An Expat Living Inside Story

With our lovely long-standing colleague KARIN GALLEY retiring, we thought it only fitting to do one of our showcase features on her and her apartment in Hillview that she is about to leave!

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m originally from Germany and moved to Singapore with my then husband in 1990, convinced we’d stay for just three years. Somehow those three years turned into 36! Our two children were born and raised here, so Singapore is very much home.

Career-wise, my first decade was spent with international advertising and media agencies before I joined Expat Living, where I enjoyed a wonderful 23 years. Having recently retired, it feels like the perfect time to embrace another new chapter, both in life and at home. One that, of course, will still be in Singapore.

Where did you first live when you came to Singapore?

When we first arrived, we lived in a charming black-and-white terrace house in Chip Bee Gardens. It had such a wonderful neighbourhood feel and a real sense of community, which made settling into Singapore incredibly easy.

As our family grew, we rented several homes in Pasir Panjang and West Coast. My favourite was a beautiful semi-detached house with a wrap-around veranda and a huge garden. I absolutely loved living there. Unfortunately, the landlord decided on a substantial rent increase, and, around the same time, I was going through a divorce. It felt like the right moment to buy my own home, and that’s how I eventually found this apartment, where I’ve now lived for the past 15 years.

What areas and types of properties did you look at?

After years of living in landed homes, I knew I wasn’t quite ready to swap greenery for a high-rise apartment. I specifically looked for ground-floor condos because I wanted the best of both worlds: the convenience of condominium living while still having a connection to nature and the simple pleasure of feeling grass under my feet. The Hillview area immediately appealed to me because it’s so green and peaceful, and close to the nature reserves and Rail Corridor. It almost feels tucked away from the city, yet everything is still within easy reach.

Why did you choose this apartment?

It simply felt right. It wasn’t one of those homes where you need convincing – I remember walking in and immediately thinking, “I could live here.” The apartment was filled with natural light and surrounded by greenery. It had a calmness that immediately appealed to me. I also loved the layout, the generous ceiling height and the seamless connection to the outdoors.

It has always reminded me of living in a landed home rather than a condominium – and being just a few steps from the pool was an added bonus. Over the years, I’ve really grown to appreciate Hillview’s relaxed pace. It’s been a wonderful place to call home.

The apartment looks amazing – tell us more about it and some of the design touches you’ve introduced

I’ve never done a major renovation because I loved the apartment just as it was. Instead, I focused on making it my own over time through furniture, artwork and décor.

When I first bought the apartment, I enlisted Caroline from Arete Culture to help me shape the interiors and bring everything together beautifully. Looking back, I’m glad we didn’t overthink it. The apartment had wonderful bones, and sometimes it’s about recognising that rather than trying to reinvent everything.

My previous homes had been filled with Asian antiques, dark wood furniture and oriental rugs, but somehow, they no longer felt right here. The rooms called for something fresher and more contemporary, so the style evolved quite naturally. It’s interesting how different homes seem to bring out different sides of your personality.

What have been your best furniture or home décor buys?

Some pieces have been with me for many years. My dining table, chairs and large mirror from Originals have moved with me through different stages of life, and I still love them as much today. The customised bed from Origin Asia and several pieces from Island Living have also stood the test of time. And then there’s the art. Every wall has something that makes me happy, and every piece reminds me of a different time or place.

Anything you could have done differently with buying home décor?

Not really. If anything, this apartment taught me that my taste isn’t fixed. What I loved twenty years ago isn’t necessarily what I love today, and that’s perfectly okay. I’m about to move into a new home and I’m already wondering what direction I’ll take next. At the moment I’m torn between a modern organic look or something more eclectic with a little more colour. Ask me again in a year’s time!

How would you define your interior style?

I suppose I’d call it contemporary with a tropical twist. Indoors, the palette is fairly calm with light wood and colourful artwork, while outdoors is where I indulged myself a little more. The garden has a distinctly Balinese feel, with tropical plants, a water feature and stone sculptures that I’ve treasured for decades. Somehow the two spaces balance each other perfectly.

Favourite area of your home and why?

Definitely the garden. It’s where I’ve spent countless mornings watering plants, evenings sharing dinner with friends and quiet moments simply enjoying the greenery. Over the past few years, I’ve become a little less tolerant of Singapore’s heat, so I probably don’t sit outside quite as much as I used to, but it’s still my favourite place.

What are some of your favourite items in the apartment?

Without a doubt, my Balinese stone sculptures come first. I bought them in Bali in the early 1990s, and they’ve travelled with me to every home I’ve lived in since. I like to think of them as my quiet protectors. They don’t seem to enjoy moving house very much. Over the years, they’ve needed the occasional arm glued back on, but somehow, they’ve always found their place again.

My King Living sofa would be next. It’s where everyone naturally ends up sitting and has probably been the most-used piece of furniture in the house.

Finally, I’d choose my artwork, especially Nothing Else But Love by P. Gnana which takes centre stage in my bedroom. It has a quietness about it that I’ve never tired of.

You’ve been here a long time. What do you love about living in Singapore?

Singapore has changed enormously since I first arrived, but what I love most is that it has never stood still. It’s constantly evolving while still feeling incredibly safe, cosmopolitan and easy to live in. More than anything, this is where my life is. My daughter and her husband are here, my Singaporean partner is here, and many of my closest friends are here. Somewhere along the way, Singapore quietly stopped feeling like the place I’d moved to and simply became home.

Any advice for newcomers?

Don’t spend too much time comparing Singapore with where you’ve come from. Embrace it for what it is. Explore the neighbourhoods, travel around the region, try new things and say yes to invitations. Looking back, some of the best experiences and friendships in my life came about completely by chance.

What’s next for you?

Retiring after 23 years with Expat Living feels bittersweet. The magazine has been such a big part of my life, and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work alongside wonderful colleagues and clients for so many years. Now, after selling the home that’s been part of my life for the past 15 years, I’m looking forward to creating a new one. It feels rather fitting that both chapters are ending at the same time, making room for whatever comes next.

This article first appeared in The September 2026 Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription or read the digital version free now.

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