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FEATURE LISTING: Perched among the trees in Crafers

Hitting the market this week is a lovingly-built Crafers home offering stunning tree-top views, a beautiful garden and architectural design.

Perched among the trees at 14 Constance Avenue, Crafers, the five-bedroom, two-bathroom home was built with passion by John Shorten and Lois O’Grady in 2004.

The couple purchased the “naked block” in the early 2000s and set about creating a beautiful home they could share. Today, it stands as their legacy.

John’s son, Philip Shorten says his father and Lois met in the 1990s when both their partners died of cancer, coming together as part of a support group.

“They found they had an affinity together,” Philip says. “Not just because of the mutual experience, but in general.”

John had a middle-management career in banking before he started a gardening and landscaping business in the 1990s. Lois worked in fashion, and her flair for design was part of what helped her and John craft their home.

“It is fair to say that Lois was the one with the eye for design and my father was the one who would execute it,” Philip says. “This home is two people’s, I can’t say life’s work, but definitely the best part of two decades.”

John and Lois wanted a visually striking property, getting a young architect on board to help design the home before going about its development.

“They spent many of their relaxed hours watching Grand Designs and all those sorts of things,” Philip says.

The heart of the home is a two-way fireplace that connects the lounge and dining spaces with a curved feature wall that brings a unique shape to the home.

The adjoining kitchen is equipped with Miele appliances including a gas cooktop, oven, built-in microwave against a glass splashback and stone benchtops.

French doors in the master bedroom open to a balcony which overlooks the vast garden and Adelaide Hills beyond.

You can continue to watch the seasons change over the lower lawns from the property’s deck, with the variety of tree life providing an ever-changing backdrop to the home.

“John and Lois put most of the trees in themselves over the journey,” says Philip.

John built the stone walls that shape the garden and even the outdoor pizza oven in the front yard.

“I know the dome gave him a bit of grief and was challenging, but he got there in the end,” Philip laughs.

Philip happily reminisces on his childhood and teen years spent living in the Adelaide Hills and looks forward to a new family making the home their own.

“I hope there will be someone else there who will share in their tastes and want to make that part of the world their home,” Philip says.

“I may be a bit biased, but I think it is one of the best parts of Australia to live in.

“I would encourage whoever is lucky enough to purchase it to get out and enjoy the area because you have everything you could want at your doorstep.”

The sale is being handled by Taylor Bishop and Colby Harris of Harris Real Estate.