At Last, A Haven Of Thine Own!

[OceanEleven 203]

I have to thumbs up on Ocean's suggestion.

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

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.

[cookie0511 0]

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.

[cookie0511 0]

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?

[claypot 46]

Doubt you could start renovation in early Feb as it will be CNY period and most workers who are Malaysians will be back to their hometown. Probably mid-Feb. Carpentry and glass works are typically more expensive. A breakdown of each individual items may help us to determine whether they are expensive.

[OceanEleven 203]

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?

Plus minus is about there. Subjected to itemised pricing. If you break it down and employ individual contractors, you may have saving here and there.

Certain work such as tiling may involve hacking and this is cost. Overlay is an option only when applicable.

Just the shower screen and frosted door may set you back up to 2K alone. Painting approx. 1.8K and up.

Carpentry is costly, normally back on per foot run. Full height cost more, high ceiling even more.

Do the math, break it down and you will have a clearer picture.

Then and again,you must have time to manage, plan and coordinate.

[cookie0511 0]

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!

[cookie0511 0]

This is my proposed floor plan after renovation works.

[cookie0511 0]

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???

[yeovamp 0]

Hi cookie, may I know who is the other ID company? We are also sourcing for ID country theme. Hope you can share the info~ thanks~!

[Changbp 5]

5x4m MBR sure can do wiw. Perhaps u can consider having it right when u enter the door. Meaning once u enter current MBR door, right is bathroom, straight 2 sided wardrobe. This assumes 0.6(wall side) + 0.6(wiw walkway) +0.6(bed side) = 1.8m and you still have the remainder of 3.x meters for bed(2m) and 0.6m walkway on both sides.

My MBR is less than 4x3m and doing a mini L shaped wiw. Though not much walkway space after for me.