Luxurious, lovely and light filled

Once you have stepped inside this recently renovated Sanctuary Cove residence you won’t want to leave

AN overwhelming sense of calmness and tranquillity is experienced the moment you step through the entry gate and over the foot bridge of this Sanctuary Cove house.

The immaculately presented property, which has had new life breathed into it, will make you stop and say ‘wow’ at every turn.

Before Leanne and Brenton Hodder worked their magic on the house it was tired, dark and not suited to the laid-back yet lavish lifestyle the Gold Coast is known for.

The couple, who live there with their daughter Tahlee, 8, made it their mission to create the ultimate Coast home.

“When we bought it, it was very overgrown, it was like a jungle when you walked in,” Ms Hodder said.

“You couldn’t see the ponds, you couldn’t see the waterfalls.

“Everything inside was dark and dingy with walls everywhere and little rooms.”

Ms Hodder said most of the renovation was done “on the fly” but there was always the aim of making it light, bright, pretty and calm.

“We wanted to turn it into a Queenslander because it was a bit more federation style inside, so it was a real disappointment,” she said. “There was no connection between the outside of the house which was quite lovely, although it was a yellow colour, and the inside.

“Now, it’s just glorious, beautiful and easy to live in. It makes us happy, we just love living here.”

The internal renovation took about six months with nothing left untouched.

The result was an open-plan design where each room flows effortlessly onto the next and all make the most of the property’s impressive gardens. High ceilings, full-length windows and glass doors ensure an abundance of light streams inside and maximise the garden vistas.

Taking centre stage is the kitchen with a luxuriously large mint green, stone-topped island bench, subway feature tiles and a butler’s pantry. It is also connected to the laundry which provides a spot to hide the mess when guests are over.

There is a living area either side of the kitchen — one is a cosy, chalet style with a gas fireplace and a view of the backyard’s waterfall, the other a more casual zone with a fireplace. A sunroom will make entertaining a breeze thanks to its outdoor kitchen with a barbecue and wood-fired oven.

The main bedroom features a dressing room and ensuite, and two additional bedrooms are on the ground floor.

Upstairs a second loft-style bedroom occupies the whole floor and offers an ensuite, balcony and study area.

The family are selling to move onto their next project.

“It’s going to be sad to leave this house — you wont find something like this again, but it’s time to move on and see what else I can create,” Ms Hodder said.