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twinklecloud

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Posts posted by twinklecloud

  2. Posted

    sketchup-all-floorplan_zpstsk9jj0j.jpg

    Here's a more or less finalized Sketchup plan of our house. We started out with a regular floorplan, did all the measurements and transferred everything over to Sketchup. Its been very helpful because unlike a 3D drawing which is just a single still frame, we're able to rotate things around in Sketchup, so there's a much better sense of space with this.

    Some other views from Sketchup and the reno items that we will be working on:

    sketchup-living-floorplan_zps05jip21l.jp

    Living Room

    • Changing of main gate to scissor gate
    • Supply and overlay vinyl flooring
    • Full height shoe cabinet, 3ft
    • Suspended ledge at the window, 7.5ft
    • Labour only to lay craftstone brick wall, 22ft
    • Hack 1 side of kitchen entrance, 4ft
    • Extend the other side of kitchen entrance using hollow blocks, 1ft
    • Aluminium frame door with 1 fixed and 1 sliding panel, only top tracks, 6.5ft

    sketchup-kitchen-floorplan_zpsw8kspmjr.j

    Kitchen

    • Hack all floor and walls tiles
    • Labour and material to lay new floor tiles
    • Supply and lay subway tiles at entire wall above lower kitchen cabinet
    • Plaster rest of all exposed walls
    • Lower kitchen cabinet with granite table top, 10ft
    • Full height kitchen cabinet, 3ft
    • Box up kitchen pipes, 1ft
    • Upper kitchen cabinet, 5ft
    • Side panels for fridge and box up washer and dryer
    • Removing existing 2 sinks, 2 bathroom doors and 1 wc
    • Seal up 1 bathroom door entrance with hollow blocks
    • Install 1 PD door
    • Supply and change dustbin lid

    sketchup-wc-floorplan_zpsakc5tyrb.jpg

    Bathroom

    • Hack all floor and wall tiles
    • Hack wall diving 2 bathrooms to combine into 1
    • Labour and material to lay floor and wall tiles
    • Raise up entire dry area floor so that shower area floor is 'sunken'
    • Construct and tile up concrete seat and 2 additional ledges at shower area
    • Supply and install glass shower panel with sliding door
    • False ceiling with downlights
    • Vanity cabinet with solid surface table top and mirror, 2.5ft

    sketchup-mbr-floorplan_zpsrq908fob.jpg

    Master Bedroom

    • Supply and overlay vinyl flooring
    • Hack 1 entrance to the bathroom
    • Install 1 PD door
    • Casement cabinet with round edge, 8.5ft
    • 1 Bedside unit with round edge
    • Labour only to lay craftstone brick wall, 10ft

    sketchup-studyrm-floorplan_zpsrbfcsynq.j

    Study Room

    • Supply and overlay vinyl flooring
    • Construct and install plywood sliding door with frame, 14ft

    Other Miscellaneous

    • Electrical rewiring for whole house
    • Plumbing and re-piping of whole house
    • Painting of whole house
    • Repainting main door and 2 bedroom doors and replacing handles
    • Replacing floor traps
    • Acid wash, clearing of debris, laying floor protection etc.

    Budget: 30-35k

    Total damage: 35k

    I feel that we got a pretty good deal in the end, cost wise.

    Our initial plan was to just overlay laminate for the living + 2 bedrooms, and vinyl for the kitchen to save cost. Every ID that we met told us to do this so that we could keep within the budget. Even the brick walls, that we love so much, could only be a tiny 7-8 ft one. We were ready to resign to fate and compromise (or even give up) many items on our wish list.

    All this changed after meeting Contractor M.

    On our first meeting, Contractor M insisted that we use vinyl for the living + 2 bedrooms and tiles for the kitchen. He felt (feels) that laminates, no matter how careful we are, would eventually 'pop'. We were VERY reluctant to accept his ideas initially, until we saw his quotation. All I can say is, It was a rather pleasant surprise :notti: At first glance, it seemed pricier. But after doing our calculations and comparing quotations, we realized that contractor M was actually giving us very good value for money. To sum it up, we're very pleased that, because of contractor M's affordable pricing, we've managed to work everything that we want into our budget :yeah:

    Of course there was still the carpentry side of things to settle. I mentioned in a previous post that I because contractor M doesn't offer carpentry works, we have engaged Miss C as our carpenter. After deciding on Contractor M, we met up with Miss C. We felt comfortable with her, but to be safe, we requested for a visit to her job site. Everything went well, and even Miss C's house owner was there, and very warmly (and proudly) showed us around her house. We didn't need much more convincing after that...

