The walls are a gallery of Rathi's quilts. Photos: The Star/Art Chen
There is so much personality and stories woven throughout this spacious, airy condominium home located at the top of a hill in a quiet part of Petaling Jaya. Here, every mesmerising piece tells a story and reflects the compelling stories of the occupants.
It’s the home that Puan Sri Rathi Khoo shared with her late husband, renowned historian Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim.
Rathi’s touch is most evident in the beautiful needlework that adorns their home but it’s also in the vibrant colour palette and the tasteful selection of furniture and ornaments.
“We had lived in Pantai Hills (Kuala Lumpur) for more than 30 years and another decade in Section 12, Petaling Jaya. But as we grew older, we came to realise that it was time for us to find a more manageable home,” recalls Rathi.
After searching around, she and the late Prof decided to try condo living.
The late Prof Khoo's library occupies one part of the apartment.
“Our present home consists of two condo units. The corner unit was available for sale but the next door unit wasn’t. So our property agent had to do some convincing before we managed to purchase the second unit!” shares Rathi.
The corner unit stands at 2,300 sq ft (214sq m) while the second unit was 1,600sq ft (149sq m), so together their home is about 4,000 sq ft (372sq m) which was almost the size of their previous bungalow.
“That meant I was able to bring all my furniture and I didn’t have to leave any behind. And we settled in very well,” says the 77-year-old teacher and mother of three.
The comforts of home
The couple moved to their apartment in 2014 and it became a true sanctuary as they fell into a comfortable routine.
“It’s very peaceful and quiet here. You barely hear any noise, or your neighbours. The condo has an amazing view of Sunway and Subang Jaya. We have the best views during festive seasons when there are fireworks! We didn’t do much renovation except to break a couple of walls to connect the two units.”
The living room is a gallery of Rathi’s exquisite handiwork.
The living room, with its pretty quilted furnishings and vintage pieces, speak of Rathi’s sense of nostalgia and the comforts of yesteryears.
“I love Chinese furniture and Prof was a Peranakan. Prof was never involved in the running of the home and left it to me to decorate and furnish the home.
“Many of the pieces you see here were bought during our 55 years together.”
The deep red and mahogany furniture in the home brings warmth to the interiors, including a handcrafted wooden swing in the middle of the living area. Made in Melaka, the 50-year-old swing acts as the focal point in the space.
“I liked the idea of having a swing in a home and we used to hang this on the patio of our previous homes,” says Rathi.
Another important area in the home is Rathi’s sewing room.
“I’m a quilter. It’s something that I love doing. I’ve made so many and even sold some in the past, but not anymore! For my quilts, I use American cotton and imported threads.”
Rathi gathered the tributes to her late husband and crafted a quilt in his memory.
All the quilts you see in the home, from the table runner, throw cushions to the comforters are Rathi’s handmade creations, proudly displayed in every nook.
One section in the home is the late Prof Khoo’s library, a room in which he spent most of his time in. Meanwhile, in the adjoining home office, lies stacks of papers that Prof had written and that are now being carefully archived. On a wall in the office hangs a commanding photo of the late historian.
“I saw this banner featuring a photo of Prof hanging at the History Department (of Universiti Malaya) car park when they were celebrating the 60th anniversary of the department. It was such a beautiful banner with a beautiful shot of him. It really showed how he was. So I took it back and had it framed. It’s exactly how Prof was – always dreaming, always thinking of a better Malaysia,” says Rathi.
And sew it is
According to Rathi, half of their condo belonged to her late husband. It’s where his library stands, “it’s where he spent most of his time aside from his home office”, before he passed away in 2019.
“It was an emotional time,” Rathi recalls. “I’ve come to believe that everything in life passes and you don’t cling onto things. I’ve come to realise that now with Prof gone.”
Rathi bought this Melaka swing 50 years ago and it has followed them to every home they have lived in.
During that sad period as she mourned his passing, tributes poured in. Messages of love and care that came from people of all walks of life – be it from Prime Ministers and members of the royalty to former students and strangers – showed how much the late historian was loved by many.
It was this outpouring of emotions that made Rathi create a permanent tribute for him in the form of a quilt.
“I took all the messages, letters and had them typed out and got them printed out on cloth.
“I then cut and made them into different-sized panels and sewed each of them into this giant-sized quilt. It took me almost four months to complete it.
“I cried throughout the process and it was quite a difficult time for me. But it was something for me to do especially during that time of mourning,” reminisces Rathi.
The quilt now hangs beautifully in the living room.
The walls are a gallery of Rathi's quilts. Photos: The Star/Art Chen
Rathi gathered the tributes to her late husband and crafted a quilt in his memory.
Red is the dominant palette in this home.
Rathi's beautiful needlework adorns the home.
Art and plants greet visitors to this home.
The living room is a gallery of Rathi’s exquisite handiwork.
The late Prof Khoo's library occupies one part of the apartment.
Rathi's favourite room in her home is where she spends time sewing and quilting.
There is a story behind every piece of art and furniture.
Rathi has been collecting Chinese furniture for 55 years.
Rathi's fine taste and sense of aesthetic imbue her home with beauty and grace.
Rathi was happy she didn't have to leave any furniture behind when she moved from a bungalow to an apartment.
The quilter’s sewing room is her sanctuary.
This is a painting of Rathi’s youngest son, who is a dancer, by her nephew artist Anurendra Jegadeva.
Rathi's home is filled with memories of yesteryears.
Rathi bought this Melaka swing 50 years ago and it has followed them to every home they have lived in.
Rathi liked this image of Prof Khoo and she framed it and hung it in their home.
