ID Space Layout and my additional stuffs

My ID give me this space layout..Hmmm..quite satisfied but maybe I'm gonna do a bit of adjustment.I'm gonna put my washing machine and dryer in the store room.The sink will be beside the window.If budget permitted,I would like to hack all the kitchen wall and built a partition glass door so that my kitchen will be bright since I have built up a store room,pretty worry it might be dark in kitchen..

 ID SPACE LAYOUT

 LAYOUT 1, according to ID LAYOUT (my own sketch)

Add up works,washer n dryer in store room,to built a shoe cabinet comes partition in dining area,built in kitchen waste bin,customised study top in MBR,curtain box for living n dining,hope the quotations will be a good price..

Trying to be my own designer lol..

Last time during my ITE time I took up building drafting in Architectural.I'm very interested in building and design.Now since I have the chance to design my own house.I brush up my old skills..lol.

My so call new store room 3D design

Another view

Living room feature wall enough to hold my 46" plasma

Propose 3 trifold door in new store room

My kithcen requirements although granite work top to be KIV

Another kittchen 3D view..very out of proportion..

The Plan...

 Previous owner layout (drawn by me lol)

My propose layout,to built a store room in kitchen,to hack platform in living room.to have a worktop for 02 pax to have  a small meal.

The chosen ID

After work I ask mum to go to Chew design and a few renovation firms at Tradehub at boon lay way.We manage to take a look at Nova furniture shop as they're having some closing down sale.Too bad the salesgirl is too pushy..we give it a miss.Keep recommending a purple sofa which I don't like.Feedback on Chew Interior: The ID give on the spot quotation which is pretty impressive.However the we don't have a click with the ID,that's how I feel.Having a good communication between ID and clients do help sometimes.After that we went to JGH contractor at tradehub,apparently 2 person are doing their own thing,we waited for about 7mins but no one attend to us.1 staff is playing the Internets.Don't even bother to ask us anything.So there is the boss I think Peter Tan,after he talks to one of the customer he ask to wait.Overall he ask what we want,very direct and the quotations we received apparently around the same as ID firm.

Guess this is an old banner from their website.After $3888 rebates since I don't need the free gifts since my new house had air con,renovation for 01 kitchen,02 toilet is $17,595 plus whole house is paint with nippon.Overall most firms have around the same price maybe a bit different by few thousands.Well this doesn't include on the additional items yet since we're building a new store in kitchen and other additional things...Hope we don't go over budget...haiz...

After having dinner at Mac Donald,we walk and saw Northwest Design wall banner,stated 5 room showflat.So we went take a look and serve by 1 ID,doesn't look friendly at first.The showrooom is pretty impressive.After me,mum and ID sat on the table and talk,she can talk Malay since she was from Malaysia.So mum n her start to chat.Mum since to have the bond with her.So mum seems happy to talk with her.So apparently we sign with her on 01 kitchen and 02 toilet package.She throw me a free shower screen partition for my MBR.Overall she seems flexible on like free things,maybe it's inside hidden cost.Anyway since I had already sign up with Northwest design,there's nothing more I can do,just pray that the renovation process will goes well and my ID is sincere,good and honest.Btw her name is Angie Tong.

Should I look for ID or contractor?

This is a common question for most home owners when they're getting a new house.If the house is well renovated maybe small work might do.If the unit is old and no renovations done by previous owner,
more work to do = more $$$$


Interior designer aka ID.
They're working for renovation firm and they provide you with space layout,design,3D drawings.Act as a coordinator which will supervise the worker on your behalf.ID will promise you the time line when your renovation complete.

Pros
You can consult them for ideas,layout,you won't need to crack your head for ideas.They are the one who will supervise on all the reno works.If you have limited time to supervise the works.Hiring an ID will be a great idea.They can also advise you on your furniture to buy which match your design theme.

Cons
Expensive.However nowadays most renovation firms come with free design and layout in their quotations or perhaps the ID fees are already inside the package.There is also some feedback that there is a few ID which never deliver their promises.No one is perfect,maybe the ID have many projects at the same time.Best way is to discuss with your ID nicely than turning your relation sour = delayed,wrong works.It also depends on your luck,if you get a popular ID,he/she might be too busy to handle your reno works.Just my 2 cents.

Contractor
Pros
Cheaper

Cons
You have to give them the design although some contractors now can give u design since they have work for several projects,basically your design might be the same as other owners since the contractors just change a bit here and there.

MY CONCLUSION
I've asked quotations for my new house from about 14 renovation firms and contractors.Although some never respond because I ask them through email,some did respond.Most requires you to drop by their office to discuss in details,some I meet up but most not since I don't have enough time.I just want to get the estimation quotations.That's all I asked for.When to a few contractors,thinking it was cheaper but to my surprise the price is about the same as using an ID.There's this one contractor I approach which is uncle,I ask him for design,he suggested to use a sliding window beneath my kitchen sink.Whatt???That was like a decade ago which was popular.He keep assuring me..my house will be nice.So I cross him out.For me,it's not easy to convinced me,I want value for money but I don't mind to pay a bit more if the contractors know and deliver what I want.

In the end I choose a ID.will tell you more on my next post. :]

Ideas for Empty Wall Space

 It do add some life to the wall

 One of the dimension..guess this is the more smaller ones.

 I like this tree branch...ggrrrr

 Funky street dancer decals

 Awww...so sweet..

Mum may like this if I paste in her room

Chandeliers decal? lol

Instruction to paste over the decals

So beautiful....

Just when I was browsing on renotalk.I saw a topic stated 'Wall decals'...ZAMBOOKA...that's give me an idea how to fill up space for my empty wall in my bedroom.I wanted to do with wallpaper but out of budget..furthermore heard a lots of feedback that wallpaper doesn't last long and expensive..For wall decals it may last up to 2 years..the plus points is when I get bored I can remove the vinyl stickers and paste over the new design..The pictures below is some decals that I went through..wanted the Eiffel tower decal for my bedroom...lol.I do hope it's not that difficult to paste over the decals.