38 King Street, East Fremantle WA 6158

Plympton cottage, tranquil transformation

A weatherboard and iron worker’s cottage from the early 1900s sits perfectly in this streetscape full of Plympton character. The unexpected part is what unfolds inside: large rooms, a sleek modern kitchen, lots of light, a tropical atrium, a secluded master suite opening to a spa deck, and a very spacious and serene zen garden below.

The cottage, with jarrah and Oregon floors, retains its original character, but the clever extension has created plenty of flexibility, comfort, and wonderful indoor-outdoor flow on a generous 508sqm block. This is a very desirable neighbourhood by the river, where you’ll find great local schools, and the friendly community buzz of the cafes, bars, dining, and boutique retail of the George Street precinct.

With a recycled brick and white picket fence, veranda, and lots of magnolias in the front garden, the home opens to the traditional central hallway. Two high-ceilinged rooms span the hall, and one features massive vintage timber doors opening through to yet another large jarrah-floored air-conditioned room. It’s flexible to configure as you wish (living, bedroom, workspace), with a white bathroom nearby. The smart kitchen has white cabinetry and a large island facing the dining area, where tall glass doors stack open to a timber deck and an atrium garden alongside. There’s a long green vista east over the landscape and a feeling of openness and space.

That feeling continues in the vast air-conditioned master bedroom, with walk-in robe and en-suite. The northern orientation is perfect for the light, and more concertina doors stack open to another deck complete with a plunge pool. Below, the garden design is serene, featuring a large series of paved spaces, water feature, and landscaping. Another deck is built around a massive old gumtree, making a shady place to relax.

Here's the chance to enjoy the creative thinking that results in flexible, light, and comfortable spaces that embrace the outdoors — along with the charm of early 1900s architecture in a great Plympton street.

• Early 1900s cottage extended, close to the river
• Very desirable Plympton street, George St precinct
• Jarrah and Oregon floors, smart white modern kitchen
• Great indoor-outdoor flow, opens to series of decks
• Very spacious back garden, serene landscaping
• Large north-facing master suite with own deck and plunge pool
• Additional flexible large air-conditioned jarrah-floored room
• Wonderfully walkable location, very neighbourly
• East Fremantle Primary and John Curtin catchment


Council rates: $3,347.91 per annum (approx)
Water rates: $1,727.82 per annum (approx)