Dialogues about contemporary design and wellness tend to centre on the concept of time: how we observe it, and how we allow materials and practice to reflect its passage. This dedication to honoring natural processes and honest craft finds its physical expression at the third iteration of Notes From Nature.
Within the Journey East showroom, the rich, aged patina of vintage wood provides a perfect stage for discovery. We engage with a collective of exacting artisans whose work transcends mere function, exploring how the rigorous discipline of botanical dyeing, specialty preparation, or plant-based cuisine allows them to access and share the enduring, essential wisdom of the natural world.
The Creators and Their Philosophies
The Wisdom of Ancients: Boujee Botanicals
Boujee Botanicals’ founder, Brendan De Souza, approaches recipe creation by looking inward first:
"I usually work backwards, starting with the root problem - what effect do I want to achieve."
This process guides the pairing of traditional medicinal herbs with contemporary flavor profiles. He is deeply fascinated with ancestral wisdom, arguing that while pharmaceuticals are often a temporary fix, herbs possess the power to cure the root problem.
He encourages observation:
"Nourish your body and mind well, and be more observant of how you feel after consuming certain food and drinks."
One of his favourite ingredients is Blue Lotus, a a plant known for cultural and traditional uses, which he enjoys for what he describes as the "zen euphoria" of a meditative state. To achieve maximum efficacy and flavor despite Singapore's reliance on imports, he relies on frozen fruits and organic dried herbs, avoiding fresh herbs due to quality and sourcing difficulties.
The Art of Tension: IN M. RES
Marc Gabriel Loh, the artist behind IN M. RES, transforms the terracotta planter into a living sculpture that records time and celebrates imperfection. He sees the mineral residue known as efflorescence not as a flaw, but as "evidence of use, time, and growth." This natural process is "a quiet trace of care," constantly recording the ongoing exchange between the vessel, the soil, and the plant it holds.
Marc's curiosity about permanence is humbling:
"I think about how the oldest known ceramic works date back more than 30,000 years, and am humbled by the idea that these objects will outlast me, and continue to evolve and remain alive to their environment long after I am gone."
His work encourages users to embrace the beauty of asymmetry and the organic tension that emerges between the rigid vessel and the growing plant.
The Rigour of the Harvest: Chef Marcus Tan
Chef Marcus Tan, celebrated for his principles of "restraint, intensity, and rigour," views his plant-based menu for Notes From Nature as his personal rigorous creative challenge. His focus shifts from protein to highlighting the vegetable's personality, noting how it "absorbs seasoning, fibre composition, and how it behaves under stress."
The former Executive Chef at Kotuwa and Fool avoids the "safety net" of traditional flavour richness by utilizing ancient Asian ingenuity, finding deep umami in pantry staples like aged preserved radish and the complex funk of fermented bean curd. He’s currently drawn to the curcubit family from South Asia, praising their hardiness and ability to take on flavour when cooked hotter and longer. Ultimately, he finds that this constraint is indeed creativity, giving us a way to move forward while staying "grounded in our past."
The Quiet Ritual: Dry Spell Garden
Darren Loke of Dry Spell Garden is drawn to the unusual forms and immense lifespan of arid flora, finding that tending to these plants has become "a gentle reminder to slow down"—a quiet sanctuary amid his hectic life. He emphasizes that plant staging is an art form, choosing to highlight, rather than hide or balance, their harsh or unruly textures by pairing them with the right vessel to spark a small moment of joy.
Darren combats the myth that low-maintenance plants need no water, explaining that many survive on consistent moisture sources like winter fog and dew. He believes his choice, the enduring and solitary Welwitschia mirabilis, perfectly embodies the spirit of Journey East: "rooted in their ethos, adapting to changing retail and furniture landscapes, yet consistently staying true to who they are."
Happiness in Little Pots: Little Botany
For Fendi Sani and the team at Little Botany, the focus is on making gardening practical, sustainable, and infused with personal meaning. Their semi-hydroponic setups, utilizing repurposed jars and mugs, add a sentimental touch to home aesthetics, allowing modern collectors to fill every nook and cranny.
Fendi emphasizes that observation encourages compassion:
"When the day ends and the leaves starts closing, it reminds you of being compassionate to yourself and taking respite, recovery and a break from the daily hustle."
His simple advice for starting with unique plants (like begonias) is to understand light, and ensure that your lifestyle "aligns with the demands of certain species of plants."
The Meditative Reveal: Project Coal
Crystal Lee, the artist behind Project Coal, transforms botanical pigments into wearable art and home adornments. For her, the most rewarding moment is the meditative reveal:
"When the dyes reveal themselves through the fabric after layers of dyeing, washing, and drying."
This element of unpredictable surprise is part of the beauty, constantly reminding her that "nature is always in motion, shifting with light, water, and time."
She is particularly drawn to the deep, grounding browns achieved using cutch dye (an extract from the Acacia catechu tree), as they evoke the feeling of soil and bark. Crystal’s intentional, slow-made pieces invite the viewer to engage with the process behind them, imbuing the object with a 'soul' that offers a compelling, long-lasting alternative to rapid consumption.
The Intentional Cup: Pick Me Up Coffee
Jasmine Kum and Royston Cheong of Pick Me Up offer an intentional coffee experience grounded in precision and conscious choices. Their journey has led them to favour balanced blends, like the customer-favourite 'Lychee Breeze,' ensuring the complexity is approachable and widely enjoyable.
Their craft focuses on the final, critical observation: "the espresso shot extraction time and flow consistency." This precision is what preserves the natural fruit and chocolate notes, guaranteeing the flavour profile intended by their roaster makes it into the customer's cup. They honor nature through their commitment to a lower carbon footprint, serving only non-dairy milk and utilizing fully bio-degradable cups and straws as an intentional and traceable alternative to high-volume speed.
Experience Notes From Nature
Don't miss the chance to experience this unique convergence of craft, nature, and conscious living. Notes From Nature is an opportunity to connect directly with the talented makers, find unique gifts, and discover new ways to infuse your space with the enduring beauty and wisdom of the natural world.
Join us at the Journey East showroom on 6 & 7 December 2025, from 12 pm to 4 pm.
Entry is free.