Slatted wood, timber strips, whatever you call it, this design element is here to stay in interiors in Singapore. And why shouldn’t they? They are gorgeous eye candy, can serve as room dividers and make a great contemporary architectural statement. Interested? The following stylish spaces in Singapore should get you inspired.

1. Like Giant Matchsticks

The end of the wood slats in this TV feature wall were painted black, so they look just like giant-sized matchsticks—so clever! It was custom made to frame the TV exactly, but it also doubles as a divider to separate the living room from the dining area.

Image courtesy of Akihaus

2. Look up

The slatted wood feature in this instance is positioned at this condominium’s ceiling. It helps to bring down the too-tall height of this space, creating a more intimate and cosier atmosphere. The feature also conceals the track lighting and other electrical ducts running through the ceiling.

Image courtesy of Artistroom

3. Bright and Breezy

Wood slats were used to provide privacy in the sleeping area in this bedroom by keeping the storage area separated. This design allows light and air to still pass through, so that every nook can still enjoy natural light.

Image courtesy of Chark Designs

4. Hidden Act

This 3-room BTO flat features an entrance area covered in slatted wood walls, all the better to conceal the bomb shelter door while providing an area for shoe storage. Extending all the way to the living room, it also functions as visual transition from entryway into living space.

Image courtesy of Design Neu

5. Open Sesame

In this small apartment, a slatted wood feature wall for the living room swings open to reveal a cosier family room and a study space. It keeps both areas divided when privacy is needed but when opened, creates an open space that is perfect for hosting large groups.

Images courtesy of Er Studio

6. Make a Statement

Here’s another custom-built TV made from thin timber strips. We love how the design extends all the way even to the console cabinet, the repetition creating a strong visual statement in the living room.

Image courtesy of Fuse Concept

7. Screened Off

Placed by the windows, sliding slatted wood screens were designed to look just like shoji screens in this Japanese themed flat. It hides the original aluminium frames, giving the entire living room a warm and cosy vibe.

Images courtesy of Goy Architects

8. Hide the TV

Don’t like the ugly black box marring your contemporary aesthetics? Consider hiding it behind a stylish set of slatted wood screens when you’re not watching the telly. And if you host often, it’s a great way to centre your gatherings around conversations rather than the TV.

Image courtesy of ID Emboss

9. Closet Enclosure

In this minimalist bedroom, light wood strips (the hue mirroring the closet carpentry) conceal the walk-in wardrobe area partially from view, drawing the line between the space for sleeping and the space for dressing up. It also helps to visually break up this rather expansive bedroom, so the different zones don’t appear like they “floating”.

Image courtesy of The Scientist

10. Dining in Style

A slatted wood structure defines where the eating area is in this open-plan apartment. A long breakfast bar for casual meals extends from the structure, lending a café milieu to the space, while a more formal dining set with a built-in bench sits at the opposite end.

Images courtesy of Uno Interior

Will you be using slatted wood in your interiors? Tell us in the comments!

Original post 10 Spaces in Singapore that Use Slatted Wood in Style appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Due to the small footprint of the modern kitchen, many homeowners have decided to go for a minimalist kitchen. However, having a minimalist kitchen does not mean that you have to give up your ability to cook delicious meals. In actuality, having a clutter-free kitchen makes it much easier to whip up a meal.

To set up a minimalist kitchen takes a bit of time and consideration. However, the rewards are huge since you get to save space and a lot of money! Yes, there is no need to invest in many pricey, top-of-the-line kitchen appliances to be productive since many of the basic appliances can actually get the same job done!

Without further ado, here are 8 appliances which you can do without in a minimalist yet functional kitchen!

1. Bread Toaster

Image from: Electrolux appliances

If you enjoy having toasted sandwiches, the small bread toaster might seem to be an indispensable kitchen appliance. However, before deciding to get one, you should know that the electric oven will also do the same job much faster, since a typical bread toaster can only accommodate up to two pieces of bread at a time! Furthermore, the oven can be used for a host of other things which a bread toaster is unable to do; such as baking pizzas, cakes, muffins, and much more!

2. Deep Fryer

Image from Chinahao

Although most deep fryers come in compact sizes, they might not worth the extra space in the kitchen, unless you need to deep fry regularly. Nevertheless, to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a slimmer waistline, you should avoid taking fried foods as much as possible. Besides, you can easily deep fry anytime with a deep wok filled with oil!

Tip #1: If you are using the appliance only for a few occasions, you should reconsider purchasing it. Otherwise, you may end up wasting the precious space and money on a single purpose application!

3. Bread Maker

Image from The perfect loaf

A typical bread maker machine is bulky and thus eats up a lot of space. Moreover, you do not need a specialized bread making machine to make a delicious loaf of bread; in fact, most bread recipes can also completed using the good old fashioned way; using the electric oven! Also, a rice cooker can actually be used for making bread too.

4. Juicer

Image from Overstock

Fruit juicers are terribly heavy, expensive, high-priced appliances (some cost as much as $1000) which are bulky and takes up an enormous amount of space. Unfortunately, they often end up as white elephants on the countertops, untouched since they are actually very hard to use, clean and maintain! Furthermore, you can easily juice, without going through all the hassle by using blenders, which are actually an excellent alternative to juicers! With a blender, all you need is a big bowl and a fine mesh strainer, you will have fresh juice at a fraction of the space and cost!

Tip #2: Be creative in finding substitutes. There are countless ingenious kitchen hacks for you to achieve the same results!

5. Rice Cooker

Image from: BBCgoodfood

Cooking rice in a rice cooker is more convenient. However, unless rice is a staple diet for your family or that you need to make a lot of rice on regular basis,  you should reconsider whether if you really need an entire machine dedicated to a single function. This is because you can easily prepare rice in a traditional pot over a stovetop. In actuality, some even claim that the rice tastes better when it is done in the good old fashion way!

6. Waffle Maker

Image from: Easy kitchen appliances

Unless you have waffles for breakfast every day, investing in a waffle maker does not make economic sense, especially since you can easily get make waffles with these simple hacks. Yes, although a waffle maker can make toasted sandwich, waffle-shaped hush browns and toasted omelettes, it is really time to rethink whether a waffle maker is really a must. Especially since most of them hog precious space and good ones do not come cheap at all.

Tip #3: When in doubt, always go for the cheaper option so that you do not feel compelled to keep the rarely used kitchen appliances and waste space.

7. Food Dehydrator

Image from: Food-hacks.wonderhowto

Food dehydrators are used to make healthy, inexpensive snacks – from fruits, herbs to vegetable crisps. However, they come in considerable size and take up significant space in the kitchen. Nevertheless, you can also easily dehydrate the food using the following alternatives too; by using an oven, microwave or simply get them naturally sun dried.

8. Panini Press

Image from: Apartment Therapy

A Panini press is an expensive, single-purpose invention that takes up unnecessary space in the kitchen. In fact, to make a good Panino, the Panini press can easily be substituted with 2 heavy pans to press your sandwiches in a frying pan.  You can also use a heavy piece of cookware such a Corningware to achieve the same effect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, avoid ‘single purpose’ appliances, especially if they are expensive and bulky! Keep away from purchasing anything that is to be used only on ‘special’ occasions too. This is because chances are, you will rarely get to use it! In addition, single, specific use small utensils such as egg frying rings and strawberry dehuller should also be avoided as well since they tend to contribute to the clutter over time.

Original post 8 Appliances You Can Do Without in a Minimalist Kitchen appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Flooding isn’t just something that happens in low-lying homes—it can also occur in a high-rise apartment like your HDB flat if you are not careful. When this happens, anything from your flooring to furniture can get damaged in the process. Failing to clean up excess water can also lead to mould and microbial growth, bringing up a whole host of health issues. To keep your apartment dry, take the following measures to safeguard your home from flooding:

1. Monitor signs for leaks

Check your utility bills for any sudden surge. It might indicate a leaking pipe somewhere.

There are several indicators to imply that there’s a leaking pipe somewhere. One of which is a sudden increase in your water bill without any known cause. Another likely sign is a wall with patches of unknown stains or damaged kitchen cabinets. These can be caused by a leaking pipe concealed behind walls or your cabinets. Water pooling on the floor is also an indicator of a leak somewhere.

A water stain on your ceiling might be due to a leakage from your upstairs neighbour’s floor slab, possibly due to a wear and tear of the waterproof membrane and screed. In this case, arrange with your neighbour for a re-screed of their flooring. Under HDB’s rules, both of you have the responsibility to pay for the repairs.

You will want to fix leaks as soon as possible to prevent them from worsening over time, which can cause flooding to occur.

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2. Regularly inspect your pipes for leaks

Every once in a while, check the pipes in your home are not leaking. It’s a must especially if you own an older flat where pipes are older and therefore more likely to suffer from corrosion and wear and tear.

Don’t forget the pipes under your sinks and the ones inside your cabinets.

A minor leak can be easily fixed using tools like a waterproof tape or an epoxy paste that you can purchase from your local hardware store. Before repairing the leak, make sure the water supply is turned off. Then, clean and dry the pipe area where you’re fixing before applying the tape or paste. If an entire pipe or a section of the pipe needs to be replaced, engage a professional plumber to do the job since a poorly installed pipe can lead to more serious issues down the road.

3. Keep drains from clogging up

When there’s a foul smell or when water is flowing down more slowly, it’s likely your drains are starting to clog up. Don’t ignore these early indicators though. Clogged drains aren’t just an inconvenience; they can cause sinks, toilets and showers to overflow with water leading to flooding. To keep your drains from clogging up, here are a few useful tips to keep in mind:

Always use a sink strainer and a drain trap grating: In the bathroom, this prevents soap scum and hair from getting into the drains and choking them up. In the kitchen, it prevents food particles from clogging up the drains. Clean and clear them regularly to ensure that they continue to work properly.

Always use a sink strainer to prevent larger particles from going down the drain.

Don’t pour grease or used cooking oil down the sink: As grease and oil tend to accumulate rather get flushed down. This leads to a build-up, which eventually clogs up your drains. Pour grease and used cooking oil in a bag and dispose them in the garbage.

Check the pockets of your laundry before you throw them into the washer: Loose change, pieces of tissue paper may clog up the drainage of your washing machine, causing drainage issues and flooding.

Clean your lint filter in the washing machine: To ensure that it still remains effective in catching lint. For top loaders, the lint filter may be located inside the drum at the side of the machine. Simply take them out and give them a quick rinse under water. For front loading machines, the lint filter is likely to be located on the outside at the bottom of the machine.

Clean out your washing machine’s lint catcher regularly to ensure that it remains effective.

