• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • Wedding BEATRICE CONTRINILove in the time of COVID
        • Child with special needsOccupational Therapy for a Child with Special Needs
        • How to get married in SingaporeHow to get married in Singapore
        • HomeOutdoor Living at this West Coast house
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Things to do with dogs in Singapore cute dogFun stuff do with your dogs in Singapore!
        • dog-friendly cafesDog-friendly restaurants, bars and cafés in Singapore
        • cdn.cliqueinc.com__posts__258676__june-horoscopes-2018-258676-1527175331570-image-dd084e9663a848659b54ab1d44e8913aYour Horoscopes for the Month of March!
        • The [Not-So] Convenience Store exhibition National Design CentreWhat’s on this week and beyond
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • Kids scooters mini micro scooter 3in1 Deluxe Plus MixedWhere to buy kids’ scooters & more
        • Child with special needsOccupational Therapy for a Child with Special Needs
        • ServiceSchool activities with a lot of heart
        • kidsChildren’s shops & websites for kids’ clothes, toys etc.
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • interior decorating cushions for bedrooms5 home décor pieces you shouldn’t overlook
        • SONYHome News: décor, furniture and more!
        • Arete fabric and soft furnishingsWhere to buy cushions & soft furnishings in Singapore
        • Originals furniture onlineHome shopping online & top home décor picks!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • DuxtonBest hotels for a staycation in Singapore
        • ThailandBest short breaks from Singapore
        • family-friendly resort family vacation boat12 great spots for a family vacation
        • Singaproe islands8 Easy Island Trips off Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • dog-friendly cafesDog-friendly restaurants, bars and cafés in Singapore
        • BaristaNew Nibbles: Foodie news!
        • Bars cheap drinksTop bars for cheap drinks in Singapore
        • best breakfast spots brunch cafe tiong bahru bakery diner19 of the best breakfast spots on the island!
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • RawbroguhtShopping in Singapore – Fashion News
        • ear piercing singaporeWhere to go to get your ears pierced
        • amazing jewellery in singaporeWhere to find amazing jewellery in Singapore
        • Glow recpieBeauty news: Latest beauty products, makeup and more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • SParks activeHealth News: What’s up!
        • heavy periods menorrhagia treatmentHeavy periods: How your GP can help
        • comparing health insurance in Singapore doctor and coupleThree tips for comparing health insurance plans
        • COVID-19 vaccination vaccine doctor and womanFAQs about COVID-19 vaccinations
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close
Home » Homes » Homes Showcase: Christmas in Mount Faber

Homes Showcase: Christmas in Mount Faber

3rd May 2017 by Intern 1 5 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/homes-showcase-christmas-mount-faber/

We get festive at the Mount Faber home of Elizabeth Hay and find out what plans she has for her son Arthur’s first Christmas in Singapore.

festive interior design
Elizabeth’s living Room

By Amy Brook-Partridge

Photography Michael Bernabe

The last time we showcased Elizabeth Hay’s home, just over two-and-a-half years ago, she was living in an Emerald Hill shophouse, had recently got engaged, and the business she set up with Chloe Elkerton, E&A Interiors, was just moving into its first premises in River Valley. Now she’s married to Tim, they have a one-year old son, Arthur, and two “Singapore special” adopted dogs, and they’ve moved from their shophouse to a black-and-white house in the green surrounds of Mount Faber. “We loved the shophouse and the location was amazing, but it only had two bedrooms, and we wanted at least one more, as well as some outside space for our dogs,” explains Elizabeth. She and Tim loved the old feel of their place at Emerald Hill, and couldn’t see themselves in something ultra-modern, so they started to look for a black-and-white house to rent.

christmas decorations for home

They bid on a handful of houses but lost out, then found this spot through an agent, so they didn’t have to go through the bidding process again. “It had been empty for a few years and was completely derelict, but we saw the potential.” The move-in date was set for August 2015, when Elizabeth was eight months pregnant, so it was imperative that all necessary works to the house were completed by then. “It was pretty stressful,” she admits. “Basic maintenance such as painting walls and polishing floors were the agent’s responsibility. Working alongside their contractors I had my own people renovating the bathrooms, which I don’t think had been touched since the 1970s, as well as adding standard things such as water heaters, fans and air-conditioning, and building the attap outside.”

The family loves the greenery at their doorstep, the great dog walks that are nearby, and the fact that it’s so easy to access the Henderson Waves bridge. “One drawback is that you can’t just pop out on foot and grab a coffee, but it’s really nice to be so close to Sentosa, and you’re only five minutes from Tiong Bahru by car.”

home decor shops in singapore
Elizabeth’s Christmas table includes Waterford glassware, small décor pieces picked up from Africa – Elizabeth’s family has a home in Kenya – as well as other items from Singapore stores, including Robinsons.

