20 places to buy mid-modern/vintage/retro furnitures

I’ve accumulated a list of places in Singapore ranging from thrift stores to bank breaking ones… thought this (painstakingly!) compiled listing may come in handy for those who are still looking for that authentic looking chair/side table/tv console/etc.  Thanks goes out to the nice folks on renotalk and various blogs who have so generously shared their finds.

1. A Thousand Tales – According to apartmenttherapy, it “sells bespoke mid-20th-century Scandinavian-inspired pieces such as sofas, armchairs, tables and sideboards. They also sell one-of-a-kind artwork by Japanese sculptor Sumio Suzuki and trendy poster prints by Brit Steve Lawler aka Mojoko.”  Has a bar & cafe too.

http://athousandtales.com/

55 – 57 Haji Lane

Opening hours: Tue – Sat 12 noon to 8 pm; Mon & Sun by appt

Cafe Fables and Bar Stories / Hours: Mon to Sun 3pm-1am

Email: info@athousandtales.com
Tel: +65 6298 0838 / Mobile: +65 9690 7130

.

2. Barossa Furnishingsat Barossa, you can get customised solid wood (teak) furniture as well as restored pieces.  You can also bring in your vintage furniture for restoration services.

http://www.barossasingapore.com

Block 20, Sin Ming Lane # 05-51, Mid View City, Singapore 573968

Tel 64712042 or call David Ditcham at 9664 8451 for appt

barossa@singnet.com.sg

.

3. David’s Antique  – Anyone got pics of this place?

215 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218456
Tel. + 65 6291 8227

.

4. Forar VintageSuch lovely items from the website! Definitely on the ‘to-visit’ list. Think these are restored stuff from Denmark, so unfortunately not for those who want to avoid ‘spirits’… 😦

http://www.forarvintage.com/

hello@forarvintage.com 

+65 8168 7618

.

5. The Heritage Shop more for accessories, but if you really want a retro theme, I guess you’ll need some bric a brac to complete the look

93 Jalan Sultan #01-01 S198997

t: 6223 7982 / Patrick 96861071

.

.

6. Hock Siong Mostly ex-hotel/showflat stuff, and their gems goes really fast from what I’ve read.

http://www.facebook.com/hocksiongco

153 Kampong Ampat, Junjie Industrial Building #01-03, Singapore 386326

Tel: 6281-8338 / Fax: 6285-6757

Operating Hours : Monday – Sunday, 9AM – 6:30PM

.

7. Journey East Not sure if all 3 outlets carry different themes or specialise in a certain theme, so perhaps best to call n check. If anyone knows where there are more vintage collections, do drop me a note via comments k?  See below…

www.journeyeast.com
315 Outram Road #03-02 Tan Boon Liat Building S169074 / tel: 6473 1693

15 Joan Road (Behind Far East Flora, Thomson Road), Singapore 298899 /Tel:  65 6253 4950

62 Jalan Penjara, Singapore 149376, Tel:  65 6473 1693

UPDATE: According to Terence from Journey East (see comment below), their Vintage Collection is exclusively featured at the Tan Boon Liat store. These are one-of-a-kind sourced pieces of teak furniture originating from the 1920s-1960s (and thus there aren’t so many).

Open everyday 11am-6pm (Sundays from 11.30am).

.

8. Junkie’s Cornerreally vintage pre-loved stuff…

94 Jalan Senang,  Singapore 418467

Charlie / Joseph Teo
HP + 65 9791 2607

Noon to 7 pm

.

9. Like That OneI scanned thru the offerings on flickr and this peacock chair caught my eye.

http://likethatone.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/likethatone/  <– check for updates!

Skytech #01-02,  2 Bukit Batok St 24, Singapore 659480

Tel: 6560 9168 / Cheu: Mobile +65 9023 2988 / Belle: Mobile +65 91251492
Open: Wed-Sun 11am-5pm

likethatone@gmail.com

.

