8 Shortland Crescent

Ainslie ACT 2602

Head down the winding granite path, through the landscaped gardens, crossing the bridge over the dry creek bed, you will enter through a gate into the courtyard where you will be welcomed under the arch of a grand old man banksia, covered in blooms from this summer and the cones from last year. This is your private green sanctuary. Head up the steps onto the spacious deck made from recycled hardwood, sheltered by a covered pergola and snuggled up to that beautiful banksia.

This freshly painted red brick family home is full of warmth and care. Its green credentials include north orientation of the huge lounge windows, R5 ceiling insulation, wall cavity insulation, water-efficient taps, ceiling fans in all bedrooms and living area and solar panels. Also installed in the last year are: efficient ducted and zoned reverse cycle heating (with extra insulation on the ducting), double glazing, new awnings on the front and back windows, a large and efficient induction cooktop and oven as well as thermally efficient honeycomb blinds and custom-made lined curtains.

There are three bedrooms, each with double glazed windows - and a sliding door in the master, as well as new window treatments and views to the native gardens outside. All bedrooms have good storage with built-in robes.

The bathroom and laundry have been fully renovated in an art deco style and with a great deal of care. The original deep cast iron bath was restored and a vintage porcelain basin added. The cabinetry was custom made from recycled wood, while the art deco wall tiles were also custom made. There's a double-glazed opening Velux skylight above the bath, so you can see the sky or the stars from the bath or shower. The centre piece is the custom-made stained glass window, giving privacy, but also glimpses of the lush tree fern outside. There is complementary stained glass in the laundry, where a huge amount of storage as well as the sink are neatly enclosed behind custom made sliding bamboo doors, this area also functions as a stylish entry.

The kitchen features rich timber bench tops and ample storage, as well as the huge new oven and induction stove. The kitchen flows to the dining room, for easy conversation and then onto the lounge, which is nestled around the original chimney with an efficient Nectar combustion heater . From there you can head back out to the deck, through the new double glazed sliding doors and back into the garden - which is the joy of the current owners.

The garden is designed to be a green sanctuary, productive, a play space and a haven for wildlife. There are many native trees, shrubs and grasses, and a great many fruit trees including cherry, mulberry, peach, nectarine, apricot, quince, pomegranate, feijoas, lemons, limes, cumquats and fig. Further to this are the berries - blueberries, youngberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants - and a large veggie patch. All of this is on automated zoned drip irrigation. At the end of the winding garden path is a charming studio, convenient and perfect for working a step away from the bustle of the family home. Built in 2020 it has an insulated roof, bamboo flooring as well as double glazed European windows and French doors overlooking the garden. Neighbouring the studio is a delightful cubby nestled in the trees, complete with climbing wall and slide.

This welcoming home is perfectly located for families - down the road from the wonderful North Ainslie Primary School, around the corner from the playground and a walk to the nature reserve at Mount Ainslie. It is also a short walk to the excellent Ainslie shops, public transport, Dickson wetlands, playing fields and shops with all their facilities, as well as being only a short hop to Civic.

At a glance
- 3-bedrooms, all with built in robes
- Bathroom and laundry renovated in 2017 (original cast iron bath restored)
- Freshly painted
- New custom-made window furnishings throughout
- Zoned ducted reverse cycle air conditioning
- Double glazed windows and doors
- Energy efficient ceiling fans in all bedrooms and living area
- Wall and ceiling insulation
- Solar panels
- Established, gorgeous gardens natives, fruit trees, and veggie patch
- Purpose-built studio
- Walk to Mt Ainslie, Dickson Wetlands and various ovals and playgrounds
- Green sanctuary, with carefully designed gardens and functional constructed creek bed to use harvested rainwater to deep water the large eucalypt.
- Attention to detail with many custom designed features