Saturday, May 6, 2006
Friday, May 5, 2006
Ready for rental
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
New bathroom door
Adding privacy to the bathroom and toilet area, we have fitted the door and frame that once led to the kitchen, to the small passageway that leads to the toilet and bathroom. Now, guests can have greater intimacy when using either or both rooms.
Obviously the door frame has to be cleaned, sanded and varnished.
As the glass is transparent, a light curtain can be fitted inside the door.
Monday, April 3, 2006
Toilet
Almost complete, the alcove with hand basin can now be seen, with tiles nearly finished and taps to be fitted.
I suggest we fit a mirror inside the alcove, from top to the line where the tiles end right now.
The toilet will be refitted with a tank at the rear (rather than the old tank mounted high up on the wall).
Sunday, April 2, 2006
Kitchen renovations
Saturday, April 1, 2006
Passageway
Suggestion : along the entire length of the passageway, from the entrance to the end where the passageway finishes at the kitchen, sheer tulle curtains could be hung from a rail on the ceiling, to floor level. This will (1) improve the look of the passageway (2) provide privacy/intimacy to anyone in the apartment from the adjacent apartment above - enabling bedroom doors to be left open at night (3) soften the present cold, harsnhess of the passageway and (4) still permit much light to enter the space.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Kitchen design
Here is a suggested design for the kitchen :
The floor plan shows the design of two counter tops in a galley style. The main run(A) measures 270 cms and runs along the far wall, housing wine storage (far left), space for dishwasher (adjacent left), sink unit (centre), oven (adjacent right), and drawers (far right).
On the opposite side, another run, (B) measuring 156 cms long, which forms a type of island divide between the kitchen working area and the dining table area. Below the counter, storage space in the form of cupboards, above a counter top and raised breakfast bar counter top, enabling two bar stools to be placed on outer side of kitchen.
Example of both sides of kitchen as described above.
the main run (A) housing sink, oven etc.
Lower cabinets : L 270; W 70; H 80. Upper cabinets : L 270; W: 40; H 50.
the island run (B) (or divisor) opposite the main run. L: 156; W 90 (max); H 120 (max).
Suggested materials :
counter top : plain white carrara marble or similar
cupboard faces : white melamina perhaps with border in stainless steel
backsplash : large white tiles, perhaps with a border in antique green tile (narrow)
overhead cupboards above main run : frosted glass inserts in cabinet fronts
Bathroom design
The bathroom design now is as shown below :
By adding a hand basin within an alcove (see below) in what was once just a toilet room, we have managed to create a functional and independent guest wc.
In so doing, we have freed up much needed space in the main bathroom,
allowing a single run of cabinetry with ample counter space above, and storage space below.
This design also eliminates noxious toilet odours penetrating to the main bedroom, from the bathroom. (In the photo above, the toilet will be removed permanently, allowing the stretch of wall from the doorway on the far left of the photo to the wall where the toilet appears, to be dedicated to counter top and cabinetry : 155 cm long x 50-60 deep).
The creation of a divisory wall at the foot of the bath (see below) has also enclosed the bath / shower space enabling greater privacy in the bathroom if the door to the bedroom is open.
We are relocating the door & door frame that previously led from the passageway to the kitchen and blocked access to the fridge / pantry area, locating it to the outside of the entrance to the wc/toilet room, thereby allowing guests to close this door to the hall / kitchen area , leaving the doors between the main bathroom and toilet open if desired, or vice versa.
this is the tapware for the main bathroom
Options for basins are as follows :
Above counter top basins :
prices : $544 $374 $486 (in pesos)
Basin set in the counter top :
price : $172 pesos
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Mid renovation
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Mid renovation
Having completed the installation of all new electrical cabling and lighting in the front of the apartment, repainting of walls is underway. Window and door frame woodwork has also been clear seal varnished (matt) to bring out the richness of the wood throughout the apartment. Before the final coat of paint, the floors will be sanded and varnished, then the final coat of paint given, and then the furniture, currently stored in the second bedroom, will be moved into the front living area, enabling us to complete the rewiring and repainting and redo the floors in the rest of the apartment.
New electrical outlets in the walls (not loosely strung cables as before)
Woodwork vastly improved, now that it has been sealed
Note: switch face plates are provisional - new ones will be fitted after painting
More electrical outlets where previously there had been none
New lighting in the living and dining rooms : provision for wall sconces has been made, on both sides of the archway, in both the living and dining room, for uplighting
and now ceiling lights that function in all rooms (dimmers will be fitted) allowing chandeliers to be fitted (as desired)








































































