House Tour : Backyard

We extended our home all the way to the back and therefore, we do not have a small little garden behind.  However ... we do have a back lane, which by right is public or government property.  Our back lane is protected by two gates at the end of the each end house, so in a way it gives us a little security.

We had excess tiles from our renovation and therefore decided to tile the back lane as we foresee that we will be using the back lane often.  We also made a washing area at our back lane.  This is to facilitate when we entertain and the washing of the dishes can be done outside.  Our laundry is also hung behind and lots of wood work projects is done at our back lane. By the way, we had mix reaction when we tiled the back lane, my mother's was that we were helping out the local city council by tiling their area (sarcastically).  Our neighbours welcomed the idea as it kept our back lane clean and some of them were considering doing it.  Our relatives and friends thought that it made our back lane look clean and tidy.

The back lane during renovation ~ securing the floor  before laying tiles

The back lane from a different angle during renovation

Tiles laid and the counter top for the sink made

House Tour : Dining & Kitchen

Our Dining area is split one level up and it's an open area.  From the Dining area you ware able to see the Hall, Foyer and outside of the home.  Dining area then leads to the Kitchen which is an open concept yet closed in a sense that you are not able to have a full view if you are sitting in the Hall or Foyer.  Unfortunately our Kitchen does not have a wet or dry kitchen.  However, we have tiled our back lane with left over tiles and made a wash area where if we entertain, the dishes can be washed outside.

We have chosen different tile colors to indicate Dining and Kitchen area.  White matt tiles for the Dining which is also the same color as the Hall and charcoal grey with orange insert for the Kitchen tiles.

Kitchen cabinets were custom made by Kitchen Palace.  We chose the color white for our cabinets as we wanted our Kitchen to look bright.  The home appliances were bought during Home Deco fairs.  They were display sets and we have got a certain discount off them.

Here are some photos of our Dining and Kitchen area before and after renovation.

Before renovation, original Kitchen with it's cabinets

Before renovation, the dry kitchen on the left and wet kitchen on the right

During renovation, the kitchen being extended all the way to the back

During renovation, the old cabinets removed

During renovation, the sink area

During renovation, the sink area, wall is tiled with
white tile and trimmed with orange

During renovation, the kitchen wall has been screed

During renovation, the kitchen wall is given a protective coat 

Installation of Kitchen cabinets

Our Kitchen being put to use

During renovation, white tiles being laid at the Dining area

During  renovation, white and grey tiles to 'boarder' off the  two areas

During renovation, the kitchen with charcoal grey tiles and orange inserts

After renovation, the Dining area on Christmas 2012 morning

House Tour : Hall

Once you walk into our  house, you'll land yourself in the foyer and on the right would be our hall.  As of now, it's a little empty as we've not found a sofa that we were able to fall in love with.  I have something in mind, but don't want to rush into buying the sofa.  So for a temporary solution, we've put the outdoor teak two seater as well as some rattan chairs in the hall.

As usual, the hall portion like every room in the house is still in progress.

Before renovation, view from the dining area, you'll see the hall on your left
and the foyer on your right

Before renovation, the hall looking into the dinning area

The mess during renovation

Floor has been screed and ready to be tiled

Christmas 2012 ~ Us with our temporary furniture set up 

During renovation, view from dining area looking into the hall
Little Rascal wants in on the action

After renovation, Carolers at our home ~ Christmas 2012 

During renovation, floor of the hall has been screed, ready to be tiled

Dining area on Christmas morning looking into the hall area

House Tour : Foyer

We sort of like created a foyer for our home.  We kept the entrance to our home with minimal furniture.  Only the walls are a little empty.  Once the foyer is at it's full 'glory', we'll post more pictures.  As for now, enjoy those that were in progress ...

The foyer which was actually the 2nd hall before the renovation

Before the renovation, the window is now the main entrance

Before the renovation, the wooden panel the hides the staircase

During the renovation, the window being broken down

During renovation, this is the main entrance and foyer

The floor being scree before laying tiles

Tiles being layed

DIY : Installing the wooden pillars (Chengal Wood) that Hubby sanded down with hire help

Varnishing the wooden pillars

House Tour : Facade

It has since past three months that we've moved into our new home.  We are still settling in and the house is still in progress.  There's so much to be done and frankly, I feel that we're taking our time.  Not something that I am proud of.

So in these few days, I hope to guide you through some of areas of our house and do bear in mind that it's still in progress.

The original with it's 'FOR SALE' sign

The front porch

The garden

After the renovation

The front porch with the patio doors

  MORE TO COME ...

Renovation Progress 6 : The Whole House

Our renovation has taken longer than expected.  It started in March 2012 and was suppose to take only about 4 months but it's now coming into the 6th month.  We must admit the contributor towards the delay in our renovation was not only the Contractor but us too.  The beginning of our renovation,  the contractor was slow, but later picked up the pace, then there were some decisions that I had to make, which I did but changed my mind again and again.

 

Anyways, as of todate, 21st August 2012, the plaster ceiling is almost completed, the main door and patio doors have been fixed.  The floors have been screed, inside and outside.  We've bought our tiles, our sanitary wares and our water heaters.  The windows too has been installed by our Contractor.

The main door and patio door has also been installed.  We had several challenges with installation of the main door.  It was  one challenge after another.  Normal hinges were not able to hold the 300kg door.  It has to be custom made.    Then the lock did not quite fit and that's still in modification mode.

Here we leave you guys with some of the Before and After pictures.  More to come.

Before : The façade

After : The façade is now squarish

After : Main entrance on left and patio entrance on the right

Roof Installation : Workers installing the new roof

Roof Installation : Workers installing the Roxul for the new roof

Before : Master bedroom

After : Master bedroom

House Tour

Our renovation has officially started on 23.02.2012. We've hired a qualified contractor to do the job for us. Unlike our friends in US or Europe, here, in Malaysia we can't really DIY the knocking, hacking, building and all.

However, we are trying to DIY some carpentary and furniture refurbishment. Have yet to take off but we'll update you on this soon!

In the meantime, we thought that we would share with you some pictures of our new home BEFORE the renovation.

The front

Hall One

Hall Two

Dining Room

Dry Kitchen

Wet Kitchen

Upstairs

Landing Hall

Master Bedroom

Balcony

Bedroom One

Bedroom Two