Wellesley Residences - Official Launch (17-18/09/2011)

The latest addition to Harbour Place, Wellesley Residences, finally opened its doors to the public. This much-anticipated official launch event is the result of what happened during the private preview a few weeks back where 40% sales was achieved. The crowd started to flow in as soon as the event started and it remained this way for almost the entire duration.

The scale models of the Harbour Place master layout and Wellesley Residences were certainly the center of attention for most the potential purchasers.


The entire PJD team had their hands full attending to all the enquiries and sales...

Every new Wellesley Residences purchaser also received a custom-made figurine as well.

The event was celebrated in a carnival-like atmosphere and to help kick-start things was the ever-popular Mr. Clown.

And a carnival would not be complete without the cotton candy and popcorn stalls.

The Snack Corner was much appreciated by the guests.

There were a few other attractions available for the guest and these PS3 and Wii games with their full set of accessories provided the thrills and excitement.

The Hand Wax art was also quite well received.

The children kept themselves occupied with the Sand Art facilities.

And for the more adventurous, there was the Body & Face painting.

And the PJD team members wore the Wellesley Residences logo proudly.

The climax of the event was the lucky draw and a few lucky winners went home very satisfied indeed.

Official Launching of Wellesley Residences

OVR Construction status as at 07/09/2011

Here are the latest images of the construction progress.


The construction of the new access road to OVR is also well on its way.

Popular Home Features

Whether you are shopping for a new home or want to update your current home here are a few features which are among the most popular with home buyers. Even if one does not appeal to you it's smart to keep in mind when considering your home's future resale value.

Energy Efficiency

Now more than ever, we are a population of energy conscious consumers. Today's home buyers are often in search of sustainable design features that conserve energy. From construction details like solar panels and reclaimed building materials to energy saving appliances, doors, and windows, the trend is here to stay. When you are home-hunting or updating your present home, become knowledgeable about the possibilities.

Upscale Master Bath

Many are seeking to recreate the spa experience at home. Now many bathrooms are larger and more imposing than the typical toilet/tub/shower arrangements of the past. Today's master bath is often dramatically constructed from glass, stone, tile or cement. Fixtures are heavy duty stainless or nickel and options such as self-closing/cleaning toilets, steam showers, saunas, and bidets are popular.

Family Room Kitchens

When it comes to cooking and entertaining, we've taken it to a whole new level. Gourmet kitchens became a prevalent design feature about ten years ago and show no signs of going away. Solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances, oversize cook-tops, extra sinks and ovens are practically standard these days. Another kitchen trend that is evolving is the inclusion of a home's family room; either directly adjacent to or as part of the kitchen. We've all been there: at parties or family gatherings, where does everyone invariably end up? The kitchen, of course! So it just make sense to go ahead and put in some comfy seating, ambient lighting, perhaps a sound system, and just enjoy it!

Special Interest Room

There is often at least one room or space in most homes that fails to serve its designated purpose. Lately, this problem has been resolved with the creation of a special interest room. Of course, just which interest is addressed will depend on the needs and interests of the homeowners. These rooms are often being transformed into home gyms, yoga studios, playrooms, media rooms, craft/hobby rooms, and even laundry rooms. The wonderful thing about this trend is that the choice is only limited by the creativity of the homeowner!

Based on an article by Lisa Andree

Ways to bug-proof your home

In all honesty, it's impossible to bug proof your home completely. Like it or not, some insects will find a way into your home. But you don't have to make it easy for them! Invest a little time in home maintenance and housekeeping, and you will greatly reduce your chances of insect infestation.

When attempting to bug proof your home, you need to do two basic things: prevent insects and spiders from getting inside, and eliminate bug habitat in your home. Your goals are to keep as many bugs out as possible, and to make your home is inhospitable to the few that find their way in.

1. Install and maintain screens on all doors and windows.
If you don't have screen doors on your home, install them. Repair or replace any torn or damaged window screens. Use fine mesh screening to prevent all but the tiniest insects from entering your home.

