These historic black-and-white bungalows are some of the most desired homes in Singapore, and there are only 500 left. We got an inside look at one of them.

Amanda GohMay 18, 2022, 13:34 IST

The exterior of the black and white colonial house. The house is built using dark timber beams with whitewashed walls, hence the color.Amanda Goh/Insider

There are only 500 black-and-white colonial houses left in Singapore.
The historic homes are protected and managed by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).

With their dark timber beams and whitewashed walls, Singapore's black-and-white colonial bungalows are an iconic part of the city-state's heritage. Today, however, only 500 of these homes are still standing.

The exterior of a black-and-white colonial house.Amanda Goh/Insider

With their dark timber beams and whitewashed walls, Singapore's black-and-white colonial bungalows are an iconic part of the city-state's heritage. Today, however, only 500 of these homes are still standing.

Elizabeth Hay moved to Singapore from the UK in 2013 with her then-fiancé, Tim. The two of them — now married with three children — have been living in a black-and-white colonial bungalow since 2015.

The couple wanted to build their family in a bigger home.Alecia Neo/Neon Studio

Elizabeth Hay moved to Singapore from the UK in 2013 with her then-fiancé, Tim. The two of them — now married with three children — have been living in a black-and-white colonial bungalow since 2015.

After viewing several houses, the couple fell in love with their current home.

There is a driveway leading up to the main house from the gate. Numerous plants and trees surround the house.Amanda Goh/Insider

But it wasn't a turnkey experience by any means: The bungalow had sat empty for two years before they moved in.

The house was completely empty when they first moved in.Elizabeth Hay

While the government takes ownership of conserving the house, it is only responsible for re-staining the wooden floors and painting the facade.

The house was a complete blank canvas. It came with no white goods and no air-conditioning system.Elizabeth Hay

Hay estimates they spent S$40,000 to S$50,000 ($28,800 to $36,000) renovating the house and installing an air-conditioning system.

The main living room is on the first floor.Amanda Goh/Insider

Since the house was unfurnished, Hay had free rein to decorate it as she pleased.

Framed Japanese woodblock prints fill the walls of the dining room.Alecia Neo/Neon Studio

The wet kitchen is outside the main house, in a smaller adjoining building where the laundry room is also located.

The wet kitchen is detached from the main house and has a small dining table.Amanda Goh/Insider

During the renovation process, the bathrooms required the most extensive overhauls.

The bathrooms required the most extensive renovation works.Elizabeth Hay

The bathroom on the first floor now has framed botanical prints and turquoise wall tiles.

The bathroom on the first floor has framed botanical prints and turquoise wall tiles.Amanda Goh/Insider

On the second floor of the home, the spacious common area doubles as a second living room and a playroom for the kids.

The living area on the second floor has windows that go along its length, offering views of the lush greenery outside.Amanda Goh/Insider

The master bedroom features a pastel blue color palette. Like the common area, it has a window-lined wall.

The master bedroom has a blue color scheme.Amanda Goh/Insider

The furniture in the house is a mix of vintage and custom-made pieces from local workshops.

The guest bedroom. All the bedrooms have a distinctive color scheme.Amanda Goh/Insider

Hay's oldest son and daughter, Arthur and Gabriela, share a bedroom. It's outfitted in identical red bed frames.

Her children's room.Amanda Goh/Insider

In the backyard is a traditional attap shelter, which serves as an outdoor gathering spot for the family on the weekends.

The traditional attap shelter in the backyard.Amanda Goh/Insider

"We were lucky there was already a swimming pool. We just had to re-line it but all the structure was there," Hay said.

The pool.Amanda Goh/Insider

There's also a separate building on the property that used to function as a chauffeur's quarters. Hay turned the space into an office.

Hay turned the separate chauffeur quarters into an office for her interior design firm.Amanda Goh/Insider

A big part of the reason why Hay loves the black-and-white bungalow is because of its rich history.

The bungalow sits at the end of a driveway on Mount Faber, a hill located in the southern region of Singapore. People can hike to the top of the hill via a public path next to the house.Amanda Goh/Insider

I stayed in one of Malaysia's cheapest hostels, where a bed costs $3 a night. It's perfect for backpackers on a budget — but you might have to spend more if you're a woman.

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These historic black-and-white bungalows are some of the most desired homes in Singapore, and there are only 500 left. We got an inside look at one of them.

With their dark timber beams and whitewashed walls, Singapore's black-and-white colonial bungalows are an iconic part of the city-state's heritage. Today, however, only 500 of these homes are still standing.

Elizabeth Hay moved to Singapore from the UK in 2013 with her then-fiancé, Tim. The two of them — now married with three children — have been living in a black-and-white colonial bungalow since 2015.

After viewing several houses, the couple fell in love with their current home.

But it wasn't a turnkey experience by any means: The bungalow had sat empty for two years before they moved in.

While the government takes ownership of conserving the house, it is only responsible for re-staining the wooden floors and painting the facade.

Hay estimates they spent S$40,000 to S$50,000 ($28,800 to $36,000) renovating the house and installing an air-conditioning system.

Since the house was unfurnished, Hay had free rein to decorate it as she pleased.

The wet kitchen is outside the main house, in a smaller adjoining building where the laundry room is also located.

During the renovation process, the bathrooms required the most extensive overhauls.

The bathroom on the first floor now has framed botanical prints and turquoise wall tiles.

On the second floor of the home, the spacious common area doubles as a second living room and a playroom for the kids.

The master bedroom features a pastel blue color palette. Like the common area, it has a window-lined wall.

The furniture in the house is a mix of vintage and custom-made pieces from local workshops.

Hay's oldest son and daughter, Arthur and Gabriela, share a bedroom. It's outfitted in identical red bed frames.

In the backyard is a traditional attap shelter, which serves as an outdoor gathering spot for the family on the weekends.

"We were lucky there was already a swimming pool. We just had to re-line it but all the structure was there," Hay said.

There's also a separate building on the property that used to function as a chauffeur's quarters. Hay turned the space into an office.

A big part of the reason why Hay loves the black-and-white bungalow is because of its rich history.