KittyJems

Tile selected for kitchen flooring. A beautiful beige colour. We purposely selected the glossy type of tile rather then matt tiles as our kitchen area ia rather dark. So the refelction of sunlight will make it apear brighter and more airy. See the flash from my camera bounching off the tiles. Nice!

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List of renovations works to be carried out: 1) Kitchen --> Major overhaul. Hack and demolish everything except wall tiles as condition still ok. Will re-use to save $$$. 2) Bedroom 1 --> to convert from study cum store into bedroom for eldest daughter 3) Bedroom 2 --> to dismantle build-in cabinets. Maximise space for 2nd daughter and baby gal. (Yup... I got 3 beautiful princesses. ) 4) Master bedroom --> to dismantle build-in cabinets. Convert to daddy & mommy's sanctuary. (Finally..!!) 5) Living areas remain untouched largely due to super tight budget. Only will do painting. Hopefully.... can polish up the marble flooring (depends on available $$$ left). 6) Painting of whole house For this home project, I have opted to go with a Contractor. However, as not many contractors know how to do Country style kitchens, I have to selected an Country kitchen specialist for that area. All other areas will fall under the care of my main contractor. Unless I find a better deal elsewhere.

After 3 years at our current unit and a growing family, we realised that the current cabinets and space allocation was not fully utilised. So we decided to give it a simple make-over. The new style for our home will be a modern country style - no dark woods and overly ornate carvings. We are opting for a bright, cheerful and cosy country style with an modern twist to it. Having to incoporate several pieces of current furniture into this plan will be challenge. Hope everything goes as plan. Here we go......

Hi Zzzmonster & Dean, I've PM you the painter contact. Sorry for the delay. Been swamped wz Reno stuffs. So far hv met up wz the painter twice. Young chap but friendly.

I managed to get the painter's contact. They quoted me $1,100 for whole house - 6 colours. Very happy. Going to sign the contract with them on Monday. Painting will be done after my renos in Jan 2012. Will update on the results here. Hope I get good workmanship too.

You can try contacting those charitable organisations like Salvation Army.

Both Forest and Cottage Crafts replied me with quotation within a week. Maybe you wanna call them to follow-up? Cause when Jessica from Forest came down to do measurements for my renovations, she commented that they are quite over-loaded and all are busy rushing to complete projects in time before the festive periods. *good luck*

Thanks for your quick reply. If I do wanna proceed with ceiling fan, can you PM me a suitable fan and your costs - including installation? I dun need anything too fanciful. Just a normal ceiling fan - preferably white. Thanks lots.

Hi Bro, Can I check... My false ceiling was installed by previous owner. When I tried buying ceiling fans, the lighting shops told me dun buy cos they cannot ascertain if my false ceiling can take the weight of the ceiling fan. The lighting shop scared that after some months of use, the ceiling fan may drop when the false ceiling gives way. Is this true? I tot all false ceiling can install ceiling fans? I want to install ceiling fan but scared after hearing this.

All the replies here in Renotalk have been most useful. After much considerations, I settled for normal PLC down lights, single 13W Phillips bulb with Atco Ballast. Bought from lightings.com at $12 per downlight set. During my search, I was quoted ridiculous prices from $15 upwards. 1 shop at trade hub 21 even quoted me $20+. Shocked that the costs for normal PLC downlights differs so much. Although I like the whole Phillips downlights set, hubby was not ready to spend $33 for just 1-set. Moreover,, We r not a fussy buyers as this is our 2nd home. So feel that the cheaper $12 lights will serve its purpose just as well. So far their service not bad. Ordered my lights on Saturday. On Monday, they called saying my lights are ready 4 collection. Hope all the lights r in good working condition on installation.

Hi Keil, Sorry for the late reply. Have PM you my contractor's details.

Hi Xiaobudian, Thanks for asking. I've been busy preparing for X'mas and getting stuffs for my house reno so not much time to post. My renos starting on 27 Dec. Can't wait to get it all settled before CNY. Will post some pics and updates once it starts.

All the replies here in Renotalk have been most useful. After much considerations, I settled for normal PLC down lights, single 13W Phillips bulb with Atco Ballast. Bought from lightings.com at $12 per downlight set. During my search, I was quoted ridiculous prices from $15 upwards. 1 shop at trade hub 21 even quoted me $20+. Shocked that the costs for normal PLC downlights differs so much. Although I like the whole Phillips downlights set, hubby was not ready to spend $33 for just 1-set. Moreover,, We r not a fussy buyers as this is our 2nd home. So feel that the cheaper $12 lights will serve its purpose just as well. So far their service not bad. Ordered my lights on Saturday. Today,Monday... They called saying my lights are ready 4 collection. Hope all the lights r in good working condition on installation.

Congrats on your shifting to your new home. Enjoy....

Hi Tiler Seng, Thanks so much for your advise. Getting reassurance from an experienced professional such as yourself, makes me feel much better. Cos my first time doing small job reno. Scared to be become carrot.

Hi Renotm, I've PM you my contractors details. Cheers.

Maybe you wanna go back to the contractor that supplied you with the kitchen cabinets? They should be able to do it for you. Else just to install a backsplash, most contractors won't come down just to do 1 small job.

Hi there, I've PM you the contact details of my contractor. *good luck*

If you are able to bring in the Classical French / Baroque style furnishings at an affordable pricing with good quality, I'm sure you will find a market of buyers in SG. Most of such styles available in the market at the moment are either too expensive, or the cheaper versions are lousy quality.

Your quote does seem abit too cheap. Be careful of hidden costs. For example, I see that you were quoted for dismantling of exiting cabinets... But how about haulage and clearing of debris fees? Then for the soft closing / ABS trimmings, do check out what brand they are offering you. Lastly, do check out their credentials, get past customers reviews and see examples of their work. If overall you are happy... then perhaps you have found a really good deal. *good luck*

Oh dear. Maybe you call faster will be better. Else if delay too long, scared that Forest may say not their fault leh. I also hope my reno will turn out good. Keeping my fingers cross. Recently I keep calling them to take the measurements for my unit, but Jessica says it's too early. She will only get her carpenter to come in mid-Dec. Cos she says their carpenters are all rushing to finish their Nov jobs. Haiz. Hope no major problems. Else I will be super angryz.

I've never had much issues with my Ikea furnitures. My kids bed which I bot 5-years ago is still as good as new. Nothing spoilt. Mattress still in good shape though much softer now. I also have 3 pieces of their chest of drawers, 1 side table, 1 kids cupboard with those colourful plastic drawers and 1 shoe case. All going on to 3-years and still in good condition. This depsite our slamming the drawers shut, rough handling it on occassions and lots of shifting the furniture around to maximise space. However, one thing I have noticed is - get their delivery guys to do up the furnitures for you. Do not DIY. For some reasons, those stuffs that we DIY-ed, they came apart faster. But those fixed by the Ikea delivery people, lasts very long.

Hi Bluefly, Thanks for the advise. At first my contractor quoted me $500 for the backsplash. Then I bargained down to $405. Dun think he will lower any further cos mine is a small job reno - mainly kitchen only. But I'll definately confirm and double confirm to make sure he gives me 1 big piece of glass for each wall and not small pieces.

Thanks for the advises. Looks like I can proceed to sign the contract with him then.