In addition, most probably will leave it off for some sockets eg disc player and media player. I can still on them as my tv console is not that high and the sockets are still easily reachable.

Good thing about LYN, i learned more things today. Our lyn members here are very thoughtful and helpful.
Cheers~

This post has been edited by maxxon: Mar 25 2014, 02:56 PM

Haha... So, I should not be afraid to show my stupid works or stupid ideas (but pls don't laugh at me ok ).. so that we can have more discussions and learning.

Yup, skirting too...

Saw some Belkin's surge protector in Best Denki 1U. Now only that I understand how's the surge protector looks like the power extention and how it functions as a protector. Also, now that I understand that I really do not need that many sockets as you guys said.....
I think I will get one of those surge protector with insurance coverage like this Belkin's or Cal-lab as recommended. As it gonna be a big amount to be spent on TV and home theatre, It definitely feels better to be covered with such insured surge protector lor...
I should just leave those other sockets un-used or for the less usage or less valuable appliances then...

Getting a bit lazy lately on the updates.
Here you go with some kitchen cabinet updates:-

Quite a number of LYN members PM-ed me asking the progress of my kitchen cabinet. Why? Because the company that I booked (paid rm1k deposit during an exhibition), Maxime Design has got a not-so-pleasant review from other LYN members here. Me too like other forumers, had the same thought of canceling my booking, kiss and say goodbye to the RM1k deposit...

However, after some struggling on 'yes' or 'no', I decided to give them a chance as the guy who serves me has been quite responsive and sincere, not like those 'un-reachable' sales person that other forumers have met. I know that I've got to be 200% extra careful dealing with them. I kept reminding him to be as detail as possible too. I will make sure most things that we discussed are written in black and white, either on paper, email or text. What I can say is, he is a bit careless sometimes especially on quotation details. Other than that, everything seems 'ok' at least up to the progress now. However he reminded me that if there is any problem occurs during the installation, just inform him immediately and he assured that he will 'kao-tim' for me... He said can't promise 100% no problem during installation eventhough his boss has personally goes into the production often to check and monitor the works. He said there still sometimes has problem of left-out certain things that the installation guy need to go and fix it second time....
Hmm...as he assured me everything he will kao-tim, so i just placed a bet on my luck lar...

The installation took place more than a week ago. They came around 11am and finished work around 8pm. Everything seems ok accept for some things that their factory has left out (doors for island, some aluminium skirting and a piece of glass door which has cracked during transportation). Luckily I had received some briefing earlier on the possibility on these to happen otherwise it will blows my head off!

So now, I'm waiting for them to come and fix the left-out-pieces and the quartz top.








This Blum drawer system is for me to put heavier things like stock pots and wok. So, it got to be very durable for the extra weights.



This is just normal soft-close drawer system as it won't be storing many heavy things.



The door panels are 4g glass with full width wood-backing.



This is the foc dish rack. There is also another stainless steel pull-out rack (installed at the base unit) that I requested foc but I did't manage to capture the pic here...




All base unit comes with these legs.



Requested these aluminium skirting so that it is more durable especially on wet-floor-mopping.

This post has been edited by maxxon: Apr 6 2014, 08:21 AM

Takkanlah side wall also aluminium mar? Very ugly lor...
The skirting in aluminium or stainless steel is good enough to keep it tahan many more years. My mum's advise. Her cabinet base is still 'pretty' after over 20 years now...
We are definitely not going to pour a pail of water... Just normal mopping..

This post has been edited by maxxon: Apr 6 2014, 08:15 AM

Thanks azleena.. They suggest me to use frosted glass for bottom part of the upper cabinets (the horizontal cabinets). I chose not coz I just want to hide things unseen... So that i won't need to bother much on the neatness inside the cabinet. Making self tired only if those cabinet are for display purpose...

As of the door panel, im not sure actually but I don't think it's solid wood...

The flex hose has to go up from inside of the cabinet. Oh ya, they going to add one more small cabinet on top of my hood to hide the hose. Can't go all the way out thru the plaster ceiling drop-down coz there is a big cross beam in the middle which is hidden in the plaster ceiling box (original cross beam before roof extention).


Taiko, I'll wait till I live in a bangalow to use solid wood... Now melamine with glass door already cost a bomb... Like this already a good 18k...

100" TV? It's only in my dream...

