tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8185394856275930682024-03-13T23:29:35.149+08:00Home Sweet Home - My little "Casa"A place to share our experience from buying, renovating to furniture and equipment searching for our little sweet home :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-46603828267079463942014-01-10T11:36:00.001+08:002014-01-10T11:36:33.131+08:00Must read! How to clean your greasy cooking hood filter or cover - the amazing use of Baking Soda!If you have a cooking hood installed in your kitchen, and if you have tried cleaning it yourself, you will definitely have a hard time trying to clean it and you probably regret installing one.<br />
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I have a very nice<a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.sg/2011/10/rinnai-hob-rb-3va-and-rinnai-hood-rh.html" target="_blank"> Rinnai hood</a> in my kitchen, it is not just a decoration but also a good hood in filtering the smoke and oil from my cooking.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uiCiTIb8Xv0/TpPxE4Vh3AI/AAAAAAAAAxI/UJguMXiR95Y/s1600/Rinnai-hood-%2526-hob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uiCiTIb8Xv0/TpPxE4Vh3AI/AAAAAAAAAxI/UJguMXiR95Y/s1600/Rinnai-hood-%2526-hob.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
However, I have a serious problem on the filters, which I have tried numerous method to clean them but to no avail, including using vinegar as suggested by the so-called expert featured on TV!<br />
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The filters were so greasy that I almost wanted to call Rinnai to purchase for its replacements, just before I have given up on cleaning the filters, I found the amazing use of baking soda!<br />
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Yes, baking soda, which you could purchase from the baking section in supermarket for just S$1.80. According to my research, the filter need to be boiled with baking soda added into the boiling water. As I couldn't find a pot big enough for my filters, I tried putting the filters in my basin and pour in the hot water.<br />
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These are what I used for the cleaning:<br />
Baking soda, a thong to flip the filters, a toothbrush to brush the grease away.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0MLQf0esSc/Us9gUA1CRGI/AAAAAAAAExM/YgC9FN4OJz0/s1600/20140109_192655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0MLQf0esSc/Us9gUA1CRGI/AAAAAAAAExM/YgC9FN4OJz0/s1600/20140109_192655.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Sorry for this blur picture, I was trying to show that even the toothbrush is cleaner after cleaning the filters. In my past experience, I would need to throw away all the toothbrush used in cleaning the filters, as they are too greasy and dirty after the cleaning. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMSTL1AHid8/Us9gUKRtDWI/AAAAAAAAExI/9A2hKEJZ1PA/s1600/20140109_192708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMSTL1AHid8/Us9gUKRtDWI/AAAAAAAAExI/9A2hKEJZ1PA/s1600/20140109_192708.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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As you can see the water turned so muddy and dirty, I hope I have taken the picture of the grease left on my basin, but I was in a rush to clean the filters and thus unable to take the picture. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJg6qaWFTRU/Us9gT_Idd2I/AAAAAAAAExE/4StDRn2aQSw/s1600/20140109_192719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJg6qaWFTRU/Us9gT_Idd2I/AAAAAAAAExE/4StDRn2aQSw/s1600/20140109_192719.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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See? The filter looked so much cleaner after cleaning with the baking soda! According to my research, it can be as clean as a new piece if you were to boil it in hot water, which I believe totally. For using just hot water, I have already achieved 80% cleaner on the filter, I should really get a pot or tray to boil this filters next time. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wsxUYsodeFs/Us9gVPvvfCI/AAAAAAAAExc/e5BfdhVdQtw/s1600/20140109_194410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wsxUYsodeFs/Us9gVPvvfCI/AAAAAAAAExc/e5BfdhVdQtw/s1600/20140109_194410.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Another close up picture of the filter, although there are still a little grease on it, but I'm already very satisfied with the result, I have never seen my filters this clean other than they were first installed! <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WnQNHrjIpg/Us9gVl-jZVI/AAAAAAAAExg/KR1Mr9mdhiQ/s1600/20140109_194424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WnQNHrjIpg/Us9gVl-jZVI/AAAAAAAAExg/KR1Mr9mdhiQ/s1600/20140109_194424.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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If you have a cooking hood, please save your energy and money by trying out this method!<br />
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The recommended way:<br />
1) cook a pot or tray of hot water<br />
2) put in a spoon of baking soda (you may put more if you're boiling a big pot of water)<br />
3) put a few drops of dish detergent into the hot water<br />
4) put in your filter and boil for about 15 minutes, you may use a toothbrush to gently brush away the grease<br />
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If you don't have the pot or tray, you may do the same like me by putting the filter in a basin (remember to put stopper to keep the hot water in the basin), pour in a big pot of boiling hot water and the baking soda and detergent as described above.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-50063746383835730432013-08-12T10:57:00.000+08:002013-08-12T10:57:45.957+08:00Why you should not buy furniture from IkeaI have always advise my readers not to buy furniture from Ikea, but I think most still buy due to the excellent marketing strategy, it is hard to resist if you've visited their showroom.<br />
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You can definitely buy the accessories from Ikea, but if you're looking for big furniture like sofa, table or wardrobe, please consider properly. Is it really value for money?<br />
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I've bought a bookcase from Ikea many years ago, the bookcase collapsed after I arranged my books on it; when I was still staying with my brother, he bought a shoes cabinet from Ikea and it collapsed after a week of use. So I have always thought that Ikea's furniture is not lasting.<br />
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Early this year, when I was looking for a bookcase for my children, my hubby suggested we give Ikea a second chance. He thought, maybe the first bookcase we bought was too cheap and was not able to hold the number of books we have. I agreed with him and we visited its showroom and we set aside a higher budget for the bookcase.<br />
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After a few round of 'investigation', we thought this cabinet is more sturdy and should be able to hold the children's books:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzMVOT7xNAU/UghKibAsS9I/AAAAAAAAEeM/MKlMEwd5fAY/s1600/ikeat-drawer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzMVOT7xNAU/UghKibAsS9I/AAAAAAAAEeM/MKlMEwd5fAY/s640/ikeat-drawer.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
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This cabinet looked sturdy, it cost me around $130++, for this price for just two drawers, I would expect it to be of better quality. But sadly, it still broke down after a week. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgd21-eqyAw/UghKhqBlwhI/AAAAAAAAEeE/ELDV7a6fYx0/s1600/ikea-crack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgd21-eqyAw/UghKhqBlwhI/AAAAAAAAEeE/ELDV7a6fYx0/s640/ikea-crack.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
This time round, the bottom of the cabinet cracked and warped, as shown in the picture.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yoCx9c1Mgow/UghKhsGb59I/AAAAAAAAEd4/-BBjZgz3wxc/s1600/ikea-material.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yoCx9c1Mgow/UghKhsGb59I/AAAAAAAAEd4/-BBjZgz3wxc/s640/ikea-material.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
A closer examination of the 'wood', can you consider the material as 'wood'? It is more like a hard paper to me, not even the low cost plywood material!<br />
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Ikea has definitely ruined the second chance I've given to them, for this incident, I'll definitely not buy any furniture from them in future.<br />
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I bought a small bookcase from NTUC (NTUC! Not even a furniture shop!) at just $16 (after 20% discount). It serves the purpose well and I could stuff all my children's books on it without fearing of it collapsing. This is truly 'value for money'.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJn_g10bKx0/UghKhg2bB5I/AAAAAAAAEd8/10sRoGxIoZ4/s1600/ikea-cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJn_g10bKx0/UghKhg2bB5I/AAAAAAAAEd8/10sRoGxIoZ4/s640/ikea-cabinet.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />So why buy from Ikea? Cheap? Don't think so. Value for money? Definitely not.</div>
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Do visit the neighborhood furniture shop and compare the price if you're really on tight budget, forget about going to Ikea! </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-20220347094794484242013-03-11T14:39:00.000+08:002013-03-11T14:39:37.622+08:00Should you buy BOSH washing machine?I blogged about how wonderful my <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.sg/2010/08/bosh-front-load-washing-machine.html" target="_blank">Bosh front load washing machine</a> before, after 2 years of using it, it put me down 2 times and I spent $298.85 on its repair last week.<br />
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The first time it went down was just before the warranty expired, so I did not pay for the repair cost. Last week, it went down again, and to my horror the technician quoted me $300 for the repair, and it might not be functioning even after the repair! He said, per his experience, the machine can function after he replace a part in the washing machine, but there were cases where this particular part was changed but other problems found, and the cost of repairing was beyond justification. So, he told me to make a decision.<br />
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I like my Bosh washing machine, and I've only used it for two years, it is still in good condition (other than the part spoiled), I definitely need to repair it. The cost is really too high, which I should have foreseen this problem. My Bosh is German made, the parts are all imported, I should have expected this high cost of repairing.<br />
