Ap Lei Chau wooden furniture

Any recommendations of shops for decent wooden (pref. teak) indoor furniture as well as reliable and trustworthy service? Anyone purchased from Kensy on 27th floor? You can PM me. Lastly, any pointers from teak experts?


Many thanks.

Hi Mummybee,


The shops in Horizon plaza all offer medium to high-quality furnishings so you can't go wrong with them, but having said that, they can be a bit pricey.


Another alternative is shops along Queen's road east in Wanchai. A bit lower in prices and perhaps quality but safe as well.


Things to look for from wooden furniture: (not just teak)

- example...if looking for a dining table pay attention to how many planks are used for the top. The less the better. Average would be 4-5 planks depending on size. Many of the cheaper, lower quality tables would use 7-10planks. The more planks, the more chance of cracking along the lines. The same idea can be applied to things like desktops, coffeetable tops etc.

- Thickness of wood. Obviously the thicker it is the better in general as it would resist warping better than a thin piece. Typical thickness for table top is 2-3cm. Other items would range between 1.5-2.5cm for stuff like shelves, bedframes, dressers, etc etc.

- quality of the teak is also important. There are varying grades available. The most expensive is A-grade (very costly, and not common), followed by B-grade and then C-grade. Lot of explanation on how it is graded, but basically A-grade is from best part of tree as well as usually older.

- Moisture content. If the supplier cannot tell you if it is kiln/oven dried wood, then stay away from it. Typical MC for teak indoor furniture is 12-15% for teak. Anything above that and there is more chance that wood will expand/contract and cracks can develop. But all wood will eventually crack in some places, it's just better to have it dried to a certain range to reduce it.

- Many retailers say that they use "re-claimed" teak wood from doors, railway track supports, bridges etc to make their furniture. This used to be quite popular, but in reality there isn't that much supply out there anymore, so if they can't provide some kind of proof, be wary of such claims. And if it really was reclaimed, then expect to pay alot more for it.

- Hand-made VS machine made. Handmade is usually lower cost as labor involved in the places where it is made is very cheap. Machine-made usually is of better quality in terms of workmanship and all the joinery aligning perfectly, but perhaps lacks the uniqueness and character that handmade pieces can sometimes have. Most teak furniture out here in Asia is made by hand with assistance from power/hand tools. Only large outfits that supply retailers like Crate and Barrel, Pier 1, etc would utilize machinery in the majority of the mfg process.


Good luck in your search.....

Wow, indoteak, thanks for all your tips. I will memorise them before heading to Wanchai. BTW where exactly along Queen's rd east are these shops? Also, are the furniture of western taste? Reason I ask is that yesterday I spent and wasted my day walking in the stifling heat along the furntirue street in Hung Hom cos someone recommended it and gosh, none of the shops contain wooden furniture and all they had were quite ugly.

Thanks again....

Mummybee1 and Indoteak if you are still out there...


Have a look at www.skagerak-denmark.com website or the local agent website www.skat.com.hk


Beautiful Scandinavian furniture for indoor as well as outdoor + great accessories.

Showroom in Central