Home Improvement: Bedside Table Cover

What did all of you do over the weekend? 

I had a very productive weekend with another home improvement project :)

I've had a problem with my bedside table for awhile. This is what it looked like.

The main purpose of the bedside table is for my phone and iPad to sit on and charge when I'm in bed. Then there's also the face stuff that I bought recently. I figured having it next to me before I sleep makes it more likely that I will use them. All that made my bedside table a big mess. The bigger problem was that my phone kept falling off the table as it could not balance on top of wires/containers when it vibrated with each message/call.

In addition, we got our bedside tables from a garage sale at $5 each and they had the laminate popping up and cracking, made worse with me plonking my wet cups on top.

What to do? What to do?

Take out my pretty cloth ans sew a bedside table sleeve of course!

Here's what my bedside table looks like now *beams*

My iPad and phone now have their very own pockets to sit in. They can now charge in comfort and they never have to take the scary dive off the table again.

The containers filled with facial goodness have their very own pockets too. easy access to everything and a clear table top.

I added a pretty broken glass coaster (a gift from the US from a lovely friend) so that my wet cups will no longer cause problems.

*Here's a little tip: Put a small piece of a anti-slip pad (the kind people put on their dashboards) under the bedside table sleeve so it will not slip off even if one side is heavier than the other.

Anyone wanna place orders? I could customise one for you for $30 :)

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at 11:51 AM

Remaking a Classic

Remember that little home improvement project that I said I was working on while Carpenter Kwek was hard at work? I have finally completed it!

The kwek parents had generously offered to let us use their very expensive Classic Chinese rose wood living room furniture set. Being dark wood with bright red and gold embroidered silk cushions, it wasn't quite our style. But since it was free, our choice was obvious. Since moving to the new Kwek Kampong, we decided that it was time to make the set work with the rest of our house instead of having all our guests blinded by the shiny red seats. It is amazing how a simple change of cushion covers can make a world of difference to the whole look. 

I had gone to Tanjong Katong Complex and Chinatown to try And get the covers sewn by professionals, but not only did they not have fabulous cover designs, I could not believe that a simple covers would cost me at least $380' all the way to upwards of $900. So I decided to save that money and do it myself. I had lots of beautiful cloth lying at home anyway since I had a habit of buying beautiful cloth whenever I travel. So I dug out 3 of my favorites and got sewing. 

Like the finished products? This has been my biggest project to date. I'm mighty proud of myself *beams*

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at 9:04 AM

Carpenter Kwek

Carpenter Kwek was hard at work on the first day of the year, sanding and varnishing this old kopitiam chair that someone had discarded, as well as an old shelf that we had asked the former home owners to leave behind for us.

Check out the finished products. The kopitiam chair looks amazing now that the old floral pattern on the seat can be seen again.

What do you guys think? Carpenter Kwek's handiwork is pretty awesome in my humble opinion.

I on the other hand was working on my own little home improvement project. Watch this space. 

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at 10:29 PM

Day 147: Reno Diaries

The public holiday was the perfect time to catch up on all the things we had to do for our Kwek Kampong renovation. 

First stop was to check on the state of the renovations. It still looks a mess to me, but the contractor says it the tiling will be done by this week. 

Then it was off to the contractor's showroom to talk about my cabinets, and doors. 

We took a journey to the west in search of Kong Thai Hardware Store which was reported to sell the cheapest home appliances in singapore. The reports were true! We got our heaters at $50 cheaper each than the cheapest store we had found so far. We our ceiling fans and stove there too! The savings was well worth the journey. N they were doing a thriving business as the shop was constantly crowded with people.

Last stop was getting our Johnson Suisse toilet fittings. Comparing the prices from my contractor's supplier and our own sources (renotalk recommendations), I think my contractor was getting a huge cut. Grrrr... Note to all: do your homework! The contractor may not b getting you the best deal. 

Our home is taking shape. We are soooo excited! I'm already planning housewarming parties in my head! 

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at 8:06 PM

Day 144: Vintage Shopping

Over the weekend, Mr Kwek and I went vintage shopping for our new home at Wee's Collection. Based in his home along Changi Road (very close to the famous Seng Kee Black Chicken Herbal Soup), David (who is a fellow SMU alumni) has a amazing collection of vintage items. Entering his house felt like stepping into a different era.

Mr Kwek and I in a room overflowing with vintage charm

 He had everything from old peranakan tiles, to old signboards and home appliances.

  

Items from before my time.

 

 

 

And there were these icons of life growing up in Singapore in the 80s.

The provision store cash register

I had always wanted this Mickey Mouse phone as a kid and there's even a photo of 4 year old me standing with my cousin's Mickey Mouse phone

Everyone had Vicks rubbed on them when they were ill right?

 I fell in love with the mosaic tiles on his floor.

Mr Kwek and I are still thinking about how to incorporate some of the items into our new place. But if you are looking for anything old school or vintage, Wee's Collection is the place. And David is incredibly friendly and passionate about what he does, which makes for a great vintage shopping experience. I heard he does rentals too (for those of you who work with events).

Filling our new home with goodness is so exciting. If any of you have vintage stuff to give away, Mr Kwek and I are accepting donations :)

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at 10:53 AM

Day 42: Creating Our Dream Home

Upon arrival in singapore, I got a few hours of sleep and then it was off to meet a contractor for our new place. As there were some furniture warehouses nearby we decided to check them out too. 

The outfit pic was taken outside Galanga Living. Since it opened along Henderson road a few years ago, I have loved this place with its eclectic mix of furniture, with a touch of vintage, the weight of industrial and a hint of rustic. Now that I'm finally looking to furnish my very own home, this is definitely one of the places I'm getting my stuff from.

We've also been thinking that we want our new place to have a simple retro vibe, with lots of DIY. so if you have any nice old furniture you want to give away, or stuff you think we can upcycle, let me know. we just might be able give them a new lease of life.

My outfit today:

Printed top I got from a Robinsons sample sale many years ago

Denim shorts a gift from the Mother in Law

My weekend sandals from Bata

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at 10:30 PM