Clean your drains occasionally: Rather than wait for your drains to clog up, clean them every once in a while with a mixture of hot water and a bit of dishwashing liquid. Slowly pour the mixture down the drain before flushing with hot tap water. This helps to dissolve fats, removing any gunk that is stuck in the drains. Don’t use boiling water if you have PVC pipes though, as that will damage the lining.

4. Check ageing appliances

Older appliances also tend to leak, so do routine check-ups on appliances like the washing machine, dishwasher, air-conditioning unit and the water heater to prevent a potential flooding episode at home.

One of the more common leaks in the home comes from a leaking ageing washer, which is one of the sources of flooding at home.

Design: Rezt & Relax Interior

Washing machine: Check that the hoses that connect to your water supply hasn’t gone brittle or come loose due to wear and tear. You might have to replace them. Clean the filters to ensure that they aren’t blocked, which will cause leaks. If hoses are already secured and your washer is still leaking, it might be an internal issue that will require repairs or a replacement machine.

Dishwasher: Are the valves connecting to the water supply still secured? Also inspect the door latch and the insides of the tub to make sure there isn’t a hole.

Air-conditioning: Wash your filters regularly to make sure they can still get proper airflow. Blocked filters can cause leaks to the unit. Engage a professional to clean your air-conditioning regularly to make sure that the condensation drain line remains clog-free. A clogged condensation drain line is one of the most common reasons for a leaking AC. For older machines, the drain line might be damaged, which can be assessed and replaced by a professional.

Replace your water heater if you notice a leak that does not come from the valves.

Design: Urban Habitat Design

Water heater: Leaking water heaters can be due to rusty or faulty parts that come with wear and tear or it could be due to a loose connection. If valves are the cause of the problem, you should replace the problem valve, but if connections are secure and there is still a leak, it could mean time to replace the unit.

5. Examine your windows during heavy downpours

Besides pipes and appliances, another source of flooding at home could be from your windows during heavy downpours. Water leakage from windows could come from a number of issues.

During a heavy downpour, check your window for leaks.

Design: DistinctIdentity

It could be caused by gaps between your window frame and the wall or at the joints due to poor installation. It could also be due to improper or insufficient drainage tracks. Get a BCA-approved window contractor listed with HDB to examine the issue and advise you on the next steps.

For older homes, this might be due to broken seals around the edges of the windows which can be easily resolved by applying a new layer of waterproof caulking that you can purchase in hardware stores. Do so on a dry day and cure it overnight.

Original post How to Prevent Your HDB Flat from Flooding appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

The galley kitchen layout isn’t a sexy one; but it’s practical especially for small spaces. This linear and sometimes narrow kitchen design features countertops and counters flanking both sides, maximising prep and storage space while taking up the least amount of square footage as possible.

For a few of us, going with a galley kitchen is a choice; for most of us, there’s not much of one. But whether your galley kitchen is by choice or by design, these gorgeous ones we found in HDB flats should give you some new ways to think about this functional kitchen layout.

1. Feeling detached

Not having the space for a kitchen island getting you down? Here’s the solution: make a part of your kitchen counters detachable and attach castors to it and voila, a mobile mini kitchen island you can bring around your cooking space.

Image courtesy of Kejico
Location: Tampines

2. Grey number

If the space for your galley kitchen is particularly narrow, you might want to consider hacking away part of the walls like in this HDB flat. Replace concrete with glass panels to brighten up the space while keeping fumes and grease contained.

Image courtesy of Lemonfridge Studio
Location: Bukit Batok

3. The great divide

Dividing your kitchen between wet and dry zones is a useful way to keep all the heavy cooking in the wet area, while leaving lighter meal preparation in the dry area. It’s a design that works even for galley kitchens. Just use a sliding glass door to keep both zones separated.

Image courtesy of Amoz Boon
Location: Choa Chu Kang

4. Pint-sized wonder

Galley kitchens don’t have to be long and linear. Take this boxy galley kitchen in this 2-room HDB flat for instance. It may be small, but it packs a punch in features, incorporating everything you need and then some. Handle-less cabinets and cubby shelves help to reduce the visual bulk in this cooking space.

Image courtesy of The Minimalist Society
Location: Punggol

5. A vision of white

An all-white palette isn’t the easiest to maintain, especially if you do heavy cooking. But if you’re a light user, it is a great way to open up a small cooking space. Here, glossy surfaces, a lot easier to clean, were chosen for the cabinets and backsplash to brighten the kitchen further.

Image courtesy of StyleMySpace
Location: Punggol

6. Keeping things classy

The modern Victorian style may be heavy on details, but that doesn’t mean it can’t work in a small galley kitchen layout. To reduce the visual heft, the designer did away with the conventional counters on one side, replacing it with a sleek and elegant marble-topped buffet table.

Image courtesy of The Scientist
Location: Telok Blangah

7. Mermaid magic

Whatever you want to call them, mermaid, fish scale or scallop tiles, they are totally trending. Incorporate them into your kitchen backsplash—with a contrasting grout, no less—like in this galley kitchen to make a strong graphic statement.

Image courtesy of The Local Inn.terior
Location: Telok Blangah

8. Patterned perfection

There isn’t a need to place upper cabinets on both sides of your galley kitchen. Leaving one side bare helps to free up the space visually, making things seem less cramped. The bare walls were replaced with patterned tiles in this cooking space, creating a focal point. Open shelves were also mounted on the wall, providing the perfect spots for everyday wares.

Image courtesy of Notion of W
Location: Bukit Batok

9. Country charm

This galley kitchen oozes a country charm with glass kitchen cabinets and rustic style brown square tiles. But it’s that adorable curved-edge breakfast area for two at the end of the counter that steals our hearts.

Image courtesy of Starry Homestead
Location: Punggol

10. Get a handle on this

Galley kitchens don’t have to be boring. Large, round turquoise knobs steal the show in this funky galley kitchen. The handles are as ergonomic (better grip) as they are fun. Notice that one section of the cooking space features full-height storage instead of counters, which is a good choice if you need more storage.

Image courtesy of Linear Space Concepts
Location: Upper Boon Keng

11. Staying afloat

A floating kitchen counter design in addition to the hidden warm LED lights lend an airy feel to this galley kitchen, which helps to create the sense of a less visually bulky cooking space.

Image courtesy of The Roomakers
Location: Marsiling

12. Asymmetrical beauty

There’s nothing conventional about the kitchen counters in this galley kitchen, which run along the wall in varying heights. It keeps things interesting in a linear layout, but it’s also a good way to zone the different areas on the counter.

Image courtesy of Van Hus
Location: Punggol

13. Rough around the edges

Rustic wood and matte black surfaces create a very masculine style galley kitchen, which can be a bit visually heavy. To lighten things up, do away with top cabinets and replace them with open glass shelves.

Image courtesy of Design Zage
Location: Bukit Batok

Original post 13 Gorgeous Galley Kitchen Ideas for Your Small HDB Flat appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Engaging an interior designer for your home renovation can be a costly and lengthy affair, so you will want to make sure this partnership works out in the long run. Besides having a good rapport with the potential designer, it is important that he or she understands your wants and needs and can deliver your vision of a home that is both beautiful and functional.

To help you along, we narrow down 8 questions you should ask before signing on the dotted line.

Q1. “Can I see examples of your past works?”

You might have already seen some of the interior design firm’s portfolio either on their website or on a renovation portal like ours. But take note that the designs you have seen might not have been done by the same interior designer you are planning to hire. As such, it’s important to request to see works that were done by the designer you want to engage to get a true assessment of his or her credentials.

Image courtesy of Rockin Spaces

Ask for before, after, and in-process photos to get a better idea of the transformations that took place. Request also to see their works that were done in a similar style and budget to what you want, so you will know whether they will be on the same page with you when it comes to your home renovation. Some interior designers will also be able to offer a visit to a previous client’s home, which is great for checking out the workmanship.

Q2. “Will what I want be able to fit in with my budget?”

Most experienced interior design professionals will be able to design spaces that meet your budget, but if your budget doesn’t align with your expectations, they should be honest with you from the beginning.

Image courtesy of Couple Abode

As clients, it’s important to be realistic with our budgets and manage our expectations. Do your research and get a few design quotations to compare so you will be able to get a better gauge of the budget you need to work with.

Q3. “How involved will you be throughout the renovation process?”

Engaging an interior designer comes with the expectation that he or she will be able to manage our entire home renovation process, allowing us to be completely hands-off. However, it is true that most interior designers will be tasked with handling more than a single project at any one time so it’s important to be clear from the onset how involved he or she will be throughout your home renovation so there won’t be misunderstandings later on.

Image courtesy of Design Chapterz

Will your interior designer be there to monitor the progress and quality of your home renovation when the contractors come down? Will you be required to liaise with any of the contractors? How often will you be receiving regular updates? And will that be done via face-to-face meetings or WhatsApp messages? All these are legitimate questions to ask before engaging an interior designer.

Q4. “Can I understand what the project schedule will be like?”

This question lets you get a good gauge of your interior designer’s time management and allows you to see the scope of renovation activities that will be done. It also lets you have a better understanding of what should be completed at what stage so you can make sure your renovation progress is up to schedule during the process.

Image courtesy of DB Studio

If you are purchasing appliances that need to be built-in such as your hob and hood, knowing your project schedule allows you to better coordinate your purchases and delivery dates.

Q5. “When will I be able to move in?”

Image courtesy of Kuro+

Experienced designers will be able to give you an estimate of how long your home renovation will take. But as clients, be aware that complications can arise during a home renovation, which can cause delays to occur. If you have a specific date you need to move in by, do make sure to let your interior designer know from the start.

Q6. “What are the payment terms?”

Image courtesy of DistinctIdentity

Before engaging an interior designer, do the money talk. Payment for most home renovation projects are typically paid in various stages throughout the renovation process. When payment is required depends on the interior design firm you sign with. Each instalment is usually done after the completion of key milestones in your home renovation. Check with your potential hire on the payment terms. To protect yourself, make sure the final instalment is only paid after the total completion of works.

Q7. “Will I be able to get a 3D visualisation of my home design before the renovation starts, and how many times am I allowed to make changes if I’m not happy with the initial drawings?”

Image courtesy of D5 Studio Image

Besides sketches, most interior designers will be able to provide you with a 3D visualisation of how your home will look like before the start of the renovation. This will give you a better idea of how your ideas will translate to real life. Most interior design firms will also allow changes during this time, but check to see if major changes are chargeable and how much they will cost.

Q8. “How long is the warranty period for your workmanship, and what is covered and not covered under the warranty?”

There are certain firms that offer warranty on their workmanship, but a lot of times, this offer of warranty is more to entice homeowners rather than a legitimate offer. Make sure you go into detail on what the terms and conditions of the warranty are, and what aspects of the home renovation can be covered under the warranty before engaging your potential hire.

