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Our Mount Pleasant home

5th May 2026 by Expat Living 7 Min Read

Australian KATE GRAY invites us into her impressive black-and-white home on Mount Pleasant Road, where she lives with husband David, children Sarah (19), James (16) and Isabelle (13), helper Merlinda, and three dogs, Arnold, Sally and Milo. She talks about other Singapore houses she’s lived in and shares her recommendations.

Kate Gray and family in Singapore

Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey here.

I met David in Australia while we were both working for Yahoo!, and I knew then that we were destined to travel the world together. When the opportunity arose to move our young family to Singapore, we didn’t hesitate. That was 18 years ago – at the time, we had only our 12-month-old daughter Sarah and a couple of suitcases. James and Isabelle were born here later at Gleneagles Hospital. It has been wonderful living in a place that feels close to Australia while offering such easy access to the rest of the world.

black and white house in mount pleasant singapore

Where did you first live when you arrived?

Our Singapore journey began at Pebble Bay Tanjong Rhu. It was the perfect community for building roots while the kids were young, and it’s where we forged some of our deepest friendships. However, as our family grew and I became pregnant with our youngest, Isabelle, we realised we needed more space.

In a wonderful stroke of luck, my close friend Torie had recently moved to Thiam Siew, just off Tanjong Katong, and as it happened, the house right next door was available. A year later, another dear friend moved in just a few doors down.

For the next 12 years, Thiam Siew became the heart of our lives. We celebrated every holiday and birthday there, creating a lifetime of memories and starting an annual Halloween trick-or-treating tradition that the kids still talk about today. Looking back, I realise how rare and special it was to have my best friends living on the same street.

black and white house in mount pleasant singapore

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

Back when I was furnishing our original Pebble Bay apartment, one of my first stops was a shop called Originals. That’s where I met my dear friend Majella, who eventually launched her own furniture business from her stunning East Coast bungalow. Coming from the wide-open spaces of Australia, I was captivated by the fact that such heritage homes still existed here.

We eventually found our own slice of history in a beautiful 1920s bungalow on Thiam Siew Avenue. However, we were heartbroken in 2021 when the family owning the entire street decided to sell. While it felt like the end of an era, that loss opened the door to a long-held dream: living in a colonial black-and-white. We soon discovered a magnificent turn-of-the-century home in Mount Pleasant.

Black-and-white homes present unique challenges. From installing air-conditioning and a pool to upgrading bathrooms and windows, it has been a labour of love. Since we plan to spend the rest of our time in Singapore here, we have fully committed to the investment and poured our hearts into making it our forever family home.

singapore house in mount pleasant road

What do you like about the area and neighbourhood?

When we moved in, it felt as though I had known the area our entire time in Singapore. As an ultra-trail runner and a hiker, MacRitchie Reservoir has always been my training ground, so the trails and greenery felt deeply familiar. Moving here didn’t feel like a change of scenery; it felt like coming home.

The neighbourhood is incredible. We are perfectly positioned near Bukit Brown for morning runs, and close to Cluny Court, yet only 15 minutes from the buzz of Orchard Road. What I cherish most is the community. The street is filled with friendly young families, and I’m thrilled to say our Halloween tradition has successfully migrated to Mount Pleasant Road where it continues to thrive.

singapore house in mount pleasant

Tell us more about the property.

The sheer scale of the grounds takes our breath away. We feel incredibly fortunate to have a garden of roughly 70,000 square feet, a rare luxury for a Singapore house. With three children and a household full of family pets, it offers the perfect sanctuary for an active, outdoor lifestyle.

These colonial homes are rich in history, and ours carries a particularly poignant past. During the Second World War, it was bombed, and much of the fierce fighting for Singapore took place in and around our very street. We’ve even discovered haunting images from the war archives showing Japanese soldiers standing in our front garden.

To look out of our window today and see our children playing on that same lawn is a constant reminder of the layers of history beneath our feet.

black and white house in singapore

How would you define your interior style?

I’ve curated the interiors with a blend of modern comfort and traditional colonial antiques, scattering heritage pieces throughout the house to honour its architectural roots. To me, a black-and-white home is defined by its entrance; it wouldn’t be complete without a large welcoming entry table to greet guests.

