JUNE 2022

First page Table of contents I Next page Last page

JUN 2022

WHERE TO GO TO GET FIT

BOTOX & FILLERS!

KIDS’ PARTIES

LEARNING TO PARAGLIDE AFTERNOON TEA FOR TWO – OR MORE!

SCHOOL REVIEWS

I think breakfast is the best meal of the day no matter what time you have it. This is handy, because it’s the only meal that I am any good at making! Omelettes, avo smash on toast, pain au chocolat or a little eggs benny, and I am happy as. Toasted cheese and tomato sandwiches come a close fifth – I’m quite good at making those too! If you also love these kinds of foods, you’ll be pleased to know that in this issue we have some great breakfasts (page 148), plus afternoon/high teas (page 150). I think both are great options for catching upwith friends without the stress of a long drawn-out evening or heaps of alcohol – if that’s not what you’re looking for any more. I’ve been feeling a bit blobby lately, so I was interested to read the guide to Singapore gyms in our Health & Fitness section (page 206); I think that after my visit to the UK, where I’ll be when this mag comes out, I am going to pick something and stick to it for a bit of a reset. I have a BIG birthday coming up next January, so that’s an incentive! It’s so nice to be travelling again – I am taking my 93-year-old mum and 91-year-old uncle on a road trip in Yorkshire for a few days. Apparently, the fish and chips in Whitby are amazing and the Yorkshire Pale Ale is “to die for”. What page was that gym feature on again?

REBECCA BISSET Editor-in-Chief

Happy travels and food adventures!

These sourdough waffles from Tiong Bahru Bakery Diner get a mention in our breakfast feature – they look like another goodie to me!

JUNE2022

Editor-in-Chief REBECCA BISSET

Group Editor SHAMUS SILLAR Copy Editor JULIET KEYS Editorial Team HEALTH & FITNESS: AMY GREENBURG LIFE & FAMILY: PATRICEA CHOW WINE & DINE, LIFESTYLE: DINESH AJITH FASHION & BEAUTY: REBECCA BISSET & YIMIN HUANG HOME & PROPERTY: AMY BROOK-PARTRIDGE Online & Digital Content MICHAELA BISSET Client Services (Ads) Manager NUR HANANI KAMAL LUDDIN Production Manager JUDIT GÁL Graphic Designers MICHAEL BERNABE | JEANNE WONG Marketing, Circulation & Administration ANNA TSERLINGAS | VEENA GILL | SITI SHAHIRAH KHIRUDEEN Advertising Sales KARIN GALLEY | DANIELLE ROSSETTI | LARA SAGE | JACQUI YOUNG Events & Partnerships SUSAN KNUDSEN-PICKLES IT & Web Support RENE YUTIAMPO | HANADDI REY DIAZ MAMBA Chief Operations Officer COLIN PURCHASE Contributing Writers HARSHARAN KAUR | KATIE MORTLOCK | NEIL ARMSTRONG Contributing Photographers DELON HO (DELONHO.SG) | KEN TAN (MISTERKENTAN.COM)

General Enquiries: info@expatliving.sg Advertising Sales: sales@expatliving.sg Subscription: subscription@expatliving.sg Production: production@expatliving.sg Editorial & Media Releases: editorial@expatliving.sg Calendar of Events: calendar@expatliving.sg Events: events@expatliving.sg Websites: expatliving.sg | expatliving.hk Printed by Ho Printing Singapore Pte Ltd (hoprinting.com) Published by Expat Living Publications Pte Ltd 36 Carpenter Street, #02-01 Carpenter Haus, Singapore 059915

OHMM (ohmm.sg)

JUNE2022

Fab furniture and art at Dempsey 64

Upfront 22

Letters from Expat Living readers What’s on in the coming weeks Singapore Pages: Interesting facts about where we live Subscribe and join us at an event or online talk New furniture finds and store updates We look around a spacious garden flat in Bukit Batok Buying Guide: Perfect pieces for alfresco areas How well do you know your Mac? Outdoor décor for any kind of space Sustainable furniture tips from the WTP team Shopping for your home at Dempsey Hill What it’s like living in Dairy Farm Heights

Home & Property 32

50 Pieces for the great outdoors

Life & Family 72

The latest news for parents and kids What to watch and read this month

From Scotland to Singapore!

Noticeboard: Baby births, plus dogs for adoption Andrew Doig on moving from Scotland and starting a business An unexpected entrepreneur journey Shop for new summer styles at Cluny Court Tips for finding the right helper A parent’s experience at All Hands Together Relief for breastfeeding mums! Fabulous all-inclusive parties for kids

95 School Reviews Families tell us about their experiences at Singapore’s international schools

86 88

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162

Paraglide over the most amazing scenery

Wine & Dine 144 Restaurant openings, new menus and other updates 146 Two new recipes to add to your repertoire 148 A few tasty breakfast spots around town 150 Sampling some of Singapore’s best high teas 154 Super sips and savoury surprises at The Store Travel 156 Trip-planning inspiration and hotel news 160 Destination Focus: A guide to visiting Vietnam 162 Where to go to try paragliding 166 Two nights on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship

148

Where are the best breakfasts?