There will be a front loading washer, Bosch WAS24461-SG with anti-vibration design. Wish to have a dish washer too but I can't find a valid excuse to splurge on that yet... It's a luxury spending for me at the moment..
There is only my husband and I living in there...so the dish washing is kinda minimal. Not going to have big party often but just small gathering with family members or couple of friends over the weekend.

I've got a request to list out what's it consists of, for that RM18k spent on the kitchen cabinet. Instead of replying individually in WhatsApp, I'm gonna just reply it here, so that it can be shared to others as well. Moreover, I hate to type 'long-long' using hp, and mine is an iphone somemore.... Cheeshion

So, here's what's it included:
- 14' base unit (900mm height instead of their standard height 850mm)
- 9' wall unit (H1500mm)
- 2' wall unit (H900mm)
- 3' width 2 tiers Blum drawer
- 2' width 3 tiers normal soft close drawer
- 3' fridge unit
- 6' full height tall unit (H3000mm)
- 5' x 2' Island cabinet
- quartz stone top (14' +5.5' on island)
- dish rack
- stainless steel pull-out basket
- 23' aluminium skirting
- to install a double bowl granite sink under-mount
- gas springs and all soft close hinges
- many pcs of extra end panels

* all doors are 4G crystal glass with fully wood-backing.

I asked for 6 quotations in total, all were obtained during exhibition. I brought my ipad over to show them the layout plan and measurement. The first booth that I went to helped me drafted a simple kitchen plan on the spot based on our discussion. After I got the quotation, just gave them an excuse to buy some time and walked away first. By that time, I already had in mind what's the layout and material that I want. Then, I went to other booths to get more quotations using the first draft.

I've got a heart-attack when I read their not-so-good review on lyn after that. Thank God that things didn't turn out too bad so far. Quality of cabinet is still pretty good. Perhaps, I've already very much immuned to the situation where the vendors just couldn't accomplish their job in one go. Many still need to come back 2nd or third times for rectification or repair, and such vendors including those big players and those with good reputation online.

As I've start mentioning about the topic of rectifications, for my case, other vendors who came back for rectifications includes:
1. sunspot- windows & sliding doors (simply too many rectifications to be mentioned, product ok but their response and installation flaws was giving me big big headache).
2. Reliance Home - for some small scratches on their folding door frame (thumbs up for their after sales service).
3. Vin Art - for the bi-fold door dented frame (product ok but vendor not responsive and took ages for rectification).
4. Innovar - to rectify some cracking sound on the laminate floor due to floor not level (So far ok).
5. Kitchen Palace in Kota Damansara- Came back couple of times to replace chipped wardrobe door and loose upper skirting.
6. Three Kim - took one of the gate frame back for rework and painting touch-up for collapsible grill. (Product design is good especially grill and gate, the lady boss is quite responsive and good attitude in handling complains. She has even offer me to deduct rm270 off for the collapsible grill and extended many apologies. She mentioned that they have change the supplier of collapsible grill)
7. Last but not least, there are of course countless rectifications done by the main con, including some parts that we have changed our mind.

I think the list will sure goes on until I get all my things and furnitures in.

Haha..one shoe doesn't fit all. Each have their preference, priority in mind and budget to meet. Some who wants everything 'the best range and materials' in their house, some who wants a stylish house to impress the guests, some who wants a heaven place to live in after hard works, some who just wants the house to suit their traditional living style and no issue with aesthetic at all, etc.

For me, I keep reminding myself to make it a 'home' which I enjoy, rather than a showroom to please others. Design and planning of the house is very much based on our living lifestyle and daily habits. Besides, I also reminded myself to live within my means. Of course I did attracted too to many luxury designs included kitchen that you guys mentioned or a good timble table cost 20k (drooled alot to be exact~ ).
However, I still find no reason to splurge beyond my budget at least not until I achieve my next financial stage. I feel very much contented already to live in what I have now and I would rather put the extra money into biz or getting more properties. I guess someone would come and taruh me again for fueling the hike of housing price. (Ref to previous post by one of the forumer who got mad with me buying this house..... )

Bro mrgoodgood,
Yup, the hood will be installed by their worker later and I shall pay them some 'tokens of appreciation' personally, as Maxime would charge a fee of installation. The Island is 5.5' x 2' so that it gives more clearance to the walkway of both sides and I'm reserving a good 7' space at the kitchen back for other things later. Might put 2 chairs and a small table there for me to enjoy some coffee. Will see how it goes later....

