From something old to something made from old, we find out from these readers where to buy antiques in Singapore and how they fit with their home décor style. Whether it’s vintage or reproduction furniture, they are great keepsakes. Sometimes expats wait until it’s time to leave Singapore before they buy Asian antique furniture and accessories. But why not enjoy it now?
A beautiful piece of antique furniture can be the centrepiece of your home. We share some readers’ favourite antique finds.
Recommendation for vintage furniture and antiques in Singapore
Emperor’s Attic – Sue van Staden, South African
We absolutely fell in love with Singapore and wanted a piece of its history and culture in our home – it’s the best souvenir! We also felt that some Asian antique furniture would add character and uniqueness to our décor.
I had been looking online at different companies, and we did pay some stores a visit, but we felt that the Emperor’s Attic pieces were handpicked and curated. It was easy to buy from them because they do all the sourcing and only have beautiful and interesting pieces in the store. Nurain was extremely helpful, too.
We bought a gorgeous red antique sideboard with beautiful carvings and small doors. It’s such a conversation piece and practical as well. It was intended to be a cocktail station, but all my green friends (my plants!) made it their home. I am totally obsessed with the sideboard; the red adds such a nice energy to our home.
Purchasing from Emperor’s Attic was such an easy process, and the delivery was also so smooth and my vases so well wrapped. We are definitely going back for some more pieces.
Emperor’s Attic
#01-10 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road
9011 0380 | emperorsattic.com
Woody Antique House – Soma Rachel George and Joseph George, Singaporean
We were initially just window-shopping when we stumbled upon Woody Antique House. It led to us unexpectedly purchasing our first Asian antique furniture from there – two dark brown wooden side tables for our master bedroom. The salesman was incredibly knowledgeable and guided us through the purchase. From that moment on, we found ourselves continually returning, irresistibly drawn to collect more of their pieces.
We’ve acquired a variety of antique furniture from Woody’s. After the side tables, we added an office table, crafted from dark oak wood in an Oriental style with a removable top for easy transport. Another favourite we picked up is a green vintage trunk repurposed as a coffee table, offering both charm and storage. Meanwhile, in our master bedroom, a classic wooden trunk provides a stylish solution for storing bed linens. It also complements our décor seamlessly.
Most recently, we acquired a new entrance table from the store; it originated from a Chinese home and dates back to the late 1800s.
Each purchase from Woody’s has been driven by the exceptional quality of their craftsmanship, impeccable service and reasonable pricing. Their one-of-a-kind pieces stand apart, and each addition enhances our home with character and distinction.
We’re delighted with our purchases and truly enjoy our shopping experiences there. The staff is incredibly helpful, which makes our visits all the more enjoyable. What makes Woody’s stand out is the relaxed atmosphere – there’s never any pressure to make a purchase. The sales team is attentive, providing thoughtful answers to our questions and offering inspiring suggestions for how to incorporate their pieces into our home. We look forward to continuing to rely on them for our future antiques and vintage furniture needs.
Woody Antique House
#13-03 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road
6471 1770 | woodyantique.com
Just Anthony – Hubab Hood, Singaporean, and Clayton Woltz, American
We recently moved into a shophouse, and it only made sense to decorate the interior with Asian antique furniture from Just Anthony. We were renting a condo in Sentosa before moving, and our furniture consisted of modern pieces and traditional Balinese antiques. After moving, we decided we wanted more Asian elements in the house.
We’re always on the hunt for quality antique furniture that has been used for decades, knowing some pieces are no longer in production. This makes them rare and even more desirable in the right setting. Clayton and I often scroll through apps like Carousell, and I guess the algorithm got us when Just Anthony started appearing on our Instagram feeds. We instantly knew it was a sign.
Since moving to the shophouse, we have more space to fill. Just Anthony made it easy for us to purchase, as every piece of antique furniture restored by them has been given new life, and we find the quality to be outstanding. How many times have we bought plywood furniture only to damage it? We would rather invest a little extra in wood that has stood the test of time.
After living in Siem Reap for a time, we were inspired to paint some of our interior walls a monastic yellow, reminding us of the peaceful spiritual feeling of Buddhist temples. This backdrop helps the antique furniture stand out instead of being background pieces. We find that the pieces we have are cohesive, regardless of style, size and colour.
The team at Just Anthony were accommodating with their time, and we absolutely love all the antique furniture we’ve bought there. It’s something we’ll keep and pass down to the next generations. We will definitely return to the store to do another round of shopping to fill our dream house that we’re planning to build.
Just Anthony
379 Upper Paya Lebar Road
6283 4782 | justanthony.com
This article on where to buy antiques in Singapore first appeared in the September 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