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making? 176

What’s Adrian

Style & Beauty 170 The latest fashion news and advice 172 Jewellery and more for afternoon tea! 176 We chat with bag designer Adrian Furstenburg 180 A few good things we can use on our bodies each day 184 Shedding light on postpartum hair loss 186 Tried & Tested: Great products for sensitive skin! 192 Clinics offering injectables to refine your looks health tips from experts 202 A cardiologist reflects on his career and hobbies 204 When to see a doctor for an overactive bladder 205 What are the signs of a cranial nerve disorder? 206 Our giant roundup of Singapore gyms 214 Insights into new 3D mammograms 216 Complementary treatments to boost mental health Regulars 222 See how well you do in our Puzzle Pages 224 What’s in your stars this June? 226 Important contacts and this month’s advertisers 228 Parting Shot: The big 5-0! Health & Fitness 198 Medical updates and

Build up your strength! 206

21 JUNE2022

Talk on Teens Hi, a big thank you to EL’s events manager Susan for hosting the talk on Teens & Mental Health – it was a really informative session. The topic really resonates with me, and my heart broke for the mum that spoke of her struggles with her daughter – I’ve been there, and I know all too well how stressful it is. I look forward to receiving the recording as I’d like to share it with my husband. This was the first event of yours that I’ve attended, and I certainly will look out for more in the future. KR Ed: Glad that it was helpful – we’re looking forward to putting on more events and workshops this year.

The winner of the letter of the month will receive the entire Manuka Honey Skincare range, worth over $155. Made in New Zealand, the 100 percent natural skincare line is great for sensitive skin. If you’d like to share your opinion on an article or topic, please email us at info@expatliving.sg.

Blast from the Past Hi Rebecca, hope you and your team are in high spirits! I am currently reading your back catalogue (just finished the March issue) – congratulations on leading a team for 20 strong years! I read about the toils in putting together the very first magazine, and I was wondering if Expat Living might circulate a copy of that first issue. It would be a lovely read for the readers and surely a nostalgic tonic for you and the team. Just a thought ... not sure of the feasibility! Soumita

Lovely Lampshades Dear Susan and Jacqui, a huge thank you for hosting the lampshade workshop with The Lampshade House. I t was thoroughly enjoyable and I ’m very proud of my final product – I thought

Ed: Hi Soumita, thank you for your lovely email! We don’t have a digital copy of the first mag – that was only from about 2006 onwards. We can try and scan a few pages to show people, though – watch this space!

FEB 2022

February 2022 Issue 235 S$6.90 MCI (P) 076/02/2021 KIDS’ ROOMS • EYEBROWS • SLIMMING TREATMENTS COLOURED BEACHES & DEEP DIVING + GREEK CUISINE KEEPING IN WHERE TO DINE IN DEMPSEY Shape

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

March 2022 Issue 236

MAR 2022

ROOMS Kids'

VALENTINE’S JEWELLERY IT’S ALL ABOUT LOVE S$6.90 MCI (P) 076/02/2021 BEDROOMS • BLONDE HIGHLIGHTS • PILATES • PREGNANCY A MAMMOTH PENTHOUSE MAKEOVER TAPAS, TAKEAWAYS & TEX-MEX

you might like to see it in situ! I look forward to attending more of your workshops in the future. Best regards. Tracy Betteridge

TO VISIT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Ed: I am very impressed – and I’m determined to have a go one day!

Email us at info@expatliving.sg

JUNE2022

CALENDAR

WHAT’S ON Art Encounters – Afterman: Synthesis Lab (UNTIL 12 JUNE) The iconic Art Encounters by Art Outreach, a travelling exhibition series housed in repurposed shipping containers, returns this year with a free interactive 3D-printed and robotics installation by local maker designer Bao Songyu. Explore a futuristic lab in the heart of Orchard Road, where you can design your own organisms from the plants, animals and fungi features provided by the artist. This herbarium with mutated 3D-printed specimens will challenge your ideas regarding gene editing and “playing God”. bit.ly/3FaTeAV

2nd NTU Global Digital Art Prize (UNTIL 15 JUNE) The theme for this year’s global digital art competition is “Sustainable People, Inspiring Change”. Developments in science and technology have occurred at record speed, significantly improving living standards for some but bringing in more complex problems for others;

and the pandemic has exacerbated issues such as inequality, poverty and domestic violence. The Prize centres on building more equal, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies to tackle our global challenges. To submit an entry, visit blogs.ntu.edu.sg/gdap .

