TeeChew's Profile

@Pi, then we are in agreement.

I think quality means different things to different people.

I would for example, save up and spend $2k on a good quality couch that will last 5 years instead of buying a $500 couch that sags after 6 months. But I cannot see myself spending $5k on a couch that will last 10 years, regardless of how well made and how much goose down is used. So for me, there is the limit in terms of how much I would spend on a couch.

As another example, I cannot see myself spending $100 on a designer pillow. No matter how good it look or how "unique" the pillow cover is. $10 is the max I would pay for a pillow.

Definitely agree. This is a one bed one bath loft? How high is the ceiling? Are there exposed beams in the apartment? Are there exposed pipes? Where is the kitchen in relation to the living room? Where is the bedroom in relation to the rest of the apartment? I like the "stuff" photos but we need to know what the apartment looks like AND could therefore appreciate the "stuff". This is disappointing to say the least,

@adora, amen to that. :)

@pyjstein

All I am saying, and it seems like you agree with me, is that the math provided by you were not accurate if we are looking at how densely packed the two cities are. It is not exactly true that there is no escape from the urban city in Singapore ... Singaporean can easily escape to Pulau Ubin, Bukit Timah nature reserve and there is a protected mangrove swamp area in Singapore (the name escape me now) as well. Does it replace what you had mentioned for HK? Definitely not. But that is also not the point of my post. My main aim is to point out the flawed nature of the math.

@pyjstein: The irony is that the majority of residents pigeonholed within such public housing cloisters are not able to see any forest/ coast/ field/ vista, or even the sky from their apartment windows.

That is a very skewed statement if you are referring to apts Singapore. While it is true that you can't see forest in Singapore (given that there are none), people living near the coast, could see the coast.

Of course you cant see any wide expense of empty field or vista. I mean, Singapore is smaller than New York City ... there is no views of vista or field in NYC either. I am not too sure of the point of that statement.

However, Singapore is a very green place. You can see trees, grass everywhere and in my 30 years in Singapore (living in 6 different apartments) I could see the sky in each and everyone of them. I am therefore puzzled by your comments.

Just to even out things a little from all the "I cant live in crowded places" "I cant live 2-feet above the ground" comments that seem to permeate this particular post ...

1) I love living in a high-rise. 24th was the highest I have ever lived in and it gives a spectacular view of the city (NYC). Unfortunately, even though the building was a new construct and I am the first tenant, it wasnt built well and the apt leaked and my neighbors think he lives in a highrise disco ... I now live on the lower floor older building. Well built and I have peace and quiet.

2) I grew up in a city (Singapore) and have lived in apartment blocks all my life. Neighbors above, below and two sides to me. Never bothered me. Never had any noise problems. The walls are always concrete blocks, that explains a lot of the sound proofing. So living in an apartment with neighbors does not equate to noise pollution.

3) Some countries have large expense of land and land is cheap ... a family of 4 could live in a 3000 sf mansion with a 5 acre lot and people would still complain that the space is tight. Some countries have limited land. I grew up in a 500sf apartment with my parents, my sister, my grand parents, my uncle and two aunts. I never felt it was tight. It is fun to have family dinner together . It is fun to laugh and cry together while watching TV. It brings the family closer. This is life for some of us.

I have this book. I have to agree that a certain level of knowledge is needed to appreciate the book fully. The step-by-step photos are VERY useful, especially if a color or particular texture is needed to identify the completion of a stage (eg, amber color of caramel) ... it will help to read through at least a particular chapter though as some tips are given in one recipe and assumed or skipped in another. These tips are not necessary given in order. The techniques are definitely spot on for MOST recipes. I find that in some cases, the technique is a little unorthodox but as long as it works (which I do not know as my kitchen is under renovation and I cant bake) who cares if it is orthodox. For bakers who loves macarons ... there is a whole chapter devoted to it.

First of all, great story. And some good suggestions as to how to hold on to the emotion and story of the piece and make is slightly less prominant if so inclined.

Regarding mass produced prints ... I dont think anyone here is complaining about having no alternatives. Some of the more strongly worded comments deal with the fact that several posters came across as dissing mass produced art as crap and not art. Or refering to mass produced prints as "common art". I mean REALLY? I cannot afford to spend $300-400 on a piece of art and that means I am "relegated" to a commoner? Comments like that are off-putting and snobbish to say the least.

No drainage hole on the floor in a bathroom. I think this is such an essential thing. You could simply wash the toilet floor and scrub it and then rinse it away.

The "need" to keep linen in the bathroom proliferated by design shows ... I think it is impractical to have storage like towels in a bathroom. Moisture and fabric do not really work in the same room, I dont even want to have bath towels like some other posters said in the bathroom.