Ely1

Glad to know you got your photoshoot done and chosen your ID! That's good progress! Must show pics when you get them k? My photoshoot is scheduled for July~ - Ely

Mine is sooo totally NOT big. So many changes made because the calculations were made wrong and almost made to choose casement I said no, I want sliding! Now they have to extend the toilet wall (rehacking and retiling) to fit the normal 600mm width. I only get 4 doors technically, as one is a shoe cabinet, now made into a L-shape, into of U, so less shoe space /cry Here at home, I get about 6-7 (900mm per door as per standard) doors of all my crap so will probably need to throw out some stuff. I'm trying to steel the other 2 doors from The Husband and make him use the one in the other bedroom haha! Lady R - very nice progress! I like the brown pebbly-like tiles - they look good! -Ely

Wow, May Dream, Your reno is moving so fast! Seems faster than mine and I think we're both scheduled to move in at the same time (end of the month) and I haven't even started packing yet omg! So happy that everything is going so smoothly for you! Can't wait to go over and see your HUGE room and fridge! We have lots to chat about, eh? You're of course, so very welcome to my place once it's done (if you're not scared of dogs/cats) - I can get you from the MRT station or something And we can soak in the nature over a glass of wine and jazz -Ely

CHAIRS Hey Marshy, Mae, Maydream, sfk, cutiecat and Hypo! Thanks guys - I love the classics. Didn't get them online lah! Haha Got them at Lifestorey. The Ghost chairs are about $300. The Mies van der Rohe Barcelonas I got them at a whim because they've been chairs I've loved forever - decided to get them in brown to break the monotony of black (not too expensive for being non-replicas either - about $360 each). The living room has a lot of steel (metal art, steel legs etc), so the Barcelonas go perfectly. The coffee table is a perfect complement we got from Hommage: The Eames wire chair goes into the common bedroom for a little study nook, as we're planning to keep the other bedroom entirely white. Got the white rattan ball lamp to complete the look, along with white wood-grain laminate wardrobes. Probably going to add a sofa bed but that will come later. Going to focus on the more important purchases first. We're ALMOST done with all the lightings - save for some we're planning to get from Ikea, but all the T5 and downlights, ceiling lamps have been purchased. LAMPS Lamps well... yes they're online from Lampsplus.com. When we went around looking at lightings, we couldn't find any table lamps we love so I got them online The black lamp goes on my bedside table, and one goes to the foyer, while I haven't decided where the other goes lamps go yet. Got two solar lamps for my balcony and master bathroom online from etsy. There's going to be lots of candles in candelabras too Thanks, guys, for being such supportive readers of my blog - I never knew people would be really interested. I shall post pictures of the paintings I got from Bali, they're finally framed! -Ely

Sorry guys, I've been under the weather for a while, but am back now WHEE! Had no idea there would be so queries about the lock, so I'm going tackle one subject at a time. DIGITAL LOCK Definitely Hafiizh, RT is like some huge carebear community Hi friends78 and eggroe, Apparently, it's really easy to do it yourself. The seller included a on installation too. It arrived in 2 days, I was so surprised at their efficiency - it's very sturdy and well-made too. I was actually at Shanghai Tong Lee (for door handles etc), and they're selling the same model at a discounted price of $998. We just brought the lock down to Yontat so they can fabricate the front door to accomodate it. We're either going to get our electrician to help us, or simply follow the YouTube video haha! Yontat refuses to install it for us - sigh. I tried the handle lever at Shanghai Tong Lee and it felt pretty good. Nothing flimsy. Hi Hypo, It's mentioned in one of the links in response to Gap's quiry. It's the model: SHS-5110 - S$259 (inclusive of shipping) bought on eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Samsung-Digital-Key...=item3a5e53780b The other models are listed in one of my above replies. Shipping was superfast, well-packed and very reliable. Came with manuals and installation help. -Ely

MORE PURCHASES!! Chair frenzy this time: Charles Kartell ghost bar stools x4: Kartell Victoria chair: Eames wire chair: Barcelona ottoman in brown x2: -Ely