    ...And so the story begins!

    Next up, problems encountered post-planning.

    wow!! :good: :good: thumbs up on the sketchup drawing !! totally awesome! Very detailed on what u are going to do! love it!!!looks very nice! staying tune to see more updates!

  4. Posted · Edited by twinklecloud

    Hi twinklecloud!

    Don't worry, there is no such thing as overcater for electrical points like Ks Toh said! You never knew what new gadgets will become super important in the future that you suddenly need power for. 5-10 years ago we didn't all have tablets and laptops and smart TVs in every room etc.

    Agree with the TV point issue that Ks Toh mentioned, I was referring to cable TV point. If you buy a TV recently most of them should have digital antenna for free-to-air channels if you don't want to connect to cable or Mio TV or to Viewqwest etc.

    For furniture, just ask the shop. We usually will just ask them for how long they can keep the furniture for us after purchase and have gotten varying duration, the longest we've heard is 3 months. Most places will hold for 1 to 2 months, but not too sure about sale items.

    Hey Ricepapergirl!!

    Really a big headache when it comes to electrical points....it's like never enough.

    But thanks alot for the advise!! We managed to sort out all the issues with ID...*cross fingers*

  6. Posted

    For electrical points, my advice is to:-

    1) over cater - you will definitely find the points insufficient and start to add multi-point adapters, which may not be safe

    2) ask for dual point sockets - most cost efficient compared to single point sockets

    3) have some on the opposite wall - you will need them

    For TV points, no comments if you are installing SCV points. But practically useless to instal the traditional rooftop antennae TV points, whether private or HDB. This network is scheduled to be decommissioned. Supposed to have been done last month already.

    Thanks Ks Toh! As we discussed,more and more were added in and I think we were a bit KS! Even ID commented were had more than usual...we r just being cautious. For TV we had like almost whole row of double sockets!! Cross fingers it's enough ...hehehe

  10. Posted

    Nice to catch up on your reno! Seems to be coming along quite well, so many small decisions to make! Glad that my suggestion of the sliding door for the MBR worked out! :)

    For the electricals, like others have mentioned, it's useful to just tally up what gadgets you currently use. One good way is just to walk around your current place and count the number of sockets you're using, separated by rooms. For you, because you have kids as well, need to take into account their electrical needs when they grow up as well for the kids rooms (so need to allocate modem, computer, printer, desk lamp, speakers for kids rooms too?). For me, because I intend to change the layout of my rooms in the future, I also have to take into account that my sockets would need to spaced throughout the rooms so that in the future, if I move where my bed or my table is in the room, there's still a power socket nearby. So I am already planning for quite a high electrical cost, because for some rooms I will have more points that I would need at any one time. Same with TV points (so I intend to get two TV points in the living room, one on each opposing wall). Not sure whether that helps.

    Just a quick look at your electrical estimates:

    - any extra points for fans? I remember you mentioned you might have a wall-mounted fan for your kitchen? I would put at least one point at the dining area just for the fan since I'm not having a ceiling fan elsewhere from the living room.

    - yard - no power point for the washing machine? Dryer?

    - kitchen - this is one of those places I could count my devices. And roughly figure out how many would need to be plugged in concurrently (rice cooker, maybe air fryer, maybe water pot/kettle, microwave? mixer?)

    - I had some powerpoints on my second floor hallway in case I needed to charge my Roomba there or put some lamps/fans there.

    Love the wooden blinds (though we're likely to have curtains for ourselves) and actually prefer the white painted under-staircase look. Or whatever colour is your wall, match the colour. Easier to maintain, if dirty just paint over!

