My 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!
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!
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 :)
This UIC soft srub can be bought from NTUC at S$1.55 only:

Just 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!

First of all, let's take a look of my kitchen before the renovation:



Entrance to the backyard:

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.

My new kitchen look like this now:


Some pictures of the accessories:



I'll post out the cost of these accessories at the lower part of this article.
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.

The rice cooker and pot will hide the powerpoint, they're purposely moved aside so that I can show you where the powerpoint is.

If you would like to see my sliding glass door to the backyard and sliding glass door at the entrance of my kitchen, click here.

The costs:
1) Supply and construct walls and floor tiles, cabinet base & patch up 2 door ways $2,800, for quotation on my renovation, click here
2) Top and low cabinets, solid surface, stainless steel backing $$3,375. Click here for my cabinet quote.
3) Rinnai hob and hood $980
4) Baron sink $380
5) Fork and spoon holder $35, Dish rack $75, click here to see my purchase from Royal Fanco.

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.
If you were to take into account the cost of those electrical appliances, it would easily hit $10,000!

To me Blum system is not necessary, how many times do you open and close your cabinet?

My only regrets in the kitchen are:
1) Use of black colour solid surface, click here
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.

Get IT @ Expo 2011

The BIGGEST Gadgets, Electronics, Technology & IT Show

Venue: Singapore Expo Hall 5B

Date: 4th November to 7th November 2011

Timing: 11am - 10pm

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!

Gifts with Purchases! Below $10 Special Buys! Trade In for Lap-tops! Fun Filled Activities and MORE!

Source: http://www.gaincity.com/consumer/events_details.asp?eventsID=112

Follow this blog to get more updates on Home related promotions!

Philips Carnival Sales 2011
Date: 29 to 30 October 2011
Address: 620A, Toa Payoh Lorong 1
Time: 9am to 6pm



Follow this blog or subscribe for more updates and great deals!

I'm quite reluctant to put up this post, but I think quite many are interested to find out my renovation costs.
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 here for the separate quotation), Mr Tan is helping me with all other renovation works.
My renovation cost done by Mr Tan here:

(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)

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.
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.
I highly recommend Mr Tan to be your main contractor if you're looking for one, it is definitely value for money.
His contact: 96354336 (He speak Chinese, simple English only)
(Btw he has a scar on his face, but he's actually a very nice person, haha!)

I 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.

Costs:
1) Hinged glass door at the entrance to backyard (clear without matte finished) - $400

(exclude sticker - sticker cost $2 from Daiso)
2) Sliding glass door at the entrance to kitchen (clear without matte finished) - $600

(exclude sticker - sticker costs around $10)
3) Hinged glass door for MBR toilet (matte finished) - $450

(Price listed above are direct price from factory, you might want to mark up a bit if yours are from ID or contractor)

How to save cost:
1) Buy direct from factory, I got mine from a glass factory in Marsiling
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?

Pros of glass door:
1) The pro is of course it looked more classy and elegant, definitely better than the wooden doors.
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.
3) It is easier to maintain the cleanliness compare to the wooden door, no wear and tear on the door except on the hinge.

Cons of glass door:
1) Cost more expensive than wooden door
2) Need extra care not to bang the door (although it is tempered glass)
3) The hinge might give sounds over time as the door is heavy
4) High repair cost if any of the hinge spoilt
5) Need timely cleaning if not will have visible finger prints etc

Maintenance:
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.



Contacts:
Those who are interested to get the door may contact Mr Tan at 96354336!