Mid Century @ Resales Bedok Reservoir

[Mid Century @ Resales Bedok Reservoir]

Welcome "neighbour"! Your flat is pretty near mine! I belong to the same cluster as getzski but nearer to your cluster! ;-)

Really loving what you are doing to your place! I have fixed an ID but my renos haven't started.

Looking forward to more updates!

[At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!]

No idea why the pic turns out so small!! Anyway for those who bother to go in and see, the proposed works are as follows :

Balcony - construct a half-height fencing with a centre gate that opens into the living room. There will also be a full-height shoe cabinet but I didn't draw it in. It will be at the wall of the balcony facing the main door.

Living room - essentially untouched, except to make an integrated TV console and fireplace and CD / DVD cabinet next to it.

Kitchen - wall separating the living room and kitchen to be hacked and converted into a counter top. Cabinet to cover the rubbish chute with washing machine next to it so that area will be the laundry area. Common bathroom door to be shifted facing the toilet bowl so I can construct a shower screen at the shower area. Unfortunately the pipes are next to the toilet bowl in the middle of the bathroom, so if I do a shower screen, I won't be able to fix a sink. The ID suggested a corner small sink but I am not quite in favour. Any of you have any ideas where else to put the sink, please let me know, I will be really grateful!

Wall between living / dining room and bedrooms - full-height book cabinet will be placed there.

Master bedroom - wall extended into the 2nd bedroom to build a WIW. Master bathroom door shifted to the other side (facing the toilet bowl) so I can put in a small bath / jacuzzi tub.

2nd bedroom - door position is shifted due to the new wall.

3rd bedroom - essentially untouched except to shift the wall further into the room.

Wall between the 2 common bedrooms - hacked down to create a deep space, so I can put an altar at that space.

Any of you has any more ideas to share???

[At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!]

This is my proposed floor plan after renovation works.

[At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!]

Hello everyone! I've MIA-ed for so long due to some restructuring at work and since then everything have been so crazy! Now I'm back!

Updates since last year :

6 February - Completion! Got the keys and felt so proud to finally be a home owner!

January to March - brainstorming ideas on interior design. Finally I have decided on an English country-theme concept. Just personal preference as I have always liked this kind of interior deco.

I wanted the following :

Common bathroom - shift the door next to the kitchen window, install a shower screen and rainshower.

Master bathroom - shift the door to the other side next to the room window, that whole shower area install a small bath tub

Master bedroom - build casement wardrobes on the wall next to the door, king-size poster bed on the wall next to the window, side table, study table and dressing table.

Balcony - build a panel / sliding door to separate the balcony and living room, full height shoe cabinet and settee

Living room - full height CD / DVD cabinet next to the TV console

Wall separating the living room from the bedrooms - full-height bookshelf

I also like the idea of a fireplace to make the place more "country" feel.

February - April - meeting with IDs to see which suit me best.

April - decided to rent out 2 rooms for the time being. So renovations on hold but still sourcing with the aim for future renovation but I got the flat repainted all white to make it seem brighter. I also changed the windows from sliding to casement, as the sliding windows were a little spoilt and became difficult to push. The windows were done by Dennis of Home Style Design. He was one of the IDs I shortlisted but because he could only give me a modern look, I didn't get back to him in the end. Still since he had been so nice and patient, I decided to ask him to do my windows which he happily obliged. So the old brown square grilles and sliding windows gave way to a new white square grills and white casement windows with dark tinted glass. I initially wanted to do lattice windows but since I decided to have grills as well, I took the plain design as lattice would make the whole place look too messy with grills.

May - Finally shortlisted 3 IDs specialising in country theme - Country Concept, Cottage Craft and Forest Woodworking.

Out of the 3, I like the designs of Forest Woodworking best, but unfortunately they only do carpentry. If I sign the whole package (ie renovation + carpentry), it will set me back 68k for just MBR and 2 bathrooms! Besides they never got back to me after their initial quote, so I dropped them. A pity because I really really like their designs. They were willing to throw in the bookshelf integrated with a fireplace.

Second choice was Country Concept, but they also only do carpentry. What I like is they do a lot of fireplaces so they said I can have the option of integrating the fireplace with the TV console or with the bookshelf. Their quote is not too bad too - 26k for all carpentry and cabinetry, including the kitchen cabinets. I don't intend to change the kitchen cabinets but they suggested changing the covers to make the kitchen less "modern" and more "country". And they use a lot of woodwork, so my entire place may end up looking like a rustic log cabin, which I actually don't mind too. However since they don't do renovation, if I intend to renovate the bathrooms and minor works around the flat, I have to pay for my own contractor, which will ultimately set me back another 30k or thereabouts. So I dropped them too.

