The Dempsey Hill enclave, with its old world charm, verdant landscape and architecture, has always been an idyllic place for Sunday brunches away from the hustle and bustle of the city. However, not many people know that it is also a hidden treasure trove of elegant home accessories and furnishings – for homeowners who desire a different retail experience from the malls along Orchard Road.
Making their home in the restored colonial buildings nestled amidst lush greenery are tenants offering unique and tasteful homeware. From ancient Indo-China antiques to 18th-century Persian carpets, we have rounded up our favourite stores for a selection of exclusive furnishings from all around the globe to spruce up your abode.
Main image credit: Dempsey Hill
Jump To / Table of Contents
1 /6
The 5,000 square foot space which was once a POSB branch now houses Asiatique Collections, a furniture and lifestyle boutique that offers an exclusive range of exquisite furniture, art, home accessories and eclectic jewellery sourced from around Asia and Europe.
The showroom, styled into thoughtful, elegant collections with a focus on clean lines and varied textures, is curated by founder Chin Chelliah Bottinelli – and should give you ideas on how to jazz up your living space.
14A Dempsey Road, Asiatique Collections
2 /6
Stepping into Lotto Carpets Gallery will make you feel like you’re in a scene from Aladdin. A family owned business under the care of the Mirs for over 150 years, the store reintroduces carpets as works of art rather than just static floor coverings.
The Lotto family have been passionately collecting rare and exotic hand-made carpets of different ages, designs and materials from all over the world, with the gallery holding the widest collection of antique carpets in Southeast Asia. From 17th century Mughal and Transylvanian carpets to 18th century Persian and Turkish ones, the owners themselves (with many years of expertise) will help you decide on weavings of history for your home.
You also get a lifetime trade-in, should you change up the decor of your room or simply want a fresh change.
26 Dempsey Road #01-04, Lotto Carpets Gallery
3 /6
British furniture and interiors company Timothy Oulton, recognised for its distinctive leather finishes and unique design, makes its sole appearance in Southeast Asia at the gallery in Dempsey.
Their diverse collection of upholstery, trunks, lighting and decorative accessories – like the unique chandelier collection, which features pieces such as the Gyro and Crystal – are to die for.
14C Dempsey Road #01-03, Timothy Oulton
4 /6
If you’re looking to decorate your living space with antiques from ancient Southeast Asian civilisations, Shang Antique is the place to go. Having been in Singapore since 1984, the store started off retailing Buddha statues from Indo-China countries as its main focus.
Founder Fred Chua sources antiques from Cambodia, Thailand, Burma and Indonesia – including Buddha statues, curios, art pieces, paintings, unique one-off antique furniture and outdoor furniture.
16 Dempsey Road #01-01 & 26 Dempsey Road #01-03, Shang Antique
5 /6
Emiko Nakamura, founder of EmGallery, was moved by the beauty of handwoven textiles in Laos and Cambodia and started to collaborate with the weavers and artisans to produce her own collection – which made its home at EmGallery in Dempsey Hill.
Emiko fuses understated Japanese aesthetics with traditional Southeast Asian styles to create her modern Asian collection of textiles, as well as home and decor accessories.
16 Dempsey Road, EmGallery
6 /6
Established since 1998, Woodfarm Lifestyle offers beautifully restored authentic Chinese furniture and ornaments sourced from different provinces of China – featuring an extensive antique furniture collection and a range of quality recycled furniture in unique and traditional styles.
The store also specialises in custom made furnishings and weatherproof, synthetic rattan furniture.
13 Dempsey Road #01-03
Dewi Nurjuwita
Senior Writer
Dewi Nurjuwita is a travel and design writer who can be found exploring the streets of foreign cities with passport in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
