I remember stumbling onto this quirky home living and furniture store back in early 2016 on one of my sojourns to the bohemian Haji Lane area. It left a huge impression on me because with its suave mod-chinoiserie wares, the store seemed slightly out of place among the other rows of textile shops and establishments offering Middle Eastern carpets and Morrocan stained glass lamps around Kampong Glam. Over the years, I’ve also come to get to know its founders, Jessica Wong and Pamela Ting, and fallen in love with the elegant design philosophy behind the Scene Shang brand.
The duo released a heartfelt ode to their flagship store in an online message last week, leaving just enough time for fans of the homegrown brand to make a trip down for a last selfie with the beautiful interiors before the doors close on 27 September, Monday. This closure follows shortly after their other outlet at Raffles Hotel Arcade shut its doors as well a few months back.
The flagship store might be closing, but thankfully not for long. In a call to Jessica, she shared that the team’s next step would be to carve out a home in the Tai Seng district, which will be up later this year. So keep your eyes out for that!
And if you’re hoping to grab a good deal before their Beach road operations end, use the discount code MOVING20 to get 30% off selected furniture and homeware. It’s a great time to get their signature designs. Below are six iconic pieces everyone should get for the home. I got my eye on the armchair!
Maverick Armchair x Binary Style ‘Sang Kanchil Mousedeer’ fabric cover
Maverick is one of the brand’s bestsellers, probably because it reminds you of the wicker lounge chairs your parents or grandparents used to have, except with a cool and updated modern twist. This version comes in the tropical-inspired print designed by Santhi and Sari Tunas of fellow homegrown brand Binary Style, but there are other versions in solid colours too. Fabric and leather iterations, as well as a two-seater sofa option are available too.
Price: $990 (prices for the single-seater armchair in fabric and solid colour starts from $680)
White Pagoda Essential Oil with Yun desktop diffuser
Perhaps more recognisable than the store’s facade, would be the distinctive fragrance you can smell even before stepping into the shop. The White Pagoda scent comprises a woody blend of bergamot, cypress, nutmeg, cedarwood and sandalwood. The resulting scent is both calming and sensual, great for use in powder rooms.
Price: $29 per essential oil and $59 for the diffuser.
I have these cushions at home, and they work extremely well by being conversation starters themselves! Made of velvet and soft cotton insert, the covers depict scenes of Tanjong Pagar Railway, Clifford Pier and Cathay Building in a stylish Art-Deco style. The warm blue backing and trim help to frame the scenes perfectly, and they are also easy to maintain.
Price: $45.90 per cover (no cushion provided)
Banker desk lamp (in Nero Marquina base)
Inspired by the traditional desk lamps used in banks and often seen in stately studies, this desk lamp is the ideal accent for the living room, bedside or entrance foyer. It has a captivating presence, exuding an air of elegance and grace. The marble base (available in pearl and jade tones as well) gives it a distinctly modern touch.
Price: $280
The Shang system of consoles and side tables are probably most indicative of Scene Shang’s unique East-meets-West design language. With its sloping sides, the table top reminds one of traditional Chinese rooftops, enhanced by the quaint brass handle. Presented in an Oriental form, the console still projects a very sophisticated look through the clever use of colours. What I love about the system is you get to customise it by decide how many cabinets you need as well.
Price: from $2,000
This dining table and bench combination is a winner because it helps to liven up the room without overwhelming the sight. The angled curves of the brass-plated steel legs are complemented by the soft look of the table top and bench. They are great for homeowners who love a minimalist look but just want something slightly more showy to anchor the whole look of the space.
Price: $1,184 for the table and $950 for the bench