Image courtesy of The Local Inn.terior

You will also want to make sure that the details discussed are noted in black and white when you sign your contract. Know who to approach when there is a need to rectify anything that is under warranty.

Engaging an interior designer for your home renovation? Complete the form below to receive obligation-free design quotations. 

Original post 8 Practical Questions to Ask Before Engaging an Interior Designer in Singapore appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Born in a country with a wild mixture of cultural influence, the Moroccan style is the epitome of the exotic, a blend of African, Arabic, French and Spanish aesthetics.

We probably can’t turn our homes into Moroccan riads; for one thing, most of our homes have no space for a lush interior garden, with elaborate fountains and greenery.

But to evoke the Moroccan spirit in your home, that’s a wholly different thing. Take a look at the following list of essential items for achieving the romantic Moroccan look, the Moroccan look is easier to achieve than you think. Remodelling not required.

Moroccan riad

(Image: realestate.com.au)

What makes Morocco so special?

(Image: donpedrobrooklyn.com)

As a former French colony, Morocco is situated in the northwest of Africa. The resulting Moroccan aesthetics is an Islamic, African, Mediterranean and European mixture.

Notice the elaborate use of colours and patterns. Geometric shapes and decorative arches are often featured in the Moroccan style.

The Moroccan style might strike you as extravagant and elaborate, but not without a dash of naivete conveyed by the adventurous use of colour combinations.

Perhaps it’s the free use of colours combined with the severity of Islamic culture which make this style so unique and recognisable.

Earthy colour walls

Start with neutral tones for the colour of walls. Off white and earth-toned walls work well as the canvas on which you splash dramatic colours.

Patterned cushions and rugs

Patterned cushions and rugs

(Image: tore.gr)

Due to the influence of Islamic culture, the Moroccan-style living room often uses cushions as a substitute for chairs.

In terms of practicality, the absence of chairs might prove inconvenient. Instead, you can treat the cushions as decorations and opt for low-seating chairs and tables.

The key to achieving that Islamic style is to lavish in decorating with its characteristic patterns.

(Image: arch2o.com)

Patterned fabric sofas embellished with bright colours are stylistic items both decorative and practical for domestic daily needs.

Esoteric ornaments

To evoke the Moroccan atmosphere, purchase unique furniture items for their ability to bring exoticism to the interior.

These items can include candelabras, bust sculptures, metal vases and colourful lampshades. Silver or gold Islamic censers are the quintessential items for this interior style.

Islamic censer

(Image: wjmantiques.com)

Substitute for traditional archways

Traditional Moroccan archways

Traditional archways are the emblem of the Moroccan architectural style. You might not be able to bring them home, but there is an attractive substitute available which convey the Moroccan feel still.

5-arch beaded curtains

Arabic room dividers

(Image: lasercutscreens.co.uk)

Beaded curtains and patterned room dividers can help you recreate the look of traditional archways quite easily. Opt for more neutral colours for these items to offset the dramatic colours of other furniture and ornaments.

Lighting

(Image: Marrakesch Orient & Mediterran Interior)

Last but not least, the Moroccan lantern.

When unlit, the Moroccan lantern is in itself a feast to the eyes. These lamps are usually adorned with traditional Islamic patterns and shaped like a teardrop.

When you turn on the lantern, it will cast beautiful shadows on the walls of the interior. Installing a Moroccan lantern is indeed the quickest way you can transform your home into a miniature riad.

The French-Moroccan style

The French-Moroccan style is a fusion of the traditional Moroccan style and the French Country style.

Notice the elaborate use of pastel colours. Does this remind you of a more subdued and light-hearted Rococo style?

Conclusion

Achieving an interior style is about identifying the essential items of that style. You don’t have to have a house as big as a Moroccan riad to bring the exotic look to life. Sometimes, a few characteristic items are all you need.

HKDecoman, now going global as Deco-Man, is a Hong Kong-based renovation platform which provides professional consultancy services and pioneers in the development of A.I. homeowner-engineer matching. We aim at educating the public about the art of home renovation and have our eyes on transforming the traditional renovation industry, bringing standardisation, transparency, convenience and automation to the business.

Original post Evoking the Arabesque: How to Bring the Moroccan Style to Life appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

For a home that will always feel like a vacation spot, the tropical style is your go-to. There are many facets to this style, as you will see from the following spaces in Singapore. But what these homes have in common is a relaxing island vibe life that is at once warm and comforting. Here’s how to bring in the tropical vibes into your own home:

1. Go Balinese

Nothing says tropical like a balinese themed home. Thanks to the wall-to-wall foliage wallpaper in the living room and actual plants, this apartment feels just like a lush jungle retreat. The brightly coloured cushions pop against the natural earthy tones in the rest of the home, creating a vibrant space that is as cheerful as it is cosy.

A rustic retreat that feels ultra cosy thanks to all the soft furnishings.

The living room feels like a luxuriant jungle, covered in foliage wallpaper and potted plants.

Images courtesy of Free Space Intent

2. A contemporary take 

There’s nothing in-your-face about this elegant home. The palette is kept simple with black and white; the only allusion to the tropical theme is the banana leaf wallpaper in the kitchen, which is striking against the minimal colour scheme. Organic forms such as the drop dining chairs and the pendant lights soften the look throughout the home, so the space doesn’t appear too sleek.

The most tropical thing in this contemporary home is this banana leaf wallpaper.

It makes a striking statement against the sleek and monochrome furnishings. The choice of a darker green for the prints lends a more sophisticated slant to this tropical theme.

Images courtesy of Icon Interior Design

3. Deck out in natural materials 

Think natural when decorating tropical. Leather decor, rattan furniture, woven wall art, rope accessories and deliberately tarnished metal furnishings create a rustic, laid-back charm, perfect for adding a tropical vibe to your home. A bright neon pink sign in this home stands out inspirationally, adding just the right dose of kitsch.

What’s a tropical style home without just a little bit of kitsch?

Natural materials lending a rustic charm to this home.

Images courtesy of Fuse Concept

4. Mixing with mid-century modern 

It’s mid-century modern meets tropical in this homey apartment. The two themes work well together because there are similar characteristics, such as a bright, saturated palette and the use of wood. Here, the mid-century style furniture (low-slung, tapered legs, retrofied) are juxtaposed against foliage and fauna motifs and other natural elements.

Saturated hues and wood elements are common in both the tropical and mid-century style.

Perhaps the most tropical element in this home is the artwork featuring a plantation hanging by the dining area.

Images courtesy of Fuse Concept

5. Tropical style goes elegant 

Here’s a more sophisticated take on the tropical style. The home features a clean, sleek interior filled with natural materials such as sisal, marble, timber and rattan. The highlight of this apartment is the dropped ceiling in the living room, which is covered in a custom foliage print wallpaper that helps to conceal an obtrusive ceiling beam. Feathered headdress wall decor gives a textural interest throughout the home.

The dropped ceiling is swathed in a tropical print wallpaper, creating a loud statement against the otherwise clean, subtle interior.

Another perspective of this gorgeous ceiling.

Feathered headdress wall decor is hung throughout the home, adding textural quality and alluding to the tropical style.

Images courtesy of Upstairs and In-Expat

6. Dark and moody

Balance the bright, saturated hues and kitschy prints of a typical tropical style with a dark colour scheme and modern Victorian detailing like in this bedroom. The space features charcoal black carpentry, a deep green wall and plenty of lush gilded details. Tacky? Not in these sleeping quarters.

A dark colour palette strikes the right balance.

The perfect tropical vignette.

Images courtesy of The Scientist

7. Open spaces help to lighten things up 

The wood furniture, warm colour scheme and the exposed ceiling beams design lend plenty of resort feels to this HDB flat. But it can add quite a bit of visual heft, which might be too much for a small space. To lighten things up, the designer went with open spaces so the home still appears light and bright.

A home that feels just like a resort so you will never want to leave.

Balance things out with open spaces.

Even the bathroom keeps to the tropical theme.

Images courtesy of Design Zage

 Start meeting IDs to discuss your home design and compare quotes:

Original post 7 Ways to Create a Tropical Themed Home that Feels Like Paradise appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Fake it till you make it isn’t just a mantra to boost confidence, it can apply to interiors too. If you don’t want to feel claustrophobic in your vertically challenged space, here are some easy design tricks to fake a taller ceiling for the different rooms in the home.

Living Room

Blend your ceiling with your walls: One of the ways to make a ceiling look taller is to remove any visual transition between your ceiling and the rest of your walls. Paint your ceiling the same colour as your walls to remove the visual line. While gloss is often recommended to create the impression of a bigger space, stick with matte (flat) paint for your ceiling. Gloss can look somewhat tacky on the ceiling and isn’t the best way to hide flaws. Plus, if your living room receives a lot of daylight, gloss paint can make your space seem overly bright.

Design: D5 Studio Image

Consider cove lights: Bouncing light off the ceiling creates the illusion of a taller room by drawing the eyes upwards. Cove lights are one way to do it, and they are also great for adding ambience to a space.

Design: Control Space Design

Go with a curved false ceiling: Add visual depth to your boring flat ceiling with curves and arches. The curved ceiling design below was done using a false ceiling, which helps to make the ceiling appear less static, therefore creating the impression of a taller living room. But it’s not just for looks, as the curved ceiling also hides the air-conditioning cables from sight for a clutter-free surface.

Design: UNO Interior

Kitchen

Make your upper cabinets “invisible”: If you’re going with upper kitchen cabinets, consider going handle-less and matching the colour of your uppers with the ceiling. This helps to blend your top cabinets with the ceiling, giving the impression of a taller kitchen.

Design: Icon Interior Design

Stack tiles vertically: Vertical aspects will naturally make your space appear taller. Rather than stack rectangle tiles horizontally, consider tiling them vertically in your kitchen to create the impression of a taller ceiling. To get the most of it, have your tiles run all the way to the top, and opt for slimmer tiles for a lengthening effect.

Design: Reimage Decor

Bedroom

Hang your curtains as close to the ceiling: Hang your curtains as close to the ceiling as you can to create the illusion of a taller room. Make sure your curtains are long enough to reach the floor at least though e.g. no shorter than an inch above your floor. Too-short curtains can look visually jarring, cutting your room and making your space appear a bit stumpy.

Design: Fuse Concept

Thin vertical strips for a wardrobe design: A full-height, built-in wardrobe can lend the illusion of a grander, taller space, but double that effect using a closet designed with thin vertical strips.

Design: Icon Interior Design

Place mirrors close to the ceiling: If you’re using mirrors in the bedroom, place them closer to the top of the ceiling to create the illusion of a taller room. Another pro tip: go for rimless mirror panels and have them at least three-quarters the height of your room for the best results.

