The Planning

Renovation projects produce the best results when they are a collaborative effort between the ID and the owner. As the owner you need to do some research and thinking through of what your requirements are (must-haves as well as wish-list items), to be able to give clear instructions and guidance to your ID and also to be able to contribute constructively to discussions with your ID.

Benji, Alvin and I discussed a few options re. the layout, with lots of rough sketching. Some of their ideas worked, some didn't. Some of my requests and suggestions worked, some didn't. In the end the layouts were a combination of inputs from all 3 of us.

Structurally, we decided to open up the doorway between the kitchen and living room, leaving a half wall with a 3-panel sliding glass door. We also opened up the back area of the kitchen and yard to visually enlarge the kitchen, and were able to reorganize the kitchen layout as well.

3D rendition - Living room

3D rendition - Dining area

3D rendition - Kitchen

3D rendition - Study

The rest of the reno consisted of new floor and wall tiles and cabinets, new paint and other touch ups. I had worked out my own projected timeline for the renovation project, and the whole process from meeting and briefing the designers to confirming the ID and quote took about 3 weeks. Another week or so to finalize details with the ID and for me to move out, and the renovation works began.

Note that renovation works are a very messy affair, especially if you are renovating a place you already live in. Dust and debris in every nook and cranny. Be sure to move as much of your belongings out as possible if your renovations are major, especially large items that are difficult for the contractors to move around. Also be sure to cover and seal all cupboards etc.

  

       Within days the place was wrecked!

My boxes amid the contractor's supplies

The contractor did rig up cardboard covers for my closets however these were nothing airtight, so dust seeped in. Although I moved my large items such as furniture and kitchen appliances out to storage, I had packed up my kitchen utensils, supplies and other items and left them in boxes in the apartment. The workers moved these around from room to room as they worked on different areas, however as you can imagine these were probably handled none too gently, and they all got really really dusty!

Also, best not to leave any items lying around, no matter how small or inconsequential - pails, vacuum cleaner, ladders etc., unless you are prepared to lose these.