Home reflects owners' history, interests

PORT Elizabeth estate agent Ruth Kock opened her Kamma Park home to La Femme last week and shared her love for antiques and the history of her home city.

Retired accountant Ruth is one of three partners – all women – at Independent Property Consultants and says her favourite room is the kitchen.

"I love cooking and my enamel and French Provençal style kitchen is warm and very inviting," she said.

Ruth's other favourite room is her study. She has divided it into her working space with her computer and paperwork, and space for her vintage collection of sewing machines that date back to the 1960s.

The entire house carries a central theme of the history of Port Elizabeth through books, paintings and memories collected.

"My husband was born and raised in South End and that is why we have a lot of that history in the paintings and books."

My style in five words: Eclectic, old, meaningful pieces and memories.

On my decor wish list:  I am looking for a beautiful old yellowwood table for my patio.

Favourite colour:  Red ... the Persian carpets all over my house give the game away!

Pet decor peeve:  Over-the-top, cheap modern items that just won't last, and date so quickly!

My decor indulgence:  Toy sewing machines, which I have collected for many years, having got my first one as a child from my mother. I sewed on it at the age of five. I now have many in my collection. I also love old original enamelware, some inherited from my mother. I use them all.

Old porcelain items like Clarice Cliff, old kitchen tools, paintings and books relating to "old Port Elizabeth" which bring back so many happy memories for us are also favourites. Also Persian carpets and small antique furniture pieces I will always find a place for.

Favourite character in a movie or book: Any characters that Meryl Streep or Helen Mirren play in movies would be favourites with me.I enjoy movies that become sagas, thrillers and more. - Sinesipho Mbandazayo