Outdoor Options
It’s what’s on the outside that counts for these readers, who explain how they picked key outdoor pieces for their home.
Alice Denaro, American, husband Steve Eastman, English, and dogs Sassy and Stella
I was replacing my existing outdoor furniture – a dark brown, L-shaped set that just didn’t work in the space. I wanted something lighter and more versatile for seating arrangements – something “classy”.
I’d seen the advertisement for Teak & Mahogany in Expat Living, and when I went there I found the service excellent; I loved how many choices they offered. Also, as my son was soon arriving from the US, the fact that they had what I wanted in stock and ready for immediate delivery was a bonus.
I purchased the Casablanca three-seater, two chairs, a coffee table, side tables and an ottoman. They fit perfectly, are extremely comfortable and ideal for entertaining. We especially needed a three-seater: not only for entertaining, but as something we could both lounge on very comfortably.
My advice for buying furniture is not to overcrowd your space, and always to go for comfort. Consider how you and your guests will be seated, too – whether a certain type of sofa will bring them too close together in the hot Singapore weather, compared to separate chairs, for example.
Now I can’t wait to go back to Teak & Mahogany and buy some of their fantastic glassware!
Australians David Leavesley and Zee Upton, with son Kit, and Cavoodle Lulu
We initially bought one piece of OHMM furniture, the Dune lounge, for our balcony. Because it was such good quality, I went back to the store to purchase two more pieces – specifically, two- and three-seater lounges from the SLIM range to replace the IKEA outdoor furniture we had bought when we first arrived and which was now broken.
What I really wanted was a solid frame and very comfortable pillows, and these OHMM pieces put our original IKEA lounge to shame – the difference in comfort is phenomenal.
We spend a lot of time on our balcony, both by ourselves, reflecting on the day, as well as having drinks and dinner with friends, so we wanted to have plenty of comfortable seating. When my nephew stayed with us at New Year, he even slept outside overnight on one of the lounges!
OHMM #03-09 Riverside Point 30 Merchant Road 6836 2747 | ohmm.sg
Margaret Zahn and James Sumwalt, American
We recently moved into a new flat with a very roomy porch. We were looking for a set of furniture that was large enough not to be dwarfed by the size of the deck, and that could stand up to the rainy and humid weather in Singapore. We also wanted things we could take back to the US when we retire there several years from now. This set will fit nicely into the sunroom of our house in Atlanta.
I read about Woody Antique House in Expat Living. I checked various sources on the internet and saw that they had many satisfied customers, a large selection of furniture, and a set of outdoor furniture that appealed to me. The service there was excellent. We were shown the outdoor furniture I had seen and it was just what I was looking for.
While we were there, and in two subsequent visits, we purchased a cabinet in chicken-wing wood and two other beautiful pieces of furniture. I also ordered a bed that had a three-month delivery date; our wonderful sales person at Woody arranged to lend us a bed until our order arrived.
I’m very happy with my outdoor furniture. While we were waiting for living-room furniture, it served perfectly for daily use in our living room – it’s comfortable and stylish.
I would definitely recommend Woody to others. My husband is currently moving several American families here, and Woody is the first place I will take them as they look to furnish their flats.
Woody Antique House #01-05 Block 13 and #01-12 Block 15, Dempsey Road 6471 1770 | woodyantique.com
Aleetza, Australian, and Jason Senn, American, with Auguste, Harper and Oliver
We were shopping in the area and decided to take a look at Danish Design. Everyone in the store was very helpful and knowledgeable, and I didn’t at any point feel I was getting a hard sell.
We bought a two-seater couch, a coffee table and a side table, which serve as a centrepiece as our balcony is centrally located off our living and dining areas, and looks out to the water. The décor on the other balconies matches these pieces, so if we move again, they’ll all work together. In the afternoon, we live on the balcony, and the furniture is incredibly comfortable for relaxing as well as being durable to withstand the weather, and my kids!
The Danish Design team continues to help us if we have queries and always follows up to make sure we are happy. They were quick to replace a cushion, and they helped us to have rain covers made to fit the furniture.
Thinking about the future is important. It can be hard as an expat to settle in and “own” your space when you don’t know how long you’ll be here. However, time truly flies in Singapore, so if you want to be happy, you need to enjoy your home. And if you spend a bit more than you intended, you may end up using your home space more, meaning you spend less on going out!
Finally, if you have outdoor spaces in your home country, it’s worth investing here in pieces that last, and accessorising with themes that will work there, too. Danish Design #06-03 Century Warehouse 100E Pasir Panjang Road 6270 8483 | danishdesignco.com.sg