Oh, the table top they fixed now is only 5', so they gotta change that too. Cabinet underneath the island is only 5' in length to allow some legrooms.



5' base cabinet underneath the island.




The pendant light and led strips are up. All my lighting has been bought for nearly a year ago even before I start renovating, luckily still can match... The led strips are yellow in color actually, the picture taken by phone is always




I've reserved kinda big clearance at both sides and the back.


Bro cstkl,

I've just bought the Belkin's surge protector together with my TV and home theatre purchase. It's good enough for me as it has an insured amount if accident occurs when using their surge protector. I's more affordable compared to do the lightning arrestor. Also that i heard from my electrician that one drawback of lightning arrestor is that we are actually prone to attract the lightning current to us. Eventhough we are able to earth it, but I just don't feel comfortable that the lighting current has to sort of like 'pass-by' my house often...don't know got any effect on electromagnetic feild or not eh....

Hey bro, me too can't wait to see your renovation sharing eh... I'm sure it gonna be marvellous looking at your taste.

This post has been edited by maxxon: Apr 8 2014, 08:40 AM

I think this gonna be custom made...not a standard design that we have here... and I'm not in a position to change it already... Btw, i'm wondering is there very much heat down underneath that we need such ventilation doors?

Hehe...I don't separate wet/dry kitchen. I prefer a spacious and comfy place for material/ingredient preparation but don't think that I want to transfer the prep-ed material in and out between the dry and wet kitchen.
Moreover, I like the back of house to be 'opened up', sort of like bringing the inside out and the outside in...

Washing machine and placement:-

Yup, it's fully imported from Germany. Bought it some times ago during a massive warehouse sales in Harvey Norman when they are clearing stock to move the main warehouse. It was still a new model that time selling in store for RM4899, but I got it at RM3300. The price that I checked last 2 months in their store is still over RM4k... You may want to check the latest price again..



The anti-vibration design at side panel.



The socket still can be switched off from the extra switch linked to it above the table top. The initial water outlet has been cut off but I didn't close up the outlet entirely to standby it for future usage just in case. Both in and outlet are from the cabinet compartment next to it so that it allows more room to slot in the washing machine and keep the machine protruding part minimal.



In the picture, from the the left most is the inlet for washer, inlet for kitchen taps, outlet for both washer and sink tap and right most is the stop cock. Will show the plumbing work once it's done and the hole will be covered up with foam to avoid cockcroaches....

This post has been edited by maxxon: Apr 8 2014, 08:53 AM

Don't leave out any corner ar? Perhaps need to video tour lor like that! Hahaha!


Yup, i was too optimistic on the timing earlier, coz I was rushing for wedding. Then it was year end and CNY pulak... Most vendors including kitchen cab has got full schedule and need to wait till after CNY...
Although everything seems ready or going to be ready...but don't be surprise that it will take more time that you could have expected to make good of the 'little-little' part here and there... Things could be faster and easier if you are not as detail and OCD (obssesive-compulsive disorder). I'm not 100% OCD but i think almost 85-90% already...
Furthermore, my main con seems to get busy already since he has started some other project. So, i'm getting worker on and off sometimes...

However, mine has really coming very close to the end.... Minor things left for the main con and my furniture are slowly coming in starting from this week.

However, it's similar to the start work's timing when It was delayed one month to avoid the 7th lunar calendar month; now that old ppl are telling me again to avoid Ching Beng month.......



It's 2'x2' tiles from White Horse.

This post has been edited by maxxon: Apr 8 2014, 04:58 AM

I booked Maxime long ago before I hired Kitchen Palace. Went to their showroom and got to know that they have very limited designs for wardrobe. All swing wardrobes but none of the sliding type which I prefer. Moreover, I also feel like to avoid hiring them for everything. Who knows if thing turns bad, my damage will be double. With the intention to diversify the risk, I source for another vendor for my wardrobe.

Dealing with Kitchen Palace, although they seems impressive and convincing, you still gotta be very careful on details and make sure you ask about the material and spec that you will be getting. I was quite impressed with their showroom's sample and asked for a quotation base on my measurement. If you don't ask, they will just quote you thier standard material but not according to the sample that you are looking at. If you thought they are quoting you per the 'thing' that you see, you will definitely have a heart attact when you find out the disputes when they come for installation later.

