NOVEMBER 2020

NOVEMBER 2020

SINGAPORE

Facials CASUAL FASHION Be F bulou READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS Vote now!

School Projects Workouts at Home Lamps & Lights

Ski Hols +Thai Time! Wish We Were There !

Indian Restaurants +HIGHTEA

Full menu available online for delivery or takeaway!

W hat started as a game of words between House of AnLi owners Anne-Jean and Panagiotis, resulted in the name of their new culinary adventure: Pano Kato. InGreek –Panagiotis’smother tongue –PanoKato ( ΠάνωΚάτω )means ‘UpstairsDownstairs’. It refers to the pair's first retail brainchild,House of AnLi Store&Bistro, which canbe found on the third level of TanglinMall, ‘upstairs’ from the newHouse of AnLi & Pano Kato, which is ‘downstairs’ on the second level. WhatcanyouexpectatPanoKato?Truehome-cookedGreekMediterranean fare – pure, unpretentious and deliciously simple! Welcome and kαλή όρεξη!

@panokatogrillpizzadeli Pano Kato Grill, Pizza & Deli

Reservations: 62355056 Opening Hours: 9am to 10pm (Daily) #02-23 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road

Shop online at houseofanli.com

H ouse of AnLi is dedicated to incorporating premium and beautiful Europeanhome interior pieces into the sophisticated tropical lifestyle of Singapore. Make your house a home, all under one roof! Right next to the store is our bistro, whichoverlooks lushgreenery andbrings you a fresh dining experience, away from the hustle and bustle. It serves a Belgian-inspiredmenuof lovinglyprepareddishes; so, you can start your day witha freshly bakedpastry, dropby for abrunchoption includingNZorganic eggs on sourdough toast, or indulge in a gourmet salad or sandwich. All are basedon family recipes of Anne-JeanandPanagiotis, andmadewithpassion. To complement your meal, enjoy our curated selection of Allpress coffee, Mariage Frères teas, Belgian beers and champagne.

Make your house a home, all under one roof S t o r e & B i s t r o @houseofanli | @houseofanlibistro House of AnLi Interiors

62355193 (Level 2) | 62353851 (Level 3 & Bistro) #02-21/22, #03-17 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road To shop online or find out more details, visit houseofanli.com.

EDITOR’SNOTE Thedownsideofworking fromhomehas beenwatching the pool as I try to conquer SEO. It whispers to me, as pools do, “Come to me and play…” After a while I give in, usually around the same time my bum has gone numb from sitting on my dining chair instead of on a proper ergonomic office chair. I choose my bikini and head outside… to see that the sun has disappeared. It’s true; statistically, I would say that 90 percent of the time I decide to swim, the sun decides to hide. It’s a sign! Stay inside, do your work, stay out of the sun. “Oh, no,” I cry, and settle on doing the washing-up instead. Actually, after seven months of washing up, I gave in and bought a dishwasher – it’s marvellous. My helper, who was also my wingman for eight years, went home on holiday at the end of February. After being stuck there all these months, she has decided to stay permanently. And since I’m now a whizz with the new squirty mop thing, I told her it was probably the right decision to stay with her family after being away for so many years. But who will laugh at my jokes? My children just roll their eyes… It’s a strange setup having to live with someone you don’t know initially. I’ve had some odd and unsuccessful ventures with live-in helpers in the past. But Anna and I were like a little old married couple that never bickered. We’d talk when we felt like it and not when we didn’t. And did I mention she laughed at my jokes? This time has been an end of an era in a few ways, and the beginning of new ones. We’re heading to a cool new serviced office environment in town – we’ve always had big places out in industrial areas. I’m looking forward to more flexible working… and being able to gaze at the pool a few days a week.

REBECCA BISSET Editor-in-Chief

Remember, there’s always a silver lining!

Vote for your favourite companies in

Singapore in our Readers’ Choice Awards and you could find yourself enjoying this pool and this view! See page 26 for details

IT’S TIME TO VOTE IN OUR READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS! expatliving.sg/readerschoice

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NOVEMBER2020

Editor-in-Chief REBECCA BISSET Managing Editor LEANDA RATHMELL Editorial Team

HEALTH & FITNESS: AMY GREENBURG LIFE & FAMILY, TRAVEL: LINDSAY YAP WINE & DINE, HAIR & BEAUTY: ANTHIA CHNG FASHION & HOMES: REBECCA BISSET Copy Editors

SHAMUS SILLAR | JULIET KEYS Online & Digital Content MICHAELA BISSET

Production Coordinator NUR HANANI KAMAL LUDDIN 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 FAITH CHANDA | HANNAH GRIFFITHS | HARSHARAN KAUR DEE KHANDUJA | CATHY KIWANUKA | MELINDA MURPHY | JO UPCRAFT Contributing Photographers KATIE MARTIN-SPERRY (KATIEMSPERRYPHOTOGRAPHY.COM) KATE MITCHELL (LITTLEONESPHOTOGRAPHY.COM) KEN TAN (KENKHT@GMAIL.COM)

CONTACT US General Enquiries: +65 6812 1780 | info@expatliving.sg Advertising Sales: +65 6812 1781 | sales@expatliving.sg Subscription: +65 6812 1783 | subscription@expatliving.sg Production: +65 6812 1787 | 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 Times Printers Pte Ltd (timesprinters.com)

Published by Expat Living Publications Pte Ltd 37 Jalan Pemimpin, #07-06 Mapex Building, Singapore 577177

Photo by atthle (shutterstock.com)

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NOVEMBER2020

CONTENTS

NEWS 20 Things To Do: 22 Readers’ Letters 24 EL Forum: Our online antics and upcoming events 26 Readers’ Choice Awards 2021: HOME & PROPERTY 30 News 34 Home Showcase:

Lamps and lights for every space 56

How to keep busy at home

Amazing prizes up for grabs!

