[This article is brought to you by Geneco.]

With the current awareness and push towards living a more sustainable and waste-less lifestyle. One must wonder, other than metal straws and using less disposables, what else can I do?

And with the holiday season coming up, you’re already thinking of the amount of wrapping paper you need to buy to wrap the bounty Christmas gifts for your friends and family. Surely, there is something you can do to make this Christmas more sustainable, and kinder to Mother Earth.

Believe it or not, incorporating sustainable habits into your lifestyle truly isn’t that hard. Here are five sustainable ways to decorate your home this Christmas!

1. Put up an unconventional Christmas tree

We all know that a Christmas tree is very much essential during this season of giving, where else would you put all the presents lie? This Christmas, instead of spending money to buy a real tree (or the fake plastic version), try fashioning a tree out of cloth scraps!

To do so, simply sew the scraps of cloth together to form a Christmas tree-like shape and attach it onto a wall. Not only will you be saving money from buying a tree, you will also get to have a tree that’s uniquely yours.

2. Switch to LED Christmas lighting

Compared to other forms of lighting, LED lights are not only more efficient, they also reduce your electricity consumption! You can upcycle used plastic bottles to make a pretty table lamp by putting a string of LED lights into the bottle.

Tip: You can also cut up coloured plastic bottles into different pieces and attach them to the lights, adding colour to your Christmas lights!

3. Make sustainable energy plans

Another way to guarantee a sustainable Christmas is signing up for an electricity plan that taps from sustainable sources, just like Geneco’s Get Sunny plan, which uses 100% clean Solar Energy!

Not only is it smart and eco-friendly to take advantage of clean energy that is readily available, you might just save on your electricity bills every month with Geneco’s competitive pricing.

Find out more about the Geneco Get Sunny plan here.

4. Use dried fruit as ornaments

When it comes to decorating your Christmas tree, why waste money on ornaments that you’ll only use once a year? Saving money aside, you’ll also lower your carbon footprint by not purchasing metal or plastic ornaments.

Here’s an attractive, easy and inexpensive alternative straight from nature: ornaments made from dried fruit slices. Slice up the fruit of your choice, dehydrate the slices in your oven on low heat. Next, cover the dried fruit slices with clear varnish or decoupage, poke holes for strings and voilà, unique and fun ornaments that’ll make your tree a talking point!

5. Make recycled paper garlands

Instead of buying tinsel, you can recycle paper and fashion it into decorative garlands to hang around the house! Simply cut your recycled paper into shapes of your choice, sandwich a string between 2 shapes with glue and repeat till desired length of garland.

Not only are you upcycling materials that you already have lying around, you’ll again be saving money!

6. Attend Geneco’s festive workshop

Want more ideas to decorate your home sustainably this holiday season? Here’s an enriching experience for both young and old: Head to Geneco’s Christmas event at Wisma Atria and participate in fun workshops while discovering how you can celebrate Christmas in a more sustainable way with the entire family!

To find out more about Geneco’s 100% clean solar energy “Get Sunny” plan, visit www.geneco.sg.

Power the change with Geneco!

While mezzanine floors can easily double up the space capabilities of your home, they aren’t allowed by the authorities for a host of reasons. But this is how you can still install them without getting into trouble.  

There’s only so much space to be found in your home before all your furniture, cabinets, and other essentials overwhelm your house. 

Fortunately, one effective way you can curb with space limitation is by installing a mezzanine floor between the void spaces of your ceiling and floor.

But before you go hacking down your partitions just to accommodate one, you’ll need to adhere to the guidelines and seek approval from the relevant authorities beforehand. 

Here’s what you need to know: 

What is a mezzanine floor?

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A mezzanine floor is basically the middle floor between two structures, usually between the ceiling and ground floor of a building. Unlike a traditional floor, a mezzanine floor is much smaller, being 25% or less than the size of a floor. It’s also usually constructed for a specific purpose, for instance, as an additional living room. 

Mezzanines are commonly installed in offices, warehouses, showrooms, factories, and galleries to utilise the massive gap between the ceiling and floor, and are converted into additional, useful spaces.

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Because of the functional benefits that they bring, mezzanines are becoming increasingly popular in residential homes too, particularly among small homeowners who want more room and flexibility in their pint-sized homes. Most of the time, they are utilised as additional bedrooms, home offices, study areas, or as an extension of living spaces. 

However, mezzanines are considered illegal in Singapore. Here’s why:

Why aren’t mezzanines allowed?

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The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) determines and manages what can be developed on a piece of land, and this includes the Gross Floor Area (GFA) of a property.

According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the Gross Floor Area is defined as “all covered floor areas of a building, except otherwise exempted, and uncovered areas for commercial uses are deemed the gross floor area of the building for purposes of plot ratio control and development charge.”

Furthermore, the URA also considers mezzanines illegal because they are “building features that give rise to additional floor space and intensity of development.” 

In other words, mezzanines are prohibited because they alter the purpose, plot ratio, and floor space of a property. 

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Another reason why mezzanine floors aren’t allowed is that they increase the structural weight of a building. Remember that most buildings aren’t designed to handle additional load capacity, so the extra weight might cause the structure to collapse, which could harm the occupants in the building. This safety concern is also the same reason why the Housing Development Board won’t permit mezzanines in HDB flats.    

Despite the strict regulations on mezzanine floors, you might notice that some residential homes still have mezzanine floors installed. Why is this so?

The short answer is that some of them are installed without permission from the relevant authorities. Of course, we don’t advocate it (because you’ll face heavy penalties in addition to harming others).

But here’s the deal: there are cases where mezzanines are approved; below are the steps you need to do.

How you can have a permit to install a mezzanine floor

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As mentioned, mezzanine installations are few and far between, but it’s not impossible. However, there are procedures to be done beforehand (unless if you live in a landed home, then you have it easier).

Obviously, the first step is to check the floor plan of your home to determine whether it’s high enough to accommodate a mezzanine floor. Homes with mezzanines installed usually have lofty ceilings. 

Next, check with the developer or building management whether it is allowed. Be clear to them you plan to install a mezzanine floor and allow them to explain the procedures and requirements needed to install a mezzanine floor. 

Then, you should also get approvals from both the URA and Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to ensure that the mezzanine floor is legal and the design meets the required safety standards. Getting perfect compliance from them is the most important aspect, regardless of what carpenters, interior designers, or renovation contractors might try to tell you. 

Lastly, you must also submit to the Fire Safety and Shelter Bureau (SCDF-FSSB) to comply with the fire code and to ensure that safety mechanisms like sprinklers are properly installed.

What happens if you don’t get approval

If you’re caught installing a mezzanine floor in your HDB flat illegally, you’ll get slap with a hefty fine of up to $5,000. On top of that, you’ll also need to pay to remove the mezzanine floor and restore the flat back to its original structure. BCA and URA will also impose heavy penalties for unapproved installations.

Need more tips to help with your home buying/selling/renting process? Our handy guides will help. Or find your dream home in our listings. 

Victor Kang, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email victorkang@propertyguru.com.sg

Special Advertising Feature: When the Energy Market Authority (EMA) sanctioned private retailers via the Open Electricity Market (OEM) initiative to sell power, Singaporeans have had a growing list of electricity provides to choose from since November.

Words by Christopher Chitty 

However, many remain unaware that options exist or are wary of the status quo shakeup. Regardless, those that have switched experienced up to 30% decrease in monthly electricity bills (contingent on picking the right retailer). Taking advantage of the OEM is easy as all you need to do is sign up with a provider of your choosing. That provider will handle the takeover process without you lifting a finger.

But why even consider the OEM in the first place? 

It is a documented fact that Singapore is heating up twice as fast compared to the rest of the world. According to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), we are one degree hotter today than in the 1950s with an average increase of 0.25 degree Celsius per decade. Already air-conditioners are ubiquitous; having become necessary in homes, malls and offices.

Even with an energy-savings unit, monthly electrical bills can reach around SGD180 or higher, when paired with other utility expenses like water and gas. With more deforestation and urbanization, this heating up process isn’t going away which means your efforts to cool your home will likely increase. As a result, more retailers in the market to choose give consumers the opportunity to take ownership of their bills and payment. It is similar to choosing one mobile provider over another.

A 30% savings therefore, is no small thing.

So the question then, isn’t why haven’t you taken advantage of the OEM. Instead, it’s whom you should pick. Ideally, you want a retailer who offers green energy but as electricity still runs through the common SP Grid, it’s difficult to determine the type of electricity provided at face value.  

Enter Geneco; an electrical provider with a strong pedigree in providing clean and sustainable energy at affordable rates to residential developments.

Geneco offers two plans; Get it Green & Get Sunny, detailed here:

Get it Green

Carbon emissions are one of the many causes of rising heat. You’ve likely heard talk of reducing carbon footprint. The Get it Green plan is essentially this. It’s carbon-neutral, ensuring that the electricity you consume has net zero carbon emissions.

1. How does it work?

This plan works on the basis of carbon credits, which are purchased and retired by Geneco on behalf of the consumer. The carbon units are tradeable with other organizations that own the appropriate certificates issued to projects that work toward reducing or removing carbon emissions from the atmosphere. The Green Plan is suitable for those who wish to offset their carbon footprint from the consumption of electricity.

2. What does it cost?

The Get it Green plan is a contract duration of 12 months at a fixed rate of 19.26 cents per kWh.

Get Sunny

Due to Singapore’s size and land constraints, constructing massive wind turbines or hydroelectric dams aren’t practical. Solar panels however, are doable. Geneco’s Get Sunny plan capitalises on Singapore’s abundant sunlight to provide clean, renewable energy to homes.

1. How does it work?

Geneco’s Jurong Island facility generates solar energy via their Solar Photovoltaic system installed on rooftops, which is then injected into the national grid. The Get Sunny plan therefore, does not require your building or estate to have solar panels on the roof.

2. What does it cost?

The Get Sunny plan costs 22.88 cents per kWh for a contract duration of 18 months. Due to Singapore’s land scarcity, relatively higher construction costs and other factors, the overall cost may be slightly higher here than in other nations. However, Geneco’s Get Sunny plan is one of the lowest-priced full Solar energy plans on the island.

What’s the difference between the Get it Green and Get Sunny plans?

The main difference between the Get it Green and Get Sunny plans, other than their price, is that the Get it Green plan serves to offset the carbon footprint from electricity consumption through the use of carbon credits.

The Get Sunny plan, on the other hand, is based on solar energy, generated through Geneco’s own solar system, and delivered to your home through the national grid without you needing solar panels on the roof of your building. Additionally, as solar power is carbon-neutral since it doesn’t produce greenhouse emissions, you can claim the use of renewable energy.

Green and lean

Both plans work toward an eco-friendly and sustainable framework so the choice on which to adopt is entirely up to you and your household requirements.

Regardless of which Geneco plan you pick however, you are ultimately choosing green energy for a cleaner environment. In the process, you save a significant sum of money over time. That’s a win-win!

For a limited time only, check out these special promotions (valid for first 5,000 sign-ups only!).

Get It Green

• Promo Code: GET30  [for $30 bill rebate]

Get Sunny

• Promo Code: GET68 [for $68 bill rebate]

For more information on the promotions, click here. Find out more about the green plans here!

Renting a place in Singapore can be quite confusing, with lots of jargon and steps to consider. Whether if you are a foreigner coming to Singapore for work or studies, or if you are a local seeking to rent your own place, this renting guide aims to guide you through your renting process in Singapore.

By Joanne Poh

Whether you are a foreigner coming to Singapore for work or studies or a local who wants to move out of your parents’ home without buying property, renting a home is fairly easy here.

What properties are you allowed to rent?

The main types of residential property you can rent are HDB flats, private condominiums and landed homes. HDB flats are considered government housing, thus there are more rules as to what you and/or your landlord can and cannot do. Most other types of housing are categorised as private.

Rental eligibility and regulations in Singapore

So long as you are legally allowed to reside in Singapore, there is nothing stopping you from renting property here.

The main rules you need to be careful of are those governing the minimum length of leases. Short-term private property rentals of less than 3 months and HDB rentals of less than 6 months are illegal. There are some folks who rent out condos to tourists on the sly on Airbnb, but be aware that what they are doing is illegal.

For HDB renters, there are also rules regarding your lease period. Singaporean and Malaysian citizens can rent HDB flats for up to three years. Meanwhile, the maximum lease period for rental of HDB flats by non-Malaysian foreigners is two years. Of course, once your lease expires, it can be extended if both you and your landlord can come to an agreement.

What can you expect to pay per month for a rental property?

Other than property type and size, rent varies dramatically depending on location. Private property is typically significantly more expensive than HDB property of the same type and size, but also comes with 24-hour security and facilities such as a swimming pool or gym.

Property in districts in the CBD and on the city fringe tend to be quite costly to rent. For instance, a studio apartment in the Orchard area can easily cost $5,000 a month.

If you are on a budget, you are better off looking for property in suburban locations, with areas further away from the city fringe tending to cost less as a general rule. For instance, you can rent a bedroom in a shared HDB flat in Yishun for about $700.

Search for properties

Searching for a property to rent is easy. Browse rental listings on PropertyGuru, using the filters to narrow down your search according to budget, location and project type.

Not sure where you’d like to live? Check out the AreaInsider write-ups on your area of choice to find out more about Singapore’s various residential areas.

For a start, the East Coast is one of the most popular areas for renters in Singapore.

Find an agent

Engaging a property agent to assist in your search for rental property can save you from a lot of hassle.

The agent can compile a list of properties that meet your requirements, if you have not already down so, and then set up appointments for you. Many agents will even personally escort you to these appointments in their vehicle.

Browse PropertyGuru’s list of preferred agents to find one who is best able to serve you.

View properties

It is a good idea to view as many properties as you can over the course of a few days, bringing along a family member or friend for a second opinion if possible.

Other than the property itself and amenities, you will also want to take note of the transport options in the vicinity and how much time it would take you to get to work or elsewhere.

Negotiate on the rent

Once you have found a place you like, it is time to come to an agreement with the landlord as to your rent. Many landlords expect would-be tenants to negotiate and so indicate a higher rent than they are willing to accept.

You should also confirm ahead of time what is and is not included in the rent. Ask whether your electricity bills, water bills, internet bills, phone line and cleaning services are included in the rent. You also want to be clear as to who is responsible for paying for what types of maintenance or repairs of the property such as servicing of the air conditioning units.

Also check if your landlord has any rules before committing, especially if you will be living with him or her. Some landlords do not allow their tenants to cook or use the living room when they live in the same property. Once you are sure about what you are getting, you will be in a better position to negotiate your rent. 

Sign the tenancy agreement

Once you and the landlord have agreed on a price, it is time to sign the tenancy agreement, typically drawn up by the landlord. Make sure you go through the entire contract and ensure that you are fine with it and that it accurately reflects what the landlord has promised you.

If there are any points you are concerned about, it is better to get the landlord to include them in the contract. 

Pay the security deposit 

As stipulated in the contract, you will be required to pay a security deposit before moving in, part or all of which might be withheld when you move out if the landlord is not satisfied with the condition of the property or if there are any repairs that need to be paid for.

A typical security deposit for a year-long contract is one months’ rent.

Take photos and make a list of defects

Before you move in, inspect the property thoroughly and take photos of any defects that you can find. You should do this so that the landlord cannot later withhold your security deposit by claiming that you caused those defects. To be safe, email your landlord with a list of defects accompanied by photos and descriptions before you move in.

Move into your new home

Now that the lease is signed and your deposit paid, it is time to move into your new home!

Check out PropertyGuru’s properties for rent! Alternately, refer to our other handy rental guides, or read more about the hottest areas to live in with PropertyGuru’s AreaInsider

Looking to change your electricity retailer? Here’s what you need to know.

Special Advertising Feature

Since the Energy Market Authority (EMA) announced the nationwide roll-out of the Open Electricity Market (an initiative to fully liberalise the retail power market) in November last year, at least 30 percent of households in Singapore have made the move to change electricity retailers for greater savings. According to the EMA, consumers who switched electricity retailers paid about 20 to 30 percent less than the regulated tariff.

While a large group of consumers have made the switch, there are others who are sitting on the fence, as they are not sure if the savings are worth the extra effort of figuring out the options. So the question now is, to switch or not to switch? We’ve taken ourselves up to the task of debunking some of the common myths about the OEM to help you make an informed decision.

1. It is troublesome to switch electricity retailer 

Contrary to what consumers think about it being a hassle to switch electricity retailers, the process is in fact, hassle-free and very straightforward. Consumers simply need to fill up a form and provide their NRIC details to the newly selected provider and the rest will be taken care of for them. The electricity retailer that you pick will take charge of the entire process, with SP Group ensuring a seamless transfer.

2. Will my electricity supply be disrupted during the switch? 

While the OEM now allows consumers to choose their preferred electricity provider to enjoy greater savings, the supply of electricity does not change. SP Group continues to operate the national power grid, and will continue to be in charge of providing electricity supply to your home. Hence, switching electricity retailers will not affect your electricity supply at any point in time.

3. Will I incur extra fees for switching electricity retailers?

This will depend on the electricity retailer that you pick. With Geneco, there will not be any extra costs if you choose to switch to one of their electricity plans. Geneco also doesn’t require consumers to put down any security deposit. Before making the switch to any other electricity retailers, it is recommended to do your due diligence, and read through all the factsheets and terms and conditions to make sure there are no other miscellaneous fees.

4. Geneco’s electricity plans and prices

With an OEM, buying electricity these days is almost like picking a mobile phone plan – there are plenty of options to cater to different needs. If you’re looking to switch electricity retailers to enjoy greater savings, here’s a closer look at Geneco’s electricity plans to help you better decide which to pick.

• Get It Fixed 24 Plan 

Great for consumers who do not wish to be affected by fluctuations in the electricity market, this price plan offers a fixed electricity rate for a two-year period. Use promo code Get78 for a one-time bill rebate of $78.

Cost: $69.94 per month (17.78 cents per kWh)

• Get It Fixed 36 Plan 

Similar to the “Get It Fixed 24” plan, this plan offers a fixed electricity rate for a three-year period. Use promo code Get78 (one-time bill rebate of $78, limited sign-ups only), or PLUSGENECO (4,000 linkpoints).

Cost: $69.25 per month (17.78 cents per kWh)

• Give Us A Try Plan 

Still undecided whether or not to switch electricity retailers, but tempted by the potential savings? Give Geneco a shot with this six-month trial plan before deciding whether to commit long term.

Cost: $68.57 per month (17.55 cents per kWh)

• Get It Less 24 Plan 

Offering a guaranteed discount on regulated tariff (22 percent off), this plan will ensure that you enjoy huge savings every month after switching electricity retailers. Consumers who pick this plan have to commit to a two-year contract. Use promo code Get78 (one-time bill rebate of $78, limited sign-ups only).

Cost: $78 per month

• Get Free Sundays Plan 

Enjoy free electricity every Sunday with this plan. Installation of an AMI meter is encouraged for consumers who pick this plan. The cost of installing an AMI Meter is $42.80 (including GST). Consumers who pick this plan have to commit to a two-year contract. Use promo code Get78 (one-time bill rebate of $78, limited sign-ups only).

Cost: $80.97 per month (22.50 cents per kWh)

• Get It Green Plan 

With this plan, consumers can do their part to reduce their carbon footprint and help power a more sustainable world. Consumers who pick this plan have to commit to a one-year contract. Use promo code Get40 (one-time bill rebate of $40, limited sign-ups only).

