Showing posts with label Eco-friendly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eco-friendly. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Brabantia pedal bin

Brabantia has always been a premium quality home ware for many years. The first time we saw this was in Harbourfront centre where they have a stand-alone booth in HomeFix that has a frontage. But it seens like a far fetch at $100+ for a trash can.

The price justifies when the item is made of high grade stainless steel with a 10 year mechanism warranty. Meaning, after many many years this bin is still alive and kicking. Bins are made of Steel instead of plastic which generate toxic when product and dispose. I specially like the idea of buying very durable goods rather than cheap & "disposable" goods that you have to throw away all the time. Disposables are never eco-friendly.


Last weekend, while grocery shopping in JASON's market place, this bin RRP $118 is discount for only $39.90 with minimum $30 purchase!! We grab it like PRC in LV.

More details below:

Brabantia FPP Matte Steel Pedal Bin


The new Brabantia Matte Steel Pedal Bin Fingerprint Proof's whisper lid ensures silent closing. The lid can stay-open position when manually operated - smart hinge. Corrosion resistant - keeps its beauty for a very long time. Body and lid made of high-grade chromium steel or steel plate with Galfan coating. Removable plastic inner bucket. Special top rim - completely hides bin liner for a nice look. Sturdy metal carrying grip. Protective plastic base - prevents damage to the floor. Fingerprint Proof: A special coating that makes fingerprints nearly invisible and the products easy to clean. No matter what your color scheme is, you can find a Fingerprint Proof Pedal Bin from Brabantia that will work well with your room décor. For instance, the Fingerprint Proof Pedal Bins (in 5, 12, 20 and 30 liter sizes) look good with any type of room furniture, and add a classic and clean look to any living or working space. Its solid-metal lid opens by stepping on the pedal mechanism--convenient for when your hands are full or you want to keep them clean and germ-free. Then, instead of banging shut, the lid closes with nearly silent operation. It can also be set to stay open thanks to its sturdy nylon hinge design and will withstand 30,000 open and close cycles. Other highlights include a patented top rim for an odor-proof seal, corrosion-resistant high-quality materials, a non-skid base to keep the can steady even on wet or polished floors, and a plastic floor ring to protect floors from scratches, as well as a sturdy carrying handle and a fingerprint-proof finish that decreases smudges and keeps the steel looking shiny and new. In addition, the can offers a plastic inner bucket with ventilation holes for easy cleanup and removal of the custom bin liners (available separately).


pedal binMatte Steel Pedal Bin Features


  • Solid metal lid - odor-proof and silent
  • Dual hinge design - lid stays open if needed
  • Strong plastic inner bucket - removable and easy to clean
  • Fire resistant
  • Sturdy carrying handle
  • Non-skid base
  • Plastic floor ring - prevents damage to the floor
  • Available in finger print proof matte steel
  • Comes with Brabantia's 10 year guarantee

Matte Steel Pedal Bin Specifications


  • Color : Matte Steel
  • Dimensions :
    • 5 Liter :
      • Height : 28cm
      • Depth : 26.5 cm
      • diameter: 20.5 cm
      • Content 5 L



Sunday, January 30, 2011

Creative Living Home & Kitchen moving out sale till Mid-March.

This shop by far is one of my fave shop around, or at least it out of convenience.
They carry a bunch of cool kitchen gears of many cool brands.

Was there this Saturday & we grab a couple of great deals.


This AMORIM 2-in-1 placemats are super functional. You won't have to find coasters cos it come with the placemats! How smart is that? Even better @ $11.25 less 40% each pack is 4pcs.
That's $1.68 per pc. Cheaper than IKEA...


Bodum another big brand, it's coffee press I had been eying for the longest time is $49.80! Previously $ 79.00 & in my fave green.


Lastly, Italian 4 tier mini trolly @ half price (was $49.00 now $24.90)
Unlike the normal white boring ones, this is again powder coated in green.

Creative Living Home & Kitchen is located in Harbourfront center #03-52

Lease is up to mid March we heard.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Hilarious mopping slipper @ Isetan AIMEDIA Fair

This thing really looks like some feet from Sesame Street and it its absolutely adorable.

Now Isetan is selling this for $15 a pair & definitely gives your Charles & Keith a run for comfort.

