This must be my busiest pre-CNY period. I haven’t bought any new clothes for CNY, not to mention changing new notes from the bank and buying CNY goodies. I think I’ll just dig whatever leftover new notes from last year and top-up the balance from my wallet.
Oh wait, where is my bak kwa? T__T
Besides the physical hard works like cleaning, packing and moving, there are also many other trivial things like changing residential address, applying for car decal, turning on gas supply, applying for fibre broadband connection, etc. I went to M1 last week and was shocked to hear that the waiting time for fibre broadband installation is 3 weeks! 😮
And I’m moving in this week. How am I going to survive without WIFI?!!! If you don’t see me on this space, this is the reason. 😕
Our house renovation has completed last week, together with indoor and outdoor blind installation, as well as furniture delivery. Except for WIFI, we’re all ready now.
Living Hall
This is how my TV feature wall looks like:
Picture taken before our TV was mounted on the wall
A look into my living hall from balcony
Living Hall Carpentry Cost
False ceiling with cove lighting effect: $1,850
L2000mm x H2900mm TV feature wall with laminate finish: $2,405
L8ft suspended TV console in laminate & internal polyester finish: $1,600
L2ft display cabinet in glass & laminate finish: $900
Total: $6,755
Dining Hall
Initially, we planned to have a built-in settee with storage (see our original 3D drawing HERE). But we found a dining table set from Cellini that we really like. It comes with a bench and two chairs. So, we built only a mirror feature wall with cove lighting effect at our dining area.
Dining Area Carpentry Cost
L2300mm x H1200mm clear mirror with cove lighting effect: $1,200
Balconies
For our main balcony, we put a partial wood-decking with putting grass. I really love the putting grass because it looks crisp, freshly green and inviting. They are shorter than the usual artificial turf, thus making it easier to clean and maintain.
The composite wood decking (WPC) combines the feel and look of wood with excellent resistance to water, weather and mould.
For the small balcony at our master bedroom, we put composite wood decking too. I intend to put a laundry drying rack here for hanging clothes.
Balcony Decking Cost
Composite wood decking in main balcony with putting grass and putting cup: $1,727
Composite wood decking in small balcony: $672
Total: $2,399
Bomb Shelter
We put a 7ft 4-tier metal boltless shelf in our bomb shelter. It consists of two shelves (90cm and 120cm) placed side by side. I use coloured storage boxes from IKEA to store my things. It looks so organized now, and yay to more storage capacity too. 😆
Before and after!
Total cost: $360
Master Bedroom
In my previous post, I’ve shared the details of my master bedroom renovation. I’m very satisfied with the carpentries in my master bedroom.
Combi blinds from WinUs Korea (will share more in another post soon)
Master Bedroom Carpentry Cost
False ceiling with cove lighting effect: $1,000
9ft half height bedhead with cove lighting effect: $1,080
2ft side table with drawers (2 units): $800
2.5ft dresser table with drawers; $500
2.5ft dresser mirror cabinet: $750
Queen size bedframe with 4 drawers: $1,750
Total: $5,880
Bedroom 2 (Edison’s Room)
Carpentry in Edison’s room is the toughest for me so far. Reasons: 1) the room is very tiny, 2) it has a sliding door to the common toilet, and 3) only the left side of the window can be opened (the right side is fixed).
So, we changed the 3D designs thrice and the 4th time during carpentry measurement. However, the final outcome is still not to my liking. Luckily, Edison likes it and he was so thrilled to have his own bedroom.
His excitement of having his own bedroom overshadowed my disappointment at how the carpentry turned out to be.
Cove lighting on bedhead
Bedroom 2 Carpentry Cost
L4ft half height bedhead with cove lighting in laminate finish: $480
L4.5ft top hung cabinet using solid plywood, laminate & internal polyester finish: $900
L2500mm x W1200mm low height platform bed with side drawers: $1,500
Total: $2,880
Bedroom 3 (Study Room)
Our original plan was to make two built-in L-shaped study tables with top-hung cabinets on both sides (and false ceiling too). Our 3D drawing for study room can be found HERE. However, during the carpentry measurement, we realized that the remaining floor space is very small if we build-in our study tables.
Another reason is that we lack flexibility if we wish to convert our study room into bedroom or guestroom in the future. In addition, a fixed height study table is not suitable for a growing kid like Edison.
Thus, considering these three reasons, we scrapped the idea of built-in study tables and cabinets. We bought two sets of study desks and chairs instead, and that costs us slightly over $2,000 as compared to $5,200 in our original 3D drawing.
Edison is so excited with his workstation – he said this is his NEW office! Hahhaha! Read my review of IMPACT ergonomic study desk and chair HERE.
Outdoor Blind
Outdoor blind wasn’t in our original plan and budget, but we decided to install them at both balconies as they’re facing afternoon sun. By 12 noon, my entire main balcony is soaking under the sun and by 2pm, I can feel the heat right into my living hall. 😥
And I’m soOoo glad that we installed the outdoor blinds. Our living hall is so much cooler now as the outdoor blinds are pretty good at blocking sunlight, and reduces heat and glare. They also provide some privacy when we need it – people couldn’t see through from the outside.
However, they can only block about 70-80% of rain due to the gaps in-between the panels. The roll-up blinds can be positioned at any desired height, and can be rolled up and down effortlessly. I’m very happy with it! 😀
Total: $1,800
I will write another post on indoor blinds after I move-in (same contractor as my outdoor blind). Need some time to monitor the indoor blind to see how much they are able to block the sunlight and glare.
I will also do a home tour post soon to show you my home furniture and electrical appliances. So, please stay tuned. And if I don’t get to log-in the next couple of days, here’s wishing you and your family a HAPPY and PROSPEROUS Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai! ^ ^
Balcony decking by:
Absolut Outdoors
81 Ubi Ave 4, #05-19 UB.One, Singapore 408830
Websites: Official Homepage | Facebook Page | Instagram
Outdoor Blinds by:
Bench&Board
#03-301 Marina Square
Websites: Official Homepage | Facebook Page
Interior Design by:
Rezt & Relax Interior
33 Ubi Avenue 3, #02-09, Vertex Tower B, Singapore 408868
Websites: Official Homepage | Facebook Page
Designer: Tim Tian and Jingyu
Hi Emily your house looks beautiful . The storeroom rack is very nice , can you share where u bought it from . TIA
Hi Lacy, Thanks for your compliment. For the metal shelf, I found the contractor from the advertisement that they dropped into my letter box. We called them and the lady was so kind to explain to us how their metal shelf is like. We gave them the dimensions and she gave us an approximate quote. Then, she offered a non-obligatory site measurement and quote. On the day itself, they quoted us $360 and we did it on the spot. Just half an hour work, fast and good! The metal shelf is beige in colour, and the finishing is epoxy powder… Read more »
Thanks Emily for taking the time off to reply when you are already busy with moving house and CNY coming up… Appreciate much . Thanks for the contact and detailed info on the metal rack. Will give them a call. My best wishes for your new home and happy CNY .
Hi Emily,
Glad to chance on your informative blog as presently sourcing for IDs for my place TOPing in 3-4 mths.
Would like to check if you have other recommendation of IDs beside ReztnRelax as
I would like to meet up with at least 2-4 IDs before making a decision.
Thx for your time & effort!
Hi Frankie,
Glad to hear that you find it informative. Prior to ReztnRelax, we’ve also shortlisted another ID. His name is Alex from Urban Design. Their website is http://www.urbandesign.com.sg/. You can also check them out. I find that their design is good and price is competitive (in fact lower than R&R).