Who lives here: Elizabeth and husband Tim, both from the UK, one-year-old son Arthur, helpers Jo and Mehl, and adopted dogs Gracie and Blaze.

Size and type of home: Three bedroom black and-white house in Mount Faber.

Interior style: “Vibrant, full of pattern, multicultural, eclectic, bohemian, colourful, layered and homey,” says Elizabeth.

Favourite room: Elizabeth loves her sitting room. “The soft blue is such a relaxing colour; first thing in the morning and early in the evening are my favourite times to sit in there, as it feels so peaceful.”

christmas trees in singapore
Elizabeth and her dogs

Ongoing Designs

Moving house and the arrival of Arthur have meant a busy year for Elizabeth – and with Elizabeth and Chloe’s interior design business E&A Interiors going great guns, it’s not going to calm down any time soon. “We’re now a team of six at E&A. We welcome all kinds of projects, and our aim is to keep working on our large-scale work as well as smaller commissions; whether it’s just getting some cushions made or a full-scale renovation, we’re open to it all.” The business is currently completing around ten major renovations a year, as well as many soft-furnishing projects of varying sizes.

It now stocks 40 boutique brands of wallpaper and fabric, and plans to add more to its collection. Although Elizabeth’s home style is, in her own words, “layered with colours and patterns, and a little Boho-chic”, for their clients’ designs they promise to turn their hand to any style. “Clients come with so many different briefs – for example, an English look, a Hamptons feel, or French country chic. Singapore is a fun place to practise interior design, because so many of the apartments are completely blank canvases and you can get away with almost any aesthetic here.”

christmas stockings and decorations singapore
The stockings were handmade from material supplied by Elizabeth’s interiors company

 

christmas tree accessories singapore
Vai Segolsson of Glass Floe makes these glass accessories

“Handmade decorations can add so much charm, but it’s hard to find them here. Vai’s are beautiful, especially her glass snowflakes and angels!”

Family Festivities

Arthur spent his first Christmas in the UK, so this year the Hays are staying put in Singapore. “We’ve got my mother, my sister, her husband and their two children coming out here for two weeks; I’m so excited!” Last year, they spent the holidays with Tim’s family in a rented house in Wales, so this year will be a decidedly different experience: Christmas in the tropics. Their plans include a cosy family dinner on Christmas Eve, then church on Christmas morning. “We open our stockings first thing in the morning and then wait until after lunch for the tree presents.” Elizabeth is planning on cooking a traditional Christmas lunch; “I’ll be making everything from scratch, and my mother is bringing out a Devon ham.” As Christmas is Elizabeth’s favourite time of the year, she hopes that Arthur has the same experience. “I still get really excited about it – I love the lead-up to Christmas Day, and getting into the festive mood. I will definitely be doing a wreath-making class with the wonderful florist Charlotte Puxley and going to lots of carol services! I just love spending time with friends and family, the food, and everything about Christmas Day. I have such happy memories.”

wreath and christmas decorations singapore
The wreath, which includes cinnamon sticks and dried oranges to give it a truly festive aroma, is made by Becca from Silk Flowers Singapore.

 

christmas wreath singapore
Both the wreath and the stair-runner were created by Charlotte Puxley.

Recommendations

Robinsons at The Heeren (“for Christmas decorations”)
260 Orchard Road

6735 8838 | robinsons.com.sg

Vai Segolsson of Glass Floe (“for handmade Christmas decorations”)
glassfloe.com | facebook.com/glassfloe

Charlotte Puxley (“for beautiful wreaths and Christmas decorations”)
79 Chay Yan Street, #01-02

9863 3510 | charlottepuxleyflowers.com

Silk Flowers Singapore (“Becca de Saint Maur supplies stunning faux Christmas flowers”)
8307 6355 | silkflowerssingapore.com

This is an article that first appeared in the December 2016 edition of Expat Living. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue!

We have a whole heap of Neighbourhood Guides to help you get to know your hood, or if you are thinking of moving!

Categories: Homes Readers Homes Tags: Home And Decorating Ideas Home Decor Homes Mount Faber

Intern 1

You May Also Like

interior decorating cushions for bedrooms

5 home décor pieces you shouldn’t overlook

Outdoor Living at this West Coast house

stop mosquitoes entering your home

Stop mosquitoes entering your home!

