Combining masculine pieces with feminine accents is Serene Tan’s decorating style—which makes Timothy Oulton a firm favourite in her little black book.
Tatler Asia

Standing among the decorative paraphernalia that makes Timothy Oulton’s Dempsey location so unique, Serene Tan bears her name well—she’s a vision of calm and poise, and is incredibly softly spoken. Such is her gentle manner that it might be assumed that the Singaporean is an easy sell, but when it comes to decorating her home, she gets right to the point.

“I like a contemporary look,” she asserts, before quickly adding that a Scandinavian, pared-back style is not what she means. “I like using darker materials as a base, like leather or mahogany, then I lighten the overall effect with lots of glass and reflective surfaces. It stops the room from feeling too heavy.”

It’s why the British furniture purveyor particularly appeals to her, with its handsome mix of materials, equestrian-inspired features and glamorous accents that creates a luxurious look. Here, we take a look around the store—a place that immediately transports you to a more opulent, bygone era: 

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Timothy Oulton furniture store

Britannia Brilliance

Few brands capture the British spirit quite like Timothy Oulton. Since 2008, the furniture brand has offered a quintessentially British decor, offering custom-made pieces and collections that add a touch of Britannia to any space. It’s little wonder that the brand’s Dempsey store, which opened in 2013, is a favourite among the well-heeled in search of a quirky chandelier, leather sideboard or heirloom desk.

(Related: How The Burberry Trench Coat Became The Icon Of British Fashion

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Timothy Oulton furniture store in Singapore

Opulent Shine

On this trip to the store, Serene had her eye fixed on a pair of crystal chandeliers and the standing Rex mirror (seen in the centre), which is adorned with bevelled crystals all around. The brand counts celebrities like Beyoncé among its  biggest fans—she's said to have acquired the same mirror for her home.

(Related: How To Add Instant Glamour To Your Home)

 

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Timothy Oulton furniture store

Perfect Pairings

Serene adores the supple leather used on Timothy Oulton sofas, tables, and bags, as well as the array of vintage decorative objects and home fragrances—the latter which she can’t get enough of. She offers a tip: “Lighter, fruity scents will barely fill the house, while deeper, richer fragrances will give off aromas that last.”

(Related: For A Seductive Summer Scent, Consider The Damask Rose)

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Timothy Oulton furniture store in Singapore

Creature Comforts

The Shabby sectional sofa in Savage leather is amongst the best-selling pieces at the store. Take a seat and it's easy to see why. The unique detailing featured on this piece include its raw open seams, which reveal the natural colour of the hide and add to its rugged appeal. Its generous proportions make this sofa just the seat to sink into (with a Penguin book at hand, of course) . 

(Related: 17 Playfully Surreal Pieces For Your Home)

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Timothy Oulton furniture store in Singapore

Personal Touch

Serene pores over the types of leather available for the sofa selection at Timothy Oulton, while discussing her options with sales manager Meljude Ang. He's one of the style advisors at the store who can suggest pieces that would best fit your decor scheme, upon request. 

(Related: 16 Glamorous Pieces For The Maximalist)

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Timothy Oulton furniture store

Stylish Flair

As Serene shares, she and her husband Benjamin Kim have been bitten by the decorating bug. “It’s rare that one or the other of us makes a choice that then gets vetoed,” she explains of their buying strategy. “Although we always ensure we get each other’s opinion on a piece before buying it.” That’s why she’s likely to head back to Timothy Oulton with her husband in tow—for even more new pieces to make their nest truly a home sweet home.

(Related: Create A Well-Travelled Look At Home With Edit Lifestyle) 


Styling and production: Khairul Ali
Photography: Koh Boon Wei/Beebox 
Hair and makeup: Benedict Choo, using Clé de Peau Beauté
Sittings editor and additional reporting: Hong Xinying

Timothy Oulton at Curio is located at 14C Dempsey Road, Tel: 6479 7619.

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