Source : The Straits Times, July 18, 2009
COVE Development, the property owner of Grangeford condominium in Leonie Hill, has obtained a court order to recover the 171 apartment units which were previously leased to Ideal Accommodation.
Ideal's former tenants who are still staying there have until noon next Wednesday to move out or Cove will apply for a writ of possession.
This is the latest in the long-running saga between Cove and Ideal, which have been tussling over tenants since Cove terminated its master tenancy agreement with Ideal last month.
This was after the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) had found that Ideal had illegally partitioned 140 apartments into 600 units for subletting and ordered the units to be reverted to their original state by June 3.
But Ideal told the tenants only a few days before the deadline, creating an uproar among those living there.
In a press statement posted on the Singapore Exchange website yesterday, Cove said it had been 'doing its utmost' to meet URA's deadline of July 27 to complete demolition works.
However, at the time of hearing of its court application on July 13, it had managed to recover only about 14 affected apartment units to carry out the works.
It had not been able to recover units still occupied by Ideal's former tenants who have 'shown resistance in vacating Grangeford'.
It declined to say how many more apartment units it has been able to recover since the hearing.
Monday, July 20, 2009
US June Housing Starts Show Biggest Rise In 5 Years
Source : The Business Times, July 18, 2009
(Washington)HOUSING starts in the US unexpectedly rose last month as construction of single-family dwellings jumped by the most since 2004, signalling that the market is stabilising.
The 3.6 per cent increase brought starts to an annual rate of 582,000, the highest level since November, and followed a 562,000 pace in May that was higher than previously estimated, the Commerce Department said yesterday.
Building permits, a sign of future construction, rose the most in a year. Building permits climbed 8.7 per cent to a 563,000 annual rate, the highest level of the year.
Construction of single-family homes jumped 14 per cent, the biggest gain since December 2004, to a 470,000 rate. The fourth consecutive increase brought single-family starts to the highest level since last October. Work on multi-family homes, such as townhouses and apartment buildings, dropped 26 per cent after surging 66 per cent in May.
The increase in starts of single-family homes adds to signs that the housing slump may be nearing a bottom. Combined sales of existing and new homes climbed to a 5.1 million annual rate in May, the highest level so far this year. -- Bloomberg
(Washington)HOUSING starts in the US unexpectedly rose last month as construction of single-family dwellings jumped by the most since 2004, signalling that the market is stabilising.
The 3.6 per cent increase brought starts to an annual rate of 582,000, the highest level since November, and followed a 562,000 pace in May that was higher than previously estimated, the Commerce Department said yesterday.
Building permits, a sign of future construction, rose the most in a year. Building permits climbed 8.7 per cent to a 563,000 annual rate, the highest level of the year.
Construction of single-family homes jumped 14 per cent, the biggest gain since December 2004, to a 470,000 rate. The fourth consecutive increase brought single-family starts to the highest level since last October. Work on multi-family homes, such as townhouses and apartment buildings, dropped 26 per cent after surging 66 per cent in May.
The increase in starts of single-family homes adds to signs that the housing slump may be nearing a bottom. Combined sales of existing and new homes climbed to a 5.1 million annual rate in May, the highest level so far this year. -- Bloomberg
Economic Outlook Still Uncertain
Source : The Straits Times, July 19, 2009
THE Singapore economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter of this year, but Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned last night that the outlook remained uncertain.
Speaking at a constituency event, he called on Singaporeans to work together as a team.
The Government recently revised the GDP growth forecast for this year, from a contraction of between 6 per cent and 9 per cent to a smaller shrinkage of between 4 per cent and 6 per cent.
'It's still quite a severe year and it's something that's not over yet because for the second half of the year, we don't know how the economy will grow,' Mr Lee said.
'And for the next couple of years, 2010, 2011, we don't know how the world economy will be, and how that will affect us and what we can do about it,' he said.
He said Singapore is fortunate to have a population that understood and supported what the Government had to do.
Mr Lee also launched a one-stop helpline for private estate residents of Ang Mo Kio GRC and Yio Chu Kang. The two-year pilot project allows these residents to dial a toll-free number - 1800 CALL 123, or 1800-2255-123 - whenever they need help with maintenance matters, ranging from tree pruning and drain chokage to mosquito breeding. The line is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays.