Designer definitely have lazy people like us in mind. Sadly this only cleans d place you walk and you will need extra effort to sweep the corners of your house where dust really settle. This definitely is a conversation piece what look hilarious & not to mention energy saving from to less vacuuming.

However, this slipper is only available during special fairs, which I reckon supplier is not a permanent vendor in Isetan.  



Fair details
Ideal Home Goods Fair
26 Nov to 2 Dec
Isetan Tampines Event Hall, L2

More Details of Brand & product:
Loosely translated from AIMEDIA by Yahoo Babel Fish
 
Item name Colorful just you wear the mop
Category the popular item best 10
Product category Living
Commodity details Wearing the interior, just walks, the micro fiber of the chart bottom (the superfine fiber) the mop catching the dust and the soiling of the floor.
Circular washing OK. At kitchen and washroom etc. By high suction force, it wipes off also the waterdrop quickly.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Electrolux Green Vacuum: ZUSG3900 Ultra Silencer Green

Generally, people don't really spend much time looking for a vacuum. As long as the price is ok, has good suction & of reputable brand, people will take it. But the truth is, electrical consumption, noise level and aesthetics concerns come after. Later, parts replacements become a problem and most of the time, we discard a fairly workable vacuum due to a torn hose or a broken head.
Like the Slogan, we are looking at it long-er term, we started explore more durable goods. Brands like Electrolux, Miele & Bosch are the clear choice and are made to last for many years. However price for these vacuum comes with a very high price tag [easily $400+]

Last Saturday, before visiting the BMW WORLD [crappy by the way], we visited the Harvey Norman for the 9th Anniversary Sale. It was quite a huge event host by celebrities, but we didn't really bothered with the show and head straight to grab our bargains. 

And we found this fantastic deal for this Electrolux Ultra Silencer Green vacuum. This vacuum truly exceed our demand as it consumes less electricity, lower noise, powerful suction, durable yet easy replaceable parts, sleek exterior and in my favorite green color trims.


Unlike those Cheap vacuum that cost less than $120, they are built with cheap materials that wears quickly, this models is made to easily perform 2-3x of their lifespan.
RRP $399 & promo price $299. which is an irresistible offer.
Download Brochure

Four times quieter. Four times quieter. To make the Ultra Silencer easy on your ears, we've added a quieter 1250 watt max motor and optimised the whole machine for a quiet airflow.Read more

We are thinking of people who dream of a quieter world. We are thinking of people who dream of a quieter world. The quiet vacuum, for those around you who appreciate the sound of silence. Read more

Energy efficient. Energy efficient. The Ultra Silencer has the dust pick up of a standard 2000 watt vacuum but at just 1250 watts, it uses 33% less energy.  Read more

Made from recycled material. Made from recycled material. 55% of the cleaner body is made from recycled material. 56% of the packaging is also made from recycled material and 90% of the cleaner body can be recycled. Read more
I was so excited when I unpack this box. Judging from the packing, its also very much eco. There are minimal printing on the carton, only a white sleeve, cos ink maybe toxic and more difficult process during recyling.  There are no styrofoam inside as well, cos styrofoam produce harmful CFCs when broken. Eletrolux is really going all out to make this as green as possible.  
After we assemble the set, we tried the vacuum on the floor & carpet, we were impress with the fierce suction power. Also, there is almost no sound from the body except the mild howling sound from the suction head when its in contact on the floor. We are super impressed.

Friday, October 29, 2010

S T Y L E : N O R D I C sale up to 90%

This is a busy busy week with 4 sale events going on. But this is the where you can really get very unique pieces for home decorations. 

I miss their private sale on the 24 Oct, but the items are still around [base on the thank you note]. Lets hope we find some really lovely items for our home especially Iittala & Design House Stockholm



While browsing the web of iittala, i found this really nice concept of how they run their company, which everyone of us should rethink of how to buy and throw-away things.

