Bringing Holidays Home

Island Living by Cocoon is a one-stopshop in Singapore for tropical and elegant pieces with that bohemian, beachy resort aesthetic so many of us are missing right now.

It was the difficulty of sourcing unique homeware that led longterm Australian expats KARIN RYSGAARD and DENISE VRONTAS – whose backgrounds are in interior design and marketing respectively – to launch Island Living in February 2019.

“There were a lot of mass-produced, super-expensive and lovely but sleek home goods that were not really our style,” explains Denise. “We felt there was a gap in the market for affordable pieces offering organic textures, natural lines and a laid-back rustic look that suits where we live geographically.”

What’s in store

As well as stand-out signature furniture, from daybeds to armchairs, you’ll find sustainable rattan and teak wood, hard-carved artefacts, whitewashed surfaces, luxurious textiles and more.

Karin and Denise look to vacation destinations such as Indonesia and Vietnam for inspiration and stock. “Pretty much all of our merchandise is handmade, so no two products are the same, from our Canggu pottery vases to the Byron Bay baskets, and the wooden Kenyan bowls and spoons,” adds Karin.

Community spirit

While COVID-19 caused disruption everywhere, it gave Island Living the opportunity to become even more community driven. “We were lucky to make great contacts with suppliers around the globe prior to the pandemic, so we continued working together throughout 2020 despite not being able to travel,” Karin says. “Our larger suppliers introduced us to small local enterprises who were suffering, so now we support them, too. It makes our merchandise even more eclectic and creates a wonderful sense of community spirit.”

Home projects

The company has also thrived thanks to the new trend for home redecoration and stay-athome projects. “People are definitely investing in making their homes more comfortable and enjoyable,” shares Denise. Island Living’s Havana Bed in teak and rattan is a hot-cake right now, along with decorative features such as trays, lanterns, vases and candles. “Updating your home with details like a linen palm tree tea towel provides an instant pick-me-up.”

Browse the online shop at islandliving.sg, or visit the 2,500-square-foot showroom at #02-05 Henry Design Centre, 5 Eunos Avenue 8A.