Loan Settled! Deposit Given!

28 June : valuation came back 100%, all good to go!
29 June : 5% deposit given to builder

Kitchen Panels: Polytec Createc

Some pictures of Polytec Createc ultra high gloss panels.

Landscaping Reference

http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=34560

Several references to Eco Design
http://www.ecodesign.com.au/

$800 to get a landscaping plan done, but still prepare to pay $20-30,000 for the job to get done. Hopefully this already includes the driveway!

Alternative Basin Choice

http://www.ezyonlinebathroomsandkitchens.com.au/product_details.php?prodID=484
http://www.streamlineproducts.com.au/products/product_details.php?proid=126&catid=49&lcatid=49&pids=44_49&name=Countertop

Can be mounted on wall, or counter top.

Advantage over Bette: narrower, may be able to keep current vanity's 450mm depth. Price-wise about the same but you get "more" for Roca.

Color Schemes for Kitchen and Bathroom

New color scheme ideas for kitchen and bathroom. The assumption at this point is that high-gloss color polyurethane is cheaper than Lamiwood.

Stainless Steel / Wire Balustrade

New idea/option for balustrade, but gotta live with the static electricity!

Home Theater Installers

A list of links for home theater installers:

http://ultimatehometheatres.com.au/index.html

http://www.sydneyhomecinema.com.au/index.php

http://www.csvav.com.au/about%20us.htm

http://www.konnectmenow.com.au/

http://www.alldigital.com.au/audio-visual/installation.html

http://www.sydneyhifi.com.au/store_listing

http://www.jfk.com.au/

http://matrixaudiovisual.com.au/index.php?page=SERVICES

http://www.lenwallisaudio.com/custom-installations

http://www.digitalinstalls.com.au/whatishometheatre.html

A 2009 article in SMH states installation only costs $1,000.

In-wall Home Theater Solutions

Games and living rooms will be fitted with 5.1 in-wall/ceiling speakers.

Source of Australian prices:

http://www.ehifi.com.au/

http://www.lifestylestore.com.au/

Current preferred configuration:

3 x LCR7 @ A$699 each

2 x CCM50 @ A$599 pair

1 x undecided subwoofer

Total budget about A$3,000+ per room (should be able to get cheaper in Singapore)

NOTE: check required clearance with builder first, because LCR7 requires >90mm (LCR8 does not)

Alternative to the in-walls: Paradigm CMS.
http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=35252

Paradigm AMS 250 in walls - 1 pair $849.00
Paradigm AMS 100R 6 1/2 " Round in ceilings – 1 pair $699.00
Paradigm AMS LCR in wall – 1 only $699.00

Washer and Dryer

Current top choices:
Miele W3725 washer $2,199
Miele T82423C dryer $2,099
Packaged price at time of posting $3,998

Fridge Selections

Current top choice: Samsung SRF752DSS $3,499 (seen it at Bing Lee for
about $2,800+)

Basin Pictures

Basin pictures not working; here they are:

Mirror-image concept:








Tonic:



BetteBowl:

Milestones So Far

28 May 2010 - Council approval

11 June 2010 - Contract signed with builder

.... but contract needs to be redone with regards to progress payment
schedule. Will need to wait till Tuesday 15 June due to the long
weekend.

Basin Selections

These are the basic selections we have shortlisted as of now:

BetteBowl built-in, to be mirrored for the ensuite bathroom
http://www.argentaust.com.au/bette/warranty/bettebowl-large-square-built-basin


The mirror effect will look similar to this:



Ideal Standard Tonic, from Reece (must install on-wall tap)
http://www.reece.com.au/new/bathrooms/ideal/index.html