ItaliAE Photography Exhibition (UNTIL 17 JUNE)

Featuring over 160 images from historical and contemporary archives, this composite anthology of photography showcases a century and a half of Italian history. Works from both great masters of 20th-century Italian photography and contemporary photography are on display, across three sections: Landscapes, Works and Faces. The works are being shown in the Visual Arts Centre until 15 June, and the National Library until 17 June. Admission is free. bit.ly/3shQvA7

Notre-Dame at Alliance Française (UNTIL 15 JUNE)

Celebrate the Notre-Dame de Paris of yesterday and today at a series of events held by Alliance Française this month. Eternal Notre-Dame is a fine art photo exhibition by renowned French photographer Michel Setboun that pays tribute to the timeless architecture of the famous cathedral, showcasing three photographic styles: black and white, colour, and comic book processing. See it in the Level 2 corridor of Alliance Française. Re(Births) , meanwhile, explores Notre Dame’s construction and successive restorations, through videos and photographs, 3D models, computer-generated images, and VR for an immersive experience. It’s being shown at La Galerie. alliancefrancaise.org.sg/events

JUNE2022

CALENDAR

Cultural Extravaganza (UNTIL 19 JUNE)

In celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC), this year’s Cultural Extravaganza brings together arts groups from different disciplines to present traditional themes from the past in innovative and modern formats. Highlights include Shadow Moon , a musical performance inspired by Xinyao songs and Chinese mythology; Windward Side of the Mountain , a theatre and dance production; and Jazz It Up , with jazzy renditions of heartwarming Chinese classics and modern songs. Ticket prices vary across shows. singaporeccc.org.sg/events/cultural extravaganza-2022

Tiger Crystal Fire Stages (UNTIL 26 JUNE)

Live music is back! This exciting festival features a line-up of 25 iconic superstars and home-grown talents such as Benjamin Kheng, 53A, Jack & Rai, The Souls of Singapore, Johnny Come Lately, and The Day Trippers, who will take the stage for a series of over 20 shows across Timbre+ One North and Timbre+ Eastside. You can expect a true music festival experience, from tribute shows to pop and indie tunes – and, true to its name, Tiger Crystal beer will be flowing too. firestages.tigerbeer.com Singapore’s largest Tamil literary collection of more than 20,000 items is now available to the general public for free at the Woodlands Regional Library. Besides promoting literary works by local writers and non-fiction works about Singapore, Tamil Cholai (which means “Tamil garden”) will also showcase award-winning titles and ancient Tamil works in modern Tamil. You can participate in reading programmes organised by the National Library Board to cultivate a greater understanding and appreciation for Singapore’s multicultural society. go.gov.sg/tamilcholaiprogrammes. Local literature movement Sing Lit: Read Our World offers a unique Instagram guide, giving you the ultimate excuse to take those #OOTDs while getting to know Singapore authors. From Lau Pa Sat in Crazy Rich Asians to Tanglin Halt in Dream Storeys , the Instagram guide features real-life locations referenced in Sing Lit titles, captured dreamily by local photographer Darren Soh. So grab your camera and recreate your own versions of Sing Lit moments at these locations, tag @singlit.world, and include the hashtag #Singlit. instagram.com/singlit.world/guide/sing-lit through-your-eyes/17919150956350703/ Tamil Cholai Book Collection (UNTIL 30 JUNE) Sing Lit Through Your Eyes (UNTIL 30 JUNE)

BhiShakti Retreat (18 TO 19 JUNE)

Celebrate the International Day of Yoga with holistic healing and rejuvenation at BhiShakti Retreat. The two-day programme features Classical Hatha Yoga, Sound Healing, Rehabilitative Pilates, Kriya Meditation, Forest-Bathing (Grounding) and a Positive Pranic diet put together for health and wellness. Both programme-only and staycation packages at Villa Samadhi Singapore are available. A programme-only ticket costs $450, while staycation packages start from $1,210 for two people. More details can be found at fb.com/SOMA-Wellness-Singapore-106260245141196 .

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Investigating the island past and present, with tips, trivia and time travel – and the occasional tricky challenge for readers!

The tree pictured on the $5 note isn’t just any Tembusu, though. It’s the iconic 180-year-old specimen that still stands in the Botanic Gardens today ( left ). You can find it in a special fenced zone at Lawn E, next to Swan Lake. The tree is 32 metres high with a distinctly long side branch growing very close to the ground (and clearly shown in the banknote).

NATURE ON A NOTE Wh i ch denomi na t i on of Singapore currency features a picture of a famous tree on one side, and a hard-to-spot marine animal on the other?

On the other side of the $5 is another representative from nature – though it’s far harder to spot! It’s a cowrie – as in, the marine snail with the pretty shell. There’s a different type of cowrie on each dollar note; the $5 features a gold-ringed cowrie. Still can’t find it? It’s just above the portrait of the first president of Singapore, Yusof bin Ishak, and to the right. (Yes, the pale blobby thing!)

If you’re unsure, we get it – not many of us look at actual money very often these days, right? Things were already going in a cashless direction, and then the pandemic hurried the process along. The answer is the five dollar note. This note has a “Garden City” theme – which explains the green colour – and on its reverse side is a picture of a Tembusu tree. The Tembusu is a large evergreen tree (Fagraea fragrans), native to Southeast Asia, with bitter-tasting red berries that fruit bats love.

It makes sense to have a shell on a dollar note – after all, they’re one of the oldest forms of currency in the world. In fact, the cowrie that appears on the Singapore $10 note is the “money cowrie”!

