Living Room - Before and After Hacking

Benvenuto! Welcome to the before- and work-in-progress pictures of the living room, including the study room on the ground floor :)

Step right in...the "Before" picture

The "After" picture of the new front door and repainted gate!

 



Before hacking in the original state

After hacking floor...

After hacking walls between living and study

 

View from inside living room towards main door, before hacking

After hacking shelf, wall and floor

Seeing the semi-open kitchen!

Living room wall which sealed up the study room

  

After hacking to reveal study which will be a play den and guest room

Shopping For Sanity

Photo credit: The Strand Suite bathroom

I never thought I'd scrutinise toilets and sinks as much as I did last weekend with L. We were shopping for our 3 bathrooms - which we already spent more than expected - on the gorgeous honeycomb black and white floor tiles and white subway 3D wall tiles. We were rather inspired by our luxurious bathroom at The Strand's Suite in Yangon (see pic above). It was so roomy, classic and full of character. Of course, it's impossible to have a toilet THAT big in Singapore but we can only dream and repackage that idea and make it our own in our tiny master HDB bathroom. 

On Saturday we went to the flagship store of Sim Siang Choon at Changi South Ave 2 (walking distance from Changi City Point at EXPO). I heard a lot abt this sanitary specialist and had high expectations (my sista recommended this but my bro doesn't). At a glance, the mega store is impressive, brightly lit and divided into various sections; taps, showers, mixers, bath tubs, sinks, accessories, toilet bowls etc. There is a lot of variety so there is surely something for everyone. However I'm not very impressed with the toilet bowls selection when it comes to the cheaper ones at $200+ to $300+ (our budget). There are not many good designs for the more affordable brands like Sims and Dahll to choose from (as compared to Hoe kee). Similarly the rain shower sets are also expensive (we found better and cheaper ones at Watertapz and Spazio at Balestier). They got fancier expensive toilet bowls from Italy and Germany. What we like here are the bathroom sinks / washbins which come in many styles and are reasonably priced. A good brand is Galassia; their sinks have a quality feel and sleek design. The Sims basins are also ok at $88 for a corner sink and $202 for a big oval bowl one that we picked for our master toilet (see pics). I was eyeing the ornate tap in chrome ($200+) to match our kitchen ceramic double sinks from IKEA but L prefered the long extendable gooseneck spray type (yucks). 
*Variety: 4/5  *Price: 3/5  *Service: 3/5

On Sunday we went to Hoe Kee flagship at 8 Genting Road (in the Macpherson area) - this was recommended by my colleague Ming. The minute I exited the cargo lift, I already saw a couple of toilet bowls that I liked and within budget! The store is not big, maybe only 1/6 of SSC but there is enough variety. Sometimes less is more, so there is less junk to sift through. We like the Roz range with sleek flat flush buttons and bought them at $229 and $368 for our 3 toilets. (Do remember to get your contractor to measure the length from the wall to the center of the bolts at the base of the existing toilet. This will give you the rough-in measurement for your drain location. Ours was 11 to 12-inches) We also got the 30L Ariston central heater at $239 and an instant Ariston heater with shower set at $168 (it was the best design we can find to match our tiles). The mirror cabinets are also nice and affordable $143. HK also has a section for kitchen stovetops and tecno is on offer at $440 - $49 cheaper than Courts. Plus they have the tecno range in 8 colours. We opted for the gleaming mirror finish at $460 (it costs $20 more because it's more premium). The store is a bit cluttered and less accesible but it's more intimate and the service is better.
*Variety: 3/5  *Price: 4/5  *Service: 4/5

Showerheads from Grohe

After HK, we zoomed to check out more rain shower sets and mixers at Watertapz (purple facade) at 393 Balestier Road. They got a good middle to high end range from $380+ to $700+ under brands like Inspire and Grohe. The service is terrible though; the 2 sales ladies look bored and didn't offer to ask if we needed help. They don't even look concerned when the traffic police came and L rushed to grab his motorbike. And I found it irritating that the store didn't display the prices for items like the sinks and toilets. Hello, customers want to work their maths so prices are much appreciated, especially if we have to contend with this kind of lukewarm service. They don't have a website (very important these days) and they don't bother to put up prices on their Facebook page too.
*Variety: 3/5  *Price: 3/5  *Service: 2.5/5