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At the end, I paid the $300 repair cost, and thank God it is functioning after the part is changed.<br />
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If given a chance again, will I purchase this Bosh washing machine? Yes, but I will definitely buy the extended warranty.<br />
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My lessons learned:<br />
1) In choosing a washing machine, price does not guarantee durability.<br />
2) If you are buying an expensive machine, you should buy the extended warranty<br />
3) The more expensive the machine, the more expensive the repair cost. E.g. LG charges $40 transport fee, Bosh charges $85.<br />
4) Consider the end users, if your maid is using the machine, don't buy too expensive one, or you must buy the extended warranty.<br />
5) I might consider other brands of washing machine, but it must be front load with warm water selection.<br />
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If you're on tight budget, you might consider Sumsung or LG front load washing machine, which I will explore these 2 brands if my machine were to spoil again. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-16192280247910305182013-01-29T15:56:00.003+08:002013-01-29T15:56:46.347+08:00Promotion for Foscam IP camera! $110 eachDear all readers,<br />
Foscam SG has received many enquiries from Mylittlecasa readers on their Foscam products, as such, the management has decided to give further discounts to all the readers from Mylittlecasa!<br />
<br />
For each unit of the IP camera, you'll enjoy another 12% discounts off the already discounted price of $125! i.e only $110 per unit!<br />
<br />
For details on the IP camera, please refer <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.sg/2012/03/foscam-fi8918w-indoor-pantilt-wireless.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
To enjoy the discount, please enter the quote "mylittlecasa" when you placed your order on:<br />
www.foscam.sg/store<br />
<br />
<blink>Offer till 28 February 2013!<blink>
</blink></blink>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-6365932999992466172012-10-16T12:05:00.000+08:002012-10-16T12:05:11.910+08:00How to save on curtain costsI'm surprised to see people paying more than $3000 for the curtains for their houses. I'm not exaggerate on this figure, you will believe me if you are getting a quotation for the curtains for your sweet home.<br />
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Customised curtains are expensive, and a house can't be complete without nice curtains, so this is normally the headache or even an unbudgeted costs to many new home owners.<br />
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I received many emails asking me where to get cheap curtains, I would say if you're venturous enough, try sourcing from JB Malaysia. It means you'll have to drive into JB at least 2 times, to source and to collect your curtains. It doesn't mean you can get any super deal from those curtain makers coming into Singapore from JB, cause they know they can get big buck from you, so why give you discounts?<br />
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If you do not wish to go into JB for certain reasons, you can try my method here:<br />
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1) I walked into a few curtain shops in those shopping malls, looking at the designs of the fabric that I like, talked to the owner to get a quote.<br />
2) Using the code of the fabric I've chosen from step (1), I went to those curtain makers at the neighbourhood shops, and get a cheaper quotatation.<br />
3) As Living Room and MBR are the two rooms more important to me, I only custom made curtains for the windows in these two rooms. Living Room is important because all my guests and visitors will see it, MBR is important because a good curtain will block away the sunlight and give me a good afternoon nap.<br />
4) For other rooms, I bought those off the shelves curtain from the shopping mall during promotion or Sales.<br />
5) All in all, I spent less than $800 on the curtains for my whole house.<br />
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The curtains in my living room. I like its colour combination with my furniture, TV console and wall paper. I believe the first sight is very important, this is what my guests will be seeing when they walk into my house, who cares about other curtains in other rooms?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Waa0UcRv1Q/UHzWD_kfnAI/AAAAAAAAC5s/OFNPno-MoBw/s1600/curtain-living-room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Waa0UcRv1Q/UHzWD_kfnAI/AAAAAAAAC5s/OFNPno-MoBw/s640/curtain-living-room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A closer look on the fabric. Many insist on 100% sunlight block out curtain, or day night curtains (i.e. one 100% block out + one half transparent curtain), but I chose a 70% sunlight block out curtain. The reason why I did not choose 100% sunlight block out is because it is more expensive and a 70% can do the job pretty good, why should i pay more to get a total blackout?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38eM89law7o/UHzWKM18WxI/AAAAAAAAC6U/EKrSOMOLBY8/s1600/curtain-zoom-in.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38eM89law7o/UHzWKM18WxI/AAAAAAAAC6U/EKrSOMOLBY8/s640/curtain-zoom-in.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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If I can choose again, I probably will buy a half transparent curtain for my living room, so that it'll not be so dark when the curtains are down, and yet it can block away the strong sunlight during the day. But I'll still buy the same fabric for my MBR for a better afternoon nap. </div>
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An advantage of choosing a dark colour for curtains is that it does not get dirty easily. </div>
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My curtains run on this type of track. Which is easier to hang and fix.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2QwpFWP23fE/UHzWIW4-qVI/AAAAAAAAC6M/pzJ5tZDEIC8/s1600/curtain-track.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2QwpFWP23fE/UHzWIW4-qVI/AAAAAAAAC6M/pzJ5tZDEIC8/s640/curtain-track.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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For my study room, I bought this curtain blind from IKEA, which costs me only $49. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IYxdiBfH-YA/UHzWGEV-tII/AAAAAAAAC58/g3gTIMRFnW8/s1600/curtain-study-blind.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IYxdiBfH-YA/UHzWGEV-tII/AAAAAAAAC58/g3gTIMRFnW8/s640/curtain-study-blind.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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A closer look at the blind: </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aY4YAUL6_m4/UHzWE4N-olI/AAAAAAAAC50/ApDt1ZNW0wc/s1600/curtain-study-blind-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aY4YAUL6_m4/UHzWE4N-olI/AAAAAAAAC50/ApDt1ZNW0wc/s640/curtain-study-blind-top.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For curtains at those corners of the rooms, I bought this type of off the shelves curtain, full length, only about $25 per piece.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e45QEG6F_14/UHzWHRCLfAI/AAAAAAAAC6E/3otD6ACaINU/s1600/curtain-study-side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e45QEG6F_14/UHzWHRCLfAI/AAAAAAAAC6E/3otD6ACaINU/s640/curtain-study-side.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope this post will give you an idea on saving cost on curtains :)<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com81tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-37605948196515670612012-08-08T12:14:00.000+08:002012-08-08T12:14:14.580+08:00Crizto - Good and Satisfactory service!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iMtMJQctgGg/UCHaNsZq5II/AAAAAAAACa8/gBTPZP_mBc4/s1600/Crizto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iMtMJQctgGg/UCHaNsZq5II/AAAAAAAACa8/gBTPZP_mBc4/s400/Crizto.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
I've mentioned in my earlier post on the <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.sg/2012/08/the-cost-of-repairing-set-of-rain-shower.html" target="_blank">cost of repairing my rain shower</a>, but here I would like to praise the good service received from Crizto.<br />
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I bought my Crizto rain shower set from <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.sg/2010/09/toilet-and-kitchen-accessories-my.html" target="_blank">Royal Fanco</a>, there was a problem with the diverter as water flow down from both the handheld shower head and the rain shower head. I did not rectify this problem and miss the warranty period, and I only get it repaired recently. The cost of repairing the diverter is $123 inclusive of $30 transport and 7% GST.<br />
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I called Royal Fanco about the problem earlier this year, the lady (I think is Harry's wife) noted my contact and Crizto called me in the same day. An appointment was fixed and the person turned up on the day and replaced the diverter. 3 months warranty was given.<br />
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I called Crizto hotline last week regarding the diverter, which was not functioning to my satisfactory and appointment on the weekend was given and the man turned up on time, he replaced another diverter for me FOC. According to the man, my old diverter was the old design where it loosen easily, he given me a new design where it controls the diverter better.<br />
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Overall, I'm very satisfied with the services provided. The person answering my call attended me professionally and the man repairing my item turn up on time. Appointment was given in the same week I made the call, unlike many other big brands who can only give me a late appointment.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-76755678378512866602012-08-08T11:14:00.001+08:002012-08-08T11:15:57.758+08:00The cost of repairing a set of rain showerI've previously mentioned that I do not like rain shower, here I would like to explain why.<br />
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No doubt rain shower is a cool item to have in your bathroom, but you might want to consider the cost of it before revamping your bathroom to have this facility, especially for HDB owners.<br />
<br />
For me, I do not like rain shower, but I stay in a Condo where water heaters were already installed by the developer, so I would stick to water heater and rain shower set.<br />
<br />
The reasons I dislike rain shower are:<br />
<br />