Cost: $75.41 per month (19.26 cents per kWh)

• Get Sunny 

Reduce your environmental impact and live sustainably with this plan, which will ensure your home is powered with 100 percent clean solar energy. Use promo code Get78 (one-time bill rebate of $78, limited sign-ups only).

Cost: $93.81 per month (22.88 cents per kWh)

Enjoy greater savings today with Geneco. Visit www.geneco.sg to find out more about the cash rebates if you sign up today. 

As individuals, we have our part to play in saving the earth. Doing your part to save the earth doesn’t require you to spend a lot of money or make big changes in your daily routine. Here are some easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint and help establish a more sustainable world.

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Doing your part to save the earth doesn’t require you to spend a lot of money or make big changes in your daily routine. Here are some easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint and help establish a more sustainable world.

We’ve been reading about Antarctica and Greenland shedding ice at record rates, and whales dying from plastic consumption, but what are we doing about it? According to the world’s leading climate scientists, we’ve only got about 12 years to limit climate change catastrophe before natural disasters such as floods, extreme heat and drought affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people.

And while it may seem like our individual action of minimizing the use of electricity and plastic, and even tossing our soda cans in the recycling bin, isn’t going to save the world, the truth is, every individual’s actions matter. Here are some adjustments you can consider making.

1. Reduce the use of plastic 

Unlike products made from natural materials, things made from plastic, including straws, plastic bags, cups, containers and many more can take up to 1,000 years to break down. Furthermore, plastics are killing marine life as a lot of the marine animals mistake plastic for food and end up consuming them. Recently, the news reported that the body of an endangered sperm whale was found on a beach in Murcia, Spain. An autopsy revealed that 29 kg of plastic was stuck to its stomach, blocking its digestive system and causing its death. There have been many other marine animal deaths reported in recent years caused by plastic pollution. To prevent further damage to marine life and to our earth, you can choose to minimize the use of plastic whenever possible, such as bringing your own reusable bag to the supermarket; using your own cup when you buy coffee or tea at the cafe; refrain from using plastic straws; and as much as possible try to avoid buying clothes that are made from plastic-based fabrics like polyester, nylon and spandex.

2. Grow your own mini herb garden

Growing your own herbs and vegetables is a rewarding way to reduce your impact on the environment as you only grow what you need to use, and there is no packaging involved and zero transport emissions. Your produce can also be organic as you can control the amount of pesticides you use, if any at all.

3. Bring your own mug to the cafe

According to data from the National Environment Agency, plastic was the largest category of waste disposed in Singapore last year. And only six percent of the 815,200 tonnes of plastic waste generated were recycled. We can all do our part by reducing plastic consumption by bringing our own mug to the cafe for our morning coffee or tea.

4. Sign up for electricity plan that is 100 percent carbon neutral

Carbon emissions make up 97 percent of Singapore’s greenhouse gas emissions, and these emissions lead to more heat being trapped in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Some repercussions of global warming include rise in global sea levels due to melting ice, increased precipitation, and an increase in extreme weather events. We can all do our part to limit the effects of climate change by reducing our carbon footprint, and one way to do so is to sign up for an electricity plan that is 100 percent carbon neutral.

Electricity retailer and energy company Geneco offers a “Get It Green” plan, in which *Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) are retired on behalf of the consumer based on the calculated volume of carbon indirectly emitted from their consumption of purchased electricity and the corresponding retirement certificates issued serve as validation of the electricity’s carbon-neutrality.

*One VCU represents one metric tonne of carbon emissions reduced or removed from the atmosphere.

5. Reduce the use of paper

Save the trees by going paperless, and one easy way to do so is to opt for e-tickets when you fly or go to the movies. You can also opt for e-bills instead of having the hardcopy mailed to your house to cut back on needless paper use.

6. Reduce, reuse and recycle

One way we can do our part to reduce landfill waste is to use less, so less things go to waste; bring your own reusable bags out when you go shopping; use recycled products as it requires less energy to produce them; and avoid using disposable utensils, cups and plastic bags whenever possible. Bringing your own cutlery and water bottle out also goes a long way in ensuring less plastic end up in our landfills.

To find out more about Geneco’s 100 percent carbon neutral “Get It Green” plan, visit www.geneco.sg.

His cheating first came to light last month when it was reported about a middle-aged man offering “repair works” to Toa Payoh residents. He allegedly duped his victims into believing he worked for a wall patching services provider firm known as Home Patching Contractor.

A man who allegedly posed as an HDB-approved contractor was charged on Wednesday (April 3) with cheating five people of $1,250, reported the Straits Times.

Between October 2018 and March this year, Gary Lau allegedly duped his victims into believing he worked for a wall patching services provider firm known as Home Patching Contractor.

On 25 October, Lau offered to patch the walls of Monica Chua Ai Ching’s home in Bedok South Road for $500. Court documents showed that Chua gave the 55-year old a $150 deposit.

Lau allegedly used the same ploy to cheat four other HDB residents in areas such as Lorong 3 Geylang and Ubi Avenue 1.

A police statement revealed that the cheating cases were reported to the police between March 2018 and March this year.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the man was neither authorised nor appointed by HDB for such works, and had cheated more than 19 victims,” the statement said.

However, court documents did not reveal any details about the other 14 people.

After an investigation, Lau was arrested by officers from Bedok Police Division on Monday (April 1).

Lau’s cheating first came to light last month when Stomp reported about a middle-aged man offering “repair works” to Toa Payoh Central flat owners.

A 72-year-old resident, identified only as Vernon, revealed that the man approached his 76-year-old neighbour after he declined the services. The man allegedly punched Vernon when he tried to intervene.

With this, the police has urged residents to be cautious of people posing as officers from government agencies or as HDB-appointed contractors.

“They (residents) should always ask for verification details such as official staff passes from the agency or company, and if in doubt, call the agency or company to seek further verification.”

Lau, who is remanded at Bedok Police Division and faces five counts of cheating, will be back in court on April 10.

Those convicted of cheating can be imprisoned for up to 10 years and fined for each charge.

Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg

Homeowners living in one- and two-room flats will receive a $100 rebate this month, $90 rebate for those in three-room flats and $80 rebate for those in four-room flats. The ministry of finance revealed that a total of $300 million in U-Save rebates will be given out this year.

About 930,000 Singaporean households living in HDB flats will receive GST Voucher – Utilities-Save (U-Save) rebates this month to offset part of their utilities bills, revealed the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday (April 2).

Distributed every three months, the U-Save rebates is part of the permanent Goods and Services Tax (GST) voucher scheme.

The ministry revealed that a total of $300 million in U-Save rebates will be given out this year.

Homeowners living in one- and two-room flats will receive a $100 rebate this month, $90 rebate for those in three-room flats and $80 rebate for those in four-room flats.

Those living in five-room flats, on the other hand, will get a $70 rebate and $60 rebate for those in executive and multi-generational flats.

Meanwhile, households whose members own more than one property are not qualified to receive the U-Save rebates.

“Annually, the GST Voucher – U-Save has enabled households in one- and two-room HDB flats to receive support which is equivalent to about three to four months of their utilities bills on average,” said the ministry.

“Those living in three- and four-room HDB flats receive support equivalent to about one to two months of their utilities bills.”

Find HDB flats for sale or read our HDB guides. Can you afford an HDB flat? Check your affordability now. 

Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg

Geneco offers cost-effective electricity plans that are designed to meet the needs of businesses of any size.

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Keeping your business operating costs low is essential to remaining profitable. No matter what industry you are in, your business needs to be powered by electricity.

Prior to the Open Electricity Market roll out, only businesses with an average electricity consumption of at least 2,000kWh (at least $400 in monthly electricity bill) were eligible to choose their electricity providers. In other words, to become contestable.

And thanks to the introduction of Singapore’s Open Electricity Market, small businesses with an average electricity consumption of less than 2,000kWh can now have more options than ever when it comes to obtaining a cost-effective electricity supply. Switching to an electricity retailer can help in lowering your daily operational costs and boost your profit margins overnight.

Here’s what you need to know to select the most cost-effective electricity retailer for your small business.

Check if you are eligible to purchase electricity from a different retailer

Currently, businesses who meet the minimum monthly consumption threshold of at least 2,000kWh are eligible to purchase electricity from an electricity retailer. Starting 1 November 2019, Singapore’s Open Electricity Market will be extended to consumers, including small business consumers, across Singapore by zones. This permits small businesses to purchase electricity from the open market rather than be tied to Singapore Power, without the need to meet the consumption threshold to qualify.

Effective 1 March 2019, small businesses at premises with postal codes beginning with 34 to 83 will be extended to consumers, including small business consumers, across Singapore by zones. By 1 May 2019, this initiative will be open to all, islandwide.

That means you can now compare the offerings of a whole host of electricity retailers and find the most cost-effective pricing plan that best suits your business needs. Switching from Singapore Power will almost certainly result in lower electricity bills for your business.

Choose an electricity plan

Once you have determined that you are eligible to switch to a private electricity retailer, you will need to select the best plan for your business.

Most electricity plans from electricity retailers fall into two broad categories:

– Fixed price plan – Locks in a fixed rate for the duration of the plan. Regardless of the fluctuation of the quarterly regulated tariffs, you are protected against rate volatility.

– Discount-off tariff plan – Enjoy a fixed percentage discount off the regulated tariff for the duration of the plan. This guarantees that you always pay a certain percentage less than the regulated tariffs.

Each of these plans offers a different level of risk of price fluctuations. Discount-off-tariff plans are the less risky option.

Switch to Geneco and enjoy big savings with generous promos

Switch to a new electricity plan as soon as possible so your small business can start to reap the benefits.

Switching is a hassle-free affair. Simply choose the Geneco plan you’d like, and Geneco will do the rest to transfer your account from SP. There will be no disruption to your electricity supply. In fact, you won’t even notice any difference—until your bill arrives at the end of the month and you see how much money you’ve saved!

Do note that all business consumers who wish to switch to an electricity retailer are required to install an advanced meter (also known as smart meter) to monitor electricity usage every half-hour. This advanced meter is to be installed by SP Group and your contract can only start after the advanced meter is installed.

Geneco offers cost-effective electricity plans that are designed to meet the needs of businesses of any size.

Both types of price plans are available, so you can choose how you wish your electricity bill to be calculated each month based on your business’s budget and risk appetite.

Right now, Geneco is also running a generous promotion for businesses who sign up for their commercial electricity plans:

– 24-month Fixed Price Plan Promo – Get up to $888 rebate off your first electricity bills.

– 24-month Discount-off Tariff Plan Promo – Get up to 68% discount off the regulated tariff for your first electricity bill.

The promotion is valid till 31 March 2019 for new sign-ups only. Terms and conditions apply.

The sooner you switch to Geneco, the greater your overall cost-savings. So don’t hesitate to request a quote now!

Before you pick up the keys to your new home, check out these simple moving tips. 

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So, you’re moving into a new apartment. Exciting times lie ahead as you decorate and furnish your new home and turn it into the abode of your dreams.

Here are some tips for a smooth, easy move into your new home.

Look out for deals when purchasing furniture and appliances

Furnishing your new home can cost a pretty penny, so it pays to look out for deals before you buy a unit. Some retail stores offer special offers for bulk purchases. If you’re moving into a newly-built property along with a large group of other new residents, that’s the perfect chance to get everyone together to buy in bulk. Setting up a Facebook group for new residents is one way to coordinate your purchases so everyone can save money. Another option is to attend fairs for furniture, appliances and electronics, where you can often enjoy big discounts.

Book a home moving service early

Moving from one home to another does not need to be stressful if you engage professional movers. They can help wrap and dismantle bulky furniture items, load them into the truck and then transport and deposit them in your new apartment. It’s a good idea to book your moving services early so you can compare prices and ensure you are able to find a mover on your preferred date.

Set up your SP Services account for all your household utilities

It goes without saying that you’ll need water, electricity and gas services to power up your new home. Set up your SP Services account ahead of time for a fuss-free move.

Enjoy a $60 one-time bill rebate when you sign up for Geneco’s electricity plan

Using a cost-effective electricity provider will save you money each month. Geneco’s Get It Fixed 36 is one of Singapore’s lowest electricity plans. The plan lets you lock in their rates for three years, the longest duration available. This is perfect if you’re moving into a BTO flat, as you’ll be living there for at least five years.

Sign up for Geneco’s Get It Fixed 36 and use the promo code REAL60 to enjoy $60 off your electricity bill on the 36-month plan (limited to the first 5,000 sign ups).

Sign up for internet and TV services

In this day and age, internet services are a necessity. You will want to sign up for a broadband plan ahead of time, so you can connect to Wi-Fi once you move in. If you intend to buy a TV, you will also want to sign up for TV services. The local telcos offer broadband and TV bundles that you can compare to find the most cost-effective one.

Arrange for cleaning of your new apartment

It’s a lot easier to clean an apartment when it is still empty than when it has been furnished. So, arrange for cleaning of your apartment ahead of your move-in date. Choose between hiring a professional cleaner, getting friends and family to help out or doing it alone.

Inspect the apartment for defects

If you’re moving into a BTO flat or brand new condo development, you’ll have one year to identify any defects and notify the developer or HDB, who will then have to rectify the problem at no cost to you. So, make sure you inspect the apartment for any cracks, leaks or other issues, and keep an eye out for defects in the coming year.

Reserve parking spaces

If you have a car, you will need to arrange for parking on or near the property. For HDB flat residents, it is advisable to apply for season parking as early as possible if you are living in a popular area, as parking lots are often in short supply. For condo residents, parking lots might be allocated on a first come, first served basis, so check with your building management as early as possible.

Chinese New Year is a time for families to get together and celebrate. 

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Chinese New Year is a time to eat, drink, make merry and catch up with people dear to your heart.

But just because you’re having fun doesn’t mean the earth should have to suffer for it.

Making a conscious effort to be eco-friendly this Chinese New Year is not only a small step towards making the world a better place, but also lighter on your wallet thanks to lower electricity bills and fewer purchases.

Here are some tips for celebrating Chinese New Year in a way that has a lower impact on the environment and saving some money while you’re at it.

Use reusable and washable plates, cups and cutlery to eliminate use of disposables

Single-use items such as paper plates and plastic cutlery contribute to Singapore’s waste-disposal woes.

This Chinese New Year, aim to use only reusable and washable plates, cups and cutlery. The water and electricity required to wash reusable cutlery and crockery is nothing compared to the energy and resources required to manufacture and dispose of their single-use counterparts.

In fact, you can even go one step further by bringing along washable crockery and cutlery for your entire family when you visit other homes during Chinese New Year. That way, you’ll be able to avoid using disposables no matter where you go.

Reuse old red packets to make new and unique Chinese New Year decorations for your home

Don’t throw away your old red packets once you’ve removed the money inside. Used red packets can be reused to make new and unique Chinese New Year decorations for your home.

Staple or glue together red packets to create lanterns, fans, pineapples, fish and more. There are scores of videos on YouTube teaching you how to turn your old red packets into beautiful decorative items.

And of course, if you receive any red packets that close using a slot rather than glue, you can just reuse them to put money in next year.

Bring along reusable bags and containers when shopping for Chinese New Year goodies

Chinese New Year goodies such as pineapple tarts, love letters and cornflake cookies are just some of the mouthwatering treats that you’ve waited an entire year to enjoy.

Don’t forget to bring along reusable bags when you do your Chinese New Year shopping. These bags can be used in place of plastic bags and paper bags at supermarkets and shops.

Want to take things one step further? When grocery shopping for reunion dinner, bring along reusable bags made from mesh, cheesecloth or other lightweight materials. This enables you to avoid using the disposable plastic bags typically used to weigh fruit and vegetables in at supermarkets.

You can also bring along reusable bags and containers for anything that’s sold loose. For instance, when buying bak kwa, get the stallholder to put it in a reusable Tupperware rather than wrap it in paper or plastic.

Keep and reuse CNY goodie containers

Chinese New Year goodies are often sold in transparent plastic containers with an unmistakable red lid.

Don’t throw away your containers once the goodies have been consumed. They are very sturdy and can be reused for years.

Use them to store packaging-free snacks and groceries, as planters, to store leftovers from reunion dinner or to contain your own homemade CNY cookies next year.

Consolidate spring cleaning on a Sunday

Before the first day of the Chinese New Year, families all over Singapore will be spring cleaning with a vengeance.

Consolidating all your cleaning tasks on a Sunday before the Chinese New Year can save you money if you’re signed up to electricity provider Geneco’s Get Free Sundays Plan.

The plan gives you free electricity every Sunday, so that’s the day you want to do all your washing, ironing and even cooking for the upcoming festivities.

By washing only full loads, ironing big batches of clothing and cooking in bulk, you’ll also be saving electricity.

Sell or donate unwanted items unearthed during spring cleaning

Spring cleaning often throws up lots of belongings that were purchased a while ago and have since been forgotten.

Instead of hiding these unused items in the back of your closet, put them aside to sell or donate in the New Year. In fact, you can give items away for free on online platforms such as Freecycle.

Anything that’s still in good working order and that you haven’t managed to sell or give away can be donated to charitable organisations.

Take home leftovers

Chinese New Year is all about cooking and eating, but at the end of each day, it is common to be confronted with mountains of leftovers that everyone is too full to eat.

Don’t contribute to the mountains of food waste that are created every day in Singapore. Instead, send your guests home with containers filled with leftovers—recycle your leftover CNY goodie containers for this purpose. You can then pack everything that remains into Tupperware containers for your family’s consumption the next day.

If you’re spending the evening at a friend or relative’s home, don’t forget to bring along some empty containers so you can take home leftovers at the end of the night.

Use fans rather than air conditioning at home

Singapore’s hot and humid weather causes many to leave their homes air conditioned all day and night when receiving visitors during the Chinese New Year period.

Air conditioning consumes a lot more electricity than electric fans, so opt for the latter. Also leave your windows open to maximise air flow whenever the temperature inside is higher than outside. Your guests will also appreciate a free flow of iced water.

Another thing you should do to keep your electricity bill down is to sign up for an affordable plan like Geneco’s Get It Fixed 36, which costs only 17.88 cents per kWh.

For even greater savings, take advantage of Geneco’s upcoming Chinese New Year promotion from 25th January onwards. The first 888 sign-ups for the Get It Fixed 36 plan get $61.88 off their first bill. The next 2,888 sign-ups of any plan, except the Give Us A Try plan, get $31.88 off their first bill, while the next 8,888 sign-ups receive $21.88 off.

With a little bit of planning, it is totally possible to celebrate Chinese New Year in a way that not only respects the earth but is also less expensive for yourself. Happy Year of the Pig!

For more details, kindly visit Geneco’s website.

Geneco’s 36-month fixed price plan, the Get It Fixed 36, is probably the cheapest plan in Singapore.

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A sea of change has just taken place in Singapore. An open electricity market was launched with effect from November 2018.

This means Singapore households can now choose their own electricity providers instead of having their energy supplied by SP Group by default. There will now be 13 different electricity providers, each offering several plans.

For those who are willing to do their research and pick the most cost-effective plan for their needs, this can translate to cost savings every month.

We’ve done the homework for you and researched the prices being charged by the various electricity companies in Singapore.

Price comparison of 6-month plans

If you are not ready to commit, one option is to try a short 6-month plan, and then sign on to a longer plan afterwards if you are satisfied with the electricity provider. Here are how the various 6-month Fixed and Discount Off The Regulated Tariff (DOT) plans measure up.

Price comparison of 12-month fixed price plans

Meanwhile, 12-month plans are suitable if you envisage moving to a new house in under two years or are still unsure as to whether you wish to commit for a longer time. Many electricity retailers offer both fixed price and discount-off-tariff plans.

