It’s not every day that you find a gem like Gamar Furniture, a Singaporean furniture retailer and manufacturer who’s been in the furniture scene for more than 20 years. Born in 2001, it’s no easy feat staying afloat in Singapore’s harsh dog-eat-dog business landscape. But above all, Gamar survives and thrives in the game. The store, nestled in an unassuming industrial building in the Kallang neighbourhood — which you may have previously known as Second Charm — had recently undergone a rebranding to reflect its ever-evolving identity. What originally started off as a vintage furniture business has now turned into an eclectic bespoke furniture manufacturer, and they now offer one-of-a-kind pieces that blend craftsmanship with character. They sell everything from bedside tables to barstools to rattan rolls, all of which you can shop in their showroom or on their webstore.

Atama Sofa

Kopitiam Chair

Afam Lounge Chair

Men’s Folio has had the opportunity to speak to Faezah Shaharuddin, one of Gamar’s directors who oversees the company’s day-to-day operations. Beyond Gamar, she leads her own separate design practice in 2022, Studio Kallang, which was born out of her storied culminated experiences of growing up in the design industry.

Hello! Could you please introduce Gamar Furniture and share what the brand represents?
Gamar makes fine, handcrafted furniture. We bridge traditional craft with contemporary design tastes to furnish homes across Singapore.

Could you walk us through the origins of Gamar Furniture? How did the company come into existence?
Gamar is the rebranded version of Second Charm, which was founded in 2001. It was started by my mother, Sharifah Maznah Syed Omar, and began with restored vintage furniture and collectable objects. Eventually, the company branched out into manufacturing its own pieces.

You’ve been in the industry for two decades and recently underwent a name change. What prompted this rebranding? Did it signify a shift in philosophy, direction, or core values?
Yes, as we shifted away from vintage furniture and collectables, the name became sort of a misnomer and started confusing people. Rebranding and renaming the company felt like the logical next step.

What styles of furniture does Gamar typically offer? Additionally, could you briefly outline your design and manufacturing process?
We try not to confine ourselves to one particular style (hence the eclecticism), but we built our reputation on retro mid-century pieces. We do a lot of custom, so it’s exciting to see clients coming to us to make pieces that represent a wide range of styles and design periods. Our design process is more of a conversation between us and our clients, and evolves naturally based on the needs of each particular project. Our design team, based in Singapore, then communicates with our factory in Indonesia to coordinate production and fulfilment.

Is there a particular piece in your collection that you feel best embodies the identity and ethos of Gamar Furniture? If so, why?
No, I think the identity or spirit of Gamar lies in all the pieces sitting together in a kind of curated chaos. It’s a unique mix of different textures, colours, materials and forms.

What should a visitor expect upon their first visit to your showroom?
Beautiful, high-quality furniture, a friendly design team and a showroom with soul.

Your social media presence is striking. We describe it as eclectic, surreal, and visually compelling. Would you say this reflects the spirit of Gamar Furniture?
Thank you! Yes, definitely.

In your view, how well do Singaporeans understand and appreciate handcrafted design, particularly from local creators?
I think the appreciation has grown steadily in the last decade, and we hope it continues to.