Other than Ikea

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yes they most certainly do have an "as is" section. I used to frequent it regularly. We actually have two IKEA stores here. One in Alexandria Road and one out near Changi Airport near Pasir Ris (the newest one).

[jpatokal]

Um, "other than IKEA." That slur. Wasn't that a slur?

Not really -- it's just that if you have a flat with lots of IKEA furniture, it's instantly identifiable as a flat with lots of IKEA furniture. Whether this is a problem or not is up to you... but for what it's worth, I'm typing this at an IKEA desk while sitting on an IKEA chair

[artursson]

SMS, jpat--You've made my day! Thanks a lot. Actually, with all the expats surging in and out of the place, I'm surprised that Singapore doesn't have an exchange dedicated to the used furniture of the upwardly mobile. Or does it, in fact? Maybe something to look into as a part time venture once we've settled in and furnished. Not meaning to hijack the thread, but how hard is it for an expat to set up a casual business of that sort? Murderous, probably. Maybe the idea already steps on the feet of an established pattern: the departing hand off to their household help, thus seeding a desire for Design among the less advantaged?

I've just joined this forum, and I do have a bunch of questions and much to learn about Singapore, and already I sense myself becoming obnoxious to at least some established members here. Please excuse the insensitivity and/or high spirits: I'm sure I'll behave myself once I'm in the neighborhood. I'll probably have to give myself a new handle, though.

[Levikane]

Wow. Someone on these forums who is actually an expat, a realist and self aware. Thats a rare commodity!

Keep the handle!

[sundaymorningstaple]

and already I sense myself becoming obnoxious to at least some established members here.

That, as you saw, is not hard to do. Nevermind. We learn to live with it. It's part and parcel to the territory. The old say is 'it takes all kinds'. Keep your enthusiasm, the overwhelming majority of us welcome it.! The few that don't? Pffft!

When you get here, you might want to check out the bulletin board at Cold Storage, Jelita. I believe you can find all kinds of furniture, maids, cars and most anything else being offered by departing expats. There may be more but I no longer frequent upmarket (read Expat) Grocery Stores as I do 99.9% of my shopping at the local NTUC where the prices are at least 30% cheaper. Saving a buck is saving a buck. Even if it's at IKEA!

There is another venue here as well called "Cash Converters" which is kinda like a old style US pawn shop. Lots of bargins there as well as junk I must admit. Occasionally though you can do a decent score there. There are several branches around the island.

Or if you really want to save money, just rent 14' truck and two weeks before the Lunar New Year, drive around the various housing estates and you will find entire living room sets, bedroom sets being thrown out by Chinese families. Some of the stuff looks absolutely brand new.

Most here have "garage or yard sales" as we usually call it at home (here is just garage sale but most don't even have a garage (carport maybe!). The local papers are full of them being advertised on Fridays & Saturdays so it pretty easy to pick up stuff for a song there as well. I recently picked up a less than 2 years old Aibi 6800 magnetic elliptical Cross Trainer. From one of our regulars here who just left the end of April for Sydney Aus.

[artursson]

Thanks for the thumbs-up, Levikane. SMS--so the lunar new year is when, exactly? Thanks for the shopping/scrounging tips. My wife will hate you for them, but that's OK. Better she hates you than me.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Just tell her it will save more for her boutique shopping!

Just to let you know, I'm a consummate scrounger as well. I was here 12 years before I bought my first living room set new. I normally would pick up cane furniture and take it to a old one man shop that used to exist years ago who would refinish the entire living room set for about S$150.

If you are going to arrive here soon it's too far off to be of much immediate benefit re: lunar new year. Next year I believe it will be on 26-27 Jan 09 give or take a day or two. The local Chinese like to clean house (literally just before this, their foremost holiday of the year) Normally almost all, if not all, Chinese owned Businesses will be closed for 3 days up to two weeks.

[rasserie]

unfortunately, i think u guys have known that there isnt much variety in the 'FURNISHING' category.

im a singaporean, and if i want to buy furniture, i prolly would look at IKEA, although IKEA is not a singaporean company. guess, its not much help to u guys but IKEA is better than most IMO.

[Icemocha]

So the answer to where to find good quality, nicely designed, mid price furniture, so far I have not seen any. I have looked everywhere.

I know a shop call "The Home Merchant" similar to Barang Barang's style. I was able to custom and make to order my furnitures with them. It's Indonesian teak and not teak from Burma.

The shop in Holland shopping center sell decent wooden furnitures, but you need to negotiate the asking prices, bring a local along.

Have you try the outlets at Dempsey road? One of them is Vintage Palace. They have a wide range from craps to better furniture. Have a keen eyes and spot the better stuff.

One more shop near Depot road. Drop me a PM, I'll try to find their address.

[ownervz]

Try Novena White Collection. West Area Outlet is at Opp IMM Blg

[Icemocha]

I think Novena White Collection is not better than Ikea.

[mrsli]

Hubby and I just moved here last week and have been looking for condos to rent. I'm not sure what your situation is (or if you're here yet, since this was posted a few months back), but if you'll be looking around for a condo -- most places seem to be able to furnish if you need it to be furnished, which may be an option for you since you mentioned you likely won't be taking it with you on your next move in 3-4 years. Might be easier than trying to furnish it yourself, and then having to get rid of the furniture when you move out.