Inside a family’s treasure-trove home

42 Alfresco Finds:

Two shops for durable outdoor furniture

46 Timeless Trends: The art of Persian rugs 48 Project Makeover:

Four interior design success stories

56 Buying Guide:

Bright ideas to light up your space

78 Bilingual Benefits: Kids and learning Mandarin 80 New in Town: Meet the Stamford Superintendent 82 School Projects: Putting young minds to work 90 Ambassador for a Day: Five students, one dream job 96 Meet the Mentor: Empowering young women 98 Mental Wellbeing: Stress and your immune system 100 People Profile: Women who inspire 102 Long-term Expats: Those who call the Little Red Dot home 106 The Singapore Pages: Exploring the island, past and present 108 Helping Hands: Our latest on volunteer opportunities

62 Street Talk:

Living on Tanjong Katong Road

LIFE & FAMILY 68 News 72 Noticeboard: Who’s just had a baby? 74 Screen & Page:

Top TV and book recommendations 76 Author Insights: We catch up with Neil Humphreys

A new face on campus! 80

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CONTENTS

Pick your poison 120

WINE & DINE 116 News 119 Pinkies Up: English afternoon tea 120 At the Bar: Where to head for a beverage 122 Curry Corner: Tops spots for spice in Singapore 126 Recipe Corner: Favourites to add to your repertoire TRAVEL 132 News 134 Super Slopes: Cool lodges for your next ski holiday 136 Thailand Tales: Places for the post-COVID bucket list

Indian cuisine with an edge 122

Dreaming of Thailand 136

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CONTENTS

STYLE & BEAUTY 140 Style News 144 Store Spotlight: What’s new at Shopping at Tiffany’s? 146 Mask Madness: How to stay safe and stylish! 150 Local Label: Statement jewellery by House of Rajput 152 Cool & Casual: Everyday outfits for the tropics 158 Cluny Court Spotlight: Meet the labels 160 Custom Fit: Tailor a look in 5 steps 162 Beauty News 164 Teeth Whitening: How to get a brighter smile 166 Problem Skin: Three customisable facial fixes 168 Breast Procedures: Technology versus technique HEALTH & FITNESS 176 News 179 Fitness Focus: Train and tone from your living room 182 Onsen at Home: A home spa rental programme 184 Men’s Health: Six ways to take control

The genius behind the jewels 150

Making the most of masks 146

REGULARS 194 Horoscopes for November 196 Puzzle Pages 198 Numbers & Websites

199 Advertiser List 200 Parting Shot: Valuing the Time

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twitter.com/expatlivingSG

pinterest.com/expatlivingSG instagram.com/expatlivingSG

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NOVEMBER2020

CALENDAR

WHAT’SON

Singapore Writers Festival (UNTIL 8 NOV)

Edward Burtynsky, Natural Order, Inherent Beauty

The festival returns for its first digital format, offering a diverse line-up of programmes inspired by the theme of “Intimacy”. Topics to be covered include the changing definitions of loneliness, mental health and the need for human interaction and community-mindedness in a time of pandemic. singaporewritersfestival.com Inherent Beauty: Photographers Who Change How We See the World (UNTIL 21 NOV) Enjoy the works of six world-renowned photographers who create compelling visual narratives that explore our shared humanity and convey the beauty in our diversity and in the natural world. They include Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky, London-based artist Karen Knorr and Lalla Essaydi from Morocco. Sundaram Tagore Singapore, Gillman Barracks PolandSHIOK 2020 (UNTIL 30 NOV) Back for its fourth edition, this festival features events and attractions to bring Poland closer to Singapore. Mostly digital, though with some offline activities too, this year’s instalment includes exhibitions of Polish composers, culinary promotions at local restaurants, online cooking shows, business seminars and virtual sightseeing of Poland. polandshiok.sg

CIS Principal’s Virtual Coffee Chats (17, 26 AND 27 NOV)

Hosted by the CIS academic and admissions team via Zoom, these sessions will tell you more about life and learning at CIS as well as offer an overview of the online application process – with a Q&A segment, too. The chats will be held from 10am to 11am on 17 November (Lakeside Secondary), 26 November (Lakeside Primary) and 27 November (Tanjong Katong Primary). RSVP at cis.edu.sg/ events/virtual-chats . Walking in the City (UNTIL 6 DEC) While the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) undergoes redevelopment, it continues to collaborate with Singapore artists to present contemporary artworks. The Walking in the City series showcases specially commissioned artworks on the hoardings around the perimeter of the museum along Bras Basah Road and Queen Street. They showcase themes such as the history of SAM buildings and Singapore, society, urban development and the environment. singaporeartmuseum.sg @ Home, Truly: A Digital Experience (UNTIL 31 DEC) Discover interesting facts and quirks about Singapore and other shared experiences and historical events such as National Day Parades, places of recreation, cultural festivals and campaigns. There’ll be illustrations by local artists, old photos and videos, and even games and quizzes. roots.gov.sg/learn/resources/home-truly

Art Spiegelman

Photo: Enno Kapitza – Agentur Focus

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NOVEMBER2020

CALENDAR

GAME NIGHT

Keep these fun game apps on hand if you’re staying in or organising a gathering with friends (virtually or in a small group)! #1 Heads Up! If you love charades, Heads Up! will be right up your alley. Your phone will show a card that you can’t see; other players then have to try to mime the person or thing on the card. You’ll need to guess what your card says before time runs out. #2 Houseparty This one got plenty of buzz during the Circuit Breaker. You can hang out with friends online while video-chatting and taking part in fun quizzes or games. After signing up, allow the app to access the contacts in your phone or your Facebook friends list, and then you just swipe up on the screen to see your chat feed and join a party. #3 Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Animal Crossing allows you to interact with animal friends, build custom furniture and gather resources while managing your own campsite.

