Thursday, August 17, 2017

Hock Siong & Co

Singapore favorite karung guni store – Hock Siong & Co.

A continuation of our shopping around for retro/vintage/industrial furniture, this time round I want to recommend one of the best place to buy cheaper but yet good quality stuff.

According to its webpage, Hock Siong has changed from being a karung guni store to dealing with second hand furniture, operating equipment and antiquities from local hotels and residential households.

Situated within the industrial area behind Tai Seng MRT. the address is 153 Kampong Ampat, #01-03 Junjie Industrial Building, S(368326).

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The place is separated into 3 sections. I will call it …
(1) General Section
(2) Kitchen Section
(3) Furniture Section

General section is basically where you can find anything and everything.

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Like retro metal cans.

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A mirror.

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A handmade tile table by the people @ Hock Siong.

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More retro items.

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Found something that definitely caught my attention. Black & white photos in frame and a pair of Syphon coffee glass.

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Ironing and Stamping machines.

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Metal chairs for the balcony?

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They even sell bicycles.. Wow!

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Kitchen section is where you can find all sorts of plates, bowls, cutleries, pots, etc.

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The all time favorite – Rooster bowls and plates.

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Finally it’s the Furniture section, where you can find the sofas, bed frames, mattresses, cupboards, chairs, etc.

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Even a huge rattan lamp shade. Or you can just buy it for food cover.

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We exercised much self-control and just bought one item. But we will surely be back for more when we have shifted.

Ceramic pot for only $12.

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Happy shopping!

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Junkie’s Corner

So with the impending move to our new house in Dec 2017, the current conversation at home with the girls or wife has been revolving around the ideas for new furniture and/or décor items.

Kless and I shifted to Sembawang when we first got married, back then the entire design and purchasing of furniture was handed to our ID company and we practically just moved into a completed house. Then when we moved again to our current house, the idea was not to spend anything on reno or furniture, cos the plan was to shift out again within 2-3 years. But little did we know, the stay has now been 9 years! So much for planning.. Hahaha..

NOW.. we are moving again, we have decided to be fully involved in deciding what furniture and deco items do we need. Of course, we aren’t trained to be like an ID expert, but it’s our house, what matters most is our liking and feelings.

This time, I was quite intrigued by the idea of having some retro/vintage/industrial theme in the house. Maybe I’m getting older, my taste for the olden things have grown as well.

One nice place I want to recommend for those who are looking for vintage/retro furniture or items is Junkie’s Corner. Prior to this, I have no idea that such a place even exist in Singapore. Truly hidden in a corner from The Grandstand (formerly known as Turf City), this place is not difficult to find, and definitely a gem place to visit.

Directions from The Grandstand.

Move along Dancing Crab signboard towards the Premier Pitch futsal.

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Once you reached the futsal pitches, turn left and walk along this road right to the end of the T-junction.

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Turn left at the T-junction and continue forward.

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You will pass by an International School – Blue House.

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Another 100m more, round a slight turn bend of the road, you have reached the destination.

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Junkie’s Corner is this stretch of warehouses along 2 Turf Road.

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Before you delved into the place, do remember to be polite. The items can look like “trash” to you but it is “treasure” to some, especially the owners. So don’t criticize what you don’t like. Another point to take note, the prices are negotiable but a word of advice, prices can be on the steep side. Still, if you like it and can find its worth, you will be willing to part with the money.

Here are some interesting things to look out for (based on my personal preferences).

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For some reason unknown even to myself, I love luggage. And some of the older designs are simply a beauty.

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Inside is almost like a movie setting for the 60’s.

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Vintage stuff like these are some things you can hope to find.

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Was tempted to buy these used bicycle rims ($10 /ea) but maybe next time.

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Headless statue anyone?

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Milk powder from the past. I think I drank this brand before.

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Found this colorful glass ball outside, looks like being discarded, but I know if I bring it home, my wife will kill me.

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More “treasures”.

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Anyone still has one of this? Sony Walkman!! $20 quoted (before negotiations).

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If you are looking for furniture, this is what you can expect. At least 2 lanes of vintage (mainly wooden) tables, chairs, benches, cupboards, beds, sofas, lights, bird cages, dividers, cabinets, etc.

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If you find something you like, you can request it to be furbished too. Maye a new layer of varnish or paint, fix a knob, tighten a door. Anything can be fixed with a cost.

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After like 4 visits to the place, I finally bought something. The missus was against the idea when I saw it the first time we were there. But eventually I bought it when I was alone. Just another senseless buy and liking that I cannot explain.

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Happy shopping!