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JohnB

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Posts posted by JohnB

  1. Posted

    I am sad and cannot help but cry. The situation seems hopeless now. Even the carpentry is riddled with workmanship problems. My husband visited the house today and was appalled.

    Our renovation has been plagued by poor workmanship, sadly. It has been a trying and draining period for us. Customer service from Keith is good and he is a very nice person. But the workmanship is near deplorable, unfortunately. Be it painting, tiling, the sink-and-stove concrete support, service yard windows, bathroom box-up acrylic, etc. And now, the cabinets too. What do we do now?

  2. Posted

    Caesarstone Quartz Surfaces

    Speaking of countertops, we saw these at Hafary:
    008ea2c327dacacad018d81ae4b3942b.jpg
    b33d2d72ab6c77cbfb3a30c604724733.jpg
    Hafary Service
    Some time near the end of December (or thereabouts, I think), we were shopping for furniture and thought it might help to have a sample of our tile for reference when assessing and matching colours/textures.
    We popped into Hafary Eunos. The lady who served us, Woo Kexin, enthusiastically bagged up the sample for us and ensured that we had everything we needed before we left. We were pleasantly surprised by and appreciated the solicitous service.

  5. Posted · Edited by JohnB

    Concrete-Inspired Solid Surface

    Aren't these nice? Here is the link for them! The ones that Keith showed us are from the Concrete collection.
    02a73a96d75a4ef4f14f4e73e7e2e636.jpg
    (The small white sample in the photo is the Alpine White, from the timeless White, Gray and Black series. There are quite a few whites in the series. Have fun!)
    I also like the Breeze from Breeze collection. I read that it would go with a variety of interior finishing materials including wood, steel and concrete. I think I may prefer this!
    Breeze_M306.jpg

  8. Posted

    Hi JohnB. Thanks! I think my online contact's stock of Ironman Wall Lights is currently out. Think you can also try http://naiise.com/ or Q10.

    Have fun installing them!

    Hi JohnB, obviously my bf only thought you were interested in buying the ironman lights, but you were asking about the fan.

    The ceiling fan is very suitable for low ceilings due to its low stem, and it has an "old school" feel. Its actually a classroom fan. And much more affordable than KDK. But it is not really suitable for bedrooms as it can be slightly noisy.

    Do call the shop in advance to ask if they have stock!

    Thank you!

  11. Posted

    I'm glad you are right about the HDB folks! I wasn't holding much hope to getting their reply anytime soon because I had a horrible experience dealing with the defects when we just got the keys to our place.

    However, I just received a call from them and they will be submitting my request in! :D

    Thank you for the compliment! Cannot wait to see the completion of your minimalist home.

    That's great, Yelena! So glad for you!

  15. Posted

    u want some for your new home to pickup some DIY know-how :notti: I rather learn nothing and enjoy a nicely renovated new home with family :dancingqueen:

    As mentioned in post#96, some of those defects are not within my DIY capability. Some will probably cost $1k to $2k to get fixed. The whole off-centered TV console & featured wall will cost more than $1k already...which I would rather dispose my floorstanding speakers and go for sound bar or smaller satellite speakers.

    BTW, any advice to polish the Quartz kitchen table top and solid surface vanity top? Mine are all very dull and come with white patches. I have tried white vinegar, mama-lemon dish washer and warm water on a small area of the quartz, but none seems to work. Found some recommended products in the US online store. Pls share if you know any similar and proven products sold locally. Thks!

    I get what you mean. I, too, would choose a nicely-renovated home over DIY learning opportunities any day. In a heartbeat.

    I'm afraid I don't know how to polish quartz and solid surface countertops, unfortunately.

    All the best, Wyx03-2002.

  16. Posted

    Love your house, Gingereve! Those Iron Man wall lights, my husband would love them.

    I was going to ask you about the fan in your Iron Man living room, but saw the info on your blog. Thanks.

    Desserts make me happy too.

  17. Posted

    Day 9: Laying Tiles & Windows Permit

    The first steps, so to speak! We were thrilled when we saw Keith’s photos!
    2317f97f4fa89943734e0961b62c70b1.jpg
    1cbfc3f730f655c33a5a3b49775148cd.jpg
    Can you see the concrete flooring in the corridor? I am quite thankful that the tile colour mirrors that of concrete – that light, cool colour of concrete before being coated with epoxy. For that is the colour I have been hoping for. I’m afraid I often worry about colours and palettes! #phew
    7562939d3c7c26bdf3c09d2e8e7f99d9.jpg
    The permit for the service yard windows was approved on Day 9. :)

  18. Posted

    Which direction to lay the tiles?