Price comparison of 24-month fixed price plans

Most electricity providers offer 24-month plans that enable you to lock in their rates for two years.

Price comparison of 36-month price plans

Longer plans are the most economical option, as you pay less per month than you would on a shorter plan. Many electricity providers offer 36-month plans that enable you to lock in their rates for three years.

So which company offers the most inexpensive electricity in Singapore?

Based on the charts above, it appears that Geneco offers some of the most competitively-priced electricity plans in Singapore.

Geneco’s 36-month fixed price plan, the Get It Fixed 36, is probably the cheapest plan in Singapore at 17.88 cents/kWh (inclusive of GST), with average monthly bills estimated at just $74.10*. The plan locks in a fixed rate over a three-year period.

You also enjoy attractive promotions and a generous referral programme when you sign up for an electricity plan with Geneco, which can end up saving you even more money. Here are their current promotions.

– Earn through Geneco’s attractive referral programme – With each referral made, both the referrer and the referee receive a reward of $20 each.

– Receive cash rebates on your bill – Receive a 1.0% cash rebate on your Geneco bill for the first 12 months when you pay with a UOB credit card. Even better, receive 1.0% cash rebate on your bill throughout your entire contract period when you pay with a POSB Everyday Card.

– Get 4,000 LinkPoints – Plus! members who use promo code PLUSGENECO when purchasing the Get It Fixed 36 plan receive 4,000 LinkPoints.

– Receive $25 off your bill – Enter XMAS25 when you sign up for any 12-, 24- or 36-month plan and receive a $25 rebate.

Look at your own electricity bill and you’ll no doubt find you can save money by switching to a more competitive electricity provider like Geneco. The sooner you make the switch, the sooner you can start saving money on your electricity bill every month.

*Kindly note that the calculation of the monthly electricity bill is based on an average household electricity consumption of 414.42kWh, which amounts to a SP monthly bill of $107 at existing tariff rate of 25.82 cents/kWh (inclusive of GST).

For more details, kindly visit Geneco’s website.

Geneco’s 36-month plan, Get It Fixed 36, is currently one of the cheapest 36-month electricity plans in Singapore.

Special Advertising Feature

On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… more affordable electricity!

Give yourself the gift of lower electricity bills this Christmas season courtesy of Geneco.

Here are 12 fun facts about Geneco, one of Singapore’s favourite energy companies.

1) Geneco’s 36-month plan offers some of Singapore’s cheapest electricity rates

Geneco’s 36-month plan, Get It Fixed 36, is currently one of the cheapest 36-month electricity plans in Singapore, at just 17.88 cents per kWh including GST. This fixed rate is locked in for the entire 3-year duration of your contract, so rest assured that you will not be affected by fluctuations in the electricity market.

2) Get 4,000 LinkPoints or a $25 bill rebate when you sign up for Geneco’s 36-month plan this Christmas

There’s no better time to make the switch to Geneco than the present. Take advantage of Geneco’s Christmas promotion and receive 4,000 LinkPoints or $25 rebate on your bill when you sign up for Get It Fixed 36. All you have to do is enter PLUSGENECO into the promo code for the LinkPoints and XMAS25 for the $25 rebate. Kindly visit Geneco’s website for more details on promotions.

3) Geneco has been powering the nation for more than 47 years

Geneco might be a new name to you, but the company has been a trusted power supplier in Singapore for almost half a century. Geneco’s parent company, YTL PowerSeraya, is one of the biggest and oldest electricity generators in Singapore and has been supplying power to the nation since 1971.

4) Geneco supplies power to around 20% of the nation

Geneco currently supplies power to around 20 percent of the nation thanks to its electricity generator, one of Singapore’s largest, with a licensed generating capacity of 3,100 megawatts.

5) Geneco’s power plants are located on Jurong Island

Geneco’s power station was originally built on Pulau Seraya, which is now part of Jurong Island. It is Singapore’s first offshore power station and occupies the space of about 130 football fields.

Geneco’s power plant on Jurong Island.

6) Geneco is an award-winning company

Geneco has been the proud recipient of many awards, including the Superbrands Award, which the company has won every year since 2010. Geneco is the only brand in the Open Electricity Market to have won the Superbrands Award.

7) Geneco accepts multiple payment modes

Offering flexibility and convenience to customers is important to Geneco. That’s why customers can pay their bills via a variety of methods, namely GIRO, credit card or AXS. In addition, UOB or POSB Everyday card holders can receive cash rebates when they make recurring payments using their credit cards.

8) Geneco’s Get It Fixed 24 plan comes with a price match guarantee

Geneco’s 24-month plan, Get It Fixed 24, comes with a price match guarantee so you can be sure you’ll be paying the cheapest prices in town. If you see a price lower than Geneco’s within 7 working days of signing up, Geneco will refund you the price difference in your contract period.

9) Geneco customers do not pay any security deposit, hidden charges or carbon tax

What you see is what you pay for. Geneco does not collect a security deposit, and there are no hidden charges or carbon tax. So you never have to worry that your bill will end up being higher than expected.

10) Geneco is moving into renewable and sustainable energy

Geneco is committed to the environment. As the world makes a shift towards sustainable and renewable energy sources, Geneco is taking steps to promote the use of electric vehicles and charging points in Singapore. They are also building solar panels at their Jurong Island plant to supply power in a more sustainable way.

11) Geneco also operates in the UK, specialising in sustainable solutions for waste

In the UK, Geneco is a pioneer in sustainable, renewable energy. The company treats more than 700,000 tonnes of waste in the UK every year, transforming it into products such as biofertilisers, renewably-sourced gas and electricity which is then supplied to thousands of homes.

12) Geneco UK has created a bus that runs on bio-methane

The Geneco Bio-Bus is a biomethane-powered vehicle that successfully completed a trial route between Bath and Bristol Airport, a journey of over 30km, and was regularly used in Bristol. Gas-powered vehicles like the Geneco Bio-Bus promote the improvement of air quality and promote the use of sustainable energy.

This festive season, treat yourself to the gift of lower electricity bills thanks to Geneco, one of Singapore’s most trusted energy providers.

For more details, kindly visit Geneco’s website.

Source: Servcorp

Special Advertising Feature

One word sums up why so many businesses – from one-man start-ups to larger established companies – are renting shared office space.

That word is flexibility.

By renting an office by the month, week, day or even by the hour, a business is no longer beholden to the contract. The space it occupies and pays for can grow and shrink in accordance with not just its size, but its needs specific to that period.

Companies such as Servcorp realised long ago that flexibility is not just attractive for businesses, it could very well be the difference between success and failure, as rent forms such a large proportion of a firm’s overheads.

Flexibility also describes the options that Servcorp provides its clients, with a range of different solutions designed to suit the needs of an ever-changing and increasingly demanding market. It has five prime locations in Singapore, each offering four different packages.

Hot Desks

The simplest and cheapest co-working option (packages in Singapore start at just S$350 a month) is hot desking. Simply turn up with your laptop, choose a desk and start working.

You don’t just get the desk though, it comes with fast and secure WiFi, a full secretarial team and access to printers, copiers and scanners.

There are also versatile and stylish event spaces ideal for product launches or presentations. For a little more a month you can opt to use the 5-star address as your corporate address, have a landline number and receptionist.

Source: Servcorp

On top of all that you also get to meet, socialise and network with a 40,000-strong community of like-minded people, either in the office itself, at the coworking lounge or at one of the free weekly events.

Dedicated Desk

Those who want to have the assurance that they will have the same high-quality desks, complete with stunning views and the right balance of natural lighting can look forward to dedicated desks. As the name suggests, the desk is theirs whenever they need it, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Again, it comes with the first-class facilities, networking opportunities and the option to add in the use of a landline, receptionist and the address.

Your Own Private Office

For those who prefer a traditional office experience minus the inflexible yearly contracts, Servcorp offer sophisticated, furnished, private offices in each of their five locations on the island.

The offices, all with stunning views, natural lighting, secure high-speed WiFi and your own secretarial team are dedicated to you, so you can host guests in the privacy of your own rooms, while still benefitting from the option of networking with the community from other offices in the shared spaces and weekly events. You can also use the address on all your business collateral as well as your website.

Virtual Offices

You may be forgiven for thinking that virtual offices are a recent phenomenon, but they were invented by Servcorp more than three decades ago.

They represent the ideal way for small and medium businesses to gain the status that a prime office address gives them. It is a means of achieving more easily, quickly and successfully than any amount of marketing and advertising.

In Singapore, any business no matter how new, how small, can take one of the five stunning business addresses as their own. These include two in the beating heart of the CBD and another in the Marina Bay Financial Centre. Alternatively, clients may want to give their business an international edge by choosing any one of the more than 160 offices located in 54 cities around the world.

Source: Servcorp

Those offices include some of the most iconic addresses on the planet such as One World Trade Center in New York City, London’s Leadenhall Building and even Louis Vuitton’s headquarters in the French capital.

It is not simply a case of having a famous address on your letterhead however, there is a genuine business case for using virtual offices. Recent research shows that two thirds of potential customers will not consider doing business with someone who does not have an address in their city. That is a huge swathe of the market that you are ignoring, and one that can be tapped into simply by using a virtual office.

Join the Club

For those not yet willing to go the whole way and rent a hot desk or office, there is still the option of membership which comes with a lot of the benefits mentioned already but for only S$60 a month. For that, you get a free hot desk one day a month, and access to all the boardrooms, coworking lounges and meeting rooms at special rates.

You can hold events, interviews and presentations in dedicated areas as well as taking advantage of Servcorp’s on hand team of bilingual secretaries. Last but not least, it is also the most cost-effective way of being part of one the world’s largest and most dynamic business communities, with countless opportunities to network and create meaningful and mutually beneficial contacts.

Interior Designer: Happe Design Atelier

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Renovations are no walk in the park. Among other struggles, finding the right budget can feel like a headless stumble in the dark. Introducing Qanvast Renovation Calculator – the first in Singapore, powered by data from over $20 million worth of renovation contracts – a convenient online feature that lets you plan and calculate your ideal renovation budget in 3 simple steps.

Simply fill up the necessary fields and watch as a personalised budget amount is generated for you – in a matter of minutes! Each entry also comes with a unique budget breakdown report that provides budget trends, budget allocations and useful renovation cost hacks, all to prepare you on your journey to become a whip-smart renovator.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Fill in key details about your home

To get started, select the options that best match your home’s profile. These details, such as property size and type, are important for determining how much you will need to set aside for your renovation.

Based on local trends, home profiles play an important role in deciding final renovation budgets (and estimates).

• It costs more on average to renovate an HDB flat ($53,000) than a condominium home ($49,000).
• On average, resale homes cost almost twice as much to renovate ($74,500) compared to new properties ($42,000) in the same class.

Step 2: Decide on the extent of renovation works to be done

Tasks like painting, wiring and hacking may be the mainstays of most renovations, however, what really matters is the degree to which they are carried out, which has a greater influence on your budget.

This is exactly why Qanvast’s Renovation Calculator also gives you the option to calculate your budget based on the extent of work that you would like done for a particular task (e.g. carpentry, masonry), be it light, moderate or extensive. Each option also includes an estimated budget range to give you a rough idea of how things will add up.

Step 3: Account for Extra and/or Hidden Costs

Once you have completed the sections detailing your home’s profile and the types of works that you would like done, Qanvast’s Renovation Calculator will give you an estimated cost range for your interior makeover, along with a nifty breakdown of the costs.

But that’s not all! Unfortunately, in real life, things don’t always add up nicely the way they should. Be it last minute alterations, unforeseen structural issues, or even moving costs, these renovation hiccups can cause your final renovation bill to balloon.

For this reason, it is advisable to set aside a contingency buffer (10 to 20 percent of your renovation budget). Don’t forget to include the total cost of your furniture and appliances – typically $10,000 to $30,000 – to get a more accurate picture!

Want to get your renovation budget estimate? Head to qanvast.com/sg/renovation-calculator to get started!

About Qanvast

Qanvast is the go-to renovation platform connecting homeowners to interior designers. Whether you’re planning a major overhaul or a simple refresh, Qanvast can connect you with the right interior professional for the job. Submit this simple form to start meeting interior designers, discuss your home design and compare quotes – quote ‘PropertyGuru’ under ‘Other info’ to get $50 worth of Capitavouchers! Terms and conditions apply. Promotion ends in March 2019.

Homeowners and businesses in northeast Singapore will now be able to access the Open Electricity Market.

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The Singapore government has officially launched the Open Electricity Market (OEM) today, in a bid to liberalise the industry and spur competition among local power providers.

Starting today (1 Nov), homeowners and businesses within the northeast of the country residing in areas with postal codes from 58 to 78 will be able to access the OEM, said the Energy Market Authority (EMA), the government agency overseeing the local electricity and gas industries.

These areas include districts in Upper Bukit Timah, Clementi Park, Ulu Pandan, Tuas, Hillview, Dairy Farm, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Lim Chu Kang, Tengah, Kranji, Woodgrove, Woodlands, Yishun, Sembawang, Upper Thomson and Springleaf.

These areas are in addition to Jurong, where the OEM was soft launched on 1 April.

Thereafter, the Open Electricity Market will be implemented progressively in three other geographical zones, with areas within Singapore’s central business district (CBD) being among the last to access it.

With this set-up, homeowners and businesses will no longer be locked into purchasing electricity from just SP Group, the operator of the electricity transmission and distribution network in the country. As a result, consumers will be able to choose from a variety of competitively-priced power plans from over 10 companies. As observed in the Jurong soft launch, power retailers dangled attractive sign-up discounts, on top of bundling their power price plans with other services and products.

How many power retailers can I choose from?

Initially, 13 electricity retailers are participating in the official launch today, and several more are expected to join later after upgrading their capabilities. These 13 power retailers consist of:

How electricity is delivered to consumers’ homes?

At present, about 95 percent of Singapore’s electricity supply are generated by power plants fuelled by natural gas. In turn, the current produced by these generation facilities are transported across Singapore via the national power grid, then distributed to various businesses and homes.

On the financial aspect, generation companies that run power plants offer power in the wholesale electricity market (WEM) every half-hour. They have to bid to sell electricity, and the price of power change every 30 minutes depending on demand and supply. Meanwhile, the electricity retailers purchase power in bulk from WEM and compete with each other to sell power to consumers and enterprises.

With the implementation of the Open Electricity Market, clients have the option to switch to a different power retailer other than SP Group. But they may also opt to continue buying electricity from the company at a regulated tariff that is reviewed every quarter. Choosing a different retailer won’t disrupt a home’s power supply as SP Group will continue its job to deliver power to everyone.

Moreover, clients should not worry over blackouts or power disruptions as the responsibility for ensuring a reliable supply of electricity across Singapore remains in the government’s hands, which falls under the Power System Operator (PSO), a division of EMA.

Notably, SP PowerAssets owns the national power grid which distributes electricity across Singapore, while its appointed agent SP PowerGrid builds and maintains the power grid. Both are members of SP Group.

Types of standard price plans offered by the 13 retailers

Prior to the OEM launch in each zone, homeowners and businesses there will get a notification package and information booklet about the different power price plans offered by electricity retailers. To compare price plans, please visit this website.

Basically, power retailers will offer two kinds of standard price plans. According to EMA, aside from prohibiting power retailers from imposing zero hidden charges, the contract duration of standard price plans is 6, 12 or 24 months. In addition, all electricity retailers are required to post their standard price plans on OEM’s official website and honour their terms. The particulars of the two standard price plans are indicated below.

• Fixed Price Plan. Under this package, clients will pay a constant rate (e.g. 20 cents/kWh) for their power during the contract period. This plan targets clients who don’t want a fluctuating monthly power bill. However, the rate may be higher or lower than the regulated tariff.

• Discount Off the Regulated Tariff Plan. Under this package, the rate changes but clients will be entitled to a fixed discount off the prevailing regulated tariff (e.g. 5.0 percent). This is suitable for those who aren’t bothered about paying different power rates so long as it’s more affordable than the regulated tariff.

On the other hand, plans with a different pricing structure from these two are called Non-Standard Price Plans. To know more about these, please contact the power retailer directly.

Which is the best power price plan?

If the rate for the Fixed Price Plan is not too high, it could be more advantageous as the regulated tariff has been mainly on an uptrend since January 2016. Aside from that, SP Group said last month that electricity tariffs will increase by an average of 2.1 percent or 0.48 cent per kWh in Q4 2018 from the previous quarter.

If the rate for the Fixed Price Plan is pricey, opting for a discounted plan is also a good move as your rate will still be lower than the regulated tariff.

Why choose Geneco?

Power retailers without their own power plants face a greater price risk as they are solely dependent on buying from the Wholesale Electricity Market, where power prices could be volatile if there is an imbalance in the half-hourly supply and demand. Such electricity retailers will also have to mitigate this risk by conducting their own hedging activities.

More importantly, the price of power in Singapore is significantly impacted by the price of natural gas in the global market.

On the other hand, firms operating their own generation facilities have the advantage of mitigating the volatile price risk, as the sale and purchase prices of electricity in the wholesale market are nearly identical.

One of those companies running their own power plants is Geneco, whose parent company YTL PowerSeraya is one of Singapore’s first and biggest power producers with a licensed generating capacity of 3,100 MW. The group has been in the power generation business since 1971, and has received numerous awards for outstanding customer service.

Geneco offers one of the most competitive electricity plans in the market across all types of price plans with no security deposit required. For example, Geneco’s 24-month fixed price plan is $0.1680/kWh, which is 30 percent cheaper than the SP regulated tariff rate at $0.2413/kWh. The sign-up process for Geneco is also seamless, ensuring ease of changing your electricity supplier. That’s not all, if you recommend Geneco to your friends and family, you’ll get a $20 shopping voucher.

For more details, kindly visit Geneco’s website.

Source: Servcorp

Special Advertising Feature

Technology that Works

The people behind Servcorp’s phenomenal success and track record understand that the three biggest drains on a business’ balance sheet are staff, rent and technology.

Get the first two right and continued reinvestment should not be required on those fronts.

That is not the case for technology, particularly IT. Today IT is at the forefront of everything a business does and needs to be successful, regardless of the industry it is in. It is not the case of simply having it. It must be the right technology, the correct systems and platforms to enable a business to function at its’ full potential.

That is why Servcorp invested heavily in the technology in all their offices around the world.

Out on Their Own

It should be common sense that to attract the best clients into your offices, you need to provide cutting edge, first-class technology and just as importantly, the support that goes with it. That is not the case however.

Servcorp is the only global provider of flexible office space that offers a seamless workspace platform. It is little wonder then that it is the first choice for businesses looking to break out from the yoke of the traditional office model.

Founded in Australia forty years ago, the company has continually ensured it has been one step ahead of its competition, particularly when it comes to the infrastructure it provides its tenants.

Source: Servcorp

Servcorp has invested more than US$100 million in its fully interconnected global data network. Because of that forward-thinking mentality, its offices are proving particularly attractive to the more progressive businesses, a common trait in many of today’s start-ups and one that is close to the heart of its COO, Marcus Moufarrige.

As much as 40% of its revenue comes from technology and professional service companies who see features such as reliable high-speed internet and 24-hour IT support as a must, not a bonus. For these companies, it would be extremely unlikely to be able to afford such connectivity and service on their own.

Global Connectivity – A World at your Fingertips

As a result of Servcorp’s heavy investment and its cloud-based technology platform, its clients are able to have a global presence, and more importantly a localised global presence. Virtual offices account for more than a third of the company’s revenue, and technology – as much as the five-star locations – is the reason behind that.