Our vision was to create a family sanctuary – a place where we could settle in for the long term. With our children now entering their teenage years, we’ve designed the home to be a vibrant hub where they can host pool parties and gatherings, ensuring it’s a space where their friends always feel welcome. We’ve fully committed to making this more than just a house; it’s the backdrop for our children’s most formative years and our forever home in Singapore.

What’s your favourite corner of the house?

The side deck is a space we built ourselves that overlooks the sprawling garden. It has become our favourite sanctuary for hosting friends and family; there’s nothing quite like watching the sunset from that vantage point.

Equally precious are the quiet moments after a morning run when David and I sit on the front porch, cooling down while watching the local chickens and roosters play in the yard. Life here is a constant reminder of Singapore’s incredible biodiversity. Beyond the usual monkeys and wild boars, I am still amazed by the variety of wildlife that visits us, from exotic birds and fruit bats to monitor lizards, snakes and even the occasional rare pangolin. It’s a wild, wonderful world right on our doorstep.

black and white house in singapore

Where do you source your furniture and décor from?

I have a deep appreciation for European designers like B&B Italia, though their pieces often require a lesson in patience while they make their way to Singapore. Over the years, several sentimental items have followed us from home to home, but for the specific needs of this house, we turned to The Past Perfect Collection for their exquisite colonial antiques.

To soften the heritage architecture, I prefer to have our sofas and soft furnishings custom-made here in Singapore. I always collaborate with Jenny at Bode Fabrics & Furnishings; her curated textiles bring a layer of warmth and texture that defines our living spaces. For those final eclectic décor touches, I can rarely resist a visit to Badger & Fox in Tanglin Mall.

It’s this mix of high-end design, local craftsmanship and found treasures that has turned this historic house into our family home.

What are your favourite pieces of art or home décor?

David and I are passionate collectors, with a deep-seated love for Australian artists. Our walls are filled with some of our favourite artists, including Elisabeth Cummings, Wendy Sharpe, Joshua Yeldham, Martin Emdur, Clara Adolphs, Garry Shead and Robyn Sweeney.

For us, art is more than décor; it’s a map of our journey. Each piece has been carefully chosen to mark a specific chapter of our life in Singapore. Often, a new acquisition coincides with a major emotional milestone or a significant change in our family, particularly as our children have grown.

What do you like most about living in Singapore?

There is an undeniable peace of mind that comes with living here. We’ve always appreciated how safe and remarkably organised the country is, making it an extraordinary environment in which to raise a family. Our children have enjoyed an enviable childhood here, largely because of the island’s diverse and accessible activities.

Beyond that, it’s the local culture that has captured our hearts. I’ve always made a conscious effort to step outside the “expat bubble” and immerse myself in the community. One of my most rewarding experiences has been my local running group; as often the only expat in the group, it gave me a genuine connection to the people and the rhythm of life here. Singapore is a community we are proud to be a part of.

Any advice for newcomers to Singapore?

If I could offer one golden rule to anyone just stepping off the plane, it would be this: dive in with both feet. Singapore rewards the curious. Whether it’s a local running group, a morning coffee circle, or a neighbourhood association, join every network that sparks even a flicker of interest. This island is brimming with ways to connect.

Embrace the beautiful, vibrant diversity of this place and, most importantly, give yourself the grace and time to truly settle in. The friendships you forge here aren’t just “expat friendships”, they’re the kind of bonds that last a lifetime. Over nearly two decades, our friends have become our chosen family. Singapore didn’t just give us a beautiful home; it gave us a global tribe that spans the world.

Kate’s Singapore Recommendations

Furniture & Décor

Restaurants, Cafés & Bars

International Schools

Doctors & Dentists

Hair & Beauty

Fitness

Walks & Things to Do in Singapore

  • Bukit Brown MacRitchie Reservoir – TreeTop walk
  • Singapore Botanic Gardens
  • Raffles Hotel | raffles.com/singapore

Overseas Hotels & Stays


This article first appeared in the May 2026 issue of Expat Living. You can buy the latest mag or an annual subscription, or read the digital version for free now.

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

 

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