VERY foxy,” I thought, rocking up to the fire-engine red door of this Stevens Street/Bellevue Terrace home, and reaching for the old-fashioned brass fox door knocker.

It’s hardly surprising the man who recognised the potential for a broom cupboard coffee kiosk (Blink on High Street) should have such an eclectically interesting home.

Built as a shop and home in 1897 this four-bedroom abode has both in spades.

The old corner shop has morphed into a delightful kids’ bedroom, with a mezzanine/loft bedroom above and a spacious play/study area below.

With separate French doors facing the street, it would also make a great home office.

Stepping through the red-hot door, Oregon pine of the vast living space glows like honey underfoot.

Clearly, walls were ripped out at some point to create an open space that stretches from the front door to the rear deck, with room for two spacious sitting/lounge area—not to mention kitchen and dining area.

An original fireplace in the street-facing living area has all the hallmarks of snuggling up before a roaring fire on these cold, cold nights.

The large kitchen/dining area has easy access to the expansive timber deck via banks of french doors, making this a great spot to invite the clan over for Sunday lunch, or for those special occasion such as birthdays and Christmas.

There’s even a swathe of grass for the kids to play.

The patio deck wraps around a massive, ancient grapevine giving shade over summer, and letting light in in winter.

Whipping up a feast will be easy in the modern, stream-lined kitchen, with its massive oven and lovely timber bench tops.

The plentitude of cupboards is faced in white timber to match the original half-timber dado of the walls.

The semi-ensuite main bedroom can be found at the rear of the house, with french doors to the sheltered garden.

What was probably the old shop’s cellar, keeping things cool over Fremantle’s hot summers, has been converted into a magical bedroom.

Limestone walls and outcrops of natural rock have been white-washed to create a great ambience sure to appeal to kids of all ages, and windows have been put in for plenty of natural light. With its classic Freo appeal in a smart urban setting this a great home, close to schools and almost on the doorstep of the CBD.

18 Stevens Street, Fremantle
POA
Mary Burns 0413 749 944
dethridgeGROVES Real Estate 9336 1166
open Sat 12–12.45pm