My Progress - Thurs 18th July 2008

Most paintworks have been done.

Some minor adjustments and cleaning here and there

Out of the lights which i Ordered, the dining one is my Fav! $250 and the most ex of the lot which I bought as compared to normal pendant lights.

Dining Area in the Day

Dining Area at Night.

My Common Room with Salsa Wall +
Hanging Square Light (Bright White and Warm White - changable)

My Walk in Concept Wardrobe Entrance


The Wall where my bed will be
(I Know hehe, the door doesn't really match, will change it later)


My Cosy Little Corner where my dresser cum study with be.

With alot of privacy which I like v much.



Square light (similar with common room) at my study area



My Bird Nest Light ( my fav too!) in MBR


Hope you like the pictures :)

Please take note of items which you buy

Back to Houseware and Sanitary Ware (Whole Story)
1stly, I went to Summer (S), they didn't have much range which I like except Barons WC, so
i ended up buying from Lucky Khoon (LK) instead.

(1)
Only to realised that LK overcharged me on mixers and taps even if it's after nego and discount!
(I only compared 3 items if I had compared all, there will be much more)

I got $400 refunded from the 3 items.
After which I used $430 to replace the 3 LK items plus a Basin
Royal Franco (RF)

(2)
After installing the WC, design is the same 1 PC type. I realised that how come the logo on the WC is so different from the one which I ordered. I realised that LK has given me another WC without clarifying that I'm actually ordering Barons. They were "smart" enough not to put the brand on the invoice and told us that they gave us that design because they didn't have what we ordered in Black. When did we order Black in the 1st place??
Have gotten them to change the WC to the one we ordered.

(3)
Not sure if installer were from LK, after installing my rainshower, I realised that my
tile is cracked, am getting the ID to change it for me.

What I have learnt:-
(a) Make sure they write every single item together with Brands (if any) on the invoice
when you order
(b) Make sure you check every single item before they install.

I was not there to inspect the delivery and by the time i check the site,
they were already installing half-way and I couldn't go in to check until they have completed all
the installation. I can only check the following night only to find out those issue above.

Sanitary Ware

Updated progress as of now...
Currently painting works,
all Sanitary Ware and Bathroom Wares all installed.

Electricity points and Lighting Settled

BUT today (some issues)
(1) Found that my tile cracked after installation of Rainshower in MBR Toilet
(2) Found that the WC which I ordered is not Brand: Barons??

I ordered Barons 1 Pc WC as it has certified water saving facilities
Well, have gotten ID to settle it for me. Will update on the outcome.

Curtains done
1 night curtain for Balcony area (Crinkled Silk Type)
2 roman blinds for Dining area (Shantung Silk)
3 roller blinds for MBR (hacked room)
1 2 panel curtain for Common Room
1 panel curtain for WIW

Total: $1150 from Ecurtain (AMK Industrial Park 1)
Note that: there's another company Ecurtains @ Geylang, they are not
afflicated with each other. :)

Some Experiences (Part 2)

For all who wants to buy Houseware,
can go to Royal Franco 1st to find out the prices BEFORE
going to other shops.

To me, Royal Franco have very good prices even if I'm just a normal walk-in.
The boss really bother to take the items out one by one to show me even
though i was no sure and were just asking.

The shop felt cold initially (as it was a Monday)
both Husband and Wife bosses faces look stern but they are like that.
So don't be afraid to ask or be put off by them.

btw: shopping is great on weekdays as they will be free to help you.

$400 and above gets free delivery.
Payment by cash/nets

If I had bought from them initially, i could have saved another 200-300 bucks.
I bought 4 items from them including a tempered glass basin and it's already 100 cheaper than my previous purchase of 3 taps & mixers.

If I had compared all the taps and mixers, I could have saved more.

Some shopping experiences

Experience with Lucky Khoon Hardware...

Overall, Lucky Khoon prices are quite "skyhigh" (before nego-ing for discounts)
there isn't much of a difference whether you go with ID or not
just make sure you check your prices before going there and then ask them to match.
Also, if your order is big, you can also try to nego for no GST. :)

Taps, Mixers, etc etc: Alot of range to choose from Hansgrobe, Nobel, Pozzi, and so on
Kitchen Sinks: Franke, Teka, Rubine available
Hoods & Hobs: Rinnai, Fujioh
Service: Good & Overall Patient
Person to look for: Kim
Prices: Can be better
Plumbering Work: Yet to comment
Need ID to bring you for better price?: Not a need.

Anyway:
I bought most of my houseware from Lucky Khoon, they are not the cheapest (after nego) but if you like POZZI stuffs, Royal Franco is cheaper (check my next post). Another reason is because if i split my purchases, it may be troublesome during plumbing installation in case item doesn't match / fit properly.
Overall, they have many years of plumbing experiences too.

I bought my
Kitchen Sink from Bellari -
design is nice and has functions like mini bin, soap dispenser, sponge corner.
Rubine has simlar design but Bellari appeals better to me.

My Hood and Hob also from Bellari -
The hob with the TORNADO flames fasinated me! The hood seems quite expensive to me as compared to Rinnai of similar design but well, i prefer the whole set to be from the same brand.
Also, they have overall good aftersale service like reminding customers to change charcoal filter and so on as compared to Ariston. Ariston of similar design will cost MUCH MORE.

My inital choice was Rinnai Hood and Fujioh Hob but I was in LOVE with Bellari :P

From Cheapest to Expensive (on my prefered brands which I did some sourcing on)
Rinnai ---> Bellari ---> Ariston
based on the same design
eg: Hood with glass & Hob in black tempered glass

If you are interested in Rinnai & Fujioh, Summer Hardware in Toa Payoh is the cheapest!
The Rinnai Hood and Fujioh Hob set which i wanted was approx $200 cheaper than Lucky Khoon Hardware.
Look for Ms Kee. :)