Hi gap, Thanks for stopping by Congrats on your new apartment! 1300sqft is very sizeable indeed - hope to see your reno progress on RT blog too! I had no idea it was THAT cheap. We actually picked the more expensive model. Here are the links nonetheless - all from eBay. True to their word, they shipping it about 1hr after I made purchase so expedited shipping would take 4-6 business days. All from Samsung, shipped from Korea: DS-16 - $120 w/ free shipping SHS-2010 - S$140 w/ free shipping SHS-1320 - S$158 w/ free shipping SHS-1110 - S$144 w/ free shipping SHS-5110 - S$259 (inclusive of shipping) Happy online shopping! *muahaha* -Ely

Thanks Marshy! I think it's simple really - treat others like how you would like to be treated yourself On the other hand, I cannot tolerate incompetence and can become very impatient, so I'm just glad I have an ID I trust so completely. Was soooo touched when he brought his whole family down to the dog adoption drive!! He didn't end up adopting any but it was still a really sweet gesture. I've read all sorts of horror stories on RT so this is a HUGE relief for me. I cannot imagine what some go through - like IDs disappearing on them after payment, the back-and-forth arguments on RT itself, the irrevocable blunders that some IDs make that require the hiring of ANOTHER ID to rectify - scary! -Ely

Hi eggroe, This is the Samsung Ezon Shs-5110, comes with 4 touch keys. No thumbprint recognition because it's something I don't want - I get stopped everytime at Singapore Customs because my thumbprint thingy doesn't work - have to always go to the counter and manually get in! Faulty thumbprint omgah! Last thing I want is to get stuck outside my door, trying both thumbs and wiping and re-trying and cursing my too-subtle thumbprints! I paid S$260 for it, with expedited shipping. PRODUCT FEATURES High tech touch type features Comes in a sleek functional design ESD resistant Safe and secure access method Intelligent Alarming Features Touch Key/Pin Entry/ Remote Control access method Emergency battery terminal Emergency mechanical key Safe Button feature Automatic Lock/Relock functions Double locking mechanism Anti-fire system Here are the specs: Key: Touch key(Code Hopping) & PIN User Capacity(Max.): 20 Touch keys/1 PIN combination Password: 5~12 Digits number combination Type: Door Handle/Internal Deadbolt Applicable door depth: 1.57"~1.97"(40~50 mm) Material: Zn, Al, ABS plastic, Tempered Glass Humidity: 20% ~ 80% Power: DC 6V(Alkaline AA Battery 4pcs) Battery lifetime: 12 months(average 10 uses per day) Outbody: 3.2" x 11.8" x 0.8"(82 x 299 x 20mm:WxHxD) Inbody: 3.1" x 12.5" x 1.2" (78 x 318 x 31mm:WxHxD) Package: 11.7" x 14.4" x 4.7"(297 x 366 x 120mm:WxHxD) - Ely

Thanks friends78 (I know we're the same age too! ), I certainly hope so! I even wrote him a long email to express our apologies and gratitude when we once called him and he sounded a little irritated. Turned out that we simply caught him at a bad time but I think he was touched that I made the effort to apologise. When he said he wanted to replace the BLING in his car, I sent him the cheapest ebay links, and even got him a laser pointer-led torch-pen because he remarked once how difficult it was to use the measuring tape to point at certain parts of the house! I do think it's the smallest things that touch people, and I really appreciate it when I have a good working relationship with people. Everyone seems to need gestures of friendship, gratitude, love - and I love to give them. (This could be The Friend profile about me!!). -Ely

Purchase updates! Table lamp frenzy: Got our digital door lock too: -Ely

Hi Sophia, Thanks for stopping by Here's his details: Mr Cai 9457 5728 Tell him Mr. Yong referred you - he knows my husband, not me. I honestly don't know him personally but I was shocked at how much cheaper he was compared to May Dream's, which was the main reason I wrote about him. I think he's reliable and easy going and very, very patient. No job too troublesome, or small, and he simply make the necessary changes without being disgruntled, even when we/ID make mistakes, causing him to move ALL the switches to another wall. His prices are extremely reasonable. Hope it works out for you! -Ely

