10 Tips for Decorating your Bathroom

10 Tips for Decorating your Bathroom*

* Kindly note that this is the summarised version. Do grab your 1st issue of living@HOME to read the actual article. ;)

  1. Apply non-slip coating over existing floors (vinyl tiles, ceramic tiles, laminates, hardwood and natural stones) such as shower cubicles; 

  2. Ensure adequate ventlation and natural lighting to prevent mould;

  3. Augment general lighting with "task lighting" to facilitate tasks such as makeup and shaving;

  4. Make use of all the available space in the room for storage (i.e. beneath the basin, behind the mirror);

  5. Conserve water consumption by making use of dual flush toilet cistern; conserve electricity by making use of the LED lighting;

  6. Always try on the toilet bowl before buying it; enlongated bowls and seats are usually more comfortable;

  7. Always try out the bathtub before buying it; check the back and lip of the bath for comfort; if you cant accommodate the a full-length bath, consider an extra deep one;

  8. Avoid drilling through the tiles, which can crack easily, as much as possible choose fittings that doesn't require drilling; or drill in between the tiles;

  9. Install an air freshener;

10. Color coordinate bath towels, toiletries and fittings;

11.** Install a small wall clock, shaver or hair dryer holders.

** Extra recommendations. :)

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10 tips for Decorating your Living Room

10 Tips for Decorating your Living Room*

* Kindly note that this is the summarised version. Do grab your 1st issue of living@HOME to read the actual article. ;)

  1. Choose on a focal point in the living room; it can be the TV feature wall or a simple vase; then design and decorate around this focal point;

  2. Declutter and remove anything you do not need;

  3. If you are unable to declutter, confine the clutter to similar or like themed items;

  4. Move furniture away from walls and arrange chairs so that guest are facing each other;

  5. Define the conversation area or carve out areas with the use of rugs;

  6. If you custom make your furnitures, ensure the unholster are the exact shade that you want; use a color wheel to help you;

  7. Layer lighting so that you can adjust the amount of lighting that you need throughout the day;

  8. Walls can be used for painting, clocks, wooden paneling, painted murals, mirror, photo collage; let your imagination flow!

  9. Create a warm and cozy feeling atmosphere through the use of soft furnishing like curtains and rugs;

10. Improve the air quality with the use of air purifiers, humidifers, dehumidifers and air circulators.

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Air Circulators for Air Cons

 Air Circulators for Air Cons

Air Circulator - as its name imply - helps to circular air flow. In fact, an air circulator is basically a fan.

Types of Air Circulators

There are many types of air circulator in the industry. The common ones include ceiling fans, portable fans, industrial fans and so on.

Why are Air Circulators important to Air Cons?

An air circulator helps to manage the constant flow of air in a room. Hence, air conditioning is enhanced since the cool air from air cons is circulated throughout the entire room. 

This leads to more efficiency in cooling the air and helps to conserve electricity; which ultimately results in cheaper electricity bills and longer air con life-span. ;)

Which model is recommended?

living@HOME recommends Vornado Air Circulator*. It highlights that this model has special curved fab blades designed to generate the most efficient wind force. Furthermore, it  is equipped with a military grade motor which is smooth and yet quiet with a wind force span of about 42 meters. It is also flexible since it can tilt 180 degrees.   

Note*:
700 Series are ideal for larger areas such as large living rooms, office lobbies and conference rooms.


600 Series are suitable for home and offices.


500 Series are suitable for small rooms (i.e. bedrooms, kitchens, etc)

Can be found in Home-fix stores.

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10 Tips for Decorating your Bedroom

10 Tips for Decorating your Bedroom*

* Kindly note that this is the summarised version. Do grab your 1st issue of living@HOME to read the actual article. ;)

  1. If given a choice, choose a quiet bedroom (i.e. away from noisy areas like kitchen or living areas);

  2. The bed should be the only main piece of furniture since the bedroom is meant for resting;

  3. Air quality of the bedroom should be good since this is the place where you are going to rest in. Consider  improving the air quality by using air purifier, humidifier, dehumidifier or ionizer;