10. Lorgan’sone of the more well-known stores for vintage stuff.  Carries pre-loved retro furniture as well as reproductions of Danish furniture designs.

http://www.lorgans.com/  AND http://www.lorgansdesignsource.com/

Century Warehouse, 100  East Pasir Panjang Road #01-03, Singapore 118521
+65 6272 4988

Mon – Sun: 10.30 am to 6.30 pm

.

11. Marquis think not really in the vintage category, but I like the Infinity coffee table by Porada… 😛

http://www.marquis.com.sg/

QSQUARE BY MARQUIS

16 Tai Seng Street, Level 1, Singapore 534138

Tel: 65-6383-0119    Fax: 65-6383-8432 / e: qsquare@marquis.com.sg

Mon – Sun 11:00am – 8:00pm

MARQUIS STUDIO

Great World City #02-15, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore 237994

Tel: 65-6732-7362    Fax: 65-6732-5562 / e: studio@marquis.com.sg

.

12. Pomelo Home – I mentioned that I like this shop before. Certainly not cheap, but great stuff. Perhaps some Bubble Lamps?

10-04 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074 / Tel: 6226 4663http://www.facebook.com/PomeloHome

Email:  shop@pomelo.com.sg
Hours: Tue-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm, Closed on public holidays

.

13. Proof Livingit’s located at Orchard Ion… that already says something about the prices to expect I guess…

http://www.proof.com.sg

Ion Orchard #03-15, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6509 0555 / e: retail@proof.com.sg
Operating Hours: 10am – 9pm daily

.

14. Restore Livingspecialises in vintage furniture that has been lovingly restored, but has a cafe too. Since I need my weekend caffeine fix anyways…

http://restoreliving.blogspot.com/

124 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088533
+65 6222 3510
Opening Hours: Tue to Sat – 11am to 7pm (closed Mon); Sun – 12pm to 5pm
.

.

15 .Room of WoodsAm always a bit daunted when I have to make an appointment to see stuff, but they do have interesting armchairs I would like to see in real life.

http://www.roomofwoods.com/

Viewing of furniture is by appointment only. Contact them via the contact us page.

enquiry@roomofwoods.com

No.18, Sin Ming Lane, #07-27 Midview City, Singapore 573960

.

16. Second Charm various pre-loved and restored pieces.

www.charm2nd.blogspot.com
Blk 19 Kallang Avenue #04-157 Mapletree Industrial Building S339410
tel: 9628 9171 / 6294 2919

secondcharm@gmail.com

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 6 pm / Closed on Sundays & Mondays.

.

17. Space Furniture Another one with nice stuff and stiff prices. Really nice stuff tho.  

http://www.spacefurniture.com.sg/?country=sg

77 Bencoolen Street, Singapore 189653 / +65 6415 0000
Monday – Sunday 11am-8:30pm
info@spacefurniture.com.sg

.

18. Tong Mern Sern Antiques Arts & Crafts seems to be an absolute treasure trove, or junkyard depending on how you look at it.
51 Craig  Road S089689
t: 6734 0761 / 6223 1037 (?)

.

19. XTRASome great stuff, but usually at great cost. A Foscarini Caboche lamp perhaps?

http://www.xtra.com.sg/

XTRA PARK MALL
9 Penang Road, 01-01/02-01 Park Mall, Singapore 238459
T: +65 6336 0688 /F: +65 6334 0688
E: info@xtra.com.sg
Store Hours: 11am – 8pm

Customer Service  T: +65 8181 1038 /  E: customerservice@xtra.com.sg

.

20. Last but not least, you can check out the auctions by expat auctions  or the Salvation Army Thrift stores.  Great way to pick up stuff that are reasonably priced, abeit pre-loved…

http://www.expatauctions.com.sg/

http://sg.salvationarmy.org/smm/www_smm_singapore.nsf/vw-sublinks/F32DC65CE27E2831802575C7004D56B7?openDocument

.