1) Its cost, a water heater would cost at least $200, a set of rain shower with conceal mixer, shower head, connecting nod and etc would cost close to $300, you may refer to my earlier post <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.sg/2010/09/toilet-and-kitchen-accessories-my.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
2) Again, the cost! The cost of maintenance is high. I've recently repair the diverter for one of my rain showers, and it costs me $123 inclusive of labour and GST (I'll have a separate post on this), I remember a new set of electronic water heater with shower head is only around $160 to $180.<br />
3) It takes longer time to heat up the water compares to electronic water heater, as this type of water heater tank is bigger and it heats the water and store inside the tank, whereas electronic water heater does not store the hot water, it just heats and use as and when you on the button.<br />
4) As it takes longer time to heat the water up, you'll need to let your water run from the rain shower for about 2 to 5 minutes to get the hot water, it thus wastes the water.<br />
5) When the water heater is on, it heats the whole tank of water, thus higher electronic consumption.<br />
<br />
Having said that, I would still install the rain showers in my bathrooms if given a chance again, the reasons are:<br />
1) It is really a cool and clean design, you'll need it if you want the classy look of a hotel liked bathroom.<br />
2) It saves up space for my small size bathrooms.<br />
3) The water tank heater were already build in by the developer, no extra cost incurred to install the water tank, but if I were to stay in HDB, I would rather choose electronic water heater.<br />
<br />
I hope the above give you an idea of the pros and cons of a rain shower and help you in your decision making :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2cQgjiANswQ/UCHY6JmnL1I/AAAAAAAACa0/PxMkX-F0--0/s1600/crizto-diverter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2cQgjiANswQ/UCHY6JmnL1I/AAAAAAAACa0/PxMkX-F0--0/s640/crizto-diverter.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
The little nod pointed by the red arrow is the diverter which costs me $123 to repair. This diverter functions in changing the water flow from the handheld shower head to the rain shower head and vice verse.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-83216524790895877692012-03-26T16:09:00.006+08:002013-01-29T15:50:47.039+08:00Foscam FI8918W Indoor Pan/Tilt Wireless IP Camera<br />
Are you looking for CCTV? Maid Surveillance System? Baby monitor?<br />
<br />
This Foscam FI8918W can achieve all the above!<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4brfomYWu2M/T3Ay09YyfHI/AAAAAAAABnw/1h4fMYCJ59w/s1600/Foscam-FI8908W.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724131011801021554" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4brfomYWu2M/T3Ay09YyfHI/AAAAAAAABnw/1h4fMYCJ59w/s400/Foscam-FI8908W.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
(available in black and white colour)<br />
<br />
I've purchased these cameras and installed at my house early this year and had been using them since then, so far, I found the cameras excellent and really solve all my problems.<br />
<br />
Lets take a look of the camera views from my computer while I was working in office:<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNBd5xruCIM/T3AlcYXhuKI/AAAAAAAABnY/YGOC3k39-ZA/s1600/Foscam.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724116295895595170" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNBd5xruCIM/T3AlcYXhuKI/AAAAAAAABnY/YGOC3k39-ZA/s400/Foscam.gif" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Yes! I can view my house easily while I was working in office, I can even hear the sound from my house and talk to my children with a microphone! <br />
<br />
I can also view the cameras by using my Iphone anywhere anytime I want!<br />
<br />
Here's a sample video on how Foscam cameras can be viewed on Iphone:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n4J7eWb1W-g?fs=1" width="459"></iframe><br />
(Please note the application shown in the youtube is a purchased app, for free app the functions will be lesser)<br />
<br />
You can easily set up the cameras by yourself, for me, I set up the cameras by myself and when I encountered problem, I contacted my supplier to help me fix it. I just need to install a software downloaded from internet, she helped me to fix the problem remotely, and hoola! I got my cameras installed!<br />
<br />
The images on the cameras are very clear, example in my picture above, my kids room (the one at the below) was in dark, but the image was still very clear.<br />
<br />
One feature I like about this camera is that I could set motion detection in any of the cameras, and once there is movement in the room, it'll auto send the images to my email, and if I'm viewing from computer, it'll record the movement in my computer too.<br />
<br />
Sample pictures of email sending to me after the camera detected motion:<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NImfwOq2XAU/T3Au3OPFbZI/AAAAAAAABnk/XhoXeT4MWoQ/s1600/Foscam-email.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724126652636949906" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NImfwOq2XAU/T3Au3OPFbZI/AAAAAAAABnk/XhoXeT4MWoQ/s400/Foscam-email.gif" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Some other benefits of this excellent camera:<br />
- Simple to setup, Friendly GUI, DIY installation<br />
- Support 3G network & IPhone viewing<br />
- High image & video quality, Two-way audio monitoring<br />
- Auto IR-LED illumination for night vision (up to 7metres)<br />
- Allow remote viewing & record from anywhere anytime<br />
- Support IE browser or any other standard browsers<br />
- Wi-Fi compliant with wireless standards IEEE 802.11b/g<br />
- Support both WEP, WPA & WPA2 Encryption<br />
- Motion detection alert via email or upload image to FTP<br />
- Multi-level users management with password protection<br />
<br />
Now, I would like to share my privilege price with you!<br />
It is retailing at $180 per piece but ALL <span style="font-style: italic;">mylittlecasa</span> readers can get it at just <strike>$140</strike> [it is further reduced to $125 due to the good response from the readers!] net inclusive of delivery!<br />
<br />
So what do you pay as a mylittlecasa reader?<br />
$125 discounted price! Free delivery! <br />
<br />
If you're interested to get one, just email to:<br />
dreamz_musicbox@yahoo.com.sg<br />
<br />
1 Year 1 to 1 exchange warranty. No monthly subscription! Only <strike>$140</strike> $125 per piece and no other subsequent charges!<br />
<br />
Other sample videos:<br />
Shows video in daylight and night vision for the Foscam FI8918W<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LshiBem9Hrk&feature=related<br />
<br />
With movement of people in hallway at home<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQnU0LHIIq4&feature=related<br />
<br />
Foscam Surveillance App for viewing with iPhone<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4J7eWb1W-g<br />
*Free Foscam Viewing Apps also available: Camviewer for Foscam (iPhone App) or IP Cam Viewer Lite (for Android) <br />
<br />
Send your enquiries to <span class="link"><a href="mailto:info@foscamsingapore.sg">info@foscamsingapore.sg</a></span> now, remember to quote that you're recommended by <span style="font-style: italic;">mylittlecasa</span> to get the discounted price!<br />
<br />
Promotion!
<br />
You may enter '<b>littlecasa</b>' when you purchase the following Foscam IP camera from www.foscam.sg/store to enjoy further 12% of discount from the already discounted price of $125!
<blink>i.e $110 each with free delivery til 28 Feb 2013 <blink><br /> </blink></blink>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-37784884812571082972012-01-12T11:07:00.004+08:002012-01-12T11:35:48.522+08:00Protect your cabinets and belongings! Chase away the Cockroaches!I've almost forgotten to share this very important point!<br /><br />Years ago, when I was staying in HDB, there were many cockroaches around. On and off I see cockroaches in my house, so I spray the insecticide, and put those cockroach baits. When I don't see the cockroaches, I thought they were not around, and happy.<br /><br />One day, to my horror, I found that the cockroaches are building their nests in my cabinets and some of my bags are full of cockroaches eggs! What about those cockroach baits? Yes, they are functioning, but cockroaches ate the baits food would not die on the spot, instead, they were back to their colony and poison their fellow friends and relatives. This sound good as it killed the whole colony, but guess what I found, a half full pale of the cockroaches dead bodies! Believe me, this is good enough to scare and haunt the ladies better than any horror movie!<br /><br />From the incident, I have learned that PREVENTION and CLEANLINESS are the two key points in battling with insects. So what do I do now? <br /><br />I put the moth balls in a small folded paper bin and leave them in all the top cabinets (which I seldom open). <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2B0r8JH6k-4/Tw5R-52dseI/AAAAAAAABNo/zWvI5stpnNc/s1600/moth-balls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2B0r8JH6k-4/Tw5R-52dseI/AAAAAAAABNo/zWvI5stpnNc/s400/moth-balls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696580719793254882" /></a><br />(can be bought from NTUC or any grocery shop at less than $2 per pack.<br /><br />I still spray the insecticides on the covers to drainage and the rubbish chute, preferably those with prevention for a period of time. I spray the insecticides on a regular basis, about once every 3 months.<br /><br />I also do a regular check on the top cabinets, which are a good place for the cockroaches to build their houses.<br /><br />Till date, my house is still free of cockroaches, occasionally, I do see one crawling around (you can control the cleanliness in your house but you can't control it in your neigbours', so no matter what you do, you're bound to see immigrants crawling in your territory) and I'll start spraying the insecticides and checking the moth balls balance......<br /><br />Note:<br />Moth ball is a type of insecticide. It comes in a solid form that slowly gives off a toxic gas that kills moths and other insects. It contains very high concentrations of either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene as active ingredients. It is meant to be used in closed, airtight containers so that the fumes they produce are trapped. The trapped fumes build up and kill any clothes moths inside. If mothballs are used out in the open, they can harm people that may touch or eat the mothballs, or breathe their vapors.<br />Thus, use it moderately.