Kitchen Cabinet Part 1

We have been looking for kitchen cabinet contractor since March 2011. Already went to several showrooms, including Signature Kitchen Great Eastern Mall, Signature Kitchen Seremban, Defilio, CLS, Deluxe Design, and lastly is Unity Design. 

I went to all showrooms above because either they are reputable, or the showroom is nearby my house in Ampang. However, for Unity Design, it was so happened I googled for 'recommended kitchen cabinet'. I found several forumers were giving good recommendation to Unity Design because they are cheap, the workmanship and after sales service are superb. Yup, the forumers are right! I contacted them via email and gave my floor plan and requested for a quotation. One week later, I received their quotation and it was the cheapest among all. I even went to their showroom in Kajang (what a coincidence, their showroom is just opposite my new house in Saujana Villa, Kajang). The kitchen cabinet that they displayed were nice and it suits my taste. This was back in April 2011. I did not make any commitment with them yet because I have not received my house keys.

Until one day....in June 2011, I was talking to my colleagues and were talking about house renovation and stuff....one of them was asking me whether I have paid for any deposits to Unity Design. Then I told her that I have not. She told me please call her kitchen cabinet contractor before I make any commitments. She fully recommended this contractor because the price is very cheap, and yet the workmanship is very good. The company's name is Artak Kitchen, and the owner has its factory below his showroom @ office. It's located in Semenyih, also 5km away from my house.

My friend is soooo right. I did get the best quotation, and just to compare the price, let me write the details of my request for your comparison:

1. My wet kitchen size : 14" x 8"

2. Material : 3G

3. Table top : Solid surface

4. 1 set Blum drawers (3 tiers)

5. 1 x 150mm bottle basket

6. 4 x 600 mm pullout basket

7. 180 degree swing basket

8. 2 x 900 mm pullout basket

9. Softclose system for all doors

The most expensive among all the contractor is of course Signature Kitchen, 40% more than the cheapest, i.e. is Unity Design, RM12700++ (before I met Artak Kitchen). When I went to see Jeff (Artak's owner, very nice young guy), he quoted me RM11300. And I even get to install lights, reflective mirror on 2 doors, and the best part is, I could also install the glass wall between base and wall unit. I got all of these is just below RM12k. 

Artak's initial design (silver and black door colour)

with black top

 Colour of my choice, i.e mocha door colour

with cream top

I have now received my house keys, and already paid to Jeff the deposit. I will not only be doing my wet kitchen with him, but all 3 kitchens for my house, tv cabinet, shoe rack and wardrobe. I will share with you the photo once everything is ready.

Interior Design Magazines

I really love reading or flapping through ID magazines. To become an interior designer had once became my ambition, though I know that I don't have the skills for sketching, drawing, etc.

Here I would like to share with you my preferred magazines. I think this is quite a good info to share because you won't end up wasting your money on the 'not so good' or 'not so suit with your taste' magazines.

2006 : I used to like reading Impiana magazines. That time, the designs in that magazines suited me. Only once in a while I bought Anjung Sri, which after that I will regret it so much. There's nothing wrong with that magazine, but just the design in the magazine more towards an 'olskool' or 'traditional' design. It's a big turn- off for me. So in 2006, Impiana did win my heart.

2008 : I bought a condo in Ampang. So apart from Impiana, I also like to buy Dapur Impiana magazine. Tidak mengecewakan. The kitchens shown in the magazines were some from celebrities' kitchen including Noniswara, and the late Dato' Sosilawati. Apartment from Impiana also was not bad.....

2009 : Dah lama baca Impiana, I found a new sweetheart, but not a local magazine. It's SQUAREROOMS, from Singapore. I started to read this magazine when suddenly felt bored with Impiana, and try to look for new fresh ideas and design for my condo. I still remember I first bought this magazine when I was at the KLIA. This magazine was published every 3 months back then, but now luckily it is publish every month. The moderness of the design really really suit my taste, which I didn't find it in Impiana anymore.....

 

Squarerooms Latest Issue

Ideal Homes 2011, from SQUAREROOMS 

My favourite issue!!!

 

2011 : After one year plus a loyal reader to SQUAREROOMS, I suddenly felt the ideas did not suit so much for my new 2 and half storeys semi-d house, which I bought early this year. Since it is a Singapore's mag, the ideas features in the mag are mostly for condo and apartment. I switched my interest to IN DESIGN @ id from iNpublisher. This magazine features many photos, less words, unlike Impiana and Anjung Sri, many words, and too many advertisement..... So I'm a big fan of this magazine now.

 In Design @ ID

Taken from 'id' magazine ... I Likeee...

So guys, different people has different interest, taste, and ideas. I'm just sharing with you my interest and my preference.