21. (NEW) Mad About Vintage – a new one that I thought was worth featuring.

website: http://madaboutvintage.wordpress.com

Contact Han at +65 91551337

.

22. (NEW) Mountain Teak Furniture – another new one

website: http://www.mountainteak.com

#07-02 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074

Tel:             + 65 6224 7176
Fax:            + 65 6224 7176

Email:          sales@mountainteak.com

Opens:        Tuesday – Sunday (close on Monday), 10.30am – 6.30pm

.

The next 3 were featured in an earlier blog post about local brands that I like, but I figured I should show more support by featuring them on what seems like a favorite blog post. 

.

23. Koda/Commune Koda has expanded into the furniture retail scene with their 1st showroom at Millennia  Walk.  Nice and affordable furniture.  Too bad they only expanded after my reno.  Oh well. 

Commune store: #02-51 Millenia Walk, Raffles Boulevard, Tel: 6338 3823.

Warehouse outlet: 28 Defu Lane 4 Singapore 539424 / hours: 10 am to 6pm

Website: http://www.kodaonline.com/

.

24. Grafunkt – I prefer the larger store at Playfair road over the small outlet at Park Mall (the pic I used isn’t very mid-modernish I know, but Grafunkt does have a decent collection of nice wooden pieces).  

Address: Grafunkt Flagship Store, 85 Playfair Road, #02-01 Tong Yuan Industrial Building, Singapore 368000

T 6281 8465
Opening Hours: Daily 12noon – 6pm

Website: http://www.grafunkt.com/index1.html

.

25. Air Division – Nice but pricey… then again solid walnut furniture doesn’t come cheap. As usual, I prefer the larger store at Wilkie Road over the small outlet at Park Mall.  

P.S. I personally love their walnut wood grain and nice finish, and have a few of their items at home.

Address: Flagship store @ 28 Wilkie Road, #01-01 Sophia Flats, Singapore 228051

Tel: +65 6336 0662

Website: http://airdivision.com/siteMain/

Do remember to pop by my Reno Shopping Map to check out furniture stores near by if you decide to go shopping k?  🙂

More shopping lists: 

———-

UPDATE:  Genuine recommendations for nice places to shop for vintage/retro/mid-century furniture in comments are appreciated.  Any postings to stores that are not the least bit related to the theme of the post will be treated as spam and deleted.  I do not tolerate advertising masqueraded as comments.  

76 thoughts on “20 places to buy mid-modern/vintage/retro furnitures

  1. Hi,

    I’m Yeecheng from Room of Woods, we are delighted to be featured in your blog! 🙂
    Actually we have only started operation just this month, the items you saw are from our first shipment, we are expecting alot more furnitures to arrive 🙂

    As you’ve noted, viewing of furniture is by appointment only, this is because we are not at the showroom most of the time. We are looking into scheduling someone at the showroom so that we can welcome walk-ins.

    Meanwhile, do visit us, we really appreciate feedback on our furniture and hope to improve. I will be at the showroom on the weekends, please do drop me an email yeecheng@roomofwoods.com if you are coming, so that I can make sure I will be around.

    regards,
    Yeecheng

  2. What a sweet blog, god is truly in the details.

    Thanks for mentioning Forår we’ve had several people visit our website because of you 🙂

    We’ll be at the warehouse this Sunday (7 Aug) from 10am to about 1230pm, you should come check out our stuff; patina looks way better in person.

    See ya

    lester@forarvintage.com
    81687618

    • Thanks for visiting my blog Lester. 🙂
      I do agree that patina looks way better in person, but I do need to stay away from temptation for a while till we’ve recovered from the reno damage! Glad I helped.

  3. This page is like orientation into modern vintage furniture! Very helpful! Didn’t know half these stores existed before I came here… I just wish my wallet is as expendable as the furniture shopping knowledge I am gaining!! 😛

    • @Ripple: Welcome & have fun! I know what you mean… it’s really a learning process… & I still can’t stop looking at nice furniture even tho my place is furnished! Argh.

