The SIXiDER Show

The Hands Behind Your Home | The Unsung Heroes You Never See

Behind every finished home is a group of people you rarely see. (Mixed Language)Renovation isn’t just about design, materials, or budgets. It’s about the people on site, the ones who build, fix, adjust, and solve problems every single day.In this Labour Day special episode of The SIXiDER Show, Astley Ng aka The Designerd sits down with contractors from different trades, Wesly and Ah Keong from Cowboy, Siang Seng from Wallstan Pte Ltd to talk about what really happens behind the scenes of a renovation.From common misconceptions about hacking, tiling, and painting, to the realities of working on site, this episode brings together perspectives that homeowners don’t usually hear.Whether you are:• planning your first home renovation• currently working with contractors on site• trying to better understand renovation costs and processes• or simply curious about how homes are actually builtThis episode offers a perspective that is often overlooked.Topics Covered in This Episode• What contractors actually do on site (beyond what homeowners see)• Why hacking, tiling, and painting are often misunderstood• The real reasons behind renovation costs• Common mistakes that affect the entire renovation process• Payment challenges and trust issues in the industry• Safety risks and physical demands of site work• Miscommunication between homeowners, designers, and contractors• What seems simple but is actually complex in renovation work• Advice for homeowners before and during renovation

When Design Meets Reality | Lighting, Smart Homes & Layout Mistakes | The SIXiDER Show Highlights

What happens when design meets real life?In this special compilation episode of The SIXiDER Show, we bring together key moments from Episodes 5 to 7, exploring the gap between how homes are designed… and how they actually function in everyday living.From lighting decisions to smart home setups, to how we plan and use our spaces, this episode highlights why many homes look good in theory but fall short in reality.Featuring insights from interior designers and industry specialists, the conversation uncovers the common mistakes homeowners make, and what should be considered before starting a renovation.Featuring insights from:Ginnie - D’intérieur Design, Nathaniel - Project Focal, Shawn - V Lux Lighting, Tommy - Chapter 13 Design, Eric - Koble Singapore, Leon Luo - Free Space Intent and Shawn Haw - Rezt n RelaxWhether you are:• planning your first home renovation• exploring smart home solutions• trying to make a small space work better• or simply wondering why your home doesn’t feel quite rightIf you’re planning your home, this episode offers a practical look at what truly matters beyond aesthetics.

WORK DESIGN ≠ HOME DESIGN | Why Your Home Shouldn’t Feel Like an Office?

Can you design your home like a café, hotel, or office?Or is that where most homeowners get it wrong?In this episode of The SIXiDER Show, Astley aka The Designerd sits down with Leon Luo from Free Space Intent and Shawn Haw from Rezt n Relax to unpack the real difference between commercial spaces vs residential homes.From café-style trends to work-from-home layouts, they break down why what looks good in public spaces doesn’t always work in your everyday life.This conversation goes beyond aesthetics. It touches on lifestyle, practicality, budget realities, and how Singapore homes are evolving.If you’ve ever thought:“Can I make my home feel like a hotel?”“Why does my layout not feel right?”“Is $30K enough for renovation?”This episode will give you clarity before you make costly decisions.Topics Covered in This Episode• Why commercial design doesn’t translate directly into homes• The real reason café-style homes fail over time• How lifestyle should shape your layout decisions• The truth about renovation budgets in Singapore• Why many homeowners design based on trends, not reality• How to balance aesthetics, function, and long-term living

Your Home Isn’t Smart | What Actually Makes a Smart Home?

Most homes today are called “smart”, but are they really smart? If you still rely on keys, switches, and manual controls, your home might not be as smart as you think.In this episode of The SIXiDER Show, Astley aka The Designerd sits down with Tommy (Creative Director) – Chapter 13 Design and Eric (Smart Home Specialist) – Koble Singapore to unpack what actually makes a home smart.From the common belief that smart homes are a luxury, to the reality that good automation can improve everyday living, the conversation explores why many homeowners misunderstand what smart living really means.They also discuss why smart home solutions are often difficult to sell, how poor planning leads to underused systems, and what it takes to design a smart home that is practical, seamless, and future-proof.Whether you are:• planning a renovation• exploring smart home solutions• or curious about how automation can improve daily lifeThis episode offers a practical look at how smart homes should actually work.

Your Lighting Is Wrong | Design Vision vs Lighting Reality

Lighting impacts every space in your home, yet most homeowners only think about it after the renovation design is completed.In reality, lighting is not just about choosing fixtures that look good. It shapes how a space feels, how functional it is, and how the design is experienced daily.In this episode of The SIXiDER Show, Astley aka The Designerd sits down with Ginnie from D’intérieur Design, Nathaniel from Project Focal and lighting specialist Shawn from V Lux Lighting to discuss the gap between design vision and lighting reality.Together, they explore why lighting is often overlooked in renovation planning, why many homeowners expect lighting to create instant “wow” moments, and why lighting should never be treated as a one-size-fits-all solution.The conversation also touches on lighting budgets, practical considerations during renovation, and why good lighting design can dramatically improve how a space works and feels.Whether you are:• a homeowner planning a renovation• designing your new BTO home• or simply curious about how lighting transforms a spaceThis episode offers practical insights into the hidden problems that can appear after renovation.