Third choice was Cottage Craft. I almost didn't get in touch with them because they took a very long time to get back to me. But because both Forest and Country Concept were dropped, I had to contact Cottage Craft again, and this time the ID came for a site visit. His ideas were really good and I really like them! He suggested using a half-height gate of sorts for the balcony instead of a full-height panel / sliding door so my living room / balcony can look bigger as the full height will make it smaller. Best is they do the whole works - renovation plus carpentry and they are full HDB licensed. However his quote was too high - 52k and his designs are too "renaissance" for my liking. I'm looking more for a Victorian to modern English country look, not the heavy Renaissance look.

Still, I decided to keep Cottage Craft in mind for future renovation, until recently when I came across this other ID company. One look at their website and I fell in love with their country style interior designs! I contacted them. First meet up was in their office where they quoted me an estimate of 30k all in. Second meet up at my place where after seeing the space and brainstorming ideas, he came up with a 48k quote, all in. Still expensive but cheaper than Cottage Craft, and since I am still going to rent out and I won't be renovating until at least next year, that quote is still acceptable.

I told the ID my concern that I will only be renovating probably in 1 - 2 years' time, but I really like their designs and that I will probably get them to do my place next time. He suggested that we work together by signing the contract first to show that I am a "sincere" customer so at least he can "report back" to the company, and he will hold the package for me. When I'm ready to do my renovation, I can let him know again. I only need to pay a minimal deposit. I can't believe the deal! Of course the more cynical part of me wonder if there can really be such a good deal. I read through the contract in black and white to ensure that everything is covered. Besides even if he absconds or cheats me, my loss is minimal. And if I abscond, he will not get his business ultimately so their company lose out more.

Last week the ID and I met up to go through the final details. As I needed to do a bit more changes, the quote came up a bit higher than originally agreed, but it is already the cheapest I can get for the kind of look I wanted. And so we signed the agreement and I paid a very minimal deposit as agreed. I must say I am pretty happy with my final choice as this ID is willing and able to give me the exact kind of concept I want.

So the final price came up to be 53k with the following items :

Balcony

Full-height shoe cabinet with low cabinet settee (15 feet)

Low Height fencing with 1 panel swing gate with wrought iron finishing

Living Room

Dismantle existing TV console and feature wall and install fireplace integrated with TV console

Add 2-way switch at main (balcony) entrance (existing switches are next to the old access doors next to the kitchen)

Full-height CD / DVD cabinet

12-feet full height bookshelf with ladder (my favourite design of all!)

Kitchen

Hack down the wall separating the kitchen and the living room to convert it to a bar / counter top

Alter and extend existing fridge base

Replace cabinet doors

Common bathroom

Shift the bathroom door (seal existing entrance and open new entrance including patch up damage tiles)

Hack off existing floor tiles and lay new floor tiles including waterproofing membrane

50mm high shower kerb and 10mm tempered glass shower screen

Supply and install PD door

Install toilet bowl, sink and rainshower

Change bathroom window to top hung casement window and affix grille

Master bathroom

Shift the bathroom door (seal existing entrance and open new entrance including patch up damage tiles)

Hack off existing floor tiles and lay new floor tiles including waterproofing membrane

Construct long bath (with jacuzzi) with 63mm hollowblock and 300mm x 300mm tiles finishing

Supply and install PD door

Install toilet bowl, sink and rainshower

Change bathroom window to top hung casement window and affix grille

Master bedroom

Extend the wall between MBR and Bedroom 2 and convert that part into a WIW (12 feet), with french doors as entrance

Install suspended TV console with wall feature

King size poster bed

2 side tables

Study table

Dressing table (3.5 feet)

Shift existing switches, plug and ceiling fan point

Common bedroom 1 (next to master bedroom)

Seal existing entrance and shift entrance further in

Create new entrance

Shifting aircon and reinstalling aircon wiring

Common bedroom 2 (next to store room)

Push wall between Bedroom 1 and 2 further in

Wall separating the 2 Common bedrooms

To be hacked and the void space used for an altar

Others

Cornices for all 3 bedrooms

1 set of wrought iron gate for main entrance

Painting works for whole flat

Labour to install lights

Plaster altar holder

Chemical washing

I am still keeping my option open to change flooring to black and white checkerboard. I quite like the existing flooring actually (homogeneous marble-like tiles) for the whole flat (except black laminated flooring for the kitchen), but then I always like checkerboard flooring! If I do intend to do that, I can top up another 8k, so see how!

