Photo: ST
Married couple Joy Fang, 32, and Daryll Nanayakara, 28, had the satisfaction of building their love nest themselves – and saving a lot of money along the way – by cleverly sourcing most of their furnishings from e-commerce site Taobao.
They spent $55,000 renovating and furnishing their four-room Build-To-Order flat in Yishun, including removing four of its walls to create an open-plan kitchen, dining room and living room space so that their dog, a four-year-old “Singapore Special”, could have a wider activity area.
When it came to the look of the 93 sq m flat, the duo simply went with their gut, adding design elements such as a turquoise wall in the living room and aquamarine subway tiles in the kitchen as they went along.
“We just wanted it to be comfortable and practical. We’re quite chill people,” says Mr Nanayakara, a civil servant.
“Well, I wanted a laid-back, New York-loft kind of feel,” says Ms Fang, who amassed decorating inspiration from browsing Pinterest.
“I don’t know what that means,” Mr Nanayakara quips.
Photo: ST
The couple, who welcomed a baby girl earlier this month, believe that it is not necessary to spend a lot to be big on style. Some of the furniture, such as their dining table, sofa and bed, are from online furniture store Castlery; others, such as an armchair and kitchen trolleys, are from Ikea.
But most of the furnishings, including lamps, mirrors, bathroom fixtures, side tables, poufs, chairs, rugs, shelves, a dressing table and a ceiling fan, were purchased on Taobao.
After browsing local furniture stores, they realised that similar versions of items they liked could be found for much lower prices online.
“The bookshelves behind the dining table are the Taobao find I’m most pleased with,” says Ms Fang, a freelance writer. “To buy something similar in Singapore would have cost three times the price.”
The three shelves cost about $900, including shipping.
“The only drawback to shopping for household furnishings on Taobao is that you have to assemble everything on your own… and they don’t come with manuals,” says Mr Nanayakara.
Luckily, he is a savvy handyman who excelled in design and technology classes in school. “And all of my best friends are also quite handy, so if I was missing a tool or a particular drill bit, I could just call them up,” he says.
Photo: ST
Shopping online judiciously requires “a lot of patience and time”, says Ms Fang. “I had to do a lot of research and just wing it. Sometimes, you make a few mistakes. You need to know your measurements very well – once you go wrong, it’s difficult to send things back.”
Sharing her Taobao tips, she says: “Use specific search terms like ‘Nordic style’, which yields some of the best results – it gives you all these Pinterest-looking things. Look at the reviews, compare prices and buy from established shops.
“Use a third-party site such as SGshop to reduce shipping costs. And it helps to have at least a rudimentary grasp of Mandarin because sometimes you have to communicate with the shop owners.”
But being a Taobao whiz is about far more than just saving money.
“All I know is that doing it ourselves, and being able to look at these things and know that we did all of it together, give me a sense of satisfaction,” Mr Nanayakara says. “It was fun building this apartment. We enjoy coming home to it.”
If you are in the midst of setting up or revamping your home, check this out too:
https://www.herworld.com/life/its-possible-furnish-home-stylishly-taobao-buys-and-save-money/
Lucky colours for a new look for home interiors
Colours of Fortune
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The Lunar New Year is just around the corner. And amid getting your new outfits, goodies and decorations, don’t forget to spruce up your home for CNY visitations.
Other than spring cleaning or perhaps getting a new set of cushion covers for some fresh new decorations, getting a new coat of paint is also one way to give your home a new look.
The paint work doesn’t have to be extensive. Perhaps, you might want to change the colour of one of the rooms, not all. Either way works. With so many colour options out there, what’s one way to select? You lucky colours of course, since it is the new year and we want to usher in all good things. Here are some lucky colours based on your zodiac sign according to Feng Shui Master Phang.
Photo: 123rf
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Rat
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Individuals born in the year of the Rat are self-discipline, hardworking and quick-witted. Going into 2018, thanks to auspicious star, you will be blessed with help from benefactors. You will see double returns for the efforts put in work, but pay close attention to loss of wealth.
Elderly in the family should look out for health-related problems. Reconsider your decisions instead of jumping headfirst into projects.
Photo: Nippon Paint
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Ox
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Individuals born in the year of the Ox are responsible, determined and loyal. Clashing with Tai Sui in 2018, you should be careful when handling finances and doing investments. Keep yourself busy with work this year, as you tend to overthink in your free time.
