Aerial photos reveal a stark fact about Sam Armytage's new life - after she moved out of her estranged husband Richard Lavender's Southern Highlands homestead

It's been a roller coaster of a month for Samantha Armytage.

In the space of a few weeks, she announced her shock marriage split from husband Richard Lavender then jumped straight into the hosting chair on Nine's Today show.

And she's also making some moves in the property world: the 48-year-old TV personality is in the process of putting the finishing touches to her cosy new cottage in the NSW Southern Highlands.

The understated three-bedroom house is just a 12-minute drive from her former marital home, Lavender Equestrian, a sprawling estate in nearby Berrima.

Despite being a stone's throw away from her old place, the two properties could hardly be less alike.

Richard's homestead, with its modern, hotel-like design and no neighbours for miles around, could almost pass for a Bond villain's retreat.

By contrast, Sam's recently purchased single-level property is separated only by hedges from the nearby cottages nestled together in an intimate tree-lined section of tight-knit Moss Vale.

While she will be significantly downsizing and losing the sense of privacy afforded by Richard's place, perhaps more of a neighbourhood feel is what a social butterfly like Sam is looking for after her separation. 

Sam snapped up the quaint 1960s home in May for $1.3million, and she has since installed a new roof and had a verandah added during extensive renovations.

The cottage, spitting distance from the town's historic Argyle Street retail strip and set on an expansive 1922 sqm block, has been given a modern makeover during the work, which continued from August through to this month.

Highlights of the home include a spacious living room with a fireplace and picture windows that open out to a patio, perfect for entertaining.

There's also an open plan kitchen and dining room, as well as a BBQ area and pond.

Aerial photos of the work in progress show a brand-new timber verandah opening onto a yet-to-be-landscaped backyard. The cottage looks set to be the perfect downsized base for newly single Sam once renovations are complete.

Richard's lavish 40-hectare property, on the other hand, has box-like walls and a flat roof, with the ultra-modern compound featuring a lap pool and plenty of parking.

The equestrian estate is crisscrossed by creeks and surrounded by open fields of luscious green grass, with old-growth trees surrounding the property.

It is the same home where Sam and Richard held their intimate wedding ceremony on New Year's Eve in 2020, which was followed by a luncheon at the Centennial Vineyards Restaurant in Bowral.

But just four years later that would all come to an end, with Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealing earlier this month the TV presenter and her businessman husband had gone their separate ways.

We are yet to see tears from Sam, however, who has appeared to put the split behind her by making her debut on Nine's Today show this week, putting her TV career back in full swing following her departure from Channel Seven's Farmer Wants a Wife.

She has already undergone quite the makeover while adjusting to her newly single life as she made a string of very glamorous appearances in recent weeks.

The presenter was last photographed with Richard on September 5, looking laid back while strolling through Sydney airport.

Returning from a trip to Noosa for her 48th birthday, Sam showed off her unique style in beige trousers and a cream blouse, which she complemented with a wide-brimmed straw hat.

However, that was to be the last time they were publicly photographed together before their marriage hit the rocks, with Sam instead being seen out solo since then.

At the 2024 Melbourne Cup, the new Nine host proved she was embracing her newfound independence as she pulled out all the stops with a glamorous outfit for a day out at Flemington Racecourse.

Sam attended the festivities without Richard - who works in the equestrian business himself - and instead socialised with a host of Aussie stars.

For the fun-filled day out on November 5, Sam put on a very stylish display in a gorgeous red off-the-shoulder gown with dramatic puffed sleeves.

Keeping in line with tradition, the veteran presenter fixed a red tinted fascinator in her golden tresses to complete her dazzling ensemble.

Still wearing her wedding ring, Sam fully embraced the racing day dress code as she posed up a storm for the cameras, standing tall as she stepped out solo at the glitzy event.

She has been a regular on the racing day circuits this year and had also stepped out in style just days earlier at Flemington Racecourse for Derby Day.

The former Sunrise host showed off her fashion credentials in a stunning black midi dress with sparkling buttons and white collared detailing.

She completed her fashionable outfit with a pair of pointed pumps and toted her essentials in a chic white handbag.

Just weeks earlier in October, Sam had begun to tease her fashion makeover while stepping out at the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.

Samantha and Richard's separation was planned to be leaked to a Sydney newspaper, but sources confirmed the news to Daily Mail Australia in advance.

'Yes Richard and I have separated. All break-ups are hard, but it’s somewhat lessened by the fact it’s amicable and we wish the best for each other,' Sam then told media.

'I appreciate you respecting our privacy. I won’t be making any further comment.'

It is understood she has moved out of Richard's Southern Highlands home and is now living in an apartment in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The couple first started dating in April 2019, and announced their engagement in June 2020 before tying the knot six months later.

The intimate ceremony only featured a small number of guests due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Richard's daughters believed to have attended.

Amid her marriage breakdown, Sam has also undergone a huge career change after stepping down from Channel Seven after 21 years with the network.

Describing the departure as 'sad and bittersweet,' she said she felt her time had come to an end.

'I'm big on instinct. I listen to my instinct. I know when the time comes. I am proud of the fact that I back myself enough to say: "I've done what I can do here" and I move on,' she said.

'This is not the end. It's just the end of this chapter.'

Since signing with Nine, she has appeared as a fill-in anchor on Today and will also host the new seniors dating show The Golden Bachelor next year.