    This question arises because our tiles are rectangular. :)
    I wonder if owners of vinyl and laminate flooring face this question as well, as the pieces/panels are rectangular?
    Anyway, I have listed the case for and against the options that we considered. Hopefully, it will help you somewhat when you are planning your flooring and renovation. =)
    The Options
    We posted them on FB and IG. (A bit of fun ensued; our friends’ dry sense of humour never fails to delight and make us laugh!)
    A received the most number of likes while B was placed second. C did not fare quite as well, and D put up a brave fight and lost with its dignity intact!
    cc11703bd920059398b32fd6f0d29bf1.jpg
    We had originally leant towards A (instinctively), but also liked B, C and D.
    A
    1) ID’s choice! Keith prefers this. He mentioned to my husband that there might be less wastage going with this direction, and also, that it would be easier for the tilers. :)
    2) This direction puts emphasis on the longer side/direction of the L-shaped space. It is said that, in a square or rectangular room, one is generally recommended to lay rectangular tiles in the longer direction as it will result in less grout lines (and so an aesthetically more appealing effect). If we try to apply that rule to our L-shape, could it be this direction then?
    b1c240163ec6696df4049b95e9dd40f2.jpg
    3) It appears running the tiles in this direction creates a pleasingly long line for our eyes to follow at the bedroom side. This adds length to the space visually! And making it, as a whole, look bigger.
    4) By all accounts, this direction may be better fengshui-wise? A chi thing. And quite funny! Apparently, chi that comes in from the main entrance is generally thought to be good chi and should be retained.
    With this direction, the chi is led into the kitchen where it is grounded by the square tiles from HDB (it seems square tiles ground chi or something, and apparently having good chi in the kitchen is something one would want to achieve). Or, it is bounced between the bomb shelter wall and living room wall, or between our bed wall and living room wall. Either way, the chi is kept inside the house, possibly blessing us with fortune and abundance, plus an overall sense of well-being and balance! Hilarious.
    If the tiles lead to the windows, then apparently so follow will the chi. Entering from the main door, following the tiles and heading straight for our living room windows – and exiting. And along with it, fortune and abundance, evidently. To say nothing of that sense of well-being and balance!
    B
    1) Laying the tiles parallel to the view direction from the main door may well make the living room appear longer. Meaning a nicer entryway?
    2) Furniture-wise, this direction may produce a more coherent flow! Consider the layout of the sideboard, study desk and wardrobe. It seems to look more organic if the tiles were to run in the same direction.
    55d1a6d0a9ef8612639bb02552adc67f.jpg
    3) It is said that one is generally recommended to follow the direction of the main source of light (the windows in our case). Apparently, this can a) help disguise imperfections in the tiling and make them less readily noticeable, and b) create the illusion that the floors stretch on and on!
    C and D
    2632c500deeff60786058d1b42abded0.jpg
    These two were not as well-received, unfortunately. Mostly because they were deemed to be too much for tilers here – we were advised not to take the risk unless we were sure of the skills of the tiler.
    I read that a diagonal tile layout might make the floor feel expansive! So if you have confidence in your tilers, no harm going for it, perhaps?
    The Choice
    We took Keith's advice and chose A!
    He is a good ID and we have grown to trust his professional opinion more and more. :thumbs up:

  20. Posted

    Hi JohnB,

    Din expect to see the Pandomo Floor & Wall recommendation here. Saw it at a Taiwanese renovation program and love the look and effect of it.

    Care to share how much is the quote for the flooring?

    If price still meet the budget, I would love to have it for my next new home.

    Thanks :D

    Hi Pomme. I like the look and effect of Pandomo too! Would that we could afford it.

    $7,316, I think, for our living/dining room + two bedrooms + hallway. I think the sum covers preparation (levelling and such) as well as installation. $7,316 comes from $4,416 + $2,900 (Keith told us we would have to add about $2,900 (ballpark figure) to the flooring rates in our quotation at that time). That is if my memory serves! Don't take my word for it. :)

    Are you thinking of getting back the concrete/cement look for the flooring in your next new home? I popped into your blog just now. Your current home looks nice. I especially like the LED light effect in your patio; it looks pretty cool. :D

  21. Posted

    Hi JohnB,

    Nice reno works going on there and will love to see the final outcome.

    Will you kindly share with me on Kelvin's contact for changing the door's arm thingy please?

    Thank you in advance, :D

    Thank you, Ken. :)

    Sure I will. Let me send you a PM. My ID has also asked me for Kelvin's contact number. The door arm thingy seems to be a sought-after product.

    Kelvin is on FB, he and Uni-Arm are one and the same. He mentioned that someone will respond to enquiries on FB, and also, that WhatsApp or messaging is recommended.

  24. Posted

    Thanks, JohnB! Always felt so relief after fixing each defect....but, to think that you have more defects to fix for a new home that you spent nearly $70k to reno, it's so upset and tired. Well, got no choice but to keep fixing one after another :(

    More headache are those that beyond my DIY capability or expensive to repair, such as sealed power sockets, dull and whitish patches of quartz kitchen table top and solid surface vanity top, off-centered TV console & featured wall, cracked tiles, etc.

    I'm sorry to hear that. What are you going to do with those defects – hire a handyman/contractor or something, or leave them?

    I understand why you are upset and feel for you. :(

    I suppose you must get a nice sense of achievement after fixing each defect. Plus you are picking up new DIY skills along the way. A small silver lining for you. :)

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