What do we still manufacture by hand?
It comes as a surprise that after over 50 years of furniture making, our workshop is still full of carpenters working with their hands rather than giant machines doing the work for us. While many furniture manufacturing processes have become automated, there are still several reasons why our furniture is made by hand.
Bespoke Furniture at its Best
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Customization: Handcrafted furniture allows for a high level of customization. Skilled artisans can create unique pieces that meet specific design requirements or cater to individual preferences. Handmade furniture allows for greater flexibility in terms of size, materials, finishes, and details.
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Artistic Expression: Handcrafted furniture is often seen as a form of artistic expression. Skilled artisans can imbue their creations with intricate details, decorative elements, and unique designs that may not be feasible through automated production methods. Handmade furniture can showcase the craftsmanship and creativity of the maker.
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High-Quality Craftsmanship: Handmade furniture is typically associated with superior craftsmanship. Skilled artisans pay close attention to every detail, ensuring precise joinery, smooth finishes, and overall quality. The hands-on approach allows for meticulous craftsmanship and the use of traditional techniques that may result in a higher level of durability and longevity.
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Sustainable and Natural Materials: Handmade furniture often prioritizes the use of sustainable and natural materials. Artisans may select high-quality wood from responsibly managed forests or repurpose reclaimed materials, promoting environmental consciousness. This focus on sustainability appeals to those seeking eco-friendly furniture options.
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Small-Scale Production: Handcrafted furniture is often produced in smaller quantities. This approach allows artisans to focus on quality over quantity and maintain a sense of exclusivity. For individuals looking for unique, limited-edition or one-of-a-kind pieces, handmade furniture offers a desirable alternative to mass-produced items.
A Tradition to Uphold
It is part of our identity as a Singapore workshop to be a carpenter-centric company. From our humble beginnings to the large-scale projects we have managed recently, we always put the carpenter at the heart of what we do, and value their skills above all.
Many of our competitors shifted their production to Johor Bahru for cost reasons. There is a lot of pressure on the market to drive the prices down, and there is no doubt that Malaysian-made carpentry is often more affordable, regardless of the degree of automation.
There is also a strong push in Singapore to replace carpenters with machines, which is unfortunately incompatible with bespoke furniture. It makes no sense to spend 1 hour calibrating the machine to do something that takes 10 minutes with a carpenter.
But at the end of the day, we refuse to give in and lower our standards for the sake of optimisation. Our carpenters measure on site, manufacture themselves and install what they have made. Any rectification on a wardrobe or TV console will be made by the same team, to ensure accountability and client satisfaction.
When renovating your home or just ordering a single table, such a production model comes with peace of mind.