So if you are planning to check out the sale, the details address are as follows:



STYLE:NORDIC ANN SIANG
39 ANN SIANG ROAD
T +65 6423 9114

HOW TO GET TO ANN SIANG
By Bus:          145, 80
By Train:      Tanjong Pagar Station (Exit G) - 5 mins walk
                        Chinatown Station (Exit A) - 10 mins walk
STYLE:NORDIC EMAIL
info@stylenordic.com

Monday, October 25, 2010

Doors : Part 2 > Greener doors with better sound proofing

This Doors Section have a few parts. Since i do not have all the info & to make it bite size, i'll spilt to a couple of post.

Being Eco-friendly
I have been environment-conscious since my Poly days and all my friends know I'm quite anal when it comes to Green practices. So during my renovation, I have tried my best to explore ideas & solutions to minimize wastage & harm to the environment. In context of Singapore, where labour is so expensive, repairing & repainting a door will cost at least $150 each. Feeling guilty about throwing our old doors due to high cost of refurbishing, we decided we are going for doors that kill less trees. Having that concept in mind, we explored many options.

Doors that uses the least wood is MDF doors. Very much like IKEA furnitures, its flimsy & will bloat when its wet. Its also very old fashion & definitely didn't follow our theme.


Veneer flush doors on the other hand looks more current and have wood grain that match our cabinets. However, the least wood ones are Hollow-core which uses honey-comb criss-cross 3mm cardboards. They offer little glue contact and have shorter lifespan. So not very eco-friendly if we have to throw them away after 2-3yrs. Also sound proofing is the worst! 
 Please pardon my ugly drawing.

Semi-solid is a better alternative, cos the sound proofing is better but uses a more wood to create the matchbox structure. Each structure is using 25mm timber strips laid perpendicularly with internal gap of maximum 200mm apart. This offer better glue contact thus improving the lifespan to approx 5years.
Please pardon my ugly drawing.

However, we tried to push the manufacturer further buy asking if we could further improve sound proofing & reducing wood at the same time. But we spend hours discussing with the manufacturers, talking about inserting sound proofing foam, adding extra plywood & etc..
Finally, we came up with the brillant idea. Since we notice there are plenty of leftover plywood from making these doors, we decide to insert these waste plywood to add another layer of plywood to improve sound proofing. This additional layer also makes the build much stronger where we can put in nails under on the waste layer then concealing it with a new veneer ply above. Improving the build also means we can use less matchbox structure thus having wider gaps. This will result to less glue contact but has been compensated with nails. Expected lifespan can also be longer compared to semi-core doors.
Please pardon my ugly drawing.

However, constructing these door cost us $400 per door [while semi-core is $350].
But we justify the $50 with 
1. extended lifespan, 
2. improved sound proofing, 
3. a cleaner conscious for killing less trees & reusing waste. 
4. bragging rights in creating something the industry never practice.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Wardrobes

Our carpenter is installing the cabinet fast & furious. It only took them 1 day to move them in and another 1 day to install all kitchen, wardrobes & toilet cabinets below the sink.

The reason we select this carpenter is because the are using eco-friendly adhesives. The brand is "EVERGREEN" or something. Will update this when I go double confirm with the Carpenter. I had seen EVERGREEN from the BEXasia Exhibition @ Suntec 1yr ago and the product is quite impressive. Its commercial grade adhesives does not emit much smell & also does not contain compounds that makes people high. They also got a Singapore Green Label.

So far i had only know 2 cabinet makers in that uses EVERGREEN which are Miracle & Exquisite Art.

Most cabinets were done in high gloss laminate, so that it can reflect as much light as possible while looking a bit more classy.

Especially in the Dresser which is very dark cos it only have 1 small window. Using this high gloss laminate did brighten up the room a fair bit.

Dresser is the smallest cabinets as it around 1.5m wide so we cant really doing sliding.
As this room will only accomondate 1 sofa bed for back up, we still manage to keep this room spacious even with the swing door.

 Dresser [door closed]

 Dresser [door open]

The guest room which require to fit in at least a queen bed, we realized that if we put in a bed with side table it will not have much space to swing open the wardrobe. Thus, we had made this Sliding to improve walking space. This is also the largest cabinets with tallest storage.

  Guest room [door closed]

   Guest room [door open]

Actually this is not really the final product for our master. Its was a mistake made by the carpenter cos we ordered white glass but his workers install mirror instead. We would love to have a kinky glass door. However, its bad for Chinese to sleep in-front or beside mirrors. They are going to re-fabricate the door and will be back next week. We choose white glass cos its 1 of the most frequent wardrobe we open & there will be alot of scratches if we have gloss laminates.

