House tour: Inside an artistic black and white bungalow in Singapore filled with Asian art and history

The home of Claudia and Hogi Hyun is an elegant sanctuary replete with references to the couple’s shared passions for art, history and gastronomy

With their striking facades, the black-and-white bungalows of Singapore have long held an enduring appeal among history buffs as well as admirers of architectural design. For Claudia and Hogi Hyun, the couple were so enraptured by these heritage buildings that they made one such property their primary residence for nearly three decades.

When the previous black-and-white bungalow they had rented required a serious overhaul, the couple were delighted to find another historical property nearby that was available, and readily secured its lease. Together with their two children and maltipoo pet dog, they promptly moved into the property and quickly made it feel like home by diligently furnishing it with standouts from their collection of art and antiques.

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Above Claudia Bermudez-Hyun, pictured in her living room of the previous black and white bungalow (Photo: Courtesy of Claudia Bermudez-Hyun)

“Living in Singapore has been wonderful for us, [also] because my husband and I are art and history lovers. Witnessing the meticulous conservation of its architectural structures amid Singapore’s modern skyline is something we appreciate enormously; dwelling in one [such heritage home] has been a unique experience,” shares Claudia.

The couple, who are both of mixed European and Asian ancestry, pay tribute to their personal heritage and history through the works that they collect. “We feel strongly about having a sense of place and a sense of history in the house,” shares Claudia.

Above Bronze statues of Chinese deities sourced from Guangdong, and a painting by Chen Wen Hsi stand at the entryway of the abode

She has a “light bias for Philippine art” due to her Philippine ancestry and the memorable years she spent living in Manila. Her husband, on the other hand, had been gradually growing his collection of Singaporean art across the past two decades since moving here; these include paintings by pioneering artists Chen Wen Hsi, Cheong Soo Pieng and Georgette Chen.

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Above In this stairwell hangs a quadriptych by Manila-based artist Alfredo Esquillo, and ‘After Raphael’, a painting by Indonesian artist Dipo Andy

Above A view of the dining room from the living area

Their eclectic collection reflects their diverse interest in Asian history and the arts. It’s a curatorial approach Claudia playfully describes as a “mash-up of the Asian Civilisations Museum and Singapore Art Museum”. Like the two notable cultural venues she references, the couple have similarly brought together an imaginative assemblage of antiques, furnishings, paintings and sculptures that range widely across periods and styles.

In the study and dining room, for instance, contemporary works by Singapore art collective Phunk are playfully placed next to custom lacquered shelves, antique rosewood consoles and cabinets of curiosities that house the couple’s cherished silverware and glass vessels. In the living room, a set of four statues stands guard; these were salvaged from a destroyed temple in Guangdong, China.

Above The bronze statues in the living area were salvaged from a temple that had burned down in China

Above This handsome console in the hallway showcases various cultural artefacts obtained by the couple from around the region

“It has taken several years to put all the furniture pieces together, and it is still a work in progress as we like to rotate artworks and furniture often to change up the look and energy [of the rooms],” explains Hogi. As artworks take up such a significant proportion of their interior design, these are displayed in thoughtful ways to create homely spaces in which the couple can hold joyful gatherings with their guests while celebrating their common gastronomical passions for food and wine. “As we are a foodie family, we probably spend the most time together in the dining room having meals,” adds Hogi.

Above An artwork by Phunk adds a pop of colour to the handsome dining room

Above A peek inside the children’s bedroom from the hallway

Above Day Dreamer Triptych 1 by Phunk is another visually arresting artwork, proudly displayed in the study

Above The zitan wood cabinets in the dining room were custom-made in China

Beyond the home’s social areas, the family’s personal spaces are thoughtfully decorated with each inhabitant’s interests in mind, such as the children’s love of music and ship models as well as the couple’s varied pastimes and remote-work requirements. On top of that, Claudia has a “She Shed” on the ground floor, where she pens wellness-themed articles and takes calls for her coaching sessions. This brightly lit space is also an art studio lined with bookshelves, and a calming zone in which she works on abstract paintings. “It is the perfect place to write, study and disconnect,” she adds.

Above The lounge area of Hogi’s study is furnished with a pair of Qing dynasty side tables from Guangdong, a BoConcept glass coffee table and a custom sofa

Hogi, on the other hand, has his “Man Cave”, which brings him much respite after a busy week. It is a room that functions both as an occasional home office as well as a relaxed entertainment space made for fun weekend movie nights with the whole family.

Above The master bedroom features a customised black lacquered bookshelf crafted in China, and paintings by Singaporean artist Teng Nee Cheong and Filipina painter Pacita Abad

The realities of living in such a historical property, however, mean a continual process of maintenance and upkeep. But it’s something that Claudia does not mind in the least, considering it to be an intrinsic part of the charm of conserved buildings; she readily rolls up her sleeves to work on some such do-it-yourself projects.

“A few factors are at the front of mind: firstly, the humidity, which affects the artworks, in particular paper-based works, and the soft furnishings, as they can be attacked by mould,” she shares wryly. She also notes the presence of insects and termites, which have regretfully wormed their way through some of the couple’s favourite elm wood furnishings that date back to the Qing dynasty; they had to commission sturdier custom pieces to replace the original antique designs.

Above In the children’s bedroom, Phunk’s ‘Army of Love’ and Tan Chin-Chin’s ‘Buddha’s Face 3’ are among the accent pieces

The home’s proximity to forested areas also means the presence of wildlife. The couple jokingly describe their garden as being akin to a “small zoo” during the Covid-19 pandemic. “We had birds nesting in every hedge around the house, beautiful hornbills that tenanted our trees, and monkeys that hung out in the front yard with their young ones. We even had several years a three-metre-long python coiled in hibernation mode for weeks around the trunk of a tree near our pool,” shares Claudia.

Most recently, a curious troop of monkeys moved into the vicinity, and made the family promptly rework their “open house” approach to prevent the mischievous animals from raiding the kitchens. But the beauty of the lush environment endures, and is something the couple relish. Claudia particularly enjoys morning meditation sessions near the car porch, looking out at the surrounding verdant greenery, which represents a slice of paradise for the health and nutrition coach. “We have experienced a real closeness to nature,” she smiles.