Brett Rundle’s designer tips for making yourself at home in the Gold Coast hinterland

NB: Due to overwhelming popular demand, Mater Prize Home lottery No. 301 sold out early. You can purchase tickets in our latest lottery here.

Queensland interior stylist Brett Rundle is responsible for transforming our Mater prize homes from houses into homes. Our latest Mater Prize Home lottery No. 301 is one of his biggest blank canvases to date⁠—and also one of his favourite prize lotteries so far. With four bedrooms, four bathrooms (and two powder rooms), two alfresco living spaces, plus a long list of bonus rooms, there was so much space and beautiful rooms for Brett to play with in this hinterland home. While the kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, for Brett, it’s the dining room in this Hamptons-inspired prize home that will have families gathering, entertaining and making endless memories.

We sat down with Brett to find out more about his favourite rooms in the home, his insider tips for where to spend your downtime in the Gold Coast hinterland, and his inspiration for his interior styling choices.

What was the inspiration behind your styling for this home?

“I was inspired by the architecture and overall interior details of the property to furnish the home in a formal and informal country estate style. The main items overall were kept neutral, with accents of greens and browns throughout.”

What’s your favourite room in the house?

“The formal dining room is a big hit for me. With its 10-12 seater table, honed alabaster pendant light, beautiful linen chairs, Designer Boys canvas artworks and fireplace, this room would be a dinner party dream space—and I was so happy with the table centerpiece which I custom made myself just for this house!”

What’s your most coveted piece in the prize home?

“The huge table in that dining room is a standout. Handmade from salvaged European oak, it extends from 2.8 metres to 3.4 metres—and weighs A LOT! I can attest to that, as I helped move it into position! Limited to a maximum quantity of 10 imported a year, it is a very unique piece.”

What’s your top spot in the home for relaxing?

“The upstairs alfresco is a special place for me. The smart design with its half walls surrounding the deck means when sitting down, the views encompass all the greenery and mountains beyond, while cleverly screening out adjacent properties and streets surrounding. It’s a beautiful place to be—and quite easy to forget you are in the middle of an acreage estate.”

What would be your go-to space for entertaining?

“The downstairs media room is the perfect place to watch movies or host game nights. With the custom-made U-shaped sofa, bar area, soda and popcorn machines, 75” TV, and classic movie posters framed on the wall, it’s a great space for people to get together and enjoy a special night (or day!). I specified that this room needed to be painted in a dark colour, so if desired, it can be instantly turned into a cinema-like space by lowering the blackout blinds to give that real movie experience.”

If you lived in this home, how would you spend your weekends?

“While the prize home itself has many places to relax and enjoy (pool, media room, decks, gym, study, sauna, lush gardens…) this area in the Gold Coast hinterland offers so many opportunities: It’s just a short drive to the Tambourine Mountain range, bushwalks, waterfalls, wake boarding park, theme parks, and of course, the coast’s famous beaches and Surfers Paradise—one would never be short of things to do!”

This house is move-in ready, but do you have any advice for making it feel even more like home?

“Like most of the Mater prize homes I design, the main furnishings are kept in neutral colours, allowing the home’s accent colours to be easily and readily changed—new cushions and artworks can instantly transform the appearance of any home and make it more personal. Also, the addition of any photos, keepsakes or travel souvenirs add your own personality to make it a true home, and ‘your’ home.”

As a fellow Queenslander, where are your favourite places to go in the Gold Coast hinterland?

“There are almost too many to mention—but if I had to pick one it would be the national parks around Tambourine Mountain—some of the walks and trails there are simply breathtaking. I for one can’t get enough of nature and fresh mountain air—and this home lottery is literally surrounded by it.”

Ready for a new life in the Gold Coast hinterland? Buy your tickets today to win this Mater Prize Home lottery and make yourself at home. Plus, for every ticket you purchase you’re helping support the life-changing medical research and patient care at Mater.