The buzz: American home furnishings chain Crate & Barrel has opened its first store in Asia at ION Orchard, managed by the folks behind Proof Living, a multi-label luxury furniture and home accessories boutique.
The vibe: The 16,000 sq. ft. space has a calming, welcoming atmosphere, thanks to neutral hues, earthy materials and warm lighting. Almost half of the Crate & Barrel store is dedicated to the brand’s specialty—kitchenware and household essentials—with products neatly arranged so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. A key feature is its open displays of seasonal themes which change every month or so, like cupcakes or cheeses, allowing shoppers to pick out the best products related to the specific “topic”.
The goods: You’ll find everything from pizza pans and Champagne flutes to leather chairs and carpets. If you’re in the market for some good-looking drinkware, the store offers a respectable assortment of glasses for every budget (a machine-produced cocktail glass costs a mere $3.50, while a hand-blown piece starts from $13). This is also the place to get hard-to-find kitchen tools such as a marble cheese board with slicer ($32.95).
Why you’ll be back: While prices aren’t as low as Ikea’s, the brand’s well-made products are relatively affordable and deviate from the mob of uniformity seen in other furniture chains. And if you can’t find anything that suits (or fits), just head down the road to new sibling CB2 at Peranakan Place.
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