[At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!]

Merry Christmas everyone!

I just went for the first HDB appointment yesterday. If all goes well completion will be in early February.

I've been sourcing out renovators lately. So far I've met with 3 and short listed one but I find his quote too pricey. I'm not even doing the whole unit but he's charging me 30k to do the following :

1. Changing tiles for both bathrooms

2. Storage gas heater

3. Glass full shower screen for common bathroom

4. Glass half shower panels for master bathroom

5. Changing both bathroom doors to frosted glass swing door

6. Repositioning door of common bathroom

7. Making wardrobe in MBR

8. Making integrated dressing table with full mirror and study table with shelves for MBR

9. 2 side tables for MBR

10. TV integrated cabinet with shelves for MBR

11. 6-ft bookshelf at the wall next to dining room

12. Converting kitchen wall into bar counter

13. Installing frosted glass swing door for kitchen

14. Making sliding door for balcony

15. Changing window grills to white powder coated

16. Changing windows to casement windows

17. Changing bedroom door knobs to lever kind

18. Reprinting bedroom doors

19. Reprinting walls and ceiling

That's about it. Personally I think 30k is too expensive, but then I'm not sure what's the normal rate for renovation nowadays so perhaps someone can enlighten me?

[At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!]

Your MBR is huge! 5.3m x 4.5m is extremely comfortable. Can put in a lounge chair, king sized bed, 50" TV and a small study desk easily. In fact, a lot of furniture and decor required to make it feel cosy.

I have to thumbs up on Ocean's suggestion.

Not meant to be discouraging but I'm also not a fan of WIW.

Often I find the ceiling heights too low, there is not enough ventilation in the WIW area, particularly if it's narrow. In addition when poorly lit and not enough natural light, the WIW area can feel cramped.

Also WIW tends to not have closet doors. I'm not a fan of that because have to arrange the wardrobe items by colour, must be neat etc. It never looks as good when it's styled in a picture or in a shop. So overall my opinion is that the space is wasted, particularly if have to knock down a wall and combine bedrooms.

Thanks for the support. Discouraging WIW because of been there, done that.

The various colours of clothings and hangers are really an eyesore and never fails to raise my eyebrow every time I look at it.

And seriously, clothings that are seldom worn, are really collecting dust despite the room always had the windows close at all time.

WIW is nice if one can dedicate a complete room to the course and not just half the room.

Actually I find BR 3 makes a nice study room.

The right angle wall adjacent to BR 2 can hold a full height right angle book cabinet.

Throw in a nice study table and a lounge chair and viola, a nice place to lay back for some quiet reading.

If more wardrobes needed, simply add in one more in this room.

Thanks for your tips. If a WIW doesn't work out in the end, I'm toying with the idea of having a build in closet with sliding doors. Not sure if that's feasible or would casement doors be better?

Also is there a way to hide the pipes in the bathrooms? I find the pipes rather unsightly.

[At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!]

How about scraping the idea of a WIW?

Build the wardrobe along the wall of MBR and BR 1 and throw in a proper dressing table?

I feel a proper dressing table is a minimal requirement for a lady.

Then there will be space for a king size bed and 2 bedside table and the whole place will no look cluster.

Use bedroom 3 as a study, build more wardrobe to store not frequent used clothing.

This way, you have a decent room for renting out or future purposes and also minimised hacking and rebuilding.

Cost wise, also more efficient. Future selling also easier.

Actually this is the current layout of the flat, ie cupboard (not built in) on the wall between the MBR and BDR2, bed and dressing table in the MBR. You're right, that makes the room pretty spacious which is why I find the MBR big in the first place. Even my parents are impressed by the spaciousness and size of the MBR (and they own a landed property).

[At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!]

what do you mean by stall?

Well yeah hacking and building walls does cost quite a bit. But whether to have a better use of space in the long run should be worth it

Sorry, I meant "storeroom". If I follow this plan, ie shifting the walls and expanding BDR3 together with the original storeroom, where shall I make another storeroom if need be?

[5-Room Near The Reservoir]

I told the contractor we are in no rush, as we only intend to move in my end Feb. Didn't want to rush them and compromise workmanship. Though he did mention that we can probably have in before CNY.

I'm also getting my key only around Feb. So can "escape" CNY otherwise people are going to crash in!