Design: Couple Abode

Bathroom

A tall recessed shower niche: At first glance, an extra tall, uninterrupted recessed shower niche might seem a bit superfluous. But if you’re looking to raise the ceiling of a short bathroom, this design doesn’t seem so redundant after all.

Design: Copper Design

Build your glass enclosure all the way to the ceiling: If possible, get a shower glass enclosure that goes all the way to your bathroom ceiling to lengthen the visual height of the space. Or as tall as you can possible go to avoid breaking up the visual space. Make sure you check that your apartment’s lift can accommodate the length of the glass before making the purchase though.

Design: Three-D Conceptwerke

What are some other ways to fake a taller ceiling? Share with us in the comments.

Original post How to Fake a Taller Ceiling appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

When creating a luxurious feel to your home, there’s no better place to start than the bathroom and kitchen. These two zones, after all, are some of the most used and hardworking spaces in the home.

Going the sleek and stylish route is one way to making them look and feel more luxurious, but don’t neglect the user experience. A luxurious bathroom and kitchen will similarly make you feel relaxed, pampered and cared for.

To help you create that high-end feel in these important spaces, we asked bathroom and kitchen specialist hansgrohe for suggestions on the must-haves so you can be one step closer to that luxurious home.

A Seriously Stylish Shower

The shower is a big part of the bathroom, so getting it to look good is key in making your bathroom look luxurious. hansgrohe recommends getting its Rainfinity, its latest range of gorgeous showers featuring an elegant, sculptural form. Set in sleek monochromatic hues—the matte white of its casing stands in beautiful contrast to the graphite-coloured spray disc—the Rainfinity’s subtle beauty will be a luxurious addition to any bathroom.

Rainfinity by hansgrohe is available in different types of showers. From clockwise: overhead shower, handheld shower and shoulder shower.

The overhead shower can be flexibly adjusted to an angle between 10 and 30 degrees. Rainfinity also comes in a hand shower if you prefer more control or a shoulder shower which lets you keep your face and hair dry when showering. The shoulder shower also features a shelf where you can place your bathroom amenities and can function as an overhead shower too.

An Indulgent Spa Experience

Besides looking plush, you also want a bathroom that feels luxe. To do so, create a spa-like sanctuary worthy of long shower sessions with the PowderRain spray. If you’ve always wanted to feel what it’s like showering under the rain, well, this spray is it.

The PowderRain’s gentle spray lets you feel like you’re showering under the rain.

Producing thousands of microfine droplets in each nozzle, PowderRain is superbly gentle on your skin and feels just like a cocoon of water enveloping your body. You will feel soothed and relaxed, making you feel just as if you were in a spa.

The spray is also very quiet—hansgrohe has reduced it to just a mere whisper—and it also has minimal splashing so you can also incorporate it even in an open shower.

PowderRain is available in a variety of showers including the Rainfinity as well as the Raindance Select S 120 handheld shower. The latter lets you incorporate three different types of spray in it for additional functionality. A simple push of the ‘Select’ button on the hand shower lets you switch between the different sprays.

A Sleek yet Functional Sink

The heart of the home is the kitchen, but the heart of the kitchen is the sink. Getting the right one is crucial, since it is one of the most used items in the cooking space. Plus, it is a decision you will have to stick with for a long time since the sink can’t be moved easily once installed.

If you’re looking to achieve an opulent feel in your kitchen, the SilicaTec granite sinks by hansgrohe are a good bet. Made from quartz and acrylic resins, the sink features a smooth and sleek surface and will be a beautiful sight to behold in any modern kitchen. The overflow is also discreetly hidden from view, giving the sink a stylish, seamless appearance.

is stylish and hardy addition to any kitchen.

But what is form without function, especially for a sink, a kitchen product that is frequently subjected to daily wear and tear? Thankfully, the SilicaTec sink is also really hardy and durable. This is because only the rounded quartz particles from quartz sand, the hardest constituent of granite, are processed.

Get a peace of mind when you prep food on the sink as it is also non-porous, stain-resistant, odourless, heat-resistant and food safe. Cleaning up afterwards will also be a breeze as the SilicaTec sink is easy to clean and dirt repellent.

The granite sink comes in different sizes, so they fit even in the smallest of cooking spaces. To get parallel chores done efficiently, consider getting the variant with a double sink. There is also a version with a drainer, which offers you plenty of space to prep food.

The sink is also available with a drainer, which offers you space to prep food.

For more information, get in touch with Hansgrohe Aquademie:

Hansgrohe Aquademie
69 Mohamed Sultan Road Singapore 239015 (Tel: 6884 5060)
Opening hours: 10.30am – 7.00pm (Mondays to Saturdays), Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

www.facebook.com/hansgrohe
www.instagram.com/hansgrohe
www.hansgrohe.com.sg

Original post 3 Bathroom and Kitchen Must-Haves to Make Your Home Look and Feel Luxurious appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

The proliferation of cafés is a distinctly urban phenomenon. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, quiet cafés are like oases in a dry, scorching desert.

Cafés often have interesting and creative design themes. For Noir-themed cafés, you can see movie posters and ornaments adorning the walls. For music-themed cafés, you can see colourfully-painted ukuleles, turntables and musical note decals on the windows.

Have you thought of giving your home a café theme? If you enjoy the café’s mellow, comforting atmosphere, or maybe you have a great time immersing yourself in the culinary arts, the Café style might be for you!

The café style is not restricted by rules, though there are three key features that can instantly bring the coffeeshop atmosphere to your home.

Before delving into the three key features, first you can have fun deciding what your coffeeshop’s theme is. Think about its overall temperament, the atmosphere you want it to exude. Futuristic, rebellious, classical, rustic, there are no set rules. It all depends on the shop owner’s taste.

For traditional cafés, decorations tend to gravitate towards warm tones. Furnishing and ornaments are often selected carefully.

Walls with personality

The building material and colour of the walls will determine the atmosphere your coffee shop emanates.

Porcelain tiles are great for a classic look, while bare red bricks give the interior an industrial look. If you are a fan of Japanese coffee house, clear white walls will look on point. For a luxurious look, paint your walls with artistic wall coating.

If you’re looking for more affordable options to decorate the walls, choose from a wide range of wallpaper designs. Besides, decals with cool designs can add more fun to your café.

(Image: couturedeco.com)

Lighting

Well-designed lighting can bring personality to your home instantly, and increase the interior’s spaciousness.

One way to make the most of lighting is to partition the interior with light. In the dining room, use hanging lights instead of ordinary lights to emphasise the purpose of the area.

To put it simply, complement furniture of different spaces with suitable lighting to emphasise the functions of each space. Besides, standing lights and desk lamps can be used for corners, bookshelves and coffee tables to accentuate the presence of the furniture.

Furniture and ornaments

Chairs in assorted styles

Generally speaking, the style of furniture depends on the overall theme of your café. But allowing stylistic variation can be a very café-like thing to do.

Think of the secret coffeehouses you have visited and loved. In some cafés, the furnishing style is quite carefree and effortlessly assorted.

The mix-and-match of patchwork chairs, leather couches and wooden stools work very well in evoking a sense of freedom, and keep the interior looking interesting.

This furnishing strategy is what brings the Café style to life.

Slate boards

Another must-have for the Café style is slate boards. You can write down your grocery list and daily to-dos on the board. This item is both stylistic and practical.

LED filament lights

Retro-looking and energy-efficient, the LED filament light bulb is both stylish and practical. You can use them as hanging lights for the dining area. Replicate the café look with these cool light bulbs!

Bar stool

(Image: target.au)

A quintessential item in Parisian patisserie, let’s not forget the bar stool. For a chic touch, opt for Minimalist-designed stools with clean and geometric silhouettes.

Alternatively, choose rattan stools for a more rustic look.

(Image: th2 studio)

House plants

(Image: patchplants.com)

Add a touch of life to your café with house plants of different sizes. Consider how the vases and pots can contribute to the theme of your café.

Coffee bean glass jars, of course!

(Image: turbosquid.com)

HKDecoman, now going global as Deco-Man, is a Hong Kong-based renovation platform which provides professional consultancy services and pioneers in the development of A.I. homeowner-engineer matching. We aim at educating the public about the art of home renovation and have our eyes on transforming the traditional renovation industry, bringing standardisation, transparency, convenience and automation to the business.

Original post All You Need is Coffee: Chill Out with the Café Interior Style appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Following a mantra of less is more, minimalist homes tend to conjure up images of monastic interiors, sleek surfaces and barely-there furnishings, which give them a reputation of being cold and sterile. But it doesn’t always have to be the case. Here, we show you how you can create a warm and cosy ambience even while maintaining a clutter-free, pared-back aesthetic in your minimalist home:

Think about how you use the space

Design: D5 Studio Image

Rather than focus on nailing that minimalist aesthetic, think about how you will be interacting with your space first. When you plan your home around your daily rituals and habits, you will find that you’ll end up with a home that is a lot warmer and cosier. For instance, if you like having a dedicated area for eating within the kitchen, consider doing up a breakfast bar. Or if you like spending your leisure time curling up with a good book, a daybed cosy corner in the living room is a great option. These ideas won’t go against your pared-back aesthetic when done according to the principles of minimalist design, but they can add lots of warmth and cosiness because you’re making these spaces your own.

Avoid using just one colour

Design: UNO Interior

A lot of minimalist homes feature a single tone—usually white—which is great for the minimalist look. But if you’re looking to inject some warmth, think about layering different neutral tones with warm hues. Start with a white base with beige undertones then layer with colours like taupe, cream or greige and finally seal the deal with a charcoal black accent, which can help to modernise the look. If you prefer a darker colour palette, you can start with a rich warm black colour and pair them with wood tones and warm whites for that ultra-cosy yet still refined feel.

Embrace your curves

Design: Dezzo

In a minimalist home, symmetry and balance with harsh edges and straight, clean lines rule. These, while visually stunning, can look somewhat impersonal. The solution? Add in curves through your furnishings for visual comfort. Curvaceous pieces help to soften the look and add a homier vibe to your space. For instance, pair an angular armchair with a sofa that features a softer silhouette. An arc floor lamp can help to break up a perfectly symmetrical living room without being visually obtrusive. Subtle curved edges on your dining chair can also help to ease the sharp lines in your dining area.

Bring in natural materials

Design: Kuro +

Natural finishes add tactile and visual texture and layers to a minimalist, sterile space, giving depth and interest. Find ways to include finishes, furnishings or décor made with materials like leather, wood, metal, cane, terrazzo or wool. Woodgrain flooring, woven baskets, a copper pendant, a chunky knit throw and a leather cushion are some options to consider. Because most natural materials are already neutral in colour, it’s easy to work them into a neutral-palette home. We love using them because their appearances change with time so you’re essentially getting several looks for one item. Copper for example develops a patina over time, wood can get darker or lighter due to oxidation while leather can become creased and wrinkled. To some, these changes only add to the charm of the piece.

