.. to the Drawing Board 9 Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, June 29, 2008

These were the geometrical drawings that we discussed yesterday: Heaps of Geometrical Drawings These drawings were the finalized concepts for our electrical socket powers and lightings, plumbing pipe run and layout plans for floor tiles and teakwood given to all the contractors.  Chiauw had invited few contractors for different works and they were at the site for briefing.  At the end of the briefing, each was given the drawing and we hope that they will adhere to them closely. On Monday, the joiner, Uncle Chong will...

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The New Day Has Come Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Friday, June 27, 2008

The new day has come! We waited exactly three months and 12 days to get the keys to Reiki Sanctuary.  And when it is finally here, the wait didn't feel that long.  It feels that time moves rather fast.  We are yet to finalize the design nor have we decided on the contractors.  There are still things that we have not purchased - the air-conditioning system, living room sofa, dining table and lights, TV and many many other things. Electricity and water supplies start today.  It is a transfer from the previous owner...

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Let This Be My Prayer Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Thank you for all the comments.  Thank you for all the care.  Thank you for the silence.  Thank you for just being there. I have received few comments/notes from friends encouraging me to pen down my metaphysical thoughts and emotions in this blog.  About the same views I usually express in my daily social interactions.  About how I feel over certain issues and providing them with life choices. The thing is - just as in the poem, 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost, this blog is about the joy of setting up a new home. ...

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.. to The Drawing Board 9 Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Monday, June 23, 2008

Here is the final layout for the socket outlets in Reiki Sanctuary - there are 52 points all throughout the house! Hmm, not sure if that is just too many but definitely it is something that, we think, is properly taught off. Every electrical appliances and gadgets in Reiki Sanctuary will have their own 'house'.  We are trying to do away with extension cords and electrical power extenders in the future.  Basically, we want a neat and tidy wiring system and that each home appliances and other electrical gadgets in Reiki Sanctuary...

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About Oak, again .. Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, June 22, 2008

We have decided to drop off the idea of having oak wood for all the bedrooms floor.  After considering the yellowish-orangey matured colour change of oak, and most temperate woods such as ash and maple, we decided to go for a tropical wood Teak instead. We do like oak cos it is real hard wood, nice and light.  We are in favour of wood of a lighter shade as it will make the bedrooms brighter and spacious. This is an important criteria, other than providing the bedrooms a wood cozy feeling which we both like, we do not want to turn the...

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Great Singapore Sale 4 Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, June 22, 2008

We set off early yesterday to finalize purchase for another section of the house.  Suddenly, we felt an urgency to get most accessories as we expected the renovation to start on the first week of July.  The contractors will give us their quotations early next week and we are to decide for the right one immediately.  Plus, we will be collecting the house keys on Friday 27 June.  We intend to activate Singapore Power services either on friday afternoon or saturday morning. Yesterday, Chiauw picked us at about 10 in the...

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Into The Future Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Friday, June 20, 2008

Now that the Master Plan 2008 has been announced by Urban Redevelopment Authority, let's explore a little further into the development of Jurong Lake District and Jurong Gateway. The next 10 to 15 years will see dynamic transformation in the West.  The key development, Jurong Lake District, which will become the main commercial and recreational hub in the region.  The Jurong Gateway will offer an excellent mix of office, retail, residential, hotel, entertainment, F&B and other complementary uses.  Lakeside around Jurong Lake...

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A Visit Back To Reiki Sanctuary Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Thursday, June 19, 2008

Today, we had our contractors down to the flat for an inspection.  It was a little weird - as much as we dared not move around too freely and inspecting every corner, the previous owner [Mr Monteiro] passed a remark 'go ahead, do whatever you need to do - this is already your house'.  That was, indeed, very sweet of him.  It made sense but still we should respect the situation since he and his wife were still residing there. It only proved that we had bought a blessed home. And, it was made possible for us to find one as he...

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The Renovation Educational Tour Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Wednesday, June 18, 2008

I believe that once the renovation is completed, I would have learned a lot about interior design.  It is a good thing that we engage Chiauw and that she takes us in as her client.  Through her vast architectural knowledge and a designer's know-how, she puts no limits to impart the knowledge to us.  It is her principle to educate all her clients to be well-rounded and well-informed. I admire her principle - that, at end of any house renovation, her clients have a complete knowledge about renovation. Her clients are to be well...

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The Preview Opportunity Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Tuesday, June 17, 2008

We were shown a house which Chiauw had just finished with the renovation works.  It was an old unit in Lorong Kismis - with only about 80 sqm.  Basically, Chiauw wanted us to see the contractors' works and the design for the wardrobe inner structure. The inner design of our walk-in wardrobe will look something like this: Drawers Hanging As our unit is old and, according to HDB, that there's an aircon amp limitation, we are considering a ceiling fan for the study area.  Initially, a friend recommended...

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