Raffaele Esposito is considered the father of the modern pizza.
When Queen Margherita of Savoy visited Naples in 1889, he came up with a version fit for a queen.
Tomatoes, mozzarella and basil symbolised the tricolour, an important symbol of Italian unity during the risorgimento (the resurgence) that was in the late stages of knitting together various nation-states into the modern republic.
Some say it was the first time pizza was made with cheese.
Marg loved it and with ringing royal endorsement Raffaele made a motza, as margherita-mania swept Naples.
(The royal letter is still on the wall of Raffaele’s pizzeria, now Pizzaria de Brandi).
Moving into this five-bedroom home on Raffaele Place you could keep the tradition alive, with a gorgeous brick pizza oven part of an enormous covered patio.
The solid iron door looks like it came off an old industrial Metters stove, and with a corrugated iron bar at the other end, this fantastic outdoor space has the ambience of a cantina.
From the street this is a modest (dare I say ordinary) home, but step inside and it’s another matter, with soaring, raked and beamed ceilings, and just enough raw brick to add character, without overwhelming.
It’s so large I got lost and missed the main bedroom at the front.
Surprising really, as the bedroom is spacious and there’s a walk-in-robe and ensuite.
My excuse is I was overwhelmed by the huge open living spaces, and a formal lounge—and all the other bedrooms, with their own sitting/play areas.
The kitchen is spacious, with a swag of cupboards/drawers, including a huge pantry.
Raw brick walls and the golden timber beams of the ceiling work well to create a modern working space, with plenty of appeal.
The benches are lovely, a granite composite, they’re an attractive soft greenish-white, flecked with real mother of pearl for a soft jewel-like appearance.
The vendors says it’s a great, hardwearing surface, that comes with a life-time guarantee.
Off the alfresco area is a pool, in a lush but low-maintenance garden. This lovely home is close to shops, cafes and restaurants and a swag of schools and private colleges.
Murdoch University and the train station are walking distance, and over the next few years things will really be cooking when Fiona Stanley Hospital comes on line, with its mix of health and business precincts.
by JENNY D’ANGER
11 Raffaele Place, Murdoch
$845,000 plus
Christine Hutcheon | 0411 709 050
Pulse Realty | 9310 1600