REMARKABLE ROADS Singapore has an official register of Heritage Trees: currently, 260 specific trees on the island are protected – they include the famous Tembusu mentioned above. But did you know there is an associated list of Heritage Roads? Despite the fame of Orchard, it doesn’t make the cut. Rather, the five roads on the list have been gazetted for being significantly scenic and tree-lined. They are: #1 Arcadia Road This peaceful avenue lined with Rain Trees runs off Adam Road in Bukit Timah. The leafy kilometre-long thoroughfare passes the black-and-whites of Adam Park Estate on the left, and then a few condos – as you drive along, it’s hard to imagine that the PIE is only 50 metres to the right, roaring with traffic! #2 Mount Pleasant Road Just east of Arcadia is this very pretty road, again lined by colonial black-and-white houses, and flanked in this instance by Saga trees. Follow the road from the PIE and 1.5km later you’ll emerge just behind the Singapore Polo Club and Thomson Road.

JUNE2022

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! They might not come along every day, but Singapore has had its fair share of world sporting champs, across a handful of different sports.

Swimming Singapore’s pool stars include Ang Peng Siong, who in 1982 became the world’s fastest swimmer with a 22.69-second lap in the men’s 50m freestyle at the US Swimming Championships. More recently, Joseph Schooling won an amazing Olympic victory (Singapore’s only Olympic gold to date) at Rio in 2016, when he beat Michael Phelps to the wall in the 100m butterfly. And then there’s the incomparable Yip Pin Xiu; she has won all five of Singapore’s Paralympic gold medals! Table tennis After grabbing a history-making silver at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Singapore’s women’s table tennis team took on the might of China in the final of the 2010 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Moscow, and stunned the defending champions 3-1, becoming the new world champs. The list doesn’t end there: Aloysius Yapp is currently the number one ranked pool player in the world; and ten-pin bowler Shayna Ng won gold in the women’s singles at the world championships in November last year (beating another Singaporean, no less). Oh, and then there’s 54-year-old Peter Gilchrist, who moved here in 2003, became a Singapore citizen in 2006, and went on to become a six-time world champion in English billiards!

Indoor Skydiving The latest world beaters a re the S i ngapore indoor skydiving team, who in April this year won multiple golds at the world’s largest i ndo o r s k y d i v i n g competition, held in Belgium. The team’s

Kyra Poh is already a world champion (you should see her tear up the iFly facility on Sentosa!), and she figured heavily in the gold medal haul.

Badminton In December last year, 24-year-old Loh Kean Yew won the 2021 BWF World Championships to become the men’s singles world champ – the first Singaporean to achieve the feat. He follows in the footsteps of Wong Peng Soon, who won the All-England Championships four times in the 1950s.

#3 Mandai Road If you’re heading along Mandai, chances are you’re on your way to the Zoo! This is one of Singapore’s oldest carriageways – well over a century and a half old, in fact. It was built to link the farms and villages between Woodlands and Upper Thomson. #4 South Buona Vista Road Named after the Italian words for “good view” – though today any sight of the sea is hidden by jungle – this road linking the AYE with the West Coast Highway is well known for its hairpin turns. These slopes were the site of the Battle of Pasir Panjang in 1942. #5 Lim Chu Kang Road This road was constructed over a century ago to service rubber, gambier and pepper plantations in the northwest. You’ll still see rubber trees today, along with angsana and mahogany. It’s also the road leading to the island’s main cemeteries. Other roads have had their names thrown about as contenders for heritage status. Maybe you live near one of them? They include: Goodwood Hill, Lornie Road, Loyang Avenue, Nassim Road, Punggol Road, Redhill Close, Upper Thomson Road, Yishun Avenue 5 and Yuan Ching Road.

Think you know Singapore well? Where can you walk up this spiralling wooden staircase?

Last month: The photo last month showed the West Coast Highway, with the sun rising in the east, and Keppel Club Golf Course on the right.

CLICK!

27 JUNE2022

Don’tmissourmonthly events! 1 JUN 8.30am Private brunch with Dr June Tan Sheren Understanding menopause and HRT

8 JUN 8.30am 6 JUN 10am 13 JUN 10am 17 JUN 4pm 22 JUN 10am

SEO: A STEP-BY-STEP guide to improve your visibility online with Digital Direction

Beach CLEAN-UP with One Planet

Google Ads – how to show up in search with Digital Direction

Makeup Workshop with Amplio Beauty Learn how to achieve a summer glam look

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Menopause What is it and how to deal with it

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JUNE2022

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JUN 2022

June 2022 Issue 239 S$6.90 MCI (P) 059/02/2022 OUTDOOR FURNITURE • SCHOOL REVIEWS • BEST GYMS • KIDS’ PARTIES BOTOX & FILLERS! WHERE TO GO TO GET FIT KIDS’ PARTIES

JUN 2022

LEARNING TO PARAGLIDE AFTERNOON TEA FOR TWO – OR MORE! June 2022 Issue 239 S$6.90 MCI (P) 059/02/2022 OUTDOOR FURNITURE • SCHOOL REVIEWS • BEST GYMS • KIDS’ PARTIES BOTOX & FILLERS! WHERE TO GO TO GET FIT KIDS’ PARTIES

SCHOOL REVIEWS

LEARNING TO PARAGLIDE AFTERNOON TEA FOR TWO – OR MORE!