#4 Bunch Bunch not only allows for video-chatting but has a large variety of multiplayer games to play: Flappy Lives, Draw Party, Trivia, Bunch Pool and more! #5 Draw Something Want to test your drawing skills? With Draw Something, all you have to do is choose a word to draw for your friends to guess. It allows for remote connection and is fun and entertaining.

#6 Smule Miss singing your lungs out at karaoke? Smule gives you the chance to sing with friends and even celebrities. It’s great for beginners as it comes with interactive features to show if you’re singing in the right key and pitch.

Look for more things to do at expatliving.sg, and don’t forget to check our own line-up of great events on page 24!

21 NOVEMBER2020

LETTERS

EL Online Events Entrepreneur Webinar Dear ladies, many thanks for the discussion during your online event last night. I have attended quite a few webinars over the last few months, but I have to say I believe last night’s was the best! I appreciated everyone’s authenticity, and I learnt a lot. My business partner Mangla was also on the webinar and we both agree as new entrepreneurs we gained a useful insight into the business world. It was fun and at the same time gave great tips. I’m now following you all on Insta/Facebook! – Miriam Ed: That’s great to hear. Yes, they were down-to-earth and honest about where they’ve gone off track too – all helpful. Thanks for Zooming in! Fabulous talk, thank you so much for providing this opportunity to understand a little more on these subjects. Please pass onmy grateful thanks to the team from International Medical Clinic (IMC) for their involvement, too. – Louise Ed: So glad you found it useful. It’s a difficult age to navigate in a lot of ways, so it’s always good to listen and see how we can help as parents. Will pass on the thanks! Talking Teens – Body Image and Eating Disorders

BEST LETTER We want to hear from you! Send us your thoughts on the magazine, or on any subject under the sun. This month, the writer of our best letter receives an ADV Soothe Daily Regime, worth $252 from PHS Hairscience ( phshairscience.com )!

Miss Griff Your article “The Extraordinary Life of Miss Griff” captured my attention. Anne Griffith-Jones’ positive attitude and fortitude are inspirational. I was also intrigued by the story of Mrs Ethel Mulvany’s quilt-making project. My husband and I often communicate remotely using our favourite emoticons, and I pondered what concealed message I might have sent him via “quilt messenger” 75 years ago. – Sandra Johnson Ed: Amazing story isn’t it? Probably quite difficult to stitch love hearts and smiley faces.

HOMES • FAMILY • ARTS • FOOD • TRAVEL • FASHION • HEALTH • BEAUTY

Happy Memories Scouring through the secondhand magazines in our regional community op shop, I found an old copy (April 2019) of Expat Living here in New Zealand. What a treasure! My excitement grew, as did the memories of me residing in Singapore. I remember giving out hundreds, maybe thousands of copies of these magazines to incoming expats in their welcome packs whilst working for Asian Tigers. I loved reading them cover to cover each month with so many inspirational ideas, travel opportunities and friendly expat faces. The reward was sharing the information with S$6.90 MCI (P)031/02/2019

April2019 Issue201

APR2019

BATHROOMS&KITCHENS •FACIALS •BUBBLY BRUNCHES

SINGAPORE

China&Other Adventures

Insidean

HOME

BubblyBrunches, CustomFurniture &FabFacials

TheYachtShow, GourmetSummit, Competitions &Rugby7s

newbies coming into Singapore. Thank you; what a gift it was to sit down for a quiet cuppa and a trip down memory lane. And Rebecca, your Editor’s Note was just perfect. – Nicky de la Cour

Ed: How cool is that? Thank you for your lovely note, too – it gave the team a real boost!

Email us at info@expatliving.sg

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NOVEMBER2020

Don’tmissour online events! Register at expatliving.sg/ELevents

6.30pm

7, 9 14, 21 NOV

Discover Old Changi Hospial, the most popular haunted spot in Singapore

8pm

LUSTRE Beautiful gemstones up to 60% off

10&11 NOV

27 NOV 5pm 28 NOV 8pm

Party Makeup

by Amplio Beauty MasterClass

with TTG Wines and iLauri Wines WineTasting Virtual

24

NOVEMBER2020

to your door Get your favourite mag delivered each month!

NOVEMBER 2020

November2020 Issue218 S$6.90 LAMPS & LIGHTS • FACIALS • INDIAN RESTAURANTS MCI (P)032/02/2020 School Projects Workouts at home Lamps & Lights

SINGAPORE

Facials CASUAL FASHION Be F bulou READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS Vote now!

