HAVING lived here for more than a decade and with all signs pointing to its Art Deco origins, owners Paul and Sophie and their two children always knew their home would have a fascinating story to tell.
And as luck would have it, when they held a garage sale about ten years ago, a descendant of the first owner visited them with photos of the dwelling’s first occupants.
“The home was built by its owner George Mulvay, whose family came to WA via Scotland, New Zealand and Queensland before settling here,” Sophie said.
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READ NOW“One of the daughters, Lona, played piano and had music lessons in the front room; she later performed live on ABC Radio.
“They also must have had a horse or cow as the original old stables are still standing at the rear of the property.”
After doing some of their own research, Paul and Sophie also discovered the residence, on a 1066sq m block, had undergone several improvements since it was first listed in historical records in 1938.
“The owners immediately before us did extensive landscaping and put in an Art Deco-style carport in 2002, keeping in sympathy with the style of the home,” Sophie said.
“The owners before that put in a large extension, which doubled the size of the house giving a large family/dining area and a main bedroom with ensuite and walk-in robe, but still leaving enough garden space for entertaining.
“They also added a studio, which can be used as an office or retreat; this was probably done about 24 years ago.”
Paul and Sophie have also contributed to the home’s modernisation over the decades, remodelling the main bathroom and updating the kitchen by removing an old mantle and chimney.
Today, the house still retains much of its original character features including high, ornate ceilings, timber window frames, polished floorboards and picture rails.
There are also four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a formal lounge room, formal dining room, and an open-plan kitchen/family/meals area.
“There is room in the house for each of us to spread out and have our own space and a lovely big area to gather and sit with friends,” Sophie said.
“The backyard has fed us many home-grown vegetables and we have had chickens and a constant supply of eggs for about 8 years.
“It also boasts mulberry, grapefruit, orange, lemon, cherry guava and feijoa trees.”
The property is also perfectly located close to parks, shops, schools and sporting clubs.