In the heart of Singapore, where HDB flats and condos crowd the suburbs, a young family from Ang Mo Kio faced a common yet elegant dilemma. Their bedroom, a modest 12 square meters, needed a bench that blended style with practicality. The humidity, thick as soup during monsoon season, posed a threat to their aspirations. After weeks of searching, they settled on the American Light Luxury Solid Wood Carved Bed End Bench, S$3830.00 per piece. Here’s how they maintained it over five years.
The Tan family, living in a typical three-room HDB flat, wanted a bench that fit their budget and style. Their bedroom, adjacent to a small walk-in closet, measured 3.6m x 3.3m. A bulky shoe rack would overwhelm the space. ‘We needed something long yet slim,’ recalls Tan, ‘Something that doubled as seating and storage.’
The humidity in Singapore, often above 90% during rainy months, made furniture maintenance a nightmare. Wood warps, fabric fades, and metal rusts. ‘We saw this bench at MIDHILL’s showroom and fell in love with its French carvings,’ says Tan. ‘But we worried about its durability in our climate.’
The bench, 180cm long and 55cm deep, weighs 35kg. Its solid wood frame, oak with a mahogany finish, supports intricate French-style carvings. ‘The craftsmanship is stunning,’ says Tan. ‘But we knew maintaining it would be work.’
The Tan family budgeted S$500 monthly for home improvements. The bench fit their American light luxury aesthetic while serving as a foot of bed bench and shoe bench. ‘We chose it for its versatility,’ Tan adds. ‘It’s a bedroom bench, dressing room bench, and entryway bench all in one.’
Living in Singapore, the Tans expected challenges. The monsoon season arrived in June, and the bench’s carvings absorbed moisture. ‘We had to oil it monthly,’ says Tan. ‘Without it, the wood cracked.’
They invested in a dehumidifier, S$250, for their bedroom. ‘It helped,’ Tan notes. ‘But the bench still needed care.’ The family hired a furniture restorer, S$150 per hour, to repair minor damage. Over the first year, maintenance cost S$600.
The bench’s French style complemented their bedroom décor. ‘It became the centerpiece,’ Tan says. ‘We used it as a shoe bench and a foot of bed bench.’
Learning from Year 1, the Tans established a maintenance routine. They dusted the bench weekly and oiled it bi-monthly. ‘The humidity still took its toll,’ Tan admits. ‘But we saved money by doing it ourselves.’
The family also discovered MIDHILL’s maintenance tips. ‘They recommended using a microfiber cloth to prevent scratches,’ says Tan. ‘Simple but effective.’
Over two years, the bench had retained its elegance. ‘The carvings still gleamed,’ Tan says. ‘We were happy with our investment.’
By Year 3, the Tans had built a relationship with MIDHILL. ‘They helped us source a replacement dehumidifier when ours broke,’ Tan notes. ‘Their support made maintenance easier.’
The family also learned to repair small damages themselves. ‘We bought a wood filler kit, S$50, and fixed a scratch,’ Tan says. ‘It saved us a trip to the restorer.’
The bench had become a staple in their home. ‘We even used it as a foot of bed bench for guests,’ Tan adds. ‘Its versatility was worth every cent.’
As Singapore’s monsoon season approached, the Tans prepared for maintenance. ‘We had a stock of oil and microfiber cloths,’ Tan says. ‘It felt effortless.’
The bench’s durability impressed them. ‘After four years, it still looked new,’ Tan notes. ‘We were glad we chose solid wood.’
The Tans had learned a valuable lesson. ‘Investing in quality pays off,’ Tan says. ‘This bench, S$3830.00, has cost us S$1900 over five years. That’s S$380 per year for elegance and practicality.’
In their fifth year, the Tans reflected on their choice. ‘The bench had withstood Singapore’s humidity,’ Tan says. ‘Its French style had aged gracefully.’
The family had saved money by maintaining it themselves. ‘We spent S$2230 over five years, not including the initial S$3830.00,’ Tan notes. ‘A fair price for a bench that serves multiple purposes.’
The bench now sits in their bedroom, a testament to their planning. ‘It’s more than a piece of furniture,’ Tan says. ‘It’s a part of our Singaporean dream.’