Research has shown that approaching 90% of potential clients put more emphasis on a business having an address or phone number that is local to them, than they do on its advertising and marketing literature. They are also six times more likely to reach out to an organisation which has a local landline and mobile than those that do not.

Servcorp’s virtual offices provide its clients with exactly that capability. They can sign in to any virtual office, in 23 countries in which they have a presence, giving them not just a local address, but a local landline. All that can be done from anywhere in the world via the client’s smartphone; transforming a one-man band into a truly global operation.

An Infrastructure Second to None

To prosper in this digital age, you need IT solutions that work. Every one of Servcorp’s clients benefits from an IT infrastructure that is comparable to that of a large multinational business. This includes:

• Fibre based Tier-1 managed internet service, boasting 99.99% uptime and the ability for any configuration such as dedicated bandwidth, VLAN, VPN, DMZ…
• Access speeds of up to 1Gbps
• Tailored in-house IT Support 24/7
• Cisco end-to-end voice network
• Advanced VoIP and conferencing capabilities
• Global number portability
• Call Routing

The ability to constantly reinvest, to train and remain cutting edge in in-house technology is something that is becoming ever more crucial in today’s marketplace. At the same time, it’s also becoming increasingly difficult and expensive that it is more and more the preserve of the big multinationals.

Source: Servcorp

Shared and virtual offices return the power to the small and medium-sized players, allowing them to compete on a level playing field.

That is a good thing for everyone, as it is just those businesses and the brains behind them that are the driving force in pushing the boundaries in what people can achieve. It is those that are disrupting the current status quo, and not just asking questions that have not been asked before but are coming up with the answers to those questions.

Which is precisely how and why Servcorp started in the first place.

Special Advertising Feature: Situated in the heart of Sengkang and surrounded by an abundance of nature, Parc Botannia offers the perfect sanctuary for those wish to live close to modern conveniences yet desire a tranquil lifestyle. 

Strategically located along Fernvale Street, Parc Botannia, jointly developed by Sing Holding Limited and Wee Hur Holdings Limited, is set to be an attractive investment for home buyers once the development is completed in 2021. 

Boasting 735 units, Parc Botannia offers a wide mix of units to suit individual needs – there are one-bedroom plus study units ranging from 506 sq ft. to more spacious five-bedrooms spanning 1,453 sq ft. for larger families.

Other apartment types include two-bedroom classic, two-bedroom premium, two-bedroom plus study, three-bedroom classic, three-bedroom premium, four-bedroom classic, and four-bedroom premium.

2-bedroom at Parc Botannia

Each comes fully outfitted with quality and stylish finishes and fittings. Home buyers will also appreciate the fact that the developers have built the four towers at a distance from each other; allowing residents to enjoy utmost privacy as well as unblocked views of both the landscape and the surrounding.

For recreational pursuits, the development offers a host of facilities including a 50m lap pool, tennis court, party pavilions, and more.

Apart from offering a modern, stylish home surrounded by nature, a main draw for buying a unit at Parc Botannia is its location in Fernvale; a relatively new town situated between Jalan Kayu and Sengkang.

SENGKANG – AN UP AND COMING SUB-CITY 

According to the URA masterplan, Sengkang will be undergoing tremendous changes in the next couple of years, including improvement in amenities and infrastructure, and the addition of more residential and commercial developments.

And the plot of land that Parc Botannia will be built on, along Fernvale Street, is situated within proximity to a slew of shopping malls and facilities, such as Seletar Mall, located one LRT stop away, and Compass One, which is four train stations away.

Foodies will be spoilt for choice with a chockfull of local delights at the Jalan Kayu area, such as prata, prawn noodles, bak kut teh and more. For those seeking more options, head over to The Oval @ Seletar Aerospace Park boasting an array of restaurants like The Summerhouse, Di Wei Teochew Restaurant, Wheeler’s Yard and more. 

Jalan Kayu

Nature lovers will be pleased to know that Parc Botannia – where’s there a park already at its doorstep-  is surrounded by a handful of park connectors and neighbourhood parks; the closest being Punggol Park Connector and Sengkang Riverside Park.

Getting to other parts of the city will also be a breeze with the public transportation system – Parc Botannia is located right next to the Thanggam LRT station, which will connect residents to Sengkang MRT/LRT station.

Drivers can get onto the Tampines Expressway (TPE), Seletar Expressway (SLE), Central Expressway (CTE), Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) and East Coast Parkway (ECP) – all located nearby – to go wherever they want. 

LIVE, PLAY AND WORK CLOSE TO HOME 

Parc Botannia’s popularity as an investment property or residential home can also be attributed to its proximity to several good schools, shopping malls, recreational facilities and industrial clusters.

In fact, Parc Botannia is the residential development located closest to Seletar Aerospace Park and the neighbouring industrial area, making it an attractive residence for prospective tenants or home buyers who work around the area. 

Envisioned to be a world-class dedicated aerospace regional facility, the Seletar Aerospace Park is expected to create about 10,000 jobs upon its projected completion later this year, while the Woodlands Regional Centre, which is part of a larger commercial belt called the North Coast Innovation Corridor, will house the first business park cluster in Singapore’s northern area.  

Thaggam LRT, walking distance to Parc Botannia

The North Coast Innovation Corridor, in tandem with the future cross-border rail link into Malaysia, is expected to spawn a new generation of modern factories and innovation centres that will stretch from Woodlands Regional Centre, with more than 700,000 sqm of modern commercial space and more than 100ha of developable land.

This will stretch to the Gambas area, and continue towards the east to Yishun, past the upper Seletar Reservoir, into the Seletar Aerospace Hub, and will continue towards the east to join the Punggol Creative Cluster and Learning Corridor. 

For families with school going children, they will appreciate the development’s closeness to several good schools such as Fernvale Primary School, Nan Chiau Primary School, Pei Hwa Secondary School, Anderson Junior College, Nanyang Polytechnic, and more.

To find out more about Parc Botannia, visit www.parcbotannia.com.

Special Advertising Feature: Centrally located in the heart of Bishan, Sky Habitat’s penthouses offer generous layouts, utmost exclusivity, and unblocked views of the city’s skyline. 

If one were to make a list of the unique qualities of a penthouse, the list would undoubtedly be one of great length. Typically located at the top floor or top few floors of a development, the residential unit offers unblocked views; exclusivity as there is only one unit at the top of every development; a roof terrace with a private pool; and more voluminous and spacious layouts as compared to regular apartments in the same development. 

If you are on the lookout for a penthouse that is situated in a central location, you will want to check out Sky Habitat, jointly developed by CapitaLand and Mitsubishi Estate Asia, which offers a prime address, and a whole lot more. 

PRIME LOCATION 

First things first, the location of Sky Habitat in the matured estate of Bishan is a huge draw for home buyers as the area is not only centrally located, but offers a slew of dining and entertainment options, and is within close proximity to several shopping malls and good schools. It’s no surprise that the apartments in this estate are highly sought-after, and are able to command high prices. 

In fact, Bishan made the news several times for its record-beating HDB flat prices – an executive flat sold for a whopping 1.05 million a few years ago, and more recently, the news reported that a DBSS penthouse unit went for $1.18 million. DBSS flats are considered public housing, which are developed and sold by private developers. 

STUNNING ARCHITECTURE 

Sitting in the heart of Bishan Central along 7 Bishan Street 15, Sky Habitat, with its striking architecture, is an eclectically stylish change of pace from its more traditional neighbours. Designed by renowned Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie, who also designed the Marina Bay Sands, the development features a three-dimensional matrix of homes, gardens, terraces and sky bridges.

The overall structure is porous and open, allowing light to penetrate and air to breeze through. A key selling point of this 38-storey development is definitely its captivating futuristic design, which includes a rooftop swimming pool offering sweeping views of Bishan Park, MacRitchie Reservoir, the city skyline and the Singapore Flyer.

Sky Habitat

Further in, the 509-unit residential development features a range of stylish and modern interiors to suit individual preferences, from two- to four-bedroom units to one-bedroom + study and two-bedroom + study units, with sizes ranging from about 680 to 3,000 sq ft – each have been designed and outfitted with quality fittings and functional appliances to ensure an unrivalled living experience.

Highly experienced in creating luxury landscapes, the design team behind Sky Habitat has also artfully zoned recreational spaces such as swimming pools and walking paths seamlessly into sky, water and earth belts that abound with greenery.

UP IN THE CLOUDS 

The stars of the development, however, are the penthouses, each offering sweeping views of the gorgeous surroundings, and on clear days, the scenic Marina Bay skyline can even be seen in the distance – imagine admiring sweeping views of Singapore’s vibrant skyline from the comfort of your own home. 

Beyond offering unblocked views, Sky Habitat’s spacious penthouses are also ideal for multi-generation living, or for home buyers looking to upgrade their home to accommodate their growing family, as the single level and double level penthouse units, which range from 2,551 to 3,670 sq ft in floor area, are spacious and allow bigger families to live together comfortably. 

FACILITIES AND AMENITIES ALL WITHIN EASY REACH 

The facilities offered to residents are also aplenty and much to rave about, there is a 50m lap pool, leisure pools, a dedicated children’s pool, a play area, a tennis court, a tennis viewing garden, reflection gardens, lily ponds, barbeque pits, karaoke rooms, a function room and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. 

Beyond being an ideal urban retreat, Sky Habitat also offers utmost convenience to residents, thanks to the abundant amenities that are sited within proximity to the development, from schools to shopping hubs, everything is within easy reach. 

For nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts who love being surrounded by elements of nature, Sky Habitat offers a slew of options as it is just within a short distance away from Bishan Park, Bishan Stadium, and Bishan Sports Hall and Recreation Centre.

Bishan is a picturesque estate these days

For families with school-going children, there are several reputable schools that are situated just a stone’s throw away, such as Raffles Institution, Catholic High School, the Australian International School, and Stamford American International School. 

For daily necessities and shopping needs, residents can head towards the various shopping malls that are within a short drive away from the development, including Junction 8, Ang Mo Kio Hub, Thomson Plaza, and myVillage at Serangoon Garden. 

For more information, visit www.skyhabitat.com.sg or call (+65) 6713 3928

(Pictured: Bukit Brown Cemetery)

A ghost town

Exhuming the remains of loved ones and building homes upon hallowed ground sounds like a bad idea (and the premise for a horror movie) but Singapore’s been doing it for decades.

To other cultures this act may appear callous but for Singapore, it’s a necessary thing.

Yet, building on former burial ground brings its’ share of misconceptions, least of all the expectation of residing in a literal ghost town; haunted by the angry spectres whose eternal rest were disturbed.

There are many popular haunts in Singapore

Alas, while this gothic notion of ghosts haunting graveyards is an old one, it’s also incorrect. Ghosts haunt the places of their death, and unless they died in a graveyard, that’s not where they’re going to be. In fact, the graveyard is probably the safest and most peaceful place to be in. Old Changi Hospital however…

Suffice to say, while the older generation may balk at the idea of living in a former cemetery, the younger generation has shown little to no discomfort at the thought. With rising costs and town centres becoming more populated, anything new and relatively cheaper turns into a focal destination.

If you’re still iffy about putting down roots on consecrated ground, here’s a short list of former cemeteries whose grounds you’ve undoubtedly traversed.  

1. Ngee Ann City

In the 1950s, this popular and iconic shopping and commercial centre along Orchard Road was a former Teochew burial ground that spanned roughly 72 acres. Known then as Tai Shan Ting (which encompassed ION as well), the plot of land was overseen and managed by Ngee Ann Kongsi.

Ngee Ann City aka Taka

When the bones were exhumed after plans were drawn to redevelop the land into the building we all know today, unclaimed remains of some 34,000 were cremated and placed at the Teochew Memorial Park in Yishun – set up by the kongsi.

Today it’s a shopping mall best known for Kinokuniya, one of the last few big-name book stores in Singapore among other quality brands like Cartier, Armani Exchange and of course the anchor tenant, Takashimaya, for whose local slang of Taka is used is used interchangeably with Ngee Ann City.

2. Novena MRT station

Acquired by the Jewish community in Singapore in 1900, the hard-to-miss Novena station (on account of its green tiles) on the busy North-south line contained burials from 1904 to 1973. It was cleared for the construction of the underground station.

Today Novena is sort of like a micro-CBD, with three malls and plenty of office buildings including IRAS. Thousands of people walk around, shop and dine in what once was a cemetery.

3. Bishan

It’s impossible to write such an article without mentioning Bishan, and rightly so. Bishan, the HDB estate home to million-dollar flats was once a large burial ground for Cantonese and Hakka immigrants. Known then as Pek San Teng, it was established in 1870. During World War 2, the burial ground became a hotbed for fierce fighting between the British and Japanese forces.

After the war, the graves attracted a different kind of spook. Gangsters populated the area, turning it into a hide-out. Crime in that area, unsurprisingly became rampant. In 1973, the government closed the cemetery. In the 1980s, HDB expanded further into the area.

Bishan is a picturesque estate these days

Today, Bishan is one of the densest population centres in Singapore and one of the more popular in large part thanks to its infrastructure and non-brutalist designs of HDB flats; unlike other towns developed around that period.

Upcoming Bidadari Estate

In the 80s and 90s, Bidadari cemetery was synonymous with sightings of the supernatural kind. The Gurkha Contingent would use its trails as a running route; yet another accolade to their tougher than nails impression.

Lately, this ghost town is developing into a growth town; one that, despite its taboo attachment, has generated much interest from young Singaporeans ready to own their first home. Case in point, its’ 5-room units were more than 15 times oversubscribed.

Originally an avenue of lamentation by locals horrified that a heritage site was being exhumed in the name of progress (also, ghosts), Bidadari Estate’s excellent location serviced by both the North-east and Circle lines as well as its’ green and sustainable framework quickly derailed those objections and turned disdain into anticipation.

Source: HDB

Its’ ‘community in a garden’ concept was well-received, not to mention Bidadari above all existing and upcoming estates is utterly unique by historical standards. For instance, the island’s first underground and air-conditioned bus interchange will be built here, beneath the BTO flats. A neighbourhood garden is built above it, adding natural beauty and eliminating the eye-sore of the man-made structure. 

Bidadari is positioned as the next big thing and it’s easy to see why. It has affordable units, a green and sustainable ecosystem built into the entirety of the estate, integrated transport, two train lines, good schools and not to mention, is connected and surrounded by matured towns Serangoon, Paya Lebar, Toa Payoh and Marine Parade/East Coast.

Conclusion

There are some cemeteries left in Singapore but it’s unwise to assume they would remain undisturbed for long. The government encourages cremation and since new towns will continue to pop up, burial sites continue to represent – economically – unused prime real estate.

In a 100-years, Marina Bay Sands may not be the icon it is now

Singapore takes an inexhaustible approach toward redevelopment so the landscape of the country in 20, 50 or a 100-years from now is going to be justifiably different from today. In that time, it’s conceivable that there won’t be any graveyards left.

What we’ll have is plenty of new homes where our family members can continue to reside with us, albeit in urns set lovingly upon our mantles. 

Looking to purchase a new home? Read our in-depth reviews of all new launches or check out our buy/rent guides.

(Image credit: Hong Fok)

Special Advertising Feature

Centrally located along Beach Road, the 40-storey Concourse Skyline offers unbeatable views coupled with unrivalled luxury and convenience.

Standing tall amidst the Beach Road-Bugis precinct, the towering Concourse Skyline makes an impressive sight. Designed by renowned architectural firm The Cox Group, the mixed-used development features a modern and sleek architecture. It comprises two high-rise blocks and one low-rise block, of which the latter also houses nine retail shops on the ground floor.

1. A NATURAL OASIS

Centrally located in the heart of the Central Business District, the development, which boasts a suite of recreational facilities such as a lap pool, a hot spa, a wading pool, a jacuzzi, and more, has been designed to offer residents with utmost respite.

In fact, stepping into the Concourse Skyline is more like entering a luxurious boutique resort than a residential development, with a five-storey water-wall at the sheltered driveway and plush sofas placed in the lobby, offering residents with the ideal setting to retreat from the hustle and bustle of city living.

Developed by reputable developer Hong Fok Land, the 360-unit Concourse Skyline offers a range of stylish and modern interiors to suit individual preferences; from one- to four-bedroom + study units, with sizes ranging from about 807 to 2,282 sq ft.—each have been designed and outfitted with top-of-the-line fittings and functional appliances to ensure an unrivalled living experience.

View of Singapore Flyer and Suntec from Concourse Skyline

For homebuyers seeking the best that the development has to offer, they can consider getting either the Sky Suites or Super Penthouse unit—the former offers up to 3,950 sq ft. in floor area, while the latter provides up to 11,130 sq ft. of floor space. 

2. STYLISH INTERIORS AND STUNNING VIEWS

Regardless which unit homebuyers pick, they can be assured of sweeping views of Singapore’s cityscape, which can be admired from the comfort of their home. The development overlooks the pit lane of the Singapore Grand Prix, the Singapore Sports Hub, the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort, the Singapore Flyer, and Gardens by the Bay.

Living room with a stunning view of the Singapore Flyer

Last but not least, all units also come fully outfitted with top-of-the-line fittings and finishes, such as high-grade timber flooring, stylish wardrobe system, and premium sanitary fittings, to complement the modern lifestyle.

3. PRIME ADDRESS

Concourse Skyline is the perfect retreat for city dwellers yearning for luxury, privacy and tranquility, but do not wish to compromise on convenience. Thanks to its strategic location along Beach Road, residents will also get to enjoy utmost convenience and connectivity as the development is within close proximity to an array of transportation links including Nicoll Highway MRT station, which is linked by a covered walkway.

Other stations, such as Lavender MRT station, and Bugis MRT station are situated a short bus-ride away. For those who drive, the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway, East Coast Parkway, and Marina Coastal Expressway are also located close by.

Beach Road

For entertainment and dining pursuits, there are plenty of retail malls located within the area, such as Suntec City, the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, and the famous Orchard Road Shopping Belt. For those who prefer something less mainstream, they can head across the road to Haji Lane, where a slew of boutique cafes and shops abound.

There’s also plenty of nightlife options available at the Esplanade, Capitol Theatre, One Fullerton and Boat Quay, which are situated a short drive or train-ride away.

For added convenience, the modern development also comprises nine retail spaces that are taken up by restaurants, cafes and a convenience store, offering residents with quality dining options without having to travel out of their residence. 

4. STEEPED IN HISTORY AND CULTURE

History and culture buffs will also appreciate that the Concourse Skyline is steeped in a backdrop of rich heritage, culture and the arts. On one side of the residence is Ophir Road. Across it is Kampong Glam, and on the other side is Rochor Road; where one can marvel at architectural landmarks while soaking in the culture.

5. UNRIVALLED FACILITIES

The recreational facilities offered here are also aplenty and much to rave about; there is a 50m lap pool, a gymnasium, a hot spa, a Jacuzzi, and a barbeque pit housed on the 5^th storey. And for those who simply wish to chill and relax, they can head up to the Sky Garden on the 29^th floor to hang out with their loved ones.

Swimming pool at Concourse Skyline

Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts can make the most of the development’s close proximity to Gardens by the Bay and Marina Barrage, where they can go for scenic runs and walks, or to fly a kite.

6. IMMEDIATE RETURNS ON INVESTMENT

Lastly, for investors looking to purchase a unit at the Concourse Skyline, they can look forward to acquiring immediate rental yield soon after the collection of the keys as the units are all move-in ready.

