Rumah Kartanegara an alternative, elegant venue with old-world

Rumah Kartanegara an alternative, elegant venue with old-world
nuances

Joko E.H. Anwar
Contributor
Jakarta

Those seeking an alternative venue to hold weddings or other
special occasions which is different from the usual big halls can
check out a house called Rumah Kartanegara in South Jakarta.

The venue at Jl. Kertanegara 4A is already popular among
artists and other public figures for holding special occasions in
a more private environment.

From the outside, the building looks just like any other house
in the plush Kebayoran Baru residential area which is located
close to the National Police Headquarters.

However, once you step inside the front door, any stranger
will be greeted warmly by the caretaker of the house.

"There's always people coming here every day, simply to find
out what all the hype about Rumah Kartanegara is all about,"
assistant manager of the house, Iryus Ari Krisnanto, told The
Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

As you step into the living room, richly colored in red, you
will soon be immersed in the elegant atmosphere provided by a
collection of expensive art works and European, Chinese, and
classic Javanese furnishings.

Classical music can be heard being played through the speakers
throughout the house while the authentic works of Vincent Van
Gogh and the late painting master Basuki Abdullah can also be
seen on the walls.

An antique piano stands elegantly on the worn-out silk
Austrian carpets, which are kept to maintain the old nuances of
the house.

An exquisite Javanese wooden sculpture can also be found in
this room.

The lavish Edwardian-inspired library is painted green.
However, there is not really a book to read other than several
copies of the Koran.

An elegant 19th century European-style dining room is replete
with fine china and silverware with a Bacharach crystal
chandelier above the dining table.

Other richly decorated rooms including a study, an exquisite
patio, and a beautifully furnished bedroom.

The house is owned by former singer Anna Mathovani who was wed
to a grandson of the late King Pakubuwono X.

Assistant manager Iryus said that Anna, now 47 years old, had
used the house to host her guests and most of them had fallen in
love with the house.

"They urged (the owner) to make the house available to many
other people," Iryus said.

The house began its commercial operation in 1999 to hold
several events, including wedding parties.

Since then, many well-known names have used the house for
special occasions.

Famous fashion designers such as Harry Dharsono and Didi
Budiardjo have also held their fashion shows at the house.

The house is often booked by foreign ambassadors to entertain
their guests for lunch, dinner, or tea time.

Every occasion is private, meaning that even though you only
book, for example, the patio for afternoon tea, other rooms will
not be rented out to anybody else while you are in the house.

The house offers several packages which vary depending on how
long people want to use the house.

A full day wedding reception from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. costs Rp 8
million while a cocktail party from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. costs Rp 4
million.

If you want to use the house for breakfast you will have to
pay Rp 2.5 million and you will be able to use the house from 7
a.m. to 10 a.m.

All the above prices only cover room charge, a standard flower
arrangement, chinaware, glassware, and table arrangement plus
staff to serve you.

Food, beverages, rental of audio visual equipment, and special
flowers arrangements are not included in the prices.

The house kitchen serves Indonesian food, but arrangements can
be made with other catering companies to provide you with
alternative cuisine.

You can also book the house for a one night stay for Rp 11
million. The package includes the full use of the entire
premises, breakfast for the whole family, complimentary dinner or
lunch for four persons, airport transfers and transportation to
any shopping center in Jakarta.

The house would be better appreciated by those seeking
elegant, old-world nuances.

However, the premises are unlikely to impress younger people
with more modern taste.