Bukit Timah Bella

We find out how this Casabella cluster house was transformed from a beige beast to this family’s dream home.

- Amy Brook-partridge

For most of us, buying a property here in Singapore is neither a consideration nor an option. Yet one of the most common gripes amongst many is not having our own “home” – particularly those of us who are here for the long term. The Bresman family bucked against the trend just over a year ago, and purchased this four-bed cluster house to create their sanctuary. You can tell, as soon as you walk in, that it’s a true home, with the practicalities one can demand when you own a property (think open-plan workable kitchen-dining area, zero wires, plenty of cupboard space and décor to die for).

Anne Bresman, husband Henrik and children Elsa and Max have lived in Singapore for just under ten years. First in a modern but small flat in Mount Sinai, then an old, larger space close by, in Clementi Park. Both Anne and Henrik hold established jobs at INSEAD, the global business school. “We couldn’t think of a better place to live than Singapore,” says Anne, explaining the thinking behind purchasing a property. “We’re super picky, and our real estate agent is hands-down amazing. This was one of the last places we looked at, and we felt it could work, with some renovations.”

Anne called Chlöe from E&A Interiors to preemptively take a look at the house, in early 2017. “It was built in 2006,” says Anne, “so not old in any sense, but the floors had that almost fake cherry colour, the kitchen was tired and dated, and everything just felt a bit beige.”