The Experience: Our First Home

[myrick88 0]

Haha...I just wait for them to follow up and nicely say we have confirmed with another ID already.

Thanks for your time and hopefully we can have a chance to work together in the future.

This question is not entirely useful, and may seem a little retarded, but..

Anyone knows of a nice way to reject other IDs?

Hahaha

[Jwest 0]

This question is not entirely useful, and may seem a little retarded, but..

Anyone knows of a nice way to reject other IDs?

Hahaha

[Jwest 0]

Meant to say. If they come in here. U prob will not have to say anything.

[summersann 6]

Meant to say. If they come in here. U prob will not have to say anything.

That was what I was thinking. Hahaha!

[summersann 6]

Haha...I just wait for them to follow up and nicely say we have confirmed with another ID already.

Thanks for your time and hopefully we can have a chance to work together in the future.

That sounds like a good response!

[benauhc 3]

Hi summersann. How long will your reno take?

We have met up a couple of ID/Contractors for our EM reno, and have been told between 8 weeks to 3 months. Not sure if those who need 3 months had factored in some buffer for rectification/delays or are just loaded with many projects.

[summersann 6]

Hi summersann. How long will your reno take?

We have met up a couple of ID/Contractors for our EM reno, and have been told between 8 weeks to 3 months. Not sure if those who need 3 months had factored in some buffer for rectification/delays or are just loaded with many projects.

Our ID informed us that ours will take 3 months. They're a small firm, so they don't have the same extensive resources as bigger ones I guess. We had most other places telling us it'd take 2 months, so I guess that's the average.

[summersann 6]

Gathering ideas before meeting the ID on Monday!

Lights for the stairwell.

Pretty, but lacks the cosiness that a home should have. But there's definitely something here! Time to get creative.

Work table, and its surroundings.

Always thought the kitchen countertop is best kept clean and clear. But, a picture to suggest otherwise!

Edited November 15, 2012 by summersann

[HappyAng 0]

Hi summersann, looking forward for your Reno transformation.

[summersann 6]

Hi summersann, looking forward for your Reno transformation.

Thank you!

Had a 3+hour meeting with the designers yesterday night. Very excited about the revised plan!

No details to show yet, and our designers don't release designs until after the renovation, but I'll use my (very) limited sketching skills to draft up something on our floorplan!

Shall hopefully share it tonight!

[ultimax 2]

Thank you!

Had a 3+hour meeting with the designers yesterday night. Very excited about the revised plan!

No details to show yet, and our designers don't release designs until after the renovation, but I'll use my (very) limited sketching skills to draft up something on our floorplan!

Shall hopefully share it tonight!

Looking forward to it!

I remember those marathon sessions ... feels like only yesterday. Apparently their record is 7+hrs!

[zxoliver 0]

[summersann 6]

This is why I'm never going to be an interior designer.

Warning: my sketch is completely out of scale

My favorite area right now: the little corner on the left upon entering the house, for us to place our everyday shoes and to hang some bags/outerwear (shoe storage problem: solved!). I specifically asked for this, because I'm so in love with the idea.

Our designer did a great job sketching it out right after I tried to explain what I wanted. It looks gorgeous (on paper). Can't wait to see detailed drawings.

What made me fall in love with the idea:

The other area I'm excited about is on the 2nd floor, in the new Master Bedroom. After I stated my preference for a work-table (for two) and lounge area in our bedroom, our designer revised the floorplan. She also knows about my obsession with casement windows, and so suggested a panel of casement windows instead of the original fixed glass panel idea for the new Master Bedroom wall overlooking the staircase. Very excited to see how it turns out!

Something like this? :

We're keeping our toilets clean, and have finally decided to go with shower curtains, because they complement the current look better than shower screens. I'm finally going to get my medicine cabinet! Well, kind of. Mirrored cabinets for both the toilets upstairs.

Something like this:

We also decided to go with our gut feel and do away with the traditional dining table in the designated Dining area. The most coincidental thing is that before we even mentioned our decision to the designer, she showed us her revised design - two-thirds of our island is open-bottomed, only 1/3 is cabinet (and the microwave oven will be housed there). She explained that in that way, our island could function as a bar area for when we want to have simple meals or drinks. We told her about our decision to do away with the dining table, so she expanded the island and made it wider. Our island can now sit 4-5 and we can use it as a dining table! The best part about this is that the designated Dining area can now be converted into a lounge area (or anything else that strikes our fancy later)!

I also especially like the built-in bookshelf corner that the designer included below the stairs, facing the living room. Reason: I told her I like to curl up on the sofa to read. So she created a little "corner" for me!

Mom also gets a little dry vanity area in her room, courtesy of the designer. She wanted to create a wall so that the bedroom door wouldn't appear to be jutting out when left open. I love how she pays attention to these small details that make a big difference. She changed the position of our new Master Bedroom door with this same reason in mind - so that the door can "rest" against a wall when opened, making it seem less obtrusive.

That's all I can think of for now. Please feel free to give suggestions!

Edited November 20, 2012 by summersann

[HaiDeChen 0]

hmm don't be afraid to use grey or cement walls/floors, it may seem cold, but there are warmer shades of grey and i think cement walls can be very cosy too!

[adidaem 6]

I don't remember the bedrooms being so spacious, is the walking space sufficient (for the MBR with two wardrobe corridors)? Since you are getting scale drawings from IDs, I guess she will outline the beds in scale so that you can assess. Do you plan to have kids? The rooms are fully occupied or knocked down, so it may be a problem in a few years.

Like the windows idea - will help to bring ventilation to the living room and light to the staircase.

Believe the end result will be nice. Do share pics when available ya?