SCHOOL REVIEWS

GUIDE2021

HOME & PROPERTY GUIDE 2021 S$6.90 MCI (P) 080/01/2020

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29 JUNE2022

36 We step inside a tranquil Bukit Batok home 50 A buying guide for fabulous outdoor furniture 62 Making sustainable décor a high priority

Gallery 278

HOME & PROPERTY

Exhausted and in need of a snooze? Head to Tangs on the second floor of VivoCity and squeeze in a power nap in the Heveya Sleeping Pod. Drop in for a nap on your own or book in a 45-minute nap to rest and recharge with your significant other. You’ll be snoozing on a Heveya king-size natural organic latex mattress with dual firmness – half medium, half firm. If you’re booking with a partner, this is the perfect opportunity to test which firmness suits you both, if you’re thinking about buying a new mattress. Along with comfy bedding, there’s soothing music and relaxing essential oils to help you head off to dreamland! Level 1, Tangs, Vivo City | heveya.sg. SiestaTime! Hmlet, the flexible living company based in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, is merging with Habyt, its European counterpart, to create a global company catering to the fast-growing flexible living sector. The new Habyt Group will have a presence in ten countries and 20 cities, managing over 8,000 units and supporting 15,000 tenants each year. With 1,200 units in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, Hmlet will continue to target major hub cities in the region. Check out hmlet.com to find out more about their current flexible living options. Flexible Living Expansion

Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard has a refreshed look across all its suites, including premium furnishings in each room as well as facilities such as a Bose home theatre, king sized bed with pillow menu, and a fully equipped kitchenette. The Living Room, open to all residents, includes a television lounge with X-box Kinect, boardroom-style meeting room, pool table, two OSIM massage chairs and coffee- and tea-making facilities. The health and wellness facilities include four outdoor sky gardens, a 24-hour fitness centre, state-of-the-art hydro-therapeutic spa and 20 metre ionised-water swimming pool that includes a children’s area and jacuzzi. Breakfast and housekeeping services are included daily (except Sundays and public holidays), and if you book a stay of 14 nights or more you can save 20 percent. Sound good? Find out more at panpacific.com . Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard is at 96 Somerset Road. Swanky Suites

JUNE2022

HOME & PROPERTY

Fancy Fridges Fridges can look kind of boring, don’t you think? S ams un g E l e c t ron i c s Singapore agrees, and is offering customers unique panel design options with its Bespoke Creators Collection. The range consists of six one-of-a-kind designs from local interior design firm ROOOT Studio ( pictured ) and artist Candice Phang, to name just two. Customers can even go one step further and pe r sona l i s e the i r refrigerators by printing out their original artwork as refrigerator decals for the panels. This allows you to design the refrigerator of your dreams and decorate your home to reflect your own personality and style. samsung.com.sg .

Finding the right rug

Buying a rug can be tough. No matter how many times you’ve measured, it can still feel like you’ve bought the wrong size. Rugs also need to last a long time, so functionality is key. Here are my tips on finding the right one. #1 Decorating in a minimal, modern style? Skip rugs with small-scale patterns or traditional motifs. Instead, opt for an abstract pattern in the same colour palette of the room. This creates a space that feels organic but tightly edited.

Arete Culture’s founder and creative director CAROLINE CHIN GEYLER shares her professional tips on home design and décor.

#2 Darker rugs hide dirt, but also make a space feel smaller, especially on dark floors like parquet. Choose a lighter-toned, flatwoven rug with a subtle pattern for easy upkeep. #3 Using two rugs in the same space? Keep things complementary instead of using identical pieces, which can feel formal and dated. #4 Rugs in the living room must run at least the length of your sofa to avoid feeling too small for the space, though a larger size is always preferred.

Arete Culture | 20 Depot Lane, #01-01/02 | 9640 3829 | areteculture.com

JUNE2022

BY REBECCA BISSET PHOTOGRAPHY DELON HO

Tell us about your home. My house is a shrine. It’s canopied by a triptych of tropical foliage, with frangipanis forever falling over, the glitter of sun reflecting off the vibrant turquoise tiles of the pool, and Bukit Batok Nature Park just across the way. It’s a cosy retreat we call home. I share this space with my husband Manoj, daughter Ritika and helper Vanessa, while my grandchildren, son and daughter-in-law routinely visit too. ARTI MITTRA talks to us about the home she loves in Bukit Batok. It’s a 2,300-square-foot ground-f loor apartment at Park Natura Condo. What’s your background, and when did you come to Singapore? I am Indian and a fashion designer by profession, while my husband and children work in the maritime industry. Our son and daughter-in-law were the first to move to Singapore in 2014, followed by our daughter in 2017 and finally us in 2018. I have been globe-trotting with my husband over the past three decades, including time at sea while he was still sailing. Since he took up a shore job, we have covered almost every corner of Asia – South Asia, the Middle East, the Far East and now the Southeast.