Subscribe for just $82.80 andenjoyfreeaccess to the digital edition on the Magzter app! $50

November2020 Issue218 November2020 Issue218

NOVEMBER 2020

NOVEMBER 2020

Workouts athome Lamps &Lights Workouts athome Lamps &Lights

SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Ski Hols +Thai Time! Wish We Were There ! S$6.90 LAMPS&LIGHTS •FACIALS • INDIANRESTAURANTS MCI (P)032/02/2020 Indian School Restaurants +HIGHTEA Projects S$6.90 LAMPS&LIGHTS •FACIALS • INDIANRESTAURANTS MCI (P)032/02/2020 Indian Scho l Restaurants +HIGHTEA Projects

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Facials CASUAL FASHION BeF bulous Facials SUAL ASHION eF bulou

Ski Hols+Thai Time! Wish We Were There ! ls +Thai Ti e! e here ! ki

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expatliving.sg/subscribe Scan or visit Subscription offer ends 30 November 2020

25 NOVEMBER2020

AWARDS 2021

Vote for your favourite businesses in Singapore and you’ll stand a chance to win one of these amazing prizes. Your votes will help reward businesses that have been doing a great job, and help spread the word about them – plus you’ll be rewarded too, so it’s a win-win! Prize winners will be notified via email and results will be announced online in January 2021. Best of luck! The wait is over – our annual Readers’ Choice Awards are back for their 9th run!

PRIZES

Luxury Staycations at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa Two winners will get to experience the resort life without having to travel, with a two-night luxurious stay amidst lush greenery and a great ambience.  A 2-night weekend stay in a Luxury Room including breakfast for four people, worth over $2,700  A 2-night weekday stay in a Junior Suite including breakfast for two people, worth over $2,200 Vouchers for The Ultimate Sunday Champagne Brunch by Kwee Zeen Two winners will get to savour the island’s best premium seafood on ice including freshly shucked oysters and Boston lobsters along with a spread of local favourites. Plus, free-flow champagne for 2 hours!

Each brunch voucher, worth over $400, is valid for two people.

sofitel-singapore-sentosa.com

Signature Salt Room Bespoke Treatments from Pablo Blau

PRIZES

Five lucky voters will receive a 60-minute Signature Salt Room Bespoke Facial worth $360! Pablo Blau is known for its Signature Salt Room Spa Treatments that help to promote healthy-looking skin and improve overall wellbeing.

pabloblau.com

You could be one of our lucky winners this year, so vote now at expatliving.sg/readerschoice

HOME & PROPERTY

42 Outdoor Living: A look at the latest in alfresco furniture

Konopi

48 Makeover Masters: We check out four successful interior design projects

56 Bright Ideas: Lamps and lights to illuminate your space

62 Street Talk: What it’s like living on Tanjong Katong Road

WHAT’S NEW

Rattan Revival Embroidery and floral fabrics aren’t the only trends currently being resurrected fromour granny’s era! The rattan furniture comeback continues, too, adding a touch of bohemian flare and eclecticism to any room. We’re loving Ong Shunmugam’s imaginative approach to the much-loved vine; the brand’s newest collection of rattan furniture and basketry ismade inMalaysia using locally harvested rattan. Designer Priscilla Shunmugam injects unique

Good news for antique aficionados: China Collection’s range of vintage and antique furniture is now available online! Bringing unique and rare gems into Singapore homes for close to 20 years, the store’s customers can continue to explore the range from the comfort of home. Expect the same eclectic, one-of- a-kind pieces, including antique furniture and Asian-inspired home accessories, from lamps and porcelain jars to bronze rain drums and silk tassels. Shop online at chinacollection.com.sg or visit 252 Joo Chiat Road. toCart

elements of style and texture, incorporating batik and jacquard fabrics, while veteran craftsmen honour the sensitivities of the rattan’s tribal lineage, design eras and weaves. Check out the collection at ongshunmugan.com . We’ve Got Your Back! ErgoTune has launched a work chair aimed at making ergonomic seating solutions accessible and affordable. The new model features an

upgraded and more precise lumbar support system, an adjustable headrest, more comfortable and breathable fabric, and also introduces the never- before-seen GyroBrace 5D armrest that is rotatable and height-adjustable. Designed to fully conform to each unique body type and stature, ErgoTune is adjustable across eleven different points – from headrest, backrest and armrest, to the seat’s height, depth and recline levels. Available in Coral Pink or Charcoal Black (from $399). ergotune.com

What’s in the Water? Have you noticed signs that your hair has thinned or become more brittle since moving to Singapore? The culprit may be chlorine. Though tap water here is well within World Health Organisation guidelines, its chlorine content is up to five times that of many expats’ countries of origin. When hair is suddenly exposed to

this, it can lead to a dry scalp or hair fall. Known for its advanced filtration technology, Korean brand Ruhens has taken the problem head on and launched a series of Vitamin C shower heads to filter and neutralise harmful chlorine and moisturise hair and skin. Naturally-derived essential oils add aromatherapy benefits to the three available scents: lavender, lime and rose. Get yours for $129 from fb.com/ruhenssingapore/shop .

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NOVEMBER2020

HOME & PROPERTY

The Importance of aDigital PhotoHub

… and how to create one!

What about the Cloud? If you have a computer with a 128GB, 256GB or 500GB SSD and your library is sitting happily on your computer, the chances are that your photo library is synchronised with the Cloud, meaning the photos are not stored on your computer in full resolution, but are instead “optimised” to fit (for example, as thumbnail images). The risk here is that there’s no backup and if you ever lost access to your Cloud account (trust us, this happens!), then you’ll lose access to all your full-resolution images. We therefore always recommend having a master library with full resolution images. Next Steps Once you’ve set up your digital photo hub, you’ll be in a position to start bringing order to your digital photo library and set up a robust backup. If you need more guidance on setting up your digital hub and anything else related to photo management and organisation, Tekkie Help runs hands-on and interactive training workshops (tekkiehelp.com/it-training) to teach people how to set up a photo hub, how to use the Cloud, add metadata to photos for more efficient searching, create albums and smart albums, share photos and most importantly how to set up a robust and fool- proof backup for your precious memories.