During this year's Budget debate, Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Lee Bee Wah suggested the helpline, which will be funded by the Ministry of Finance. Ms Lee said unlike HDB estate residents who could approach their town councils for help, private estate residents did not have a one-stop centre to turn to.
Mr Wilson Zhuang, 58, chairman of Springleaf Neighbourhood Committee and a Springside Estate resident, called Traffic Police last year about neighbours who used rubbish bins to reserve parking space outside their terrace houses.
The Traffic Police asked him to called the Land Transport Authority, which in turn asked him to call the National Environment Agency since the matter involved rubbish bins.The Traffic Police took action when Ms Lee stepped in last November.
THE Singapore economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter of this year, but Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned last night that the outlook remained uncertain.
Speaking at a constituency event, he called on Singaporeans to work together as a team.
The Government recently revised the GDP growth forecast for this year, from a contraction of between 6 per cent and 9 per cent to a smaller shrinkage of between 4 per cent and 6 per cent.
'It's still quite a severe year and it's something that's not over yet because for the second half of the year, we don't know how the economy will grow,' Mr Lee said.
'And for the next couple of years, 2010, 2011, we don't know how the world economy will be, and how that will affect us and what we can do about it,' he said.
He said Singapore is fortunate to have a population that understood and supported what the Government had to do.
Mr Lee also launched a one-stop helpline for private estate residents of Ang Mo Kio GRC and Yio Chu Kang. The two-year pilot project allows these residents to dial a toll-free number - 1800 CALL 123, or 1800-2255-123 - whenever they need help with maintenance matters, ranging from tree pruning and drain chokage to mosquito breeding. The line is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays.
