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Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Pre-CNY reno update


We finally got the keys to our new home last month, and started renovation. We have an interesting layout for our five-room flat overlooking the river at Fernvale; it's squarish and boxy without any hallways. I'm super excited about it's potential! I wanted something light-filled and open and airy and this about checks all the boxes. 

It's very scary, but we decided not to go with an ID because I already had a pretty clear picture of what I wanted and it's not a major reno with ceiling works and feature walls and all that. So in the same breath that we got our keys, we signed with a contractor and down came the walls of the kitchen and master bedroom. 






I really love the look of dark hardwood floors, but they are really impractical in terms of cost and maintenance, what with a dog and a baby. And though vinyl seemed like a good choice at first, I did a little bit of reading up and it seems that there might be toxicity and waterproofing issues in the long run.. not such a good idea with a crawler and the fact that the kitchen is going to have the same flooring. So we went with homogenous wood-look tiles. These, from Lian Seng Hup in Balestier came up to $4 psf, even cheaper than vinyl.

 



The contractors have taken a break for Chinese New Year, and so far the floor's all done and covered with protective cardboard, the air con trunking is up, and so's the cement base for the kitchen cabinetry. So much left to do and buy! It's all slowly coming together, and I'm crossing my fingers that reality is not going to be too far from what I envisioned in my mind. I literally go to sleep with light fixtures, tiling and laminate choices flashing behind my eyes.

A tuxedo kitchen & island with black bottom cabinets and white uppers to keep the space airy, yet grounded. 

I relocated the MBR door to make way for a larger wardrobe space inside, and plan to add French doors.  



7 comments:

  1. hello, do you mind sharing the contact of your contractor? My flat is coming up soon and i'm so excited!! Oh ya just wondering, do you know whether the metal gates of a BTO can be changed? thank u :)

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    1. Sure, it's Frankie To at Toh Yong Contractor, 9365 5910! He's great, fast and friendly and honest. I'm not sure if the gates can be changed though! I have heard of someone in Anchorvale who changed their gate to a retro looking one. I guess it's okay if nobody reports you to Town Council. haha.

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  2. Hi! Is this proj at Fernvale Riverbow? Do you still need to do cement screed for the tiles?
    ;)

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    1. Hello yes it's at FR! No you don't need screening for tiles, you only need them for vinyl and laminate flooring. Started this year, HDB will no longer provide the free cement screed, but I know some of my neighbors managed to successfully appeal for it! hope that helps :)

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  3. Oh I'm fr FR too! Was looking at wood tiles look but we though only vinyl tiles available! So happy to know there's homogeneous tiles , that will save us s lot! :) u done wit reno?

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    1. Nuuu.. it's slowed down a lot since CNY, I guess cos all the carpentry is being done offsite. I'll update again soon when there's something new. we should be done by the end of March though! Would love to see your reno progress too if you're keeping a record somewhere. Are you in the FR FB group? All the best with your reno! :)

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