Our renovation journey begins here...

We're getting the keys to our 4-room HDB flat in a week. It was like striking lottery when we received our ballot number for the ballot for the leftover/balance flats sale. The 4-room flat is at Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 right across the road from Bishan Park, a 5 min walk to AMK Mrt station and a 5 min drive from my folks. We couldn't have asked for more. Especially when we were looking at resale flats at the area which were going at 150K more than what we are paying for our brand new HDB flat.

And now our renovation journey begins...

We've met with 2 Interior Designers..from Brilliant ID and D'trenzo so far...I'll blog about that more laterz.... For now...here's some pics to give you a feel of our design inspirations and what we hope to materialise in our first home!


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Pretty Eveel Adventures: Our renovation journey begins here...

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Our renovation journey begins here...

We're getting the keys to our 4-room HDB flat in a week. It was like striking lottery when we received our ballot number for the ballot for the leftover/balance flats sale. The 4-room flat is at Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 right across the road from Bishan Park, a 5 min walk to AMK Mrt station and a 5 min drive from my folks. We couldn't have asked for more. Especially when we were looking at resale flats at the area which were going at 150K more than what we are paying for our brand new HDB flat.

And now our renovation journey begins...

We've met with 2 Interior Designers..from Brilliant ID and D'trenzo so far...I'll blog about that more laterz.... For now...here's some pics to give you a feel of our design inspirations and what we hope to materialise in our first home!


Labels:

posted by eveeleva at 7:01 AM

6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

wow.. *jealous*

June 5, 2011 at 3:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How exciting!!!! A brand new blank canvas to play with...! You must be over the moon...

Eh, I like the pic top left. A bit of country feel in the big city... I like! Trying to get that same feel in Oakford but after getting a quote for a $50k kitchen, I think I might need to restrain meself....!!!! : (

Me likes the bottom left sitting room too. Looks like modern "kampong chic". I have a daybed just like that here that we don't use (one of mum's old pieces). Shame you aren't a bit closer, you could've taken it!

A few tried and tested recommendations from having built and lived in some houses with similar features to the pics:

- stainless steel counters and sinks are very heavy duty, slightly tricky to keep clean (or at least LOOK clean) but I think they are worth it. Especially if you had s/steel around the sink and then normal countertops everywhere else (like bottom pic 2nd from right). Also, a double bowl or at least 1 1/2 bowl is most practical. Wash one side then drain in the other or better yet get a strainer section either side of the bowls. That's the best! Also, as great as white looks, must think about practicality (especially with the little ones) and over time it will probably go a bit yellow/off white. Unless you go for a high gloss polyurethane finish which should stay white longer (but still not forever!)

If any of your rooms get full sun, you also have to think about colour fade. Especially wood floors, timber kitchen cabinets etc. I had to replace the kitchen in the flat recently after the plywood cabinetry starting peeling from the sun and humidity. Mind you, the kitchen was about 12 years old from Ikea so I was impressed how long it actually lasted.

If you like freestanding cookers then look at Smeg (top end) or Emilia is also quite good (middle of the road). As for dishwashers, definitely go for Asko if you can. Although they cost more, they last the longest and have the most room in them for large plates etc. Their wash cycle is also much quicker than the other premium brands (e.g. Miele). Bosch have also just brought one out which is the most water-saving dishwasher of them all.

Well, that's all the thoughts for now. I am in full reno-research mode at the moment so sorry if I go on and on and on...!

Jess xoxo

June 6, 2011 at 8:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jess, remind me to consult you if I ever do renovations!

Son

June 7, 2011 at 12:27 PM  
Blogger eveeleva said...

Awww Jess...wish you were really here for this...I have ideas..but I really don't know ANYTHING about renovation, materials etc! =(

Wish us luck!

June 7, 2011 at 8:07 PM  
Anonymous Moe Thuzar said...

Eva, congrats for the flat! I missed reading your blogs while in Myanmar to check progress on the (retirement) house I am building there, so your renovation thoughts strike a very resonant chord! Enjoy the journey - it is both exhilirating and exasperating - and let me know if you want any additional reference material.

June 8, 2011 at 10:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yvie & Son,

I'm seriously considering setting up blog of our house renos complete with pics.

It's gonna be a steep learning curve but it'll shape up to be a good "how not to" guide... : P

Wishing you lots of luck Iva. Don't forget - get at least 2 quotes for everything and if in doubt, shop around!!! x x x

June 10, 2011 at 8:54 AM  

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