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HOW Furniture: A Premium Japanese Furniture Showroom For Japandi Lovers Who Don’t Want To Settle For MUJI

6 May 2024 | BY

Get that Japandi home aesthetic without the jet lag (or the hefty baggage fees).

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If you’re tired of fawning over Japandi homes online and ready to kickstart the home of your dreams, you might want to check out HOW Furniture’s first showroom in Singapore.

Located in Pasir Panjang, this Hong Kong-based company boasts a curated selection of luxury Japanese furniture brands. Notably, some of these brands offer exclusive collections unavailable elsewhere in Singapore, making the showroom a potential treasure trove for those seeking unique Japandi pieces.

Hirashima—Minimalistic & multi-functional pieces from Fukuoka

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Standing as one of the company’s most prominently featured brands, Hirashima hails from Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture and is known for its unique blend of minimalism and functionality. 

Hirashima Solido Daybed & Round Chair

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The Hirashima Solido Daybed features a unique headboard that wraps around the length of the sofa, with a built-in shelf for displaying books or personal items. The daybed itself has a pull-out section that can be used for additional sleeping space or lounging.

The daybed is available in oak wood and walnut wood, as well as in 9 different textile colours and patterns.

Complementing the sofa is the Hirashima Leгаре Bean Table, designed with raised edges to prevent spills—ideal for smaller living rooms and spaces.

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The round swivel chair adds another touch of functionality with a removable wooden tray that features a fabric inner lining to prevent scratches on the table’s surface.

Hirashima Agile Circle Dining Table & Chairs

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Despite its deceptively simple appearance, the Hirashima Agile Circle Dining Table and Agile Round Chairs offer surprising functionality. The angled table legs not only increase legroom but also allow the chairs to slide all the way in. With the curved chair backs fitting perfectly within the round tabletop, this design allows you to maximise the space in your dining room.

Here’s another feature that anyone who does housework will appreciate: the chairs can hang off the table for effortless floor cleaning. You can purchase the dining set in oak wood, oak black wood, or walnut wood. 

Hirashima Caramella Storage Mirror

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Those looking for a unique storage system may be interested in the Hirashima Caramella Storage Mirror. This mirror conceals a full-length hidden cabinet behind its surface and requires no drilling or mounting for installation.

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The interior features an Oriental-style lattice shelf, perfect for organising smaller items like perfume bottles or hair ties, as well as a small, built-in mirror. You can also choose between a left or right-opening option, and either oak or walnut wood.

Hirashima Scala Desk, Shelf & Hanger

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Modular furnishings like the Hirashima Scala Shelf are also available for purchase. Part of the Scala collection, this set features a sleek desk paired with ladder-like shelving units.

The shelf can be grouped with other individual pieces like the Scala Desk and Scala Hanger, allowing you to customise your workspace or storage system while remaining consistently Japandi

Switch Original Furniture—American Industrial Styles

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Originating from Japan, Switch Original Furniture blends the clean lines and functionality of Japanese craftsmanship with a distinct American Industrial aesthetic. This results in furniture that features darker woods and textiles, reminiscent of the mid-century modern style.

Switch Frien’Zoo Stool

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Playful and functional, the Switch Frien’Zoo Stool is a great statement piece to brighten up your space with. Available in various animal shapes like sheep, dog, horse, camel, and elephant, it caters to the whimsy of both children and adults alike. The key feature of this stool is its surprising stability, making it capable of supporting a significant weight.

Switch Tile Cafe Table

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Inspired by the charming tiled tables in Western parks and cafes, the Switch Tile Cafe Table is made with  a unique blend of materials.

The base is made from solid white oak wood with a natural finish, while the central section features a mosaic tile inlay for an attention-grabbing effect.

These tiles are heat-resistant, making them a practical choice for everyday use. The table comes in 2 options: white tiles with black grout or mixed-colour tiles with white grout, pictured above. Some assembly is required upon delivery, as the tabletop and steel legs arrive separately.

Masterwal—Furniture made from walnut wood

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Masterwal, a Japanese furniture brand, has carved a niche for itself in the wood furniture industry. Their focus lies in preserving the natural textures of walnut wood. They achieve this with minimal processing of the material, resulting in furniture that celebrates unique natural imperfections like wood eyes.

Masterwal Wildwood Dining Table & Bench

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Crafted from a choice of master-grade walnut, Hokkaido oak, red oak, or black cherry wood, the Masterwal Wildwood Dining Table emphasises the beauty of the natural material. 