  4. Hello from Journey East, and thanks so much for mentioning us. You have a fantastic blog and we’ll be checking back often!

    As you have guessed, there is a slight difference between the collections at our outlets. Our Vintage Collection is exclusively featured at the Tan Boon Liat store, as these are one-of-a-kind sourced pieces of teak furniture originating from the 1920s-1960s (and thus there aren’t so many).

    We hope to see you around one of these days! Give me a heads up if you’re popping down – We are open everyday 11am-6pm (sundays from 11.30am).

    Terence
    terence@journeyeast.com

    • Hi Hellen, thanks for visiting my blog! Good luck with your furniture hunting. Too bad Bangkok is flooding else it could be a good place to shop too. Are you going to start a reno blog? If so, look forward to the eye candy after seeing your wedding blog. 🙂

  5. What a wonderful helpful list. Thank you so much. It was very helpful of you to point out which of these places have stiff pricetags, so I could brace myself.

  6. Hi I am so glad to have found this listing, I am a retro fan in furniture and am looking for a good reproduction of Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman.. do you know where are I can find such pieces here in Singapore? In KL there is Timelessdesign.com.my…., but SG, am not too sure.

    Thanks for the advice..
    SY

    • @SY: I did not get any replica pieces, so I can’t recommend any store but off-hand these are the ones I know that carry replicas: Lorgan’s, Lush-Lush, Gnee Hong, Comfort, Picket & Rail

      I’ve heard enough horror stories of replicas to be wary tho… IMO good designer pieces should last and will probably move with you. Not so for replicas. Someone commented on the varying quality here: http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=45144&st=80&p=685703&#entry685703

      Btw the cheapest sale price for original Eames lounge chair with ottoman I’ve come across is about $3,980 (from Marquis located at Tai Seng Ave). I’ve heard of replica Eames lounge chairs going for only $1K less. With that sort of price differential, I’ll go for the original. Just gotta be patient and wait…

      • Thank you so much for sharing. Agree with that price differential I would go for the original too. I will check out Marquis and those shops listed here. A good weekend activity to last me a while! There is a shop call Originals on Bukit Timah not retro but have interesting wood /teak pieces appealing enough. 🙂

      • @SY: Don’t recall any recent sales ads from Marquis. Perhaps can try calling before going down to save a trip? I know about Originals but doesn’t fit the theme. Think Mountain Teak might, but I’m kinda lazy to add.

        All the best with your search!

      • Just to share my findings, I went to Marquis, and they have the Eames lounge chair + ottoman, but it is in fact a replica made in Italy. The replica appears to be of decent quality/finish, but the verdict is out there if it is of a good quality. They are selling at sgd4258 incl GST from sgd9,000 plus . Next week Mountain Teak or/and Lorgans… 🙂

      • @SY: Oh my gosh, I had no idea it’s a replica. Sorry! 😦

        Let me know how is Mountain Teak? M on the lookout for a nice study table. And thanks for coming back! 🙂

      • @SY: I went to Mountain Teak to have a look at their desk. Was kinda tempted but eventually got my study desk from Air Division. Not much diff pricing-wise (Air is having sale when I went) but both hubby & I agreed that the Air finishing is far superior to Mountain Teak’s. I would venture that Mountain Teak would be great for people with a slightly more rough hewn furnishing preference. Great place for solid wood furnishings tho. Nicer materials than Scanteak. I also like that you can choose/customise different wood for the furniture.

      • Thanks dearie. No worries about the Eames chair. I did not make it to Mountain Teak this weeekend, something came out. I do prefer a smoother finished to the wood work too.. still looking for the retro style TV console. Please share photo of your desk when you get it! Congrats!

