Dear readers, thanks for dropping by. Kindly note that I have migrated all these posts to my new blog All Things Cozy and Homely . I will blog at the new site from Jan 15 onwards.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

My Home Grand Furniture and Reno Spring Expo 2014


My Home Spring 2014 is one of Singapore’s biggest home fairs with more than 100 exhibitors and thousands of furniture and furnishing items on display. Exhibits include the latest in furniture to creative furnishing items, branded mattresses to designer interior décor, as well as high quality renovation and artistic decoration ideas. There will be many attractive programmes, gifts and prizes in store for all visitors. Exciting photo opportunities will be awaiting all visitors at the beautifully decorated exhibition hall.

For more details, visit http://www.myhomeinternational.com.sg

Such exhibitions are excellent places to source for furniture and furnishings for your dream home, but do not succumb to some pressure tactics of the salesmen and to purchase on the spot. Take your time to consider and also conduct a background check on the Company to make sure that the Company has a good standing and track record before making any commitment.

Make this event down in your calendar! Details of the exhibition is below! :)

Note: Do not succumb to sales pressure tactics!


Exhibition Content: Furniture & Interiors

Location: Singapore Expo, Hall 7
Time: 12 noon to 10 pm
Date: 22 Feb to  2 Mar 2014
Cost: Free Admission, open to Public
Refer to here for directions and accessibility.

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Dear readers, thanks for dropping by. Kindly note that I have migrated all these posts to my new blog All Things Cozy and Homely . I will blog at the new site from Jan 15 onwards.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Should you DIY your Renovation?

 Image from Decorate101 
hi! i would like to seek your advice. i am actually thinking of doing without a ID/contractor. reason being i think we can diy our renovation. we are not intended to do any fancy fixtures or false ceilings. so mainly it is a paint job and buying of furnishings and furnitures. the only constructions that need to be done would be a window ledge and tv console. what are your views?

A reader left the above comment in one of my blog post recently. As he/she did not leave behind any contact, I decided to respond to this inquiry in my blog.

I believe that completing a renovation project without an ID or contractor does have certain risks. After all, specific skill sets, experience and expertise are involved.

Hence, I only recommend this approach if the extent of renovation is very very minimal and that you have the time and patience to research the works that need to be done.

For instance, let us take a look at painting.
There are many different types of paint available in the market to cater to different budget and needs. Furthermore, with enough research, you will realize that the existing walls have to be prepared properly before the new paint is applied.
 

Trust me -  it is a literally back-breaking although fun experience - I have been through and done that with my family. :) 

In fact, do keep in mind that a lot of research on what is involved and what is the proper process of completing the works has to be done.

That involves cleaning of the walls, stripping of the old paint, patching up dents, and applying of primer and so on. However, that is not half the work done. Masking of the window, door ledges etc needs to be done before the new paint can be applied. Proper canvas have to be used to cover the floors etc. There are several painting techniques involved too.

Next, let us take a step back and relook at why do you want to DIY. Is it due to the budget concerns? Or do you believe that you will do a better job than the professionals?

Real case in point.

A close friend of mine decided to DIY her 5 room flat with her partner. The desire to cut costs was the main impetus for her decision.
The outcome was less than ideal. Although she initially saved a few hundred or thousand dollars, the renovation took much longer than expected. As she has already committed and purchased all the equipment and raw materials needed, she couldn't bail out when things started to go wrong.To quote a few example:

The paint job was uneven (despite her best efforts); her partner couldn't drill and secure the curtain rails properly since he is totally inexperienced.
To make things worse, the walls moulded after a few months because the primer and paint did not dry properly. Furthermore, her partner sprained his back and had to see the specialist.

In the end, they ended up spending more to undo the damage they have caused.

Remember, most renovation works done by the renovation professionals do come with some form of warranty.


Hence, sometimes it might be more advisable to let the professionals do the work. :)







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Dear readers, thanks for dropping by. Kindly note that I have migrated all these posts to my new blog All Things Cozy and Homely . I will blog at the new site from Jan 15 onwards.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Will Renovation Raise the Price of Your Property - Part 2


Image from Livingspace

I posted my views on whether renovation will raise the price of your property in May two years ago. I read with interest that similar views were shared in this article recently.

So you might be wondering why on earth do I bring up this article again?

Now, as a case in point, let's look at what happened today.

A property agent was trying his very best to convince us to purchase a resale unit. With a high COV of course.

Here is a quick overview at the situation at hand:

Family Makeup: 
A family of 4, maid and 2 hyper active dogs. 

Renovation Works: 
Very extensive; additional grills at the service yard and balcony to keep in and keep out the active dogs; bomb shelter which has been remodeled as a maid's room (and the bomb shelter's door was removed!! That is not permitted! Please refer to my post on Renovation Works allowed for Bomb Shelter.) A study room for the kids constructed in the middle of the hallway, a huge and thick TV feature wall cum storeroom with a 42" hole set aside for the flat screen TV. Due to this huge feature wall cum storeroom, there is simply no space for any sofas. Walls were removed for an open concept kitchen, room doors and walls were relocated, additional walls constructed to allow for a bigger master bedroom with a semi walk-in wardrobe.

And the list goes on.  

Obviously, their interior designer took great pains to ensure that the entire place is customized according to the family lifestyle needs. Hence, I am sure the family has spent a huge bomb in their renovation.


However, the family and the property agent is being unrealistic when they expect their prospective buyers to pay a premium for their renovation decision.
Every family's lifestyle need is unique. Yes, not every family comes with a maid or pets.
There are families who want sofas in the living room. And to add on - most flat screen TV can't even fit into the TV feature wall cum storeroom. 


To end off this post, it is very comical to hear the following condescending comments from the Property Agent.

"This is MOVE IN condition! No need to renovate what! ALL YOUR NEEDS ARE TAKEN CARE OF! Why do you want to remove the feature wall?! Do you have any idea how much the owner has spent in the renovation?! "

Gosh.






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Dear readers, thanks for dropping by. Kindly note that I have migrated all these posts to my new blog All Things Cozy and Homely . I will blog at the new site from Jan 15 onwards.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Modern Living




Modern Living is a Home furniture & furnishing fair.


Such exhibitions are excellent places to source for furniture and furnishings for your dream home, but do not succumb to some pressure tactics of the salesmen and to purchase on the spot. Take your time to consider and also conduct a background check on the Company to make sure that the Company has a good standing and track record before making any commitment.

Make this event down in your calendar! Details of the exhibition is below! :)

Note: Do not succumb to sales pressure tactics!


Exhibition Content: Furniture & Interiors

Location: Singapore Expo, Hall 6

Date: 8 Feb to 16 Feb 2014
Cost: Free Admission, open to Public
Refer to here for directions and accessibility.

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