Furthermore, the Concourse Skyline offers both normal and deferred payment scheme, and under the latter, buyers only need to place a down payment of 20%, and they can collect immediate rental on the tenanted unit. This allows them to earn two years worth of rent after exercising the option to purchase.

For more information, visit www.concourseskyline.com.sg.

(Image credit: Hoi Hup)

Special Advertising Feature

Location, space, facilities and exclusivity—The Whitley Residences ticks all the boxes.

Homebuyers looking to purchase landed homes are usually drawn to the idea of having more space and privacy; especially in land-scarce Singapore where buildings are built very close to one another.

That said, the drawback of landed living is the lack of an array of facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, gyms, well-maintained gardens and 24-hour security.

More: Interested in The Whitley Residences? Read our review here.

However, if you want to enjoy the best of both worlds—the space and exclusivity that come with owning a landed property, as well as the security and facilities offered in a condominium development, The Whitley Residences by Hoi Hup Realty is possibly the closest you will get.

Low-rise, green environment

Conveniently located along Whitley Road in district 11 amongst an enclave of landed properties, the freehold development comprises 61 units—three strata terraces spanning 4,801 to 6,620 sq ft., and 58 strata semi-detached houses spanning 5,199 to 7,104 sq ft.—all set within a private and gated enclave, protected by security.

1. Stunning Architecture

At first glance, The Whitley Residences impresses with its modern and striking architecture. Further in, the development dotted with an abundance of lush greens and soothing waterscapes offers a tranquil and serene atmosphere. It’s the perfect retreat for city dwellers who yearn for privacy and tranquility, yet do not wish to compromise on convenience.

2. Central Location

Thanks to its city-fringe location and being easily accessible—the development is located a short four-minute walk to Mount Pleasant MRT station (Thomson-East Coast Line) and just a 12-minute walk from Novena MRT station.

Getting to the other parts of the island will be a breeze. For those who drive, major expressways such as CTE, PIE and main arterial roads like Thomson Road and Whitley Road are also conveniently connected to The Whitley Residences.

More: Interested in The Whitley Residences? Check out its listing here.

For daily necessities and shopping needs, residents can head to Zhongshan Mall, Square 2 and Balestier Shopping Mall, which are situated within proximity.

Families with school-going children can consider enrolling their young ones into nearby reputable schools such as Balestier Hill Primary School, Anglo-Chinese Primary School, CHIJ Primary School, and SJI International School.

3. Stylish interiors with high quality appliances and finishes

Equal attention has been paid to the interiors as well— All units are outfitted with high quality materials such as natural marble, and premium appliances from brands such as SMEG, Bosch and Kohler. The houses also come with a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, wine chiller and a two-door fridge. In the yard, sits the washer/dryer as well as the centralized vacuum system.

Fine dining every day

To cater to multi-generational families, the developer has gone the extra mile to install an elevator in every unit.

Beyond all the premium appliances and finishes, buyers can be assured that they are paying for a high-quality house as it is developed by a reputable company—Hoi Hup Realty Pte Ltd—one of Singapore’s most established property developers.

Established since 1983, the local developer has since completed over 900 quality homes, and some of their sell-out projects include The Ford @ Holland, Suites @ Cairnhill, and Waterford Residence.

4. A bevy of recreational facilities

Unlike living in other landed properties which do not offer any facilities, residents of The Whitley Residences are spoilt for choice with a two-storey clubhouse equipped with a multi-purpose room, a gymnasium and outdoor fitness area, and a steam room. Other notable facilities include swimming pools with poolside garden deck, spa with timber deck and a children’s playground.

5. Good Investment Potential

Whether purchasing for investment or residential living, securing a unit at The Whitley Residences will make a great choice, as experts say that its location within the Whitley Road area assures owners that the property can weather the ups and downs of the property market.

Master bedroom

Thoughtful design, state of-the-art facilities, convenient amenities, luxurious comfort, coupled with the development’s central location makes The Whitley Residences an ideal choice for both new homeowners and discerning investors.

For more information, visit www.hoihup.com.  

Special Advertising Feature

A hub of activity, Sembawang hits all the right notes with its unique location, balance of nature and modern conveniences. It is here where Watercove, a true seaside property, is situated. 

Words Michelle Yee

Once a naval base for the British army during colonial times, Sembawang has been extensively developed in the last two decades. Now, it bustles with a slew of residential and commercial developments. If you’re planning on buying a new home or upgrading, here are some reasons why living at Watercove in this charming neighborhood is a great idea.  

1. Rare freehold, seafront living

In Sembawang, there’s an ultra-rare, freehold development called Watercove where living the seafront lifestyle is made possible.

Developed by Bukit Sembawang Estates Ltd, this combination of terraced and semi-detached houses built in the colonial black and white style commands an unparalleled view of the sea by virtue of it being a waterfront development.

Nestled within the quaint Sembawang estate along the verdant Wak Hassan Drive, this strata-landed development with direct seafront access is a daily reprieve for home owners who’d much prefer coming home to a serene and calming environment, inoculated from the busy sounds of traffic.

Imagine being lulled to sleep by the gentle caress of ocean waves against the shores; that is one of life’s luxury you can enjoy only at a rare seafront development like Watercove.

2. Top of the line, landed homes

For home buyers want to live in a freehold & strata-landed home, Watercove presents an excellent mix of 4 & 5-bedroom ensuite intermediate terraces, corner terraces and semi-detached units, ranging from 3,337 sq ft. to 3,843 sq ft. The 4 & 5-bedroom houses come with private lifts and carpark lots; both a boon for multi-generation families living under the same roof.

Living luxuriously

All houses are meticulously designed and outfitted with top-of-the-line fittings and finishes, such as Miele and De Dietrich kitchen appliances, Villeroy & Boch sanitary wares, Hansgrohe sanitary fittings, Daikin air-conditioning, and more.

Additionally, to allow homeowners to live luxuriously and at ease, the developer has gone the extra mile to equip all the units with home automation features.

Watercove is expected to be ready for occupation by Q2 2019.

3. Availability of Strata Landed Homes

Watercove sits within a gated community thus ensuring there are no compromises when it comes to privacy and security. Aside from the 24-hour security, there are also several aesthetic features like gardens and an array of lifestyle amenities around that enhance the environment.

One of the many advantages of purchasing a strata-landed home is that it comes with communal facilities everyone can enjoy.

Gorgeous communal facilities for the whole family to enjoy

Some of these notable facilities at Watercove are the swimming pool, reflexology pool, lounge pool with spa seats and spa beds, BBQ bar-style counter with teppanyaki grill, children’s playground, clubhouse, gym, steam room, onsen, and more.

That said, strata-landed homes are rare in the property market. So, for home buyers and investors looking for one, whether for investment or residential living, Sembawang presents good buying opportunities, with Watercove; one of the last freehold cluster homes by the sea. 

4. Great investment Potential

The allure of Sembawang is enhanced by its proximity to nearby employment clusters such as Woodlands Regional Centre, Seletar Regional Centre, Punggol Creative Cluster and Learning Corridor, and the upcoming Seletar Aerospace Park. 

Envisioned to be a world-class regional facility, the Seletar Aerospace Park is expected to create about 10,000 jobs upon its projected completion later this year, while the Woodlands Regional Centre, which is part of a larger commercial belt called the North Coast Innovation Corridor, will house the first business park cluster in Singapore’s northern area.  

The North Coast Innovation Corridor, in tandem with the future cross-border rail link into Malaysia, is expected to spawn a new generation of modern factories and innovation centres that will stretch from Woodlands Regional Centre, with more than 700,000 sqm of modern commercial space and more than 100ha of developable land. This will stretch to the Gambas area, and continue towards the east to Yishun, past the upper Seletar Reservoir, into the Seletar Aerospace Hub, and will continue towards the east to join the Punggol Creative Cluster and Learning Corridor. 

The convenience of having these various parks in the proximity of Watercove ensures that there will be many employment opportunities nearby. 

5. An Abundance of Nature

One of the main highlights of Sembawang is the abundance of nature that can be found in the area – nature lovers can explore tranquil places like Sembawang Park (with its maritime themed-playground), ORTO (formerly Bottle Tree Village), Sungei Sembawang, Sembawang Hot Spring and Lower Seletar Reservoir.

Also in the pipeline are two new wildlife parks: a brand-new Bird Park and a new Rainforest Park, which will be a part of the new Mandai nature precinct. According to Mandai Safari Park Holdings, the new Bird Park, which is set to open by 2020, will comprise nine large aviaries and will house one of the world’s largest collection of birds.

In addition, the new Bird Park will also feature a facility that focuses on breeding and researching endangered species from all over the world. The Rainforest Park, on the other hand, which is scheduled to open in 2023, will not only offer visitors with access to a series of open spaces in the heart of Mandai, but it will also offer an indoor nature-themed education centre focusing on raising awareness and appreciation of the region’s biodiversity and natural heritage. 

6. Easy Accessibility

With the new Canberra MRT station slated to open in 2019, getting to the other parts of Singapore from Sembawang will be a breeze. In addition, plans to enhance road infrastructure have been unveiled, so current and future residents can look forward to faster and more convenient travel.

One of them is the North-South Expressway (NSE), Singapore’s 11th expressway, which will reduce travelling time to and from the city. Set to be completed in 2020, the NSE will connect the city centre with towns along the North-South Corridor – Woodlands, Sembawang, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Bishan and Toa Payoh.

Another highlight is the Sembawang and Yishun intra-town cycling network, which will be expanded and upgraded in the near future to better support and encourage a smarter, more sustainable mode of transport.

7. A Slew of Amenities

For shopping, dining and entertainment pursuits, there are plenty of options such as Sembawang Shopping Centre, Sun Plaza Shopping Mall, Chong Pang City, Causeway Point and Northpoint City. Watercove is also close to the golf course as well as the Orchid & Seletar Country Clubs.

Families with school-going children will also appreciate the convenience of the location, with a handful of reputable educational institutions including Chongfu Primary School, Canberra Primary School, Admiralty Primary School, Yishun Town Secondary School, Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School, and Yishun Junior College, located just a short drive away.

8. Local Food Galore

Home to a slew of renowned local eateries, Sembawang is a foodie paradise. You’ll be spoilt for choice with the variety of local cuisine as there are some truly exceptional options here. Some of the must-visit places include Chong Pang Nasi Lemak, Sembawang White Bee Hoon, Soon Kee Teochew Porridge, and Shami Banana Leaf Delights.

In Summary, Watercove is an ultra-rare, freehold waterfront property comprising of:

• 3-level strata-landed houses (3,337 sq ft. to 3,843 sq ft.)
• 4 & 5-bedroom ensuite
• Attractive prices between SGD2.5M – SGD3.5M

For more information on Watercove, visit bsel.sg/watercove or call their hotline at 6257 2207.

PropertyGuru Great Singapore Specials

With PropertyGuru’s Great Singapore Specials, look forward to savings of up to $20,000 per unit for Watercove. Don’t miss out on a great deal today!

The government has received 1,808 reports of unauthorised short-term accommodations (STA) in private residential units and 390 reports in housing board flats from 2015 to 2017, said Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong in Parliament on Wednesday (11 July).

He made the statement in responding to questions by Members of Parliament (MPs) on the result of the public consultation on short-term home rentals, like Airbnb, and the impact of these short-term leases on hospitality industry.

Wong revealed that the public consultation exercise on the proposed regulatory framework for STA was conducted by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) from 16 April to 31 May 2018.

Among the proposals put forward was for the management corporation to obtain the support of at least 80 percent of the share value in a development before STA can be allowed in any residential unit.

Response to the proposal was mixed, with some saying that the 80 percent threshold would be unfair to the minority who do not support STA, while others believe it was too high and difficult to obtain, said Wong.

The URA is also considering the impact of STA on the hospitality sector, he added, while noting that the proposed regulatory framework includes controls that are similar to those imposed on the hospitality industry.

STA hosts, for instance, are required to record the guests’ personal details and comply with fire safety regulations.

“We have also proposed licensing platform operators, so that they can also help to ensure that STA activities do not cause problems for other residents,” said Wong. “The intent is to provide a more level playing field between the STA sector and the hospitality industry.”

He explained that URA is now carefully studying the feedback to the proposals to determine the best way forward.

Nonetheless, he underscored that the three consecutive months minimum stay duration for private homes still applies.

“URA will take enforcement action against those who breach this rule.”

Senior Content Producer, Christopher Chitty, edited this story. 

Many of us have big dreams about how we want our homes to look. However, the elaborate décor we see in magazines and on TV often come with a price tag to match. Understandably, not all of us can afford a home makeover on a huge budget. But fret not – you don’t have to bust your wallet to give your space a facelift! Here are six design ideas for homeowners on a small budget.

1. Use mirrors to add sparkle to your home

Mirrors aren’t just for you to check your reflection – they can instantly brighten up your home. When decorating, Tim Tian from Noble Interior suggests using mirrors as an alternative to wall décor. Large mirrors add a dramatic effect to your room without the added cost.

“Apart from obvious places such as the bedroom or bathroom, mirrors can be used in the living room or dining room,” said Tian. “This helps to make these areas look bigger.” Small mirrors can be arranged side by side to form unique artwork.

Using mirrors is also a great way to accent the light fixtures in your home. Mirrors can be placed next to or behind decorative lights and fixtures to magnify the effect of your lights.

Also, try framing your mirrors with unique frames, or paint your mirror frames in colours that complement the rest of your house. Apart from being great to look at, unique frames can be a great conversation-starter as well!

Interior designer: Noble Interior Design

2. Declutter your space for a change of mood

Sometimes, a little cleanup is all that a frumpy space needs to look and feel fresh, even when designing on a small budget. Consider decluttering your space and streamlining your home décor for a cleaner, more minimalist look.

Start by investing in storage space for your items. Add shelving to your walls and cabinets to display your ornaments and crockery – this doubles up as additional decoration as well!

Embrace functional storage to help make better use of your furniture. Keep unused items in storage bins underneath the bed. Add hanging storage pouches to the inside of your closet for small clothing items like socks and ties.

In addition to storage, consider shifting your furniture around. A change of environment or angle can add a new perspective to your home. For example, shift your couch nearer to your balcony to let in more natural light, or move your home office to a common area so that you can work in a more comfortable environment.

“Shifting your furniture around is a great way to change things up at home,” said Daphne Lim of Blackjack Royal Studio. “This helps you to realise how much space you have!”

Interior designer: Blackjack Royal Studio

3. Add flair with a feature wall

While a feature wall may seem costly, using items you already own to add character to your space is wallet-friendly when designing on a small budget. Transform items like musical instruments or action-figures into décor by displaying them on your walls. If you’re into sports, why not show off your cycling enthusiasm or sporting equipment by hanging them up as well!

Carol Eeu from Yujia Interior suggests that for a budget interior design, painting your wall can also be an inexpensive alternative. “Try using tape, sponges or stencils to add texture to your wall,” she said. “For HDBs, we usually use partitions as a feature wall – we can create different shapes and textures with paint and use lights to accent them – this is not expensive. For condominiums, we can add a casing inside the walls.”

If painting your walls isn’t something you’re confident in, consider using wallpaper instead. Bold patterns and florals are a great way to accent your living space. Wallpaper can also be easily removed, giving you plenty of new opportunities to change up the look of your walls.

Interior designer: Yujia Interior Design

4. Redecorate with key pieces

If you’re looking to buy new furniture, selecting only essential items is the key to keep your budget down when designing your interior. Raymond Kuek from Fineline Design emphasises setting priorities for your renovation, “If you’ve got a low budget, you should keep your built-in carpentry to a minimum. Buying furniture off the shelves instead of customising your furniture is also a good option. Stick to renovating only the most important items in your home.”

If you need to customise your home, materials like texture laminate allow you to get expensive-looking facades for less. There are also fabric-look laminates that can replace expensive textiles. Fabric sofas and chairs with removable covers provide a variety of options to change up the look of your furniture. Choose bright, bold patterns for large pieces of furniture to transform them into the centrepiece for your room.

If you own a modular sofa, you can also switch the arrangement around or remove smaller units to use as separate seating.

Interior designer: Fineline Design

5. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty

If you’re strapped for cash, DIY options are your best bet. Use a stencil to paint your very own mural or use vinyl stickers for a sleek finish.

Repurpose items like crockery or vases to create artwork for budget interior design. Line them up and paint them in contrasting colours to create a frame for mirrors or family photos.

Henry Yeo of In2Space Interior suggests that your kids can also be an excellent means to infuse creativity into the home. “If you have kids, why not involve them in decorating their room? Create a fun wall and display their creations there to help boost a colourful and friendly vibe.”

You can even make furniture by repurposing thrifted items or buying materials from hardware stores. For example, plywood, pipes and old ropes are great materials for a bookshelf.

Small items like DIY coasters or candle holders can also do wonders for your home interior by adding a personal touch to your space. These items are also a reminder of the time spent making them with loved ones.

Interior designer: In2Space Interior

6. Let nature do the work for you

Last but not least, add some life into your home with some greenery. Plants are a great form of decoration and can add colour to monotonous walls and fixtures, and more so when interior designing on a budget.

If you don’t have the time to care for fussy plants or don’t have green fingers, choose indoor plants that are easy to maintain. These plants include the aloe vera plant, spider plant and snake plant – all varieties that grow well in indoor temperatures and lighting conditions. Plants like the Japanese sago palm can even survive in low light and looks great as indoor décor too!

Plants can also do more than just look good. Consider plants with multiple purposes – for example, herbs like basil are easily grown indoors, while plants like lavender act as a natural insect repellant and have aroma-therapeutic effects.

Desmond Tiew from Des & Co Interior suggests using items like wood and stone as alternatives to greenery. “Faux wood and stone are obtainable in hardware stores, and often require less maintenance. For example, faux wood flooring is often much cheaper than real wood and doesn’t need to be polished.”

Interior designer: Des & Co Interior

Article and images contributed by HomeRenoGuru and Nippon Paint.

A new military-themed playground at Keat Hong. (Photo: HDB)

In a bid to strengthen community ties, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) announced on Sunday (15 April) that it is currently building nine thematic playgrounds in Dawson, Clementi and Bukit Panjang, which are expected to be completed by 2021.

Among them, five are located in Dawson estate where five new HDB projects are expected to be completed by end-2020, capable of housing a total of 5,000 families.

More: Playgrounds of yesterday 

In line with the “Housing-in-a-Park” vision for the estate, the playgrounds were designed along nature themes. For instance, there’s the Giant Spider playground at SkyOasis @ Dawson, while the Eco Adventure playground at SkyParc @ Dawson runs through the eco-corridor situated between the SkyVille @ Dawson and SkyTerrace @ Dawson precincts.

At the Giant Green Net playground in Forfar Heights, children can climb on a netted climbing course with mock giant creepers, whilst the “Hills and Ribbons” playground at SkyResidence @ Dawson mirrors the design of the project’s “Green Ribbon” landscaped deck. Lastly, the Wonderland Playground at Dawson Vista draws inspiration from the children’s classic “Alice in Wonderland”.

These new thematic playgrounds are in addition to six completed facilities in Sengkang, Woodlands, Toa Payoh, Sembawang and Choa Chu Kang. Among them is a military-themed playground in Keat Hong estate that features play equipment resembling military vehicles.

“In particular, two distinctive military-themed playgrounds have been built at Keat Hong Garden and Keat Hong Mirage. Here, fathers and grandfathers can regale their children and grandchildren with stories from their National Service days.  Children get to climb and ‘drive’ a ‘military tank’, or make a quick getaway from ‘enemies’ via a fire-man pole after being warned by their lookout stationed at the nearby ‘watch tower’,” said HDB. 