I like the modernity and simplicity of these doors: (May not be what you have in mind though) Other less conventional front door designs: Hope this helps! -Ely

DAY 47 - Lightings almost all purchased! - Majority of them - the walk-in-robe pendant, the master bedroom's chandelier, bathroom's chandelier, all downlights, T5 lights, even both Fanco 56" fans, etc came from Lightings.com.sg Returned to ilum lightings for the kitchen island lamp we were eyeing, and managed to negotiate $900 for it. - Table lamps - online from lampsplus.com - Delivery of most goods scheduled for next week - Painting to commence this week Most satisfied with how accomodating the electrician is. Despite our changing of minds for the umpteen time, he only responds with "okay, can". My neighbours are all fast poaching him for his efficiency, expertise and very reasonable prices. I'm always so relieved when I have a good working relationship with someone - I'm even getting my ID to do A&A on my parents' home, another neighbour poached him after visiting our place once, even the MCST is engaging him to do the upgrade of tiling works at the pool area! He's never too busy for us, he is so attentive to our needs, and he even made a special trip down to a dog adoption drive I was volunteering at just to show his support. Nothing sycophant about him either - he doesn't brown-nose or simply say the things you want to hear - he's straightforward with his own (experienced) suggestions, proposes several ways to do something and allow us the freedom to select which. -Ely

He's my husband's family's friend so we got it at a much cheaper rate, but his going rate is about less than 3k for the entire house (he also did my neighbour's place - after she came and saw the electricial works and compared prices, she gave up the ID's electrician to go with ours). Frankly speaking though, what I like most is how easy-going his attitude his. He doesn't lament that we keep making changes, or how much trouble it'd be if we were to pull wires to seeingly impossible places, he always say "Okay, can". I recently requested an extra light at a boxed up ceiling, and he said "okay, can". We call him "Cai Lao Ban" or Zhang Ai - +65 9457 5728. He has several workers under him, try to get Tony - there's another young punk who's really hard to work with so we got rid of him. Just tell him Mr. Yong referred you. Hope this helps! -Ely

Yep, AVA and SPCA are, unfortunately, very constrained in terms of what they can provide for strays. I tend to rely on a good network of fosters or take them in myself. Speaking of ungrateful, here's what the crazy ginger cat does to me without ANY provocation: Here's the two feral cats, sharing the view: I simply waited it out - 3 years on and he's definitely mellowed. Less aggressive and unpredictable but you'd still need to follow his "rules". As for Bondi, he's now more than 2yrs old so will definitely update pics when he arrives NEXT WEEK! He's the classic Cheshire Cat, as depicted in Alice in Wonderland - a British Shorthair from an awesome breeder in Western Australia. You're right about the pics though - he was about 6months then. -Ely

D*mn, I was soooo hoping it was a matter of fat fingers! Had no idea a dimmer would cost so much! Ugh!! -Ely

I'm so happy he's found a good home. Must be terribly hard on you to give Congo up - I know it wasn't an easy decision. He's fortunate to have found a loving forever home you can visit whenever you can -Ely

My electrician is below 3k for the entire place - 20 PLC lights, 3 halogen, abt 30 electricial points, track lights, (plus constant changes and additions), 20 T5 lights, installation of all lamps, switches. He's extremely easy to work with - he just says "okay, can" whenever I change my mind. It's quite funny really. Or else, they suggest how to group certain lights together when I'd completely forgotten about dimmers and didn't want to hack any more holes into the walls. They're extremely efficient too - they actually "found" wires that was otherwise concealed and for the points I thought I couldn't have, he'd tell me "oh, done already". Really a breeze to work with them, so I'm very grateful. Here's my wardrobe configuration, minus the U-shaped shoe wardrobe - so effectively, I get only 5 doors *sniff*, The Husband gets 2, and the common bedroom another 2 doors (1800mm): Mine: + U-shaped shoe cabinet His: Common bedroom: -Ely

Thanks, insane, for this very useful guide! Is the dimmer wrongly typed as the intended $11, instead of $110?? (hoping you'd say it's a typo). We only need several of those with the led light, like the ones inside the wardrobe, and perhaps the main bedroom lights. Thanks again! -Ely