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-15468547953203541122012-01-11T14:03:00.004+08:002012-01-11T15:17:19.277+08:00Things to look out when buying furniture from Malaysia JBI have previously written an article on "<a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2010/08/buying-furniture-from-malaysia-jb.html">Buying Furniture from Malaysia JB</a>". I know many of you are interested in getting furniture from Malaysia, and in my article, it seem to be a good deal to get the furniture there. However, I would like to warn all of you about the risks of getting your furniture there. <br /><br />One of my friends purchased her furniture from Malaysia JB last year, she did not check the reputation of the shop but put a deposit after a few walk-ins of the furniture shops. After payment made, she was told the delivery can only be made at the company's convenient time, and her furniture were subsequently separated into a few deliveries, one of it arrived her house after midnight! Till date, she has not received all the furniture she purchased, and when she called the shop, the staff there just didn't bother about her complaints and push the responsibilities away.<br /><br />When I purchased my furniture from Rustica Taman Molek Branch, the salesgirl did tell me the delivery could not be confirmed yet and it depends on the delivery schedule of the company. It is understandable that the company need to arrange their delivery to minimise the transportation cost, but options should be given to the consumers. Rustica did call me every time they had available delivery, but I had the option to reject when it was not convenient to me, and it was pre-agreed when I placed my deposit. Of course, there are shops that go against their words, thus the important point here is not just what they've promised you, but their REPUTATION as well.<br /><br />Matters to consider before placing your deposit (may apply to Singapore furniture shops too):<br />1) The reputation of the company (check out renotalk forum, or see my previous article <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2010/08/buying-furniture-from-malaysia-jb.html">here</a>)<br /> - How long has the company established? Avoid new company<br /> - Go for those with branches in JB, not only for convenience, but these type of companies have better customer service<br /> - Google the name of the furniture shop, it is easier to see complaints on a company than its compliments. If you see complaints from more than 2 persons, beware.<br />2) Pricing. Yes, we want a good deal, but we are not cheapskate, check the pricing in Singapore before hunting in JB, and do factor in GST and transportation charge.<br />3) Some shops absorb the GST, but not all, you may try your luck. Transportation charge can be reduced to RM100 net, or even FOC.<br />4) Delivery time, make known the deadline to them, place your deposit only if they can commit.<br />5) Bear in mind that it would be difficult for exchange, you might want to check on this point.<br /><br />So far, majority of the complaints discussed online are on those small or shops without branches. <br /><br />Wish you good luck in your furniture hunt!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-50804131547390458182011-12-05T12:24:00.005+08:002011-12-05T14:02:00.275+08:00Glass door - top hung railThanks to all of you who clicked the advertisements on this page, my adsense account will be sending a cheque to me soon! <br /><br />Ok, so now I'm going to share my top hung glass door which I 'owe' all of you for a loooong time......<br />I've previously posted my glass door review <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/10/glass-door-cost-and-review.html">here</a>. <br />Some are interested to find out more about the sliding glass door in my kitchen. It is a top hung glass door, the track looked like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-myjjh8qc7yM/Ttxa7-jlYoI/AAAAAAAAA70/Zr70O0aiEd8/s1600/glass-door---sliding-track.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-myjjh8qc7yM/Ttxa7-jlYoI/AAAAAAAAA70/Zr70O0aiEd8/s400/glass-door---sliding-track.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682516816285753986" /></a><br />The glass door will be hung like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6pAhLAXZ61s/Ttxa8DCVLrI/AAAAAAAAA8A/YC3OxuJuEKA/s1600/glass-door---top-hung.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6pAhLAXZ61s/Ttxa8DCVLrI/AAAAAAAAA8A/YC3OxuJuEKA/s400/glass-door---top-hung.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682516817488457394" /></a><br />With a lower holder like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7pZwQ_aFg4/Ttxa8aZp8BI/AAAAAAAAA8M/LRxHCz9OHnw/s1600/glass-door---lower-track.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7pZwQ_aFg4/Ttxa8aZp8BI/AAAAAAAAA8M/LRxHCz9OHnw/s400/glass-door---lower-track.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682516823760302098" /></a><br /><br />The door is a bit hard to close recently, I suspect something is stuck at the top rail. I find that glass doors are more problematic than normal wooden door and once there's problem the repairing cost is not going to be cheap.<br /><br />For cost and review do visit my older post on glass door <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/10/glass-door-cost-and-review.html">here</a>. <br />If you're interested on my wooden doors, click <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-save-cost-on-door-for-common.html">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-63290187000748188782011-11-15T10:50:00.003+08:002011-11-15T11:10:45.859+08:00How to remove pencil and pen marks on glossy laminated surfaceMy 2 year old girl scribbled on my TV console while I was busy with something. To my horror the scribbles were by pencil and pen and covered a very large area of my TV console. As my TV console was in white glossy laminate, it was extremely obvious!<br />I couldn't use any strong detergent or rough sponge to wipe the marks for fear that it would scratch the laminate. I tried using tissue paper with a little water but the marks was too stubborn to be removed, while I was almost giving up, I thought of the UIC soft srub which I normally use for washing my stainless steel pots. I use UIC soft scrub to wash my stainless steel pots as it is not a strong cleaning agent and will not scratch the surface of my pots, and now I discovered its usage other than washing the pot, ahah!<br />I'm surprised that this UIC soft scrub worked extremely well when used to clean my glossy laminate, I just put a small dot (about the size of a 5 cents coin) to the wet tissue paper and wiped across the pen and pencil marks. The marks disappeared with just one wipe, no strength or whatever hard work was needed! I will definitely use it to wipe my glossy laminate in future, especially those cabinets in the kitchen which are oily after the cooking :)<br />This UIC soft srub can be bought from NTUC at S$1.55 only:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fairprice.com.sg/wcsstore/FairPrice/images/catalog/fullimage/427593.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 160px;" src="http://www.fairprice.com.sg/wcsstore/FairPrice/images/catalog/fullimage/427593.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-82781855811583029202011-11-10T17:52:00.003+08:002011-11-10T17:55:51.238+08:00Metro 20% storewide sales 11-13 NovJust been to Metro this morning for the cardmember preview sales, 20% storewide sales and many items are 20%+10% or +20% discount. If you're looking for kitchenware, utensils, bedsheets or even Christmas present, snatch the chance to save cost now!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.metro.com.sg/files/promotions/promo_2011/xmas20111109/event-ad1-b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 1124px;" src="http://www.metro.com.sg/files/promotions/promo_2011/xmas20111109/event-ad1-b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-72678604683641616202011-11-02T16:56:00.008+08:002011-11-03T15:37:06.784+08:00Cost of revamping a kitchen - before and afterFirst of all, let's take a look of my kitchen before the renovation:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oifVju2P3SI/TrEQqq193QI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Vn-lUCYwf7M/s1600/Kitchen-old-cooking.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oifVju2P3SI/TrEQqq193QI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Vn-lUCYwf7M/s400/Kitchen-old-cooking.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670331731077356802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KrAe03QlviM/TrEQpdT9RnI/AAAAAAAAAo0/B_qSR8Rcd38/s1600/Kitchen-old-cabinet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KrAe03QlviM/TrEQpdT9RnI/AAAAAAAAAo0/B_qSR8Rcd38/s400/Kitchen-old-cabinet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670331710265181810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPN4Mnf7fl4/TrEQohqfD5I/AAAAAAAAAok/zLKDYxC0LiM/s1600/Kitchen-old-basin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPN4Mnf7fl4/TrEQohqfD5I/AAAAAAAAAok/zLKDYxC0LiM/s400/Kitchen-old-basin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670331694253543314" /></a><br />Entrance to the backyard:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vhjeDpBOisI/TrEQoCTCi6I/AAAAAAAAAoY/LZrbkb_GVGI/s1600/Kitchen-old-backyard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vhjeDpBOisI/TrEQoCTCi6I/AAAAAAAAAoY/LZrbkb_GVGI/s400/Kitchen-old-backyard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670331685833706402" /></a><br />Not that bad, I was once thinking that no need renovation, but I'm glad that I've revamped it and gave it a new life. <br /><br />My new kitchen look like this now:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QF39h0mzsHI/TrES-qTJEnI/AAAAAAAAApM/CmD_wL1Q_Mo/s1600/Kitchen---hood-n-hob.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QF39h0mzsHI/TrES-qTJEnI/AAAAAAAAApM/CmD_wL1Q_Mo/s400/Kitchen---hood-n-hob.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670334273551929970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_yPdhLn18s/TrES_G7XAyI/AAAAAAAAApY/G1fcgN-TfTQ/s1600/Kitchen-window.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_yPdhLn18s/TrES_G7XAyI/AAAAAAAAApY/G1fcgN-TfTQ/s400/Kitchen-window.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670334281236808482" /></a><br />Some pictures of the accessories:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkUKCM_GdBo/TrET0gBD_KI/AAAAAAAAAqA/jKzvoI7KUYo/s1600/Kitchen---basin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkUKCM_GdBo/TrET0gBD_KI/AAAAAAAAAqA/jKzvoI7KUYo/s400/Kitchen---basin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670335198504680610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkuhYhUKwrk/TrETz2f3VeI/AAAAAAAAApw/bgg5CqGENHo/s1600/Kitchen-dish-rack.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkuhYhUKwrk/TrETz2f3VeI/AAAAAAAAApw/bgg5CqGENHo/s400/Kitchen-dish-rack.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670335187359585762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-etUU82zTzqU/TrETzehiO4I/AAAAAAAAApk/blmDB4DIFQY/s1600/kitchen-utensils-holder.