Consider the right light

Design: Ehka Studio

A minimalist home that is bathed in daylight will look naturally warm and cosy. So free up those windows and let in plenty of natural light into your space. If you want to balance things out (and avoid the space looking too shabby chic), you can opt for a crispier shade of white paint for your walls. Don’t have the luxury of natural light? Consider artificial light sources in warmer hues—you will want to select LEDs that offer the warm glow of incandescents or bulbs with colour temperatures of around 2700K for that traditional warm and cosy look.

Get in some plants

Design: Artistroom

There’s a reason why many of the minimalist homes we see on social media are decked out in plants. Plants are a great way to add in texture, yet they are neutral enough that they don’t take away that pared-back aesthetic we’re after. Of course, like with any minimalist decorating, it’s about curating your selection. In your minimalist home, avoid clustering too many plants together and regularly prune your greenery lest they turn your space into a jungle. Statement plants like the fiddle-leaf fig work well on their own in a corner of the room, while the rubber plant’s dark green leaves go great against a white wall. Other options include the dragon tree, whose sharp and sleek silhouette fits perfectly with the minimalist vibe.

Don’t shy away from personal touches

Design: Neu Konceptz

Embracing minimalism isn’t about doing away with everything. It’s really also about retaining what we value the most while removing things that we don’t. So curate, curate, curate. Find objects you love and put them on display. Do however be strict about your selections and think about why you’re adding it to the space. Every piece should have a purpose, whether for aesthetic or functional reasons. These personal touches go a long way in injecting warmth and cosiness in your minimalist home.

Do you love what you’ve seen? Contact us for a non-obligated consultation now.

Original post How to Make a Minimalist Home Feel Warm and Cosy appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

When it comes to buying cookware, material choice is often a top consideration. There are some materials that are better used for certain cooking methods or certain foods, while some require less maintenance and are easier during clean-up. We list some of the more common cookware materials to see which you should get when you’re shopping for pots and pans:

Stainless Steel

Design: Icon Interior Design

Pros: This material makes for a great versatile pan as it is non-reactive, meaning you can cook any kinds of foods on it. They are also durable, so it’s a good choice if you’re looking for a longer-lasting cookware. The best ones are 18/10, which is the ratio of chromium to nickel content. Chromium prevents it from being corrosive while nickel is what gives it its shiny quality. Stainless steel is also good for browning and high-heat searing.

Cons: Unfortunately, stainless steel is prone to staining so you will have to use a bit more elbow grease while cleaning out your cookware. It also has poor heat transfer and distribution, so it’s usually bounded with other highly conductive materials such as copper or aluminium.

Cast Iron

Design: Studio Abby

Pros: One of the most durable materials for your pots and pans. It distributes heat evenly, retains heat well, and is naturally non-stick if seasoned properly. Great for stove to oven recipes.

Cons: Cast iron takes a long time to heat up and cool down as it is a poor conductor of heat. It is also heavy, crazy expensive (think Le Creuset) and reactive with acidic foods if not seasoned properly, a process which involves rubbing cast iron with oil, heating it up and cooling it down. Regular seasoning is also necessary to prevent rust. Enamelled cast iron cookware, which comes with an additional enamel coating, doesn’t require seasoning, but it does have a tendency to chip easily.

Copper

Design: The Local Inn.terior

Pros: Copper is one of the best materials for cooking food evenly as it has excellent thermal conductivity. It cools the moment you remove it from heat, giving you more control over your cooking. Look out for good quality ones that are at least 1/6 inches to 1/8 inches thick. Copper is also a good choice for cooking foods with high sugar content like caramel.

Cons: This material is very reactive to acidic and alkaline foods unfortunately. The copper content can also leach into the foods, giving your dish a metallic taste or a colour change. A lot of copper pots and pans sold today feature a layer of metal like stainless steel to prevent the leaching. Copper requires regular polishing to look pristine and they are delicate so you should store them properly. They are generally expensive and expensive to make, so are mostly reserved for specialty applications like candy making.

Non-stick

Design: Third Avenue Studio

Pros: You won’t need to use a lot of oil if you’re cooking with a non-stick. It’s a good choice for low-fat foods and allows food to brown without them sticking to the pan. Ideal for preparing foods that tend to stick easily such as eggs and pancakes.

Cons: With a non-stick, it’s best to avoid using metal utensils on it as they can scratch out the non-stick coating. Use silicone utensils on it instead. Non-stick pots and pans are conventionally coated with PTFE, which according to research, can release toxic fumes in the air if overheated at temperatures above 300 deg C. However, it is generally safe if you keep to cooking in low and medium heats. Newer non-stick versions in the market are coated with a material made out of ceramic polymer, which are purportedly healthier. But there is little to no scientific evidence regarding this. With non-stick, it is best to replace them every few years.

Glass

Photo by Pora na pora

Pros: Glass is incredibly non-reactive, so you can cook all sorts of food in it. It distributes heat evenly and and retains heat well.

Cons: It is a poor heat conductor when compared with metals. Avoid rapid temperature changes for glassware as that will cause it to shatter e.g. don’t add cool liquids into a heated glass pot or pan, don’t place a hot glassware immediately on a cooled surface. Inferior glassware will also break in overly high heats. Because glass isn’t magnetic, it cannot be used on an induction cooker.

Aluminium

Photo by h4ppyleader

Pros: Aluminium is a great thermal conductor and is very lightweight, which makes it a good material choice for larger, heavier pots and pans.

Cons: It is very susceptible to scratches and can warp easily under high heat. It is also highly reactive to alkaline or acidic foods and cannot be used on an induction cooker unless they have a steel exterior. Aluminium can also leach into the foods, causing discolouration and a bitter taste. To prevent this, it is often paired with other materials like stainless steel. There’s also anodised aluminium in the market that is hardier and features a darker grey appearance. This material is made through an electro-chemical process to transform the surface of the aluminium ware to aluminium oxide. Anodised aluminium is durable, unlike pure aluminium, and is similarly lightweight.

Carbon Steel

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

Pros: Carbon steel is durable, and can achieve high temperatures while conducting heat evenly. It is mainly used in skillets and woks and is great for stir-frying or searing meats.

Cons: Like cast iron, carbon steel needs to be seasoned or it will rust. If seasoned properly, it too will develop a non-stick like surface. It can be a little slow to heat and has the propensity to be reactive to acidic foods. It is also sometimes used as the core for enamelled pots and pans as enamel is non-reactive.

Claypot

Photo by Hints for the Home

Pros: Due to its porous nature, it allows for moisture and heat to circulate slowly and evenly throughout while cooking. This helps to retain the natural flavours of food better. It also retains heat well, keeping foods hot for longer. A local favourite brand is Tanyu.

Cons: Like glass, you will want to avoid sudden temperatures which will cause your claypot to crack. There are glazed and unglazed ones. While the former is more resistant to cracking and is easier to maintain, the latter needs to be seasoned before use and will also require to be submerged in water for about 10 mins before cooking to prevent your foods from drying out.

Browse through the list of Interior Designers, their reviews and portfolios at http://www.renonation.sg/professionals/interior-designers/

Submit your renovation enquiry:

Original post Which Material to Use for Your Pots and Pans? appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

You might have come across articles saying that the LED light bulb emits blue light which causes a myriad of harmful effects including damage to the retina, macular degeneration and disturbed sleep pattern.

Today let’s dispel the myths about blue light once and for all. In addition, we’ll look at what light flicker is, and what it has to do with LED light bulbs.

When there’s white light, there’s blue light too

Design: Authors • Interior & Styling

White light is composed of three coloured lights: red light, blue light and green light. This means that all the white light sources we use in our daily life are also sources of blue light.

Incandescent light bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs and LED light bulbs, all produce blue light. But blue light only exists as a small fraction in the wide colour spectrum that natural light gives.

Under normal circumstances, the blue light that LED bulbs give off does not cause much harm to our eyes.

A light bulb’s colour temperature determines the amount of blue light it gives off. Cool white light bulbs emit more blue light than warm white light bulbs. Therefore, for people who are easily affected by blue light, warm white lights are a more comfortable option.

What really is blue light?

LED lighting was not popularised until 2009, since then it has always carried the label ‘harmful to the eyes’.

In 2014, an American open access journal, Environmental Health Perspectives reported that from the outcomes of an experiment on animals, white LED lights are certified to cause harm to the eyes.

The report explained that the LED light source’s high-energy blue light triggered macular degeneration, a kind of pathological change in the eye’s retina. Apart from the journal, health specialists also have written about this discovery.

In reality, blue light is not something invented, made along with the manufacture of LED lights. It is instead a crucial component of natural sunlight, situated in the visible light spectrum’s 400-500 nanometer wavelength portion.

Excessive radiation from this portion of the visible light spectrum is what causes harm to the retina.

(Image: EYE lighting)

From the results of experiments done by EU and American laboratories, we can know two things.

One, the blue light content of LED does not exceed that of incandescent light, compact fluorescent light and natural sunlight, given that they are all the same colour temperature.

Two, the amount of blue light optical radiation emitted from a white LED light is similar to the amount emitted from traditional lighting like the compact fluorescent light and the incandescent light. LED lighting is thus a safe lighting product.

LED blue light problem is a thing of the past

In an attempt to solve the problem of blue light eye damage, LED manufacturers continually perfect their LED production technology.

After years of modification and evolution, in 2019, the amount of blue light emitted by contemporary LED light has lowered by 80%, compared to earlier LED products.

The European Union has been implementing the ENC62471 which stipulates the evaluation of whether manufactured LED products are photobiologically safe.

Under the EU’s standards, safe LED lights which reach the blue light emission standard will be labelled to inform and reassure consumers.

The LED light bulbs you can find on the market are generally safe for your eyes, given that they have undergone laboratory examination.

But since the blue-light-blocking fluorescent coating ages with time, some LED light bulb’s blue light emission might increase over time. Consumers should pay attention to this fact.

The screens on phones and tablets emit more blue light than most domestic lighting products.

How to choose LED light bulbs

Purchase LED lightbulbs from more established brands, and consider the following:

1. Warm white lights emit less blue light the cool white ones.
2. The higher the colour temperature, the whiter the light is, and the more blue light is emitted. For domestic use, opt for lighting with a lower colour temperature (below 4000K).
3. Choose lighting with a colour rendering index (CRI) of above 80Ra. The higher the number, the colour of the objects under the like will be more authentic.
4. Choose lighting which complies with the European Union’s standards (EN62471)

Design: Design Identity

What is light flicker?

In general, the type of lighting’s power source determines whether it will flicker.