Wow! That's heaps for a fridge!! Puts my Panasonic Inverter Vegerator to shame - I got mine at $1099 (with a $100 NTUC voucher) from Harvey Norman. Yours look so much better! *sniff* -Ely

What are everyone's quotations on electrician's prices? So far, we've not discussed price with ours... he keeps saying "hard to calculate now". Am getting worried it would become some huge crazy bill! Maydream: Your progress is awesome! It seems so much faster than mine! Funny that you're so much more meticulous when it comes to selecting wardrobe configurations - I had about 9 different options, picked 3 and modified all with Photoshop and emailed it to ID - about 5mins Laminates and paint took about 3 hours, and we only planned electricial outlets onsite for about 2-3hrs. I think I'm either very decisive or nonchalent I always say "Okay, whatever, yeah do it that way" whereas The Husband will have on the thinking face and will ponder on it as if he's tackling a cure for cancer. It's funny how we both operate so differently yet work quite well together. I'm looking forward to more pics of your reno progress! -Ely

Who thinks these are the boring ones? One on my lipgloss keychain which I bring with me everywhere. -Ely

DAY 44 Met up with ID AGAIN to go over my change of laminates and discussed my study nook by the kitchen island so I won't be isolated from the "family" when I'm on the computer a lot. Made some minor changes, and all for the better, I think - Definitely more "me" There is now a heightened sense of excitement as things start to come together. Still fatigued though, and I haven't worked out at all this week from being ill the previous week so am feeling extremely sluggish and whale-like since I've been stuffing my face every night. On a good note (pun intended), the wedding band has been engaged and it's going to be a 4-piece ensemble with a guitar and bass. The songlist has been prepared and it contains everything from Pink's Perfect to Lisa Ekdahl's The Colour of You, Journey's Don't Stop Believin', to Teresa Teng's I Only Care About You (since she is probably the only Mandarin singer I know...), as I'm hoping to cater to my 100-yr-old (yes, truly) grandfather, the teeny-bopper cousins and the Gen X peers. Finally made the trip to Hommage and just got everything from there as it was much cheaper than what we've seen at Molecule (the next choice was FC at IMM), and the designs seemed modern enough. Got a 3-seater couch, an outdoor bar table with stools, a partition shelf, a coffee table, and a side table. All very cookie-cutter design so no pictures taken, especially since we were only flipping through catalogues. Shop was quite scary though, and The Husband almost didn't even want to go in. I felt like we were such spoilt brats, feeling freaked out we were buying furniture from a non-airconditioned store with pretty lights and plush settings! So, the reviews and recommendations from RT definitely helped, or else we wouldn't have stepped in! I plan to return to iwannagohome, Lifestorey and Ikea to complete the furninishings and probably call the infamous Mr Chew for a quote for curtains/blinds next week. Missed the Audio House's sale, but went to Harvey Norman to finalise the delivery details and invoice as we made several additions and upgrades (the Time Manager washer). - Electrical/white goods done! - Laminates chosen! Carpentry to commence! - All tiled with false ceilings and electrical outlets/lighting points! - Furnishings almost done! - Art, rugs and linen done! - All shower fixtures/kitchen sinks/sanitary ware done! - Roof done! - HTS done! Homework for next week: Lightings Switches Rest of furnishings Wheeeeeee! Teeny tiny problem though: We have gone over our budget, with our purchases totalling almost 50k so we're getting stressed about how our over-spending will affect us. We can't afford to empty all our savings, and yet we tend to want the best of things. Very distressing. Ima go stuff face now~ P.S. I haven't been able to catch up with everyone else's blogs and I apologise - I promise to try to do so this weekend. There must be so much I've missed! So far, all my left over energy is expended on documenting my own t-blog but I do so want to be part of everyone's reno journey as well, like many of you have been part of mine. OXOXO! -Ely

To be honest, I haven't been to Homefix so I can't say. The simple slim caddy is US$12.99 and other with the pop-up is US$16 from Amazon. They're smaller and lighter items so I felt the shipping wouldn't be too high. It's just much easier clicking my mouse in my PJs while having my morning coffee! Hope this helps! -Ely