Home Renovation Inspiration Sites for Homeowners Series - Qanvast - Make It Home.

Image from Qanvast

Homeowners have one more reason to rejoice; there is one more resource for you to browse through hundreds and thousands of of mouth-watering droolicious inspiring home interior designs from home renovation professionals. 

Furthermore, you can also gather all your favorites designs in your very own mood board. And you are able to engage the home renovation professionals who have done the particular project which you have favorited a thousand times in your mood board easily.

What's more you get to read reviews of the work done by home professionals and be connected with the rest of the homeowners in the virtual community!

Hence *drumroll* let me introduce Qanvast, a virtual platform for homeowners and trusted home professionals to connect and collaborate in the cyberspace! 

For me, it is my next obsession apart from Pinterest. In fact, ever since the day I stumbled upon the site, I have been browsing it for hours for design inspiration. It is so addictive that I really have to blog about it! :P

One thing that this site stands out from the others is its clean cut minimal design, with large clear photos to boot. Its fluid design means that its site is responsive to different mobile devices; from my tinny winne obselete Samsung smartphone, to the slightly bigger Sony Ultra phablet and my all time favorite iPad!

+ Clean cut minimal design
+ Large clear photos to boot
+ Responsive to different mobile devices
+ Easy to read and to the point
+ Estimated cost of the renovation is provided!

In addition, there is no lengthy paragraph to read through; in fact the descriptions are succinct and to the point. Nonetheless, the best part is that Qanvast is one of the very few sites that completely nailed it! Yes! It attaches an estimated cost of the renovation along with its featured projects! 

However, the analytic brain of mine would also love to know ...

+ What does the cost of the renovation entail?
+ Does the scope of the renovation cost cover little bits like the furnishing and lighting points?
+ What is the man-month effort for the renovation?

The above points would help me immensely in determining the scope and duration of the showcased project and these inputs will be useful while I plan for my renovation. Qanvast...are you listening? :P

Nonetheless, it is still a very useful site lar. As my mum always say....mai hiam lar. 

Anyway, if you have other Home Renovation Inspiration Sites to share, do drop me a mail too! :)

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Useful Home Renovation Blog Posts

Image from keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

Image from Renonation.sg

This is a very useful post by the blogger Eve which has summarized what to look out for during the Renovation process.

"To begin, I have shared that home renovation is akin to embarking on an exciting journey, and it is probably the first major project for any couple prior their marriage. During a typically home renovation, there are actually 7 general stages which take place and although this journey might be bumpy, you can minimise the risks by pro- actively planning for the home makeover." 

Read more at:Best of 2013 Home Renovation Posts here . 

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Renovation Plans Ahead Update - It isn't a Happy Ride

It isn't a Happy Ride

I blogged my Renovation Plans Ahead nearly 2 months ago and decided to do a quick update tonight.

In our search for a reliable renovation professional, we decided to head back to the Interior Design company which done up our flat nearly 6 years ago.

Many of you have actually asked me for the name of the Interior Design company which was responsible for our renovation, and hoped that I could recommend its services to you. 

Well, I decided not to since although the Interior Design company - let us call it G.P - had done a reasonably good job, I am not so sure of its after sales services.

Nonetheless to cut the long story short, I am glad that I did not recommend G.P to any of my readers. I am terribly disappointed with their way of handling their past customers. 

We approached G.P for a budgetary quotation on the cabinets. After some discussion, Mr Diva helpfully pointed out that their workmanship still have to be improved since one of the cabinet drawer had fallen off after barely 6 years of use.

J, the interior designer said that this could be rectified promptly FOC if we write in. I was pleasantly surprised since our 5 years warranty had lapsed.

However, another interior designer S, who was supposed to follow up in this matter took ages to respond. I wrote in a couple of times just to arrange on the date which the rectification can be done and most of my emails were ignored.

Until Mr Diva got so fed up he wrote to the managing director directly and S took action immediately.

As employees representing their company, J and S did not take this opportunity to re-engage their past customers and instead chose to sideline them instead.

With this, my faith and trust in G.P is gone. I do not and have decided not to engage them for my future renovations.

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Amazing Walk-in Wardrobe Design Part II

Amazing Walk-in Wardrobe Design
Part II

Here are more amazing designs from Pinterest! :)

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Amazing Walk-in Wardrobe Design Part I

Amazing Walk-in Wardrobe Design
Part I

I  would love to have a walk-in wardrobe! Here are some of my favorite designs from Pinterest! :)

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IkeaHackers

IKEAHACKERS

Ikea Hackers is one of my favourite hangouts. It is very interesting to see many inspiring and creative ways people try to "mod" Ikea products.

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Smart Mirror

Smart Mirror

Okay, I admit I am a geek...really this is an occupation hazard..

At work, I studied the latest technology that can be incorporated and harnessed for work to be more effective and efficient. Hence, I hope that we can also do the same thing in the comfort of our homes! :)

Previously, I did a post on Smart Glass. So next on my list of staples for the Smart Home of the Future is the .... *Drum Roll*

Smart Mirror!

Technology is progressing rapidly and user adoption depends heavily on whether it is able to integrate tightly in our day-to-day life. Thus, it seems logical that daily ubiquitous household staples like mirrors are being targeted.