Primary Sidebar

Expat Living Singapore 🇸🇬

expatlivingsg

Open
Check out what's inside our March issue! To get a copy delivered to you, visit 👉 expatliving.sg/mag/ig

In this issue, we feature our best finds to make your bedroom look and feel great. Check out two renovated homes, get an insider’s view of Siglap, and discover useful tips and trends on the property rental market. There's plenty more too, including delicious Mexican food, top quality meat, cool fashion, fab facials and fragrances to try. 

🎁 Plus, there's a bonus mini guide on Preschools!
Open
We think home-grown label Love, Bonito’s fourth loungewear collection is super cute! 

Whether you’re in bed, at home lounging, or out and about, find comfort in effortless pieces of super-soft separates and one-pieces.

Get the complete package with matching accessories - plush slippers as the latest addition - and twinning pieces for your 
mini-mes.

Love, Bonito Loungewear is priced between S$9.90 to S$41.90 and available from lovebonito.com and in-stores island wide
Open
Photographs are some of our most prized possessions so we wanted you to meet Tekkie Help experts Sarah and Bo who are passionate about helping people keep photos (and data) safe. 

They feel that organising, managing and protecting our 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. 

Click on our stories for a handy guide to creating a Digital Photo Hub of your own 📷
Open
** Friday Giveaway**

Are you looking to revitalise your skin? 🤔
Well, today is your lucky day! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
We have TWO Visible-repair Replenishing Eye Cream and Galvanic Intensifier sets from @flesette to give away!

Bring the spa to your home with this great bundle, which consists of two tubes of eye cream and the reusable Intensifier, which attaches to the eye cream and gently vibrates and massages the thin, sensitive skin around the eyes, improving absorption and helping to turn back the clock! 

Use it to combat any or all of the below:

PREMATURE AGEING ⏳
 
DULL SKIN 😑
 
FINE LINES + WRINKLES 👵🏻

EYE BAGS + DARK CIRCLES 🐼

How to join? 
1. Follow @expatliving and @flesette 
2. Tag a friend who you want to give the other set to 
3. Go to expatliving.sg/VRRECGIS and enter your details 

Giveaway ends 4 March. Good luck! 
 
*
*
*
*
*
#expatlivingsg 
#youthfulskin 
#Flesette 
#singapore 
#expatlife 
#fridaygiveaway 
#beautifulskin
Open
No doubt you’ve been out walking around Singapore more than usual lately and maybe you’ve noticed more plants than you do when zipping by in a car, but what are they exactly? 

There are so many different types of flowers, trees and other plants in Singapore – some are native, but heaps have been imported over the years. 

Take a look on our stories for a handful of pretty pics and a cool website link from NParks to satisfy your curiosity.

Here are some interesting facts about plant numbers in Singapore...

• 4712 flora species
• 88 tree families
• 1,689 tree species
• 259 heritage trees

🌸 🌳 🪴
Open
Order your copy of the March issue here 👉 expatliving.sg/mag/ig

Inside, we feature our best finds to make your bedroom look and feel great. Check out two renovated homes, get an insider’s view of Siglap, and discover useful tips and trends on the property rental market and plenty more, including delicious Mexican food, top quality meat, cool fashion, fab facials and fragrances to try. 

📕 Plus, there's a bonus mini guide on Preschools!
Open
Now facelifts can be non-surgical and non-invasive which we love.

This facelift in Singapore uses painless High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).

How it works.....
HIFU uses ultrasound technology to reach three different depths of the skin, in order to deliver focused beams of 60 to 70 degrees Celsius without disrupting the skin surface. These beams will melt the fats in the face, while tightening the skin and boosting collagen production; this allows your skin to continually lift and tone after the treatment. 

We thought this was super cool so we tried it out. Read the full review on our stories
Open
If you’ve just arrived (or been here a while) and wondering where to buy furniture in Singapore, we’ve pulled together this huge list of the best furniture shops on the red dot for you to start on! 

This comprehensive guide to Singapore furniture stores covers all areas, budgets and decorating tastes. 

There’s furniture shops for Asian, contemporary, chic, recycled and vintage furniture. So, whether you’re after a good sofa, antique lamp, modern dining table or a cute kid’s bed, grab a coffee and get scrolling via the link on our stories
Open
** Friday Giveaway**

Win a fabulous Glam Makeover & a 1 to 1 Makeup Workshop worth $350! 

How to join? 🤔

👉🏻Follow @expatlivingag and @falakamaar 
👉🏻tag the person who you want to win- it can also be you! 
It’s that easy! 

