As I unlocked the gate to the sprawling front garden of this Mt Lawley home, the enchantment of reading The Secret Garden swept over me. I was Mary Lennox (again) discovering a secluded, walled garden overrun by weeds, where roses riot over archways, soaring trees reach skywards and terraced garden beds promise much. Stepping up…

This stunning two-storey home on Joel Terrace, Mt Lawley could feature in a magazine showcasing cutting-edge modern living. So I was surprised to learn it was built in 1971, the home of well-known architect Peter Christou. At a time when most of Perth was building homes with closed-off rooms, Christou created sweeping open spaces and…

Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera The Mikado always made me smile—long before I saw overweight and middle-aged June Bronhill portraying a teenage girl and singing “Three Little Maids at School Are We”. The Aussie opera singer saw the funny side at the time, cracking jokes at her own expense during an intermission. This home in…

Almost 400 years after the death of the bard, William Shakespeare  still looms large in our everyday language. Who would have thought “he’s eaten me out of house and home” and “it’s all Greek to me” originated with the 16th century writer? “Too much of a good thing” is another, as is “forever and a…

You could see the emotion as the vendor of this Susan Street, Maylands home spoke of his 16 years here. I almost expected him to start patting the fixtures and fittings as he spoke. But needs must and the family caravan is heading…well just elsewhere in Bayswater actually, as everyone really loves the area. Sitting…

Britney Spears’ Red is the Colour of My Love ran through my head as I checked out this Collins Street, Yokine home. “Dark as the night, hot as the sun,” it goes. Which perfectly describes the deep glass splashback running around this kitchen. It’s a red so rich and dark it’s almost black. Turn on…

Friday pay day dad would come home from the pub with two treats: a bag of lollies, and a copy of the Salvation Army newspaper The War Cry. It wasn’t that we unholy kids had an interest in religion, we just enjoyed the colouring-in page. “Thank God for the Salvos” is an oft-heard phrase and…

The neighbours of this Trafalgar Road home are friendly—and soft hearted. Having knocked on the wrong door, the wind howling and rain threatening, the owner wouldn’t hear of me waiting outside. Installed on a comfy seat in the communal foyer of this two-storey, two-apartment complex, she checked on me a couple of times, and I’m…

Go west to begin life new, urged the Village People. “Together we will find a place to settle down,” the lyrics continue. And what better place for a young couple setting out, or retirees down-sizing, to settle down than this delightful semi-detached 1900s cottage on West Parade in Perth. This little section of Perth is virtually…

In hindsight my oohing and aahing over this View Street, North Perth home was probably salt in the wound for the tenants, who no doubt face an uphill battle finding anything as delightful. But a true Taurean, I went at it like a bull-at-a-gate: “This is gorgeous!” I enthused insensitively yet again as I stepped…