THE charcoal walls of the lounge, and the stylised black and white painting of the art deco fireplace, were at first disconcerting as I checked out this Palmyra home.

But after all this is Cleopatra Street, named for the famed Egyptian queen, and deserves its grand gestures and bold touches I thought, taking in the arty room with its deco ceiling and white-painted timber plate rails.

Large french doors, the white timber frames a great contrast to the walls, open onto a spacious front verandah overlooking the street, and I could imagine lazing on a big sofa bed, hopefully fanned by servants and plied with cooling beverages: “Peel me another grape,” I’d coo.

The main bedroom also has black walls — and one of the most delightful ceilings I’ve seen, a veritable carpet of flowers high overhead.

Jarrah floors flow throughout this two-bedroom, two-bathroom home, which sits on 477sqm, and there’s no shortage of deco touches including a very attractive timber-slatted and carved frame above the doorway separating the entry hall from the kitchen/dining area.

This domestic heartland is a spacious vision in white, from timber fronted cupboards, including a huge double pantry, to bench tops and a classic deco mantle, high over the old fireplace, now a sparkling modern stove.

An enclosed verandah forms a pleasant little sitting room flooded with northern light by a bank of french doors.

Peel back the doors and you’re on a spacious timber deck, protected by a slatted timber frame, which is just the shot for alfresco entertaining, with room for party-goers to step down to the pleasant garden, where there’s a couple of equally pleasant nooks amongst the trees for romantic dalliances.

And if things get too hot and sweaty there’s an outdoor shower attached to the old loo.

Located at the Petra Street end of Cleopatra, this charming character home is close to shops, cafes, parks, schools and public transport.

by JENNY D’ANGER

5 Cleopatra Street, Palmyra
$795,000
Roger Goodwin | 0411 156 676
Moncrieff Realty | 9330 1644