Our First Home Journey: Collecting Keys to Our BTO

When I was dating my husband some 5 years ago, I suggested a bold decision. To buy a Build-To-Order flat (BTO) together. To my surprise he agreed, mind you, we had just begun dating for a couple of months and the stakes were high, our relationship could have turned sour after we booked a flat… and everything would have gone downhill from there. But thank god it didn’t. We are really meant to be.

Collecting the Keys to Our four-room BTO – Fast forward to March 2020; we received our flat’s keys in March Before Covid-19 struck, At first, I was shocked at how tiny my new home is being used to living in my father’s 5 room flat but with the right layout, space planning and carpentry we can make this cosy 93sqm abode into a home.

We opted out of having HDB tiles and chose the open concept kitchen layout to give the illusion that the house was bigger and also for the fact that our bomb shelter is located in the kitchen which meant having very little space for cabinets and appliances. We kept the HDB doors which are kind of thin but acceptable as we wanted to save cost and would probably change them in a couple of years.

In Dec 2019, we went on the search for an Interior Designer, dear preferred an ID as he liked to have a 3D drawing which really helps a person to visualise how the apartment would turn out. They will also coordinate all the works that the house would require saving you the hassle of searching for reliable and properly licenced contractors.

Arranging a meeting with an interior design firm – We met up with eight different firms, designers of diverse backgrounds: Key Concept, Brown Studio Design, Ovon, TCL Design, Absolook, Design4space, Cozy space, Swiss Interior. These opinions are of our own about the Interior designers, nothing personal.

Key Concept – Very aggressive and rude, The ID slammed the table when we told him we would like to consider and get back to him. He kept pestering us to place a deposit of $1000.00 for 3D drawings.

Brown Studio – Very professional and has its own carpentry design.

Ovon – The Lady just went on and on about her ideas and ignored our questions and kept asking to have appointments on weekdays instead when we informed her we only have time on weekends.

TCL Design – Very experience but not very sincere

Absolook – Was late for the appointment smelled and looked like he just got back from his smoke break.

Design4space – Good workmanship had good vibes from the ID, big company.

Cozy Space – Very Professional, Nice latest designs

Swiss Interior – Was introduced by a friend whose family members also used the same ID, excellent workmanship and space planning.

We went with Swiss Interior, better to select an ID which a friend trusts and knows personally.

All our renovation plans had to be pushed back all the way to September 2020.

Stay tune… I have so much more to blog about our BTO renovation adventure.