TWO gloriously eclectic and wonderfully charming homes in one package. How very Freo.

In one of those twists that have non-Freo people rolling their eyes and saying “only in Fremantle” (or in this case East Fremantle) an old cottage on Duke Street sits on the same title as the newer Marmion Street abode abutting it to form an L-shaped block.

The Duke home is a sweet early 1900s weatherboard cottage, while the Marmion was built around 10 years ago from recycled material, including a chunk of the old caretaker’s cottage of historic East Fremantle home Penshurst, and was inspired by the aesthetics of Fremantle’s old timber cottages.

Built to incorporate existing trees, including a huge old gum and a couple of mature she-oaks, the new home wraps itself around these gorgeous specimens, which provide sheltering shade to the home and cute garden.

Recycled windows and doors, aged bricks and old jarrah create the feel of a different age–in a modern setting.

Cosy living spaces, a couple of overhead mezzanine bedrooms, and soaring timber ceilings carry the feeling on from the open living/dining/kitchen, to the very generous bathroom with its bidet.

The Duke abode is accessed from a side door, which opens into a gorgeous blue and white kitchen/dining area. A central lounge has a massive fireplace for cosy nights.

This delightful cottage is the perfect romantic honeymoon setting, with lovely, ornate white-painted timber french doors to close off the main-bedroom, or leave them open and watch the fire-light flicker from the bed.

These homes offer an amazing opportunity for flexible living. Use one as an office while living in the other, or use both to create an extended family “village” lifestyle, (sans the polygamy).

Or simply rent them out as short-term accommodation (subject to council approval). They are so cute they’ll be snapped up by visitors keen to enjoy a very Freo vibe. Especially with the fantastic George Street cafe and boutique shopping strip a short walk away.

Or jump on a bus on Marmion Street and you’re in the port city in minutes, with Garden City a little further away in the other direction.

by JENNY D’ANGER

40 Marmion Street & 87 Duke Street, East Fremantle
EOI
Michael Harries | 0434 076 229
Stefanie Dobro | 0409 229 115
Caporn Young