2. Seal around all doors.
If air and light can pass through, bugs can get in. Install tight-fitting thresholds and door sweeps to the bottoms of exterior doors. Use door seals to fill the gap around the sides and top of each door, too.

3. Seal cracks in your home's foundation and exterior walls.
Any crack in the exterior walls of your home is a welcome sign to insects. Grab a tube of caulk and inspect your home from top to bottom. Seal any cracks you find.

4. Seal around utility lines and appliance vents.
Insects may enter your home through tiny gaps around your dryer vent, gas line, or even telephone line. Caulk crevices on the outside of your home. You might also want to seal these areas from the inside using a spray foam product.

5. Eliminate moisture by fixing leaks.
Most insects (except for those that live in arid environments) require a certain amount of humidity to survive. Any source of moisture can attract them. Fix any plumbing leaks, however minor, promptly. Even condensation on pipes can drip and create suitable places for bugs to live.

6. Keep a tidy kitchen.
Where there's food and water, bugs will happily make themselves at home. Do all you can to keep your kitchen clean and tidy. Wipe up crumbs, sweep or vacuum the floor, and clean up spills right away. Don't leave dishes in the sink overnight. Clean out the toaster and microwave regularly. Throw away food scraps and packages.

7. Get rid of clutter.
Insects need places to hide, and a cluttered home is a bug's paradise. Recycle unneeded boxes and newspapers promptly. Keep laundry in clothes hampers. Keep your floor clear of belongings, and put things away after you use them.

8. Take the garbage out frequently.
If you can smell it (even a little), it's going to attract bugs. In fact, insects are much more sensitive to odors than we are, so even if you can't smell it, it may still attract bugs. If you're really worried about insect pests in your home, empty your garbage often.

Based on an article by Debbie Hadley

Decorating Ideas for a condo

Decorating a condo does not have to be much different than decorating a house. You should decorate in the colors and styles you prefer. Still, there are some things to think about that are unique to decorating a condo. For example, the footprint of a condo is usually smaller than a house, and similar to every other condo in the building. Also, storage space is usually at a premium. Create the feel of a larger space and add storage to your condo using the following tips.

Fool the Eye

The biggest difference between a condo and a house is that a condo usually has less square footage. Therefore, when you decorate a condo, think about how to make the space seem bigger. Most condos have one "great room" rather than a separate living room and family room. This room is often rather small, even though the name of the room indicates otherwise. To make the room seem bigger, try installing some mirrors on the walls. If you can install a mirror opposite a window, the mirror will reflect the window and bring more light into the room, making it feel larger and brighter. A mirror over the dining table also has the same effect. In any small room, not just the great room, limit window treatments to very light, sheer curtains or even nothing at all. Instead, hang a blind that can be pulled up, and install molding around the window to frame it. Painting the walls in a light, neutral color and the ceiling one shade lighter also will open up any small room.

Furniture

Choose furniture wisely when you are shopping for your condo. Look for furniture on a smaller scale, so the pieces don't overwhelm smaller rooms. Clear glass on a tabletop or coffee table makes a room feel larger. In addition, shop for furniture that can do double duty. A futon can double as a guest bed. Drawers underneath a coffee table add extra storage, which is usually lacking in a condo. Some ottomans also lift up to feature storage. Hiding your television in an armoire can make the room look more formal and turn it into a dining room when you don't want to watch television. In fact, instead of trying to squeeze a dining room table into a great room, invest in a large coffee table, some luxurious floor cushions and then eat on the floor, Asian style. Or, invest in a great-looking set of TV trays.

Make it Unique

Finally, use some unusual decorating techniques to make your condo stand out from the others in your building. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use ceiling molding, wainscoting and chair rails on the walls. Install wainscoting a third of the way up the wall, top it off with a chair rail and then paint the area above it. Then, install molding around the edges where the walls meet the ceiling. Alternately, choose one wall and wallpaper it with a light-colored but sophisticated print. If you know a carpenter or are handy with wood, build yourself some built-in bookshelves around the doorway, then paint them to match the wall.

Based on an article by April Sanders.

OVR Construction Status as at 11/08/2011