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HOME & PROPERTY

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HOME & PROPERTY

earthy-toned furniture. Indoor palms and ornate china add vibrance to the room. I have an entire wall of hanging plates from cities I’ve visited, a customary curio cabinet housing my crystal, silverware and figurines placed in corners, vintage boxes stacked on top of one another, an assortment of books capturing themes that intrigue me, and eucalyptus and lilies that lightly fragrance the room. Each article represents a place I considered home at one time or another, whether it was for months or years.

Your home is a lovely eclectic mix, but modern too.

Every piece in my house is handpicked. My husband and I are fond of interiors and are avid art collectors. It’s a must for us every time we travel or relocate to add to our collection. My living room is a melting pot of every place I’ve lived in or visited. Each door is embellished with a hamsa hand or evil eye for protection, handmade upholstery from India in deep colours and luxurious fabrics that lavishly drape the

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HOME & PROPERTY

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Favourite part of the home? Sitting on a vintage handwoven Persian rug are my hand-tooled leather lawn chairs, teamed with layered silver tables that exhibit a buffet of antique silver. On one side there hangs works from local artists that I collected during my travels, whereas my daughter’s charcoal sketches of South Asian brides asymmetrically fills the other side of the wall. This is my favourite corner. The other space I am fond of is my patio where I start my day with masala chai, and where I unwind during twilight hours. What do you think of living in Singapore? Did it meet your expectations? I was excited to relocate to Singapore because of its nickname, the “Garden City”. Nature catalyses my creativity and I wake up refreshed without having to put my life on pause. So serenity, space and sunshine were paramount while house hunting, and, fortunately, this low-height condominium checks every criteria.

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HOME & PROPERTY

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Serenity, space and sunshine were paramount when we were house hunting.

JUNE2022

HOME & PROPERTY

What I also appreciate about this island is that it is strategically located, extremely safe and sanitised, and very international – probably an exemplary example of a country running by the book. So my advice to newcomers would be to respect the law and culture and relish five-star living. What else do you enjoy in Singapore? Although the island is almost flat and doesn’t offer adventurous hikes, the nature parks and reserves here are an absolute retreat. I clock in 7,000 steps daily from my walks. I am fortunate that my house is surrounded by the Bukit Batok Nature Park and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, which connect to the main reservoirs and their surrounding trails. MacRitchie Reservoir is absolutely scenic, offering natural trails, built paths and a treetop walk. You can also rent kayaks here or head to the SICCMillennium Golf Course.

Just north of this is Thomson Nature Park that houses some endangered species like the langur, Sunda pangolin and sambar deer. The Botanic Gardens is a UNESCO heritage sight, showcasing a spectacular variety of tropical flora in stunning verdant landscapes. A few years ago, they established an orchid garden for the national flower; a section of the garden features trees planted by celebrities and politicians. Food in Singapore is unique. The combination of cultures means the variety of food is international, yet localised. And the hawker culture is integral. Hawker food is inexpensive and authentic, and served in a no-frills environment – it’s absolutely delicious and almost feels like eating at home. Over the years, the culture has evolved and you can find yourself dining in at more popular, touristy hawkers like Lau Pa Sat or Newton Food Court that are pricier, or humbler ones in your neighbourhood.

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HOME & PROPERTY

RESTAURANTS HillV2 (“This shopping centre is right near our condo; we like to eat at Spruce and iO Italian Osteria”) spruce.com.sg | io-osteria.com/sg

Bacha Coffee and TWG at ION Orchard

Dempsey Hill (“We go there often for brunch or dinner; our favourites are The Dempsey Project, Margarita’s, The Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar, and PS.Cafe”) dempseyhill.com

HOME DÉCOR House of AnLi #02-139/141 Tanglin Mall 6235 5193 | houseofanli.com

Crate & Barrel #04-21/22 ION Orchard 6634 8488 | crateandbarrel.com.sg Lims Holland Village #02-01 Holland Road Shopping Centre limshollandvillage.com Badger & Fox (“for home décor and clothing too”) #02-43 Tanglin Mall badgerandfoxsingapore.com

HAIR & FASHION Paris Chic #03-08 Tanglin Mall 9119 5491 Seafolly #02-16/17 Wisma Atria Level 4, Takashimaya seafolly.com/sg

Yen’s Hair #03-38/39 Holland Road Shopping Centre yens.com.sg

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EL readers tell us where they bought their favourite pieces of outdoor furniture, and why they recommend the stores!

Boulevard Outdoor Inspirations

Amanda Rackham (@allmyloveamanda), British I was looking for outdoor furniture that would endure not only Singapore’s heavy downpours and scorching heat, but the potential wreckage that can happen with two young kids! For the same reason, it needed to be stain-resistant and easy to clean from food spillages, rough-and-tumble play and messy art sessions. Lastly, it had to look good! As an avid follower of Expat Living Hong Kong back when I was living there, I naturally used the magazine here as my bible for everything when we moved in the summer of 2021. When the first outdoor furniture I purchased broke after only a few months of usage, I turned to your Readers’ Choice Awards 2022 in search of my outdoor furniture saviour! With Boulevard Outdoor Inspirations taking the gold award, I was confident I’d be in good hands. I bought two Sabeto two-seater outdoor sofas, the Sabeto outdoor lounge chair and the Wicklow outdoor serving cart. I love the simplicity yet detailed design of the Sabeto range – the beautiful rattan wicker stands out as a statement.