Photographs are some of our most prized possessions. Tekkie Help experts SARAH and BO are passionate about helping people keep safe those precious moments and remind us that organising, managing and protecting our increasing number of digital photos should be a top priority. Their number one piece of advice? Create a centralised location where photos are stored in full-size resolution. Here’s a handy guide to creating a Digital Photo Hub of your own. The Key Principle of a Master Photo Library We are all guilty of this: photos scattered across multiple computers, external hard drives, CDs and various social media platforms. This makes it incredibly difficult to manage, let alone ensure that they are safely backed up. If you have all your photos in one location, you can start to organise the photos within – remove duplicates, add missing dates, create albums, print books and most importantly, backup everything. Setting up a Digital Photo Hub The main objective is to store all photos in full-sized resolution in one location. One of the first pitfalls people encounter with setting up a digital photo hub is a lack of storage space on their computer. Many newer computers come with solid-state drives (SSDs) where the storage capacity is generally quite small. For an average family’s photo library, we recommend a computer with a minimum capacity of 1 to 2TB. If you don’t have enough space on your computer to save all in full resolution photos, you can consider upgrading the hard drive to increase storage capacity or buying a new computer. Tekkie help can provide free advice on both options.

For more information, call 8113 8682 or visit tekkiehelp.com.

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&Matching

A mix of old and new woven through with memories of travel is the signature of the Lombard family home, with all its treasures. Walking into this bright and spacious home, you can’t help but notice standout furniture pieces interspersed with the kind of decorative accessories that are sure to have a story behind them. There’s a feeling of unpretentious homely comfort and elegance, which matches the welcome nature of my host, Jenny. As she brews me quite possibly the best coffee I’ve had in Singapore, we chat like old friends over her kitchen island. She walks me through her expat journey. Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you originally from and what brought you to Singapore? We first came here in 2007 with my husband John’s work, before moving to Germany to a wonderful village setting in 2010. After a one-year stint there, and a move back home to Melbourne where we’re from, we ended up back in Singapore in 2014 as John had been offered an exciting job opportunity. Where did you first live on your return? We had always lived in landed properties, but when we came back in 2014 we decided to try condo living. We’ve always considered Sentosa a beautiful place to live, so we thought we’d try it out for two years. It was nice, but after a while of doing the daily runs to the Australian International School, I found the distance a bit much. John ended up switching jobs, so we stayed on in Singapore and then moved into a shophouse. Well, we’ve always admired the shophouses of Singapore, and the black- and-whites. And we came across a beautiful shophouse in Emerald Hill. The location was fabulous, and we loved the three-storey style of the house as well. That’s when I went crazy with the furniture shopping. Pretty much everything you see in our current house we bought to furnish the shophouse! Condo to shophouse – that’s a completely different style of living. What inspired that move?

BY DEE KHANDUJA PHOTOGRAPHY KATE MITCHELL

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NOVEMBER2020

HOME & PROPERTY

BY DEE KHANDUJA PHOTOGRAPHY KATE MITCHELL

35 NOVEMBER2020

Where did you move next? After that, we decided to go for something opulent. We settled on a large property with a beautiful garden space and a 25-metre pool wrapped around the house. It had lots of greenery and high ceilings. When my son left to study in Australia, the space felt quite big, and we knew the other kids would eventually be moving out to study overseas, so we decided to go for a smaller place as our next move. I remember just walking in and immediately thinking: “I like this”. I love the way the layout flows, and the overall homely feel. I liked the front yard and the pool, too. For me, it ticked all the boxes. We wanted at least four decent-sized bedrooms, and a separate living space for the kids, so they could have their own privacy. I found the iron staircase feature quite stunning too. And the location was brilliant, with the kids’ schools nearby, as well as John’s work. What attracted you to your current home?

The first thing that caught my eye was the intricate headdress on display in your entrance – wow! Yes, it’s become quite the talking point. I bought that piece in Bali; it’s a bridal ceremonial headdress from Sumatra. I just saw it in the store window and walked in to find out the price. Once I’d decided to buy it, I thought, “How are we going to get it home?” It wouldn’t squish into hand luggage, so we were trying to get a box for it. In the end, I said, “We’re going to have to put it in my suitcase!” So I shoved all my clothes and bits and pieces in the children’s cases and managed to get the headdress to fit perfectly inside my case. What was your first purchase for the house? I only had to buy a rug for this house. We already had everything we needed from our shophouse days. In fact, I had to let some items go before we moved here.

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HOME & PROPERTY

Do you go for a particular theme when you furnish your space?

I like to mix items that I truly love, so I don’t particularly go for themes. That’s why you see a variety in the house. Before I buy anything I tend to ask myself, “Do I really love this?” and “Do I want to take this back to Australia when the time comes?” I tend to buy for the long term. What are your favourite pieces? I love olden times, so I do love the antique grand altar near our entrance; I picked it up fromJust Anthony. I also love the art pieces that we sourced from the Affordable Art Fair. The artwork above the piano is a fantastic piece done all in ink by an artist in their 70s. What’s your favourite place to source furniture? I really like Just Anthony – they have some lovely antique pieces. I also like all our rugs, which are mostly from Lotto, apart from the colourful silk rug, which was my only “gift” for this house from Handmade Carpet Gallery. The little decorative touches throughout the home are wonderful, too; can you tell us about them? I love kettles. I was really drawn to the large decorative kettle we have on display. And I love my miniature kettles in their colourful ornate designs. I sourced most of the smaller kettles right here in Chinatown for around $10. The opium pipe is pretty special – I got that from Emperor’s Attic. I like to buy something for the house whenever we travel to a place as a souvenir. We have reminders of our travels dotted around the house; I love the Balinese headdress, of course, and I thought the light feature I found in Vietnam was unusual, as it’s actually made from a landmine.