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-etUU82zTzqU/TrETzehiO4I/AAAAAAAAApk/blmDB4DIFQY/s400/kitchen-utensils-holder.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670335180924140418" /></a><br />I'll post out the cost of these accessories at the lower part of this article.<br />One point to note, you may want to consider fixing your powerpoints nearer to the table so that you'll not be seeing all the wires hanging on top of each appliances. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WICIlZd4eg/TrEUoyKC6EI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Q8bI-0JUONM/s1600/Kitchen-powerpoint.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WICIlZd4eg/TrEUoyKC6EI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Q8bI-0JUONM/s400/Kitchen-powerpoint.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670336096727394370" /></a><br />The rice cooker and pot will hide the powerpoint, they're purposely moved aside so that I can show you where the powerpoint is.<br /><br />If you would like to see my sliding glass door to the backyard and sliding glass door at the entrance of my kitchen, click <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/10/glass-door-cost-and-review.html">here</a>.<br /><br />The costs:<br />1) Supply and construct walls and floor tiles, cabinet base & patch up 2 door ways $2,800, for quotation on my renovation, click <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/10/finally-revealing-my-overall-renovation.html">here</a><br />2) Top and low cabinets, solid surface, stainless steel backing $$3,375. Click <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-cheap-quotation-for-cabinet-wardrobe.html">here</a> for my cabinet quote.<br />3) <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/10/rinnai-hob-rb-3va-and-rinnai-hood-rh.html">Rinnai hob and hood</a> $980<br />4) Baron sink $380<br />5) Fork and spoon holder $35, Dish rack $75, click <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2010/09/toilet-and-kitchen-accessories-my.html">here</a> to see my purchase from Royal Fanco.<br /><br />Base on the above, the total cost to revamp my kitchen is around $7,645, and this does not include cost like hacking the existing tiles and re-wiring cost.<br />If you were to take into account the cost of those electrical appliances, it would easily hit $10,000!<br /><br />To me Blum system is not necessary, how many times do you open and close your cabinet? <br /><br />My only regrets in the kitchen are:<br />1) Use of black colour solid surface, click <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/08/solid-surface-for-kitchen-table-top-do.html">here</a><br />2) Did not build the base for fridge. The base is around $100-$150, but I did not build it thinking it is unnecessary, some forumner commented the base works as to higher up the fridge, so it'll be easier when you wash your kitchen floor. I thought I would never wash my kitchen floor, thus I did not build the base, but the base does not build just for this reason, it is actually higher up the fridge so the door will not hit on your toes when you open the fridge. Thus, many times my poor toes were hit by the fridge door when I opened it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-9630595957953304742011-11-02T09:21:00.001+08:002011-11-02T09:23:36.769+08:00Great Deals: Gain City Get IT @ Expo 2011 4-7 Nov 2011Get IT @ Expo 2011<br /><br />The BIGGEST Gadgets, Electronics, Technology & IT Show<br /><br />Venue: Singapore Expo Hall 5B<br /><br />Date: 4th November to 7th November 2011<br /><br />Timing: 11am - 10pm <br /><br />An extravaganza consumer electronics and home appliances event that offers incredible grabs from major premium brands electronics, digital and IT brands with the promises of lowest price guaranteed! <br /><br />Gifts with Purchases! Below $10 Special Buys! Trade In for Lap-tops! Fun Filled Activities and MORE! <br /><br />Source: http://www.gaincity.com/consumer/events_details.asp?eventsID=112<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Follow this blog to get more updates on Home related promotions!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-12607905903935839752011-10-25T17:35:00.003+08:002011-10-25T17:41:02.143+08:00Great Deals: Philips Carnival Sales 29-30 Oct 2011Philips Carnival Sales 2011<br />Date: 29 to 30 October 2011<br />Address: 620A, Toa Payoh Lorong 1<br />Time: 9am to 6pm<br /><br /><br /><br />Follow this blog or subscribe for more updates and great deals!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-48357488759981180472011-10-25T16:43:00.007+08:002011-10-25T17:34:28.546+08:00Finally revealing my overall renovation cost - Good and reasonable!I'm quite reluctant to put up this post, but I think quite many are interested to find out my renovation costs. <br />The renovation of my house was mainly in charged by Mr Tan, my main contractor. He's an experienced and responsible contractor, with very good workmanship. Except for the carpentry works (see <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-cheap-quotation-for-cabinet-wardrobe.html">here</a> for the separate quotation), Mr Tan is helping me with all other renovation works.<br />My renovation cost done by Mr Tan here:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFNcRrZO5xg/TqZ4dKl_DTI/AAAAAAAAAmI/NNubl9qvv_c/s1600/renovation-cost.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFNcRrZO5xg/TqZ4dKl_DTI/AAAAAAAAAmI/NNubl9qvv_c/s400/renovation-cost.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667349623547563314" /></a><br />(the above total inclusive of $3,700 for a 3 in 1 Daikin air-con and moving and installing the old aircon to my tenanted house of $400)<br /><br />Do note that this renovation cost was given last year in November 2010, the prices might have changed. My house is 1152 sqft in total, my wall is at least 3 meter height.<br />I am very satisfied with the work done, nothing much can be critised, you may refer to my other posts to see the pictures of my house.<br />I highly recommend Mr Tan to be your main contractor if you're looking for one, it is definitely value for money.<br />His contact: 96354336 (He speak Chinese, simple English only)<br />(Btw he has a scar on his face, but he's actually a very nice person, haha!)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-34709150312444773242011-10-17T15:36:00.007+08:002011-12-13T16:19:45.904+08:00Glass door - cost and reviewI have 3 glass doors installed in my house. 2 in the kitchen and 1 at my MBR bathroom. Doors can be expensive and cost a bomb to your renovation budget, thus choose the right design carefully and wisely.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Costs:</span><br />1) Hinged glass door at the entrance to backyard (clear without matte finished) - $400<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9DXnLLnqxjQ/TpvgyugIHxI/AAAAAAAAAfw/FxRiNUxO9lk/s1600/glass-door---backyard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9DXnLLnqxjQ/TpvgyugIHxI/AAAAAAAAAfw/FxRiNUxO9lk/s400/glass-door---backyard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664368118429392658" /></a><br />(exclude sticker - sticker cost $2 from Daiso)<br />2) Sliding glass door at the entrance to kitchen (clear without matte finished) - $600<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jPl6jt4gb_U/TpvgUFHqj-I/AAAAAAAAAfk/NBm0iObmTyk/s1600/glass-door-kitchen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jPl6jt4gb_U/TpvgUFHqj-I/AAAAAAAAAfk/NBm0iObmTyk/s400/glass-door-kitchen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664367591924862946" /></a><br />(exclude sticker - sticker costs around $10)<br />3) Hinged glass door for MBR toilet (matte finished) - $450<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Sc7x0HOHxk/Tnf8fqMWkHI/AAAAAAAAAZU/uel_FMKU3no/s1600/toilet---door.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 576px; height: 864px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Sc7x0HOHxk/Tnf8fqMWkHI/AAAAAAAAAZU/uel_FMKU3no/s1600/toilet---door.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />(Price listed above are direct price from factory, you might want to mark up a bit if yours are from ID or contractor)<br /><br />How to save cost:<br />1) Buy direct from factory, I got mine from a glass factory in Marsiling<br />2) As you can see, matte finished is more expensive than clear glass door, unless the door is installed for toilet, you can choose clear glass door and decorate it with some stickers. The reason I put stickers on the glass door is to avoid people from banging against the door when it is closed, it is especially dangerous for sliding door, funny, but it really happen in my old house before, when the door is closed, you can't really see that it is closed or open..... Besides, the sticker also made my doors looked elegant, don't they?<br /><br />Pros of glass door:<br />1) The pro is of course it looked more classy and elegant, definitely better than the wooden doors. <br />2) It creates spaces for small room, not only the sliding door, even the hinged door make you feel your room is bigger, the effect is just like those glass windows.<br />3) It is easier to maintain the cleanliness compare to the wooden door, no wear and tear on the door except on the hinge.<br /><br />Cons of glass door:<br />1) Cost more expensive than wooden door<br />2) Need extra care not to bang the door (although it is tempered glass)<br />3) The hinge might give sounds over time as the door is heavy<br />4) High repair cost if any of the hinge spoilt<br />5) Need timely cleaning if not will have visible finger prints etc<br /><br />Maintenance:<br />Just wipe with damp cloth will do, once a month. For door installed in Kitchen, you might need to use some detergent when cleaning and wiping, as the oil will stick on the door due to cooking, but still it'll be easier to clean compare to wooden door.<br /><br /><blink><br /><br />Contacts:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Those who are interested to get the door may contact Mr Tan at 96354336!</span><br /><br /></blink>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-39795326234786536382011-10-11T15:14:00.009+08:002012-01-12T12:12:48.371+08:00Rinnai Hob RB-3VA and Rinnai Hood RH-90CDI bought my Rinnai Hob RB-3VA and Rinnai Hood RH-90CD from Asia Excel at IMM (see my review of this shop <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/10/asia-excel-pte-ltd-at-imm-poor.html">here</a>).<br />I bought the set of hood and hob at $980. The price was not expensive consider I was getting a chimney hood and a 3 burner stainless steel hob. I like the design of the RH-90CD hood, and this is the reason why I'd waited it for such a long time.<br />A picture of it with the hob:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uiCiTIb8Xv0/TpPxE4Vh3AI/AAAAAAAAAeU/FJtk7GgRfxw/s1600/Rinnai-hood-%2526-hob.