DAY 37

The laying of tiles in the living room is almost done. There's just a small area left next to the study area. Today is a public holiday - Deepavali - so it's a rest day. We went over to have a look late last night at around 11pm and saw the progress but I went back again today to photograph it in daylight. Em and I picked Meg and Sarah up after tuition and we all went together to have a look. 
I must say the tiles have been laid quite nicely. All the lines are straight and I'm just waiting to see how they reconcile the corners and joints with the room. So far, in terms of the level between the living room and the bedrooms, they do align, but the point where the living floor meets the rooms will have to be flushed and finished nicely. These are the details that set average and good workmanship apart. We're happy with the standard of workmanship on the house so far. I'm a little worried about how the parquet flooring has become very dirty as no protection was placed over it, unlike the tiles where corrugated paper has been placed over to protect the white coloured new flooring.

Only the area in the foreground hasn't been tiled yet.

The tiles align well with the threshold with other rooms.

The mess is gradually decreasing.

We kept off the freshly laid tiles to allow the cement screed time to set properly.

Do you see a small hole in the centre of the floor?

A closer up look at the square 'hole'. Our recliner sofa, which requires power, will be placed over the hole. The power cord will be 'threaded' through the hole and a pipe that follows it to the electrical socket at the wall. I really don't know how they are going to do this! We shall see...

Ending off this blog post with a very creative photo my 7-yr-old shot with my phone. She put the phone  at a low angle, almost on the floor and made this shot. I complimented her on the interested angle. The other day I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up and she surprised me by saying: "Like you!". I asked her in what way (while secretly flattered and happy with her reply) and she said, "A photographer!" I was in two minds whether to encourage her or to tell her that this profession doesn't make much financially but of course I "did the right thing" and encouraged her to shoot more with the camera I bought her. 

DAY 36

And it's back! The new, smoother tiles were laid yesterday and I suppose they will continue today. I saw the effects of the different tonality of the previous tiles which were used on the bathroom walls. Since they've already been laid, we will leave them, even though the difference in shade is obvious. The place is still very dusty with cement powder and I have to wash my slippers every day after I get home. I did not dare to step on the tiles with my full weight for fear that the cement screed hadn't dried properly yet. It takes a few days for it so set. Some of other bathroom and kitchen fittings arrived yesterday too. My contractor was on hand to receive the goods.

Not sure why the bags of cement were laid out in a row like that.

The kitchen floor tiles were covered up, just like the original living room ones were before.

The windows in the study were covered up. Not quite sure why either.

A messy storeroom used as a dumping area for now.

Our Otto semi-recessed sink for the bathrooms. 

The Hoe Kee delivery guy opening up the box for our Blanco Pleon 8 black sink for inspection. 

We'd asked them to punch another hole for the sink faucet but it's not well done. Hopefully the faucet base will cover up the imperfection. 

The Blanco faucet that comes as a packaged deal with the sink.

I noticed there was only 1 sink in the house. Not sure if they delivered both or if our contractor took one back to his factory for measurements as it will sit on a small cabinet in the two bathrooms.

We bought some accessories from Hupfarri like the toilet roll and toothbrush holders.

The toilet roll holder has a plate on top to put your mobile phone or a small book. There's also a hook below for a small hand towel or whatever else we might need it for.

The hook on the right is for the toilet roll, and on the left is a small hook for other stuff.

The toothbrush holder is similar in design and material used.

The plinth for the kitchen sink cabinet has been invaded with tools and a pair or work boots.

Tools of the trade.