Since our mains electricity is an alternating-current (AC) power supply, whose electric current changes direction 50 times a second (50 Hz), lighting connected to an AC power supply switches on and off 50 times a second, causing light flicker.

Human eyes can detect flicker at a frequency below 100 Hz. We can certainly detect LEDs flicker which is at a frequency of 50Hz.

The flickering problem is a real problem to the LED light because unlike the compact fluorescent light and the incandescent light, LEDs have no persistence, meaning that their light output stops and starts instantly as the electric current alternates.

Meanwhile, the flickering problem does not apply to incandescent lights as much because the filament’s residual heat helps it give off light even the power supply switches off and alternates.

The harmful effects of light flicker

Prolonged exposure to light flicker will lead to eye damage, tiredness and mood changes. Effects are especially noticeable in children and migraine sufferers.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, light flicker at a low frequency might trigger epileptic seizures. Ordinary fluorescent tubes used in the office is found to be related to the occurrence of migraines, tiredness, blurry and weakened vision.

In more hazardous scenarios like night driving, light flicker might cause the illusion in which moving objects appear to be still or slowing down.

How to detect light flicker

Turn on the camera function on your phone and aim the lens at the light source.

If you can see the light flashing on your phone screen, it means the light source does flicker.

Truly flicker-free lights are very stable and should not flicker on your phone screen.

The solution: LED transformers

Some LED lights have built-in transformers which convert the power supply for alternating current to direct current. High-quality transformers can even supply a constant direct current to the LEDs. The result is that the light will not flicker visibly.

When purchasing LEDs, opt for the ones with built-in transformers, and only purchase from reliable suppliers.

HKDecoman, now going global as Deco-Man, is a Hong Kong-based renovation platform which provides professional consultancy services and pioneers in the development of A.I. homeowner-engineer matching. We aim at educating the public about the art of home renovation and have our eyes on transforming the traditional renovation industry, bringing standardisation, transparency, convenience and automation to the business.

Original post Dispelling the Myths about LED Blue Light and Light Flicker appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

For most condos in Singapore, a small square footage can be a big problem. But luxury living does come with a trade-off. The key then is to learn how to maximise your space to make the most of it. Using floor plans from new condo View at Kismis—this idyllic new development off a quaint and quiet location at Upper Bukit Timah—we show you how you can do just that, without cramping up your style.

1. Do away with a formal dining area

Layout: 2-Bedroom Premium (Type B2)
Size: 603 sqft
Design: Space Atelier

Formal dining areas tend to take up quite a bit of space. If you just need a spot to eat in, do away with a formal space and consider this small-space solution. Have the dining table join the end of the kitchen counter, but build it at table height rather than counter height for more comfortable eating.

2. Go for a built-in study

Layout: 2-Bedroom Premium (Type B2)
Size: 603 sqft
Design: The Interior Lab

When you need to include a study table in a small bedroom, always go with built-ins, which can be customised to maximise every square inch. The desk shares the same space as the foot of the bed, but a section is set aside for the chair. Wall-mounted cupboards that reach all the way to the ceiling provide ample storage.

3. You can’t go wrong with a mirror wall

Layout: 2-Bedroom + Guest (Type C8)
Size: 710 sqft
Design: Aart Boxx Interior

It’s the oldest trick in the book: get a mirror wall to visually enlarge your space. It also helps to brighten up dark spaces. Minimise the joint lines between the mirror panels as much as you can for a more seamless visual.

4. Double up your guest room

Layout: 2-Bedroom + Guest (Type C8)
Size: 710 sqft
Design: Para.graph

This layout features an extra guest room, but it would be a waste of space if you reserve it just for guests. Create a multipurpose space instead such as doubling the room as a study or a playroom for the kids. Use a Murphy bed for the guests, so that it can be stowed away when not in use.

5. Include a serving window in your kitchen

Layout: 3-Bedroom (Type D1/D1-G)
Size: 807 sqft
Design: Design Story

To open up a small cooking space like the one in this layout, consider going with a serving window in your kitchen. It’s a great way to feel less walled-in, while also welcoming better ventilation and making mealtimes more convenient.

6. Don’t forget bathroom storage

3-Bedroom (Type D1/D1-G)
Size: 807 sqft
Design: Linear Space Concepts

Most homeowners fail to realise how important storage is in the bathroom. And designing them in during the renovation process will mean you won’t need to rely on off-the-rack storage which can clutter up an already small bathroom. An open ledge that stretches across the sink to the back of the toilet is great for stowing away towels and other bathroom amenities, by making use of a space that is often overlooked.

7. You can still entertain even in a small space

Layout: 5-Bedroom (Type G1/G1-G)
Size: 1,270 sqft
Design: Fineline Design

Having an entertaining-friendly environment is still possible even if you have limited room. An open-concept communal space—living room, dining and kitchen—allows your guests to mingle around freely and accommodates larger groups. Consider doing up a home bar area by the dining for relaxing after-meal tipples.

8. Live luxuriously with an open concept en-suite

Layout: 5-Bedroom (Type G1/G1-G)
Size: 1,270 sqft
Design: The Safe Haven Interior Design

Open-plan bathrooms are the epitome of luxurious living (think 5* hotels!), but they also have another advantage of making your bathroom feel a little less cramped. Place your wardrobe just outside the bathroom to ease the transition between both zones.

Original post 8 Innovative Condo Floor Plan Ideas to Maximise Your Apartment appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

Planning your home design based on your personality helps to create a space that allows you to thrive. For the introvert who derives their energy from being alone, you might need more areas at home for quiet and contemplation. For the extrovert who thrives on being around people, open spaces that allow you to feel connected to people might be more up your alley.

While introverts and extroverts are distinctly different personalities, both will need a range of spaces at home to allow them to decide what they need at a given time of the day. After all, there are times when the introvert will want to feel connected to people, and there are times when the extrovert will need to be in a quiet place to reflect and recharge—it just might be in varying degrees.

A well-planned home as such will feature flexible spaces that can accommodate both the introvert and extrovert. To give you a sense of how such a home can look like, we compiled a series of homes in Singapore that do just that.

1. This apartment is the perfect party pad, designed to host the extrovert’s wide social circle. The big, open spaces allow guests to mingle freely and to flow naturally from the living room to the dry kitchen area and home bar. When downtime is needed, a wide sliding door—extending across the width of the flat—can be closed off to create pockets of private spaces.

Design: The Design Abode
Location: Marine Terrace

2. Dividing walls are noticeably absent in this bright and airy apartment, suited for the extrovert who will feel more connected if they can see where everyone is. Instead, curtains—which are visually less obtrusive—are used to separate the kitchen and the bedroom from the communal spaces.

Notice also that most of the furniture come with castors at the bottom, which lend of plenty of flexibility in the arrangement and layout of the home. As such, things can be moved around and rearranged depending on whether privacy or openness is needed or wanted.

Design: Three-D Conceptwerke
Location: Waterloo

3. The introvert will feel most at home in a space that features plenty of private, enclosed spaces for one (or two at most). You see plenty of it in this apartment. A green respite by the service yard, a casual workstation facing the window and a cosy home entertainment room separated from the formal living area.

While the introvert is not entirely opposed to socialising, they prefer doing so in smaller groups. The variety of seating in the living room therefore allows guests to move around and form more intimate settings to connect with others.

Design: Minimo
Location: Punggol Drive

4. If you are an introvert that works from home, instead of placing your workstation in a multipurpose setting where the constant flurry of activity and noise can be too distracting, consider setting aside your home office at an unobtrusive corner. Introverts do need the proximity of other people from time to time, so incorporate the option to leave it open.

Here, the home office sits by the corner of the dining room. Privacy is attained through a wooden sliding door, which can be left open whenever the introvert wants to be connected with the rest of the occupants in the communal zones.

Design: Artistroom
Location: Toa Payoh

5. Glass dividers are a great way to combine the needs of both the introvert and extrovert in a home. They allow the extrovert to feel connected to others while providing a barrier for the introvert’s need for a quiet retreat. The home office in this flat features an enclosed and an open area, separated by a glass door. It gives privacy, without completely alienating communication.

Design: Eightytwo
Location: Toa Payoh

6. The homeowner’s love for liquor and entertaining does not mean he doesn’t need a private space to recharge occasionally. While the communal areas, primarily the dining and kitchen areas, are the domains of dinner parties, he set aside a personal home bar by the corner of the living room, complete with a traditional wooden bar cabinet and a comfy leather armchair.

Design: Versaform
Location: Yishun

7. For the personable and sociable extrovert, working from home might make you feel isolated after a while. As such, consider setting up your workstation by an active area in the home, like the living room. The home office in this condo shares the same platform as the TV wall, creating a seamless visual. Reprieve from the hustle and bustle can be found in the bedroom, where a bay window seat offers quiet solace and a gorgeous view.

Design: Eightytwo
Location: Gopeng Street

8. A dry kitchen and the dining room sit in the heart of this home in a cavernous, open plan, which is designed just for entertaining. Despite so, there are pockets of seating throughout the flat, with a variety of configurations to facilitate cosier conversations, which introverted personalities will feel more comfortable with.

Design: The 80’s Studio
Location: Rivervale Drive

Original post 8 Singapore Homes that Accommodate Both Introverts and Extroverts appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

If you are considering investing in a new condominium, here’s one you might want to bear in mind: Avenue South Residence. This new city fringe condo at Silat Ave is located just at the periphery of the Greater Southern Waterfront, an area that is set to be a themed destination hub with seafront residences. The area also received quite the fanfare at the recent National Day Rally.

To get you all excited for this new development, we used its floor plans to come up with layouts you can incorporate into the apartments there. From casual dining nooks to host-ready spaces, these ideas will work great for your new home at Avenue South Residence:

1. Casual dining nook

Layout: 1-Bedroom Classic (Type AC1)
Size: 474 sqft
Design: Authors • Interior & Styling

For an alternative eating area, set aside some space by the kitchen counters. It could serve as a place for less casual dining or a breakfast nook. Remove the bottom cabinets so that your chairs can be tucked in when you’re done.

2. Pull-out dining table

Layout: 1-Bedroom Classic (Type AC1)
Size: 474 sqft
Design: Space Atelier

Or, if you’re planning to save space, you can remove the dining area all together and install a pull-out table from the kitchen cabinets to serve as your eating space. The great thing about pull-outs is that it can be stowed away after meals so it won’t take up extra floor estate.

3. Platform bed

Layout: 1-Bedroom (Type A1)
Size: 527 sqft
Design: Space Define Interior

In small spaces, going with a platform bed helps to bring in some extra storage room under the bed. A raised ledge by the side can also act as a bedside table so you won’t have too many furniture floating around the room, which can make a small bedroom look cluttered and messy.