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uiCiTIb8Xv0/TpPxE4Vh3AI/AAAAAAAAAeU/FJtk7GgRfxw/s400/Rinnai-hood-%2526-hob.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662134222679301122" /></a><br /><br />This is how it was displayed in my kitchen, sorry about the messiness. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bVmKUATrTs/TpPxEp2yUeI/AAAAAAAAAeE/N0MerIF-L00/s1600/Kitchen---hood-n-hob.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bVmKUATrTs/TpPxEp2yUeI/AAAAAAAAAeE/N0MerIF-L00/s400/Kitchen---hood-n-hob.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662134218792260066" /></a><br /><br />I got my carpenter to fix the hood and hob for me, however, there were some problems after fixing, like the hood could not function and the burner very hard to start. I called the customer service of Rinnai and the lady told me I got to wait a very long time to get the problem fixed. I threw my tantrum on her and told her I waited more than a month to get the items delivered to my premise and now it couldn't function and I got to wait again?! She possessed very bad customer service and we had a few quarrels over the phone and at the end someone sound like the boss came to my place to fix the problem. I did not know who was the guy but I was very satisfied with his service, he fixed the problem and told me the hood was not functioning because of the bad job done by my carpenter, he also showed me the burner was not aligned properly resulted in the problem. He explained to me how to take good care of my hood and hob. I would advise that if you're paying someone to install the hood and hob, it'll be better to get the agent to do it instead of your contractor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSrvhGNcFqg/TpPzQO3qutI/AAAAAAAAAec/jhA48PvjbPE/s1600/Rinnai-hood.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSrvhGNcFqg/TpPzQO3qutI/AAAAAAAAAec/jhA48PvjbPE/s400/Rinnai-hood.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662136616729885394" /></a><br /><br />A closer look of my hood:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezui7rHxYgo/TpPzQQ9wPCI/AAAAAAAAAeo/yceN3vvxcEg/s1600/Rinnai-hood-close.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezui7rHxYgo/TpPzQQ9wPCI/AAAAAAAAAeo/yceN3vvxcEg/s400/Rinnai-hood-close.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662136617292282914" /></a><br /><br />After a year of use, my Rinnai hood is still functioning well, but not the stainless steel hob:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_U-pAKUUk9A/TpPzv-EBwVI/AAAAAAAAAe0/TqrzhVdY8lw/s1600/Rinnai-hob-whole.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_U-pAKUUk9A/TpPzv-EBwVI/AAAAAAAAAe0/TqrzhVdY8lw/s400/Rinnai-hob-whole.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662137161974137170" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_zSkd_XAzg/TpP0EcpncNI/AAAAAAAAAfA/_MKpQvInjSI/s1600/Rinnai-hob.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_zSkd_XAzg/TpP0EcpncNI/AAAAAAAAAfA/_MKpQvInjSI/s400/Rinnai-hob.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662137513782243538" /></a> One of the burners is very hard to start fire<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr8Q_C665MQ/TpP0Ubhzo1I/AAAAAAAAAfY/9saELCdG0pg/s1600/Rinnai-hob---rust2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr8Q_C665MQ/TpP0Ubhzo1I/AAAAAAAAAfY/9saELCdG0pg/s400/Rinnai-hob---rust2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662137788358959954" /></a> As you can see, the inside of the burner is rusted<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3OvAClZqG_4/TpP0UGyO7YI/AAAAAAAAAfM/ngRlAGxLOLE/s1600/Rinnai-hob---rust.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3OvAClZqG_4/TpP0UGyO7YI/AAAAAAAAAfM/ngRlAGxLOLE/s400/Rinnai-hob---rust.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662137782790712706" /></a> Look at the circled area, it was also rusted.<br /><br />As my branded stainless steel pot bought from OG also got rusted, I don't know whether the hob rusted is because of our SG water (the salesman from OG told me the rust is from the steel in the water), many stainless steel items in my house seem to get rusted anyway. The salesman told me, if you can wipe of the rust by using detergent, it means the rust is not from the item, I don't know how true is that you might want to give it a try.<br /><br />Overall, I don't find Rinnai products excellent in anyway compare to my previous Elba, but as the price is quite reasonable to me, I'll stick to this brand currently and monitor the hob.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-62927200276143977502011-10-11T14:47:00.006+08:002011-10-11T15:55:53.900+08:00Asia Excel Pte Ltd at IMM - Poor coordinationI did not do a search on this company when i purchased my <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/10/rinnai-hob-rb-3va-and-rinnai-hood-rh.html">Rinnai Hood and Hob</a> there. They've quite a bad review from Renotalk forum. <br />I bought my hood and hob from Asia Excel in early September, I specified my delivery on 1 October, later changed to 14 October but it was delivered only in November. Just one week before the delivery, the sales girl Serene called me to say that the hood I wanted was out of stock, and asked me whether I wanted to change to another hood, although I was angry, I did not pursue, I told her I would wait for the hood and told her to remind the agent (she said this was the agent fault and not her fault).<br />I can't remember how long had I waited and someone called me telling me that the hood was still out of stock, this time round I gave them a fuss as I couldn't believe after such a long time it was still out of stock, I told them they shouldn't sell it to me if it was out of stock, and the girl calling me asked me whether I want to change to another hood, again. I told her no, I just want this hood and I would wait for it as Serene told me the agent would order it again in a month time. The girl promised me she would fax the order to the agent again. But this time round, I lost my confidence in Excel and I got the number of the agent from them and I called the agent personally. As expected, when I called the agent, the aunty picked up the call told me she did not receive any fax from Excel, so I had to coordinate among them to make sure my Rinnai Hood and Hob can be delivered on time......<br />Lousy coordination, and you only got to know your item is out of stock just before the delivery time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-71403048371150855962011-10-03T16:02:00.004+08:002011-10-03T17:09:29.046+08:00Think twice before you purchase from Harvey Norman!Although I purchased my Bosh washine machine and Sony blue-ray from Harvey Norman, I do not have good impression of their salesmen, and given a chance, I'll not choose Harvey Norman. Last weekend, I made my mistake by going to Harvey Norman thinking that it was Gain City! Anyway since I was there and I had limited time to purchase the items needed for my tenanted house, I decided to make my purchase there thinking that the price will not be different too much.<br />My requirement was pretty simple, I just want something cheap, because the items were for my tenant, a calculative owner like me would not spend too much on the items, and I told the salesman there frankly about my budget. I quickly settled my purchase of a Sumsung fridge at $449, a LG 6.5kg washing machine at $299, and a Techno Gas hob at $289. The salesman kept pushing another LG fridge to me, for which the design is obviously not as good as the Sumsung fridge, which I spent time to keep telling her why I didn't want it. She also told me that I need to pay $30 to the Techno Gas man to install the hob, fine.<br />My real fire started one day later when my tenant told me the hood is not working properly and I went back Harvey Norman to check whether I can add in one more hood. As I bought a Techno Gas hob from HN already, I thought by adding a Techno Gas hood I can save the installation cost or probably get a lower price, but this is not the case! I stand there waited 10 minutes like an idiot and the salesman told me my hood size is too big that Techno Gas has no matching hood for it, unless I consider Glass top hood!? I told him I want a cheap hood, and I'm ok with any brands, still, he searched and searched his catalog like I had given him a tough task! He then turned to me and said that only one hood from Electrolux can fit the measurement, and that costs $445, after discount will be $399, and I need to pay $35 for installation, she said this money is paid to the contractor and not HN. I was a bit unhappy as I can't believe Techno Gas has no hood (other than those higher range) that can meet my measurement. When I asked why do I need to pay for installation again as I had also bought a hob from HN, was it because they are different brands? She replied me that even if the hob and hood are same brand, I still need to pay for installation charge for both as they are two different things, she further gave me a stupid example that if you buy 2 water heaters, the installation charge will be doubled. Still, I gave in to say yes, as I did not want to spend time to argue on the small discount, she then told me that the size of the hood is just 2 cm more than the hole of my measurement, and lesser than my current hood, this make me worry and I can't take it anymore! I told her, I'm not buying anymore, I don't get cheaper price for adding one more purchase, and worst still I don't have choices over the hood! Why should I buy from HN then?! I'm glad that my mind was finally clear.<br />On the same day, I went to Courts in TPY centre. When I was there, I straight away told the salesman my measurement, and my budget, he immediately introduced a 3 burners UNO hood for $358. Uno is a brand under Techno Gas, I was surprised that Courts can find me one cheap hood that can match my measurement and yet HN cannot! The salesman told me no installation charge, just delivery charge of $30! He even told me if this hood cannot meet the measurement, I can upgrade to another Techno hood at no cost! Just pay for the price difference of $20! I regret for buying my other items from HN, as Courts showroom has plenty cheaper stuff and more varieties, each station they have a salesman who are promoting their items aggressively, unlike HN you get many uncles and anties with limited knowledge serving you there. If I were to buy my hob from Courts, I would have saved at least the $35 installation charge. I remember year ago I bought my items from Courts at 3 different dates, they did not charge me delivery fee for the subsequent purchases.<br />Xian! Money spent cannot be recovered, I just hope you do your research before committing the purchase, do not end up like me!