Customised furniture – where to get it made!

People are all different shapes and sizes, and there are plenty of oddly shaped apartments in Singapore, so finding the perfect sofa, bed or dining table ‘off the rack’ can be time-consuming and frustrating. Custom-made furniture is a great option and it’s not necessarily more expensive. If you’re wondering where to get customised furniture in Singapore, here are some recommendations from those who got help getting their furniture “just right!”

Adelia Huang – customised mattress from Heveya

Last year, I was looking for a new mattress because my previous top tier mattress wasn’t comfortable and the warranty process seemed dodgy and evasive. This time, I was careful not to blindly go for the big brands.

My previous mattress was kingsized and I was looking for a super king size for the replacement. With time and age, I can feel that my body is harder to satisfy in terms of comfort from a good mattress, so I specifically wanted one with really good support to accommodate an ageing body. I was also aware it would be a challenge finding a mattress that suits me and my husband without either of us compromising, since we both have different preferences around firmness.  So we decided to go the customised furniture route.

I came to know about Heveya over lunch with my mother. Both she and my aunt were in the process of moving, and she’d done extensive research on good mattresses. That’s how she came to know of Heveya, and she was delighted at the lovely service she and my aunt received, particularly from Thijs. Right after lunch, I told my mum to take me to the Heveya showroom!

It was a very pleasant visit; Thijs attended to me personally and was very patient in explaining every detail. There was no pressure at all. I spent quite some time at the store trying out the various mattresses and pillows of different firmness. I decided on mine, and then I brought my husband on another day to make his choices.

We’ve both slept very well since the arrival of our Heveya mattress (which is 214cm wide – bigger than even a super king size) and the customised and motorised bed frame that we also purchased from them. I realise it’s been far too long since I’ve had a good sleep because my upper torso and lower torso each needed a different firmness for the right support.

Heveya 32 Eng Hoon Street 9628 9610 | heveya.sg

Vishali Midha bought customised furniture in Singapore from Arete Culture

My family has a strong appreciation for beauty and design, and we wanted to ensure that our home environment reflected that. We wanted to bring out the elegance and sophistication without being gaudy; I strongly believe that a home should be inviting not imposing.

It’s also an important source of comfort and inspiration for me to have a home that reflects my personal style and taste, while providing a welcoming space for friends and family to gather – an environment that supports our wellbeing and daily activities. I teach mahjong and we regularly host wine dinners and do outdoor grilling, so we needed space for all of these things.

When we moved to Singapore three years ago, we couldn’t find this balance in the furniture in the marketplace. We spent weeks looking for the right pieces. Finally, we visited Arete Culture (one of my good friends, Eve, had recommended them to me). We were very impressed by their quality, so we inquired about some changes in our design. That’s when Caroline and I met and hit it off, and we decided to plan the look of our space and go for  customised furniture.

To achieve a cohesive design, we wanted to:

• choose a relaxing colour palette featuring natural colours to connect the indoor space to the outdoors;
• incorporate different textures, such as soft fabrics, natural fibres and textured wall coverings to add depth and interest to the space;
• bring in natural light sources and layered lighting to create ambience;
• select furniture that’s comfortable and functional, and which complements the design;
• choose artwork that fits the design and enhances the overall look of the space; and
• choose accessories that are functional and complement the design.

While I was very involved in the customisation process (it was exhilarating purchasing items and accessories and imagining the final look!), Caroline brought many of the elements together. I’m very thankful to her for her design mindset and resourcefulness. She and I have become friends.

I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished with our home, and I’ve received so many positive comments from family and friends. Working with Arete was great – very convenient and personalised, with lots of discussion on WhatsApp and email. We just bought another unit, so it might be time to get started with them again!

Arete Culture
20 Depot Lane, #01-01/02
315 Outram Road, #06-01
9640 3829 | areteculture.com

This article first appeared in the April 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!

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