Falak Amaar is a Singapore based MUA trained and certified by celebrity Makeup artists (for Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande to name a few) Mario Dedivanovic and Samer Khouzami (aka the king of contouring)

She loves to share the techniques she has learnt from the Makeup Maestros in 1 to 1 as well as group makeup workshops and uses them to create the most natural to the most transformative looks.

She regularly posts videos for simple makeup tips and tricks on her Instagram & Facebook Page along with the stunning makeup looks she creates for her clients.
*
*
*
*
*
#makeup
#Falakaar 
#expatlivingsg
#singapore 
#expats
#beautifulmakeup 
#makeupartistsg
Open
In Singapore, the year-round summer weather means you can’t do without swimwear, and you’ll need a few. It’s a hard life! 

Whether you are wondering where to buy a bikini or a full swimsuit, or even something more sporty for swimming laps there’s a good range of shopping options. 

The round up (link on our stories) includes the best online and physical stores to buy swimwear for women of all shapes and sizes 👙
Open
After four years in Kampong Bahru, local eyelash extensions studio The Lash Company has shifted to a bigger and brighter space in Holland Village! We visited the new salon to review their eyelash extensions service.

Read the reviews on our stories
Open
Looking for a house in Singapore? 

We asked the Expat Team at real estate company Knight Frank to give us some insider tips for a home search and to reflect on some of the property trends arising from the COVID-19 situation. 

What’s the current situation if you want to lease an apartment, and how difficult is it to find a house to rent now. 

Read the full story on our stories now
Open
Happy Valentine’s Day from the Expat Living Team ❤️

All we really need is love, but if you do fancy something else then we have fun trivia, gift ideas and some lovely dining options on our stories
Open
🏮 Gong Xi Fa Cai to all our friends celebrating Chinese New Year!
Open
What would make a doctor like DR MENKA GUPTA transform herself into a functional medicine practitioner and nutritionist in Singapore? 

Her lifelong passion for healing is the answer – and she hasn’t looked back. Born and raised in Lucknow, India, she knew from the age of three that she wanted to be a doctor. After years of working as a specialist in the fields of gastroenterology, general medicine and gynaecology in leading hospitals in the UK, India and Singapore, she joined the Institute for Functional Medicine in 2012, and established Nutra Nourish here five years ago. 

Dr Menka is the the only IFM certified practitioner (IFMCP) in South Asia (there are less than 1,000 globally) 

Read the full article in our stories
Open
Noticed all the lanterns and bright lights across Chinatown? 

Yep, it’s that time of the year again! Chinese New Year is in full force in Singapore, so we’ve listed some great events and handy tips for you to experience a truly authentic, fun and prosperous start to the Year of the Ox 🐂 🍊 🧧 

Check out our guide (link on stories) of what to do (and also what not to do!)
Open
Striking a stylish downward dog in yoga or a perfect squat when working out needn’t only be about flexibility. 

Now there’s a selection of trendy and stylish active wear to inspire us at the same time! 

Yumi Active offers a range of uber-sleek, re-imagined performance gear. With active wear with gorgeous designs, bold prints and ethnic motifs, the brand is certainly getting us motivated with the right kit to get fit

Check them out on our stories
Open
Our CNY Sale starts today! Grab a year's subscription for just $29 (usually $82.80). Visit 👉 expatliving.sg/sale/IG 

🎁 If you'd like to buy this as a gift, go to expatliving.sg/sale/gift/IG

You'll get free access to the digital edition on the Magzter app too!

.
#expatlivingsg #expatliving #sgexpat #expatsg #igsg #sgdining #sghome #sgsales
Open
**FRIDAY GIVEAWAY**

Penhaligon's the luxurious British perfume house, that was founded in the late 1860s by William Henry Penhaligon, the perfumer to Queen Victoria, is giving away Changing Constance worth $420

Who is Constance?
Constance is what one might call A Very Modern Woman. She has no regard for custom, and does exactly as she likes. Cool cardamom, hot pimento, salted caramel – her contrary perfume breaks every rule!

To win, just follow and like @penhaligons_london , tag a friend and then click on the link in our stories to enter. 👈🏼
It’s that easy!
Good Luck and be like Constance!
❤️

#perfume
#giveawayfriday
#expatlivingsg
#panhaligons
#changingcandice
#noughtybutnice
#singapore
Open
Considered to be the most common cancers in women globally, breast cancer is a serious health issue that can happen to almost anyone. 

We may be more educated about the condition now but there are still breast cancer myths that can mislead and scare us unnecessarily. 

Here, the team at UEX debunk some of these myths, plus tell us how screening and treatment can be covered by health insurance (link in our stories)
  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2021 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.