This home in Seremban is filled with classic memorabilia

Ridzwan and his family at their home, Teratak Ana, which is filled with more than 800 hundred items bought from antique shops, flea markets and other collectors. — Bernama

Classic, unique and vintage are words that come to mind when describing the single-storey terrace house named “Teratak Ana” belonging to Ridzwan Darus, in Seremban, Negri Sembilan.

This is because hundreds of old and used items including copper irons, crockery, telephones and collections of currency adorn the rooms of the house. As you step into the building, your eyes are automatically drawn to some large jars that are used as decorations, as well as an old sewing machine that has been converted into a table.

When he realised that some of the things he owned were no longer produced, and that they would one day become “historical relics”, Ridzwan, 53, took the initiative to procure even more old items to add to his private collection.

“I started actively collecting these classic items since 2001 when I first moved here. They are not expensive, but have sentimental value to me; even my wife and two sons share the same interest.

“Most of these items are bought at antique shops, flea markets and from other individual collectors in Malaysia. There are more than 800 types of antiques and used items which I display as decorations, ” he said.

Born in Pahang, Ridzwan shared that one of the oldest items that he owns is a 30-year-old jar he got from his grandfather’s house in Bentong, Pahang.

Ridzwan, who also has carpentry skills to repair various antiques, explained that both he and his wife, Fouziah Mahamad Hamli, 51, decorated the house together, often referring to magazines and television shows for inspiration.

“Taking care of the things is not difficult as we clean everything twice or sometimes three times a month. Each room is decorated with various items, so we often receive visits from fans of classic items who want to see our collections, ” Ridzwan said.

He added that he would sometimes sell a few items too, via Facebook Marketplace or throughout various “car boot” bazaars in Negri Sembilan. “At first I only wanted to keep them in my own private collection, but then the number of items I have increased. Plus, there was demand for some of the things I had, so I started selling a few of them, ” he explained.

Ridzwan, who works for a private company, aspires to open a special gallery one day so that he can truly display his collections for all to see and enjoy.

Fouziah, in the meantime, said she and her children have always supported her husband’s interest. They even help him sell the items sometimes.

“The returns are not much but when you can share the interest with other people with hobbies, then that is satisfying enough. Now, even the children are smart enough to figure out what year or decade an item is from!” she said. – Bernama