3Dyms

Thanks Spikedoll. I also like the hob. Hahahaha... This downlights thingy is making me so confused also. Till now we are still 50/50 for each choice. Yours is a good idea - another option for me to look into too. Else, someone else is recommending us to use E27 energy saving bulbs. Hope I can find something suitable soon. So long as I don't end up with lemons can liaoz.

@Beejeebee: oh... Thank goodness you can cxl the transaction. *good* @ongcs & kim76: Hahahaha... You two really hilarious. Anyway, thanks everyone for the advises. I'll take note not to place order for items over ($400) incld shipping. Else will kena GST or the import deposit. Now.... Time to look for more good stuffs from Amazon. Online shopping here I come!!

Oic.... Told you all lor.... I am IT suaku lah. Never even see this. Lol. Alamak!! How? Can you cancel the order?

Thanks for all the advise above. I'll try 'playing' around with the quantity again. From what I've been doing, I was actually looking at the total price include shipping & taxes. The total amount when I have 1 qty ($151.97) + 2 qty ($297.37) versus 3 qty ($473.76) the 1+2 option is cheaper. *faintz* May be like ongcs says is over the load. No probs, maybe I'll just combine other stuffs bah. I'm now also eyeing some simple human items. Lol.

Thanks for our reply. Oh... Good good. Cos I scared sometimes online pics look better then actual product. Yup yup. I saw you bot it 2nd time after the first purchase so was even more tempted. But feel better to ask for your feedback lah. Cos I don't want buy, then later no good... Sure to get nagging from hubs liaoz. P/s: I just tried the web. Looking to order 3 cos mine is EM. When I key in 1 quantity followed by 2 quantity, this method seems cheaper then buy 3 at the same invoice. So strange cos I tot shipping is cheaper if I order more. First time newbie here placing order from Amazon. Me is def not IT savvy. Hope I'm not doing anything wrong here. Oh... My order is in SGD and not USD.

Hi Kim76, Drooling over all your Amazon purchases. Can't believe can get ssoo many fantastic buys from there. Btw, I saw that you ordered this Grohe bath set from Amazon. Can check... how's the quality? Is it good? Super tempted to get this too cos SG only sell individual pieces and its super expensive. Thanks.

Hi Bro, I'm the Warren condo where you helped me recently to re-balance my fan cos of the 'click click' sound. Anyway, I'm getting the keys for my resale EM in June and will need to get 2 Fanco ceiling fans from you (1 for living area and 1 for dining area). Looking at white colour. Need to fit a French Victorian style. No need light kit. Saw from the website - something like FFM-2000 WH/WH 585 5L WH or FF 101 WH/WHITE/585 5L WH. In addition, I'm looking for about 40 downlights. Dunno whether to get the normal PLC downlights or energy saving downlights or Downlights using LED tubes (bulbs) or LED with driver type. So confused. Just want something cost saving yet is safe to use. What is your recommendation? Hubby would prefer to avoid changing light bulbs as much as possible. Can send me your quote for the above via PM. Thanks lots.

Congrats on completion of your Reno & moving in.. Your place looks great. I love your lights for your mstr bathroom & the stairs area. Can share where you got them from? Thanks lots. P/s: drooling over your Grohe thermostatic shower. That is the Euphoria range? I also wanna get Grohe. But can only afford the Bau-loop or Bau-curve series.

Eerr... i also dunno leh.. I think it should go well bah. Cost the gas hob also looks kinda 'modern'. Was contemplating getting a more classical curvy type of tap. But then, I decided not to make the house too old style French/ Victorian. Prefer to hv 'pops' of modern-ness too. Hope it all ties in well later and not end up like rojak. *cross fingers*

Oohhh.... Your buntings are so cute.. Thanks for asking, the issue should be ok. 2nd Appt is fixed on 11-Jun (8/weeks completion as per their request). Seller also signed the Reno indemnity form. This Saturday, my contractor going down to take measurements. Still praying no further hiccups from them though. Guess I'll only relax once I hv the keys in my hands bah.

Yah... When I went to the other shops, the sales people never asked me for my floor plan. The most they ask me is what type of unit? HDB or condo? Usually when I say HDB, they sianz half. But when I say is EM, they'll perk up again, then proceed to sell me the most expensive aircon. When I ask if the btu is sufficient, they will just say, it's standard lah. All HDB roughly same size, so standard 9,000 - 12,000 btu can liaoz. The worse part is the hidden costs - 1/2 inch insulation (top up $$), better pipes (top up $$). If I need to lay more trunking (top up $$$ again). Everything also add & add. End up the price is like 'WOW'! But for Aircon Designs, all these are inclusive in their pricing. No hidden costs. Best!! Upfront & straight forward. I like.. Hope they do good job for me too. But I'll definitely update here for sure.