For the latest property news, trends, resources and expert opinions, visit our Property News page. Home buyers looking for Singapore Properties may like to visit our Listings, Project Reviews and Guides.

Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg

Easaw Thomas’s interest in horticulture and botany is borne out by the lush landscaping at his Singapore property.

Ebullient medic and polymath Easaw Thomas invites us into his eccentric Bukit Timah bolthole.

By Jonathan Evans

From street level, number 2 Wilby Road in Singapore’s affluent Bukit Timah seems, if anything, nondescript compared to its grandiose neighbours. Foliage tumbles from the front garden over a wooden fence, while an unkempt, once-white pillar modestly bears the address. But behind a black gate, a steep driveway circling around an Art Deco conservatory is lined with forest trees, offering an early hint of its owner’s predilections. 

In this cosy nook, flanked by lithographs of maharajahs in the Empire era and Bengali contemporary art, sits genial polymath Dr Easaw Thomas. Co-winner of the National Parks Board gardening competition in 2006 and world corporate secretary for the International College of Surgeons, this anaesthetist, horticulturalist and oenophile starts recounting his life story with childlike enthusiasm. 

More: How this couple helped redefine Singapore’s skyline

Keralan by descent and born in Malaysia, the perma-smiling Dr Thomas moved from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore as a nine-year-old boy. “That influenced me a lot,” he recalls. “My relatives were here, so they’d take me to the forest. I bought this house in 1990, rented it and planted as many trees as I could.” 

The medic beckons me over to behind the main body of the house into a broad courtyard. A pathway bifurcates a koi-inhabited pond, while a treehouse – Dr Thomas’s bedroom – stands imperiously over the lush tropical scene.

“In 1998, my tenant told me he was going to Zurich, so I took over the place. There used to be a two-storey house in the middle here, and I took it down on the suggestion of my architect. Then this whole concept of building it ‘into the hill’ came to fruition.”  

Cavernous ceilings are a feature of Dr. Easaw Thomas’s home.

The arduous process of reshaping the earth behind the old house – which had been built in 1937 – and installing new rooms and a garden on the upper levels, took two years. 

First, the doctor brought in wooden pillars from Kerala to prop up a veranda facing the pond (it now functions as a mini-art gallery). A spiral staircase above leads to two enormous bedrooms filled with sunlight and warm decorative tones, with door handles crafted by Salvador Dalí. A sizeable gazebo above the driveway was also transported from Kerala.

At the time of purchase, the house had a market value around SGD2.45 million (USD1.75m); 27 years later, it’s worth as much as SGD40 million – more than the recently contested family home of Singapore’s founding father, Lee Kuan Yew.

“It’s near everything, and there’s a lot of greenery,” Dr Thomas says of the location. “The original Malaysian railway used to be here, and there’s Bukit Timah Hill and [former racecourse] Turf City. But the reason why I bought this house was the undulation of the land. I just loved the ‘waves’. I’m sure if someone else had bought it, they would have made it very flat. The monsters!”

More: Inside legendary designer Bill Bensley’s abode

The mystery tour continues. The doctor shows me an artwork he created from scrap bamboo, now tied together in an eye-pleasing formation, with Murano glass wall decorations either side. Grinning like a recalcitrant schoolboy, he opens a “secret” door that swings back to reveal a stacked cellar of red wine.

“I had a problem with my heart, so somebody told me to start drinking wine,” recalls the good doctor by way of explanation. “I’d always liked alcohol – well, whisky – but then I moved on to wine, and started cooking to match dishes with it.”

Back in the main body of the house, the proud homeowner leads me on a whistle-stop journey through a collection of art and furniture that the word “eclectic” barely begins to describe. He frequently punctuates his commentary with the question, “Do you know where this is from?” I guess, mostly incorrectly, but it’s a mind-expanding adventure nonetheless. 

Within 10 minutes I’ve surveyed hand-carved, century-old American roll-top tables, an Inuit painting, a Ming dynasty urn, an Indian take on Aboriginal art, a Mongolian painting of Genghis Khan, a chilli sculpture from Malaysian artist Kumari Nahappan, an artwork from Italian architect Gio Ponti depicting the four seasons, a round table by Scottish designer Rennie Mackintosh, a Malaysian tree made into deer antlers and a caricature of himself drawn by “an Indonesian lady from Sulawesi”. 

I tell him that he has, to say the very least, wide-ranging tastes. Yet somehow, the muted colours, wooden surfaces and blend of classic and contemporary converge into something resembling visual harmony.

“I look crazy, don’t I?” asks the doctor, rhetorically. “It looks oddball. But people are very comfortable here. We had a wedding with 100 guests! It rained, so they all came inside.”    

I point out the cream-coloured sofa that takes up half the living room and tell him it’s the largest I’ve ever seen. “That’s a de Sede sofa from Switzerland,” he says. “I got it cheap; no one wanted this size. It’s moveable in any direction you want, because it’s all in separate parts.”

The living room at Thomas’s lavish home is dominated by antiques and art and an extensive De Sede white leather sofa from Switzerland.

This fondness for scoring bargain artefacts is evident in the courtyard too, where the doctor has repurposed a series of objets trouvés amassed from around Singapore: a gorgeous dressing table and mirror, a Parisian bistro sign, a glass dining table. 

“Everything here was thrown away,” he exclaims, as if still struggling to comprehend the idea. “Can you believe it? Look at this, man! [He points at the dressing table.] This whole piece, someone threw it away.” On the bedroom level of the extension, he’s taken cast-off shutters and whole doors from shophouses, and affixed them to the walls. 

“You’re okay with heights, yes?” the doctor suddenly asks. Nodding nervously, I follow him on to the precarious ledge above the pond where he’s cultivated his rooftop garden, and gaze admiringly at the preponderance of his favourite flower. 

“I put orchids everywhere,” Dr Thomas enthuses. “A lot of them are wild – they’re not hybrids.” The white-and-yellow orchids are offset by scarlet capsicum sculptures. “It adds colour to the greenery, when you look from below – the red really strikes you.” 

Hints of green abound in the residence.

It’s a fine example of how, despite the seemingly scattershot approach to design, Dr Thomas has brought together disparate elements while taking a holistic view. From the living room, he points out the semi-circular band that props up the orchid garden, and wraps appealingly around the courtyard facing the house – a counterpoint to the curved porch at the entrance. For him, this sensuous aspect of the design is a key factor in his home’s appeal.

“The C-shape – I’ve got quite fond it. The human mind loves that welcome. People love it is because it’s embracing you.”  

Indeed, this inviting layout and international flavour – coupled with the doctor’s talents as a generous, extrovert host – have seen visitors arriving from far and wide to admire his multifaceted dwelling. The jungle-like old curiosity shop has attracted hundreds of guests from Indonesia, the UK and the United States. 

And for as long as he is able, the doctor will open his home gallery, botany project and museum to anyone who’s interested. With typical magnanimity, he tells me: “Life is too short to keep things to yourself!”

Dr Easaw Thomas.

This article was originally published on Property-Report.com. For more stories from Asia’s most trusted and enduring luxury real estate, architecture and design publication, visit Property-Report.com

Throughout the years of consulting residential Feng Shui, the most frequent question I get asked is: “Master, are there any Feng Shui solutions to get rich?” To answer this question, Feng Shui isn’t a quick fix way to better health, wealth or that much coveted job promotion.

Contrary to popular belief, Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese philosophical system of creating harmony between humans and their surrounding environment. Excellent Feng Shui puts you in the right frame of mind to strive for success through careful selection of one’s external environment and methodical changes to one’s living space.

Ideal Feng Shui conditions encourage harmonious relationships with your loved ones and business partners to attract wealth and correctly identify moneymaking opportunities around you.

I am sure property agents are asked on a regular basis if the house they are selling has “good Feng Shui”. Prospective clients hope that their investment will bring wealth, growth and happiness. Therefore, to add credibility to your sales pitch, you must know what to look out for in a house.

Potential home buyers can also use the information from this article to formulate the right questions that will get them appropriate help from agents who can suggest a suitable Feng Shui location.   

Here are some Feng Shui must-know facts to identifying a home that will attract wealth energies.

Home’s main entry faces an auspicious direction

In Feng Shui, it is recommended to select a house that faces North or South. Furthermore, these two directions are deemed auspicious from now till 2063. Besides these two ideal geomantic orientations, homeowners can also select an orientation that complements their Bazi.

Spacious and comfortable living room

In most cases, the main entry point of the home, be it the main door or window, leads to the living room. Hence, the living room should be spacious because it functions as the vessel of auspicious energies for the home.

To define “spacious”, we aren’t necessarily zeroing in on square footage.  Rather, we are talking about interior design and furniture arrangement. Does the living room feel cosy and inviting? That is the question that homeowners should consider.

Furthermore, a comfortable living room encourages family members to gather together for stronger relationships. Additionally, it is recommended to organise social gatherings at one’s home as it creates a vibrant atmosphere that attracts business and wealth opportunities.

Window openings allow for sunlight and fresh air to enter the home

Look at the windows of the house. Does it allow for abundant sunlight to enter the home? Natural lighting is an important consideration in interior Feng Shui. Sunlight is yang energy; it vitalises our physical and mental well-being. Yang energy also creates optimism and higher energy levels, which are precursors to harmonious relationships that shall lead to wealth opportunities.

From a Feng Shui perspective, it is also recommended that windows are kept open occasionally to maintain good ventilation. This shall in turn, ensure smooth qi flow and invite additional auspicious energies into the household.

Identifying the home’s wealth position  

If you are a layman who wishes to find out the house’s wealth position, all you need is a compass – to measure house orientation and then refer to the table below to identify the wealth position.

Activating the home’s wealth position

After you have successfully determined the wealth position, place a coin bank there. Then, select an auspicious date and timing to make a wish with an ancient coin, which is to be placed into the coin bank. Subsequently, continue to deposit coins in the coin bank on a regular basis to garner steady wealth energies.

In addition to that, you can also display a crystal bowl in this wealth sector as it is a symbol of wealth storage and smooth progress in all matters. Better still if you place a bowl made of citrine, as this mineral is known to help with wealth expansion and accumulation.   

Your mentality and relationships matter the most

Wealth attraction methods in Feng Shui are based on the principles of building harmonious bonds and maintaining smooth flow of auspicious energies within the household. At the end of the day, the homeowner’s mindset and relationship quality are the keys to unlocking their wealth potential. Feng Shui provides us with the ladder to ascend to the top. We must do the climbing ourselves.

			This article was first published in the print version PropertyGuru News & Views. Download PDFs of full print issues or read more stories now!

It has become more common for Singaporeans to work from home or to set up their businesses at home. Setting up a home office may sound complicated and tedious at first, especially with the space constraints in Singapore. We have asked some local designers to share their tips and insights on home office ideas in 2018.

By Irene Arieputri

1. Be creative with space

Finding the perfect location for your “office” is a quintessential step in designing your home office. You will know best how much space you will need, but be creative! Some odd-shape areas can still be converted into a working zone as long as you utilise the layout. Make sure there is enough room for you to move around. If you are sensitive to noise, you may want to avoid the kitchen or the children’s bedroom.

Based on her experience, Lycious from Ciseern by Designer Furnishings has highlighted different locations that homeowners can consider, such as the loft and the living room. Lycious mentioned, “Those who build an office at home usually want to spend more time with family, watching their kids playing around while they are working. So, it will be a great idea to create their working area with glass doors in the living hall.”

Interior designer: Ciseern by Designer Furnishings

2. Optimise the space with multi-functional furniture

A minimalist design creates a spacious feeling that puts our minds at ease. Even if you don’t have much space to squeeze, you can still optimise the space by getting multi-functional furniture. Shawn Low from NorthWest Interior understands the space constraints that many homeowners have and suggests to maximise storage on the walls. He also recommended using a wall-mounted desk to help save some space. If you need to refer to many things in your work, it’s great to get a shelf or a desk with plenty of inbuilt storage. The rule is to make sure that the important documents or items you frequently use are within your arm’s reach.

Interior designer: NorthWest Interior

3. Make your client feel at home

You don’t always have to arrange for appointments and meetings outside even if there is no vacant meeting room at home. Place a comfortable couch near your desk to create a friendly atmosphere for a meeting in your mini office. If space is an issue, place additional chairs, preferably foldable ones, that you can pull up to your desk anytime.

Liz from Weiken.Com ID designed this home office with a laid-back and warm vibe. In her latest home office design, she believed that “the big leather couch in the office makes a great place to talk with your clients or customers in a relaxed atmosphere”. If you don’t have the luxury of space, opt for a smaller yet cosy two-seater in your working area.

Interior designer: Weiken.Com ID

4. Be bold with colours

Your workstation should be made as conducive as possible to help you churn out the best results, and one of the ways is by getting the right colour for your home office. Some colours that will help boost your productivity are red, blue and green. Although you may want to follow the Scandinavian and Industrial designs that are still on the rise this year, don’t be afraid to get more adventurous with colours. The minimalist design can still shine through the furniture and texture. In fact, a more subdued colour for the background, such as grey and black, accentuates the bright colours well.

Eric Yap from Absolook Interior Design advised the homeowners to keep a “cosy and lively workspace atmosphere” to further enhance your productivity at work. Green, for instance, helps to boost your creativity and to make you feel less fatigue. Make sure you don’t overdo it by adding too many bold colours at once.

Interior designer: Absolook Interior Design 

5. Incorporate different elements

While you prioritise the functionality of the office environment and furniture, don’t sacrifice its styles! An office with barely any aesthetic touch sounds like a dreadful place to work in. Put some of your favourite items in the office, or something that can give you some inspiration when you are facing a roadblock.

Lee Chi Ho from The Orange Cube suggested homeowners be more flexible and creative with their home office design. “Avoid stiff design and cold lighting, and choose warmer lighting instead to create a friendly and homey atmosphere,” he recommended. “Many homeowners also choose the earthy tone for their home office design because it’s easy to mix and match with different elements such as glass and metal.”

If an office at home had never crossed your mind before, this is something you should consider. Having an office at home gives you more freedom to personalise your workspace. When else can you spend most of your days working remotely in your PJs while looking after your loved ones at the same time! If you are not sure of where to start, consult with your interior designers to find out more about home office designs.

Interior designer: The Orange Cube

Article and images contributed by HomeRenoGuru and Nippon Paint.

Browse from over 500 IDs and 30,000 design inspirations and stand a chance to win a free renovation worth $30,000 from participating interior design firms at HomeRenoGuru today.

			This article was first published in the print version PropertyGuru News & Views. Download PDFs of full print issues or read more stories now!

Recent cases of popping and cracking floor tiles have been blamed on the cold weather. (Photo: HDB)

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) offers more favourable terms in repairing dislodged tiles than private home builders, according to an oral answer from the Ministry of National Development published on Monday (5 February).

“In private developments, developers generally only rectify dislodged tiles during the one-year Defect Liability Period (DLP).  Some may offer repair for dislodged tiles for a slightly longer period, for example, three years, but those are generally done on a goodwill basis.

“HDB’s practice has been more generous – besides helping flat owners repair dislodged tiles originally provided by HDB during the one-year DLP, it also offers goodwill repairs for up to 15 years.”

SEE ALSO: 5 Common Defects in New HDB Flats You Should Know

For cases beyond that, unit owners need to replace the tiles by themselves. Nevertheless, the Housing Board will do its best to help. For instance, it can assist in the removal and disposal of such tiles, as well as laying protective sheets if necessary.

Moreover, HDB has compiled a list of contractors which residents can hire to fix dislodged tiles at their homes at reasonable rates, while those struggling financially can ask for help from Grassroots organisations and Community Development Councils (CDCs).

The Ministry revealed this in response to a query from Liang Eng Hwa, MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, who asked about the recent sharp rises in the popping and cracking of floor tiles at some HDB flats, and how the Housing Board intends to help residents facing this issue.

“Tiles, like all fittings, fixtures and finishes in a flat, are subject to wear and tear over time. They may dislodge due to various reasons, such as differential thermal expansion and contraction of tiles, or the natural deterioration of the bond between the tiles and the screed surface.”

For the high number of cases involving dislodged tiles during the first half of January 2018, the Ministry said that this was likely due to temperature fluctuations and a prolonged period of unusually cold weather.

“The weather changes could have caused the tiles and the substrate to contract and expand at different rates, resulting in the loss of adhesion between the tiles and the substrate. This phenomenon is not unique to Singapore, and has also occurred in countries such as Taiwan and Hong Kong.

“Among the cases reported in HDB flats, close to half involved tiles installed by the flat owners during their own renovations,” it added.

Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg

The placement of home furniture can improve your love life.

There are several basic Feng Shui principles newlyweds can adopt to build a long-lasting marriage.

When two individuals decide to bring their relationship to the next level, which is to get married, settle down and share a home, it is very important that they build a solid foundation in their early stage of family life to have a loving and long-lasting marriage.

There are many ways to improve romance among young couples, including honest communication between husband and wife, sharing the same hobbies as well as other considerations. However, not many people are aware that Feng Shui can improve romance among young couples.

Main entrance

The main entrance of a house is the opening that all family members and visitors will use to enter and exit the premises. In the process, energy from outside the house is being brought into the home. The main entrance is therefore considered as the most important part of a house.

Now that we have established where the main entrance is, the next step is to determine the Gua number. A Gua number refers to the single digit that is derived by calculating your date of birth to determine the ‘luckiest’ and ‘unluckiest’ sector in a home. This helps to create the good energy in one’s favourable sector while mitigating bad energy or afflictions from the unlucky sector.

The point of reference for the location of the main entrance is the Gua number of the eldest earning male of the family. In this article, it will be based on the husband’s Gua number. To improve the romance of a young couple, the most effective arrangement is having the door located in the harmony sector. This sector varies according to the Gua number. Below is the chart of harmony and other good sectors for each Gua number.

To define the location of the main entrance, you first need to find the centre point of your house. Then, stand at the centre point with a compass to find out the location of the main entrance.

Master bedroom

What if the main entrance doesn’t fall within the harmony sector based on the husband’s Gua number, but in other good sectors? Fret not as this is considered alright. In this case, you can apply it based on the location of the master bedroom, but the point of reference is the lady of the house. 

Again, stand at the centre of the house to find out whether the master bedroom falls within the harmony sector or not. If it does, then you can go further by standing in the centre of the master bedroom. While doing this, ensure that the bed is placed at the harmony sector of the wife.

And what about the bathroom? In the past, toilets were located outside the house. However, with urbanisation and changing lifestyle needs, the toilet has now ended up in the bedroom as the master bath. While this may seem convenient, you must avoid the door of the bathroom hitting the bed.

Finally, let’s talk about the placement of the bed. While it is very common to have overhead beams in the master bedroom, you should avoid placing the bed under these beams as it exerts negative energy. As we spend most of our time in the bedroom, imagine the negative energy a couple will absorb when sleeping under such beams. This negative energy may cause nightmares or affect sleep quality. When the couple does not have quality sleep, they start to become temperamental towards each other. This then affects the harmony of the home.

Kitchen

In Feng Shui, the kitchen is an essential segment that we use to create wealth and minimise quarrels within the family. This sector is based on the Gua number of the wife and it can fall into any of the good sectors (refer to the chart above).

In the kitchen, the essential items are the stove, sink, fridge, oven and other electrical appliances. It is best to place them according to the good sectors based on the Gua number of the lady of the house.

