. He kind of misses my point, which is his unit cost is already so high, tt's why total cost is very high.

[Natural Living]

Here are more pictures of my new place.

Shot of the living/dining room from the passageway

Shot of living room balcony from planter

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/439078...5f1553a4b_m.jpg

Bathrooms.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/439165...74a8c6917_m.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/439160...fc51d582f_m.jpg

The master bathroom is connected to the walk-in wadrobe but doesn't hv its own door,

which means that if I'm using the toilet to do No. 2 and my husband needs to change his T-shirt,

it's going to be pretty embarassing for both of us.

Whoever designed this place obviously is a voyeur with all the floor-to-ceiling windows in the bathrooms.

[Natural Living]

Hi Umaisarah,

welcome to t-blog . I like the many full-height windows of your new place. They make the whole place look very classy. And your place is very near to MRT right? So very convenient too. Only problem is that there is a new condo being built on the plot of land next to yours. Hope your window view won't be blocked by it.

Nope, my block faces the landed properties, so got quite unblocked views from most rooms.

Actually, earlier last year, I fancied a unit at the block closer to the MRT. If I had bought the unit, I would probably

be facing the toilet of the new condo once it's up!

[Natural Living]

Wah, Thursday was a v tiring day. Spent almost whole day at the new place, from 10:30 am to about 4 pm.

Met about 6-7 contractors, designers, etc etc.

First thing we arrived, the seller agent apologised coz the seller aredi go and cut off the power and water supply.

So, no air con and water!

Thank goodness it was windy, and none of us had urgent need go toilet

The seller really calculative, grr.....

Anyway, my hubby got some good pictures of the place.

Here are some that I would like to share.

This is pic of block from the roadside. Mine is the 4th unit from the top floor. The one without any curtains etc.

Living/Dining Room, balcony and passageway to bedrooms. At the end there, you can see the balcony of the master bedroom.

Views from balconies and bedrooms, the one thing which sold the house to me

From Masterbedroom balcony

Master Bedroom, with L-shape bay window. Going to need a lot of curtains!

Will post some more pictures soon.

[Finally... A Place In The East]

Hi Umaisarah and HKChing

I am too planning for bed like HKChing! Though i dont live in Casa but my development is not tt big either! My "problem" is a bit bigger, I have 3 kids! my 2 gals will share a room and my son will take the smaller room. Hence I dont have a spare room for study. Scratching my head now. I wont consider bunk bed for my gals even it will free up space for a study table/area...sigh, any suggestions?

how i dislike the bay windows! but new developements will not have bay windows anymore, back to the 90s . My old place was built early 2000s, the bay windows are the high type, worst ha.

Hi, Porcupine! Guess what, I have 3 kids too, and a maid!

Tt's why we bought a 4-bedder instead of 3-bedder

I'm not putting my maid in the household shelter so she's taking a room which will double up as a work-room.

So I've got to do up study areas in the bedrooms. Now figuring out the best bed design for my daughters.

Actually bunk beds not too bad.

Check out my Reno blog if u want to know what I have in mind

[Natural Living]

Tomorrow will be a full-day for me onsite at my new place.

(Well, going to be my new place in 2 months time. Now I only own 5% of the place )

Going to make full use of the day coz paiseh to ask the owner to come back again.

Owner quite siong lah....

here's a link to the unit's floor plan. It's a 4-br, and it has nice unblocked views from the living and dining room.

[jus realised link don't work. Will post e layout later]

Tomorrow going to take more detailed pictures of the whole house coz the last time we were there, it was 2nd viewing before we confirm to buy

and so photos taken were in a hurry.

Rondy - forgot to add, I really like your avatar. Is that your son? SO CUTE!!!!!

[Natural Living]

Hi Merydith - yah, very close to my fave eating place, Spize at Simpang Bedok

Hi Rondy - that area supposed to grow in value over time coz the 4th uni will be close by. so rental income supposed to be good. Tt's why Optima sold 100%. but i duno got casino there leh....

Hi Ossify - Thanks for the warm words of welcome

Hi Muesli - I really put my heart into tt kitchen when we did it about six years ago. I'm going to miss my pantry with the pull-out steel drawers! Maybe 5 years time if got $$, I'm going to redesign the whole kitchen.

