Inspiring Conversations with Wak of Treasure At Home

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wak.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started? 
Wak and Yana started Treasure At Home in 2012, mainly dealing from home… We occasionally used online shopping platforms such as Carousel and Facebook to sell our vintage items. We were vintage collectors since childhood and had full-time jobs beforehand. Wak was a police officer, while Yana was a teacher. During their off days, they would normally go ‘picker hunting’/ vintage hunting across Singapore and, sometimes, even up North across Malaysia as far as Perak. 

Back then, before 2021, we saw that the vintage market in Singapore was dying. Modern low-quality furniture and plastic furnitures which could only last a year were adopted in many Singapore homes. There were no avenues for Singaporeans to purchase quality and traditional old-school Singapore furniture. Many other vintage collectors had stopped collecting and were selling off their items. It was really sad back then, and this situation was made worse with the emergence of COVID-19. 

Hence, in 2021, we decided to open a physical shop for Treasure At Home and created an official Instagram account for the first time. With a shop located in an industrial area, we had to concentrate our efforts on our social media marketing efforts. Since then, our Instagram account had grew to 11k followers. We also started our TikTok account (treasureathome where we aim to educate the masses about the historical significance of our furnitures and collectibles. Social media is a powerful force. We are proud to say that we have revived the vintage market in Singapore and made it accessible for the average Singaporean to get hold of a historical piece. Many of our followers call our store a museum. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has not. Starting a business when me and Yana had full-time jobs were hard. In 2021, Wak and Yana had to close shop and only open on the weekends. During the weekdays, after work, Wak would go down the store and do some restoration for the furnitures until 1 am. Meanwhile, Yana would go back home and prepare dinner for the kids. In mid 2021, Wak decided to leave his full-time job and focus on the business full time. 

We’ve been impressed with Treasure At Home, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Treasure At Home, located in Singapore, is a home vintage furniture shop specializing in antique furniture, glassware, and vintage collectibles. With over a decade of experience, our passion lies in preserving and restoring historical pieces to add a touch of nostalgia to your home. Our authentic vintage shop, nestled in a factory building, immerses you in a bygone era with its carefully curated collection. From working (we restore) 50s Shanghai Diamond Clocks to exquisite Aderia glasses and our famous Singapore bread displays, we offer rare vintage gems for those who seek to retain the essence of their grandparent’s era in their homes. Our unique offerings set us apart, and we take pride in sharing the stories behind our products on our social platforms. We help our clients find the perfect piece to add character into their living spaces. 

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Discipline. Work hard every day. 

Pricing:

• Our famous Kid Roti Pencil Leg Display – $630
• Our famous Classic Roti (supplied to many bakeries) – $750
• Our famous restored and authentic diamond clocks – 280-430

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/treasure_at_home?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==
• Other: tiktok.com/@treasureathome