Watertapz

We decided to trod down the street to Spazio at 513 Balestier (recommended by my friend Fiona). This was our second visit and the sales girl recognised me. Now this is a proper sales person! We promptly decided on a simple 2-way rain shower and mixer set from Nobel (Italy) on offer at $199 and at her suggestion, bought another basic Nobel shower and mixer set at $128. There is an additional cost of $50 for 2 sets of shower brackets to connect the water pipes to mixers (our pipes are not concealed). She was also eagerly showing me the accessories like toilet paper holders and railings but I couldn't decide on the spot. Even then she didn't pressure me. They also have a good variety of sinks and taps, espcially the Victorian ones in chrome and brass. No website or Facebook.
*Variety: 3/5  *Price: 4/5  *Service: 4/5

After Spazio, I walked a bit down the street to Adamas Bathroom at 555 Balestier (next to Sim Siang Choon) to see the ceramic laundry sink that my brother has too. It will go in the kitchen because I like to handwash my clothes and I can try to bathe my cats in it haha. It's a sturdy sink with stainless steel legs ($380 before 10% discount and GST, delivery is extra $20). They also got the whole works for bathroom and kitchen, and the friendly sales lady showed me a catalogue of sinks including a double ceramic sink for $370. Also no website or Facebook.
*Variety: 3/5  *Price: 3.5/5  *Service: 4/5

Tip: don't be afraid to ask for discount. If they don't give you, just ask your contractor if they get preferential rates. At SSC, our contractor gets 10% discount. At HK, there are promotional prices so they can't budge on the prices. At Spazio, they are happy to give a discount if you ask nicely.

Refer to this Guide on buying toilets - knowing what design you like and how much to pay is important!

Ikea Domsjo double bowl ceramic sink

 

I also went to Ikea to make sure they have enough stocks for the DOMSJO double ceramic kitchen sink as the kitchen tiling is completed, earlier than I imagined. I couldn't find the traditional large butler's sink so this sink from Ikea was the best option for a rustic feel and the price is ok at $389. The only thing is they charge $70 more for delivery so I had to rope in my uncle and parents to help me lug the 50kg bugger onto a truck and into our flat! Also sorted the kitchen cabinet with the chubby jovial carpenter and we picked out the laminate in a light shade of white distressed wood called Ramshackle.

I also told him I wanted mostly Blum sliding system for the bottom drawer units beccause it is such a pain to look inside the cabinet. Blum stuff is not cheap but I see it as an investment for the kitchen. L and I also finalised the power points and lights with the electrician, and the aircon guy came to make changes to the trunking and installed the units. Everything is moving along - tres exciting indeed!

i Light up my Life part 1

La casa is coming along well. In fact faster than I imagine. Contractor P is already very comfortable with me and has smoked in my presence and even joked. He's very professional, patient, non-judgemental and quick to act. Hence I paid him the downpayment even without him asking so as to motivate him and his workers. I can tell his suppliers/ partners - from the floor guy to the electrician and carpenter - have been working with him for years and that's very important.

Anyway last week the wall openings are patched up and the tiling has began on the toilets. Yesterday I ws surprised to see that the toilets wall and floor tiles and cement screed are done - hooray! P asked us to establish the electrical points, lights and fans positions and then to buy the light switches already. So I headed to Legrand at Veerasamy Road with my trusty advisor (sista); here is also where they got their Millia switches too. All in all, the bill came up to $630 for the switches and 2 KDK fans. Pat gave me a list of various switches to buy - 2 gang, 3 gang, 2-way, 20amp etc - I learn something new everyday!  Look at the switches below from the Millia range at Legrand.

 

 

 

Then sista and I promptly went to look at my light options at CB2 at Peranakan Place and Light Craft at Jalan Sultan. Before that, 2 weeks ago I dragged L to see the shops at Jalan Besar. We found a couple of lights that we liked - the black and white wire lights at LC ($200+) and opposite across the bridge, at Lumiere we liked the big wicker lights in coral, black and white (diff sizes $200+).