During this year's Budget debate, Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Lee Bee Wah suggested the helpline, which will be funded by the Ministry of Finance. Ms Lee said unlike HDB estate residents who could approach their town councils for help, private estate residents did not have a one-stop centre to turn to.
Mr Wilson Zhuang, 58, chairman of Springleaf Neighbourhood Committee and a Springside Estate resident, called Traffic Police last year about neighbours who used rubbish bins to reserve parking space outside their terrace houses.
The Traffic Police asked him to called the Land Transport Authority, which in turn asked him to call the National Environment Agency since the matter involved rubbish bins.The Traffic Police took action when Ms Lee stepped in last November.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
三房式组屋改头换面 “透明”小白屋豁然开朗
Source : 《联合早报》July 18, 2009
丹戎巴葛一个空置了五年的“高龄”三房式组屋，有了锤子作魔术棒，加上白色作魔法，在半个月时间里彻底改头换面，空间豁然开朗，干净但不冷清，简约却富层次。屋主余文耀和廖逸姿受访分享装潢心得，以及改变背后的巧思。
家居空间简洁明亮，余文耀和廖逸姿越来越喜欢呆在家，享受悠闲时光。
70平方米的三房式组屋是狭隘是宽阔，完全在于设计师和屋主的巧思。走到丹戎巴葛这座三房式组屋第N层的走廊尽头，推开厚实的纯白色大门，背后的白色世界让人眼前一亮。
原有的墙壁和柱子大多打掉了，单位的空间重新规划。其中一个睡房拆了，宽阔了客厅，腾出了饭厅，加上透过窗口投射进来的自然光线，洁白的墙壁又没挂上任何画作或相片点缀，空间尤显明亮。
原来，屋主余文耀（37岁，营销经理）夫妇两年半前迁入新居时达成共识，刻意让墙壁保持素白，让小房更整洁，空间感更佳。
古早味浓郁的风扇是客厅的焦点。而卧房和客厅之间的折窗有双层帘子，明暗可随心调适。
女主人廖逸姿（32岁，公关公司60 40 communications创办人之一）说：“墙壁少了装饰，感觉地方更大，没那么杂。选用完全透明的玻璃饭桌，也是顾虑到空间有限的问题。有些人认为这样感觉很冷清，但我认为只要善于选择家具和家居用品，还是能传达温暖。像地板分为水泥地和木板，感觉就很实在而且富层次。”
千元风扇成客厅焦点
客厅和饭厅的素净不只是因为简化的线条和白得彻底的墙壁与壁橱，灯饰的选择也扮演举足轻重的角色。
没错，留意客厅，怎么看不到灯？廖逸姿随手启动了开关，温暖的灯光安静降临；原来，夫妻俩选用了隐藏式灯具，大部分的灯都躲在屋梁和桁条背后。
完全透明的饭桌增加空间感。水泥地和木板的分隔，实在且富层次。
或许正因客厅和饭厅的素净，视觉不由得被引至客厅中央的风扇。正如展示厅的素白突出了展品，古早味浓郁的风扇成了客厅的焦点。
廖逸姿说：“风扇的设计独特，让人一见钟情。正好朋友在家具店工作，我们购买时有50%折扣，这盏1000元的风扇应该是家中最昂贵的家居品之一。”
这间白色小屋，余文耀夫妇花了3万元在改造和装修上，另再添置约1万5000元的家具装饰，完成心目中的理想住所。
再循环使用“小树”“花盆”和“脚踏车”
决定在客厅一角添置胶合板（plywood）立体装饰，则是机缘巧合。看似特别订做的装饰，其实都是免费的再循环物品。
客厅一角的胶合板（plywood）立体装饰，都是免费的再循环物品，树、花盆和脚踏车摆放在一起异常和谐。
