Getting custom-made furniture – just right for you!

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. Customised or custom-made furniture is a great option and it’s not necessarily more expensive.

We hear from four readers on where they found the craftsmen to help create and customise furniture that was “just right!”

WTP The Furniture Company

Alterick and Jacinda Pearson, American

When moving to Singapore, one of the items we were on the hunt for was a custom made headboard – specifically one that was diamond tufted in style and tall enough to give us ample back support when sitting upright. I had previously worked at a custom furniture store in Seattle before moving to Singapore and was very familiar with the process and the work that it entailed to get it right. I was determined to find the right craftsmen to bring our vision to life!

Our friendly neighbours pointed us in the direction of WTP The Furniture Company, and we were pleasantly surprised with the entire process of their custom-made furniture. Naazli and Jacinda’s input on the final product was incredibly helpful; Jacinda suggested including the wings, which we love, and Naazli discouraged us from including studs, which we’re grateful for! Between us, we chose a gorgeous sky blue colour that complements the view and surroundings of our high-rise condo.

All in all, we loved the final product. The turnaround time was swift and the team’s input really helped to fine-tune what we had in mind. My advice would be to know what you want and be open to suggestions from the experts; they are there to guide you and to perfect your idea. Trust them and empower them to get you to your ultimate goal!

WTP The Furniture Company
3 Kung Chong Road
6235 2760 | wtpstyle.com

Arete Culture

Benjamin Tan, Singaporean

My wife and I were looking to refresh our interior, but didn’t want to go through an interior design firm or undergo an extensive renovation. We were also hoping for a more “hands-off” approach, where I could comfortably rely on the expertise and style sense of an expert! So I did some research online for home styling services and custom-made furniture and came across Arete Culture. Their portfolio suited our style and they had a proven track record of glowing testimonials that put us at ease.

We ended up refurbishing most of our home over a period of four weeks, with a mix of ready-made and custom-made pieces. Caroline and the team did a great job in recommending suitable layouts and pieces for each area of the house, down to the finishing touches like decorative pieces and paintings. She transformed our house into a home we could look forward to returning to!

The process was easy and pleasant; we were never pushed into buying anything and the prices were fair and reasonable. What’s more, their after-sales support was fantastic; we had a small incident with a stain on one of our new dining chairs that they were quick to help fix by putting us in touch with a fabric cleaning company. They also went out of their way to assist us with small things after the project and even sent us a nice housewarming gift!

Arete Culture
315 Outram Rd, #06-01 Tan Boon Liat Building
9640 3829 | areteculture.com

Woody Antique House

Rachael Flynn, Australian

I’ve always enjoyed doing jigsaws – even well before the pandemic puzzle craze kicked in! Often completing five to six puzzles a year, I find it very therapeutic to have a puzzle ongoing that I can just add a couple of pieces to each day.

When my children were born, I gave up the hobby – my free time was limited and I knew the puzzles wouldn’t stay intact on the table for very long. But now that my kids are growing up and the world has slowed down a little, my hobby is back in full force! So I began my hunt for the perfect table – something high enough that meant my puzzles would lay undisturbed and that I could add to while standing.

I first heard of Woody Antique a while back when I was on the hunt for antiques. I’ve since bought several pieces from them and have been a satisfied customer for years, but this was the first time I had requested a custom-made piece. I wanted a table that would meet my exact height requirements but would also fit in with the other furniture I had bought from them

The process was swift and Wei Chin was incredibly helpful; we settled on an elm wood base with a distressed black finish and hand-painted drawers that would complement the similar pieces I had in my home. When the final product arrived, it was exactly what I had in mind! Whether it’s one-of-a-kind antiques you’re after or custom-made furniture like mine, I couldn’t recommend them more!

Woody Antique House
13 Dempsey Road, #01-05
6471 1770 | woodyantique.com

European Bedding

Leon & Marian Janmaat, Dutch

After 40 years on spring coil mattresses and increasingly waking up with a sore back, we knew the time had come to upgrade our bed. We did our research and selected three companies we wanted to visit. European Bedding quickly became our lead candidate. We had frequently seen the name online and in magazines and received several positive reviews from friends!

We were detailed in our brief: we wanted to customise an extra-long bed with a mattress that provided good back support, a motorised base and a simple yet elegant frame. Last but not least, we wanted the insurance of a long trial period to ensure we made the right investment. Only European Bedding met all our needs.

For more than two months, we tested out various firmness levels of the store’s Heveya mattresses before making our decision. Finally, we bought two natural organic latex mattresses – one medium and one soft – including two toppers, and two wooden frames with motorised slatted bases. Everything was custom-made to a length of 220cm and a combined width of 180cm. We also bought latex pillows and customised bamboo fitted sheets.

Our shopping experience with European Bedding was great! The showroom in Tiong Bahru is a warm and welcoming place. We were assisted by Hanne throughout the process; she was pleasant, knowledgeable and really went the extra mile to provide the best possible service.

After placing our order, it took about two months for the products to arrive, but this was not a problem since we were allowed to continue using the trial set that we were given. The excellent customer service continued through to the delivery team, who were professional and friendly. On three separate occasions, they carried the heavy items up to the third floor of our walk-up apartment!

The final product felt fantastic from day one. It’s been about two months now, and we love the overall comfort and back support of the latex mattresses. Best of all, we wake up well-rested and without any aches or pains!

Heveya® by European Bedding
32 Eng Hoon Street
6735 6658 | europeanbedding.sg

This article first appeared in the April 2021 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!

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Amy Brook-Partridge

Amy has two kids, one dog and one husband - although she'd love to have more than one (dog, that is). She's mad about F45 training, running and playing Gaelic football, when she isn't injured or drinking a little too much wine.