Black and White House at Seletar Air Base

SOPHIE FLINT lives with husband Sam, twins Arlo and George (8), Rory (5) and Nell the black and white dog – in a black-and-white house at Seletar Camp – the old RAF base in Singapore’s northeast. She loves the character of the property and the off-the-beaten-track vibe of the neighbourhood.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey here.

We’re both originally from Sussex in the UK. We moved to Singapore when Sam was transferred by his work soon after graduating from university. What we thought might be a short adventure in Asia has gradually turned into something much more permanent.

Over the last 15 years, we have built our lives here and, in many ways, grown up here as well. Singapore has been the backdrop to so many milestones for us, from the early days of our careers to starting a family. It’s a place that has given us wonderful opportunities and friendships, so it truly feels like home.

Where have you lived since coming to Singapore, and why?

We’ve moved depending on what suited us at each stage of life. When we first arrived, we lived in a condo near Mount Sophia, Little India. It was perfect at the time as it was very central, close to work and the city centre. We really wanted to be immersed in the buzz of Singapore and experience everything the city had to offer.

When the twins arrived, we moved to Sommerville Park near Holland Village. At that stage, we were looking for more space and a strong condo community, which was ideal with young children.

Later, when Rory was born, we decided we wanted more outdoor space and a bit more privacy, so we moved to this black-and-white house in Seletar Camp. It’s incredibly peaceful here and almost feels like the countryside!

What made you choose this particular home?

We moved to Seletar towards the end of Covid. With the arrival of Rory, we realised that we were craving more space and a bit more freedom, so we began exploring other housing options. Sam’s uncle and family, who also lived in the area, suggested that we take a look at the house next door.

When we came to visit, we immediately fell in love with it. The house had such a special feel, and the garden space was exactly what we’d been hoping for. Amazingly, we were able to take over the lease, which felt incredibly lucky. What really drew us to the house was the sense of space and lifestyle it offers. The garden (which is large even by European standards) gives the children so much room to run around and play, and Seletar itself is so peaceful.

Could you give us a bit of background to this black and white house?

Seletar Camp is in the northeast of Singapore and was once an RAF air base. Many of the houses were originally built to accommodate military staff stationed there. Today, the properties are owned by the SLA, and a number of them are leased as residential homes.

One of the stories we love about the area is the “Concrete Lizzies” – the Samsui women who played a significant role in the construction of RAF Seletar, including the airbase and many of the surrounding homes.

The house itself has so much character, with high ceilings and charming quirks that make it feel very special. What we love most, though, is the garden. Having so much outdoor space in Singapore is incredibly rare and it has completely changed the way we live. The children spend so much time running around outside, playing football, swimming and growing fruit and vegetables.

Seletar itself is relatively quiet with little traffic which allows the boys to cycle locally. It’s a very special place to live, and we feel incredibly lucky to call it home.

What touches have you added to make the house feel like home?

Though layered with history and past stories, these black-and-white houses are really a blank canvas, which we think is part of their charm. The previous tenants had already installed the pool and the outdoor structures, as well as many of the practical essentials inside, such as the fans and air conditioning units. We focused on adding warmth and personality to make the house feel like our own.

We painted a few of the rooms to give them more character, and in Rory’s room we added some beautiful wallpaper and upholstered an armchair in a fun fabric. We also brought a lot of soft furnishings from our previous apartment, which helped the house feel familiar from the start. The outdoor areas required more work, so we invested in furniture for the garden and entertaining spaces.

Overall, we wanted the house to feel relaxed, comfortable and welcoming. We love spending time here as a family, and we hope our guests feel just as at home when they visit.

What’s your favourite corner of the house and why?

We love the outdoor space. The atap area almost feels like we’re on holiday in Bali; we like to eat meals there and spend a lot of time relaxing and hanging out as a family. But the real favourite spot for all of us is actually the front doorstep. In the evenings, you can sit there and watch the sun set behind the beautiful heritage tree opposite the house. It’s a strangely calming place, and we often find the boys (and the dog) sitting there for a quiet moment when they’re not out playing football.

Where do you source your furniture and décor from?

Our home has really come together over time rather than all at once. Elizabeth Hay has helped us source several pieces, including rugs, armchairs, artwork, soft furnishings and our outdoor dining table, which has been wonderful. We also like browsing places such as Originals, Island Living, Lims and Just Anthony, among other local brands. Living in Singapore, it’s also common for people to pass on furniture when they move, and we’ve been lucky to pick up a few lovely pieces that way too. It all adds to the mix and gives the house a relaxed, lived-in feel.

What do you like most about Seletar Camp?

One of the things we love most is that we are off the beaten track (by Singapore standards!). There’s no through road and very little traffic, which makes it perfect for the boys to ride their bikes and go-karts, and for us to walk Nell safely. It has that lovely feeling of a small community where people stop to say “hello”. The area has also become more vibrant recently, with more cafés and restaurants appearing just across the road.

One of our favourite weekend rituals is a slow Sunday stroll to watch the aeroplanes take off and land at the airport – the boys never seem to tire of it – followed by a relaxed coffee at Nomads at The Oval.

Visitors often enjoy the variety of birds at the local Hampstead Wetlands Park across the road.

What’s your favourite thing about Singapore? Anything you wish was different?

There are so many things we love about living in Singapore. The warm weather makes it easy to spend lots of time outdoors all the year round, whether it’s swimming, dog walking or exploring a new park. It’s also an incredibly safe place to raise children, which gives us a real sense of ease in everyday life. Another highlight has been the people we have met. Singapore is such an international hub, and we have had the chance to meet people from all over the world. Everyone is open to making new friendships, and there are always wonderful social activities happening.

Of course, we miss our friends and family back in the UK, especially for big moments and celebrations, but we feel lucky to have the opportunity to live here

What are your favourite pieces of art or home décor?

My favourite artwork in the house is the set of botanical prints in the main lounge. I had always wanted some botanical prints and when we moved to this house, Elizabeth Hay helped us source this beautiful set. The ornate, colourful frames make the pieces feel almost like little treasures. I also love the handwritten notes and the subtle colours in the illustrations. They have a very calming effect and bring a sense of nature and tranquillity to the room. They’re the kind of pieces that I plan to keep and move with us wherever we go.

Any advice for newcomers?

Say yes to as much as possible in the beginning. Join clubs, attend social events and explore different parts of the city. Singapore has so much to offer and it’s a wonderful way to meet people. It also helps to get out and enjoy the little everyday rituals – finding your favourite café, discovering new neighbourhoods and making the most of outdoor spaces. Those small things quickly make Singapore feel like home.

Sophie’s Recommendations

Furniture & Design

School

Brighton College Singapore brightoncollege.edu.sg

Hair Salon/Barber

Trimmings at Dempsey (“they can give the boys haircuts at the same time!”) trimmings.com.sg

Eating & Drinking

Nomads at The Oval, Seletar (“it backs on to a small playground allowing you to have a delicious coffee in relative peace”) IG @nomads.sg

Walks in Singapore

MacRitchie Reservoir TreeTop Walk Singapore Botanic Gardens

This article on a black and white house in Seletar first appeared in The May 2026 Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription or read the digital version free now.

Interested in knowing about editorial options? Email us at sales@expatliving.sg.

Our Black and White House at Seletar Air Base