THINK gracious living in an age of gentrification in Perth and Twining, on Alvan Street, Mt Lawley fits the bill to a tee (boom tish).

The home’s name is spelled out in art nouveau-designed stained glass above the matching door and surround.

It’s all part of life on a grand scale: elegant afternoon teas are assured from the minute you step off the wrap-around verandah and into the stupendous entry hall, with its soaring ceilings and prodigious arch.

As you’d expect in a Federation home, ceiling roses abound, as do lovely period fireplaces, some converted to gas, mellow jarrah floors and deep skirting boards.

The formal lounge has lovely leadlight doors onto the front verandah, along with a gas-powered fire and a magnificent mirrored, jarrah over-mantle that stretches almost to the ceiling.

In a home of many beauties my favourite was the formal dining room, where the decorative ceiling soars to well over four metres and a marble fireplace like no other reigns supreme; the smooth, cool white stone intricately carved with flowers and leaves.

Built in pre-airconditioning days, a stained glass door onto the verandah invites cooling breezes on the hottest days.

A bank of bevelled leadlight doors from a central sitting room lead into the open-plan living/dining/kitchen, with plenty of federation flourishes, including jarrah plate rails and ornate cornice.

The kitchen is stylishly retro, with rounded cupboards, including curved glass doors and an oval shaped island, with modern stainless steel benches, a pantry and the biggest appliances cupboard I’ve ever seen.

Huge windows overlook the garden, pool and an elevated verandah that is just the thing for elegant afternoon teas, or simply reading the weekend papers.

Or you could wander down the timber stairs to a gracious garden, where a huge magnolia tree shades a private sitting area at this 1012sqm property.

The pool wouldn’t look out of place in The Great Gatsby, its classic shape elegantly backed by pencil pines and overlooked by a massive sculpture.

This leafy street is all peaceful tranquility, but a very short walk away you’ll find all the delights of the Beaufort/Walcott Street cafe precinct. Head in the other direction and the prestigious Perth College is minutes away on foot.

by JENNY D’ANGER

18 Alvan Street, Mt Lawley
$2.275 million
Stuart Irving | 0418 920 672
Brad Irving | 0422 678 144
Irving & Keenan Real Estate
9272 0566
Open Saturday, August 8, 1–1.45pm