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-46990696221618614142011-09-27T10:06:00.009+08:002011-09-27T11:07:34.881+08:00Down lights, ceiling lights, wall lights from www.lightings.com.sgI bought my lights on the dining area from Johor Bahru Malaysia, it was cheap, only cost me RM418 (equivalent to around SGD180), you may click <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2010/08/buying-lights-from-jb.html">here</a> and <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/08/wall-mirror-on-my-dining-table.html">here</a> to see the lights. <br />However, I do not have time to go in Malaysia again, thus I would have to source for another place selling cheap lights in Singapore, and then I found www.lightings.com.sg.<br />After a little sourcing and comparison, I do find lightings.com prices cheaper, and no bargaining is needed. The prices are fixed as per listed on the shop, no reservation and most people do cash and carry. There are some bad comments on the forum, but I find their service ok and satisfactory. Btw they do charge $18 for delivery.<br />Although their prices is cheap, the quality of the lights is so-so and some I would say inferior. Out of the lights I bought from them, my wall light in the toilet spoilt and was repaired once only after few months of using it. One of the down lights in my kitchen do blink on and off. However, all these are not a big issue to me, because I can easily repair it by changing the bulb. Anyway the quality of lights are quite depending on luck sometimes, doesn't mean you've spent big money and you'll get a light that will work fine forever.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUUy3xgXpHs/ToE1tSt84qI/AAAAAAAAAaU/WIW0q38lImQ/s1600/lights-down.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUUy3xgXpHs/ToE1tSt84qI/AAAAAAAAAaU/WIW0q38lImQ/s400/lights-down.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656861659189011106" /></a>Down lights, $24 per piece<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O26M_P5bH-M/ToE14JjEmLI/AAAAAAAAAac/1my9fgDxKBk/s1600/lights-down2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O26M_P5bH-M/ToE14JjEmLI/AAAAAAAAAac/1my9fgDxKBk/s400/lights-down2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656861845706021042" /></a>I like this type of down lights, simple and nice, easy to clean.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8j48hBHfPQQ/ToE9Zs36IzI/AAAAAAAAAa8/upjmOJYyOT8/s1600/lights-down3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8j48hBHfPQQ/ToE9Zs36IzI/AAAAAAAAAa8/upjmOJYyOT8/s400/lights-down3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656870118705734450" /></a> How it looks on my living hall. By the way, I've 9 downlights in my living hall, which were controlled by 3 power switches. I can on just the 4 as shown in this picture, or the 2 on top of my piano, or the other 3 on the way to my rooms, you should plan your lights wiring in this way, to save up the energy consumption.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSgYPThIJig/ToE2C4kyYpI/AAAAAAAAAak/-Bv2k1pc3Ak/s1600/lights-ceiling.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSgYPThIJig/ToE2C4kyYpI/AAAAAAAAAak/-Bv2k1pc3Ak/s400/lights-ceiling.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656862030128374418" /></a>Ceiling light in my MBR, $70<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-baDaWUH_CA0/ToE3SnUgE8I/AAAAAAAAAa0/uxzUBH66g74/s1600/lights-ceiling-common.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-baDaWUH_CA0/ToE3SnUgE8I/AAAAAAAAAa0/uxzUBH66g74/s400/lights-ceiling-common.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656863399886197698" /></a>Ceiling light in my common room, $40<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ES7lPyeWso/ToE2gfvMSmI/AAAAAAAAAas/185QfaXjRnk/s1600/lights-wall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ES7lPyeWso/ToE2gfvMSmI/AAAAAAAAAas/185QfaXjRnk/s400/lights-wall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656862538857204322" /></a>Wall light in my MBR toilet, $48Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-55369594829433605452011-09-20T09:37:00.018+08:002011-09-20T10:52:39.928+08:00Cost of renovating a toilet including buying the accessoriesHow much do you need to revamp your toilet? It might cost you a bomb although it could be the smallest room in your house.<br />Here is the cost I spent on my master bedroom toilet:<br /><br />The overview of my small toilet on the side with basin and mirror:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SNb1KU1DuoQ/TnfwDsgstMI/AAAAAAAAAXs/LBW63zEcaYU/s1600/toilet---mirror-wall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SNb1KU1DuoQ/TnfwDsgstMI/AAAAAAAAAXs/LBW63zEcaYU/s400/toilet---mirror-wall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654251803465528514" /></a><br />Storage mirror cabinet - $170<br />Wall mirror from IKEA - $19.90<br />Baron basin and toilet bowl (promotional price for buying these 2 together) - $330<br />Water tap - $55<br />Vanity cabinet with glass door - $600 approx (pls click <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-cheap-quotation-for-cabinet-wardrobe.html">here</a> for my carpentry quotation)<br /><br />A closer look on the basin:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pcs_QsEKmJk/TnfzxsltynI/AAAAAAAAAYM/g5VoGwWa6Pg/s1600/toilet---basin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pcs_QsEKmJk/TnfzxsltynI/AAAAAAAAAYM/g5VoGwWa6Pg/s400/toilet---basin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654255892295436914" /></a><br />I like this design, it is easy to clean and maintain. However, I should buy a bigger one as this is a bit smaller given the size of my vanity top. My advice to all is to measure your top before buying the basin.<br /><br />A closer look on the tap:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GiHybSdzgO4/TnfxVTpXGWI/AAAAAAAAAX0/AHMlbWATHyw/s1600/toilet---water-tap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GiHybSdzgO4/TnfxVTpXGWI/AAAAAAAAAX0/AHMlbWATHyw/s400/toilet---water-tap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654253205540247906" /></a><br />If you think $55 for a water tap is expensive, you're wrong. Many toilet accessories sold in branded shops are chrome, not stainless steel, this water tap is stainless steel, and I paid for its design. Click <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2010/09/toilet-and-kitchen-accessories-my.html">here</a> for my purchases from Royal Fanco.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qubwb7LwPyw/Tnf1UXl5U5I/AAAAAAAAAYU/vt7fhphU0tI/s1600/toilet---mirror-cabinet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qubwb7LwPyw/Tnf1UXl5U5I/AAAAAAAAAYU/vt7fhphU0tI/s400/toilet---mirror-cabinet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654257587466097554" /></a><br />This mirror cabinet is worth buying especially if you've a small toilet. I should have bought a bigger one since my wall can accommodate the size. You can keep your toiletries, perfumes, cosmetic items in the cabinet.<br /><br />My vanity cabinet with swing glass doors:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArCNkVKnkYQ/TnfyRFlr8CI/AAAAAAAAAX8/eue_7kuEEME/s1600/toilet---vanity-cabinet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArCNkVKnkYQ/TnfyRFlr8CI/AAAAAAAAAX8/eue_7kuEEME/s400/toilet---vanity-cabinet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654254232558891042" /></a><br />My carpenter suggested a sliding door, but in order to save the cost, I chose to have this type of swing doors. So far I've no problem with it. You may click on the label of "carpentry" on the top left corner to see my other carpentry works.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wa140_cp-tw/TnfziOvOtcI/AAAAAAAAAYE/AW76pqYJ6pU/s1600/toilet---wall-light.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wa140_cp-tw/TnfziOvOtcI/AAAAAAAAAYE/AW76pqYJ6pU/s400/toilet---wall-light.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654255626584241602" /></a><br />Wall lights from lighting.com - $48<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VwAzkEsK2ns/Tnf2Pdp5BQI/AAAAAAAAAYc/qRWdNDcXog4/s1600/toilet---toilet-bowl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VwAzkEsK2ns/Tnf2Pdp5BQI/AAAAAAAAAYc/qRWdNDcXog4/s400/toilet---toilet-bowl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654258602705749250" /></a><br />This is the toilet bowl I bought together with the basin at $330<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9vsACUE1qs/Tnf2leq9brI/AAAAAAAAAYk/xUJvYR5T0YU/s1600/toilet---toilet-paper-holde.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9vsACUE1qs/Tnf2leq9brI/AAAAAAAAAYk/xUJvYR5T0YU/s400/toilet---toilet-paper-holde.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654258980935790258" /></a><br />Toilet paper holder - $18<br />Bidet - $12<br />Toilet bowl offset - $8 (you'll need this to fix the toilet bowl to the floor, measure the hole before going to purchase the toilet bowl as there're a few sizes of the toilet bowl, your contractor should advise you on this)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56sVuA03yx0/Tnf3Rnp0gII/AAAAAAAAAYs/gbZSOFtLzCw/s1600/toilet---towel-hanger.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56sVuA03yx0/Tnf3Rnp0gII/AAAAAAAAAYs/gbZSOFtLzCw/s400/toilet---towel-hanger.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654259739261173890" /></a><br />Double towel bar - $32<br />Toilet brush and holder - FOC from Royal Fanco<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9yhwc8-NORI/Tnf3kCT4RlI/AAAAAAAAAY0/9KMYWPeP-3c/s1600/toilet---small-hanger.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9yhwc8-NORI/Tnf3kCT4RlI/AAAAAAAAAY0/9KMYWPeP-3c/s400/toilet---small-hanger.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654260055654549074" /></a><br />Crizto "i" hook - $22<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pc60xeYkyeo/Tnf6swGQtsI/AAAAAAAAAY8/AP9snX0GiBU/s1600/toilet---shower-screen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pc60xeYkyeo/Tnf6swGQtsI/AAAAAAAAAY8/AP9snX0GiBU/s400/toilet---shower-screen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654263503919298242" /></a><br />Shower screen with stainless steel handle - $350<br />My husband wanted a clean look on the shower screen, thus it was designed without any holder at the top of the glass, but after moving in, I found it not secure as the shower screen is quite big and sometimes when we close the door too hard it would shake, thus I paid another $100 to get the glass factory to fix an iron bar at the top of the shower screen to hold it. You can see the iron bar from the reflection of the mirror cabinet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--efOW5tLCmg/Tnf7qstjDzI/AAAAAAAAAZE/zW0upRn3xG0/s1600/toilet---shower-side.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--efOW5tLCmg/Tnf7qstjDzI/AAAAAAAAAZE/zW0upRn3xG0/s400/toilet---shower-side.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654264568162225970" /></a><br />Rain shower set (including handheld spray, on-off button etc) $159.50<br />I forgotten the price for the shampoo holderr, but I think is around $28<br /><br />A closer look on the rain shower headset:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRIQ9StEgEU/Tnf8LkhZP0I/AAAAAAAAAZM/swxlPFwT6Eo/s1600/toilet---rainshower.