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HOME & PROPERTY

Friends always comment on the miniature hand- embroidered traditional Indonesian coat on display, too. It was a lovely gift from John’s Indonesian team. What types of furniture have you mixed and matched? I’ve got a variety of different cultures in my home, for sure. I like the modern sideboard in the dining room; it actually matches the carved wooden shutters upstairs. Although it’s a modern piece, it just seems to click with the décor. I like to see things individually, so each piece is appreciated and not lost in clutter. We’ve got modern pieces like our buffet unit and TV console mixed with older antiques like our altar and side cabinet where the opium pipe and kettle are displayed. You have a beautiful grand piano in your lounge; who’s the musician? My daughter used to play the piano, and I’ve been keen to start lessons myself. Sadly, it’s not used much now but learning to play is on my bucket list. Tell us about your grand chairs by the pool, did you buy them for this house? I always wanted some grand peacock-style chairs for outdoors. I found these green ones when we lived in our shophouse – we placed them on our front porch at that time. I originally wanted them in black, but I think green works well too.

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Home The Beuro thebeuro.com Knock Nock knocknock.com.sg Arete Culture areteculture.com/styling Emperor’s Attic emperorsattic.com WTP Recommendations

wtpstyle.com Just Anthony justanthony.com Woody Antique House woodyantique.com Naturalis Historia nhteak.com/collections/naturalis-historia King Living kingliving.com.sg Lotto Carpets Gallery lottocarpets.com

The overall feel of the décor is an eclectic mix that weaves in memories of your travels; how would you describe it? I’d say that my style is fun and colourful with a touch of serious – which basically describes my personality too! Speaking of travel, what’s been your favourite regional holiday? One of my favourites is Vietnam – it’s just so different and diverse, from the beaches in Da Nang to the culture in Hoi An, and the crazy traffic in Ho Chi Minh City. I also really love Bali for all the obvious reasons. What will be your first holiday once we can travel freely? We were going to go on a river cruise in Europe for Christmas, but sadly had to cancel that. I’d love to book that again. The trip starts in Budapest and then goes down the river through Austria, before finishing in Germany. We were then going to go to Rome and spend New Year in Paris. I guess a great European trip has now ended up on our bucket list! I’d also love to visit the Greek islands and explore more of Germany. Absolutely. We lived in a little country village with a forest on the border, where I’d take our dog for walks. It was a lovely quaint setting, with church bells tolling in the morning and at lunchtime. We had a village bakery, a supermarket and a post office, and 10 minutes down the road there was a department store and some restaurants. So we weren’t too far out from the action. Christmas was spectacular; we had a white Christmas, and there were fireworks on New Year’s Eve. It was a complete contrast to Australia and Singapore, where the weather is so hot in December. You’ve lived in a variety of homes; is there a favourite so far? Back home in Australia, we have a beautiful house that’s about a hundred years old that’s very special to us. Our German home was a great experience and totally different to what we’d been used to. Out of all our Singapore homes, I’d say this current one is my favourite, as it has such a homely feel. You mentioned you did a short stint in Germany; that must have been a complete contrast to your Singapore setting.

Handmade Carpet Gallery handmadecarpetgallery.com

Health Camden Medical camden.com.sg Smilefocus smilefocus.com.sg

Fashion Rue Madame, Ngee Ann City ruemadame.com

Restaurants & Cafés Cut by Wolfgang Puck wolfgangpuck.com Bedrock bedrock.com.sg Beviamo caffebeviamo.com Wild Honey wildhoney.com.sg

Activities Jane’s Tours janestours.sg

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NOVEMBER2020

Cara bar series

HOME & PROPERTY

Great

BY DEE KHANDUJA

Rethinking some of your décor while you spend more time at home? Aren’t we all!

that cheaper outdoor furniture can quickly start disintegrating, fading, fraying, moulding or rusting. With these genuine climatic challenges in mind, Konopi distributes and retails a collection of stylish yet durable outdoor furniture that’s built to withstand Singapore weather. For sun lovers and mixologists alike Whether you have an angular space, cosy corner or enormous rooftop, Konopi carries a range of different brands that can cater to specific requirements. Keen to sunbathe at home? Check out the aluminium Nival pool lounger , which can be used pool-side or on larger balconies and terraces. Fancy inviting friends for happy-hour cocktails? Create your own home-style bar setting with the Cara bar set , which features a teak armrest chair and accompanying full aluminium bar table in chic white.

