FLYING ducks are frozen in frosted glass doors, and there are original light fittings in many of the rooms — and a great retro-bread cupboard, complete with vent, at this compact Montgomery Street, Beaconsfield home.

Built in 1964 the three-bedroomer is a time capsule of an era of pink brick, wrought iron on the front verandah, china cabinets poised over kitchen workbenches, and timber panelling.

My favourite is the pastel-coloured flying ducks on the twin sliding doors off the entry and into the lounge, and a single bird leading from the lounge into the dining area.

There’s a sealed Vulcan wood heater in the light-filled lounge, cleverly designed to pump heat into the dining/kitchen as well.

The kitchen is original, a vintage gem in mint condition, including a large bread cupboard from the days before a fresh loaf daily was the norm and bread had to be kept for a week.

Today’s family will want more space, but there’s room in the enclosed rear verandah, now a pleasant breezeway and study to extend the dining/kitchen into an expansive open plan.

The home sits on a whopping 682sqm, so extending in any direction would be easy, and with jarrah floors protected by carpet the past 51 years polishing them up would be an easy chore.

Under current council planning subdivision isn’t an option (yay!), but transforming the massive concreted garden into an oasis is absolutely fine.

Under Freo council’s small dwelling policy, a granny flat-style rental out the back is another option, and there’d still be room for a pool and a great alfresco area.

There’s no shortage of shops, and a couple of cafes are in walking distance, as is South Fremantle SHS (being rebadged Fremantle College over summer) and a couple of primary schools. Dick Lawrence Oval is just up the road.

14 Montgomery Street, Beaconsfield
$748,000
Jinny Henshaw 0418 908 858
Mark Brophy Real Estate 9335 9800