Beneath the Surfaces: Upkeep & Maintenance

154

Scandinavian
HDB (BTO)
~1,000 sqft
3 br
Couple Living

Hello! Welcome to Café in Wonderland’s dining room, seamlessly integrated with our kitchen! Choosing the right tabletop material for this space was a crucial decision, as we knew it would be a high-traffic area where functionality and aesthetics both matter. After much consideration, we opted for quartz for both our kitchen countertop and our custom-built, integrated dining table. So far, we couldn’t be happier with our choice! Stay tuned for the next two photos where we’ll share more about why this material has been a fantastic addition to our home.
We opted for a white quartz countertop with a terrazzo design, despite initial concerns about maintaining a light surface in such a high-traffic area. However, knowing that quartz is scratch, impact, and heat resistant, we decided to move forward with the white color to complement the woody tones of our interiors, as the countertop is a major focal point in our flat. During the renovation process, we made the mistake of not covering the quartz top, and one of the electricians accidentally left cigarette marks on it. Not wanting to wait for the contractors the next day, we decided to try removing the stains ourselves that same night. Armed with baking soda and water, we were amazed to find that this simple combination completely lifted the stain! Since moving in, we’ve found this hack to be equally effective on food stains after cooking, making our white quartz top one of the best renovation decisions we made. Not only is it visually striking, but it has also proven to be a low-maintenance and durable material—perfect for our lifestyle!
Here’s a close-up of our white terrazzo design quartz countertop, which seamlessly extends throughout our kitchen and into our integrated dining table. The continuous flow of this durable and sleek material adds both style and practicality to the space, creating a cohesive and modern look.
Next, let’s dive into our flooring choice. From the very beginning of our renovation journey, we knew we wanted a warm, woody aesthetic for our interiors. When it came to deciding between vinyl and wood-design tiles, we ultimately chose vinyl due to its seamless appearance (no grout lines) and more budget-friendly price point. The light wood vinyl we selected flows throughout the entire flat, creating a cohesive and airy feel, with the exception of the service yard and bathrooms, where we opted to keep the default BTO tiles.
Here’s a close-up of our light wood vinyl flooring, showcasing its subtle, textured wood grain. The realistic texture not only adds visual warmth to the room but also provides a natural, tactile feel underfoot. However, one downside to the textured grain is that dirt can sometimes get trapped in the grooves. While it can be easily lifted with a damp cloth, you may need to pay attention and wipe along the grain to fully clean it. Despite this, we would still choose textured vinyl for its authentic look and feel. But if you're looking for a lower-maintenance option, consider a vinyl with fewer or shallower grain patterns.
Here’s a close-up of our vinyl skirting after around three years of use. While it still looks decent overall, we anticipate needing to touch up the sealant (in between the skirting and the floor) edges in the coming years. The vinyl skirting has been especially helpful in protecting our walls, particularly in the living room where we have a custom wallpaper. Whether we’re moving furniture or cleaning, the skirting acts as a barrier, preventing wall stains and damage from accidental bumps or knocks. The vinyl skirting is definitely a practical feature in the maintenance of our home.