If you have access to an outdoor space like a balcony, alfresco area, terrace or garden, you could make better use of it simply by reconfiguring the layout with specialist outdoor furniture. Konopi is one of the few specialists on the island offering a range of modern and stylish outdoor furniture that surprisingly comes at prices that won’t hurt your hip pocket. Surviving the climate It’s worth spending time to understand the different types of materials suitable for outdoor furniture, to ensure your furniture can weather the sun and storms of Singapore, and is therefore worth the investment. In our year-round heat and humidity – not to mention those torrential downpours – it’s no surprise

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HOME & PROPERTY

Roso lounge chair

Moonlit dinners There’s nothing better than hosting intimate dinner parties on balmy evenings. If you’re lucky enough to have space outside, and you enjoy socialising in an alfresco setting under the stars, there are plenty of dining-table options at Konopi. Check out the Range dining set , for starters, featuring a black-spray, stone-tempered glass dining table, and chairs with PE rope backrest and teakwood armrests. The Range collection also includes a double sofa and lounge chairs with the same comfortable yet stylish black PE roped frame. There’s even a matching coffee table for you to complete a uniform look across your outdoor area. Creating usable spaces We could all do with some inspiration on how to make the best use of our outdoor spaces, particularly when dealing with angled areas or cosier balconies. Konopi’s Roso collection is one of its most popular series for this kind of usage. The Roso lounge chair features wide, deep seating, making it a perfect piece to relax in after a long day, and a stylish addition to any balcony. Its weave has been designed to endure Singapore’s climate, and it comes with either dark or light grey pillows, which are super easy to clean and maintain. You could also add the matching Roso footstool and side table to complete the look.

Range sofa set

Range dining set

Built to last Take a look at this checklist of Konopi’s outdoor furniture specifications and you can see why the pieces hold up so well in the Singapore climate: • UV-resistant • Anti-mould • Quick-dry • 5-year frame and structure warranty • Easy to clean • Rust-proof • Water-resistant cushions • Washable covers

Find out more at konopi.com.sg.

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Bergamo set

Standing the Test of Time With Singapore’s blazing sun, torrential rain and subsequent blanket of humidity, you’ll need to choose your outdoor furniture carefully if you want to enjoy it for years to come. As the team from Arete Culture points out, selecting the appropriate materials is all-important. What do you recommend for uncovered outdoor spaces? Since the furniture will be unprotected from the elements, ensure the material is resistant to mould and rust. Opt for synthetic materials such as a UV all-weather resin wicker, like our synthetic wicker Ami set, or the Hutton chair, which is great for smaller spaces and easily wiped down with a damp cloth.

What about for covered areas? You can choose from synthetic materials, or look at sustainable natural materials like abaca, water hyacinth or kubu. Abaca is harvested from hemp palms, then twisted and rolled into a strong rope; water hyacinth reeds are harvested from waterways and braided into long ropes; and kubu is a fast-growing hard vine from the rattan family. Our outdoor sets made from these different materials are all woven over solid wood frames for extra durability. In particular, we recommend our Bergamo set or Rio chair.

What are your top tips for choosing outdoor furniture materials? The first thing is to determine what sort of outdoor space you have. Is it sheltered? Is it an alfresco area? Or do you have blinds to block out monsoon rains? Then, consider how you want to use the space. It’s best to design for your lifestyle! If you have kids or pets, then limit breakables and flammables, or look for pieces with rounded edges. If you regularly reconfigure the space, you’ll want to choose lighter materials such as rattan or synthetic wicker over heavier teaks.

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HOME & PROPERTY

Hutton chair with foot stool

The Henrik

Cassandra set

Rio chair

What materials work well for those living near the sea? Choose stainless steel or aluminium pieces to prevent rust from developing. Avoid wrought- iron furniture! You can also consider resin wicker. Our UV all-weather resin wicker sets are made from synthetic polymer resin with a UV inhibitor that protects wicker from breaking down. It’s then woven over anodised aluminium so it’s extra strong, UV-proof, andwaterproof. Our Cassandra set in all-weather resin wicker is a favourite. Teak also works well for covered outdoor areas near the sea. We recommend our custom dining table made with stainless steel frames and a protected teak or glass top. The Henrik is an Arete Culture space-saving favourite, which features a circular cocktail table with four seats that tuck under. How should we take care of teak furniture? Teak is versatile but does need to be looked after. The wood greys naturally, so we recommend cleaning every three to six months with a teak cleaner or wood soap. If you have teak outdoors in the sun, oil it every three to six months with orange oil or sunshield to prevent the wood from drying out.

Spruce UpYour Space Tips from Arete Culture on making your outdoor area pop: • Bring in organic materials by using plants and flowers (even faux items work well). • Opt for sun-proof, outdoor- f r i end l y cush i ons and seat covers. We offer sun- proof fabrics and can also customise seat cushions for your pieces. • For larger areas, tie the space together with an outdoor rug, which is easy to clean and a simple way of adding a splash of colour.

Consider how you want to use the space – it’s best to design for your lifestyle!

Visit Arete Culture’s outdoor living range at Atelier by Arete, 20 Depot Lane, #01-01/02. 9640 3829 | areteculture.com

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HOME & PROPERTY

Timeless Treasures Introduce a bit of Persian magic to your home with an exquisite handmade floor covering. BY JO UPCRAFT PHOTOGRAPHY MARSAL VAQUER

When it comes to home interiors, one classic look that never goes out of style is the handcrafted Persian rug. Ideal for making a statement in a sleek modern living room, injecting a striking flourish of colour to a space, or for your kids to pretend they’re Aladdin, they’re versatile and beautiful, and can bestow rich exotic culture into your home. But the joy doesn’t just stop at aesthetics. A handmade Persian rug or carpet not only jazzes up a floor; each one carries with it a unique personality and character that’s as inimitable as the individual who painstakingly crafted it. A secret to the art Nobody understands the deep-rooted traditions and heritage of the Persian rug more than designer carpet producer and curator NASSER NISHABURI. Born into a well-respected family carpet-trading business that harks back to the 1750s, Nasser’s father established his first Persian rug store in Singapore when he moved here in 1986. (Longer-term expats may remember his auctions in Goodwood Park Hotel every Sunday.)

