Reading nook

I have been eyeing the small living area on the first floor since we moved in. It was not big enough to be a proper living room or a study area. And you couldn't squeeze in bulk furnitures that will block the corridor. It was always an eyesore to look at the empty space.

We had earlier fixed up the bamboo panels bought from Ikea to screen off the gap of the staircase railings, so that it will create a partition and make the space feels like a room. Then we fixed a ceiling fan. But we still didn't have any idea how to decorate the space.

Since the Ikea sales were on last month and wanting to grab some good deals, I finally sat down and sketched a few plans on my drawing book. I decided we would need some shelves and not bookcase, as bookcase will be "bulky" and we don't have a library of books yet. Shelves would be good to give the "floating" look and we could still put some stuffs below the shelves.

So off we went to Ikea. We decided to look around the display to source for new ideas, and we particularly like one room, where they had put a comfy 2-seater couch against the wall, just below the shelves, and installed two reading lamps on the shelves. The arrangement was perfect for our space!

We had not plan to get any couch in Ikea. But this little 2-seater couch in navy colour caught our attention with it's cheap price (under RM500!) It was small and compact yet comfortable, and the cushions can be pull out to become a bed. Though there was only one colour, we decided to take it. We also got some shelves, reading lamps, a red rug, a plastic plant and a pot as decorative items.

I must say that it was amazing that we managed to transport the 2-seater couch back home in our very own Honda City! It was packed in a big rectangular box, I could still remember clearly it weighed 80kg. And we were scratching our heads, measuring here and there to see if we could fit the box in the car boot. We had thought to pay 50 bucks for the delivery service as the last resort. Not willing to admit defeat easily, we scrutinised the display couch to analyse the structure, and concluded that we should open up the package, and cart in item by item into the car boot. And that was it! RM50 saved :-)

Back home, it took us 2 days to do up the space. I wouldn't say it was the best design, but it fits the purpose, and both N & I are very happy with the results.

KL-Putrajaya Highway Toll starts 17th Jan

Just got alerted by my colleague, the toll will begin from 12.01am on 17th Jan (Thursday)!

There are 2 toll plazas along the highway, and toll rates are as follow:
Salak Selatan : RM1.50 for cars
Putrajaya : RM2.50 for cars

Looks like one month FOC travel is over, I'll resume my old route to work tomorrow then... :-(

Related posts

• How to get on the KL-Putrajaya Highway from Cyberjaya.
• My test drive on the highway

Still toll free for KL-Putrajaya highway

I thought they were going to announced the toll price, but apparently not yet. I don't know what's holding them up. But it's good to know it's still toll free.

The KL-Putrajaya highway toll has not started yet as of today. The toll price is not displayed on the board yet, and no announcement from the government too. It was supposed to start this week. I shall keep on using it everyday free of charge :-)

Other posts

From thestar.com.my - Previous announcement of toll to start

How to get on the KL-Putrajaya Highway from Cyberjaya.

My test drive on the highway

KL-Putrajaya highway will be toll-free until Jan 13, 2008

Updates: The KL-Putrajaya highway will be toll-free for a month until Jan 13, 2008.

More links:

• If you happen to be in Cyberjaya, and would like to know how to get on the KL-Putrajaya Highway from Cyberjaya.
• Read about my test drive on Kuala Lumpur - Putrajaya highway.

Getting on the KL-Putrajaya Highway from Cyberjaya

Here's a map provided by one of my colleagues on how to get on the Kuala Lumpur - Putrajaya highway from Cyberjaya. Click on the map for a larger view.

This morning, I tried driving to work using this highway. It took me about 20 mins from Kg Pandan roundabout to Cyberjaya exit, total distance was about 32 km. Driving was a breeze, and best of all, no toll yet at the moment! hehehe..

Test drive on Kuala Lumpur - Putrajaya highway

Since it was a public holiday yesterday, Dad decided to try out the new Kuala Lumpur - Putrajaya highway which has just recently completed, and to be officially opened in January 2008. I tagged along.

We went into the highway via the starting point at Kampung Pandan roundbout. It was easy to identify as the signages were clear & direct. Yeah, I can't afford to miss it since the construction works have brought so much inconvenience and traffic jams to that area. You may say I am one of the stakeholders haha..

The highway is opened to the public currently, and it's still FREE OF CHARGE (FOC). We asked the tol l booth operator, he said toll charges will only commence in January 2008. Though the toll rate is still undercertain and pending the announcement from you-know-who-minister (Datuk Seri Samy Vellu lah)

The drive was a breeze, there are few strategic entry and exit ramps along the highway. You can even see some of the photos taken of the highway here.

The highway connects to the existing Putrajaya/Cyberjaya - KLIA highway. So that's why you can take about 30-40 mins drive from KL to KLIA, but I doubt the toll will much cheaper than using the KL-Seremban highway route. Matapena here advises to use the toll-free Dengkil new road once you exit from the Cyberjaya/Dengkil exit, which goes to KLIA too. Personally I've heard about this road to KLIA, but have never use it though. This way you can save on the Cyberjaya-KLIA toll, which I think costs around RM3.50.

It's good to know that this highway is so near my new house! Travelling to KL is going to be breeze. You get the accessibility to the city center, yet far away to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the city suburbs. I'm going to give a try next week on my way to Cyberjaya for work.

So guys, no excuse for not visiting my new house next time when I moved in ya :P

Project K: House floor plan

floor plan of house

Project K: Peek-a-boo at show house

photos taken from the show house - the foyer area, living room, dining area, bedroom and kitchen.

Project K: Love at First Sight

On that beautiful day, we met.
As I laid my eyes on you,
I knew we were meant to be.
It was love at first sight,
a beginning of a dream,
a beginning of more $$ commitments :P