With benefactors backing you, interpersonal relationships will be a breeze. The efforts you put in at work will not go unnoticed. Be humble and you will receive assistance through difficult times.
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ALSO READ: YEAR OF THE DOG: HERE’S YOUR 2018 FORECAST ACCORDING TO YOUR HOROSCOPE
Tiger
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Individuals born in the year of the Tiger are confident, competent and daring. Going into 2018, there will be many obstacles along the way that will put a damper on your enthusiasm and plans.
This will be a tiring year for you; fortunately, facing the difficulties head-on with strength and courage will allow these incidents to be resolved without harm going your way.
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ALSO READ: YEAR OF THE DOG: HERE’S YOUR 2018 FORECAST ACCORDING TO YOUR HOROSCOPE
Rabbit
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Individuals born in the year of the Rabbit are skillful, alert, and patient. In 2018, you will be aided with auspicious stars and benefactors’ luck, but it is also important to do your best in what is required.
It will be a year where you have to put in ample of efforts to reap any rewards; be less picky, and more accommodating, set sights on long-term goals rather than immediate profits.
Photo: Nippon Paint
ALSO READ: YEAR OF THE DOG: HERE’S YOUR 2018 FORECAST ACCORDING TO YOUR HOROSCOPE
Dragon
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Individuals born in the year of the Dragon are intelligent, enthusiastic and willing to take risks. Having offended Tai Sui in 2018, you will face obstacles in what you do; money will be difficult to gather and you may face loss of wealth.
Big investments are frown upon and decisions should be made only after careful considerations, especially in areas that you are not familiar with.
Photo: Nippon Paint
ALSO READ: YEAR OF THE DOG: HERE’S YOUR 2018 FORECAST ACCORDING TO YOUR HOROSCOPE
Snake
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Individuals born in the year of the Snake are intelligent, responsible and intuitive. Going into 2018, you have the tendency to be indecisive, resulting in wrong judgements made.
Without a distinct direction ahead, coupled with frequent mood swings, you will need to be extra careful and keep a clear mind when making important decisions to avoid complications in the upcoming year.
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Horse
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Individuals born in the year of the Horse are full of energy, decisive and passionate. The overall forecast for the year is stable, but you should constantly strive to be creative and encourage change in order to achieve success.
For working professionals, opportunities for career progression are in sight, but you should always be sensitive about interpersonal relationships to prevent unforeseen mishaps.
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ALSO READ: YEAR OF THE DOG: HERE’S YOUR 2018 FORECAST ACCORDING TO YOUR HOROSCOPE
Goat
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Those born in the year of the Goat are quick thinkers, hardworking and enthusiastic. 2018 looks to be a rocky year where gossips are omnipresent, health issues persistent, and roadblocks will slow down possible career advancement.
At work, it is best to be vigilant and do what was being told; refrain from rubbing the wrong way with females as they hold the power this year. Females born in the year of Rat and Pig brings luck in wealth for you.
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ALSO READ: 5 WAYS TO LIVE A MINIMALIST LIFESTYLE – AND SAVE MONEY AT THE SAME TIME
Rooster
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Individuals born in the year of the Rooster are energetic, eloquent and efficient. Clashing with Tai Sui in 2018, it will be a year of turbulence and you should beware of incidents getting out of your control. You will have to prove your worth at work and learn to give in at times to navigate safely away from misfortunes.
Patience will go a long way this year. Not being overly fussy in contributing, and being cautious in whatever you do will help tide you through the turbulence this year.
Photo: Nippon Paint
ALSO READ: YEAR OF THE DOG: HERE’S YOUR 2018 FORECAST ACCORDING TO YOUR HOROSCOPE
Pig
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Individuals born in the year of the Pig are kind, calm, and compassionate. Lady luck is shining on you this 2018! Things are looking up for your career; there will be opportunities to receive a promotion at work. Even in times of difficulties, there will be benefactors giving you the needed boost and help to get through it unscathed. However, interpersonal relationships will be complicated this year, and malicious people will seek to send harm your way.
Photo: Nippon Paint
This article was first published on Nippon Paint.
ALSO READ: 5 WAYS TO LIVE A MINIMALIST LIFESTYLE – AND SAVE MONEY AT THE SAME TIME