4. Curved counter

Layout: 2-Bedroom (Type B1)
Size: 657 sqft
Design: DistinctIdentity

This curved table design is a great way to soften the edges in a room and add an eye-catching statement piece. Having it at counter or bar height allows you to double your dining area as a dry kitchen.

5. Glass partition

Layout: 2-Bedroom Premium (Type BP2)
Size: 721 sqft
Design: Starry Homestead

Incorporating a glass partition in the kitchen is a great way to open up the cooking space visually. Plus, it helps to draw a connection between those inside the kitchen and those in the dining area.

6. Dry and wet bathroom

Layout: 2-Bedroom Classic (Type BC1)
Size: 807 sqft
Design: Neu Konceptz

In this 2-bedder, the bathroom is shared between the bedrooms. By placing the vanity counter outside in a dry zone, separated from the shower and toilet facilities, it maximises the usage of the space, especially important in the morning rush.

7. Outdoor lounge

Layout: 3-Bedroom Premium Classic (Type CC1)
Size: 1,001 sqft
Design: Home Philosophy

The balcony in this layout is placed away from the communal living areas, next to the kitchen. Consider turning it into a laidback seating area for lounging and relaxing. To keep it cosy, indulge in weatherproof textiles that can withstand the elements.

8. Get ready to host

Layout: 3-Bedroom Premium (Type CP1)
Size: 1,109 sqft
Design: Summerhaus D’zign

Frequent hosts, a long dining table that seats at least eight means you’ll get to host a bigger party in comfort. Do up custom shelves and cabinetry by the sides to store your wine chiller and your liqueur collections.

9. Vanity bedside table

Layout: 3-Bedroom Premium (Type CP1)
Size: 1,109 sqft
Design: Summerhaus D’zign

A vanity table by the side of the bed works just as well as a bedside table. The bonus is that you will have a dedicated area for getting ready in the mornings.

10. Be my guest

Layout: 4-Bedroom Premium (Type DP1)
Size: 1,496 sqft
Design: EHKA Studio

The living, dining and dry kitchen areas are placed together in the same zone in this 4-bedder layout, which makes it great for hosting. Do up a glass partition for your dry kitchen to contain the noise when prepping food, while still allowing you to keep an eye for your guests from within.

11. Vanity in walk-in wardrobe

Layout: 4-Bedroom Premium (Type DP1)
Size: 1,496 sqft
Design: Anhans Interior Design

This generous-sized apartment has a walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom. To take things up a luxury notch, incorporate a dedicated makeup counter by the window between the closets.

Original post Compact Dining to Entertaining-Friendly Spaces: 11 Interesting Layout Ideas for Your New Condo appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

A well-renovated apartment will still deteriorate over time due to fair wear and tear. Here are some of the 5 most common maintenance problems faced by homeowners, and what you can do about them!

Design: Glamour Concept

#1. Ceiling Leaks

What caused the leak?
When the waterproof membrane and concrete screed breaks down, the water seeps through into the floor (of the upper floor’s flat owner) subsequently into your ceiling. This usually happens in wet areas such as the kitchen, toilets and bathrooms and the typical symptoms include a damp ceiling, spreading discoloured wet watermark stains, patches and numerous water droplets forming on the ceiling.

What should you do?
When you detect a ceiling leak, you should immediately contact an HDB officer to conduct inspection of both affected lower and upper house. When need be, any authorized contractors to perform an assessment and repair of the ceiling. Usually, the upper floor will be laid with a new waterproof screed layer and new tiles. However, if the leakage is very localised, less intrusive methods which include the injection of chemical grout, aka the Polyurethane (PU) Injection Method, using the Flood Infusion Method and the nanotechnology waterproofing chemicals. A typical estimate of a small waterproofing repair job is around $1.2k or more.

Do you know?
Under the HDB Lease Agreement,  the responsibility in maintaining the structures, such as floor and ceilings, of you and your neighbors (of upper and lower floor units) are shared. Hence, when these structures needs be repaired, both you and your neighbor have to ensure that the repair works are carried out and the costs involved are split. If you live on the top floor or just above the void deck, the responsibility is shared between you and the Town Council.

Design: Jephesians Concept

#2. Spalling Concrete

What caused the concrete to spall?
The steel bars, which are embedded in the ceiling slab, corrode due to the carbonation process over time. This causes the concrete, which is wrapped around the steel bars to crack, bulge and eventually spall.

What should you do?
Ensure that the authorized contractors use only approved polymer-modified sand, cement mortar for any of the repair works. The cost of the repair charges for spalling concrete is estimated to be around $95 per square metre (excluding GST).

Do you know?
You can do the following to delay the onset of spalling concrete; since spalling concrete usually happens in the wet areas such as kitchen, toilets and bathrooms, ensure that these places are well ventilated. In addition, since paint acts as a layer of protection to prevent the carbonation of steel bars, ensure that the ceilings are painted properly and regularly coated with a new layer of paint. Finally, make sure that any holes (especially the drill holes), cracks and peeling paint are attended immediately to prevent moisture and air from seeping into the concrete.

Design: Briey Interior

#3. Dislodged Windows

What caused the windows to dislodge?
As the windows are constantly subjected to the harsh forces of the weather, such as the blazing sun, strong wind and heavy rain, without regular maintenance, they will break down over time. Regular maintenance of windows is essential for public safety, even if you live on the lower floors.

What should you do?
You should perform regular checks on the condition of your windows at least half-yearly. If you found out that your windows are at risk of dislodging, you should take immediate actions to repair or reinstall. Make sure that the window contractor is Building and Construction Authority (BCA)-approved and listed with HDB before the windows are repaired or replaced.

Do you know?
All casement windows have to be fitted with stainless steel rivets and screws as fasteners. During the routine maintenance check, you should watch out for difficulty in closing the casement windows since either the panel might be loose, the glass panes are cracked, or the rubber gasket has been loosened. In addition, keep a look out for decayed, loose or detached louvers for wooden casement windows. Most importantly, check for rusty, loose or missing rivets or screws even when they have been replaced with stainless steel. Do note that there is a fine of $5,000 and/ or sentenced to a 6-month jail term if the windows were not fitted with stainless steel rivets. Lastly, if you own aluminium casement windows, you need to replace the aluminium rivets with the stainless steel ones and there should be a minimum of 4 stainless steel rivets (for side hung) and a minimum of 3 (for top hung aluminium casement windows).

Design: Minimo

#4. Choked Water Closets

What caused the water closets to choke?
Water closets usually choke when there is a partial blockage in the sanitary pipe. This happens when improper items are flushed down the toilet. The most common culprit includes hair, partially used soap, sanitary pads, wet wipes, cotton balls, cotton swabs and other similar items. As these items will not dissolve easily, they will choke the pipe. Aside from blockage caused by foreign objects, the choke can be indirectly caused by the blocked plumbing vent, which lowered the flush pressure and thus causing the choke as the waste cannot be fully flushed.

What should you do?

You should perform regular checks on the water closets and detect slow drainage or low water pressure. If you are unable to clear the blocked water closet with a plunger, you should engage a professional plumber to detect the root of the problem and clear the blockage as soon as possible.

Do you know?
You can keep the water closets in good condition by cleaning it daily with a solution of diluted household bleach (one part bleach mixed with one part water). Monitor closely and ensure that your renovation professionals do not throw foreign objects such as cigarette butts, tapes, nails bottles and caps in the water closet! The last thing you need is for your apartment to be flooded by sewage while you are away on a holiday!

Design:0932 Design Consultants

#5. Choked Kitchen Sinks

What caused the kitchen sinks to choke?
The cause of the choke is usually due to the solidified oil and the food waste which has accumulated and hardened over the years. Over time, they turned into hardened grease within the bottle trap (P trap, or U bend). The bottle trap keeps the sink odour-free since it prevents foul smells from back-flowing through the drainage pipes.

Image from Dengarden

What should you do?
Install a kitchen strainer net to prevent food waste from being discharged into the sink. In addition, remove the choke by ensuring that the bottle trap is not blocked. First, place a pail beneath the bottle trap before detaching the bottle trap (unscrew in an anti-clockwise direction). Dislodge the solidified materials trapped in the bottle trap with a long wire hook or thin wooden stick and run the water to ensure that all the solidified materials are flushed out.

Do you know?
You can also clear the choked kitchen sinks with a plunger. Simply fill the sink partially (around half full) with hot water before positioning the plunger over the drain hole. Pump the plunger vigorously in an up-down fashion until until the clog is dislodged. Aside from using the plunger, you can also turn to the explosive reaction between the vinegar and baking soda to purge the choke. Push the baking soda powder down the drain hole and fill it to the brim. Pour the vinegar into the drain opening filled with baking soda. Use a stopper to plug the drain hole so that the reactive action will be forced toward the clog.

Original post How to Solve the 5 Most Common Home Maintenance Problems appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

From masonry works to carpentry, you think you might have gotten everything allocated under your home renovation budget. But have you? These lesser known renovation costs are often overlooked and might just set you over budget.

1. Defects Checking

Image courtesy of Eat and Travel With Us Blog

For new homes, one of the first things you have to do is to conduct a thorough defects check of your unit. While most homeowners take it upon themselves to do their own inspection, it is recommended you engage a professional to do so. This will set you back some few hundred dollars in your renovation budget.

Engaging a professional—one who has specific knowledge and experience in building construction and engineering—will help you save potential headache and repair costs in the long run.

Besides the usual surface checks, these companies conduct more in-depth ones such as a water ponding test to see if there are areas that are prone to water ponding and if the water sources are flowing smoothly towards the floor traps. Wiring tests are also conducted to see if the outlets are properly grounded. Most firms do a three-visit inspection, which includes mapping out the defects, running through defects with the developer, and a follow-up visit to see if the defects have been rectified.

There are several companies out there that offer this specialised service, but as this industry is not regulated, it is essential that you do a proper check on the company’s background before engaging them. Some interior design firms provide free defects inspection when you engage them, but as a word of caution, most interior designers do not have the requisite experience or knowledge in this area so it’s still recommended that you hire a specialised company to do the defects check.

Cost: For 4-room flats, prices can range from $320 to $450. For condos with approximately 600 square feet or less, prices can range from $280 to $350.

2. Utilities

Image courtesy of Unsplash

Your contractor or interior designer will need to use water and electricity during the renovation. So make sure they are switched on before the start of the renovation work. While there are a number of open electricity retailers to choose from now, you will still need to set up your utilities account with SP Services first. This isn’t free, and should be taken into account when you do up your renovation budget.

Opening a utilities account can be done at the SP Services customer service centre at HDB hub during your BTO key collection or it can be done online. A security deposit (billed in your first utility bill) is required to open an account and the amount is determined by your housing type, citizenship status as well as whether you are paying your bills by Giro or not.

