Photography: John Downs / Styling: Tahn Scoon
High school sweethearts Michelle and Paul Batty have holidayed on Tamborine Mountain, just 30 minutes’ drive from their home on the Gold Coast, Queensland, for decades. The main enticement was the cooler weather, with cosy winter nights spent curled up by a fire. The other drawcards were the region’s picturesque villages, lush rainforests, and plenitude of local wineries and produce (Tamborine means ‘wild lime’ in the local Yugambeh language).
“We came up so often, we eventually decided to buy. We wanted a house we could put our own stamp on,” says Michelle, 57. “I wanted to feel like I was living in the French countryside without having to travel – rambling gardens and a home filled with fresh flowers and vintage treasures.”
Years earlier, Michelle and Paul had spotted a property with a European-style, high-pitched roof they coveted and couldn’t believe it came onto the market just as they started searching. “We walked up the beautiful birch tree-lined driveway, and despite the house being a little tired, we were besotted and bought it instantly,” she says.
The couple opted to live in the house for a little while with their large newfypoos, Mabel and Moose (Newfoundland-poodle cross), and take time getting to know the property before embarking on any changes. With four adult children, and their friends and partners visiting often, they knew the home needed to function for a crowd.
“My vision was for a house that brought us all together for all the important occasions. We had a son-in-law’s birthday coming up and planned a long lunch on the pea gravel driveway, so thought we’d start by sprucing up the front yard,” says Michelle.
Adam White of Dorset Bottega was enlisted as Michelle had spotted him on social media and was enchanted by his European-inspired gardens. Phase one included installing a bespoke iron and stone front gate, plus a bell tower, with the door painted in Dulux Mr Frosty Half, a sweet pale blue. A shed was revamped into an entertainer’s barn, and months later became the wedding venue for one of their daughters.
“We then saw some images of Adam’s own garden room,” says Paul, 58, “and asked him to build one for us. It was so impressive – we realised we’d have to refresh the entire house to match. So, what started as a little landscaping happily became a major renovation.”
The garden room is the centrepiece of the home, with soaring five-metre-high ceilings, recycled brick floors and an oversized antique French chandelier. “The room was really built around the chandelier,” says Michelle. “We wanted a romantic, light-filled space where we could drink Champagne and play board games.”
Elsewhere, the old carpets were replaced with creamy travertine for aesthetics, but also as a practical measure. The rich volcanic soil on the mountain meant red dirt was constantly traipsed in, and hard floors were a must. The kitchen also doubled in size, and the newly built master bedroom sported an expansive ensuite with exquisite views.
At this point, Tahn Scoon of Tahn Interiors was called in to specify interior paint colours, lighting and finishes, and select furniture and soft furnishings. Soft beige marble was chosen for the benchtops and creamy white mosaics for the splashback. Walls were predominantly painted in Resene Alabaster, a translucent white, with the attic guestroom coated in calming Resene Eighth Truffle.
“All the lighting was chosen to work back with the garden room chandelier, and the furniture is a mix of vintage and new,” says Tahn. “We favoured natural fabrics, such as linen curtains and slipcovers; cotton velvet bedding and cushions; silk cabinetry panels and antique wool rugs, but made some concessions such as a few strategically placed outdoor rugs, allowing muddy pawprints to be easily hosed off!”
Michelle and Paul are thrilled with their newly renovated home. “We’ve achieved our goal of having a place that brings everyone together, especially as our family grows. We’ve just welcomed our first grandchild, Clementine, and are planning to plant a Clementine tree for her,” says Michelle, “and we’re delighted to announce we have another grandchild on the way!”
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