Nasser joined him in the company in 1992. “The name Nishaburi was given to our family due to the extensive carpet merchandising my ancestors did with the East through the Silk Road, on which the city of Nishabur was a major stop,” he explains. Continuing in a business that has spanned three centuries, today the family boasts stores around the globe and Nasser makes it his mission to bring authentic Persian products to the local market.

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HOME & PROPERTY

Time-treasured techniques Are you looking for a carpet with 1.2 million knots per square metre? Desperate for a rug with amazing mythical symbols? Searching for a rug weaved with an infusion of pomegranate skin? Nasser Nishaburi’s collections encompass one-of-a-kind tribal rugs crafted out of time-treasured techniques, to classic and modern-day reinterpretations of the Persian rug heritage using fresh pops of colour. It’s with the tribal Persian carpets and rugs where Nasser’s passion prevails. “These are handcrafted with the most meticulous care by the nomadic people,” he explains. “They create such pieces entirely from scratch: the weaver will spin the wool from their own flock of sheep in their pastures, convert the wool into yarn by hand, and source the dye from natural sources and plants around them.” The next step is developing the colours. Madder root is used for a striking red shade; indigo is dipped in yoghurt after dying to reduce the vibrancy; pomegranate and walnut skin add texture and tincture; and hay is used for a natural mild yellow hue. The sustainable aspect of the business and the fact that it’s socially motivated are sources of both pride and responsibility for Nasser. “I enjoy working with weavers. They are the nicest people to work with and sometimes weaving a rug is the only way of generating income for some of them,” Nasser says.

Throughout history, weavers have expressed their feelings in the patterns they make.

Nasser Nishaburi’s carpet and flooring shop is at #04-05 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road. 9118 1700 | info@nishaburi.com “Look for good quality wool that isn’t too soft. It should have a decent texture and lustre that will wear well over time for that ‘antique’ look. Don’t stress about the number of knots, but rather the colours and the overall quality. Above all, search for a one-of-a-kind piece that speaks to you with its own personality.” Then, all that’s left to do is kick off your shoes and let your feet fuse with folklore! Expression through pattern According to Nasser, the average weaver can accomplish between 3,000 structured knots a day. Even at that pace – and depending on the size and finesse of the product – it can take a few months or even a few years to complete one tribal piece from beginning to end. (Talk about patience!) With such a time-consuming task at hand, it’s no wonder that the weavers put their hearts and souls – and often their life stories – into their creations. “Throughout history, the weavers have really expressed their feelings in the patterns of what they do,” explains Nasser, who visits the weavers in their villages to learn from their work. (And yes, he can weave himself!) He continues: “The designs are created from memory, so will often become intuitive and influenced by the weaver’s personality and circumstances. A carpet will grow into an expression of feelings. When you look closely, you can often discover intriguing nods to stories of lost times, mixed marriages and local ceremonies.” For this reason alone, Nasser believes that when it comes to purchasing a handmade Persian rug or carpet, it’s paramount that you find one that you can connect to.

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We take a look at how four interior designershelpedthesehomeowners andtenants turn theirblankcanvases into home, sweet home. Dream

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NOVEMBER2020

HOME & PROPERTY

Kelvin Zeng, Chinese How did you hear about Arete Culture? They came highly recommended after they transformed my friend’s unit at Leedon Residence – an impressive design-build project, from carpentry to renovation. We had just moved into an eight-year-old, three- bedroom apartment. It had the basic fittings but was in a bare condition. We wanted the scope of the project to cover everything from the lift lobby entryway to the living and dining rooms, as well the bedrooms and outdoor area. What was your brief to Arete Culture? I shared a few pictures and colours that I liked, as well as some points to keep in mind. For one thing, we have three children, so wanted to keep our space child-friendly and add some concealed storage in the entryway for all the shoes and toys. We also had a few existing items of furniture that we wanted to keep and work around. From there, the team managed to pull together the ideal plan of action. How was it working with Arete Culture? I’ve had negative experiences with interior designers in the past, but the team at Arete Culture were incredibly experienced and professional. Communication was easy and smooth, and they provided a holistic solution for the project – from the layout and colour palette to the selection of furniture, wallpaper and soft furnishings. Everything was hassle-free and detail-driven. Several of our new furniture pieces came from the Arete Culture collection, too! Caroline was even gracious enough to help me months after completion of my project. Unfortunately, there was some leaking in my son’s bedroom and the false ceiling had to be repaired and redone. Caroline had the great idea of using glow-in-the-dark wallpaper and sourced far and wide for it. She even waived the styling and consultation fees for us – my son loves it! Tell us about your space, and the state it was in prior to the project.

Arete Culture #06-01 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road 9640 3829 | areteculture.com

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Jon Curry, Australian How did you hear about Gallery 278?  I moved to Singapore from Sydney in 2019 with nothing but suitcases. My new role kept me more than busy, so I was on the lookout for someone to help turn my house into a home. I came across Expat Living online and noticed Gallery 278’s advert. Their style captured my attention so I decided to visit the gallery and check it out. I met Felicia at that visit and we hit it off instantly. After looking at nearly two dozen apartments, I finally found this generously sized space in Dhoby Ghaut. Cathay Residences was built circa 2009 and, while it’s an older building, it stands the test of time well. The space was truly a blank canvas, with white walls, large white ceramic tiles, a white kitchen and timbered floors. Tell us about your space, and the state it was in prior to the project.

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