How do you find out the location of certain placements in the house? The right way to do this is by standing at the centre point of a space. Stand at the centre of the kitchen, then define the good sector accordingly. 

It is very common for most households to have the stove and sink opposite each other for convenience. However, this is very bad in terms of Feng Shui.  In the kitchen, you shouldn’t place the stove and sink either opposite or next to each other. Doing so will have negative repercussions as it encourages you to have quarrels regularly.

De-cluttering the house

The front entrance should be free of obstruction. Ensure shoes are neatly arranged or place them in a shoe cabinet.

What should you do if either your husband or wife refuses to get rid of sentimental items? Is this good in terms of Feng Shui to improve the romance?  It is not. This is because these are considered non-living items which then produce decaying energy. Therefore, too much of such items in your house will have an adverse effect. If you really want to keep them, ensure that you place them neatly in a cabinet and avoid placing the cabinet in the harmony sector of the couple.

In conclusion, as much as we want to have a perfect relationship with the other half, remember to stay positive and take affirmative action. This is to ensure you have continued positive results and harmony in your marriage and love life.

			This article was first published in the print version PropertyGuru News & Views. Download PDFs of full print issues or read more stories now!

Young couples often struggle to find their groove when it comes to interior design. For many, finding the right style for a new apartment with financial and space constraints may seem daunting. However, sprucing up your new apartment doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are six apartment designs that are perfectly suited to the needs of young couples.

By Violet Zhang

1. Embrace your passions

If you’re a young couple looking to spend your downtime on your favourite hobbies, tailor your home décor to reflect your likes and tastes.

To showcase your passions, Jane Liang from NID Interior suggests highlighting them as central features for your home. “Bringing your hobbies into your home doesn’t mean just setting aside storage space for them. Your displays can be both aesthetically pleasing and functional,” said Liang. 

Music lovers can choose to set up a music room to jam and listen to their favourite songs. Better yet, showcase your instruments and wow your guests by installing floor-to-ceiling windows as part of your acoustic insulation.

If you’re a toy or comic lover, make them the central theme of your home design. This can include showcasing your posters, incorporating action figures into your furniture, incorporating Lego as art in your home, and creating a display cabinet for your collection.

Interior designer: NID Interior 

2. Go for comfort

Young couples with hectic schedules may view the home as a space for rest and relaxation. To create a more relaxing atmosphere, incorporate elements such as wood and stone into your furniture to give your home a more down-to-earth feel. Reduce glare by introducing soft or natural lighting.

Couples can also create a more soothing environment by opening up the space. To work with spatial constraints, Andrew Ang from Weldas Interior suggests using white furniture to brighten up smaller areas such as the kitchen. “Lighting plays a key part in making a home relaxing”, he said. “Use warm tones for areas such as the bedroom to better unwind at the end of the day.”

Using soft or flowy fabrics can also help to create a more breezy and relaxing environment, while introducing carpeted floors or rugs helps to minimise noise.

Interior designer: Weldas Interior  

3. Bring out the spunk

If you’re looking to break out of traditional home designs, incorporate personal flair by choosing bold colours, patterns and shapes to make your home more interesting. This can include using brightly-coloured furniture as the centrepiece for each room. Unusual colours such as metallics can also be used to to accent your space.

Young couples can also play around with unusual lighting designs. Stanley Tan from Vigorous Design suggests that couples can use electrical trunking as a main design feature.

“For an industrial theme, choose black pipes to complement exposed cement or grey walls. When designing the bedroom or living room, opt for brass or gold pipes for a softer look,” he said.

Interior designer: Vigorous Design

4. Keep it clean

According to Lawrence Luo from Nitty Gritty Design, minimalism is the go-to look for Singaporeans. For couples looking to keep your home simple and clean, a Scandinavian interior design is the way to go.

“The key features of a Scandinavian themed house is the use of light muted colours and wooden elements on the walls and floors. People also shy away from elements like wall-to-wall carpets,” said Luo. “Keeping the place simple and clutter-free is a key feature of minimalistic designs.”

To keep a space clutter-free, invest in furniture with designated storage (e.g. under-bed storage), or hidden storage options (e.g. shelves camouflaged behind a feature wall). Furniture such as stowable tables also help to conserve space.

Placing furniture around the perimeter of the room also helps to enhance the minimalist features of a home.

Furniture and walls should be of a similar colour scheme, while the use of colours such as pastels or bright orange accents help to make your space pop.

Interior designer: Nitty Gritty Design  

5. Gather in style
   

For young couples who love hosting friends and family, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere is a key component in home design.

Angie Toh of Edgeline Planners highlights two steps to make your home guest-friendly. Firstly, low couches and throw pillows help to provide comfort. These features make sure that the entertainment space is relaxing for party guests. Better still, transform your living room into a versatile dining space to encourage conversation.

Secondly, set the tone of the gathering with the right lighting and soft music.

Establishing a proper sound system for music helps to connect different rooms in the house. In addition, layering different types of direct and indirect lighting (e.g. table lamps and ceiling lights) helps to put guests in the right mood.

“Youngsters prefer indirect lighting sources that help to make an area feel more cosy and suitable for parties. In terms of fittings, we try to hide the lights to give the place a more intimate feel,” said Toh.

Interior designer: Edgeline Planners  

6. Bring your travels back home

Travel destinations are often bucket list-toppers for young couples. Couples who love to travel can look to incorporate exotic elements into their homes. This can include designing a feature wall inspired by your favourite destinations, or displaying key souvenirs from your travels.

When going for a strong feature wall, Vince Teo from WHST Design suggests making your space as simple as possible so as not to distract from the bold design.

For couples looking for more direct inspiration, mimicking a resort or getaway location is a way to remind themselves of their favourite holidays.

A tropical-themed house can incorporate works of art and sculptures sourced from abroad. In addition, incorporating green elements and lots of natural light help the space to tie-in to the tropical theme.

“Colours are the most important component of a resort-based theme,” said Teo. “Use warm tones such as browns to make your home more inviting, and avoid direct light that will make a room look too bright and harsh.”

Interior designer: WHST Design

Article and images contributed by HomeRenoGuru and Nippon Paint.

Browse from over 500 IDs and 30,000 design inspirations and stand a chance to win a free renovation worth $30,000 from participating interior design firms at HomeRenoGuru today.

			This article was first published in the print version PropertyGuru News & Views. Download PDFs of full print issues or read more stories now!

2017 will soon come to an end, and some of us probably have started to prepare our New Year’s Resolutions. How about a revamp of your house? As the saying goes “New Year, New You”, so you should consider new designs for your house to get yourself refreshed for the coming year. We have gathered several design trends that may be ideal for your home!

By Irene Arieputri

1. Mix Scandinavian and Industrial designs

2017 was filled with Scandinavian and Industrial home designs, and the trend doesn’t seem to be waning. In fact, 2018 may see a marriage of both! While they sound contrasting, both elements can complement each other well. Industrial design has an edgy, rustic look that can stand out in a Scandinavian-design house if done correctly.

Eric from MET Interior advised choosing subtler colours from the Industrial colour scheme, such as black and shades of grey. “The highlights of Scandinavian designs will be the minimalist wooden touch, while the Industrial designs can be applied to some elements such as metal light fixtures or vintage furniture.” He admitted that the combination of Industrial and Scandinavian could be tricky, but would turn out lovely if you could strike a balance.

Interior designer: MET Interior

2. Be creative with lighting

To complement the minimalist design, you will need modern lighting fixtures that are flexible and low maintenance. Make your lighting stand out, even when not in use, by choosing the right material and colour. Metallic or brass finishing will be popular next year, with tons of creative designs in the market.

Skyii Sim from Icon Interior Design found track lights very suitable for Scandinavian and Industrial themes. “Track lights are flexible and easier to maintain, but if you want something more contemporary and luxurious, modern chandeliers with a polished mirror body or hair-line brass body are also on-trend.” If you are not sure which lighting to choose, Sim also advised, “Chandeliers are more suitable for houses with higher ceilings, and Tom Dixon and simpler lights are in favour of lower ceiling homes.” With some searching, you can even get great savings on lighting fixtures.

Interior designer: Icon Interior Design

3. Get matte finishing

It’s time to replace the shiny materials around your house with something flatter in colour. Many people start to switch to matte finishing due to its durability. A matte coating can hide pesky marks on your walls and ceilings, making them look flawless without any nicks or cracks.

Rey from i-Chapter said, “The newest in-trend texture would be matt finishing, which is widely used for many things at home, including black taps and sinks. In 2018, furniture and paint won’t be as bright and glossy as 2017 – many people will love to explore matte for their home designs.”

Interior designer: i-Chapter

   4. Have an open kitchen concept

2018 will see a more open concept at home, especially for the kitchen design. An open kitchen concept allows the dry kitchen area to be extended to the living room, encouraging more interaction among people at home, especially if you love inviting guests over. It also creates more breathing space as the air typically gets very stuffy during and after cooking.

Eddie Yap from Dreamvision believes that an open kitchen concept overall provides a positive feeling as space looks bigger and wider. “People tend to use white and earth tone colours for their open kitchen concept so that it can blend naturally with the living room or other areas.” He added, “With an open kitchen concept, homeowners also get more storage for their kitchen appliances, particularly the bulky ones like dishwashers.”

Interior designer: Dreamvision

5. Touch up the feature wall and balcony

With minimalist designs still in trend, homeowners tend to have more space on the wall to display some artwork or decoration. Daniel from Square Room Interior Design suggested that the renovation trends in 2018 would include craft stone for the walls. Craft stone is also ideal for outdoor walls because they are durable to water and heat.

“Another area that often undergoes renovation is the balcony. More people are looking for a cosy feel for their balcony, and thus, the wooden decking.” You will often find wooden or artificial decking is durable and waterproof, making it easy to clean. “Because outdoor furniture is constantly exposed to sun and wind, it usually has neutral tones so that the colour won’t fade quickly.”

Interior designer: Square Room Interior Design  

6. Improvise ceilings

Most of the time, people are focused on decorating the wall with artwork or the floor with tiles, plants or rugs. However, one aspect that will gain traction next year is the ceiling! More homeowners will seek to decorate their ceilings by creating false ceilings. False ceilings are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. They help to hide cables and wires in the ceiling nicely.

Jassca See from Luxurious Design noticed that false ceilings would be the trend for many bedrooms in 2018. “Besides walk-in wardrobe and patterned blinds, another popular bedroom design next year is false ceilings.” False ceilings accentuate the lighting of the room, as well as making the room more stylish. “There are a lot of designs for false ceilings that homeowners can explore, depending on the theme of the house,” she added.

It’s time to get your house revamped to follow the popular home design trends in 2018. Don’t hesitate to contact experienced interior designs and get free quotes to start your renovation in time, before the new year kicks in!

Interior designer: Luxurious Design  

Article and images contributed by HomeRenoGuru and Nippon Paint.

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			This article was first published in the print version PropertyGuru News & Views. Download PDFs of full print issues or read more stories now!

Look to buy an apartment with good Feng Shui.

Choose the best investment property using these simple tips.

When it comes to investment properties, many owners opt for quick fix wealth remedies over holistic Feng Shui designs. After all, getting maximum returns is the order of the day right?

It is essential that you approach your investment property’s Feng Shui the same way as you would for your personal space. Creating a conducive living environment attracts buyers and that’s certainly going to improve your bottom line.

So what should you look out for before confirming your purchase?  Here’s a step-by-step Feng Shui checklist for selecting your first investment property.

1. Identify features of surrounding buildings  

Feng Shui is about the creation of harmony between humans and their living environment. Hence, surrounding structures will have an impact on your property’s Feng Shui. For example, if a facing building has sharp features, then it will create apprehension among residents.

In addition, a building that is sandwiched between two other structures is likely to cause its dwellers to feel listless and pessimistic as the air currents between the two buildings converge to charge at the one being sandwiched in between.

These are just some examples of surrounding negative energies that affect residential Feng Shui. It is best to consult your Feng Shui master to assess the property’s Feng Shui before making a decision.

2. Consider building height    

A building’s height is also an important consideration when selecting an ideal property. It is recommended that investors opt for apartments on higher floors or tall buildings. This can help reduce the likelihood of encountering negative forces.

Also, the property’s front, representative of ambition and potential, needs to be unobstructed. Moreover, it shouldn’t face carparks or main roads as noise produced by traffic is a negative selling point.

In addition, it is ideal to select a property that is situated near large water bodies such as reservoirs or the sea.

Should a potential purchase fulfil most of the above conditions, the next thing to do is determine property facing.

3. Home’s main entry faces auspicious direction

Your home’s orientation where the biggest façade of the house faces is not limited to main door direction. In Feng Shui, the luck cycle changes once every 20 years. The current cycle is known as Period 8 (2004 – 2023).

During Period 8, favourable directions include northeast and southwest. In the upcoming Period 9 (2024 – 2043), the auspicious orientations are north and south.

East and west-facing houses are not recommended as these two directions aren’t deemed auspicious for at least another 25 years. Geomantic reasons aside, residents of such homes are exposed to uncomfortable heat from the rising and setting sun.

After shortlisting properties that face auspicious directions, interior considerations are then taken into account.

4. Refrain from choosing houses near hospitals or cemeteries

Houses near hospitals or cemeteries contain excessive yin energy, which not only disrupts family harmony, but also causes inhabitants to suffer from lack of initiative and poor concentration.

To counter this, you can introduce yang energy into the home by regularly hosting social gatherings, using bright colours in the living room, displaying family photos and opening the curtains to allow sunlight to enter the house.

5. Kitchen door shouldn’t face the main door

In Feng Shui, it is taboo for a kitchen’s entrance to be aligned with the front door as positive energies that enter the house are broken down by the heat produced from cooking. This will lead to challenges in retaining wealth and poor health of the female owner.

To reduce negative effects, the kitchen door should remain closed when cooking. If there is no door to the kitchen, then it is advisable to install one.  

6. Ensure that the kitchen stove is properly installed

The stove is an important household fixture as it symbolises family health and wealth. Therefore, there are a number of important factors to note when it comes to installing a stove.

First, the stove shouldn’t face south, even though it is an auspicious direction in the upcoming Period 9 as both orientation and stove belong to the fire element. An overwhelming fire element presence can lead to fiery tempers and quarrels in the home. 

Also, the kitchen sink shouldn’t face the stove as it represents the water element and is in conflict with the fire element of the stove. From a Feng Shui standpoint, the clash between fire and water is detrimental to interpersonal relationships.

Finally, avoid having the stove under ceiling beams as it puts “pressure” on the chef and affects his/her physical and mental wellbeing.

7. Choose rectangular-shaped houses

A rectangular-shaped house is ideal in Feng Shui as there are no missing corners and it is balanced. In general, regular shapes should be considered as irregular-shaped houses do not allow for smooth energy flow.

Consult a Feng Shui master for peace of mind

Whether you are purchasing a property for living or investment purposes, having desirable Feng Shui conditions can help you meet your goals. As Feng Shui is about creating harmony between people and their environment, there is no one size fits all model. For a personalised assessment, we recommend that you consult your Feng Shui master on top of following this checklist. All the best for making your first purchase!

			This article was first published in the print version PropertyGuru News & Views. Download PDFs of full print issues or read more stories now!

Dark and bold colours, or light and neutral tones? Wooden finishes or satin brass? With the myriad of interior design options available today, homeowners can be suddenly at sea when having to decide how to freshen up their abode. Here, we look at the hottest interior design trends of 2017 to better guide you in making the relevant decisions for your home.

By Alym Tan

1) Scandinavian

One of the longer lasting interior design trends around, the popularity of Scandinavian interior design remains strong. Functionality and simplicity are the hallmark of Scandinavian designs. Whitewashed walls, light tones and simple furniture make it pleasing for the eye. This serves a simple solution to a ‘complex’ problem – cluttered homes that want to look spacious.

“The homeowners wanted a bright, clean and airy home with lots of natural light – which is the standard for Scandinavian designs. Choice of furniture and décor pieces are key. Space planning is important too; decide what you would like to put and where first before you start shopping for it,” says Koh Kay Wee of DB Studio.

Interior designer: DB Studio

2) Industrial

Industrial interior design is about a raw, unfinished look that is functional. While the trend has been around for years, it is still relatively new in the home décor world. The lovely charm is brought out by dark woods and metals – materials that are often hidden away. This design speaks to self-made individuals as well as homeowners looking for practicality.

Daniel Loi from Space Define Interior explains his design process: “The owner wanted an industrial design that was not too raw. By staying away from grey colours and implementing a brick wall, there was a touch of modernity to the overall look. Matte black was also used as it is an iconic colour for industrial design. Other colours that go well with an industrial look are white and grey, but if you want something brighter you could input those on a piece of furniture.”

Interior designer: Space Define Interior

3) Retro

They say it takes about a decade or two for old trends to resurface. And it seems that the throwback trend on social media has influenced homes too, with the trending retro interior design. Old-school memorabilia, whether sentimental in value or not, are always fun to look at and to admire its quirkiness. Add that into the mix of washed out basic colours and interesting textures to get a home worthy of the title ‘mini museum’.

“Our client wanted a nostalgic environment in the 80s era. Craftstones were used as the feature wall to create the old school feel of raw brick walls while cement effect homogeneous floor tiles were used to create the retro effect,” explains Aclester Lim from Hue Concept Interior Design.

Interior designer: Hue Concept Interior Design  

4) Eco-friendly design

Two words. Global warming. As awareness of climate change gains momentum globally, Singaporean homes are starting to become eco-friendly – installing potted plants, adopting environmentally friendly materials, using energy-saving appliances and more. Latest trends are picking up on eco-friendliness and implementing them into their designs, so be sure to keep a look out of what is to come!

“Customers are our inspiration. After working closely with the owners on their needs and ideas, we came up with the part resort, part retro feel. Lighting is important as it adds to the expansive view,” mentions Michael Ong of The Two Big Guys.

When asked about eco-friendly designs, he adds: “There is a demand for environmentally safer products such as vinyl flooring, LED lighting and water-saving faucets. In recent years, there have been more designs incorporating elements of wood and greens, along with consideration of natural lighting and the views of the balcony and windows.”

Interior designer: The Two Big Guys

5) Satin brass

The best workaround for a luxurious feel, without spending that extra cash. Satin brass is warm with golden tones that, missing a high price tag, easily appeals to everyone alike. The versatile use of brass in the home – tables, chairs, ornaments, handles – make it an easy material to love and that is why it has stayed in trend.

Kevin Yeong from All About Designs shares: “The owner of the place wanted clean lines, coziness and sophistication infused into the décor of the house. The brassy look and feel exuded a feel of luxury, which complemented the sophistication in the décor. Beige, white, grey and earthy tones are good complementary colours for brass.”

Interior designer: All About Designs

6) Tropical

When most of the trends point towards light tones and clean spaces, one took the road less travelled. The use of warm, earthy colours creates a special homely feeling. The dark muted tones and variety of wooden textures have a calming effect, and as busy individuals, that is something much craved for nowadays.

May Chang from Meter Square gives insight on the tropical design: “We wanted a modern resort feel that uses sharp edges to have a clean look. A word of advice for tropical design is that it has to look warm and cosy.”

All in all, with all the trends and influences waxing and waning, 2017 has indeed been a very exciting year. Let’s hope that 2018 ushers in trends that are even bigger and better than before!

Interior designer: Meter Square  

Article and images contributed by HomeRenoGuru and Nippon Paint.

Browse from over 500 IDs and 30,000 design inspirations and stand a chance to win a free renovation worth $30,000 from participating interior design firms at HomeRenoGuru today.

