A step closer to home...

Things have also been moving on the housing front.

We met with Sean on 19 April 2007 to view the computer graphics for our interior design. It was most exciting to have a visual reference as to what our home will eventually look like. Spent a couple of hours tweaking the design, and instructing on the changes to be made, and we’re scheduled to see the revised drawings on 2 June 2007. :)

We have decided to scrap the idea of a revolving TV panel though, since Roxy Homes is not cooperating. On that note, let it be placed on record that the customer service for Roxy Homes Pte Ltd is sorely wanting, and they do not even have the courtesy to respond to our emails. While we acknowledge they are not under any legal obligation to accommodate our variation requests, it is just plain rudeness to dismiss the requests with a curt email, and thereafter ignore our further emails. I would thus warn all friends to beware and avoid buying a property from Roxy Homes (which is under the Grand Mercure group) if you do not wish to encounter bad customer service. Sean has also shared that he is encountering massive problems with Grand Mercure in another project where they have delayed maintenance and rectification works for prolonged periods. Well, I’m not prepared to take any further nonsense from them. If the rectification works exceed the deadline by even one day, my letter of demand is going out to them.

Having said that, construction progress appears to be moving along fine. In fact, it looks simply great! :)

For the entire collection of photos from barren ground to its present state, click here. Can’t wait for the keys to be handed to us. :)

a full circle...

After more than 6 months of relaxed attempts at seeking out alternative interior designers, we have finally returned to Sean of Ciseern. For a glimpse of Ciseern's portfolio, click here.

Ad and I met him at the Ciseern showroom after dinner yesterday, and after more than 2 hours of discussions, we finally signed on the dotted line for our interior design and renovation package, which would include everything except for stuff like lighting, curtains, mattress, etc.

We managed to seize the opportunity of the ongoing Modern Homes exhibition to secure the promotion of 10% + 5% rebate off the basic package, and also a free gift of either an L-shaped sofa or a dining table set. Will be popping by the Expo on Sunday to view the samples and decide which free gift to choose. Should be a fun trip, since there'll also be the Metro warehouse sale, Popular Bookstore warehouse sale and Mega Carnival (whatever that is) going on at the same time.

Shall not reveal the cost here, since there's some vague confidentiality clause in the agreement, but suffice to say that I felt it was a reasonable price, even though it exceeded our original budget by a couple of thousands. The effects of inflation and rising costs were certainly felt though, since the quote was a whole thousand more than our original quote just one year ago! Better to secure this price before the new GST kicks in on 1 July 2007.

I'm glad to have Sean as our ID, he seems personable and sincere, but let's hope all that will not change now that we have committed ourselves to Ciseern.

Well, that's another item settled then. We're left with booking a photographer and videographer for the wedding day, and that should be it! (save for all other minor details of course...)

Most exciting. :)