i'm thinking to extend my kitchen out. initial planning is to extend around 11ft (long) x 10ft (wide).

However, the initial planning will cover up one of the septic tank manhole. Contractor advise not to do so just in case there's a blockage in the future.

Due to this, the extension of my kitchen become 11ft x 8ft only which is kinda small.

My question, is it ok to cover up one of the septic tank manhole for a bigger kitchen?

If the manhole position is not right at your new extension wall line and away from your kitchen cabinet, able to access for maintaining then OK.

Hope this help 👍

Hi,

For the light troughs, can we used LED light strips instead of the T5 LED tube? Since I just want to achieve an ambient lighting for the spaces. Or will it be too dark to live in?

Yes LED strips will achieve smoother gradient lighting effect comparably to t5, If you wish to use them for ambient lighting since your downlights are good enough as the main general lighting source.

This post has been edited by ehwee: May 23 2020, 02:07 PM

Hi i saw your website,

https://reddotzinteriordesign.com/2016/01/2...-alam-malaysia/

How did this end up to cost 120k?

This is a 700sqft soho unit, the owner wished to divided out a single bedroom.

The cost seems high, yet if you analyze what have been done then it will be another story.

As It was not just for standard renovation work like glass wall sliding partition, timber flooring, plaster ceiling, plywood base build in cabinets, m&e, painting works, air con, lighting fixtures, etc. Yet also include all the loose furniture, curtains, dining set, sofa set, bed set and some appliances you can see over the images.

This post has been edited by ehwee: May 24 2020, 10:34 AM

Hi

Need some of your suggestions. I have an old 20 years old house which is fully extended before moving in.

1) because of this extensions the back rooms has these ceiling beams from where the house actually ends previously.

I want these beams to be remove/hidden cause feng shui said no good. Any suggestion whether to remove/hide it ? If just cover it by plaster ceiling, I think d whole room will be Abit too short?

2) Also the house has walls separating the sections of the house aka living room and the kitchen. I’m thinking of breaking the walls to make it an open concept.

But since it’s an old house, is it safe to break down so many walls ? Including the ceiling beams ?

It sounds interesting on what you are thinking to do.

May be you can share some photos on the ceiling beam structures of back room and the living & kitchen areas, so we can visualize the existing conditions and make possible suggestions for you.

If the walls are not load bearing, they can be broken down. Yet you will need to build new structure supports shall you need to remove or relocate structure beams and columns. This is to transfer the structure load from the removed beams to the new structures beam or column.

It's adviced you appoint a structure engineer to survey the existing structure and make necessary loading calculation for any structure alterations.

This post has been edited by ehwee: May 25 2020, 11:05 AM

Im moving to an empty unit, 800sqft with bad lightning environment (all small windows, no balcony). Will need to put lots of downlights

I'm thinking the usual white ceiling, gray walls. Below is from nipponpaint selection. Silver mist or graycloth better? Or other color suggestion?

And mid-sheen or matte better for its coating?


Attached thumbnail(s)

I will suggest a coverage ratio of 80/20 where 80 is off white 20 is either silver mist or grey cloth. Either color is alright as it is personal preference. Same as matt or mid sheen coating, is personal preferences. If modern living can go for matt.

Lighting wise, I will suggest instead of have all downlights, can opt for mixture of downlights, wall flooding ceiling spotlight, some wall or floor lamps.

This will create a more interesting lighting effects and ambience for the interior compare to just merely downlights all over the spaces.

Would more drawers rather than door cabinets be useful in the kitchen? Which is best for storage?

Personally find that drawers are better because can see everything at one shot / no need to dig around but not sure if it is the most space conscious option

I intend to renovate my house by opening and relocating the 2 bedrooms. May i know if it is cheaper to put partition walls (Using those or similiar office type) or bricks?

I noticed the paint on the bricks will crack after sometime so i am not sure if it is wise choice to do so again?

What is the color paint that used for minimalist concept? I know, its white BUT there are so many white. Brilliant white, Glossy white etc.

Thanks.

I would say drawers are convenient for small utensils like forks, spun, cups, cooking pans, etc.

Yet for plate and bowls still better go for door compartments with pull out shelves or baskets.

Or you are buy some transparent containers to store and categorized different items or seasoning sauce if using normal doors compartment with adjustable shelves.

Yes partition definitely cheaper. Yet there are a few disadvantages compare to brick wall, partitions are not strong and can easily be accidently broken holes after heavy knocking.

Also for home stay purpose I advice you to have sound insulation in the partition to keep out of noice.with thrinsulation cost add up, then the overall cost is comparable with brick wall.

So unless you just plan to temporary partition it for short period or would like to keep out of messy construction if you are currently staying in the house already, I think for home stay purpose brick wall still better.

This post has been edited by ehwee: May 28 2020, 04:15 PM

Thank you for respond. Yes, i am currently staying in the house but intend to move out while renovation is inprogress.
I dont think the paint will crack on partition as compared to bricks and intention is for internal isolation (Separating son's room and working office).

May be you pre select a few favorite colour, the upload your house photos with the colour chart, then me and forumers can make suggestion for you.

Then do consider the sound insulation I mentioned, since you will wish to have a quieter working office next to son room

We all know wall painting is the most cost effective design tool to achieve a nicely done home.

Everybody can be his own "artist" to paint our house DIY, there are a lots of ideas and examples on the net we can learn.

Instead of painting all walls in a room with single colour or painting at one selected wall in favourite colour yet keep all other walls in white, we can actually do some simple geometry painting techniques like the picture below:



This is a simple job done without broken our pockets

This post has been edited by ehwee: Jun 2 2020, 07:10 PM

I’m about to take delivery of a wooden dining table that I bought last year. Now I have a change of mind on its color. How can I make the top darker? Any recommended carpenter/wood finishers?