[Natural Living]

One of the 1st problems I will face when we move, will be WHERE AM I GOING TO PUT ALL OF THESE STUFF????

Tonight, my hubby's friend is coming down to cart off some of the furniture which we know cannot make it in the new home.

Actually, some of it are our old furniture which is still in good condition that we didn't throw away. Like leather sofa, Ikea CD cabinet, TV consoles.

I like to change furniture every few years, heh heh. Now cannot do anymore coz all $$ go into monthly instalments and loan

Here are some pics of my current house. As you can see, I like wood.

My kitchen currently country-style.

Another view of my kitchen. I'm going to miss all that space!

My current place is abt 130 sqm, the new one is 143sqm. Looks bigger on paper, right?

But after u minus the balconies, bay windows, extra bathrooms and stupid household shelter, the living space is actually smaller.

[Natural Living]

I think, many years down the road, when I'm old and wrinkly, and sitting in my rocking chair looking at the setting sun,

I will ask myself why I decided to uproot my family from our comfortable HDB home in one of the most sought-after district in Singapore, to set up a condo nest in the east.

Anyway, let me introduce myself. My name is....let's call me Umaisarah, shall we.....and this is my Reno Blog.

I currently live in the estate where recently one thousand people applied to buy one unit there (I don't remember the exact details).

Mine is one of the first newish flats to be built in that area, so it's about 15 years old already, but still looking good (like Madonna). I bought it at resale, so had to cough up quite a lot of dough for it, so I didn't make much when I sold it off. Got quite a good price for it, because the valuation was pretty good.

I have been staying there for about 8 years already. Why we (hubby and I) decided to sell it:

a. we live on lower floor, so with all the new flats going up, we're going to lose the unblocked view we're currently enjoying. So better sell now, when it's not so bad.

b. we are subject to the ethnic quota so, maybe election's round the corner or something, because suddenly, our block was eligible for all races to buy, so why wait? SELL, SELL, SELL! Actually, we have been trying to market our unit for a whole year (since early 2009) but tt time, ethnic quota still on and we DIDN'T GET A SINGLE VIEWING. So sad....but once quota lifted late last year, we got like 3 viewings in 1 hour and managed to sell within 5 weeks of hard sell by my agent. If anyone need lobang for good agent, PM me!

c. my hubby works in the east, so more convenient for him to travel to work.

d. I kind of fancy a change of wind. Been living in that part of the country for most of my life. Never lived in the east. Someone told me pace of life is more relaxed. Eastenders, is this really true???

I'm having deep pangs of regret of moving out of the location . It's a very good one, coz the school is very nearby, 5 minutes drive to Orchard Road (not that I go there everyday, no $$), good connections to everywhere, and it was me and my hubby's childhood playground. I'll probably move back to it closer to retirement. Ask my daughters to buy house there and I tumpang them.

Okay, I haven't started on the reno part. Have patience, my dears. Am warming up to it.

[Finally... A Place In The East]

Hi HKChing

Read your blog after doing search for Casa Merah in the forums.

Am moving there soon, too. Hope to get my keys in early April.

Bought at sub-sale in Jan, so quite ex , but still not as ex as current prices.

My fren was telling me current owners asking for $900 psf, because of Optima! Quite crazy right? Not worth it, I think.

Anyway, very glad that I stumbled into your blog so I can see how the reno will turn out.

Liked your TV console and feature wall, very simple but classy. And your use of wallpapers.

And I'm really happy to stumble onto your website coz I'm planning to do a bed just like your son's!

I will hv 2 daughters staying in 1 room (a 10 year-old and 7 year-old).

The rooms are really tiny so hv to save as much space as possible.

I think the bay window bed will turn out nice.

Hope to start my reno blog soon, once I hv pictures of the unit to share.

Going there tomorrow to reccee and do site showround with some IDs & contractors. So excited.

Btw, where did you get your floor plan? Hv been trying to get one which is of the right scale, but no luck.

Even the owner's agent dun hv a proper copy and she used to work for Wing Tai, the developer!

Can we get one from the management office or something?

[Ideal House Id]

Hi. I need to have contact for Peter urgently. Can someone PM me pls?