For example, if you don't ask, their quotation will be based on standard white color carcass intead of the laminate melamine carcass that you see in the showroom. They will quote you standard door frame, carcass not entirely up to the ceiling height, etc...unlike the impressive sample. They don't bother to tell you unless you ask, then they will say do like that need to top up money, like this also need to top up money.....
Perhaps, we just got to be very careful on details and ask alot, not only when dealing with this vendor but to all others too.

Their wardrobe is so far ok, but I found a chipped mark of about 1.5cm on the melamine door panel. Called the boss and he immediately arranged for the replacement. When the other uncle came to take the chipped panel back, he spotted a flaw and told me that the installation guy did not fix the stopper for me..
So, I got the guy who came in to replace the panel a few days after that to fix the stopper for me.
Just when the boss rang me asking for the 10% remaining payment, I found the upper skirting is getting loose and dropped slightly. The slanting was kinda obvious. This time, the boss's son came for rectification. That skirting problem was due to lack of silicon holding. So he put some silicon and promised to come back to cut the excessive silicon (making it nicer) the next day after the silicon harden. Before he went off, my husband complaint that the end panel is shaky and asked him to tighten up with another screws. Initially, he said that won't help but mana tau, after adding a screw on the place my husband suggested, the panel is very firm and no more shaky.
The very same day, he asked for the 10% last payment and I paid it.......then I didn't see his shadow anymore (to come back for the silicon thing) despite two reminders sent by text and empty promises given of course.

Can you count how many times I need to go and meet them at the site for that simple 10' wardrobe? Four times!
and he is actually missing in action for the 5th time.

So far, their wardrobe is ok. Just make sure you ask a lot during quotation and never ever pay in full before you are well satisfied with everything. Even for Maxime, their last payment supposed to be only 5% but I insisted to hold a 10% on hand before they deliver everything up to my expectation.

Sorry for the long post, when I go into details I just can't stop.... me like old granny already....


Slightly dropped and slanted skirting



Messy silicon left over which my husband need to make it nicer. Not too hard actually, just need to slightly swipe a cutter over and peel the excessive strips...However, the empty promises simply made the entire experience feels uneasy.

Yup, there is a folding door and collapsible grill at the back which can be opened from wall-to-wall.

I haven't decided on date yet...
Wish you smooth sailing!


Yup, that was the best deal ever! Went there a few times to check when they have sales but still nothing near the price I've got..

I've no idea on the quality of Electrolux actually... I chose Bosch because I used it before when I live abroad. I've used the brand Hotpoint too but it is not available in Malaysia. If buying the top-loader, I won't mind any brand, but for front-loader I prefer to go for brands which have been long in such front-loader tech (more reliable I presume)....obviously not the new player samsung or panasonic.
If not mistaken, Electrolux produced front-loader and sell it in other countries eg. UK, in the name of AEG. You may try to check it out how long they have been producing this AEG washer and is it the same tech they are using here with the house brand Electrolux.

This post has been edited by maxxon: Apr 9 2014, 03:08 AM

This particular lights I got it from Tsen Lighting.

Some random updates:-

- Fridge
My 700L glass doors Toshiba fridge (GR-WG76MDA) just came in. Bought it at RM2500, together with all the Mitsubishi airconds.






The clearance when its door is wide-opened. The placement near the island is good for me to put the unloaded things.



Got a 12KG rice container and 2pcs Casserole ceramic cook pot as free gifts (for the bill together with airconds). It was supposed to be another thermal cooker but it was out of stock so they will try to get me one later.


- Outdoor ceiling light
I bought the following NSB light which allows me to use either an energy saving bulb or LED bulb. This light is going to be ON for many hours at night till dawn. It is an energy saving bulb to be started with, so that I can observe how long it can last, before deciding whether it's feasible/worth changing it to LED bulb.






- Grunfos water pump (CM3-4PM) - RM1180
We thought the pump left behind by the previous owner is still working but it broke down just after we ran it for few minutes. It was definitely a bad news, means we just got another thing to spend money on....
We headed straight away to Builders hardware looking for Zheilwane, knowing that they have the best price for Grunfos pump. Buying things from them is super time-saving. Why? Because No need to bargain, just mention 'chun-kao' in cantonese means 'best deal' and we've got the best price from him.


It also comes with an anti-vibration rubber pad to be placed underneath the pump.

Yup, this price. Cash and carry~
Make sure you look for Zean himself but not his parent to get the best deal.