      • @SY: Do pop by Air before their sale is over (end of Feb?) if you haven’t been there yet – the Wilkie showroom, not the small Park Mall one. I like their consoles. Always so nice to touch smooth wood… my hubby thinks that Air’s finishing is superior to Grafunkt’s too (tho I also like Grafunkt’s console). Their consoles don’t come cheap, but the good thing is that you can carry them with you at your next place (unlike if you customized like me). And I think costs only slightly more than my customized console and Air’s in solid wood finishing. And no, I don’t get commission… =P

        Yes I will share pics when I get the delivery. Finally have a proper place to work from home… not sure if it’s an entirely good thing.

      • aiggh….sigh above my budget too 😦 and need a bigger house!
        went to Pomelo today – still looking out for my console. Spotted their BENCHMARK oak with white lacquer front drawers with much interest- need to see what Air have first before deciding…

      • @Sui Yin: Hahah, we all need bigger houses! Have you popped by Grafunkt too? All the stores are having their sales now so it’s really fun to shop if you are looking for something. Unfortunately I only have space for a sofa bed. Sigh.

  7. Great post! have been to at least 50% of these shops as I was recently shopping for teak furniture too 🙂 I second on Mountain Teak, they do have some great vintage designs, especially the timeless series, worth a visit. You can check out their website first before going – http://www.mountainteak.com

  8. Thank you for this great blog. Please do keep up this great work!!! I find it very helpful in finding nice furnitures…………..

  9. Thank you for featuring us in your blog. Do look out for our latest gallery at 17 Mohamed Sultan Road – it is our collaboration with several market leaders in lightings, bathroom wares as well as tiles. We want to be a one-stop solution for new home buyers or simply people who are looking to renovate or spruce up their houses. Hope to see you around soon!

  10. Hi ! you have a great list there, if you like’d to add more.

    We have mini hobby store that just went live on Facebook 2 weeks ago.
    Our store is call “Long-longtime store”

    link :http://www.facebook.com/pages/Long-longtime-Store/173807472733537

    our blog : http://long-longtime.blogspot.com/

    we collect and sell mainly vintage bicycles & parts, vintage scooter parts and odd pieces of furniture, old, new or used….plus home decor items…

    we just started putting them out for sale…more items on the way..

    Thanks ya! Kim

      • Still contemplating..problem is home space too small, new things come in , old ones must go out! I was at Ikea Tampines, they have a vintage-repro oak coffee table (stockholm) square – 90cmx90cm for sgd345. Very nice! Better looking than the oval sister. If you go to their website they only show the oval coffee table, wood grain is the same though. I spoke to Room of Woods, I really like their sideboards – next shipment is in July! 😦

  11. Had an unlucky and unpleasant experience with one of the shops above. The experience saddened our family more than it frustrated us. In a nutshell, we regretted sending our vintage item there for refurbishment. The item belonged to a beloved and recently deceased family member, and the person’s rudeness and lack of attention to workmanship and service broke our heart and disrespected the memory of our loved one. Will share in renotalk after we manage to move on for we are still in mourning.

  12. Hi there,
    Ck collection Addr is
    C K COLLECTION (vintage collectibles)
    586 Serangoon Road, 218200
    Tel. + 65 6293 2301

  13. Hi! Thanks for compiling the list, think it was very well done! My personal favorites are Like That One (have LOTS of great stuff, and the 2 ladies who run it are lovely) and Lorgan’s. Have been to quite a number of the others (Junkie’s Corner etc) also and it can be quite fun, almost like a treasure hunt!

  14. Hi there, absolutely loving your site and still reading through at 3:41am when I got to crawl up at 8

    I bought a conserved shophouse recently and now it is under renovation and it is really a mix and match or retro and industrial

    Do you have any suggestions on where i can find nice shoe cabinets or racks?

    Also those simple black industrial looking ladders? I got no idea really where it will be used yet but probably for some shelving

    • @JT: Wow, thanks for reading my blog and congrats on your conserved shophouse. Did you join the recent Architours to see the Lorong 24A series for ideas?

