House Renovation - designers or ala-carte?

[zac's mum]

Thx all for the feedback! Will check with the ID to see if island height can be customized.

The good thing about not having a built-in sink/hob is that the cabinet depth does not have to be the standard 60cm. So I can actually have storage on both sides of the island (width is 80cm). Thinking of doing same height as dining table (bar height is too high for rolling dough comfortably!) Possibly plonk a bigger top on it so there’s an extended ledge to tuck chairs under.

Our main reason for making the island is…the original enclosed kitchen was too dark and cramped. So we are hacking one entire wall to let light through the whole open space. Need to compensate for the lost worktop and storage, hence the “breakaway” island.

Test the height for comfort for the various activities you have in mind. There is a difference between typical desk height (70-75 cm) and counter height (around 85 cm) so it may still not work for both purposes.

Good advice! I’m working at the dining table today (76cm height) after several months of working at the shared study desk (73cm height). And realized my shoulders are super sore from typing with my arms higher than usual.

Kiddo feels no difference though - he uses his laptop on both from time to time. Interesting.

[slmkhoo]

Good advice! I’m working at the dining table today (76cm height) after several months of working at the shared study desk (73cm height). And realized my shoulders are super sore from typing with my arms higher than usual.

Kiddo feels no difference though - he uses his laptop on both from time to time. Interesting.

I think we get less adaptable (physically) as we get older and stiffer? I also notice that my girls are less sensitive to differing arrangements while I will have more issues with shoulders, vision, etc. Try using a chair with adjustable height.

[sky minecrafter]

Sharing an FB popup: Chic-and-Cosy-E8-Home-is-where-the-Stomach-is

[zac's mum]

I feel that Taiwan IDs do a much better job customizing to the owner’s needs. Check out how this female ID planned the house for a busy working mum with 3 young kids. I love it:

https://youtu.be/a2hndWOLock

[zac's mum]

Harvey Norman, Gain City & other places (Eg. Teka) having National Day sales. Price saved is quite substantial.

If you miss it, the next round of discounts is probably Christmas, then CNY.

Just sharing. Good to know these seasonal sales when doing reno/replacing big ticket items.

[Zeal mummy]

I’ve been thinking to bring in designers to help update my place.. any good recommendations that wouldn’t break the bank?

[zac's mum]

I’ve been thinking to bring in designers to help update my place.. any good recommendations that wouldn’t break the bank?

Now is not a good time. Most of them are fully booked & there are supplier delays for carpentry & workers due to MCO in Malaysia. Friend of mine had urgent reno to do, called up 25 IDs and finally found one to take on the project but turns out to be lousy one.

[Zeal mummy]

I’ve been thinking to bring in designers to help update my place.. any good recommendations that wouldn’t break the bank?

Now is not a good time. Most of them are fully booked & there are supplier delays for carpentry & workers due to MCO in Malaysia. Friend of mine had urgent reno to do, called up 25 IDs and finally found one to take on the project but turns out to be lousy one.

Oh dear. That sounds bad. Thanks for letting me know. I do need to squeeze out a space for WFH. Don’t know how long it will last..

[zac's mum]

I’ve been thinking to bring in designers to help update my place.. any good recommendations that wouldn’t break the bank?

Now is not a good time. Most of them are fully booked & there are supplier delays for carpentry & workers due to MCO in Malaysia. Friend of mine had urgent reno to do, called up 25 IDs and finally found one to take on the project but turns out to be lousy one.

Oh dear. That sounds bad. Thanks for letting me know. I do need to squeeze out a space for WFH. Don’t know how long it will last..

Half of WFH staff allowed to go back office liao. Unless you have special arrangement (like me) to WFH indefinitely, not worth to do.

[Zeal mummy]

Now is not a good time. Most of them are fully booked & there are supplier delays for carpentry & workers due to MCO in Malaysia. Friend of mine had urgent reno to do, called up 25 IDs and finally found one to take on the project but turns out to be lousy one.

Oh dear. That sounds bad. Thanks for letting me know. I do need to squeeze out a space for WFH. Don’t know how long it will last..

Half of WFH staff allowed to go back office liao. Unless you have special arrangement (like me) to WFH indefinitely, not worth to do.

Yeah have to wfh.. no office to return to from next month on