 

Lights we like at LC

Wicker lights we love at Lumiere 

Light Craft has probably the best collection of lights ever in Singapore - in different styles and good prices. Sis and I are drawn to the replicas of the Niche Modern Aurora Modern Pendant light that comes in different shapes and hues (prices about $80 - 90!). I loved its name Aurora which takes after "the natural phenomenon in the northern and southern skies when charged particles perform a dance of light as they enter the earth's magnetic field. Its hand blown glass curves represent the roundness of the earth's horizon line with an inspiring glow of warm light running through the center." These will be great for our dining table and kitchen.

 

Aint these Aurora glass pendants gorgeous? Love the onion shapes!

 

 

We also like the  white and black chandeliers as a dramatic piece for the staircase area. They are classic yet modern. I'm thinking the white one will be more subtle and stylish, and will fit the white varnished stairs and retro tiles at the landing above. Black might be too bold and gothic. 



Chandeliers we love at Light Craft for our staircase area - black or white?



 

Contractor Confessions

After waiting for CNY to be over, we finally met the 2 contractors whom friends and family have recommended for the quotations. I was a bit worried that they won't meet our budget of $50k (and this is only for wet works). Fortunately my sister's contractor Patrick came close to $50k while the other quote was $70k. Hoorrray! Still, we have to budget another $10k to 20k for the fittings, furnishings and furniture.


Hand painted Viet cement tiles at An Huat, Zion Road 

Every day I'm learning a lot about renovation - what the whole progress entails, what should come first, what's the best way to work out the layout in terms of practicality and design - and terms like wet works, screed, varnishing wood, tempered glass, PVC pipes, pot belly grills, aluminum powered coated grills haha. Ultimately I think it's important to be a snappy decision maker and be able to communicate your ideas to the contractor in English, Mandarin or Hokkien, especially in my case without an ID.

 

Love these gorgeous tiles at $4/pc

The quote doesn't include tiles, sinks, toilet bowls, etc - fittings that we have to buy ourselves because we want to be able to pick what we want. And for starters, I'm really obsessed with the TILES - which is the no.1 thing I have always wished for in my dream home. An ID friend had showed me a picture of ornate cement vietnamese tiles that she found in Spore and eversince I hadn't forgotten them.

And by chance, I passed by this old-school tiles shop, An Huat at Zion Road and there they are again - my dream tiles in all colours and designs. I made a mental note to return and spoke to SS, the young and unassuming marketing director (who happened to be helping in the family biz). My mind was racing as I stared at the wall of tiles - cubanism, peranakan, moroccan, granada, mediterrean. They could work in different styles of decor. L liked them too but wanted to compare prices with another place that his contractor recommended - Sin Lek Building at Eunos - which has quite a large array of commercial tiles (I don't fancy any) but they do have some nice tiles that look like timber. 

Sin Lek Building at Eunos

So we went back to An Huat and happily agreed on the 3 viet tile designs for the kitchen, balcony, staircase landing upstairs and also these cute retro-looking honeycomb tiles ($5/pc) for the 3 toilet floors. A tip: the best way to avoid a conflict between you and your spouse is to let the taste-maker (aka me ;) shortlist the choices and then consult the better half on selecting the final ones. This way, both parties are happy! Anyway we ended up spending $4k on the tiles (exceeded budget of $3k) but it'd be our main design feature so it'd be worth the splurge.

I picked these lovely retro honeycomb 'Hexa' black/white tiles for our toilet floors

So for our floor and wall finishes, we are hacking all the old tiles and laying cement screed for most parts of the flooring, except the kitchen which will be fully tiled with these gorgeous blue-white-grey tiles at $4/ pc. As L and I love cooking, la cucina will be our playground. To balance the ornate tiles, we are keeping the rest of the kitchen minimally white but playing with lots of texture from the white glossy 3D subway tiles (70cents/pc) for the walls and choosing white distressed wood laminate finish for the cabinets. We are also hacking the walls so it's a semi-open kitchen where we can interact with our guests in the dining /living room.

