The Joo Chiat/Katong area shines in the East Coast as a quintessential Peranakan neighbourhood—its rows of Peranakan shophouses in varying styles and hues give the place a vibrant lift, a rustic charm. But the Joo Chiat area is also known for so many things: a foodie's destination, a night-out spot, a backpacker's hub, and of course, a homeowner's paradise. It's home to a number of furniture shops and home accessories stores, a mix of new and old, that have been furnishing the homes in Singapore for many years. Open: Monday-Sunday, 11:30am to 9:30pmWhile this store, which has branches all over the island, primarily provides air-conditioning and lighting services, it also sells chairs (like incliners and chaise sofas and Swarovski-studded armchairs), fans, and water heaters. Also worth-noting are Best Tech's dizzying selection of chandeliers of different prices and sizes, including a statement-making and jaw-dropping one that costs about $20,000!Jaguar lamp, $569Brilliant Source Lighting55 Joo Chiat Place S 427779Tel: 6440 6117 Open: Monday-Sunday, 11am to 7pmThis showroom along Joo Chiat Place offers all types of light fixtures imaginable, from pendant lights to table lamps, from sconces to LED down lights.
Feel free to look around the store and spot lamps and bulbs at discounted prices. More deals are available at their online store. Talk about variety—the shop carries over 20 lighting brands!Cat Socrates448 Joo Chiat Road S 427661Tel: 6348 0863Open: Tuesday-Sunday, 12:30pm to 9:30pmCat Socrates is a cheerful and whimsical store that sells books, stationery, Singapore-themed products, vintage memorabilia, fashion accessories, and of course, home accessories. The shop, which heartily welcomes the creations of local designers, is teeming with homeware, artworks, and knick knacks that add a touch of quirk to your space. Must-buys: Peranakan tiles for more colourful floors or walls. Small Air Plant, $4 each (pot and holder sold separately) Mini Animal Figurines, $1.90; Mini House Figurines, $3.90; Quirky Square Cushion Cover, $29 (with pillow, additional $10)The World Rosewood395 Joo Chiat Road S 427627Tel: 6345 0948Open: Monday-Sunday, 12:00pm to 8:30pm; Wednesday, 12:00pm to 7:30pmFans of traditional and Oriental interior style will rejoice over the rosewood furniture and furnishings in this showroom along Joo Chiat Road.
Made in the company's factory in Shenzhen, the furniture is of exceptional quality and style—think exquisitely intricate carvings and even oyster pearls embedded into the design. The shop also refurbishes antique furniture and does rosewood carpentry. Look for the dining chairs, $170 each, and stunning rosewood vanity dresser that retails at $4,388 (worth it!). Open: Tuesday-Sunday, 11am to 8 pmThe Haus of Egg 3 along East Coast is a bright and airy shophouse that houses an "eclectic mix of quirky home decor and fashion labels." Furnish your home with Egg 3's myriad of furniture pieces and accessories that are stylish and give your home an intriguing boost. Look for the metal cabinet and the metal TV console with multicoloured drawers! Metal Cabinet, starts at $1,200; Bonus: The exteriors are Instagram-worthy! .sgOpen: Monday-Saturday, 10am to 6 pm; Sunday and Public Holidays, 11am to 6 pm The shop introduces you to a spectacle: gold lacquer cabinets sitting side by side stunning rosewood buffet tables, prints of flowers and birds glistening in the furniture, exquisite woodwork spotted in every corner.
Gnee Hong, which was established in 1934, is an easy and effortless choice when scouting for Chinese furniture and furnishings. Look for the Gold Lacquer Cabinet with Peony Design, $620; the Rosewood Cabinet with Bird and Flower Design, $2,000, and Rosewood Nightstand with Flower Design, $85.Photos courtesy of Gnee Hong Ji Feng Art Gallery292 Joo Chiat Road S 427544Tel: 8223 8887 Open: Monday-Sunday, 11am to 7 or 8 pmLocated along Joo Chiat Road, this art gallery looks unassuming, yet the display windows immediately hint at the treasures that live inside. Porcelain chinawares from the Song, Qing, Ming, and Yan dynasties and other rare items are sold mostly as wholesale in the store—while most of them are pricey, there are also discounted homewares (like the Porcelain Urn, $350) sold outside the gallery. Get your fill of auspicious Chinese wares from this store located near the intersection of Joo Chiat Road and Dunman Road. Lucky Khoon Bathroom Studio Pte Ltd31, 33, 35 Joo Chiat PlaceTel: 6346 2172Open: Monday-Saturday, 9:30am to 8pm;
Sunday, 11am to 7pmLucky Khoon is not hard to spot. Located near the junction of Joo Chiat Road and Joo Chiat Place is a row of stores that meet your various needs for the home, from bathroom fixtures to plumbing and construction. There is also a space dedicated for different lighting fixtures. Open: Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am to 6pmIf you're about to furnish your child's bedroom, then go to the very charming Ni-Night, which specialises in children's furniture, like beds, ISO-certified bunk beds, study desks, and bookcases. Ni-night also has an online store, and you can also check their products at the Cromly Shop. Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 11am to 7pmParis Home is a cosy boutique along Joo Chiat Road that sells luxurious bespoke French, Baroque, Rococo, Hollywood Regency, Mid-Century Vintage, and Victorian furniture. All designs are built-to-order and customisable, and the furniture pieces exceptionally handcrafted using natural materials like mahogany and teak solid wood.
Prices start from about $300. Orders can be customised over at their online store. Scanteak Concept Store341 Joo Chiat Road S 427593Tel: 6342 5718Open: Monday to Sunday, 12pm to 9pmScanteak is known for its quality teak furnishings that hint at Scandinavian design. Their designs are simple and functional, and the structure well-built as the furniture pieces undergo a 32-point inspection list. Scanteak also works with various designers and artisans for its Designer Range—their recent one a collaboration with Outofstock. The Tatami Shop235 East Coast Road S 428929 Tel: 6336 6018Open: Monday to Thursday, Sunday, 11am to 8:30pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am to 9pmThe Tatami Shop along East Coast Road is the only store outside Japan selling tatami futon furnishings. Handcrafted with natural Igusa rush seeds, this space-saving item is perfect for those intent on practicing eco-friendly lifestyle. Other benefits of using the tatami: it folds easily, it's mobile and easy to carry, it gives you a support for napping and sleeping, and it's easy to clean and maintain.
You can go to the shop and try the sofa beds out—you will probably become a tatami convert in no time.Tatami Nile Sofa Bed, $950Tatami Six-Fold Mattress, $860 The Gallery House181 East Coast Road S 428887 Tel: 6348 6346 Open: Monday-Sunday, 11:30am to 8:30pm Quality solid teakwood furniture pieces, from patio sets to screens to bookcases to TV buffet tables, are housed in The Gallery House along the East Coast Road. This store has a homey quality to it—you can just breeze right through the shop and take your time gawking at the warm wooden pieces that you just want to take home. No need to rush; Figurine Items, starts at $12 369 Joo Chiat Road S 427614Tel: 6344 7000Open: Monday-Sunday, 8am to 8pmEstablished in 1945, Teong Theng Co has become somewhat of a neighbourhood legend. It continues to sell wood and rattan furniture that takes the customers back to old Singapore, including the seashell-shaped rattan chair, a common sight in '60s and '70s households. Not only do the furniture pieces inspire nostalgia, they are also most suitable to use in Singapore's hot weather.