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 377px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRIQ9StEgEU/Tnf8LkhZP0I/AAAAAAAAAZM/swxlPFwT6Eo/s400/toilet---rainshower.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654265132899450690" /></a><br />Frankly, I'm not a fan of rain shower, I shall blog about it in my next article.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Sc7x0HOHxk/Tnf8fqMWkHI/AAAAAAAAAZU/uel_FMKU3no/s1600/toilet---door.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Sc7x0HOHxk/Tnf8fqMWkHI/AAAAAAAAAZU/uel_FMKU3no/s400/toilet---door.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654265478019190898" /></a><br />Matt finished swing glass door - $500<br /><br />Lastly, tiling for floor and wall - $2200<br />I like the colour and combination of my toilet tiles. But if given a choice again, I'll choose a darker colour for the floor, so that stains are not so easily spot.<br /><br />If you sum up the above prices, the total is around <span style="font-weight:bold;">$4600</span>. This cost does not include the hacking cost (I spent $2900 to hack off all the tiles in my toilets, rooms and kitchen) and some miscellaneous items which I do not remember. <br /><br />All the accessories are purchased from <a href="http://mylittlecasa.blogspot.com/2010/09/toilet-and-kitchen-accessories-my.html">Royal Fanco</a> unless I stated so.<br /><br />All the iron stuff you see in my toilet are stainless steel, consider the material and the workmanship of it, I do not find my cost of $4600 expensive, especially this is my master bedroom toilet for which the size is bigger than the common toilet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-46295666474572417082011-09-14T10:25:00.010+08:002012-03-15T09:33:21.103+08:00Invisible Grille - ReviewThese are the companies specialising on Invisible Grille:<br />1) One curtain - Invisible Grille<br />Contact: David Phua 97222800 / 64451669<br />Website: www.invisiblegrille.com.sg<br />Address: 6001, Beach Road #19-06 Singapore 199589<br />Email: sales@invisiblegrille.com.sg<br /><br />2) Legate Asia<br />Contact: Alvin Ng 9691-2925<br />Email: sales901@legate.com.sg<br />Website: www.legate.asia<br />Address: 7030 Ang Mo Kio Ave 5 #02-39 NorthStar @ AMK Singapore 569880<br />T: (65) 6242 1911<br />F: (65) 6846 1922<br /><br />3) E Marketing & Home Services<br />Contact: Alvin Chia<br />Address: 61, Kaki Bukit Avenue 1, Shun Li Industrial Park,Singapore 417943<br />Email: sales@ehomeservices.com.sg<br />Website: www.ehomeservices.com.sg<br />T: (65) 8337 1277 <br /><br /><br />I got Legate to visit my place and quoted me for my 2 bedrooms, but at the end I got David from InvisibleGrille to do my grille for the living hall.<br />Price quoted by Legate is $12 per sft, by David is $12.90 per sft (heard that price has increased), but Legate charge $120 for powder coated track while David did not charge this, so I find David's quote slightly cheaper and I let him do the job. In total, I paid $750 to do the grille for my living hall window, including transport and labour charge.<br /><br />Generally, the service from David was good, he had even cleaned the floor and windows for me. He had also helped me patched the wall after the installation and helped me paint the affected area.<br /><br />There're many points I want to blog about this, I'll separate them in different header for easier viewing but before that let's take a look of my grille:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JeFkDUKlfJU/TwqlG1st5bI/AAAAAAAABKE/AvZ7tBC-vWc/s1600/Invisible-grille.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JeFkDUKlfJU/TwqlG1st5bI/AAAAAAAABKE/AvZ7tBC-vWc/s400/Invisible-grille.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695546215675848114" /></a><br />Do you find it invisible?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tD_xBAO98Q4/TwqlHNA2qMI/AAAAAAAABKQ/11z5-yVxbUs/s1600/Invisible-grille-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tD_xBAO98Q4/TwqlHNA2qMI/AAAAAAAABKQ/11z5-yVxbUs/s400/Invisible-grille-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695546221934323906" /></a><br />Take a closer look<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LJUm1Mkr3A/TwqlHZyZEEI/AAAAAAAABKc/64AtQj1iksE/s1600/Invisible-grille-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LJUm1Mkr3A/TwqlHZyZEEI/AAAAAAAABKc/64AtQj1iksE/s400/Invisible-grille-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695546225363324994" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Why Invisible?</span><br />Like many, we do not want to install the conventional grille in our rooms that make us feel like imprisoned, I'm glad that there're others who share the same thinking as us and come up with this idea. However, I do not suggest Invisible Grille in your bedrooms, you'll know after reading my below comments.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Is it really invisible?</span><br />It is not really invisible, it looks like wires across your window. There's once my SIL commented are those for hanging clothes? Fainted.<br />Anyway, to me I find it look nicer than the conventional type, at least those 'wires' are slimmer than the conventional grille, and those friends who had myopia do find it invisible...hahah, em.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Is Invisible good?</span><br />No. It is definitely not as good as the conventional type. The wires can be cut by wire cutter, thus not suitable for window on corridor and I don't think is suitable for bedrooms too. <br />Once installed, it is permanent, unlike the iron grille where it can be opened. Thus cleaning could be a problem. <br />My two bedrooms are installed with the conventional grille, sometimes I do hang my children clothes there for drying purpose, but you can't hang anything on the invisible grille, it'll be loosen. The conventional grille looked more durable.<br />Besides, do note the gaps between the wires are very narrow, thus it'll be hard to open and close your windows, especially if you're short. For me, I'll need to use a clothe hanger to close the windows....<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Costs</span><br />It is about twice the price of the conventional grille. Legate quoted me close to $700 for my 2 bedrooms, but at the end I decided to install the conventional type which costs me only around $400.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What should you do before installing the invisible grille?</span><br />Clean your windows. Ha, sound funny but mind you, once you've installed the grille, is really difficult to clean it.<br />Repair your windows if necessary, I did not checked my windows during the renovation, after moved in I realised one of the windows can be closed but cannot be locked, but is very difficult to repair it now as I've installed the invisible grille. Whenever there is strong wind and rain, I'll have to pray that the wind would not open my window and the rain will not get into my living hall, sad.<br /><br />So, after seeing the above review, will I install the Invisible Grille if given a chance again? Yes, I'll still install the grille in my living hall, as I need it to protect my kids from falling off the windows but I do not want to see myself in the prison like locker. But, before the grille is installed, I'll probably repair my windows first. <br /><br />In summary, the only advantage of Invisible grille over conventional grille is the cosmetic result, so if you're not so particular about this, why not install the conventional type? Anyway I don't find those in my bedrooms look ugly, you may see below picture or refer to my other posts:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WLGllh1Qw58/Tml8Kf5KrxI/AAAAAAAAATM/geSfqySRvG4/s1600/fanco-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 576px; height: 864px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WLGllh1Qw58/Tml8Kf5KrxI/AAAAAAAAATM/geSfqySRvG4/s1600/fanco-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818539485627593068.post-7536876150893255602011-09-09T16:08:00.006+08:002011-09-09T16:24:41.466+08:00How to save cost on door for common room or bedroomMy original doors are those natural wood colour laminated doors, which were quite a popular colour in the 90's, but an out of fashion colour and design now. We wanted to change the door, but to our horror, door seem to be an expensive item. Even the cheapest plastic door can cost you $200, even an bifold door for toilet can cost you close to $300. We definitely want to save cost on doors, especially when we have so many doors in the different rooms and toilets.....<br />My contractor helped me think of a brilliant method, we get the factory laminate the plywood door with Nyatoh wood. Paint it in dard brown colour, which costs me $200 per door, inclusive of the lock handle. We add $40 for the stainless steel bar, and this is how our door look like:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0-vdzDVhRM/TmnL84DfI6I/AAAAAAAAAU8/X2tzlbI-lW8/s1600/door1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0-vdzDVhRM/TmnL84DfI6I/AAAAAAAAAU8/X2tzlbI-lW8/s400/door1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650271454212596642" /></a><br /><br />For my common toilet I did not put the stainless steal bar, save the $40 :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mcn2q_tDLNo/TmnMOZ9m6kI/AAAAAAAAAVE/6iNzj4xHyPo/s1600/door2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mcn2q_tDLNo/TmnMOZ9m6kI/AAAAAAAAAVE/6iNzj4xHyPo/s400/door2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650271755372522050" /></a><br /><br />We prefer this type of handle instead of those round type:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SqpIUXV9Zrs/TmnMX5vXGhI/AAAAAAAAAVM/z6CBAvVGgZ4/s1600/door-handle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SqpIUXV9Zrs/TmnMX5vXGhI/AAAAAAAAAVM/z6CBAvVGgZ4/s400/door-handle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650271918521522706" /></a><br /><br />We get the contractor to paint the old door frame same colour as the door, so it matched up nicely.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RaUZFpZMv3o/TmnMkhIjzeI/AAAAAAAAAVU/lmf4p16Y14c/s1600/door-frame.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RaUZFpZMv3o/TmnMkhIjzeI/AAAAAAAAAVU/lmf4p16Y14c/s400/door-frame.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650272135254625762" /></a> <br /><br />The original door look like this, so ugly right?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1x_BUgZDJI/TmnNGBm2g1I/AAAAAAAAAVc/vKK0OI6jo_g/s1600/door-old.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1x_BUgZDJI/TmnNGBm2g1I/AAAAAAAAAVc/vKK0OI6jo_g/s400/door-old.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650272710907298642" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5