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Our Black-and-White on Kheam Hock Road

Expat Living
03/05/2025 03:03:00

CHRISTINA GARCIA chats about her expat journey and future plans, and about living in one of Singapore’s iconic heritage bungalows. She lives in a black-and-white on Kheam Hock Road.

About this black-and-white house

Size: Approximately 2,000 square feet
Location: Kheam Hock Road, between Bukit Timah and Novena
Who lives there? James, Christina, Gigi, Raquel (Yaya) and Monte (chocolate Labrador)

expat family in singapore

Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey here.

I met my husband James 10 years ago through friends at the Singapore Grand Prix. At the time, he had been living in Singapore for a while, while I was working in Hong Kong. In 2017, I moved to Singapore. I’ve always loved discovering new places around the world, and my fulfilling career in communications has given me the chance to do so – starting in Sydney, then London, Hong Kong, and now Singapore, where I’ve been for eight years.

We love our life here – our daughter Gigi was born in Singapore and is thriving. It’s also great to live in a place that’s just one flight away from both the UK (James is British) and Australia (where my family lives). Currently, I’m taking some time off to focus on building my communications consultancy, from home.

Black and White on Kheam Hock Road

Where did you first live when you came to Singapore and why? What kind of property were you looking for when you arrived?

When I first moved to Singapore, we lived in a townhouse – a black-and-white in Chip Bee Gardens. We loved it there and share so many happy memories from that time. It’s an incredible community of like-minded people building a positive neighbourhood.

Chip Bee Gardens was developed in the 1960s for British military personnel and their families and features nearly identical houses. But as you walk through the streets, you find each resident has personalised their home with their unique style. The place has such a great vibe, and it’s where we made some of our best friends for life.

Soon, we realised we needed more space, and a bungalow seemed like a natural next step. A black-and-white on Kheam Hock Road became available, just down the street from Gigi’s nursery, Rain Trees, so we made a bid and won. Although Gigi’s nursery moved to Holland Village shortly after we moved in, it all worked out exactly as it was meant to!

Black and White on Kheam Hock Road

How did it happen that you chose a black-and-white?

Growing up, we were always outdoors – I was either swimming in the neighbour’s pool or playing in the backyard. We wanted a home with plenty of natural light and outdoor space. When we found this house at the end of a cul-de-sac, surrounded by a cluster of five black-and-white bungalows, it caught our attention.

It has high ceilings and open French-style doors, which we loved. Of course, it came with its own set of challenges – installing air conditioning, adding water heaters, upgrading the bathrooms and putting in a pool. But, with the intention of living there for at least five years, the initial work was well worth it. You really need to be committed to your future in a black-and-white to invest so much love and hard work into it!

Black and White on Kheam Hock Road

What do you love about your current black and white on Kheam Hock and the neighbourhood?

Kheam Hock Road is part of a 10km stretch that connects the Singapore Botanic Gardens to MacRitchie Reservoir Park through the Lornie Nature Corridor – a fantastic route for hikers and cyclists. James loves to hike or ride his bike, so having the Botanic Gardens just five minutes to our right and MacRitchie to the left provides a perfect escape from his busy life in advertising. Plus, Cluny Court is within walking distance and has everything we need such as Simply Bread, Plain Vanilla and Tiong Bahru Bakery. What I love most about living here is the community. I especially enjoy supporting local small businesses and being in close proximity to activities like padel at The Cage in Dempsey or playing tennis with friends at the Swiss Club.

How would you define your interior/ home style?

I’d say my style is inspired by the laid-back vibes of summer in Europe. My parents are from Spain, so a lot of my inspiration comes from the homes we’d visit during holidays there. I also love the relaxed energy of Ibiza – natural elements with a bohemian touch, and the tropical, earthy aesthetic of Southeast Asia and Australia. Overall, lots of natural textures, light colours and open space that brings the outdoors in. We’ve also tried to complement our home with its black-and-white theme.

Where do you source your furniture and home décor from?

I absolutely love Hankie Pankie Home! Emma’s tablescapes and her stunning block-print tablecloths always catch my eye. I recently bought two artichoke platters from Bordallo Pinheiro in Portugal through her – she’s always sourcing beautiful, artisanal homewares from around the world.

Most of our furniture was custom-made by Chloe from Paradise Road Design, a bespoke furniture company in Bali. It was originally designed to fit our house in Chip Bee Gardens, but somehow it works perfectly here as well! The bobble chairs are from E&A Interiors, and the large mirror in the living room was custom made by Bungalow 55.

What are your favourite pieces of art or home décor?

The big photo in the living room is “The Arrival” by Stuart Cantor – it’s photographed as you arrive at Da Adolfo restaurant in the Amalfi. The painting in the TV room James brought home from South Africa; it depicts a woman in Soweto.

Favourite thing about living as a family in Singapore?

The people – I’ve always appreciated the warmth and openness of the local culture, and I’ve felt a real sense of inclusion here. Additionally, we’ve made so many friends who are sharing this experience with us. We love how safe and organised the country is, and that extends to the people, who are courteous and community-oriented. I think there’s also a shared pride in the country’s achievements, which helps bond both expats and locals.

Any advice for newcomers to Singapore?

Singapore will slowly become one of the best decisions you ever made. It may not be as fastpaced or love-at-first-sight as other places, but over time, you’ll come to appreciate its unique charm and the sense of calm it offers. Give it time, embrace the diversity, and allow yourself to settle into the rhythm of life here. You’ll find that it’s a wonderful place to live and raise a family, offering a great balance of work, leisure and community.

You mentioned you’re taking time out to focus on building a consultancy. What made you decide to do that?

I decided to focus on building CMG Communications (cmg-comms.com) because I reached a point in my career where I wanted to bring my experience and expertise to a more flexible, entrepreneurial space. After working in internal communications for major global companies like Dyson, Meta and Uber, I realised I had the skills and passion to help other businesses shape their messaging and communication strategies. It felt like the right time to apply everything I’ve learned while creating a more balanced lifestyle that allows me to spend more time with my family.

Any regional trips on your bucket list?

This year, we’re planning to spend a good chunk of Gigi’s summer holidays in Lombok. Our close friend is developing Samara in the south, and it’s absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views of lush green mountains set against the backdrop of the bluest sea and sky. We’re also hoping to explore other parts of Lombok and check out the Gili Islands. Lombok is the perfect alternative to the increasingly crowded Bali.

expat family in singapore black and white living room black and white pool expat family in singapore black and white patio black and white pool

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by Expat Living
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