Something of a chameleon, Patchwork House is a confident refusal of restraint. Set high in Sydney’s Vaucluse with expansive views across Watsons Bay, the three-level residence began life as a large but character-light house, described by Alexandra Donohoe Church, Founder and Managing Director of Decus, as “80s Don Johnson Miami Vice meets Gold Coast Barbie Dreamhouse.” Rather than dilute that bravado, Decus leaned into it, transforming the property into a richly layered, multi-generational home that balances exuberance with intimacy.
Inspired by the building’s grand scale and pared-back bones, the studio set out to “rage against its simplicity,” crafting an interior narrative that reflects both the lifestyle of a young family and Decus’ own globally informed, rebellious design language. Alexandra describes the studio as “polyamorous with design influences,” an ethos that finds expression here through a patchwork of materials, colours and references stitched together with confidence.
Brazilian and Mexican architectural screening informs the way spaces are broken down within the home’s box-like volume, creating moments of enclosure and release. Bursts of burgundy, ink, terracotta and mauve punctuate the interiors as deliberate echoes of the house’s origins, while layered furniture, art and objects bring depth and personality. Trust from the homeowners allowed the studio to refine every detail, resulting in an interior that feels both curated and lived-in.
At the heart of the home is a striking central cupola: a double-height circular volume animated by shifting natural light. Acting as the home’s main axis, it anchors movement between the surrounding library, living spaces and a sweeping stair that connects all levels. Nearby, a sculptural 20-seat dining table sits alongside an oak-lined kitchen, where a bespoke gouged brass rangehood becomes both focal point and functional artwork, framed by verdant views and northern light.
In the lounge, a ribbed ceiling and raised podium define the space, while the undulating form of a bespoke tiered sofa offsets the formality of the architecture. An arched opening lined in Flemish glass leads to an intimate library, complete with sculptural furniture, full-height shelving and a concealed stair that descends to the private lower level.
This sense of rhythm continues below, where a horseshoe-shaped wine cellar introduces a playful centrepiece. Surrounding it are spaces designed for gathering and recreation: a rumpus room with pool and ping-pong tables, a secondary kitchen, guest accommodation, gym, sauna and cinema, all opening to a generous outdoor terrace. It is, as Alexandra describes, “a place to party, party, party,” while comfortably accommodating three generations under one roof.
Related: Heritage and landscape
Above, the newly added upper level houses the family’s private retreat. The main bedroom suite, wrapped in timber, opens to a broad north-facing terrace overlooking the bay. Children’s bedrooms, each with its own ensuite, feature bespoke joinery and built-in window seats that encourage moments of quiet withdrawal. A shared study space tucked beside the stair completes the level.
Throughout the home, texture and detail are paramount. Figured natural stone sits alongside polished and hand-trowelled plaster, European oak floors add warmth underfoot, and bespoke furniture pieces designed by Decus and crafted by local makers Atelier Furniture reinforce the home’s tactile richness. Collaborations with a wide range of artists and studios further animate the interiors, creating a visual language that feels expressive yet cohesive.
For all its complexity, Patchwork House never feels chaotic. Instead, it offers a carefully calibrated balance of liveliness and calm, compression and expansion. “The ethos is laidback but not lazy,” Alexandra notes, a sentiment that resonates throughout the project. At once a party house and an introvert’s refuge, Patchwork House is an intricate portrait of its inhabitants and a distilled expression of Decus’ design philosophy.
