What do you do with a treasured object that is damaged or no longer in use? Some might leave it as it is; others might simply throw it away. But for 72-year-old Cheong Poh Kwai (or PK as he prefers to be called), it's an opportunity to give that object a second life – and, quite literally, a new light.That philosophy is at the heart of East Inspirations, the antiques and lifestyle shop he opened in 1993. Today, he runs it with his 37-year-old son Jacob, who joined the family business about 10 years ago.THE SHOPHOUSE
It is hard to miss East Inspirations’ shophouse along South Bridge Road. Framed by a traditional-style signboard, its shopfront is packed with an eclectic mix of Chinese porcelain, antique furniture, decorative objects, teaware and vintage household items. Given its location in the busy tourist district of Chinatown, the shop also carries a range of Peranakan- and Singapore-inspired souvenirs.
Towards the rear of the shophouse are two intimate spaces. One is PK’s personal corner, where he drinks tea with old friends and dreams up new designs and business ideas. It is also where he keeps some of his most cherished pieces, which he said he would probably never sell. The other is Jacob’s tearoom, lined with his collection of teaware and an assortment of tea leaves. Here, visitors can join him for tea appreciation sessions, a recent addition he introduced to the family business.And among the sea of objects, the table lamps stand out. Conceptualised by PK, these one-of-a-kind designs incorporate everything from repurposed antique porcelain to unexpected objects.