倚墙的“树”是某百货公司丢掉的装饰，由从事橱窗设计的友人找来；摆在地上的“花盆”是廖逸姿做手工用剩的物品；摆在最前方的迷你“脚踏车”，则是她过去从事活动策划时剩下的装饰。树、花盆和脚踏车，摆放在一起异常和谐，莫名其妙联想起刷白的农舍。
廖逸姿说：“这些物品没有重新油漆或加工，捡回来就这么用了。迷你‘脚踏车’很受欢迎，朋友带孩子来，小朋友都抢着要坐上去！”
家里一定要有旋转门
买下单位后，廖逸姿和余文耀把设计事务交给设计师朋友Daniel Pillai（One Design Studio创办人）。夫妻俩的要求主要是：要白，要明亮，还有要个旋转门。
余文耀笑说：“我们夫妻俩都喜欢旋转门，所以买新家时就决定，一定要有旋转门。但为什么喜欢，其实也说不出个所以然。”
木制的旋转门装在家中唯一的卧房，隔开卧房与客厅和饭厅，温婉的弧线柔美了居住空间。轻推旋转门进入卧房，确实有点梦幻的感觉。
厨房的主要设计元素定为白色和不锈钢，连冰箱都要符合主题。
余文耀透露，家里的窗口全都开着时，屋里通风，旋转门会自动慢转。想象木门随风的节奏转动，忽然想起游乐场的旋转木马——一二三慢慢转，启动了想象，也转动了美梦。
厕所透明 如厕不安全？
设计师大量使用玻璃，确实让空间更明亮，却让到访的亲友少了安全感。位于卧房的厕所完全透明，卧房和客厅之间又有透明折窗，许多亲友上门拜访，上厕所前都犹豫：客厅的客人是不是都看得到厕所的情形？
三房式组屋改头换面，设计简约却富层次。
余文耀说：“其实不必担心，厕所装了帘子，卧房和客厅之间的折窗也有双层帘子，必要时可以拉上。”
深浅双层窗帘，一拉上就完全隔绝光线，拉开又能注入明亮。只要善于选择家居品，就算在玻璃世界里，还是可以保有隐私。
特别重视厨房的设计
余文耀喜欢烹饪，更喜欢烘焙糕点，所以特别重视厨房的设计。
除了添置达专业要求的炉灶、烘炉和微波炉，家里的冰箱也是特别选购。因厨房的主要设计元素定为白色和不锈钢，所以两人首先要找的是符合主题的冰箱。好不容易找到了手把为不锈钢的白色冰箱，接着才着手选购厨房其他装置。
位于卧房的厕所完全透明，但玻璃背后装了帘子，保护玻璃世界里的隐私。
廖逸姿说：“就连杯盘碗碟，我们都尽量选用透明玻璃和不锈钢，设计越简单越好。”
厨房设计不能只是表面功夫，尤其是余文耀每周至少下厨三次，厨房的实用性更重要。两人偏爱储藏空间绰绰有余的大抽屉，但考虑到抽屉就那几个，装的东西多而重，推拉时会有碰撞杂声，所以特别在抽屉两侧装了软质配件，不管多用力开关抽屉，都不会撞出杂声。
此外，考虑到午后阳光照射进厨房，不只刺眼还闷热，所以装了百叶窗解决问题。
廖逸姿说：“厨房是我们最喜欢的地方，除了在这里吃早餐，我们有时也直接坐在地板上喝啤酒chill out，感觉很棒。”
余文耀点头：“厨房简直是我们神圣的地方。”
旋转木门隔开卧房与客厅和饭厅，温婉的弧线柔美了居住空间。
屋子明亮舒服 朋友争着买
余文耀和廖逸姿三年前结婚，现在这个单位住了两年半。朋友到他们家作客，都对明亮、设计感佳的单位赞不绝口，甚至争着买。
廖逸姿笑说：“他们都问我们什么时候要搬家，想卖房时一定要让他们知道。至今好像已经有五个人说要买了。”
不过，夫妻俩住得安心、舒适，暂无搬迁计划。加上廖逸姿刚在几个月前创办公关公司60 40 communications，目前正忙着为何耀珊策划专辑宣传事务，更不可能花时间和精神找新居。
廖逸姿说：“其实家里太舒服了，我们现在都喜欢呆在家，反而懒得出门了。”
丹戎巴葛一个空置了五年的“高龄”三房式组屋，有了锤子作魔术棒，加上白色作魔法，在半个月时间里彻底改头换面，空间豁然开朗，干净但不冷清，简约却富层次。屋主余文耀和廖逸姿受访分享装潢心得，以及改变背后的巧思。
家居空间简洁明亮，余文耀和廖逸姿越来越喜欢呆在家，享受悠闲时光。70平方米的三房式组屋是狭隘是宽阔，完全在于设计师和屋主的巧思。走到丹戎巴葛这座三房式组屋第N层的走廊尽头，推开厚实的纯白色大门，背后的白色世界让人眼前一亮。
原有的墙壁和柱子大多打掉了，单位的空间重新规划。其中一个睡房拆了，宽阔了客厅，腾出了饭厅，加上透过窗口投射进来的自然光线，洁白的墙壁又没挂上任何画作或相片点缀，空间尤显明亮。
原来，屋主余文耀（37岁，营销经理）夫妇两年半前迁入新居时达成共识，刻意让墙壁保持素白，让小房更整洁，空间感更佳。
古早味浓郁的风扇是客厅的焦点。而卧房和客厅之间的折窗有双层帘子，明暗可随心调适。女主人廖逸姿（32岁，公关公司60 40 communications创办人之一）说：“墙壁少了装饰，感觉地方更大，没那么杂。选用完全透明的玻璃饭桌，也是顾虑到空间有限的问题。有些人认为这样感觉很冷清，但我认为只要善于选择家具和家居用品，还是能传达温暖。像地板分为水泥地和木板，感觉就很实在而且富层次。”