What does a Smart Mirror do? Smart Mirror probably allow for people to check mails, schedules, appointments, Facebook, read news, see weather forecast, surf website, display date, time, temperature, listen to music and the list goes on. Inshort, it is pretty similar to an iPad which doubles up as a mirror.

My Verdict?

To be honest, even though this mirror is pretty cool, there’s no denying that the functions that it provides is pretty trivial. Aside from providing the convience of staying connected during bathroom breaks, it is hard to envision how else it can make your life more efficient. Moreover, it is probably expensive to install one and time spent in front of the mirror is not very significant.

I am interested in getting one...so where can I find it?

You should be able to get it at ROCA. For Singapore, Interior Affairs is the company which carries this product.

The Smart Mirror solution named Innova Radio, allows you to connect to a range of functions: stereo FM radio, lighting, time and ambient temperature.The Innova radio also has a USB port for you to connect to an MP3 player, a fluorescent light externally controllable via the main bathroom switch and a demister system.

Update: Interior Affairs is retailing the Smart Mirror @ the price of $3,170 (excluding 7% GST and installation fee of $80) with 2 years warranty.

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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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All about Grout

 How to Clean or Change the Color of Your Grout

Summarized from Wikihow:


Steps:
   1. Vacuum and remove all stray debris from the floor.

   2. Spray a non-toxic acid on all the tiles and grout (I assume to remove the stains).
  
   3. Scrub the grout and tile floor with a brush .
  
   4. Vacuum the floor again a wet/dry vacuum, then towel dry.

   5. Apply Color Grout Sealer (I will cover this more in detail in the later part of the post) to grout with brush applicator.
  
   6. Wipe excess color sealer off tile with damp chamois (or any type of porous leather which is non-abrasive but have exceptional absorption properties) and continue with each grout line in one direction.
  
   7. After sealer dries in about 20 minutes, buff the floor by spraying windex (or any glass and hard-surface cleaner) on floor and wiping mist off with towel.

So what is a Color Grout Sealer?

It  is a water-based sealer-stain that seals coats, colors and protects all cement-based grout joints and can be used on floor tiles and even backsplashes.

It can be used to enhance an existing grout color or change discolored or stained  grout and is available commercially in a wide range of  colors. Here is an amazing list of grout color chart which you can refer to.

In fact, you should discuss with your Contractor/ID on the matching grout color which will enhance and compliment the tiles which you have chosen. :)

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IKEA Hackers

How many of you are fans of Ikea?

Yet how many of you are DIY lovers who love to "hack" Ikea products?

I am a DIY lover; having personally designed our very own posters, customized our unique crystal hanging dining lights and of course, acrylic drawings too.

In fact, Ikea is an extremely good source of cheap and configurable furnishing to "hack"..or rather work with. And there are endless ideas what we can do with their furniture. Best part is that they are very reasonably priced!!

Some of my favorites:

 Dolls house from a IKEA Catalogue

  

Waooouu! How did you find a TV that fits perfectly with Besta?

 

Torked-out Ribba Backlit frame

Keep those creative juices flowing! Feel free to submit your IKEA hacks and be showcased in my reno blog! :)

Happy HACKING!

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Hammer Zone

If you are a DIY lover like me...you should check out this site: hammerzone.com. it contains a lot of useful articles. Note that is from a foreign country so some articles may not apply to us. Happy reading! ;)

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Painting Tips

Summarised from
http://www.nipponpaint.com/paint_elibrary/painting_tips.html

Steps to paint a wall

1. Apply Sealers:
Prevent underlying as well as subsequent coats from reacting with each other, while ensuring adhesion to the surface.

2. Apply Primer:
Primers bind subsequent coats to the surface, while inhibiting deterioration of the paint system as a result of rust, weathering or other forms of corrosion.

3. Undercoats:
Prepares the surface for the finishing coat while giving opacity and film build to the paint system

4. Paint:
After this is done, you can start painting. Refer to
http://www.nipponpaint.com/solutions_products/homediy_con.html
for the different kind of paintings to be used for the different surfaces.


Tools for painting

1. Sandpaper: for smoothing out uneven surfaces prior to painting.

2. Sanding block: to keep the sandpaper.

3. Scraper: to remove peeling paint from the surface.

4. Turpentine: to wipe off oil-based paints easily.

5. Clean rags: to wipe up splattered paint.

6. Masking tape: to block off objects like light switches, sockets from being painted.

7. Covers: old newspapers or canvasses can be used to cover the floor and furniture.

8. Brushes and rollers: choose the right type according to your purpose and surface. As a rule, it is good to have a large brush or roller, and at least one or two small brushes for tight corners.
If you are planning to do some advanced paint techniques, make sure you have the correct tools to pull off the job, for e.g. pencil liners, dragging brushes, shaped-stamp.

9. Paint tray: to mix paints and contain your roller.

10. Sticks: to mix and stir paints with.

11. Appropriate filler: to fill cracks or holes in the walls.

12. Filling knife: to fill the cracks.

13. Sponge and squeegee mop: to wash down walls and ceilings respectively.

14. Container: to soak brushes, rollers, etc. and to hold other odds and ends.

15. Extension pole: to reach higher areas.

16. Ladder: if painting high up is necessary.

17. Protective gear: like face masks, caps, gloves, etc.

18. Comfortable old clothes: items that you are willing to part with because painting can be a messy business.

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