As mentioned, renovation works require water and electricity. Workers will need to power up their tools while water is needed for cleaning and washing. You are likely to incur costs in your utilities bill even if you haven’t actually lived in your home, so make sure you set aside some budget for the surge in utility bills in the months of your renovation, even if you haven’t moved in.

Cost: A security deposit of $40 to $800 for opening a utilities account + around a couple of hundred for utilities every month of your renovation

3. City Gas Installation

Image courtesy of keching.wordpress.com

If you are opting for piped town gas, you will need to contact CityGas to install your gas pipes. The pipe installation is preferably done before constructing your kitchen carpentry. Make sure you know where your cabinetry, hob and hood will go beforehand.

The first visit by CityGas will be the actual pipe installation. Once your kitchen carpentry is fixed and your appliances are installed, CityGas will come by again to connect your hob to the gas pipe and turn on the gas supply.

This isn’t a free service and you will be charged a fee that is billable in your first bill. For homeowners in resale homes where you will want to remove/alter the original gas pipe, a separate fee is charged. Keep that in mind when allocating your renovation budget

Cost: Installation, alteration or removal of gas pipe will cost you $70, while turning on the gas supply with a pre-installed appliance will set you back $50. Costs are not inclusive of GST

4. Unexpected Issues

Image courtesy of The Local Inn.terior

No matter how hard you plan, things can go wrong during an actual renovation. For instance, you might need to source for alternative materials when supply is out. Or a particular fitting needs to be replaced because of wrong measurement calculations. Allocating at least 10% of your entire renovation for such setbacks will keep your renovation budget on track.

Cost: 10 to 20% of your budget

5. Shipping Fees

While getting furnishings and fittings online from sites like Taobao or Ezbuy will definitely help you save money, you might be slapped with a huge shipping fee that will cut into your budget. This is especially true if you’re getting a larger or heavier item like a toilet as shipping rates from these popular sites go by weight. Do budget in potential shipping fees and buy in bulk whenever you can from the same source to minimise costs.

Cost: Depends

6. Electrical Points

Image courtesy of Design NEU

You might have budgeted for your fittings and even included the installation costs, but have you overlooked the costs needed to set up various electrical points such as lighting points or power outlets? Do note that you will need a power point with higher amps for air-conditioners, heaters and washers so installing a point for these will cost more.

Cost: A lighting point starts from $45, while a single power point can go from $80. Power points for air-con, heater and washer start at approximately $120

7. Chemical/Acid Wash + General Cleaning

Image courtesy of Unsplash

Renovation works are messy jobs. Dirt smears, workmen’s boot prints and leftover wood shavings aren’t going to clean themselves. Most interior designers or contractors will provide a general clean-up after everything is done and the fee incurred will be included in your renovation contract.

If you do any floor tiling works, an acid wash or chemical wash will also be included. A particular strong acid is used to wash away stubborn stains on your tiles caused by either cement or paint that cannot be removed with water. Do make sure the acid wash is done before any carpentry works or the installation of stainless steel appliances as the acid used is likely to discolour or damage them.

Cost: An estimated $150 to $400

8. Haulage Fees/Debris Removal

Image courtesy of Alex Thong

With renovation works, come debris. If you have an HDB flat, do check with your Town Council if they provide haulage and debris removal services (more likely if it’s a new BTO). Fees are payable directly to the person you engage from the Town Council. If your Town Council doesn’t provide this service or if you own a private home, it will likely be an additional fee included by your interior designer in your contract.

The amount you have to fork out depends on the scope of your renovation work. Fees can go up if there are a lot of hacking involved and removal of existing structures like kitchen cabinets or wardrobes. This fee will also include transporting materials like sand and raw cement.

Cost: Approximately $250 to $1,200 depending on your scope of works

9. Post-Renovation Cleaning Service

Image courtesy of Marco Verch

While most contractors and interior designers do a general cleaning post renovation, you might want to do a more thorough clean-up of your entire home before moving in. Sure, a lot of homeowners DIY this step, but if the thought of cleaning up your new place sounds like too much of a hassle, especially after a stressful renovation period, you might want to set aside an amount in your renovation budget to hire someone else to do it for you.

Most post-renovation cleaning services include wiping down the interior and exterior of your built-ins, cleaning of windows and grilles, vacuuming and mopping of floors, dusting of furniture and wiping down fittings like your sinks and toilets.

Cost: Prices for 4-room HDBs can go from $180 to $260 for a 4-hour job

Having a detailed renovation budget by taking account of every expense will go a long way in helping you keep to it. But it doesn’t mean you won’t go over if you’re not careful. By keeping track of any expenses along the way, it helps to make sure you are sticking to the budget and not overspending.

Original post 9 Renovation Costs You Might Have Forgotten to Budget For appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

A must-have for every kitchen, the kitchen pantry is a flexible superstar that provides a catchall for everything from your everyday appliances and wares to your dried herbs and canned foods. Ranging from stylish tall-boy units to space-saving corner shelves, here are some of our favourite kitchen pantries we found in Singapore homes.

1. Walk-in Pantry

Here is one for those with ample space within their kitchen. An area by the corner was set aside for a walk-in kitchen pantry. The insides were lined only with open shelves so that everything can be displayed out for ease of access. No forgotten box of cereal will be happening here.

Image courtesy of The Orange Cube

2. Get Outside

If you want a walk-in pantry, but don’t have the room for it in your cooking space, consider moving your kitchen pantry outside. This one sits just outside the kitchen and is created with different sized shelf compartments to accommodate things of different heights. We like that this built-in isn’t just used as a pantry, it also doubles as living room storage on the other side.

Image courtesy of Design 4 Space

3. Pull-Out Perfection

Tall and lean yet full of depth, this pull-out pantry was designed to maximise storage without taking a whole lot of square footage. It is a perfect solution for small kitchens. The pull-out function also means you won’t have to spend a lot of time digging around your cabinet to find what you need.

Image courtesy of The Local Inn.terior

4. By the Corner

Things can get awkward fast with corner kitchen cabinets. Not only are they dark and hard to access, they also tend to be difficult to design and build. Here’s the solution: turn it into a mini walk-in pantry so you can just walk in to reach for what you need.

Image courtesy of Lemonfridge Studio

5. Out of Sight

Because the kitchen pantry is a catchall for anything and everything in your kitchen, things can get a bit messy inside. Going for a closed cabinet pantry is a great option to hide the clutter. Opt for various types of compartments depending on what you need. Shallow cubbies are great for storing delicate wares, while slide-out shelves are great for spices and cooking oils. For heavier items like your pots and pans, get deep drawers that can take the weight.

Image courtesy of Architology

6. Country Roads

To keep things organised, store all your pantry staples in containers of a similar design. This kitchen pantry located on the uppers of this country themed kitchen features the essentials stored in clearly labelled enamel tins, adhering to the rustic farmhouse vibe of the space.

Image courtesy of Country Concept

7. Pocket Full

This hardworking kitchen pantry is located in the dry kitchen area. The coffee machine hides behind the cabinet pocket door, which appears just like an ordinary cabinet front when closed. But when opened, it can slide into itself, ensuring no bump elbows even in a narrow space.

Image courtesy of Icon Interior Design

8. Don’t Go All Fancy

Sometimes, all you need is a series of wooden ledges on an empty wall to create a kitchen pantry. Not only is this not expensive to do, it is also incredibly easy to DIY yourself. Place wider gaps between the shelves if you’re accommodating taller appliances.

Image courtesy of Dream Creations Interior

Original post 8 Super Hardworking Kitchen Pantry Ideas to Get Inspired By appeared first on Renonation.sg. Renonation.sg - It's where renovation begins.

If you entertain every once in a while (or you just have a mother-in-law who loves to “drop by”), setting up a guest room for your visitors to crash for the night seems like the good host thing to do. But if you have a small home and little square footage, having a dedicated bedroom just for your guests might seem like an indulgence, especially since you won’t always have overnight visitors. To help you be the best host you can be even with a small space, we’ve consolidated some practical (but still welcoming) guest room ideas that won’t make you waste precious floor estate.

1. Make use of your bay window

Give your guests a sleeping area with a view by incorporating a daybed by your bay window. To make the most of the area, consider including storage drawers underneath.

A daybed is still useful even when you don’t have guests staying over. It functions like a chaise, for lounging or extra seating when you are hosting large groups.

Design: Free Space Intent

Once your guests take their leave, dress the area with plenty of cushions and turn it into a cosy reading alcove.

Design: Fifth Avenue Interior

2. Install a Murphy

Don’t have an extra room to spare? Incorporate a Murphy bed at your communal areas. A Murphy, also called a wall bed, can be pulled down for a flexible sleeping area and stowed away when not in use.

Once folded, this Murphy looks just like it’s part of the feature wall.

Design: Free Space Intent

Want your guest to have some privacy? Consider installing a flexible divider like a curtain around your Murphy bed.

Design: New Nyew

3. Double the guest room as a lepak corner

Make your guest room more multipurpose by doubling it as a lounge area where you can retreat to for some relaxing when you don’t have friends and family staying over.

A platform decked out with a zaisu chair and cushions is the perfect spot for unwinding. A single sized mattress is hidden underneath to accommodate overnight guests.

Design: Story of Us

Alternatively, locate the mattress on top and leave room for underneath platform storage.

Design: DB Studio

4. Get it together with your walk-in wardrobe

Still deciding whether the spare bedroom should be a walk-in wardrobe or your guest room? Why not have both?

Do up an enclosed walk-in wardrobe for more privacy.

Design: Dap Atelier

Placing the bed on a step-up platform helps to visually separate the closet area from the sleeping zone.

Design: My Reno Diary

5. Go loft style

Think tall if you are blessed with a higher ceiling in your small space. Build up a loft for your guest bed, and make use of the space underneath the loft bed by turning it into a home office.

Don’t forget a workstation’s essentials: bookshelves, storage and good lighting.

Design: Starry Homestead

Personal touches make your guests feel more welcome.

Design: Notion of W

6. Do up bunk beds

Here’s a space-saving solution when you need to accommodate more than one guest over: bunk beds.

Avoid the childish overtures of bunk beds by sticking with a classic black-and-white scheme.

Design: The Local Inn.terior

This guest room bunk bed is furnished with a mini wardrobe, which your longer term visitors will find very useful.

Design: Design 4 Space

7. Keep things concealed

If your guest room is multipurpose, you might want to consider going for concealed design elements to keep the mess and the visual clutter at bay when company is staying over.

Pocket doors and a pull-away drawer hide the study and wardrobe in this guest room.

Design: DS2000

This guest bedroom features hidden platform storage and a pop-up table.

This guest bedroom features hidden platform storage and a pop-up table.

Design: LS2 Design & Construction

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