[5-Room Near The Reservoir]

hi cookie0511,

the current layout is an open airwell between 1 - 5 floor(lift shaft --> airwell --> staircase landing) . when the new lift system is in place, they will build a new bridge to connect to existing staircase landing.

ya...i love the side windows so much. my dryer and airfryer is placed by that windows, and the heat and smell generated has an outlet to disperse. the small windows also has a roof by itself, so it can be left open even in thunderstorm.

Oh good idea! Maybe I should also do the same. Or else put a sink but the current owner already has a sink above the rubbish chute so if I move the sink I have to find something else to cover the rubbish chute.

[At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!]

Hi Cookie0511! Welcome to the neighbourhood!

When we were still house hunting, we did view a unit that has the same layout as yours.

If you wish to do a WIW, you probably need to expand your MBR and sacrifice some space on the other 2 bedrooms. Roughly drew up something here to show you what I mean.. Your MBR might become rather big, but well your unit is big to begin with! Or you can play around with the length of your WIW to reduce the room's size.

You can consider knocking down the kitchen wall and make it a half-height bar counter, so it's sort of like an open-concept kitchen.

I'll suggest you still do windows at the balcony or you'll get rain water into your balcony. (well at least my unit does)

Hi saintinity

Your idea really sounds good! I can do what I like in the master bedroom without compromising much of the other 2 rooms. Just one question, in this case, where shall I put the stall if needed?

Think I'll check your idea with the other contractors I'll be meeting and see what they say. I'm trying not to hack down walls or combine rooms to save cost though.

[At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!]

i'm less of a creative type, but more technical in nature. i would advise you to put your plans into drawings (with precise measurements) to make sure you like what you are getting, and if it is feasible.

something like this.....

based on my personal preference i think i would consider combining the BDR3 and storeroom to make an ultra big study/WIW, or perhaps put the piano into that big room. lol......try doing various combos....you will find the perfect layout. do not hestitate to knock some walls or relocate the doors. you may then remove the layout restrictions that will allow you to plan for the new space more efficiently.

Wow Getzski

That's a really good drawing. You did this yourself? Unfortunately I'm terrible at both figures (how to know exact measurements) and drawing. I'm a visual person but I can only describe what I want and leave the contractor to come up with the plan.

That's why I like your layout! It's such a way that you can have a long WIW leading to the bathroom. Unfortunately my master bathroom is in such a weird position and the rooms situated as such that it's hard to do quite a lot of things.

I haven't decided whether to touch the other 2 rooms as I'm keeping the option of renting out. Also if I knock down and combine some rooms if next time I need more rooms I'll have to convert back again and that'll cost. So for now I'm just playing around with the existing layout to see what I can do.

As for storeroom I'm very tempted to hack it down and convert it into a small room or combine with the next bedroom but again that have to see the cost and necessity because even though I'm not even doing the whole unit, just the bathrooms, MBR and kitchen counter top, it's going to be quite a big sum already! Besides I do need somewhere to store my stuff.

[5-Room Near The Reservoir]

Hi cookie0511,

Hello....nice....another neighbor. i assume your lift upgrading is completed, and hence the double access doors. i'm not so lucky though. HDB will build a bridge to connect the lift opening to my preexisting door, and they will "wall up" my excess area which is currently being fenced. Saintinity will get a new door at the balcony though. Holler if you need any help k ....

Hi getzski

What do you mean by HDB will build a bridge to connect the lift opening? How does that work?

BTW, my kitchen has extra side windows, just like yours too! Thinking of putting a storage place there, what do you think? Otherwise that wall and windows going to look so bare!

[At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!]

Your contractors are not wrong, your requests are a little far fetch and will come with compromise.

First, if you squeeze in a WIW in the MBR, you have to do with a super single bed.

Queen size may be too congested. Layout wise, have to brain storm a bit, but WIW will also be small and not as expected.

Second, if you really want a bathtub, then you have to relocate toilet door to the other side.

Seal up the existing door and this space created can be use for a tub.

Then again, you may have to settle for a small tub say 1.2m in length.

Third, I believe it can be done, just a matter of how much is the depth of the shelves as well as when it comes with doors.

Fourth, an open concept kitchen must "open" to some where.

In all HDB cases, will be the living/dining area.

In your case, couldnt be open to the corridor right???

Hi OceanEleven

Thanks for your 2 cents worth!

One contractor I met did tell me if I want a WIW, then I have to sacrifice the bathtub. Upon thinking, well, I guess I can do without the bathtub because I realise the extra cleaning needed if I am to have one. So he says in that case, he will build a WIW next to the bathroom, and it has to be a small one. I guess that's fine since it'll only be enough for my stuff, being a typical female and all.

