decus
Dancing On The Ceiling Curved oval spiral staircase seen from above, framed by rendered walls and a mosaic tile floor in soft green, yellow, white and beige tones

Dancing On The Ceiling

Dancing On The Ceiling Terracotta sculptural stools with geometric cutouts arranged beneath a large abstract terracotta coloured artwork, seen through a doorway framed in green stone, with a dark green artwork on the wall alongside.
Dancing On The Ceiling Sculptural white plaster kitchen island with a book-matched marble top, paired with two dark wood bar stools, set against a dramatic mirrored marble splashback and oak cabinetry
Dancing on the Ceiling Dancing On The Ceiling Sculptural white plaster kitchen island with a book-matched marble top, paired with two dark wood bar stools, set against a dramatic mirrored marble splashback and oak cabinetry
Dancing on the Ceiling Overhead view of a swirling green, blue, grey-veined marble table with a small sculptural ceramic object and a wooden bowl resting on the surface, beside a curved wooden stool
Dancing On The Ceiling Moody powder room with curved plaster walls in deep green, a floating marble vanity with black tapware, an arched mirror, brass wall sconces, and orange flowers, with mosaic tile flooring
Dancing on the Ceiling Textured glass vase with drooping orange bell-shaped flowers on a dark marble bathroom counter, beside a soap dish and black tapware, in moody green-toned lighting
Dancing on the Ceiling curved render detail of staircase and chairs in the background
Dancing on the Ceiling Overhead view of a rust-toned glass table with two water glasses and a small ceramic bowl, surrounded by leopard-print upholstered chairs on a wooden floor.
Dancing on the Ceiling curved render detail of staircase and chairs in the background
Dancing on the Ceiling Overhead view of a rust-toned glass table with two water glasses and a small ceramic bowl, surrounded by leopard-print upholstered chairs on a wooden floor.
Dancing on the Ceiling Living room with an olive velvet sofa, a raw wood stump side table, and a bold geometric artwork with concentric red and orange squares, set against a vertical wood-slatted partition wall.
Dancing on the Ceiling Light-filled coastal living room with a sculptural multi-arm black wall lamp, round nested coffee tables, an olive velvet sofa, and a tall potted cactus, opening onto a terrace with ocean views
Dancing On The Ceiling Bedroom with a curved, ribbed leather headboard incorporating built-in nightstands, layered brown and olive bedding, a woven bench at the foot of the bed, and rattan wardrobe doors beside sheer curtains
Dancing on the Ceiling Primary Bedroom with a curved, ribbed leather headboard incorporating built-in nightstands, layered brown and olive bedding, a woven bench at the foot of the bed, and rattan wardrobe doors beside sheer curtains
Dancing on the Ceiling Close-up of two sculptural bobbin-shaped bronze cabinet handles on wood-panelled doors bordered with woven rattan trim
Dancing On The Ceiling Primary Ensuite Tile Detail Close-up of a beige marble tile floor with contrasting dark-veined marble accent strips, alongside the curved wooden base of a stool
Dancing On The Ceiling Bright bathroom with a freestanding oval tub beside a large window overlooking greenery, a sculptural wooden stool, a marble vanity, and a walk-in shower with textured glass and marble walls
Dancing on the Ceiling Rounded double vanity in dramatic veined marble with chrome tapware, wood-framed mirrors, sculptural brass wall sconces, and a striped ceramic vase, set against oak panelling
Dancing on the Ceiling sculptural brass wall sconce set against oak panelling
Dancing on the Ceiling_Secondary Bedroom_Ensuite
Dancing on the Ceiling_Secondary Bedroom_Ensuite Shower
Dancing On The Ceiling Study Joinery Detail Walnut wood bookshelf styled with art monograph books, small ceramic bowls, and a dark sculptural vase.
Dancing On The Ceiling Home office with a curved wooden desk, tan leather swivel chair, built-in wood shelving styled with books and ceramics, and a patterned vintage-style rug, softly lit by sheer curtains
Dancing on the Ceiling_Rumpus
Dancing on the Ceiling_Rumpus_Detail

Set atop the cliffs of Sydney’s cliffside eastern suburb of Dover Heights, Dancing on the Ceiling transforms a ‘kit-home’ dwelling into a playful party house for a vivacious family, enlivened by majestic ocean views.

The homeowners engaged Decus for a bold interior overhaul. “They envisioned a space that felt footloose and fancy free—a place to eat, drink and be merry in razzle dazzle company,” recalls Alexandra Donohoe Church, Founder and Creative Director of Decus. Given the simplicity of the architecture, Decus sought to weave ‘new clothing’ for the house, bringing legibility to its layout while overlaying much-needed tactility. The home’s rigid geometry inspired Decus to pursue a counterpoint of fluid forms and spatial porosity, while an existing emerald-toned bar offered a springboard for a rich and expressive palette.

Upon entry, a dramatic stone floor sets the tone for the interior, its ‘sprinkled’ format reminiscent of the marble floors of Celine’s Mount Street boutique in London. A straight-run stair was replaced with a rendered elliptical stair – “the project’s principal dancer that makes the double-height space swoon,” says Alexandra. Beyond, a timber screen offers a permeable interface to the home’s ocean-facing living spaces. Here, Decus’ skillful curation of furniture, art and décor, including a bespoke rippled-glass dining table set against leopard-print chairs, offers a captivating entertaining zone, opening to a wrap-around deck.

A new oak and green marble kitchen sleeves around a expressive ‘bas-relief’ island bench—an experimental venture for Decus, lending a gentle, sculpted expression. Beyond, spaces are deftly reworked to accommodate a walk-through pantry, scullery and laundry cum mudroom, with a home office strategically nestled behind the stair. Tucked behind the kitchen, a new rumpus room blends rich raspberry and mustard tones, retro-inspired furniture and a graphic floor rug to, creating “a ‘come hither’ vibe for the adults and a party space for the teens,” describes Alexandra.

The result is a home that dances between structure and spontaneity, refinement and revelry. By reimagining the interiors with bold gestures, unexpected material pairings, and a deep sensitivity to function and atmosphere, Decus has crafted a home that is as animated as the family who inhabits it. Playful yet sophisticated, Dancing on the Ceiling celebrates the joy of gathering and the rhythm of daily life, set against the ever-present backdrop of Sydney’s dramatic coastline.

Dancing on the Ceiling is built on the lands of the traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

Build Benson & Karney
Photography Anson Smart
Styling Joseph Gardner

Collaborators on this project include Atelier Furniture 7 - 3 Design & Joinery Jonathan West Elton Group Granite Marble Works CDK Stone Onsite Supply + Install Bisanna Worldstone Euro Marble Tongue & Groove Triple A Rendering Calce Company Simple Studio Candana JS Balustrading Whitecliffe Cadrys Winnings Resene Dulux Porters Paints Boyac Chardean Chum Studio Cult Design Curated Spaces Est Lighting Milgate Moebel Ellison Studios Sarah Nedovic Volker Haug Saul Forge Spinneybeck Ondene Mi & Gei Noble Elements Studio ALM District Dimitri Vargas Fox Jensen Gallery Station Gallery Solutions Olsen Gallery South Pacific Fabrics The Textile Company Mama Casa Jardan Great Dane Furniture