I just popped by Brilliant Source over the weekend to see the lights too. The owner, Mr Quah, is really friendly & gives advise when we ask. My 3 gals were ssooo smitten by their yellow lab - cookie. The whole time hub & me looking at lights, my gals busy playing with the dog. Lol. Initially, we were thinking of buying LED bulb downlights. But after speaking with Mr Quah, now we are tempted to get the usual LED light with driver from them. Cos he said can offer me 1-yr warranty on the driver. 1-to-1 exchange if driver spoilt within a year. Some more, the led downlight we looking at, he supplies the same model to Orchard Hotel leh. Plus after that, if any issues, can always call him to go down for repairs. So good siah. Oohh... I also love the black switch your cousin got for you. That is ssoo old school, but yet so apt for your place. Love it!!

Congrats on getting your unit!! It's really exciting to be collecting your key. Remember to roll your pineapple tomorrow. Tiles: If you really concern about the floor being uneven, then just hack & re-lay. Else, if you proceed to overlay and the flooring cannot make it, you'd be bothered every time you look at the floor. Better to spend more to hv peace if mind later. Aircon: I would prefer to change. Cos I believe aircon is a breeding ground for germs & bacteria. Cannot imagine what germs has already been picked up from the previous owner. Then when switch on, the air will blow out together with the bacteria. Sorry.... I'm a germ-phobic, sometimes bordering on OCD. So I can get really paranoid about re-using certain items from past owners. Just my tots on the above. End of day, do what makes you comfortable.

Actually only 6 blowers - 3 FCU on each level. Main reason why i need sys 4 inverter for level 1 is becos I'm having open concept kitchen (which is extended out to the service balcony) and the living room is extended out to the main balcony. The aircon guy reckons that I'll need stronger compressor to support the 18,000 btu (living area) + 12,000 btu (dining area) + 9,000 btu (study room) just for level 1. Especially if I need to switch on all 3 FCU at the same time. Thank goodness my block has higher loading and I've seen some units with 2 compressors. So, should not be an issue having this much air-con. Heheh.

Oh.... Yah, agree that more storage is more important. Wow!! Quartz. Nice... What color did u choose?

Oic. Yah... Agree that your trunking is nicely done. But to make it less obvious, maybe can learn from HappyAng, he plaster over the trunkings & painted over it. So it all blended in perfectly with the wall. This should be cheaper than box up. Hah... Me too. Have to squeeze the washer & dryer in the service balcony. No choice lah... No other place to 'house' those appliances. right now, my unit has roller shutters installed already for the service balcony. But I'm contemplating if I should do roofing instead. *dilemma* Oh.... What top are you using for your breakfast counter? Granite or solid top? Did you carpenter or ID mention why got delay?

Your Reno is coming along nicely. Btw, will you be boxing up or concealing the aircon trunking? And that metal bar.... Alamak! How come HDB can install till its slanted one? Their workmanship lousy lah. But love your big big windows in your balcony. I'm going to do windows for my service balcony too. Cos I'm extending my kitchen out to the service balcony. I like big big kitchens with lots of counter prep space. Look fwd to see more pics especially once your carpentry is up. So exciting yah.

Wah seh!! Your Reno looking good! Love how you managed to hide all the aircon trunking. Fantastic idea to just plaster up and paint over the trunking for bedroom 3. The furniture you got from taobao also berry berry nice leh. Especially your balcony chairs & table. They all look so cute & colorful. Too bad my Chinese cannot pass one, so I don't dare order from taobao. Scarly order the wrong item. Lol. And your bathrooms - look like hotel toilet siah. How's the water pressure for your Grohe rain shower? I'm also thinking of getting one, but will be the Bauloop or Baucurve series. $$$ no enough to get the Euphoria one.

Love all your little touches through out your home.... It's becoming so much more cosy. I love 'personalizing' a house... Cos it's all the little touches, the smell, and the memories that makes it not just any old house... But a place you can truly call - your Home. Great job!! Have a great house warming party.

Welcome.. Another EM owner. You're so lucky to be able to get an EM from SOBF. Means no need to pay COV and have more $$ for your reno. Good luck with your reno... hope everything go smooth smooth. Looking forward to see more posts and pics.