Here are some ispirazioni per la cucina - don't you just love tiles!




Idea for our fully tiled kitchen floor - along with white cabinets and walls

Idea for white glossy subway or metro brick tiles in the kitchen

Subway tiles are so gorgeous in a modern kitchen! 

See the idea for the black and white floor tiles against the white subway wall tiles

Also found this in a local interior magazine and will replicate the idea of sewing mahcine and basin! 

Love love these geometric tiles which I chose in blue, grey and white for the staircase landing!

Tiles are great to dress up the hall or corridor

Modern tiles can be used to jazz up a contemporary home especially if you like old and new together.

Do you know your tiles by their names? We need and love the modern roman holiday! :) 

 

Tiles play such an important design role in ancient civilisations and cultures from Cuban Art Deco apartments to Moroccan harlems and Peranakan mansions.  

You can find tiles in countries around the world like China, Italy, Morocco, India, Cuba etc

Carla's Casa Directory - Useful Resources

Crate n Barrel at ION Orchard

Eversince I started on our humble casa project, I've been surfing and shopping as part of my initial research. These are leads from magazines and websites, and from friends with the same taste in decor and design. I hope you will find these resources great for inspiration too!


CARLA'S CASA Directory

I Need Furniture
I read about this online custom made designer furniture shop, apparently they work closely with the manufacturers to produce trendy copies at low cost (p.s: a home grown company in Spore some more). Quite impressed with some items and their prices but the quality is yet to be seen.
http://www.ineedfurniture.com.sg/

Stylish chairs from Pomelo

Pomelo
Pomelo came up on Home and Decor site and I was drawn to the classic yet edgy pieces they offer. This local designer furniture shop carries alternative brands from UK and US. At first I thought they don't come cheap but I met a cafe owner who bought these cute wire chairs from Pomelo at $99 each. Not too shabby huh. Will definitely drop by soon for a visit!
315 Outram Road, 10-04 Tan Boon Liat Building. Tel: 62264 663.


King and King Wong

King and King Wong


The first time I heard the name of this all-in-one lifestyle store from my sista, I was like whaaat? Don't let the name fool you. King and King Wong is trendier than it sounds. This is a 2-level store in Nex, tucked away in a corner near the Pet Lovers' Centre. It feels a bit like Muji, a bit like Lifestorey and a bit like Iwannagohome. I already saw a few pieces I wanted to buy from the sofa bed to mirrors, chairs and accessories. Prices are quite friendly especially if you're a member.
23 Serangoon Central #04-13/14 and #04-73/74/75, Nex Shopping Mall. Tel: 66344 344

Light Craft
I heard many good things about this extensive lighting shop from my friends and sister, and paid a visit to see what's in store. Light Craft carries a good range of trendy light fixtures in different styles (mod, classic etc), and the prices are friendly! I'm certainly eyeing the birdcage, glass and pendant lamps. Also eyeing this wicker lamps at Lumiere and wire lights at LC at Balestier.
131 Jalan Sultan . Tel: 6297 6658


Benares

Benares
A new Indian lifestyle store at ION that carries great lamps, ethnic-style ornate cushions, beautiful fabrics, runners etc, Benares is one of those shops where I can beautiful accessories to add a pop of colour to my casa!
#04-03, ION Orchard. Tel: 6636 5276
 

Fab India
Read about Fab India, this other Indian lifestyle and fashion store and the prices seem reasonable, even though it's located at Paragon.
290 Orchard Road #04-04/05 Paragon. Tel: 6733 4741
https://www.facebook.com/FabindiaSingapore

Galanga Living

Galanga Living
I have seen the ads and products for this store which stood out for the mix of Scandinavian design with Asian flavours - imagine clean lines and natural materials. Prices are a tad high ($280 for a large cushion!) so must wait for sale I guess. They have 2 outlets and I also saw a store at Millenia Walk which carries their stuff.
211 Henderson Road #01-02 and 7 Joo Chiat Place. Tel: 6475 2633 http://www.galangaliving.com/



