We finally got our key to our first home in Sept after 3 years of long wait.. just wanna share and document our journey.

Before getting the keys, we looked high and low and browsed through hundreds of magazines and websites for ideas.. In the end, we didn't really use any of the ideas we have gotten from the different sources but instead we discussed with the different IDs regarding the concept we have in mind hoping to get something that is more relevant to the local context? i thought it could be quite hard to get some of the materials we saw on the media sources so it will be good to get a ID to point us towards the correct direction. At the same time, we both changed our job and so we can't do it the DIY way.

We must have went to 10+ IDs before settling for the "choosen one"... all the IDs that we went to give us the same layout and roughly the same idea.. .. i guessed the reason must be because it is the most practical? Unfortunately, me and my wife won't settle for anything that is too common and our "choosen" ID (Voila Interior) happens to be the most on the ball in regards to following up and he gave us a good quote! The rest must be thinking we are "siao Kia" so they didn't really follow up with us..

Our renovation procession was quite uneventful.. after signing on the ID, working out some of the designs and getting the work started.. we discovered that he will be leaving the company .

Fortunately, his boss (Jason) followed up with us and assured us that everything will be normal.. and so, we went the designing phase again as Jason doesn't agree on the design aesthetic.. this akin to doing renovation again! However, this time round we are happier with the design and hope everything will turn out fine!

to start off.. this is the layout of our place. I like the big living room with plenty of light. I choosed the top floor thinking that the ceiling height will be taller but it turns out to be normal as other floor less some ugly piping on the ceiling.

(picture from lala81(http://www.renotalk.com/forum/topic/60673-our-%e6%b8%a9%e9%a6%a8-5-room-%e5%b0%8f%e7%8b%97%e7%aa%9d/page-1) as we share the same floor plan.. hope he/she doesn't mind)

Kitchen is small as usual so the wall should definitely be knocked.. however, after knocking I realized there is overhead beam! that will destroy the design we have in mind.

This is the design we have in mind.. but the stupid beam is there..

more pics after more "hammering"

combined masterbed room and 1 of the bedroom to accommodate our bed and WIW.. will be relocating the door as well to maximize the available space..

some initial 3d pics.. but had since changed drastically..

masterbed room..

full wall slide door WIW..

TV feature wall with storage..

some new 3d (still in design phase but final).. will showcase after we get the final pics.. below is sneak preview.

for the kitchen, we decided not to be adventurous and opted for a black island..

backsplash will be colorful design instead of mono-colour.

Edited November 22, 201312 yr by genome84

some of my taobao and amazon loots.. TB is super additive and I brought a lot of thing from there.. first shipment s 9m^3.. with another shipment pending..

my Vonado fans from amazon.de

will open my "presents" when I got time..

some of my taobao and amazon loots.. TB is super additive and I brought a lot of thing from there.. first shipment s 9m^3.. with another shipment pending.. luckily I got some super nice neighbours who helped me in the intial ordering.. they even helped me to coordinate the shipment when I am not in SGD..

my Vonado fans from amazon.de

will open my "presents" when I got time..

Wow. That's a lot of "presents"! Cant wait for the opening ceremony! Lol

oh mine.. so many.. drools!

i cant wait to see your loot too.

Riverwalk?

Wow! All the boxes...feels like christmas already!

Congrats on ur new home

Share the presents

Which agent did you use? Can't wait to see what you have bought.

A sneak preview of my crazy purchase..

Which agent did you use? Can't wait to see what you have bought.

My good neightbour found the forwarder at taobao.. They charged me 450rmb per me due to the volume of goods we brought.. Name of the forwarder is 宏运.. U got to talk thru aliwangwang to arrange the shipping

Installation of carpentry today.. Very surprised that most of the carcass were already installed but even more surprised when we went there at 8pm and the workers are still working! Workmanship is really solid and fast.

Wiw cabinets with faux leather laminate

Swivel tv feature wall in our masterbed room separating the bed area with the wardrobe area.. Super love the laminate that my ID recommend.. We were skeptical at first but turns out really well. There is another 9ft low cabinet by the that doubles as a makeup table and computer area.

Full wall cabinet with mirror tic tac door. Tv feature wall is white metallic laminate with metallic strips to showcase my tv.

My island!

Lastly.. My haiku fan!

Any more new updates on your new home?