Trendy, chic & sustainable
Commune, a premium furniture and lifestyle brand from Singapore, recently opened its flagship store in the Philippines at the East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City.
Established in 2011, Commune carries furniture in various design styles as well as accessories for the home. Its sturdy pieces, which are designed for modern living and would look great in condominiums, make an area warm and welcoming while holding up against everyday wear and tear.
During the flagship store’s opening, guests were excited to check out the brand’s pieces, which were created using mostly sustainably and ethically sourced American wood. They also learned that the pieces’ designs were inspired by international trends and ideas covering mid-century modern, modern Scandinavian, modern retro, industrial and many others.
Sales and marketing director Shee Wen Gan said, “We believe our furniture represents the changing tastes of younger generations and wish to introduce a homemaking lifestyle that is ethical, sustainable, yet trendy and chic. We focus on wood furniture, minimizing lead and formaldehyde content in our production for environmental safety purposes. We also use natural materials that are friendly to the environment.”
Brand manager Audrey Ngui, who brought Commune to the Philippines, said they chose the brand because the quality and designs are superior but the prices are affordable.
The brand places value on timeless designs that have greater longevity. It introduces one to two new collections every year, but keeps products that are selling well in stores for a longer time.
Another thing that makes the store worth visiting is the unique shopping experience it offers. The in-store experience engages the consumer’s five senses — sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste — through beautiful visual merchandise displays, impeccable curated wooden furniture paired with modern accessories, which they encourage customers to touch and feel, a customized Commune Home in-store fragrance and a café experience that allows shoppers to gather with friends or family and relax in a cozy and homey environment. This is based on the idea that when all the five senses are engaged within the store, a beautiful and lasting sixth sense that resonates powerfully with the concept of home-making — emotion — can be formed.
The brand also offers an in-store 3D interior planning and visualization service for homeowners on a renovation journey, so one can see one’s dream home designed with Commune furniture even before deciding to purchase any actual furniture.