In Singapore, father and son turn antique items into lamps
In Singapore, the owners of the East Inspirations shop — 72-year-old P K Cheong and his 37-year-old son Jacob — turn damaged antique porcelain and vintage items into table lamps. The shop is located in Chinatown on South Bridge Road and sells antiques, decorative items, tea ware and souvenirs.
As Channel NewsAsia reports, P K Cheong founded East Inspirations in 1993. Previously, he worked at a table lamp factory, where he learned to make metal parts and also gained knowledge of the construction of bases and lampshades. In 1981, Cheong started his own table lamp manufacturing business with his wife and friends.
A second life for old items
The idea of using old items as lamp bases came to Cheong after a business trip to China, where he saw many antiques. In 1985, an acquaintance brought in a batch of damaged porcelain from Guangzhou, and Cheong decided to give these items a practical purpose.
Among his works is a lamp made from two cookie moulds that had previously been used by his mother. He has also created lamps from damaged vases and bamboo-like ventilation blocks that were once part of balconies. According to Cheong, technically, almost any object, including a stone, can become a lamp.
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Lampshades are now made by a supplier in China based on Cheong's designs, while the lamps are assembled at the company's warehouse. The shop also accepts orders to turn customers' personal belongings into lamps.
Family business
Jacob Cheong joined the business about ten years ago after working at a bank. He now handles East Inspirations' marketing, social media and online presence, and also hosts meetings at the shop dedicated to tea culture.
Some of the antiques for the shop come from P K Cheong's collection, while others are bought from local collectors or overseas sellers through online bidding and auctions. The father and son also travel to the Chinese city of Jingdezhen, known for its porcelain, where they look for new handmade items. Despite declining demand for vase lamps, customers who bought items at the shop back in the 1990s continue to return.