Ethnic Craft

Ethnic Craft
They carry a selection of teak wood furniture for the home - natural, simple and rustic. I especially like the Burger bed frames (sans head board) and the long dining tables. You can download the catalog and make an appointment to view the pieces.
http://www.ethnicraft.com/

Lush Lush

Lush Lush
This store has a wide range of sofas, tables and arm chairs - prices seem reasonable enough for the modern designs. I'm keeping close tabs on their clearance page for great buys :)  You won't miss the large signage of Lush Lush once you reach the building.
73 Upper Paya Lebar Rd, Centro Bianco, #03-01. Tel: 6858 5882 

Francfranc
This Japanese lifestyle furniture shop Francfranc also makes me wanna spend money! I love their home accessories like the Moroccan-inspired frames, pendant lights and chic furnishings. The furniture designs are quite clean and modernist. Quite similiar to King Wong and Wong.
#02-41/42, 1 Harbourfront Walk. Also at JCube. Tel: 6376-8077

Commune
My journalist friends told me that this local furniture design store is chic and cheap so I decided to pop into Millenia Walk and have a look. Indeed I quite like the dining tables at Commune (I spotted a 2m wood table with steel legs at $2,200). They also have home accessories, lights, shelves, etc. The hole-in-the-wall Commune Cafe next door looks inviting too. Will try to pop into their warehouse at Defu Lane to see if we can get better deals!
9 Raffles Boulevard, #02-51/52/53, Millenia Walk. Tel: 63383823


CB2

Crate and Barrel + CB2
I saw articles about this American home furnishings chain and popped into ION Orchard to check it out - and loved what I saw! Taking over ThreeSixty market, the 16,000 sq. ft. Crate and Barrel is filled to the block with stylish wares for the home. Of course my fav section is the kitchenware which includes rustic pizza pans and pretty plates. I'm also drawn to the huge glazed planter pots and long wooden dining tables (quite surprised that the tables are reasonably priced at below $2k). I also went to its younger and hipper offshoot - CB2 - at Peranakan Place which took over the Milieu club space upstairs. Gorgeous selection of furnishings, from the gold lamps to comfy sofas and quirky accessories such as the mini disco mirror balls that I bought. 
CB - #04-25 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn. tel: 6634-4222
CB2 - 178A Orchard Road, Peranakan Place Complex 6732 5333

Lifestorey


Love these tables from Lifestorey

This homegrown shop Lifestorey has been around for years and they bring in many chic European brands and furniture pieces. I think they also customise their own range. I'm hoping to check out their designer lamps soon at Tai Seng. 
16 Tai Seng Street #01-00/A. Tel: 6749 2422 (Also at Great World City)




Ikea brochures and stores are always so nice

IKEA
Of course there's Ikea, the one-stop wonder - we just have to be careful not to deck the home entirely with Ikea stuff! Just buy some of the classic and modern items at affordable prices such as the double ceramic sinks, kitchen fittings and furnishings to supplement other more quirky finds. My brother bought his ceramic sink, kitchen wood top and accessories from there. 
2 mega stores at Tampines and Alexandra Road.



WTP

WTP
A friend G sent me the email to check out the annual sale of this designer shop WTP which also customise stuff for the home and office. Their styles seem a bit ecletic and more mature luxe, although there are some classic pieces that I like on their website and Facebook. Sale is on from now 26 April to 11 May 2013. 
3, Kung Chong Road. Tel:  6235 2760

Hock Siong
The first time I was there, I couldn't find anything - most of the good stuff are sold but during the 2nd time, I did buy some kitsch scallop-shaped heavyduty dinner plates at $5 each - very Venus Botticelli :) The 3rd time I bought a Roman gold-framed painting at $20. I think for this 2nd hand furniture place, you just need to be there at the right time or be as sharp as an eagle and follow their Facebook or Instagram closely!
153 Kampong Ampat, #01-03 Junjie Industrial Building. Tel: 6281 8338
http://www.facebook.com/hocksiongco

