8 Design Decisions That Add Value, with the Selling Houses Team

What turns a beautiful house into an exceptional home? According to the Selling Houses team, it’s the clever design decisions that combine style, functionality, and effortless living.

Andrew Winter, Wendy Moore and Dennis Scott took a closer look at this spectacular Mater Prize Home to reveal eight features they believe can make all the difference.

1. A flexible, generous floor plan

Space is about more than square metres; it’s about creating a home that can evolve with the people living in it.

“Here, it’s so generous, and every room has such luxurious amenities,” says Wendy. “That makes it a home that can grow with any family.”

2. Quality kitchens and bathrooms

These are some of the hardest-working rooms in any home, so thoughtful design and quality fittings count. And this home certainly doesn’t do things by halves.

“This prize home features the most amazing kitchen with a huge walk-in butler’s pantry, as well as six and a half bathrooms!” says Andrew.

3. Low-maintenance landscaping

A spectacular home shouldn’t mean spending every weekend maintaining it. For Dennis, landscaping that delivers maximum impact without demanding maximum effort is a smart design decision.

“When you come to this place, you realise what’s been done here is incredible, and there’s just not that much you need to do to maintain it.”

4. A swimming pool

For a Gold Coast waterfront home, the pool is more than a luxury. Dennis describes it as an essential feature that “adds enormous value”.

It also extends the living experience outdoors, creating another place to entertain, relax, and enjoy that quintessential Queensland lifestyle.

5. A private pontoon

When you’re living on a canal, direct access to the water completes the picture.

“Any canal-front property should always have a pontoon for a boat,” says Andrew. “This one not only has a pontoon for private use—it has a boat moored on it too.”

6. Light flooring

Flooring can completely change the mood of an interior. Wendy loves the way the lighter floors complement this home’s waterfront setting.

“There’s beautiful natural light coming in and it’s reflecting off the floors. Just lovely.”

7. Abundant natural light

And speaking of light, Wendy highlights the home’s floor-to-ceiling windows, particularly in the living area, which allow sunshine to pour into the home and create a bright, welcoming atmosphere.

8. Statement planting

Finally, don’t underestimate the impact of landscaping as a design feature. Dennis points to the Phoenix Canary palm, surrounded by natural tones that complement the home, as an example of using a beautiful feature plant to draw the eye.

Together, these eight decisions create a home that feels luxurious without losing sight of liveability.

And winning a home like this could offer something even more valuable: choice.

“That lack of financial pressure is the first thing that will change your life,” says Wendy. “You have all of these choices, and that freedom is what really makes a difference.”

For Andrew, there’s another important reason to get involved with Mater Prize Home.

“The Mater Prize Home cause is close to my heart. My eldest daughter recently had a premature baby. Supporting any medical research and care for patients has got to be a good thing.”

This $7.1M prize package—including the home, two cars, a boat, and $1.25M in gold bullion—could change everything for you. So, what are you waiting for? Get your tickets NOW!

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