  4. Create a relaxed atmosphere by using soft furnishing and pile on pillows;

  5. Ensure that your mattress is free of bed bugs and mold; check them in check by using bed bug spray;

  6. Maximize the room under your bed; consider under-bed storage options like storage boxes or bed drawers;

  7. Be bold and creative in your color selections, remember soft furnishing such as cushions, rugs and decorations can be used to add interesting dashes of colors in an otherwise boring bedroom;

  8. Layer your colors with tones of same color to add more texture in the bedroom;

  9. Place a rug alongside the bed for soft landing (keeps your feet warm in cold weather too);

10. Keep a light source within reach, especially when you are in bed.

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living@HOME

 

Home-fix just launched their first issue of living@HOME. In case some of you are new to Home-fix, it is the leading D.I.Y retail chain in Singapore.

At only $1, living@HOME is definitely worth a read. The first issue covers articles ranging from useful  household appliances like vacuum cleaners, useful advices on how to make small spaces look bigger, and even teaches you how to overhaul your old furniture.

If you have yet to grab a copy, fret not. I will share some useful articles from that issue in my subsequent posts.

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Creative Christmas Tree

Here are some very inspiring creative Christmas Tree designs. :)

from homecreat.com

 from watkinseventdesign.blogspot

from inhabitat.com

 from gliving.com

from gliving.com

from decodir.com

from inspirationforhome.blogspot

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Council for Estate Agencies (CEA)

Some of you may be new to CEA, which is a newly established statutory board under the Ministry of National Development in Oct 2010.


CEA is empowered to administer the new regulatory framework for the real estate agency industry.
 
It aims to raise the professionalism of the real estate agency industry through collaborative efforts with the industry on industry development programmes and protect the interests of the consumers through targeted public education schemes.
 
I have extracted the following most relevant information from CEA for easiler reading. :)

Consumer Resource

(1) Consumer Guide

Consumer Tips for Engaging a Real Estate Salesperson" is CEA's first educational brochure that provides introductory information and practical tips to consumers who wish to engage the services of real estate salespersons in property transactions. The guide is part of CEA's public outreach efforts to equip consumers with essential knowledge that would help them experience a smooth property transaction. Please click here to download the consumer guide.

(2) Public Seminars/Talks  

CEA participates in public educational seminars/talks organised by our partners:  

• HDB - Monthly Resale Seminars
• CPF Board - "Buying Your Next Home" Talk
• CASE - "Considerations for the Purchase of a New Home" Consumer Seminar.

 (3) Advisory for Consumers

A 53-year-old man who is believed to be involved in at least two cases of rental scams was arrested by the Police in October 2011. Please see media release issued by the Police.  

You are advised to:-   

• Verify the identity of your salesperson using the Public Register
• Respond only to advertisements that provide the salesperson's details and registration number
• Report to CEA if you encounter any persons who are carrying out estate agency work but who are not listed on the Public Register.

(4) Reference Information  

• For information on registered salespersons and licensed estate agents, please check Public Register
• For information on engaging the services of a real estate salesperson, view presentation slides here
• For information on buying, selling, renting and financing of HDB flats, please visit the HDB InfoWEB.
• For information on purchase of private residential properties, please visit the URA website.

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All you need to know about Estate Agents

The following information is extracted from Today online.

"From how to identify a registered property agent to how such agents should handle transaction monies, such tips have been handily summed up in a brochure rolled out yesterday by the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA).

The brochure is part of the CEA’s outreach efforts to equip consumers with essential knowledge for a smooth property transaction.

For instance, it highlighted that dual representation — where a property agent represents both the buyer and the seller, and collects commission from both parties — is an offence. It is also an offence for a property agent — also referred to as salespersons — or agency to introduce or refer a buyer to any moneylender.

Property agents and agencies are also prohibited from handling money on behalf of any party in the sale or purchase of any property here.

The brochure also advised consumers to not respond to publicity flyers where a salesperson has not provided a registration or licence number. All licensed agencies and property agents can be found on the CEA’s website.

A list of the responsibilities of a salesperson is also provided, such as how a property agent should explain to consumers all relevant forms and documents in a binding agreement.

It also lays out a list of what consumers need to be aware of on their part, such as providing one’s terms and requirements clearly o their property agent, as well as what to do when a dispute arises.

The consumer guide is available from the CEA and for public download at www.cea.gov.sg."

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