The design itself combines a dark, solid wood tabletop with a durable iron frame, creating a visually striking contrast.  The table offers further customisation options with its legs, allowing you to choose from iron legs, 2 or 4 wooden legs, or a T-frame to best suit your space. The accompanying Wildwood Bench provides a cohesive look and is available in walnut, red oak, or black cherry wood.

Whisky Oak Series—Uses recycled whisky oak barrels

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The Whisky Oak Series specialises in crafting pieces from recycled whisky barrels, giving new life to a sustainable material. This results in unique furniture with a rustic and unique charm. 

Whisky Oak Dining Table & Bench

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Crafted from seasoned, 20-year-old whisky barrel wood, the Whisky Oak Dining Table and Whisky Oak Bench features natural textures like trace nail marks, lending a rustic, weathered character to any room.

Whisky Oak Custom Console Table & Stool

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The Whisky Oak Custom Console Table and Whisky Oak Stool are a highly customisable choice for entryways or living spaces. 

The console table comes in 3 widths: 1200cm, 1500cm, and 1800cm. The stool complements the table, and is available in 3 heights: 410cm, 510cm, and 610cm, providing options to create a visually cohesive set.

Bonus: Filobula—Thai minimalist wood furniture

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Standing out from its Japanese counterparts at HOW Furniture is Filobula, a Thai furniture brand. Known for their minimalist designs and use of solid wood, Filobula offers contemporary furniture at more affordable prices compared to similar items on display in the showroom.

Filobula Slon Dining Table & Bench

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The Filobula Slon Dining Table comes in your choice of natural oak wood or a walnut stain, allowing you to match your existing décor.

A distinctive feature of the Slon table is the placement of its legs—positioned outside the tabletop. This creates a more spacious feel and allows for easier seating arrangements.

For instance, the 120cm table offers 106cm of legroom, making it compatible with most dining chairs. The accompanying Slon Bench provides additional seating options and comes in 4 sizes, ranging from 920cm to 1520cm.

Filobula Macaron Ottoman & Stool Base

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If you have a sweet tooth, brace yourself for the whimsical Filobula Macaron Ottoman. This playful piece comes in 3 sizes (S, M, and L) and 2 finishes: natural ash wood or walnut-stained ash wood.

Inspired by the iconic French dessert, the Macaron’s rounded form creates a visually striking statement piece to add some childlike wonder to your home.

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On the other hand, the Macaron Stool Base version offers dual functionality—featuring a removable plush cushion that transforms it from a stool into a coffee table.

Other noteworthy products

Barketek Mini Sofa

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For pet owners, the Barketek Mini Sofa offers an adorable yet stylish option for your furbabies. This small sofa, crafted from rubber wood in Thailand, caters to smaller furry friends, with an optional matching roof also available for added comfort, security and cosiness.

HOW Furniture Tree Ring Stools

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Perfect for nature enthusiasts, the HOW Furniture Tree Ring Stools serve as a unique conversation piece. Sourced from Japan, each of these natural wood stools showcases the one-of-a-kind textures of a tree’s annual rings, knots, and cracks, resulting in a distinctly rustic aesthetic. 

Their versatility extends beyond their function as stools—they can also serve as coffee tables or decorative elements. However, due to their popularity, the pictured stools may already be reserved or sold.

In-Style Tatamist

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If you’re into Japanese designs but can’t commit your whole house to the aesthetic, smaller homeware purchases like the In Style Tatamist might be of interest to you.

Available in 3 sizes (S, M, and L), the placemats cater to various space requirements.  These tatami mats come in a range of 7 patterns and colours, including Sumi (grey), Nezumi (cyan), Tobi (brown), Kaki (light maroon), and Hada (yellow), alongside classic combinations like black with red and black with grey. 

Made from 100% Japanese rush grass, the mats feature  a traditional Mesaki weave, known for its tight and fine pattern. For durability and aesthetics, the mats feature a central wooden board, a non-slip backing, and thick cotton edging. Additionally, the Hakushu dyeing method ensures colour fastness, preventing fading from exposure to sunlight.

HOW Furniture’s first showroom in Singapore

If you’re looking to refresh your home with a touch of Japanese design, HOW Furniture’s new showroom is worth exploring. Many of these pieces are designed to be investment pieces, built to last and potentially appreciate in value over time.

However, with a focus on unique design and premium materials, these pieces come with corresponding price tags. Before you clutch your pearls, it’s important to consider your own priorities and lifestyle before committing to a purchase.

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Photography by Maisy Phua.

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