Sim Siang Choon
I think everyone goes there as they got a wide range of sinks, toilet bowls, kitchen hoods, etc. We went to the flagship shop at Changi South twice and finally bought 3 sinks and mixers after comparing prices and ranges. For my review, go to my blog post - Shopping For Sanity 
21, Changi South Avenue 2, Sim Siang Choon Building. Tel: 6266 6632
http://www.simsiangchoon.com/

Hoe Kee Hardware
Another shop with an extensive range of hardware like sinks, toilet bowls, stoves, and hoods. Can't believe I'm slightly obsessed with toilet bowls now! My friend prefers the fittings at Hoe Kee than SSC due to the better finishes. I think they have the best toilet bowls in the affordable range about $200+ to $300+. For my review, go to my blog post - Shopping For Sanity
Flagship store is at 8 Genting Road, The Blue Building. Tel: 6749 4521
http://www.hoekee.com.sg/

Spazio
My friend also recommended Spazio along Balestier - they carry the 'Nobel' italian brand which is quite affordable. The rain shower 2-way mixer sets were about $200+ which we bought for our toilets. For my review, go to my blog post - Shopping For Sanity

Watertapz
My brother recommended this along Balestier (look for the purple facade). They carry the Inspire and Grohe rain shower mixers from $300+.  For my review, go to my blog post - Shopping For Sanity

Casa Dolce Casa

Finalmente we got the keys to our own place! If you didn't know, we secured the purchase of our first home on the morning of our ROM and naturally we were estatic to own our own place. In the first week of January, we completed the sale and got our keys to the mansionette. L and I love a landed property but of course couldn't afford the crazy inflated prices of a house with a garden. We also don't want a condominium because they are too expensive for the tiny floor space and the extra monthly maintenance fee we have to pay (cos we don't own a car and we don't need security or swimming pool).

Our best bet was a freehold walk-up apartment like my sister's or a resale HDB flat. And after much consideration, we decided to sink our savings into a mansionette which is rare these days as HDB has stopped building them. A mansionette also feels like a proper house with 2 storeys and 4 bedrooms, and best of all a balcony and ground floor backyard where I can grow my plants and herbs! :D It was also walking distance to the MRT and has an unobstructed view of the green park and fishing pond. We love it!

I was inspired by Home and Decor magazine's feature on mansionette flat designs in Singapore. Some of these homes feel like landed property. All my family members and friends loved it when they came and saw it for the first time. Now we just need to plan the lay out properly and hire the right contractor at the right price.  

Meanwhile I'm excitedly working on the mood board!

Theme: Rustic Med Chic - comfort, classic, quirky shabby chic, organic, natural  
Colours: Screed grey, white, black and wood touches with lots of greenery!

Recipe Of The Week - Miso Clams

These couple of weeks are spent conceptualising the layout of our casa. The mere thought of having my own rustic chic open kitchen is so exciting! And I'm already itching to put up my recipes and photos. Anyway I just came back from a photo shoot with Chef Isaac and he shared with me this easy and delicious recipe using clams and miso. I love miso and clams, so this is a 5-star recipe in my eyes! You can use miso for cooking with fish (glaze on fish fillet and grill), meat (marinade/ stirfry), vegetables (glaze/ grill) and seafood (fry/ bake). Here is a picture taken from my Instagram and the simple recipe below. If you can't find Jap salted plums, it's ok to leave it out but I find that it gives a fruity floral sweet edge to the dish. Enjoy!

P.S: To help you search for my recipes easily, I've created a label called Carla's Recipes ;)
 

 

Miso Clams with salted plums and seaweed

Ingredients:

Clams 300g

Miso paste 50g (2 tbsp)

Minced garlic 20g (2 cloves) 

White wine 50ml (or sake)

Wakame seaweed 5g

Salted ume (Japanese plums) 50g

Cooking oil (2 tbsp)

Method:

- Heat up some oil in a wok/pot and add the minced garlic and miso.  Stir for a bit till fragrant.

- Then add the clams and stir for 30s, before adding the white wine (or sake). 

- Cover the pot with a lid and let the clams cook till they all open up (about 2 to 3mins). 

- Lastly toss in the salted plums and seaweed, stir and serve immediately.