      Re: Nice shoe cabinets, I’ll recommend customising to utilise your space more efficiently. But if you prefer to buy, try Like That One? I find their stuff nice and unique, and definitely suitable for a retro/industrial mix look. It’ll take a bit of luck to find exactly what you want, but treat it like a treasure hunt right? Otherwise I am afraid I’m not much help… decided on customising my shoe rack from Day one so never really paid attention to shoe racks TBH.

      Re: Black industrial ladders – haven’t seen in furniture stores definitely. Do you mean something like this? http://www.amazon.com/KDSR104166-Ambassador-P-Industrial-Warehouse-Perforated/dp/B004SIIAPW
      Best really to ask your contractor for help. And these are not ladders, but I also like the look of the Crate & Barrel Sloane shelves – fairly versatile set of shelves: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/set-of-3-sloane-espresso-18-leaning-bookcases/s315265

      Sorry if I’m not much of help but hope your reno turns out well.

  15. Hi, Great blog about vintage stuff. I’m looking to unload my vintage furniture from my private collection. Wondering if anyone is interested in buying my pieces?

  16. Hi! Love your recommendations! I was wondering if you know of any place in Bangkok that would sell items in a similar style? Thanks!

  17. Hi! Just wanna drop a note of thanks for the list above! After a long search, I finally found my dining chairs from Commune to go with the Curve dining table from Air! Thanks lots!

  18. What a wonderful and thoughtful list. So helpful! I stumbled upon this page while looking for vintage cast iron lamps. I’ll contact some of the retailers on this list to see if anyone of them carry such lamps.
    Thank you so much.

  19. Oh wow, great blog! Wouldn’t know where to find all these interesting little shops otherwise.. Been to journey East and absolutely love their industrial pieces but its out of my budget at the moment. Would you know of any other place which sells industrial looking furniture at a cheaper price?

    Hey SY, I know this reply seems awfully late…but if you are still looking for a eames lounge chair replica, you may wanna check out this little furniture place in depot road called moolah global. Pretty cheap for a set with the ottoman (ard $1.2k), quality not too bad for the price.

  20. Great list! i recently bought from Wihardja, their quality has improved from recent years. They have a new range of items too. I saw they have this yellow vintage bullcart wheel, pretty cool! my wife had to restrain me.

  21. hello there. thank you for including us on your list – stevie general store. we’ve been meaning to write when we realized you’ve sent quite a few visitors our way. we’ve actually moved twice (no more at club street or bussorah street) and changed our name (yet again). i would send a nice avatar pic if you would like one.

    we are:
    World Savage
    Address on request,
    make an appointment at worldsavage.com

    hope this note finds you well, and energized!

    bridget @ world savage.

  22. Simply desire to say your article is as astounding.
    The clearness in your post is just cool and i can assume
    you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to
    grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.

    Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.

  23. hi there, the link to Salvation Army doesn’t work. Their store at Woodleigh relocated. Do you know where they are now? I haven’t any luck googling them. thanks.

  24. Hi there!

    Love your blog,it’s very informative!

    I’m looking for Scandinavian furniture for my new home, any furniture stores that are able to do customisation for sofa as well?

    Let me know if you do have any stores to recommend.

    Have a great day!

  25. Hi, I would like to know if anyone could help me in the valuation of a pop retro piece of clock/radio. Or does anyone knows where I could get my item valuated? I apologise if this comment is inappropriate here. Just hoping I could find some help. (:
    Thanks in advance!!

  26. Hi, I am representing my furniture retailer based in Singapore, to ask if you would like to cover a sales
    event in the upcoming month. Do let me know if you have an email which I can forward the information to?
    Thank you!

  27. No bank breaking prices at Moss living. Fine quality handcrafted furnitures only.
    We do not advertise actively in order to maintain low prices for our customers.

  28. I am very impress on your information ,Its a really very impressive blog. I really got some another very nice information

Your thoughts? Let me know!