Journey East

08/08/2026

"I don't think any research or iteration is ever wasted. A small discovery or 'mistake' from one attempt often finds its way into another body of work."

Beyond the portfolio of bespoke olfactory identities lies a daily studio reality defined by repetition, precision, and material patience.

In our latest Journal feature, Cherine Wee—founder of scent design studio A Thing of Sense — discusses the unseen mechanics of her practice, how scent operates as an invisible architecture alongside aged timber, and why no failed trial is ever wasted.

📍 Ahead of her upcoming Hands On! workshop at Journey East on Saturday, 15 August, read the full conversation on our journal:

https://journeyeast.com/blogs/news/the-atmosphere-of-objects

🔹 Hands On! — A Scent Journey featuring A Thing of Sense
🔹 Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026
🔹 Drop-In Scent Bar: 12pm – 6pm (Free entry)
🔹 Guided Workshop: 4pm session remaining ($48/pax, includes a bespoke room scent & dBodhi reclaimed teak diffuser tile)

06/08/2026

We are humbled to be nominated for 'Best Furniture Store' in the Honeycombers Best in Singapore Awards 2026.

For three decades, our focus has been bringing character, original vintage craftsmanship, and enduring design to Singapore homes. If Journey East has played a part in shaping your living space, we would deeply appreciate your vote.

Vote for Journey East:
https://thehoneycombers.com/singapore/best-in-singapore-awards/

06/08/2026

The aerodynamic sweeping armrests of this original 1930s Art Deco armchair and sofa were not born from traditional cabinetry. They were borrowed directly from Streamline Moderne aviation—capturing horizontal momentum and pure kinetic energy.

Unlike the mass-produced industrial steel of the Machine Age, this form was carved out of solid Javanese teak, finished with hand-carved geometric cross-bracing that celebrates early-century engineering. An object crafted to evoke motion at speed, serving as a quiet focal point for stillness at home.

Discover original vintage design at our Outram Road showroom, or view the collection online:

https://journeyeast.com/collections/vintage-furniture

02/08/2026

Time Out Singapore has put together a list of their favourite Tan Boon Liat Building spots to check out.

As they noted: nothing has been officially confirmed regarding the potential en-bloc. and we’re still right here on Level 3. Come visit!

This furniture and interior design enclave has reportedly been sold en bloc – here’s where to visit before it goes.

01/08/2026

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝?⁠
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We often think of interior styling in purely visual terms—proportions, natural light, raw timber, and woven textures. But ambient scent fundamentally alters how a space feels the moment you step inside, interacting directly with the physical materials around it.⁠
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For the next edition of the Journey East Hands On! series, we are hosting Singaporean artisanal scent studio A Thing of Sense () for a day dedicated to exploring scent as a spatial design tool.⁠
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Whether you want to drop in or dive deep into the craft, join us at our Outram Road showroom:⁠
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📍 𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐫 (𝟏𝟐𝐩𝐦 – 𝟔𝐩𝐦)⁠
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• Open to all throughout the day⁠
• Explore A Thing of Sense’s signature scent range⁠
• Discover how scent complements natural materials and interior atmosphere⁠
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🎟️ 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝟐𝐩𝐦 & 𝟒𝐩𝐦)⁠
($48/pax)⁠
• Experiential workshop led by Cherine Wee, founder of A Thing of Sense⁠
• Explore scent families and guided smelling exercises⁠
• Blend your bespoke room scent from the 'Flameless' range⁠
• Includes a take-home kit and an exclusive dBodhi reclaimed teak wood diffuser tile⁠
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🗓️ Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026⁠
📍 Location: Journey East Showroom (315 Outram Road, #03-02)⁠
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Tickets for the guided sessions are strictly limited. Reserve your spot via the link below:

https://athingofsense.com/journey-east-a-scent-journey

30/07/2026

"We're still here."

If you’ve seen the recent headlines regarding Tan Boon Liat Building, we wanted to clear up any confusion: Journey East is open, operational, and business continues as usual at #03-02.

Having called this building home since 2009, we’ve navigated structural shifts before. As our Managing Director Anita Sam shared:

“We’ve been through it before, and with every door that closes, another one opens. There’s always a new opportunity, and the challenge for us is to make it better, or even just a different experience.”

Our showroom doors remain wide open, and our upcoming calendar is as active as ever—starting with our Hands On! scent experience with A Thing Of Sense on August 15th.

Come by, say hello, and explore our curated vintage and furniture collections as always.

📍 Journey East | #03-02 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road

Our thanks to Alyssa Woo of The Straits Times for the feature - read online at:

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/were-still-here-tan-boon-liat-tenants-assure-customers-of-business-as-usual-amid-unconfirmed-sale

27/07/2026

Beyond the furniture and the floors, Tan Boon Liat has always been about the people who held it together for decades—from Uncle Kam to Mdm Pak, and the long-time neighbours who made this place a community.

26/07/2026

The only thing we’re closing around here? Sales. 🏷️✨⁠
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(And cabinet doors, obviously.)⁠
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From original vintage statement pieces to modern solid wood classics, swing by the showroom to discover what’s back in stock and ready to go home with you.⁠
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A big thank you to everyone who dropped in over the weekend to visit and shared so much love, care, and kind words—it truly means the world to us. 🧡⁠
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📍 Journey East, #03-02 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road⁠
🌐 journeyeast.com⁠
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25/07/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐧! - 𝐀 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞

A space is defined by more than its physical boundaries – ambient scent shapes how a room feels the moment you step inside.

For the next edition of the Journey East Hands On! series, Singaporean artisanal scent studio A Thing of Sense leads us in a day of learning and experiential discovery, exploring how scent interacts with interior environments, tactile furniture, and raw materials.

Whether you want to drop in or dive deep into the craft, the day is split into two experiences:

𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐫 (𝟏𝟐𝐩𝐦 – 𝟔𝐩𝐦, 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥):
The Journey East showroom will host an open scent bar for visitors to explore throughout the day. Take your time discovering A Thing of Sense's signature scent range and discover how scent complements the textures, materials, and atmosphere of a living space.

𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬):
An experiential, hands-on workshop led by Cherine Wee, founder of A Thing of Sense, exploring how scent shapes the atmosphere of a space. Through guided smelling exercises and an introduction to scent families, discover how scent unfolds through texture and materials.

Complete the experience by blending your own bespoke room scent from A Thing of Sense's signature 'Flameless' range, paired with an exclusive dBodhi reclaimed teak wood diffuser tile – a limited-edition keepsake available only through this workshop.

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬:
• Date: 15 August 2026 (Saturday)
• Time: Scent Bar opens 12pm to 6pm, ticketed guided sessions, 2pm and 4pm.
• Ticketed Guided Sessions: $48 per pax. Participants will receive a take-home workshop kit that includes a scent mist of their choice and all other materials required for the session.

𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
https://athingofsense.com/journey-east-a-scent-journey

23/07/2026

We're setting the record straight (over a glass of whisky): despite the headlines about the Tan Boon Liat Building collective sale, Journey East isn't going anywhere anytime soon! 🥂

En-bloc deals don't happen overnight—there are many parties involved, multiple approval processes, and many moving parts. Bottom line? It is business as usual at our Outram Road showroom for a long, long time to come.

Your home renovation will probably start—and finish—well before we ever think about moving!

Come visit us at #03-02 Tan Boon Liat Building or explore our latest collections online:

https://journeyeast.com/