The Next Step

Grafunkt marks another milestone with a new showroom featuring fresh, creative ideas that furthers the design conversation

- Hong Xinying

“You can forget about retailing furniture if you are not passionate about furniture,” declares industrial designer Nathan Yong, who helms multi-brand retailer Grafunkt with co-founder Jefery Kurniadidjaja. The dynamic duo should know—they’ve been in the business for over a decade, and celebrated this milestone by moving to new premises at Funan.

Kurniadidjaja was a frequent customer at Yong’s first boutique, Air Division; the two quickly bonded over their passion for furniture design. “We have high idealism that’s also grounded in realism,” says the designer. Adds Kurniadidjaja: “We match well as partners because we both are never satisfied with what we have.”

The 13,000sqft showroom at Funan is Grafunkt’s largest to date. Described as a “design district”, the store features an in-boutique café and spaces furnished with European names exclusive to Grafunkt, such as Ligne Roset, Treku, New Tendency and Japanese brands Conde House and Time & Style. Besides its retail arm, the company also runs a contract division that caters to hospitality and commercial projects.