Our condo is very lush and green, and the collection blends perfectly with the style and tone I wanted for my outdoor cabana space. And the cart is ideal for moving food, drinks, snacks, dolls, cars, crayons, you name it, between my cabana and home. As cliché as it sounds, the entire shopping experience was seamless! From initial contact to customer service to after-sales support, I was looked after by Paul who is very knowledgeable and patient in answering queries. He even suggested a loan service for when I initially wanted to buy the Sabeto three seater and it was out of stock. There are so many items at Boulevard that I have on my wishlist, including outdoor lantern lamps, outdoor hanging chairs and planter sets, to name a few! • 43 Keppel Road, #W1-01/02/03 • 200 Turf Club Road, #01-18 The Grandstand (South) • 80 Marine Parade Road, #04-K3 Parkway Parade 6781 3211 | boulevardoutdoorfurniture.com

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HOME & PROPERTY

Arete Culture

Sylwia Mulani, Polish As an architect, I had a specific vision for my outdoor area – I wanted it to be a natural extension of our living space. The furniture needed to fit well on the deck and withstand the weather conditions. When we moved to Sentosa Cove, with a larger outdoor space, I knew where to go – I’ve been a reader of Expat Living for years, and Arete Culture was one of the first few places I checked out. I ended up buying the New Costa Rica Lounge Set from them – it’s a three-seater sofa, with two armchairs and a coffee table. The design is simple – a sturdy wooden frame with a light grey fabric – which suits my minimalist taste. It’s made of teak, with beautiful weaving and comfortable cushions. The Arete team gave me space to do some browsing first, and then I was welcomed by Cherry who listened to my expectations and answered my queries – in-store and also viaWhatsApp as a follow

up. The piece I chose wasn’t actually in the showroom at the time, and though I normally prefer to view before buying, I made an exception this once, picking it from their catalogue as the modern design and specifications spoke to me; Cherry shared photos and videos of the piece in the warehouse. From purchase to

a next-day delivery, everything was very smooth. And when I reported an issue with the structural base creating a sound, we discussed a few solutions and it was replaced without fuss.

20 Depot Lane, #01-01/02 9640 3829 | areteculture.com

OHMM

Alan Teo, Singaporean My requirements for outdoor furniture were pieces of outstanding design, with a solid build quality and exceptional durability, which is especially important in Singapore’s harsh tropical climate. I googled “outdoor furniture” and ended up going down to a few furniture stores to have a look. I finally decided on OHMM because, despite it being pricier, the superior build quality, stunning design and fine workmanship stood out among the rest. I happily ended up buying a gorgeous eight-seater outdoor sofa set. I found the customer service experience to be extremely pleasant; there was ample parking available, the store layout was a breeze, and the client services manager was very knowledgeable, efficient and friendly. I’m in the process of renovating my pool deck and I’m absolutely looking forward to acquiring another sofa set fromOHMM, as well an outdoor dining set to add a dash of colour and totally freshen up the area. #03-09 Riverside Point, 30 Merchant Road 6836 2747 | ohmm.sg

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Gallery 278

Sara Zhang & Olivier Biot, Chinese & French We were looking for a new dining table for our outdoor area, which is like an extension of our living room. It’s a place where our family can spend time together, and also somewhere for guests to chill out. The main criteria in our furniture search was quality, especially considering Singapore’s humid and unpredictable weather. Also, we live in Sentosa, and our balcony is directly under the sun from morning to around 2pm – so quality is really important. As far as styles go, we like classic, wooden and tropical styles. We’d read about Gallery 278 in Expat Living, and we ended up buying a wooden round dining table from them, with four dining chairs. The table is 1.2 metres in diameter – the perfect size for our balcony. My husband and I can enjoy our meals there, or dinner with friends.

Our shopping experience at Gallery 278 was seamless. We visited without any clear idea in mind, and they really listened to our needs and tried to understand our family size, lifestyle and expectations. Using our floor plan as a starting point, they worked out the perfect size of the table for our space and then gave us recommendations. The delivery service was great too. Also, when the original chairs turned out to be a bit high for the table and for my height, the store provided a trimming service. Now the whole set is just perfect.