千元风扇成客厅焦点
客厅和饭厅的素净不只是因为简化的线条和白得彻底的墙壁与壁橱，灯饰的选择也扮演举足轻重的角色。
没错，留意客厅，怎么看不到灯？廖逸姿随手启动了开关，温暖的灯光安静降临；原来，夫妻俩选用了隐藏式灯具，大部分的灯都躲在屋梁和桁条背后。
完全透明的饭桌增加空间感。水泥地和木板的分隔，实在且富层次。或许正因客厅和饭厅的素净，视觉不由得被引至客厅中央的风扇。正如展示厅的素白突出了展品，古早味浓郁的风扇成了客厅的焦点。
廖逸姿说：“风扇的设计独特，让人一见钟情。正好朋友在家具店工作，我们购买时有50%折扣，这盏1000元的风扇应该是家中最昂贵的家居品之一。”
这间白色小屋，余文耀夫妇花了3万元在改造和装修上，另再添置约1万5000元的家具装饰，完成心目中的理想住所。
再循环使用“小树”“花盆”和“脚踏车”
决定在客厅一角添置胶合板（plywood）立体装饰，则是机缘巧合。看似特别订做的装饰，其实都是免费的再循环物品。
客厅一角的胶合板（plywood）立体装饰，都是免费的再循环物品，树、花盆和脚踏车摆放在一起异常和谐。倚墙的“树”是某百货公司丢掉的装饰，由从事橱窗设计的友人找来；摆在地上的“花盆”是廖逸姿做手工用剩的物品；摆在最前方的迷你“脚踏车”，则是她过去从事活动策划时剩下的装饰。树、花盆和脚踏车，摆放在一起异常和谐，莫名其妙联想起刷白的农舍。
廖逸姿说：“这些物品没有重新油漆或加工，捡回来就这么用了。迷你‘脚踏车’很受欢迎，朋友带孩子来，小朋友都抢着要坐上去！”
家里一定要有旋转门
买下单位后，廖逸姿和余文耀把设计事务交给设计师朋友Daniel Pillai（One Design Studio创办人）。夫妻俩的要求主要是：要白，要明亮，还有要个旋转门。
余文耀笑说：“我们夫妻俩都喜欢旋转门，所以买新家时就决定，一定要有旋转门。但为什么喜欢，其实也说不出个所以然。”
木制的旋转门装在家中唯一的卧房，隔开卧房与客厅和饭厅，温婉的弧线柔美了居住空间。轻推旋转门进入卧房，确实有点梦幻的感觉。
厨房的主要设计元素定为白色和不锈钢，连冰箱都要符合主题。余文耀透露，家里的窗口全都开着时，屋里通风，旋转门会自动慢转。想象木门随风的节奏转动，忽然想起游乐场的旋转木马——一二三慢慢转，启动了想象，也转动了美梦。
厕所透明 如厕不安全？
设计师大量使用玻璃，确实让空间更明亮，却让到访的亲友少了安全感。位于卧房的厕所完全透明，卧房和客厅之间又有透明折窗，许多亲友上门拜访，上厕所前都犹豫：客厅的客人是不是都看得到厕所的情形？
三房式组屋改头换面，设计简约却富层次。余文耀说：“其实不必担心，厕所装了帘子，卧房和客厅之间的折窗也有双层帘子，必要时可以拉上。”
深浅双层窗帘，一拉上就完全隔绝光线，拉开又能注入明亮。只要善于选择家居品，就算在玻璃世界里，还是可以保有隐私。
特别重视厨房的设计
余文耀喜欢烹饪，更喜欢烘焙糕点，所以特别重视厨房的设计。
除了添置达专业要求的炉灶、烘炉和微波炉，家里的冰箱也是特别选购。因厨房的主要设计元素定为白色和不锈钢，所以两人首先要找的是符合主题的冰箱。好不容易找到了手把为不锈钢的白色冰箱，接着才着手选购厨房其他装置。
位于卧房的厕所完全透明，但玻璃背后装了帘子，保护玻璃世界里的隐私。廖逸姿说：“就连杯盘碗碟，我们都尽量选用透明玻璃和不锈钢，设计越简单越好。”
厨房设计不能只是表面功夫，尤其是余文耀每周至少下厨三次，厨房的实用性更重要。两人偏爱储藏空间绰绰有余的大抽屉，但考虑到抽屉就那几个，装的东西多而重，推拉时会有碰撞杂声，所以特别在抽屉两侧装了软质配件，不管多用力开关抽屉，都不会撞出杂声。
此外，考虑到午后阳光照射进厨房，不只刺眼还闷热，所以装了百叶窗解决问题。
廖逸姿说：“厨房是我们最喜欢的地方，除了在这里吃早餐，我们有时也直接坐在地板上喝啤酒chill out，感觉很棒。”
余文耀点头：“厨房简直是我们神圣的地方。”
旋转木门隔开卧房与客厅和饭厅，温婉的弧线柔美了居住空间。屋子明亮舒服 朋友争着买
余文耀和廖逸姿三年前结婚，现在这个单位住了两年半。朋友到他们家作客，都对明亮、设计感佳的单位赞不绝口，甚至争着买。
廖逸姿笑说：“他们都问我们什么时候要搬家，想卖房时一定要让他们知道。至今好像已经有五个人说要买了。”
不过，夫妻俩住得安心、舒适，暂无搬迁计划。加上廖逸姿刚在几个月前创办公关公司60 40 communications，目前正忙着为何耀珊策划专辑宣传事务，更不可能花时间和精神找新居。
廖逸姿说：“其实家里太舒服了，我们现在都喜欢呆在家，反而懒得出门了。”
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