    Loving the roof, hoping it would turn out well for you! Did you have to get some sort of permit to build it?

    hey ricepapergirl,

    welcome back!! hehe.. thanks alot for the tips on the electrical points.. it's really alot of headache.. ended up we super KS and added in quite abit.. feels so much poorer now.. =(

    thanks for your kind words on the roof and blinds

  11. Posted

    Ooh thanks for the tip! Is AZ Interior the same people at Ikea who do the kitchen? Or different? :)

    Hey ricepapergirl,

    wow u really fast leg and hand.. hehe.. so fast gotten yourself the price list! I think u need not have to worry so much if you r going to get ID, he will be able to solve most of your ikea cabinets problem for you! =)

  12. Posted

    living-bedroom-moodboard_zpsxfca42r0.jpg

    kitchen-moodboard_zps7icgmjsl.jpg

    bathroom-moodboard_zpsxs7cqewy.jpg

    Click for larger image :)

    Bear and I agreed very early on to have a cafe-inspired, rustic - industrial theme. After months of pinteresting, I spent another 4-5 weeks chiseling at our initial concept (and submitting them to the 'art-director' for approval every night before bedtime), until we arrived at our final theme - 'Parisian-Chic' in black, white and wood.

    Living + Bedroom + Kitchen

    Our first idea was to do a 80% white, 20% black white with wood accents. Later on, I decided to break the monotony of an all-white look, and do an opposing colour scheme instead. The final colour scheme:

    Living room: Dark wood flooring + white walls + white carpentry

    Kitchen: White/black flooring + white walls + dark wood carpentry

    In order to soften the stark harshness of the black & white combination, we'll be adding in lots of wooden accents, cozy fabrics, some rust/metal/glass textures, and plenty of dried flowers. An industrial look won't be complete without black aluminium, so we'll be throwing in a sliding black aluminium-framed door at the kitchen entrance for good measure. And yes, craftstone bricks and track lights.

    These ideas have been done to death. BUT, I believe that even something so frequently rehashed, can still be given a new breath of life, just by changing an interesting detail here and there. Lets see how things go from here :)

    Bathroom

    For the bathroom, I wanted to break away from all that white, and do something different from the rest of the interior. So we decided to go with a very rustic, raw look, resort-like concept. The initial idea of cement screed walls was scraped after contractor M insisted that it was an extremely bad idea, explaining to us that even in a dry areas, cement screed walls (in the bathroom) are prone to cracks and water leakage. So we relented, and decided to replace it with concrete looking tiles. We'll also be throwing in either tiny hanging loft lights in front of the mirror, or a false ceiling with downlights.

    Next up: renovation needs, requirements and details!

    wow! the mood board looks very nice!!! keep the pics and update coming! cant wait to see the transformation!

  14. Posted

    Make Friends at Samsung

    While shopping around for kitchen appliances, we considered buying a dryer because we were very much pampered by one while in Japan recently. Towels come out so warm and fluffy, not scratchy like whenever I hang them out in the sun! And according to a map I saw recently, our flat location doesn't get direct sunlight OR wind, which means drying clothes isn't gonna be a...breeze (haha sorry). So ok, we're getting a dryer, but which one?

    Thankfully, we'd earlier met a salesperson at Harvey Norman who enlightened us on the different types. I could be wrong here, so kindly correct me if I am! A vented one (which tends to be cheaper, around the hundreds) requires the dryer to be placed near a window, as it removes damp air through a vent. A condenser dryer (which is more costly, a good one would cost above a thousand bucks, the guy says) separates the moisture in a container, which can be removed through plumbing. We figured, ok, let's take a look at the condensers, since the technology is better. But I wasn't going to pay 1k plus on a dryer alone.

    That's where my friend's kind husband comes in. He works at Samsung, and let me tell you, because he gets such AMAZING deals as a staff member, their whole house consists of Samsung appliances. We could get anything we want at almost half the price! I took on their offer, but didn't want to exploit this friendship of goodwill, so will only be getting a washer, dryer, and a powerbot vacuum from them. We'll be buying these items after CNY, because my current house really cannot store more items from our shopping. Here they are!

    vRXls0.jpg

    Samsung Washer, WW-8OH5400EW

    7N8L0B.jpg

    Samsung dryer, DV80H4200CW/SP

    6Ur570.jpg

    Samsung Powerbot VR20H9050UW

    Next up: Making Light of the Issue

    Oh my!!! u r so fortunate to have someone working in samsung!!!! save u so much!!!

    i love the vacuum and the washer! not sure about the dryer.. i am looking at dryer too!! :good:

    i love those lightings u gotten... thanks for sharing! look awesome!