			This article was first published in the print version PropertyGuru News & Views. Download PDFs of full print issues or read more stories now!

Arranging the sofa to face your lucky direction could make a big difference in your life.  

Simple adjustments to the direction of the living room sofa or office desk could attract positive energy into your life.

By Team Joey Yap

As we near the end of 2017, it’s time for some personal reflection. Have you used the time wisely and have you managed to achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself?

While we hope that its been a fruitful year for you, it’s also time to look forward to the future. Below, we’ve compiled a list of 2018 Feng Shui direction forecasts to help you up your game and boost your energy for the coming year.

If you don’t already know by now, directions are a big part of Feng Shui. Many Feng Shui experts believe that if you sit, work, sleep or have your front door face these auspicious directions, you will gain more beneficial energies and attract luck in your career, health, love and in other areas of your life. Alternatively, knowing bad directions to avoid will go a long way in helping to ensure a trouble-free year.

Look at these direction forecasts and take notes on how to adjust your work or sleeping area accordingly to attract more positive energy in 2018.

Direction forecasts

Southeast

• Fruitful if activated as the main Wealth sector of the year
• Maximising sector benefits will increase wealth accumulation
• Professional pursuits will flourish in this Wealth sector
• Solid foundation will be in place for future promotions at work

South

• Encourages scholarly and academic pursuits
• Boosts endeavours in humanities, literary and artistic fields
• The Main Door here will result in a fulfilling journey for long distance travels
• Promotes a meaningful and fulfilling relationship with your love interest

Southwest

• Profitable career prospects throughout the year
• Initiatives at work will be recognised by superiors
• Social influence will improve by using this sector as the office’s Main Door
• Causes minimal complications in the form of upheavals in the office
  

West

• Turbulent energies will cause severe health complications
• Aggravation of existing medical conditions
• Expectant mothers may face pregnancy issues and babies may have poor health
• Negative energies can be suppressed by placing heavy metal objects

Northwest

• Positive outcomes for career advancement
• Opportunities for travel and wealth accumulation
• Positive improvements in academic pursuits
• Promote relationships and social skills

North

• Bears the most negative energy of the year
• Most inauspicious sector to begin endeavours with
• Avoid renovations or ground-breaking works in this sector
• Negative energy can be suppressed with heavy metal objects

Northeast

• Promotes conflicts, arguments and heated disagreements
• Legal complications which lead to health problems due to stress
• Placement of oil lamps will suppress negative energies

East

• Inflicts adverse effects on emotional and physical health
• Introduces a host of various illnesses
• Causes constant arguments that will impact your life
• Arguments are bound to occur with your partner if the bedroom is placed here
• Having the Main Door here means that occupants will be more prone to theft and burglary

			This article was first published in the print version PropertyGuru News & Views. Download PDFs of full print issues or read more stories now!

Grandeur Park

So, you’re ready to start a family and upgrade to a condominium. While a BTO flat is more suitable for families since they’re bigger and more affordable, condominiums make up for their lack of space (comparatively) by having a multitude of facilities built within the development. A far cry from a neighbourhood playground, we’re in a time where childcare centres, kids’ pools, children play & exercise corners and exclusive classes for the young are as much selling points as location and price.

But what makes a condo family-friendly? Facilities are all fun and good but if a project doesn’t do anything different other than include a pool and gym for the children, how is it distinguishable from the horde of clones out there?

Fortunately, we’ve got some idea.

If you’re looking for a condo to put down roots in, where some family-friendliness exist, here’s five suggestions, in no particular order:

1. Grandeur Park

How many projects are there in Singapore that offer not just the typical kids’ pool and gym but also guitar and violin classes in-house? That number can be counted on one hand, maybe even half a hand. Managed by Mandeville Conservatory of Music, Grandeur Park knocks the ball out of the park by including extra-curricular activities for the whole family.

The development being a minute walk from Tanah Merah MRT station (and bus stop) is another tick in the right place. When you live in the east, it’s to live in an extremely well-connected area.  

2. Artra

This is one of those must-have projects if you’re not already mortgaged to your ears. A rare execution of class, style and substance, Artra offers big, spacious units with unique layouts. At a glance, it’s suitability for accommodating large gatherings at home is immediately apparent. And when kids are thrown in the mix, there’s plenty lot of room for them to run and play in.

3BR living and dining

On top of that, there’s a childcare centre and several retail shops in Artra. That it’s also a minute’s walk from Redhill MRT station makes it even harder to ignore. A true gem amidst a sea of sameness, Artra is a fantastic option if family-friendliness is high on your list of wants when choosing to live in Redhill.

3. Sims Urban Oasis

Not all family-friendly condos need to have crazy facilities. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a childcare centre, which Sims Urban Oasis has. Other times, it’s walking distance to schools, which Sims Urban Oasis is. Let’s face it, buying a condo for a kids’ pool is great only if you’re playing The Sims and have entered a cheat code to keep your kids from growing up.

In real life, they will grow up and migrate from kids’ pool to regular pool. Distance to schools is a far better requirement of kid-friendliness. And in this regard, with the James Cook University within walking distance, Aljunied MRT station also close-by and the upcoming gentrification of the Kallang area, there’s much to enjoy here for the long term.

4. Kallang Riverside

The coolest thing about Kallang Riverside has little to do with its facilities and everything to do with the utter uniqueness of its design and implementation into the land. As a fenceless type of development of which there is only one tower, Kallang Riverside will be surrounded by a swath of green and the Kallang river. The image is of a large communal garden open to everyone since it’s not gated.

Families can exit the development and walk out to picnic under a tree, or cycle around. Verdant greenery lasts far longer than facilities. Furthermore, they’ll always be relevant, even when your kids grow up. The riverside is one to watch because it looks primed to introduce something visually arresting and special to Singapore.

5. High Park Residences

Rounding up our list is High Park Residences. It’s no small feat to end on a high note but this is one of the handful of projects that take family-friendliness to another level. For the first two years, the management is offering fitness classes (aerobics, yoga, kickboxing, Pilates), cooking lessons (baking, cuisine, aqua-related lessons (swimming, aqua aerobics), tennis lessons for both adults & children and violin lessons for kids.

It’s also across the road from Thanggam LRT station, one stop away from Seletar Mall and about a five-minute walk to Jalan Kayu and its eateries. To top it off, there are some shops to be available at High Park. Therefore, High Park’s extensive suite of family-friendly facilities and services makes it a perfect bookend to this article and probably why it was voted best condo development at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards 2017 for its practicality and family-friendliness.

Source: Developer brochure (High Park)

Choosing the appropriate home for you and your own family is a decision only you can make based on your lifestyle. Some people prefer condos with plenty of features and facilities while for others, it’s irrelevant how large the pool is; they’re only in it because of convenience or they have a bit more buying power.

Ultimately though, purchasing a condo for family-friendly facilities is to think short-term. Not a whole lot of people are committed to utilising the facilities consistently a few months or even a year after they’ve moved in and the novelty has settled. Look for projects with more holistic features, such as High Park and Grandeur Park’s classes. Having access to yoga, aerobics and even music lessons are timeless attributes compared to things like a kid’s pool.

Come 2018, a new and larger slate of projects are expected. One can only hope that more of those will come with such features.

Pictured: Watercove

One of the more common questions asked is, ‘what condos have sea views?’ A common question yes, but one with a rotating door of answers; some more dubious than most.

Many projects that tout a sea view actually offer a sea glimpse instead; or at least you must occupy one of the higher floors if such a view is desired.

That’s always the caveat for sea-facing high-rise projects. You can’t balance out your expectations with the marketing until after the fact. But view or not, being close to the sea gifts you with cooler winds than if you resided in a central region. There are however developments that do have sea-views.

And in our inaugural edition of the AskGuru series, here are five such projects:

1. Watercove

Usually when a project not on Sentosa claims it is waterfront, it’s really water-adjacent or would be waterfront if it weren’t blocked by other buildings and a road. Watercove however, faces the sea, commanding its place in Wak Hassan Drive with conviction. Few projects can claim such a startling and impressive location but Watercove does which is why it ranks highest on this list. That it is a freehold terrace house with prices at around SGD2.28M (starting) makes it an all-around highly attractive home.

2. Seaside Residences

When a new project comes up in Siglap or Marine Parade, it’s almost a certainty that its’ popularity will sky rocket. Seaside Residences does nothing to correct that long-standing assumption. With 70% of its 560 units sold during Phase 1 when it launched in April 2017, it not only verified that District 15 is a popular place, but also established that if a project is well-designed and erected in a connected and promising place, it will sell.

Seaside Residences

You’ll need to be on a higher floor to enjoy the view, but the good thing about being in District 15 is you don’t just get the view from afar, you can walk to East Coast Park and breathe it in.

3. The Alps Residences

This is a bit of a cheat as The Alps technically faces a lake, and right now, that lake is under construction as part of the Green Corridor initiative set to encompass much of Tampines North. But a watery view is ultimately the same even if the body of water is somewhat lesser.

The Alps

The Alps is an extremely well-designed project with prices that start as low as SGD491K for a 1BR unit. It’s 4BR is expected to be no more than SGD1.44M. That’s competitive and given the incoming gentrification, it’s a good time to invest in a unit here.

4. Lake Grande

While also technically a lake, the still blue waters of Jurong Lake is a peaceful and unique location. Against a backdrop of flats, it is framed by green trees while a couple of gorgeous oriental pagodas stare out calmly from the waters in greeting to the many trains that pass through from Lakeside to Jurong and vice versa. Peaceful view aside, Lake Grande has opulent and spacious units regardless of the size with an average psf of SGD1,368. 436 units out of 500 released in its first phase was purchased and with good reason; the Jurong Lake district is expected to be a vibrant and new lifestyle hub with the KL-Singapore highway rail being developed nearby.

5. Sea Horizon

When a project outright informs buyers that 60% of its units face the sea, it’s hard not to take notice. With 495 units, that means 297 units face the water and get buffeted by sea breeze in their homes. Sea Horizon has a transacted median of SGD782 psf, which for a sea-facing project within walking distance to Downtown East isn’t a bad thing at all. Despite how busy Pasir Ris can get, this area is rather relaxed, affecting a chill, almost resort-like atmosphere.

Source: Developer brochure

This time next year there will be many new projects, and from that upcoming legion of developments, it is conceivable that several would claim a sea view of some kind. But having a view of the water alone can’t help a project succeed. Likewise, an affordable pricing is not the only thing that affects the profitability of the units. A development is a sum of its parts where each area – affordability, location, design & timing – work in concert to produce something worthwhile.

The five projects above are some of the better options in the market that just happen to have sea-views. Best check them out before they’re gone.

Christopher Chitty, Senior Content Specialist wrote this story.

No one likes to imagine themselves getting old, but as the years catch up with you, or if you live with family members who are older or less able-bodied, it helps to know that the home you build today will be one you can continue to live in comfortably and safely even as you age. Here are some tips from several Singaporean interior design companies to consider if you are looking to build a house with senior-friendly designs for all levels of accessibility.

By Jaclynn Seah

1. Fuss-free floors

You might like the feel of fuzzy fur beneath your feet right now, but when you must think about rolling a wheelchair around a room or potentially breaking a hip from slipping on an errant carpet, Stanley Tay, project director from Y-Axis ID suggests considering matt-type homogeneous or high-end resilient flooring – these materials are non-slip and important when you have older folk who are not as steady on their feet.

The floor plan for a senior-friendly designed house should always have open spaces and doorways for easy maneuvering no matter your size or walking aid, with minimal obstructions like pillars, steps or jutting ledges that could be potential tripping hazards.

Interior designer: Y-Axis ID

2. Strategically placed furniture

Furniture around the house should be sturdy to help provide some balance and support for an unsteady gait, yet not fragile or have sharp edges that could hurt someone if they fell on it by accident. For wet areas like bathrooms and showers, grab bars help prevent slipping, and ledges for sitting in spots like the shower or by the front door ensure that weak legs do not suddenly give out.

“This industrial design comes with strategically-placed furniture. When it comes to interiors, smooth traffic flow in the home is crucial. Getting around the house can be made easier with well-placed furniture. Once the furniture is laid out, its position will always remain there so that the traffic flow remains the same,” notes Joseph Tan from MMJ Design Loft.

Interior designer: MMJ Design Loft

3. Light switches within easy reach

Nothing is more annoying than entering a room and finding yourself unable to find the light switch. Make sure commonly accessed features like light switches or electricity outlets are at a convenient height whether you are an able-bodied person or in a wheelchair, and not hidden behind furniture or other features that make it hard to reach. Steven Loh, creative director at Interior Diary, recommends that light switches be 80cm from the ground. This makes it accessible for wheelchair users.

Interior designer: Interior Diary

4. Adjustable storage systems

Those floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets may look very beautiful now, but you might regret not having easier-to-reach options when you can’t climb a step-ladder anymore. Make sure that important work surfaces, table tops and frequently used storage are all within reach and don’t require you to stretch too high or bend too awkwardly to use comfortably. Consider having easily adjustable options to cater to differently-abled members of the household, like a shower with adjustable heights.

“The design was inspired by the Scandinavian style with its timeless, uncluttered look, and the use of light wood surfaces. The black accent line that runs across the cupboard echoes the black track lighting on the ceiling to give a cohesive look. The concealed storage gives a neat appearance to the room, while open shelves allow easy access to frequently used materials. In addition, the overhead lighting is bright enough for seniors to search for what they need,” said Nicholas Teng, studio director at Urban Design House.

Interior designer: Urban Design House

5. Convenient design features

People tend to overlook the importance of smaller design features like taps, drawers or even door handles, but these are things you will interact with every day so it is important to pick a design feature not just because it is aesthetically pleasing or cheap, but for its practicality. Longer tap handles that you lift are easier on gnarly old fingers than tight circular dials that you must grip and turn, and larger raised switch buttons are easier for shaky hands to press. Make sure you test these features for yourself if possible.

“Cabinet handles should not be placed too high as it is dangerous for the elderly to climb up to reach for things. I would recommend closed cabinets as they are much easier to maintain as compared to open cabinets, which exposes the items. Another important thing to note is the flooring. Vinyl floors are warm and comfortable for the feet,” explains Ronnie Goh from Swiss Interior Design.

Interior designer: Swiss Interior Design

6. Lighten up rooms

Brightening your home space with natural light features is practical and helps those who don’t see so well navigate the house more easily and confidently. For darker corners and at night, make sure there is sufficient lighting but consider indirect light options and minimising the number of reflective surfaces to cut the glare for older, more tired eyes. Patrick Chia, manager at Home Concepts Interior & Design, explains that the walls and ceilings are painted white to make the room bright and spacious.

The white bright lights also add to the overall brightness of the space. Another thing to consider are having two-way light switches for easier access, or motion sensor activated lights that don’t require fumbling for a switch in the dark.

These are just some tips to get you started future-proofing your home with senior-friendly home designs, and to ensure that you will not have to make extensive changes to your home should age catch up with you later. Remember that senior-friendly design does not have to be purely functional and sterile looking, a good interior designer will ensure that you can maintain a stylish design while still having all the practical features you need.

Interior designer: Home Concepts Interior & Design

			This article was first published in the print version PropertyGuru News & Views. Download PDFs of full print issues or read more stories now!

It’s important to monitor your health and make better food choices when you’re older.  

Most retirees want to know what the future holds for them. Knowing your elemental sign can reveal a little of what’s to come. 

Derived from the last digit of your birth year, your element sheds some light on your personality. For example, if you were born in 1952, then you belong to the Water element. To find out which element you belong to, refer to the table below. 

Now that you know your corresponding element, let’s find out what it reveals about you.  

Metal element – Resilient and loyal  

Your desire to contribute to the community shall lead to getting involved in volunteer work. This is an excellent opportunity to make new friends while making a meaningful impact on society.  

Wealth 
You are generous with your wealth and will not hesitate to spend on family and friends. To you, it is money well spent if it makes your loved ones happy.  

Health  
Pay attention to respiratory and intestinal health. As you enjoy your golden years, remember to feast in moderation. If you smoke, limit tobacco use to reduce the likelihood of contracting respiratory issues.  

Relationships  
You are loyal and will lend a helping hand to those in need. As someone who stands for justice, you possess a candid personality which may cause friction in relationships, especially when a soft approach is needed.   

Water element – Adaptable and energetic  

Your retirement gives you time to pursue your passion for travel and exploration. As someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, staying at home for prolonged periods is not your cup of tea.  

Wealth 
You are resourceful and will seek opportunities to further your wealth. Trying your hand in investments appeals to you, but do seek professional counsel as you are prone to making decisions on a whim.  

Health 
Water element individuals should focus on their kidney health. Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins from the body. Eat less oily foods and exercise regularly to regulate cholesterol levels.   

Relationships 
Your relaxed and optimistic demeanour makes it easy for you to make friends. However, it is difficult to change your mindset once you have made up your mind. Do strive towards win-win situations for harmony.    

Wood element – Nurturing and inquisitive  

You have a keen interest in learning and will continue your pursuit of knowledge even though you are retired. Consider picking up new skills by signing up for enrichment courses such as IT and art workshops.   

Wealth 
Your practical and down-to-earth character sees you thinking twice before spending. While this is a good practice to adopt, it is healthy to spend on gatherings or travel to remain socially active.  

Health 
Liver health is of particular concern for those of the Wood element. Therefore, limit alcohol intake and consume more anti-inflammatory foods such as green vegetables, fish and whole grains.  

Relationships 
Your nurturing personality means that you will spend most of your time with your grandchildren. As you are likely to be high-principled, it is important to adopt a balanced approach when raising them.  

Fire element – Extroverted and passionate  

You are sociable and physically active, making it ideal to pursue sports during retirement. Not only will this allow you to meet like-minded people, regular exercise will also keep you in the pink of health.  

Wealth 
When the Fire element is overpowering in individuals, they are inclined to making impulsive decisions. If you are looking to make investments, research thoroughly before making a final decision. 

Health 
Cardiovascular health is one area you must pay attention to, especially in your golden years. Amid your busy social life, do make time for plenty of rest. Maintaining a balanced diet should be your top priority. 

Relationships 
Fire element individuals are a joy to be around. You will attract people with your enthusiasm and charisma. However, do refrain from getting involved in gossip as it can lead to misunderstandings.  

Earth element – Introspective and reliable  

As someone who relishes in indoor hobbies, break out of your comfort zone by going on hikes with friends. You will benefit from the physical exercise and maintain social bonds at the same time.  

Wealth 
Earth has storage and preservative qualities, which means that you are thrifty and likely to have accumulated lots of savings throughout the years.  You will consider thoroughly before making large investments.  

Health 
For people belonging to the Earth element, take note of stomach health. Besides including fibre-rich foods in your diet, have soup-based meals occasionally to allow your stomach to rest. 

Relationships 
Not one to make broken promises, you are known for your credibility. You will help others to the best of your abilities, making you a reliable friend. However, you can be overly sensitive so it is critical that you do not take things to heart. 

Knowing your destiny is half the battle won   

While your elemental sign reveals your personality, your bazi uncovers much more about you. A person’s bazi is determined based on their time, day, month and year of birth. This combination not only unveils one’s personal traits, but also decodes his or her destiny. Therefore, it is beneficial to have your bazi analysed by a Feng Shui master for a comprehensive understanding of self. Here’s wishing you a smooth sailing retirement life! 

			This article was first published in the print version PropertyGuru News & Views. Download PDFs of full print issues or read more stories now!