 Master
 



Kitchen cabinets


This week we saw our kitchen taking shape with the U shape cabinets.

Laminates used are high gloss white similar to the Wardrobes, while the bottom we are using matt but textured Zebrano. This is also using Eco-friendly glue from EVERGREEN.

Intention for the kitchen is to also maximize brightness cos previously it was really very very dark. this actually brightens up with the white glossy tile & white glossy cabinets.

We had selected the cooking hob & hood & had submitted the brochures for our carpenter to prep the holes.

Also, i had to last minute cash & carry a sink from Sin Siang Choon which our previous sink was FREAKING STOLEN. haiz... long story short, dun leave valuables around during renovation. That stolen sink would easily fetch the thief $100-$200 for selling as scrap. Cos stainless steel is very ex now.

Well, at the 11th hour when the carpenter needs the measurement to order the counter-top, i've to grab 1 off the shelves of Sin Siang Choon during my lunch break and sent it to my carpenter.

To my pleasant surprise, they have quite a decent selection of sinks. [even those really atas one from ALESSI RRP $1.2k].

However, out of those, i found this OLIVERI brand really impressive.
First of all, its Aussie-made.

2nd, its one of the deepest, around 200mm [excluding from those industrial one] Which i think depth is really important cos it reduces splashing on our clothes & can put in pots easily & avoid hitting the Kitchen mixer.

3rd, it squarish & minimal look.

Lastly, it has lots of addition FOC accessories that is really useful. A stainless steel utility tray to thaw the frozen, a solid timber chopping board and a colander to drain your vegetables.


when assembled, all 3 accessories will sit nicely on the 2 opening of the sink.




While browsing their web to find those images, i realized that they have a lot of useful info.

They have this kitchen working triangle design which is very ideal for people who is planing the kitchen layout.

The concept of the kitchen working triangle has been around for years. It's been around so long in fact, that a lot of people have forgotten all about it. Oliveri is bringing it back because the basic principles of the kitchen working triangle are still relevant and effective in creating a functional kitchen that is both beautiful to look at and a pleasure to prepare meals in.

Tips on the kitchen working triangle.

The kitchen working triangle is made up of the three main focal points of a kitchen – the sink, stove and fridge.
  • The distance from the sink to the stove to the fridge and back again should be between 3.6 and 8.2 metres.
  • Each side of the triangle should measure between 1.2 and 2.74 metres.
  • The sink should be located between or across from the stove and fridge.
  • Kitchen aisles should be at least 1.1 metres wide to allow people to move around and appliances and cupboard doors to be opened easily.
  • Ideally, you should have a work surface either side of your sink and stove to allow adequate room for food preparation.
  • For kitchen renovations, existing plumbing fixtures need to be taken into consideration for placement of the sink as to relocate plumbing could be costly.
And also talk about how to select a sink base on Quality, Measurement & etc..

How to select a sink 

It is said you will not appreciate a good sink until you have experienced a poorly designed and manufactured product that is a disappointment for your requirements. We introduce Sinkology: The knowledge to select the best sink to complement functionality and design requirements. The key factors to be considered in the sink selection process are:
Laminate Bench Tops Solid Surface Bench Tops Bench Top Width Bench Top Space
Custom Made Accessories Bowl Size Sink Material Waste Outlets
Cupboard Space Country of Origin Tapware

1. Laminate Bench Tops

The traditional high pressure laminated bench top requires an inset style sink. Installation of the sink is via a cut out of the bench top which is slightly smaller than the sink. The sink is inserted into the cut out and is secured by clips supplied with your Oliveri sink. Sealing tape fixed to the underside of the sink ensures that moisture from the bench top can not enter the cut out. It is recommended that the substrate board at the cut out be also be sealed. All Oliveri inset sinks have been designed so that the drain board is of such a depth that it can be installed over the dish washer whilst also being able to fit into a standard 600mm wide bench tops.

