ID or Contractor?

Actually, when it comes to renovation, the first question is Interior Designer (ID) or Contractor?

Needless to say, having an ID to work on your home means, he/she can input design ideas and incorporate space planning into your own place. Or rather, that's my pre-requisite, because I am totally not a visual person and I have no ideas. I can only state basic (those requirements that I know it's a must-have) and hopefully the ID can bring these ideas further or give suggestions based on my basic needs.
Also, it means the ID is the 'manager' of this project. He can coordinate and schedule all sorts of works, from plumbing to electrical wiring, and is the point of contact for all the sub-cons. If anything, he's responsible for the rectifications and perhaps, warranty, after the renovation is done.

With these said, the cost is definitely much higher than hiring a Contractor. However, if it's gonna make our lives much easier and simpler, I don't mind paying a premium (of cos, not to the extent of being 'carroted')

As for Contractor, (I am referring to those who only build, usually with a team of sub-cons/contacts for sub-cons) you will need to tell him what you want and they will translate into real products for you. Most will also tell you whether the idea is feasible and give suggestions. However, the design ideas & concepts really depends very much on your own instruction.
Definitely cheaper and most of the time, their team of sub-cons are also very responsible. Just that no one's really responsible except yourself. You gotta be the 'project manager' following up on the schedule and work progress.

Since ours is a new flat with flooring and doors furnished, so all what I required is a BLUM kitchen, painting basic carpentry & furnishing stuff and lots of space planning, I did contemplate to engage a contractor. (Since I can do my own space planning). However, I lack that design skill. So, I probably start of with looking for IDs, getting some ideas and take a step further from there. :)

So far, I have arranged to meet up with 2 IDs, another one yet to confirm on the date and sent out floor plan to a contractor. In total, 4.
Since I have not gotten my keys yet, in the mean time, I just have to sit through with them, see what they can offer, in terms of ideas and budget. Then probably get them to bring me to their ex-client's place to see the quality of their renovation works. I hope my search for IDs will end one week after I get my keys. When they come up for site inspection and give me a final quote based on all the prior discussions. :)

Just yesterday, Hubby Lubby and I went to Ikea, for some home furnishing inspirations, especially the kitchen, hopefully I can get them all incorporated into my kitchen. An area in the house where I place great emphasis on.

the upcoming 'projects'

Basically for this year 2012, I am anticipating 1 major project and 1 minor one.
The latter being Baby E's 1st birthday party. I have long set a theme and had in mind a preferred venue. So now preparations for the themed-party is underway. Hopefully we can get the venue when it's open for booking.

The major project of the year is Home Renovation! :)
HDB has informed us that they will probably invite us for the keys collection at the end of March, subject to the progress of the site. I am speculating it's either end March or early April.
Based on this date, we have started to look through forums, contacted some IDs and asked for some recommendations. Hopefully things will go smoothly and we can move in by June this year. :)

For this, I'm gonna start a new label. Home Sweet Home. to document down the pre to post renovation process, including furniture hunts, etc, whatever furnishes that make our place, a lovely one that we call Our Home. :)

Be My Valentine!

This year I have 2 Valentines, both are Mr Goh.
Yes, the little man and the man.

Surprise! Flowers for this year.
Get to meet the little man before spending some couple time.
Dinner places are all crowded so we settled for Chicken Rice at the Yishun 925 Coffeeshop.

Caught Jack Neo's We Not Naughty and went straight home.
Though these are all simple activities, I enjoyed myself alot. Love.

Thanks Hubby Lubby! :)

Laments.

Well, it's really not my year.

First, we got a summon for an expired coupon. I mean, for so many times we parked at my mom's place, some times even without having a valid coupon, we got one last Evening. :(

Then we had a flat tyre. Initially we thought we should be able to get home but we over-estimated ourselves. Left with no choice, we stopped by the expressway and called for help. :(

Hm... I must go to the temple to bai bai soon. :x

post natal blues or not.

It's coming almost 8months into the birth of baby E and problems are creeping in really slowly. Or should I say, the Dragon year is really not my year?

A whole lot of things happened right on Day 1 of the year... then I fell sick before the Lunar New Year, followed by baby E. And now, it's back to me. Have seen the doctor and all I can say is, she's crapped and f-up! After the blood and urine test, all she said was, I will not give you medicine because I am not sure what is the cause and I will refer you to the hospital/specialists for further checks. And the best thing, my appointment is scheduled in March! When asked, in between what do I do? She said, wait and monitor or go A&E. WTH! I have a problem, instead of solving it there and then, you ask me to wait. She even asked me, what do I want. FML, if I knew what to do, I wouldn't consult her. I knew there's no point asking her further, I just left. In anyway, I am going for second opinion by a private GP later. Hopefully she will be able to provide a sounder piece of advise.

To be honest, I am really affected by the whole episode right from Day 1, I spent hours at the McD, looking out of the window and staring blank. I had to hold my tears while having lunch. I don't know what's wrong. I just knew I am upset and troubled. I really start to wonder, do I have post-natal blues?

Though I cannot pin point why I am feeling upset, shitty and all troubled, I guess everything just adds up. Financial constraints, time constraints, etc.
I have been applying for so many leaves (annual leave, medical leave, child care leave) here and there... so much to the extend I feel bad/embarrassed about it. I don't even know how to put it to my boss about it. I know it's personal but I really don't want him to think negative about me.

I am thankful for Hubby Lubby's & my mom's constant calls to check on me. At the very least, I know they are there, genuinely concern for me.

All these are just affecting me so much, especially my mental wellbeing. While I looked okay and all, I just don't know when there would be an emotion outburst, just like the other day.

the chinese new year.

It's the first year that Baby E is celebrating his Chinese New Year yet it wasn't a really good year for the both of us.

I fell sick 4days before the Lunar New Year and Baby E fell sick on the 4th day of Lunar New Year. No thanks to my virus. He caught the cough, blocked & runny nose bugs and kept having fever. Later on, he even got dehydrated as he just couldn't stomach the milk & water.

Left with no choice, we admitted him to Mt A after consulting his PD.

So we ended up staying over the weekend and was only discharged on Tuesday.

It really pains me to see his PD setting the plug and put him on drip. It pains me even more to see him vomit the milk. I could sense the fear in him. Now he doesn't want to be left alone... not even want to sit in his car car. :(

I hope he gets well soon! :)

All I want to do now is to stay by his side and take care of him... but I gotta work. :(