{"id":252740,"date":"2025-03-21T10:04:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T14:04:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/?post_type=id_project&p=252740"},"modified":"2025-03-21T10:04:26","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T14:04:26","slug":"decus-ka-design-studio-syndey-residence","status":"publish","type":"id_project","link":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/projects\/decus-ka-design-studio-syndey-residence\/","title":{"rendered":"Unwind In This Artful Sydney Residence With Soul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"kitchen
A sculpted, 20-seater dining table, bar and and oak-lined kitchen, offer a vibrant entertaining space set against verdant landscape vistas and abundant northern light.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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March 21, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n

Words: <\/span>Elana Castle<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photography: <\/span>Anson Smart<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Unwind In This Artful Sydney Residence With Soul<\/h1>\n\n\n

\u201cThe clients wanted a home with soul\u2014something layered, tactile, and effortlessly lived-in, nothing that felt too pristine,\u201d explains Alexandra Donohoe Church, Decus<\/a> founder and managing director. \u201cIt had to be as functional as it was beautiful, a place where their extended family could gather over long lunches but also a sanctuary for quiet moments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inheriting a home that had been artfully renovated by KA Design Studio<\/a>, Decus was charged with adding warmth and personality to the grand, multilevel (and multigenerational) home, blessed with sweeping views across Sydney\u2019s premier beach suburbs of Vaucluse and Watson\u2019s Bay. Buoyed by their mission to \u201crage against its simplicity\u201d, the studio has woven together diverse design influences, grounding textures, materials and hues to create a captivating journey\u2014a \u2018patchwork\u2019 of experiences\u2014across the home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside A Patchwork Sydney Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"entryway
Layered with a lively mix of figured natural stone and polished plaster walls, the cupola, designed alongside architecture practice KA Design Studio defines the home\u2019s main axis: a space for special events, that feeds movement into the adjacent library, living spaces and up the sweeping staircase.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"entryway
Upon entry, views are cast through a striking central cupola\u2014a double-height, circular volume with dancing natural light. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The striking entryway cupola\u2014a naturally illuminated double-height volume with a James Turrell like ocular opening at its centre\u2014subtly sets the tone for the visual journey about to unfold, with a striking Viabizzuno chandelier, Marmorino-rendered walls and beautiful object de art forming a highly considered, yet welcoming entry experience. The space then effortlessly flows into the adjacent library and living spaces (past the sweeping staircase), leading to a sculpted, 20-seat dining table and to a kitchen that is as visually intoxicating as it is refined and sophisticated. A Decus custom-designed aged brass hood is contrasted against the granite kitchen island where the stone veining is so dynamic, it threatens to overwhelm the space, but is yet so perfectly in rhythm with every other element. Such is the skill of the curatorial skill of the studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elegant lounge area, with a sinuous custom banquette seating taking centre stage, brings additional dynamism to the space. An arched, Flemish glass-lined double door opening connects to an intimate library, color washed in an appropriately named \u201ccab sav\u201d paint finish, harmoniously pared with other bespoke pieces in in bursts of burgundy, ink, terracotta, and mauve to exhilarating effect. The oak-lined study and master bedroom and master robe master bathroom, have the same moody impact, with the sumptuous oak joinery and extraordinary selection of veined stone granite echoing the other key areas of the home. A hidden stairwell leads to the home\u2019s private lower level: a self-contained \u2018apartment\u2019 for recreation and visiting guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bespoke Furnishings Enliven The Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"lounge
A ribbed ceiling and elevated podium define an elegant lounge area, the undulating lines of its bespoke tiered sofa softening the floorplan\u2019s formal geometry, while delineating interior settings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"library
An arched aperture, lined with Flemish glass, connects to the intimate library. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

At the centre of the lower level, a horse-shoe shaped wine cellar is complemented by a pool table and ping-pong table, leading through to a kitchen and expansive outdoor terrace. This generous rumpus space is complemented by guest quarters, a gym, sauna and cinema room\u2014\u201ca place to party, party, party, while accommodating three generations of this incredibly close-knit, extended family under one roof,\u201d says Alexandra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"kitchen
A sculpted, 20-seater dining table, bar and and oak-lined kitchen, offer a vibrant entertaining space set against verdant landscape vistas and abundant northern light.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"study
In the study\u2014beyond the arched aperture, set against a rich tapestry of textures and materials, a collection of custom furniture pieces and full-height bookshelves offer a quiet ambiance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"library
Sculpted furniture and full-height bookshelves offer a quiet ambience, complete with a hidden stairwell to the home\u2019s private lower level\u2014a self-contained \u2018apartment\u2019 for recreation and visiting guests.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"kitchen
Weaving together diverse design influences, materials and colors, this chameleonic home in Sydney\u2019s leafy Vaucluse offers a nuanced and captivating journey across spaces\u2013an embodiment of Decus\u2019 rebellious yet worldly spirit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"bedroom
A generous main suite opens on to a broad, north-facing terrace. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"primary
In the primary suite, floor-to-ceiling stained oak joinery flows from the walk-in wardrobe to the ensuite, where natural light enhances the luxurious atmosphere. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"suite
Swathed in timber, the primary suite extends seamlessly into the walk-in-wardrobe and bathroom. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"bathroom
A freestanding bath rests upon sumptuous stone, while a full-width curve shower niche evokes the comfort and indulgence of a hotel. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"powder
Defined by its domed ceiling, gracefully curved lavender walls, and custom cast bronze basin, the powder room was conceived as the Jewellery Box of the home; a soft, intimate space that exudes luxury and meticulous craftsmanship.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n