2. Solid Surface Bench Tops

Solid Surface work surfaces such as Granite, Composite material, Timber and such are increasingly using the undermount method of sink installation so as to have a clean line appearance. Oliveri has a vast range of sinks that have been designed for undermount installation. Some of these sinks are of extra capacity and require wider than normal bench tops.

3. Bench Top Width 

Most kitchen bench tops are 600mm wide which restricts the width of the sink. The majority of Oliveri sinks fit into this requirement however there is a demand for larger capacity sinks which require a wider bench top which are traditionally installed in wider island style bench tops. Oliveri caters for this requirement with the wider sinks being identified with this symbol.

4. Bench Top Space

There is always a demand for extra bench top space and as such in compact kitchens and solid surface undermount installations there is a trend to use bowl only sinks. Oliveri have a large range of bowl only sinks and to further extend bench space they have developed a range of Stainless Steel Utility Trays that fit snugly into the bowl. This tray is not only practical it is also user friendly in that the stainless steel is encapsulated with a safe plastic rim which also prevents it scratching the sink rim.

5. Custom made Accessories

Custom designed accessories convert the sink into a hygienic food preparation area. The Oliveri range of accessories includes Solid Timber Cutting Boards, dishwasher friendly Colanders, Crockery Baskets & Stainless Steel Utility Trays that can be accommodated in the accessory lip that is a design feature of Oliveri sinks.

6. Bowl Size

The deep drawing process that is used in the manufacture of Oliveri sinks ensures that the bowl capacity is maximised from the rim to the outlet. There is an Oliveri sink with bowl capacity to suit all requirements with most being able to accommodate the largest of kitchen pots, pans, woks and other items that do not fit into dishwashers.

7. Sink Material

Stainless steel has for many years been the first choice of sink manufacturers worldwide because it is hygienic, easy to keep clean & has an attractive metal finish that suits any decor. The smooth non–porous surface is resistant to deterioration from heat, stains & UV light. All Oliveri sinks are made from the highest quality 18/10 – 304 grade stainless steel. 18/10 means that Oliveri sinks are made from stainless steel containing 18% Chromium and 10% nickel. The chromium in stainless steel teams up with oxygen in the air to form a strong, highly protective chrome oxide film. It is this film that makes stainless steel resistant to corrosion and gives remarkable long life. The nickel is the substance that gives stainless steel strength and lustre. Most materials will scratch, including stainless steel. The best prevention is to exercise a little extra care, or even to use one of Oliveri's accessory baskets or bowl protectors. The finish will show wear, but over time the net effect of this ‘scratching’ becomes uniform and blends together.

8. Waste Outlets

Basket type waste outlets have been proven to be the most suitable and environment friendly for kitchen sinks as they are designed to capture any residue that may have collected in the sink. All Oliveri sinks are supplied standard with basket type waste outlets and in many instances they are located to the rear of the bowl so as to locate pipe work to the back and increase usable cupboard space.

9. Cupboard Space

The internal space of the sink base unit will be a major factor in what size sink is suitable for your requirements. Oliveri range strategy that each sub brand of styles are available in various sizes and bowl configurations so as to suit the various size base units used in kitchen design.

10. Country of Origin

Many sink manufacturers will proudly list their heritage in their promotional literature such as: Australian / German / Swiss / New Zealand however this does not mean their products are in part or all manufactured in these countries. If country of origin is a factor in sink selection ensure that you establish where the particular sink you are considering is made. Only Oliveri can lay claim to be Australia’s only commercial sink manufacturer. Part of the Oliveri product offering is sourced from overseas suppliers who manufacture to our designs and stringent quality standards, these items can be identified by the International Collection logo that is displayed on Oliveri literature and product packaging.

11. Tapware

Your choice of kitchen tapware needs to be aesthetically pleasing whilst hard working and reliable as it subjected to as much use as the sink. Oliveri tapware is sourced from World class tap manufacturers who have proven their reliability and are able to produce product that complies with Australia’s stringent standards. All Oliveri taps are manufactured from D R Brass (Dezincification Resistant) to Australian Standards AS/NZS 3718. Each tap has been tested, rated and registered to WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling & Standards Scheme) as is required. In selecting tapware Oliveri not only look for reliability, they also require product thats design compliments the Oliveri sink it is to fitted to, so that your kitchen design is consistent in style and looks.