In this case, I can even fit in a king-size bed next to the window, with 2 side tables. TV console will have integrated cabinets at the side on the wall at the "long" side of the bathroom. Because the WIW is going to be small, there can't be a dressing table, so he will build one dressing table for me on the solid wall next to the bed, with the dressing table being integrated such a way that one side is the dressing table, the other side is a study desk cum laptop table, with shelves and cabinets on top.

And so I have the other wall free if I ever want or need to place anything else in the future. The door leading to the room will then have a little corridor before going to the bed and the wardrobe.

As for the kitchen, my initial idea was to hack down the wall but I realise that may not be feasible, because unless I can find the same marble tiles, otherwise the flooring is going to be affected. So this contractor's idea is that he will hack half the wall and convert that into a bar counter / counter top, and then build something above to make it hold wine glasses or lights or whatever. I find that a pretty good idea.

As for bookshelf, he will build it into the wall next to the dining room (I plan to put a dining table at the window next to the kitchen). I am a massive bookworm, so I hope the bookshelf is big enough! I did ask him what about my piano? He said it can be put at the access door next to the kitchen.

BTW, the access door is now at the balcony (which is not reflected in the floor plan). The one next to the kitchen is the old access door. Due to lift upgrading, the govt kindly built another access door at the balcony area leading to the lift, so now the main access door is the one that opens right onto the balcony. Hence my flat is one of those rare ones with double access doors!

So far I am pretty happy with what this contractor said, but I'm still looking around before confirming. If any of you kind souls are able to contribute input on how else to renovate the flat, I'll be very grateful!

[At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!]

interesting layout.....time to be creative

Hi getzski,

Nice to "see" a neighbour here.

I actually much prefer your layout. When I viewed the flat it didn't give me the feeling that it's "crooked", only that it's big and spacious. But when I saw the layout, my first thought was, "OMG!" I guess because my block happens to be kind of a "L" shape and my flat happens to be at the "curve" of the L, hence this kind of layout.

So any ideas how to renovate??

[5-Room Near The Reservoir]

Hi saintinity and getzski,

I'm a new addition to your neighborhood! I recently bought my bachelorette pad in the same bluster but a bit farther down facing the PIE and Kembangan condos.

I really love your plan of your flats. I'm a newbie to renovation. Would need all the help and ideas I can get! My flat is pretty similar to yours, including the double access doors!

[At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!]

I recently bought a 5-room flat at Bedok Reservoir under the singles' scheme as a bachelorette pad, with the intention of making it my matrimonial home for my future family. I fell in love with this flat the moment I saw it because not only is it 126 square metres in size, the current owner has renovated it very nicely, complete with full marble flooring throughout the flat (except the kitchen where it has a laminated flooring), a black and white theme living room (with a TV station), and a black and white theme kitchen (with cabinets).

Hence I will probably not be re-doing the living room and kitchen. I will probably just be repainting the walls, doing up the master bedroom and both the bathrooms.

Since this is the first time I have my own abode, and since I have never lived in a HDB flat before, I have no idea how to renovate. My plan is to have a walk-in wardrobe leading to the bathroom in the master bedroom, bathtub, and then shower screen in the common bathroom, with rain shower sets for both bathrooms. I would also like frosted glass doors (that can be pulled out or pushed in) for the bathroom doors.

I would like an open concept kitchen, or at least a bar counter. And a glass partition to separate the living room and balcony. Currently the balcony is an extension of the living room, and I would like to remove the windows and just put blinds over the grilles.

The wall in between bedrooms 2 and 3, I would like to have a floor to ceiling bookshelf built, preferably with a hidden outer door that can slide open but when it's closed, it looks like just part of the wall.

So far, I have spoken to 3 renovators, and all said my ideas couldn't work. According to the renovators, first, the master bedroom is too small for a walk in wardrobe, although I beg to differ because this is one of the biggest master bedrooms I have seen for a HDB. Second, the master bathroom is also too small for a bathtub.

Third, the wall separating the other 2 bedrooms are not supposed to have any blockage otherwise the doorways will be blocked. Fourth, my kitchen is structured in such a way that open concept is not feasible.

The thing is I have seen other flats and they are able to have all the ideas I wanted. So I am not sure is it because I am just being too impractical, or idealistic, or unreasonable, or is the renovator just not willing to comply with my requests?

Any of you "experienced" people out there have any suggestions?

Anyway, here is a plan of my flat. (New to this so not sure if the image manages to come up).