Newly Bought

Here's a little update on our recent purchases.

- Bedside Table -
Our slow search has definitely paid off as we finally found the perfect bedside table at Lifestorey. Not only is it compact enough to fit into the tight space we have in our master bedroom, it meets our functional needs and best of all aesthetic desires.

Componibili by Kartell
3 modular elements round tower in white to match our 22" high king size bed.

- Coffee Table -
Our main criteria for the coffee table was that it should give the living room an open airy feel. And we figured the best way to achieve that was to get a clear coffee table that is streamline & functional. And we found just the right piece at Comfort Design.

Clear Coffee Table
(Inspired by Umbra's Magino Coffee Table)
A strikingly simple and functional piece with integrated magazine rack made of clear acrylic.

- Red Sculpture -
We chanced upon this art gallery while we were shopping for sanitary hardware along Jalan Besar. A red sculpture that was placed at the entrance of the gallery caught our eye and we walked in and the rest was history. I thought the sculpture looked like a coral, our ID thought it looked like a leaf, and my Mum thought it looked like a cactus. What do you make out of it? :)

Red Sculpture
To add a hint of colour in our otherwise neutral living hall.

- Hood . Hob . Oven -
Our requirements for hood and hob were:
a) both hood and hob should be streamline
b) stainless steel hob for safety reasons cos the oven will be placed below
c) ease to clean
d) cast iron supports
We had initially wanted to get domino hobs from Electrolux. But eventually changed our minds cos Electrolux domino hobs don't come with cast iron supports.

Tecno Slim Line Hood (Square).TH968T


Tecno Built-in Hob.TA863TR

Bosch Built-in Oven.HBN331E2J

A Simple Plan

Spatial planning for our crib turned out to be more difficult than we expected. It was the first hurdle of beginning renovation.

It is an art that requires careful balancing of functionality, aesthetics, budget and practicality. Working within the limited space of 721 square feet and structural constraints of beams and pipes, we sought to revamp the layout of our apartment into living spaces that are functional and modern.

For instance, our idea of a modern functional master-bathroom should at least house a bidet, wash basin and a shower cubicle to provide convenience and privacy. Our main headache here was the space constraint. It took some imagination, gut feeling and heavy duty spatial planning to achieve what we want.

The extent of spatial planning was also something that we had to grapple with. In the early stages, several interior designers we spoke to proposed major spatial rearrangement which entailed, hacking down entire rooms and recreating them in other parts of the apartment. The proposed ideas were fresh and unique but feels not quite adequately practical nor budget friendly. Sometimes we got the feeling that the IDs were trying to get their designs into the next issue of "Home and Decor" at our expenses.

Finally, we arrived to a conclusion based on what we need. We need to retain the structure of the original layout as much as possible. There is a possibility of renting out the place after the 5 years Minimum Occupation Period as stipulated by the HDB. A two bedroom apartment is easier to rent out that a one bedroom.

So instead of totally revamping the layout, we applied minimum creativity touches, specifically in the kitchen, master-bedroom and master-bathroom, to bring in a balance of aesthetics and practicality. Focus was more on renovating the basic fundamentals of electrical wiring, pipes, tiles and windows for a modern and practical feel. For instance, unsightly pipes were made invisible by covering them up.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, was our simple plan. =)

Living and Dining: No major revamp. Dining area was enlarged by pushing back the kitchen divider.


Kitchen: Kitchen can be sealed by sliding door. Food preparation counter is beside fridge. Cooking hob is opposite counter, washing area is beside the stove for convenience as it is usually the last step of the process. A tall cabinet is to be erected beside the washing area to cater for storage needs.


Office: Currently blank. A built-in cabinet will be erected beside the entrance for storage needs.


Master-bedroom: Storeroom is collapsed to make way for walk-in wardrobe. Wardrobe will extend into the bedroom. Master-bathroom will also extend into the bedroom to provide more space for what we need. We reckon that bedroom is for rest so only minimum space is required. Any additional space has been utilized for more useful purposes.

Work In Progress!

As renovation progresses, our apartment is fast metamorphosing from a dingy old flat to a brand new apartment with modern finishes. The new windows did a great job with natural lighting and ventilation control. Plastering the walls helped to alleviate wall and ceiling imperfections. New tiles made the floor looks up to date.

At present, the apartment still looks drab and grey but it's nothing that a fresh coat of paint and electrical lighting cannot fix.

Work in progress: the tiler and contractor's work stuff are still strewn all over the place. Walls and ceiling had been made smooth via plastering of ultra hard compound. 

The dividing wall between the living room and the kitchen had been pushed back to make both places more optimally functional. The stiffener (protruding beam across the living room ceiling) marks where the divider wall used to be and it will be covered up by the false ceiling. 

The new windows serves to throw more light into the kitchen and make the space appear bigger and they also better ventilate the apartment.

The apartment really looks "industrial" with grey tiles and grey walls. Me like ;)

No more dingy kitchen toilet!

The future office. Nothing much done except wall/ceiling plastering and installation of new windows.

The master-bedroom work in progress, the master bathroom had been extended out.

The future walk-in-wardrobe

We had lots of showflat inspiration and a contractor who's a "toilet specialist", the toilet better turn out good! =P