Next up.... Aircon selection. After all the research, I decided to go with Aircon Designs Pte Ltd. Besides doing for residential, they also have lots of industrial & commercial projects. Another reason why I chose them - cos I can sign up for air-con servicing after installation. I reckon if they also do my servicing in future, then chances of them trying to mess-up during the installation phase will be minimized. In addition, I especially like the fact that they will have 3 visits - (1) Site Visit to discuss with contractor on placement & running of trunking in order to conceal as much as possible, (2) running of trunking & fixing compressor, and finally, (3) setting up of the Fan Coil Unit (FCU) once the reno is towards the tail end. All these visits are at NO extra charge. When I first approached the sales guy, I was curious when he asked me for my floor plan. At first I wondered why, but... then he started to do some calculations. Then I realized - he was calculating the amount of BTU required for maximum cooling for each individual room. From there, he asked us on our lifestyle, which aircon we usually switch on, etc. Then he proceed to recommend based on our needs. He never pushed us or gave hard sell tactics. *2 thumbs up* This sort of discussion & explanation has never happened for other aircon places I've been to. Those other places all just push to me the standard 9,000 btu straightaway. Then lots of hard sell tactics. All the above reasons helped seal the deal. We paid a confirmation fee and will arrange for a site visit together with our contractor soon. p/s: Thanks Adidaem for the recommendation. Our Choice -- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. For Level 1 - System 4 - 18000, 12000, 9000 BTU For Level 2 - System 3 - 12000, 9000, 9000 BTU Price quoted includes 1/2 inch insulation Class 'O', PSB approved copper pipes, 16mm drainage pipe, unlimited piping (HDB only), plus 36-mths warranty for workmanship.

Kitchen items from Teka Singapore. Gas Hob with tempered glass - 2 burners - (model # CG lux 5 2G) Chose the one with normal ring around the burner instead of the cast iron option even though price is the same. Hub is afraid that I will accidentally drop it during cleaning as the cast iron is heavy. If really drop, then good luck liaoz. The glass hob sure crack lor. Plus, I find this design more sleek. The cast iron one looks bulky. Kitchen Sink - (model # BE 50.40.25) Not a very big sink but at least it is deep enough to stack dishes (if required). Don't need anything too big, as I'll be getting a Bosch Dishwasher. Kitchen Tap - (model # MC 10 plus) Love this design. Looks sleek and sexy to me.

Hahah... Another supporter for Samsung. Hub suggest going down to the big 4 - BD, GC, C and HV to do comparison before deciding. He said maybe can get Sony for the gals 'mini' living room and Samsung for our main Living area. But... See the price first lah. Yah... My hub don't like to change bulbs. Yet, he also don't like having to change the LED drivers. So now... Think those LED bulbs will be the better choice for us. But, we wonder how's the feedback for those LED bulbs. Is it good enough? How many watts should we get? Double bulbs or single bulbs? Every lighting shop we go to, all tell us different things. Even the costs can vary between $10-$15 per light set (light holder + bulbs). Getting confused.

Yah... I also wonder if LED is really energy saving. Some more the 'start-up' costs is double that of normal PLC downlights. But we think should try it out, cos hub is getting tired of changing light bulbs. So he reckons if the LED bulbs can last at least 3-4yrs, he would hv much lesser bulbs to change over the course of time. As for the TV, Sony really better yah? Cos everywhere I go, people tell me that Samsung is better. Even my bros who r into IT stuffs & gadgets all tell me to get Samsung. Hhmm... Think I need to research more. Don't want to end up with a lemon. And you're right... TV prices keep dropping by the quarter. So we not rushing to get it. Waiting for more promo or expo sales.

Hi Summer,Thanks for the advise. 1) Yesterday, after our 2nd Appt, hub & me went down to the Teka showroom. End up we decided to get a 2-hob gas cooker using glass. Hub don't like the idea of having to buy special woks & pans for the induction cooker. Plus like you said, since I stir fry things, I like to fry till my garlic & onions r nicely brown & fragrant. After using gas ssoo many years, I am scared cannot get used to induction cooker. The sales also mentioned that induction is not for everyone. Another no good point about induction is the amperes. A 3 hob cooker already uses 30amp. Means if using induction, I cannot switch on my aircon at the same time or the power will trip as we r only allowed to use max 40amp in HDB flats. We also end up buying our sink, tap & canopy hood all from Teka. 👍😁 2) next stop was Balestier to look at lights. Hub is keen on LED but we don't want those LED lights with drivers cos very ley chey to change the driver. So we r thinking of getting the normal light holders, but use LED Bulbs instead of those normal PLC energy saving bulbs with ballast. Anyone using this method for downlights? One of the shops we went to, recommended us to use 2x 10watt LED bulbs in a 6" holder. He quoting us $78 per set. Is this expensive? Do I really need to use 10watt LED? I tot 5 watts for LED is enough? 3) Hub is looking now at Samsung too. He said can wait till July to get cos he wants to wait for GSS. ☺