The Renovation Story: The day our savings flew away~

Starring: "The Designer", "The Engineer" and "Mr Hill"

The appointment on 29 May 2011 was all about selections, selections, and selections.

Agenda Item 1: Pick wardrobe laminate

"The Engineer"  was absolutely bewildered by the myriad of laminate designs available. She was certain that she didn't want glossy laminates, but had no opinions on whether the laminate should be patterned, wood-y, shiny-matt, classic-matt, leather-y or fabric-y! (http://www.formica.com.sg/product-information/high-pressure) In the end she picked "dark brown" and left the detailed decision-making to "The Designer" as this was way out of her league.

Agenda Item 2: Pick kitchen cabinet laminate

"The Engineer"  knew that she wanted a bright kitchen, but not white nor glossy laminates. Unfortunately, she had no idea if the top and bottom cabinets should have the same laminates. This decision, was also left to "The Designer", who ended up picking a light-ish brown wood with vertical grains, in order to match the $800+ stainless steel backing.

Agenda Item 3: Pick kitchen tiles

Mr Hill recommended a glossy homogeneous tile with beach-y feel for the kitchen wall. The couple picked a grey-ish textured tile for the kitchen floor so that it could match the granite floor in the living and the existing grey-ish tile in the service yard.

Agenda Item 4: Pick toilet tiles

The couple's original idea of a pebble-wash floor in the toilets was scrapped after Mr Hill explained that the pebble-wash is difficult to maintain and can cause moss/algae to grow in between the pebbles. He introduced to the couple homogeneous tiles that looked pebble-y instead. The couple picked a brownish/greyish textured tile to match the existing greyish wall tiles.

Agenda Item 5: Pick TV console laminate

This was an easy choice because the couple found "a set of living room shelving" in a designer furniture store (Mode Studio) at Tradehub that was having a "Moving Out Sale". The shelves are L-shaped and the couple bought THREE of them at a discounted price (2 of them are display sets, 1 is new). The laminate for the TV console should thus obviously match the laminate of the shelves.

Author's Note: The "Moving Out Sale" at Mode Studio ends on 31st July. They are relocating to Marina Square. If you happen to be at the sale and see a brown couch on sale (original price $1,399) please call the couple immediately as they have been hounding the sales people at Mode every weekend to give them a better price. Currently the lowest offer given stands at $888. The couple is looking to pay $700.

Agenda Item 6: Pick sanitary & kitchen fittings

Mr Hill brought the couple to a shop that sells everything -  ranging from kitchen sink to water heater to hot tubs. The couple spent around $2,400 on 3 WCs (1 designer, 2 plain), 2 designer basins, 1 huge kitchen sink, 5 taps (not designer), 2 water heaters, 1 stove + hob, toilet accessories, etc. "The Designer"' was insistent on having a designer toilet bowl with concealed screws. 
Deposit paid on that day = $700

Agenda Item 7: Pick lightings

"The Engineer" would like all readers to know that the total cost of all lights in "The Designer"'s cove lighting feature costs

The Designer" would also like all readers to know that "The Engineer"'s 3 ceiling fans with remote control cost $1,200.
The total damage done in the lighting shop = $2,100 (paid deposit of $1,000)

Mr Hill updated that the HDB permit was already applied, and his contractors are ready to start work on 1st June 2011. Another 40% of the contract price was due on start work day, so the couple issued a post-dated cheque. This brings the total damage done on 29 May 2011 to a grand total of $20,000 :(