HongKonger's Profile

Mine go out in the sun once a week after being sprayed with febreeze. Dry cleaned once a month. 2 pillowcases on each. Replace every 10 years. I'm a tummy sleeper so its not easy to find the right pillow. ..and my cats would object if I changed them.

I learned that housework is one of the only things you notice when it doesn't get done, but that sometimes life is too short to spend it vacuuming.

This last 12 months has seen me buy my first apartment so lots of expenditure but lots of furniture brought with me and lots bought second hand.

Aside from a brand new kitchen and bathroom with all appliances main furniture purchased:

Custom made media unit: $800
Ikea sofa: $400
Second hand armchair and footstool: $100
Pair of vintage chairs I reupholstered: $80
Second hand outdoor rattan sofa: $100
Second hand dining table & chairs: $100
Second hand IKEA shelving unit: $100
Second hand coffee table and linen chest: FREE

I'm saving up to add to my Artemide lamp collection!

CFL bulbs are more standard than especially 'eco' at all these days. And to use them only where they can fit... why weren't they all swapped out to LEDs? If reducing one's carbon footprint is at all important, this would have been factored into the reno.

Still don't think its very 'eco'.

To slackerjo... out here, that would be 10% deposit and roughly $3,000 a month mortgage (on a 30 yr mortgage), so salary would need to be $90,000 a year to qualify (mortgage is allowed to be max 40% of monthly salary).

My Armani Casa towels have lasted well but frankly nothing beats Frette. As part of my drive to make my everyday feel luxurious, I slowly swapped out my towels a couple of years ago. They cost megabucks but I won't need to change them for years. They wash beautifully.

Where's the LED lighting?... and that whopping supersize fridge. Not what I think of when I think eco personally.

Currently doing this to create a headboard... after adding moulding to 2 internal doors and liking the look of it.

My ATM card, phone and my kitties are what I would grab if there was a fire.

But the things I never move without (and I have sold literally everything I own twice now - except these things): My mokka pot, my teeny tiny family of trouble dollies and a small glass prism.

Because about 95% of housing stock in Hong Kong is less than 700 sq ft - and even 700ft sq will cost you upwards of US$1 million. There are no suburbs here so my 400 sq ft choice of apartment was based on 1) it has a 500 ft sq terrace 2) it is less than 20 mins to work and 3) the bank won't give you a mortgage that costs more than 40% of your salary.