PUBLISHED October 10th, 2018 06:00 am | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 05:51 pm
Popping into IKEA on Sunday is a rookie mistake we’ve all made once in our lives. Their Scandinavian designs are probably not worth the crowds, the tension, and a cacophony of children’s cries. If you prefer a happier life and like your home to be filled with one of a kind, tactile pieces of furniture with a tale and a bit of history to them, look no further than our guide to places in Singapore for buying vintage, pre-loved and retro furniture.
Hock Siong & Co
Mostly ex-hotel, retail and showflat pieces, Hock Siong has no one particular style and is all about chance and discovery! The stock simply depends on the latest delivery, which could be from an Art Deco hotel lobby or a modern sleek shop-fit. Hock Siong has a fast turnover and dedicated fans who (due to the no reservations policy) are happy to zoom up there to claim their treasures. Our tip: keep an eye on their FB page where new stock is lovingly pictured and be prepared to go, go, go, at a moment’s notice! Everything at Hock Siong & Co is incredibly reasonably priced, but if you feel there is more of a bargain to be had and you’ve got the gumption, they are quite open to a bit of haggling.
Hock Siong & Co is located at 153 Kampong Ampat, Junjie Industrial Building #01-03, Singapore 386326. Open daily 9.30am – 5.50pm.
Junkie’s Corner
This isn’t vintage furniture shopping made easy for the mildly curious, this is an ‘Indiana Jones- esque’ adventure for the most intrepid. Seek out, and you will find a warehouse full to the brim with vintage pre-loved stuff. It may be dusty, it may be worn, but if you’re looking for a bargain and you’ve got a bit of vision, Junkie’s corner has furniture from all era’s, to suit all tastes that just need a bit of love and wood polish.
Junkie’s Corner is located at 2 Turf Club Rd, Singapore 287988, p. +65 9791 2607. Opening hours are unconfirmed, please call to check when they are open (Charlie/Joseph Teo).
Noden
Scandinavian modern designs have been the talk of the town for some time, with its clean lines, soothing minimalism, and understated elegance. Filled with iconic pieces of Mid-Century and Scandinavian pieces from the 1950s, Noden’s handpicked range showcases the history, art, and design behind each piece. You’d be lying if you told us none of the pieces at their showroom stole your heart.
Noden is located at 39 Ubi Road 1, #04-03, Singapore 408695, p. +65 6741 0190. Open Wed – Fri 11am – 5pm, Sat – Sun 11am – 6pm. Closed Mon and Tue.
Lorgan’s
One of the more well-known stores for vintage items, Lorgan’s has been around for a while and gathered a good reputation for pre-loved retro furniture as well Scandinavian modern-classic reproductions. If you’re drawn to lava lamps like a moth to a flame, Lorgan’s is for you! Do check out their interactive vintage-themed website, which seems like something out of a 60s commercial.
Lorgan’s is located at 100 East Pasir Panjang Road, Century Warehouse, #01-03, Singapore 118521, p. +65 6272 4988. Open daily 10.30am – 6.30pm.
Second Charm
These guys have a superb collection of pre-loved and restored pieces, in a variety of styles from Parisian boudoir, industrial, colonial, to mid-century Scandinavian. The boutique furniture establishment also offer customisation services that are pretty spot on and in line with your imagination. Reupholster, reproduce, and restore your furniture faves to your liking before claiming your vintage treasure and calling it yours.
Second Charm is located at Blk 21, Kallang Avenue, Mapletree Industrial Building , #05-165, Singapore 339412, p. +65 6294 2919. Open Tue – Fri 11.30am – 5.30pm, Sat 11am – 5.30pm, Sun 12pm – 5pm. Closed Mon.
Mad About Vintage
Han is a one-man intrepid vintage seeker, who loves sourcing pieces himself so much that he quit his corporate job to fulfill his passion. One stand-out and superb aspect of his site is that if you see something you like, you can reserve it online, before heading down later to decide. This might not sound like much but with most of these treasure troves being out in the sticks, what you don’t want, is to trek all the way out to the boonies only to realise that the item you wanted is gone.
Mad about Vintage is located at Extra Space, 7 Kaki Bukit Road 2, opposite the Ubi Driving Centre. For viewing, please contact Han at +65 9155 1337 to confirm preferred date and time. Inform the security you are going to Unit 1-6009. You do need to be escorted into the storage, so appointment is absolutely necessary.
Journey East
Carved from mature Indonesian teak wood, you’ll find that most signature designs here belong to the midcentury and dutch-colonial eras. These furniture pieces are true antiques that were properties of wealthy expatriate families and local craftsmen from back in the day. Each vintage piece holds historical significance and personality, making them more valuable than ever!
Journey East is located at 315 Outram Road, Tan Boon Liat Building, #03-02, Singapore 169074, p. +65 6473 1693. Open daily 10am – 6pm.
Just Anthony
The purveyor of prized, antique Chinese furniture gives you that rich old-school Chinese decor finished with intricate ornamentation. Knowing how difficult it is these days to source for these Chinese treasures, the Just Anthony team makes regular trips to China to bring home these stunningly beautiful, undiscovered furniture. Take it from us, these Ming Dynasty-inspired antiques could illuminate even the dullest spaces.
Just Anthony is located at 379 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534972, p. +65 6283 4782. Open daily 9.30am – 6.30pm.
The Past Perfect Collection
When the owners were out for travels in India, they stumbled across something so exotic that it dazzled them in an instant. Witness the marriage of Western design and Oriental patterns, a masterful creation that reflects the British, Dutch, and Portuguese era in India. These handpicked furniture pieces are handled with great care, so expect some pretty flawless craftsmanship if you need restoration to your very own piece of the past.
The Past Perfect Collection is located at 315 Outram Road,
Tan Boon Liat Building, #11-05, Singapore 169074, +65 6737 3078 . Open Tue – Sun 10.30am – 6pm. Closed Mon.
Top Image: The Past Perfect Collection