203A Henderson Road (Wing A), #11-01/02 6737 2322 | gallery278.com

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HOME & PROPERTY

The Furniture Makers

Anika Minocha, Australian I searched high and low for a stylish and durable outdoor furniture set, but many weren’t the right quality or they were incredibly expensive (above $10,000). I was getting desperate until I came across this piece at The Furniture Makers after many Google searches of random phrases such as “Bali outdoor furniture” and “outdoor summer sofa”! It wasn’t a topGoogle search, which is unfortunate because I think all their pieces are amazing. I ended up purchasing the Furano Sofa and Furano Chairs. They scream elegant Bali vibes, and I love the unique multi dimensional rattan look; I also love the muted grey and toned brown look – I paired this with a cement table from the store to tie it all together. The Furniture Makers were great! Yu Ting is very responsive overWhatsApp and it was easy to schedule an appointment. She helped me find my way into the store

(bit of a maze – I got lost in the loading dock!) and provided advice when I asked. The customer service was great; I love that they could tailor almost anything. Delivery on the day was seamless and they placed everything in the exact spot I requested. All their pieces are gorgeous – if I had more space, I’d snap up everything! I particularly love all their rattan lounge chairs, including the Saturday Lounge Chair and Wally Rattan Lounge Chair. 1 Upper Aljunied Link, #05-01 Joo SengWarehouse (by appointment only) 9234 4966 | thefurnituremakers.co

Woody Antique House

The first thing we bought was actually an antique cabinet for keeping our china in. In our Singapore home we missed having in-house storage for things like kitchen tools and china, so that was main reason to buy. We looked also at other places but we fell in love with this specific cabinet. The colour, the design and the measurements were perfect for what we wanted. We also bought the outdoor lounge set; we didn’t bring ours when we moved fromHolland, so we started looking for one very soon after arriving in Singapore. We liked this one at Woody Antique House; the price was quite expensive if you compare to prices back in Europe, but we bought it anyway as it we liked it the best out of those we’d seen for its design. The service at the store was perfect, the parking at Dempsey is easy – there’s not much more we can add; we’re happy with everything! We might return to Woody to look at side tables in future too.

Renee Kok, Dutch We were looking for a comfortable, nice-looking outdoor lounge set – a quality one that would also last in the rain. We happened to be walking around at Dempsey Hill, when we came past Woody Antique House.

13 Dempsey Road, #01-05 6475 7036 | woodyantique.com

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Alfresco

From tea for two on a small balcony to cocktails at dusk in a garden, check out our spread of outdoor furniture in-store now to suit any style and occasion.

1 Nakasi two-seater rope-weave outdoor swing with canopy, with corrosion-resistant aluminium frame, 100 percent solution-dyed outdoor polyester fabric upholstery, Boulevard Outdoor Furniture 2 Bistro metal folding chair and table in steel, available in various colours, Soul & Tables 3 Dotty poofs on Ziggy rug, all available in different colours, Roolf Living 4 Fatboy original bean bag, water repellent, in high-quality Sunbrella fabric, House of AnLi

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HOME & PROPERTY

5 Havana lounging set with relaxed curves, solid framing and deep cushions, OHMM 6 Siloso chair in teak wood frame with outdoor rope, Gallery 278 7 Luka outdoor dining chair in handwoven all-weather synthetic wicker, handmade in Indonesia, available without arms, The Furniture Makers 8 Range dining chairs, frame in UV-resistant powder-coated aluminium, polyester cushion in light grey, Konopi 9 Flippe outdoor coffee table, Noxx armchair and Noxx sofa set, Gallery 278 10 Paradiso large lounge with canopy, Domus Ventures, in abaco wicker with aluminium frame, Woody Antique House

9 10

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11 Mix of ergonomic outdoor furniture, gumball sun loungers, armchairs and coffee table from Plust, modern Miniarena garden sofa by Varaschin, Pure Interior 12 Nival pool loungers, frame in light-grey powder-coated aluminium, UV-resistant textilene seat, Konopi 13 Native oak coffee table, Originals 14 Clear glass candle-holder with gold trim, white lacquered tray, white ceramic trellis vase and multi green/white flower bunch, Arete Culture

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15 Habitat collection of planters with highly textured handcrafted woven bases, designed with removable inserts for both indoors and outdoors, OHMM 16 Delmar modular wicker sofa in abaco wicker with aluminium frame, Woody Antique House 17 Venezuela chair, perfect solution to small outdoor spaces, can be folded and tucked away when not in use, Island Living 18 Roy cocoon outdoor chair in black, Originals 19 Miniarena round garden sofa, with handwoven synthetic fibres on aluminium varnished frame, Pure Interior 20 Misano outdoor café table in fibreglass with concrete top, WTP The Furniture Company

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21 Design concept, interior design, accessories and styling by Arete Culture 22 Paco lounge chair, handcrafted with aluminium and rope weave, available in various colours, Soul & Tables 23 Cora hanging chair in outdoor wicker with aluminium frame, Woody Antique House 24 Panama armchair, upholstered in Sunbrella fabric and quick-dry foam, WTP The Furniture Company 25 Roxanne cocoon outdoor chair in synthetic Llyod Loom (rattan), with powder-coated metal, House of AnLi 26 Uno lounge chair in handwoven all-weather rope resin and powder-coated aluminium, available in two- or three-seater, The Furniture Makers 27 Colourful outdoor Dotty Poofs by Roolf Living 28 Flores dining table in teak with stainless steel accents, WTP The Furniture Company 29 Alfresco bar table in mango wood, perfect for outdoor parties, Island Living

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HOME & PROPERTY