scents of place
joo chiat candle
sandalwood + salt
Where charm and cool coalesce, this once seaside retreat is now a thriving melting pot of cutural history and contemporary finds.
the scent story
our joo chiat scented candle
The creator of our Joo Chiat candle, Desiree Pretorius is East Coast personified. She is laidback luxe and sparkles with smarts, kindness and a sincerity that can’t be beat. Originally from South Africa, Desiree and her family now call Katong home. You'll find Des walking along the East Coast Park, buying sourdough from Microbakery and lunching with friends at Little Farms.
"The East Coast is such a great place to live. Joo Chiat is full of life with incredible eateries and boutiques and the salt air and sea breeze are a respite from city living. I wanted to capture the feeling of both in the candle so we used salt to represent the ocean, amber for the richness of street food and lotus to symbolise connection and friendships."
Home to one of the coolest neighbourhood’s in the world, Joo Chiat is where cultures converge and history coexists with the now. This vibrant, eclectic seaside neighbourhood blends modern meals with hawker delights, and stylish boutiques sit alongside picture-perfect rows of shophouses. In the home, our Joo Chiat candle brings an intoxicating scent of rich and spicy Amber, enveloped in the lightness of marine salt lingering on fresh air. It transports you to long cycles or meandering walks through this charming enclave, catching up with friends and celebrating Singapore’s kampong spirit.
About the scent
Balanced and evocative, this fragrance weaves the creamy warmth of sandalwood with the mineral freshness of sea salt. Smooth, grounding, and quietly sensual — a scent that lingers like sunlight on weathered wood.
Top Notes: Sea Salt, Ozone
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Iris
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Amber, Musk
We’re more than a candle — we’re a story.
Strait Lights scented soy candles are crafted to elevate your everyday and seriously scent your space.
Made in small batches in River Valley, Singapore, the Scents of Place Neighbourhood Candle Collection blends fragrance with storytelling. Each candle captures the soul of a Singapore neighbourhood — its heritage, rhythm, and unmistakable sense of place. We collaborate with local women to define and distil each story into fragrances that feel like home.
✨ Think textured, modern, and transportive scents that connect past and present.
Clean & conscious ingredients
Our candles are made with carefully selected fragrances that are certified free from:
✖ Carcinogens (cancer-causing materials)
✖ Mutagens (DNA-altering substances)
✖ Reproductive toxins (linked to fertility & birth defects)
✖ Organ toxins (harmful to organs)
✖ Acute toxins (harmful with accidental exposure)
Each candle is hand-poured into a modern ceramic vessel with a 100% cotton, lead-free wick and an approximate 50-hour burn time.
Our coconut-soy wax blend is sourced from responsible manufacturers who protect biodiversity, uphold human rights, and maintain verified deforestation-free supply chains.
Why we think you’ll love it
✔ The scent of sea air and sun-warmed wood — timeless and grounding
✔ A thoughtful, design-led gift inspired by Singapore heritage
✔ Clean, conscious, and sustainable — good for you and the planet
Pickup available at Strait Lights
Usually ready in 24 hours
Joo Chiat Candle
Strait Lights
20 Leonie Hill
Singapore 239222
Singapore