  16. Posted · Edited by twinklecloud

    Gas Hob versus Induction

    Still struggling to accept the fact there is no direct Gas to my house. =(

    Wanted to use Induction but due to the power load supply to the house It is impossible to install one plus it's so expensive.. =(

    Hence have to use gas hob with LPG... :(

    Shortlisted two gas hob from two different brands

    1) Bosch

    bosch%20hob_zps9bjc8qpt.png

    2) Brandt

    brandt-tg1483b-77cm-3-burners-gass-hob-b

    both looks so nice.. pricing wise.not much difference.

  21. Posted

    Shopping

    I think I am the slow leg and hand kind. I havent settled the following things for my house:

    1. WC x 3

    2. sinks x 3

    3. kitchen sink

    4. taps for all toilets

    5. shower head/rain shower

    6. connector and spidet

    7. hob and hood

    8. Oven

    9. Dishwasher

    10. washing machine and dryers

    11. Sofa

    12. chairs

    13. Computer table

    Not sure if I miss anything out! Oh gosh! so much things to buy.. Think I be poorer at the end of the reno....

  23. Posted · Edited by twinklecloud

    It's a Commune-al Thing

    I don't know if you guys are like this too, but we've been going to the same furniture shops over and over again lusting over the same few things for MONTHS, just waiting to get the go-ahead from HDB and our ID to start shopping. So when M (the ID) said we can start slowly purchasing our furniture, we did what we were told....and went full speed. All that time taken to save all that money! At least it went to the stuff we really, really love.

    Commune is one of our favourite shops. It's quite embarrassing la, but we've been to all their stores (even the warehouse at Defu Lane) so many times, the sales reps recognise us. It was also quite the perfect time to be buying the big ticket items, cos year end sales are very good! We got a few pieces at 15-20% off. It also took us some time to get a coffee table that was just right. I'd dreamed about it in my head this whole time, so imagine my excitement when I saw something so similar IRL, at TANGS! No time to waste, we just bought it there and then lol.

    MtLDiZ.jpg

    This Bruno TV console from Commune is from their latest collection.

    Look at that beautiful herringbone. And the gold touches! I love how classic and

    yet unique it feels.

    drkV4a.jpg

    Which would match perfectly with our coffee table (sorry for the grainy quality).

    It's by a local brand called Scene Shang, and you can find some of their

    stuff at TANGS Home. They recently closed their Millenia Walk shop,

    and will have another store elsewhere soon.

    TzuyOP.jpg

    Got a 3-seater leather couch, also from Commune. I think it's

    a pretty popular piece for renotalk folks! Can't wait to

    soften it up with colourful cushions.

    HD50YW.jpg

    Remember my husband's love for afghan rugs?

    We found a beautiful piece at Arab St. The red is deeper in real life.

    It looks black here, but some parts are actually dark blue.

    JkhEGr.jpg

    Anndd the dining table is from, you guessed it! It's actually veneer wood,

    but with walnut texture. The legs like so sexy hahaha.

    eo3pkg.jpg

    Lastly, our dining chairs from Hock Siong! We got the yellow and coral one, 3 each.

    Love how they glammed up the old-school kopitiam chair

    with dip dyes. I figured if we end up hating the colours, can always repaint them.

    Next up: A Trip to Paris(silk)

    wow! :jawdrop: love the furnitures u picked!!! I havent started shopping for my furniture pieces and i saw your pics the furnitures are so nice!! cant wait to see your house transform! staying tune to see more updates! :good:

    my blog http://www.renotalk.com/forum/topic/72503-the-sky-parlour-an-executive-maisonette-journey/

  24. Posted · Edited by twinklecloud

    Staircase

    my Original staircase

    PB130916_zpszcoirpqr.jpg

    what i plan to do (1)

    Simply%20timber%20tread%20stairs%20Perth

    only to paint white under the steps..

    then I saw my neighbour did something like this (2)

    contemporary-staircase_zpsqgldcmqw.jpg

    So ID asked his tiler n he did this..

    P1130042_zpsejewxuzv.jpg

    A sample of it. Wood not done yet..Imagine the wood on top n this pattern tiles below the wood like the (2).

    would like some opinions.. now this is not cast into stones yet can still change if not nice.. need some expert advise.. thank you!

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