Designer Wannabe 2 Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Sunday, April 20, 2008

And as usual, after the discussion with Chiauw, I would be back to my computer and trying to develop the 3D image.
Based on the last discussion, the 3D will look something like this:
Kitchen

3D Kitchen From Living Room

I am trying to see if grey cabinets will match with the black flooring.  The black tiles that we will source, at a much later time, will be solid black.  Chiauw likes to go for shiny black but she is worried that it would be slippery for us.
The washer-dryer washing machine will be placed inside a cabinet, next to the fridge, with a door.  When the door is closed, people will not know that it is inside there.
We have not decided what colour to go here other than the black floor.  We also would want the cabinet colour not going far difference from the misty silver colour of the fridge - which we will bring from Hertford.

Living Room:

Living Room from Entrance

Nothing major will be done here.  We are keeping the white ceramic tiles from the seller, which still look good.  The only thing would be the 'floating' tv console.
As for the balcony, where it will be the only 'Allowed Smoking Area' section of the house, it will have an outdoor feel.  We might want to put dark brown planks, daybed, little fountain and big plant there.

Walk-in Wardrobe n Study Area:

Walk in Wardrobe

This is the the double back to back WiW and study area.  This is not the colour we going to use - too lazy to edit the Home Design software.

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Designer Wannabe Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Chiauw, as an architect, works and draws her design mainly in 2D geometrical drawing.  Perhaps, it gives her a clearer perspective and probably, it makes it easier when she needs to explain her concept to us. 

This works fine with us.  Guess, as a layman, it helps us to understand the different elevations.  At the same, it will be easier for her to calculate on the costs later.  She promises that a 3D drawing will be drawn when all concepts are finalised and just before we are going into renovation proper.

However, as picture speaks thousand words, I can't help it wanting to visualise her concept in 3D drawings.  Everything happen for a good reason.  In my eager anticipation, it makes me to learn a new computer software - Home & Design.

Been spending few hours just to understand the software and managed to come out with the modified layout of the house which was discussed last Saturday.

2D Modified Layout

3D Modified Layout

Master Bedroom [MBR]

01.  Store room between MBR removed
02.  Part of wall along MBR removed
03.  Re-position MBR door [entrance]
04.  Extend MBR toilet
05.  Erected walls of 500mm to extend MBR toilet
06.  MBR toilet without door - open concept

Suggested Flooring:

MBR - Wood
WiW + Study - Wood
MBR toilet - Black tiles

07.  Wall on right of main door removed
08.  To create sliding door to the kitchen from Living Room
09.  To create sliding door to the kitchen from Dining Room

Suggested Flooring:

Kitchen - Black tiles
Kitchen cabinet - yet to decide

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The New Nest Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Saturday, March 15, 2008

We probably had viewed less than 10 units since the day we started hunting for a house three weeks ago. We viewed mostly in Jurong East area when we found one that we like best. 

We made three appointments that Saturday with three different housing agents.  They were all a five rooms' flats either door to door or a point block unit.  Strangely, we didn't actually view a 4 room flat throughout the house hunt. 

It was probably the price difference between them, which was not much, and to go for a 5 room would be a better economical choice.

Luck was with us.  We actually liked the very first unit we viewed that morning but didn't want to commit.  After viewing the other two units, we decided to make an offer.  We were told by the agent that there was already an offer made by another party.  We stood firm with our Cash Over Value offer and told him to consider us.

I believed the works of the Universe.  It was the work of Law of Vibrations and Attraction.  We signed the Offer To Purchase that very evening with the seller and omitted the 14 days grace period.

The house plan:
- Size Area:  121sq m
- Type: 5 Improved
- Age of Block:  23 years
- Floor:  5th
- Door: East
- Balcony:  North

Original Layout

And this is how it looks like in 3D.

Original Layout in 3D

The setback:

As much as we wanted a fast transaction, which is normally will take three months to complete the buy-sale of the house, we were told that we needed to give the seller a month extension after the sale completion with HDB. 

The sellers, an elderly couple with no children in their late 60s, decided to downgrade.  To us, they made a wise decision.  At least, they will have the cash to last them through.  Wishing you all the best, Mr & Mrs Monteiro.

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