Ely1

Haha Marshy! I think I was wearing my ballet flats though... I just remember being engulfed by the toilet! It was so weird! I was asking my husband "Can you see my thighs?!" -Ely

DAY 34 Whee - roof being extended! Should be completed by tomorrow. All hail more shade! -Ely

OMG SO HAPPY FOR YOU! YAY! /victory stance You're soooo going to enjoy your huge wardrobe! Haha! Btw, I LURVE your bamboo rack you chose - it's gorgeous! I want one sliding one for my wardrobe lol! But I can't, cos I'm going to do sliding doors so I won't be bothered by the mess or coordination. I guess I'll have to pull a chair everytime I need to reach for something (I'm short - 156cm~) Look at Christina Aguilera's! And Eva Longoria's: Or Mariah Carey's! Suddenly, our wardrobes seem small haha! -Ely

Hi Mae, Lol, all this talk about "diplomat" and "analyzer", I wonder what I am!! What do you need to get a profile, this is very interesting indeed (only if you're free of course). We didn't have time either - engaged an ID a few days before the handover and work commmenced before any design started - simply stated what we needed to hack, then we were sent on the gruelling task of selecting tiles without a design in mind - We simply picked what we liked, and hope that they all go together. I like that the ID manages the project on schedule - that really is a huge load off us, so I'm definitely no super lady! I have no idea how this home is going to turn out, but hopefully, it will be a place my husband and I love, and can grow in. As long as we surround ourselves with the things, and people (and pets) we love, I feel we should do okay I actually compiled a 37-page Inspiration Board, and let me tell you - NOTHING is like it at all! So much for research! Humph. I'm sure your thorough thinking will pay off. Beats my impulsive buys -Ely

Funny that, ne0. I am bidding on this clock to hang on the column, and have a magazine rack on the other side (facing the kitchen island). I want it clad in some black textured/leather or geometric paper mmm. Decided this clock would give a pop of colour to an otherwise black/white home: Being as cookie-cutter as the home is, I intend to personalise it with decor so that everything around me brings a smile -Ely

Do send me the list once you're done compiling all 180.... - You can PM me on this board, or at elyria@singnet.com -Ely

I concur! My husband has a love/hate relationship with the Virgo - he loves how I'm so detail-oriented and organised with an almost eidetic memory, but hates how it always bites him in his butt! The steel-like determination is quite intimidating, but motivating for him. He loves my goofy side more though I'm so terribly childish when I'm not being "serious" or "critical". Like Aristotle said, excellence becomes a habit, no? Btw, ne0, we're not "irritating" - we just know EXACTLY what we want, yet know how to laugh with abandon -Ely

How much did you pay for it at Lush Lush? LOL! So is CutieCat - we're all worrywarts and perfectionists - but that's exactly why you love your wife right?! My Blu-Ray haul: -Ely

Oh wow, Frezhman, We have the same sub! Now I know how monstrous it would look in my living room. Ours is the PC12-Ultra though but I believe the dimensions are the same. To top it off, we have floorstanding speakers - oh gawd. Nice HTS -Ely

I agree - we initially wanted wall-hung toilets but couldn't after the plumber inspected the hole once all the hacking was done. They'll advise you what diameters you can use, so it's easy elimination (no pun intended~). Do sit on them, despite how odd you'd feel, as I felt like I was sinking into several models. To remain on the seat, I had to literally perch on the edge with tippy-toes on the floor. Some of the seats were so narrow that I was falling into the bowls! Maybe I don't really have a butt, or maybe there was less friction because I was clothed, but decided on another more expensive model for the master bathroom simply because it was a lot more comfortable. Our main concern was flushing power, so we picked Geberit systems, known for its efficiency. Don't worry about being "safe" or "boring" when it comes to design - think of it as "timeless"! -Ely

Ouch! Yeah, saw it on eBay but the shipping would be $$$. Also saw a much smaller one **** Phenomenon but it didn't have enough rungs as I'd like, and was too short and cost $480~ Sigh. -Ely

Hi Mae, I think you're really lucky to have landed such a hands-on ID. I basically picked tiles without even seeing any design, so I guess I'm doing all the ID! He manages the project and solves the issues that arises from construction, which we find really helpful, lacking the technical know-how. But when it comes to design, the 3D designs he finally managed to produced were all grey-scale and boring, so I had to step in and tell him what I wanted - wallpaper here, shelving here, study nook here, wardrobes with mirrors here etc. He did, however, designed where all the downlights would be and we went through how I wanted to control the switches and where they should be placed. I asked for cove lighting and all the cabinet/wardrobe/feature wall lighting, and where I would be using halogen track lights (for the art pieces) and ceiling lamps. He offers no suggestions for furniture but I guess that's okay, I prefer picking my own stuff anyway. Would be nice to have someone guide you through it though, but he's far too busy to accompany me shopping! -Ely

Hi CutieCat, Glad to know we have so much in common! Being a fellow Virgo, I'm sure you'd understand the pedantic control streak! Not to mention the perfectionistic trait! I'm glad we scheduled the ROM earlier, so we can concentrate on the reno process. We thought it would be best to stagger everything - but planning for the wedding in December is nerve-wrecking as well. We have everything on schedule (I think...) but the photography is set for July and no designs for the dress yet! Which bridal studio have you engaged, and where are you having your dinner? Congrats on your upcoming ROM! Still firming up the menu, no guest-list as yet, still looking for a band - but that would fall in place in time I believe. Now, we're just channelling all our energies on the house reno process! It's so much tougher than I'd imagined. Here's hoping your reno process goes smoothly! Have you got an ID yet? -Ely

Thanks Kobelala, the main tree you see on the right is where the resident owls perch -Ely

Hey all, I understand these types of towel rails are typically heated, but I'm trying to source locally for one (non-heated) - I just like the look. Anyone know where to get them? TIA! -Ely

Very nice progress, friends78! Glad it's going smoothly for you! -Ely

I got them online again - from the same shop Hot Wind 2008. Very speedy and reliable, but US$16.50 each. Truthfully May, I never had a tap which did not provide hot water too (we forgone that option with the kitchen taps) but I guess it won't be so bad, not like Australia when it's winter and washing dishes with cold water turns your hands numb and blue, or instant pore shrinkage when you splash water on your face in the mornings! I don't know really - is it crucial? I keep thinking of the rehacking and retiling and think it's not worth it. -Ely

Master Bathroom, with recesses for showerhead & toiletries: Toilet to be installed on the left: Vanity on the right: Master bedroom, with windows being installed:

DAY 30 View from the balcony: Roof to be extended: Hall to Balcony: (sliding doors being put up) --cont'd

WHEE!! OMG! CLICKING FRENZY! -Ely

It's a cutie! I got mine second-hand for $180. -Ely

Hmm, the Crestas look good. The 90db sensitivity is just right. But floorstanding... in the bedroom.... Any bookshelf suggestions? :/ -Ely

Hey guys, The Husband just bought another shiny precioussss: No idea where it's going to go at the moment, but most likely the bedroom. Anyone can recommend some nice (>$300) speakers to go with this? It looks really cute! Currently, using it with my computer and female vocals and instruments are the best stand-out. -Ely

Found out that there's no hot water directed to our bathroom taps! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! ID said he confirmed with us whereas we insist differently, so it's a matter of he said/she said. Need to hack all the tiles and redo! So, am just going to forget it and change all my tap mixers~ SIGH.

Join the crazy race - head so hurt and haven't been sleeping properly. Sigh. I thought planning for our home would be such an exciting journey - it just seems stressful and tough all the time. Keep breathing okay! And take baby steps People here are really very helpful so you're definitely not alone -Ely