Australian design studio Decus conceptualised the interiors and redid the spatial configuration of a historic 1940s Sydney bungalow. Located in the upscale Sydney neighbourhood of Bellevue Hill, the home is approximately 6,000 square feet, spread over two floors. Helmed by Alexandra Donohoe Church, founder and managing director, Decus replanned the layout of the home with a goal of increasing natural light. The clients, a young couple, desired a light-filled home where they could entertain their friends and family. To achieve this, the design firm cut a light well into the home’s centre and added a tiered skylight above a dramatic circular staircase, washing each level with abundant sunlight. Moreover, the Australian firm replanned the layout of the bungalow to lend spatial clarity and openness, establishing clear zones for living, entertaining and retreating. Known as Monsieur G, the home showcases contemporary interiors influenced by Scandinavian design. Natural materials, neutral hues and sleek forms come together to craft a modern home, which is aesthetically pleasing yet highly practical.

Founded by Alexandra Donohoe Church, Decus is a Sydney-based design firm that crafts original and unexpected spaces. Each project crafted by them showcases their aim of positively impacting people's lives through architecture and interior design. "Our rebellious yet worldly spirit consistently drives individualised design outcomes—a pursuit in capturing personality and elevating experience. In regards to Monsieur G, it was one of those phone calls that came out of the blue. The client had seen a collaboration we had done with another architect and reached out. I waddled up their front stairs for our initial meeting 8.5 months pregnant. By the time we handed over the project, my son was four, and the clients had two young kids of their own," mentions Donohoe Church. The clients desired a modern, sophisticated home that has a sense of openness. "The brief was in equal parts; to bring in more natural light, to rationalise a veritable rabbit-warren of rooms which had formed over the years from poorly executed renovations, to introduce an elevated layer of detailing and lastly to connect the house more with the rear of the site. We wanted to create a contemporary classicism, with a bit of attitude,” adds Donohoe Church.

The designers at Decus suspect that Monsieur G was an interwar bungalow, and originally had a single storey that was infilled later with a lower ground floor area. As a consequence, visitors enter the top floor of the home via a central circulation space from which a study, powder room, living room, kitchen and a bedroom wing all feed off. The principal suite and second bedroom are consolidated to a quieter zone of the floorplate, while the living, dining and entertaining spaces bookend the floor plate. Moving to the lower, ground floor, there is a similar rationale of entertaining spaces (cellar, home theatre and gym) on one side of the floor plate, with bedrooms bookending the opposite side of the floor plan, emulating the upstairs level. “It’s a captivating home to occupy—and a brilliant dinner party house. The entry moment is one of our clients’ favourite elements—it frames views through the home to an established Norfolk pine tree and sets the tone for the greater experience of the space. My favourite aspect of the house is also the skylight, which funnels in incredible light all day long. Second to that would be the relationship between the kitchen and the dining room, it offers a bit of theatre,” adds Donohoe Church.

For Monsieur G’s interior design, the team at Decus was briefed to craft a sophisticated residential design that complements the clients’ personalities. The clients enjoy travelling and socialising, and the interiors reflect this. The interiors exhibit a contemporary design aesthetic with Scandinavian influences. A warm palette of oak floors and pale walls were interjected with dark olive, grey, walnut and latte-toned timbers that lend a grounding feel—a nod to the home’s natural surroundings and the client’s Northern European roots. “One of the clients hails from Sweden. So we certainly referenced Northern European, both in sensibility and tone in our response. After evaluating the brief, it was apparent that the project was 80 per cent interiors and 20 per cent architecture in scope. Whilst initially the clients were looking to engage an architect to work with, we explained that we had the capability to take on the project as we have a registered architect within the team. The project was an instrument to reflect the young couple’s identity—social, fashion-forward and well travelled,” remarks Donohoe Church.

Monsieur G exhibits a visual tapestry of organic textures and muted colours, which is accentuated by sleek forms and an abundance of natural light. Furthermore, the home features custom designed furniture and lighting design that lend elegance to the spaces. Decus kept the furniture design and decor pieces minimal to make the space feel quiet and serene and to complement the beautiful landscape surrounding the home. While the furnishings and accents are minimal, each room has a few pieces that are arresting, adding drama to the home.

The bedrooms of this Sydney home are minimalist yet chic. The designer achieved this by using a subdued colour palette as a base, incorporating furniture and décor pieces that are both functional and stylish, and adding pops of colour with artwork, accessories, and textiles. The primary bedroom of the home showcases a neutral palette with subtle yet charming blue undertones and modern furnishings. Conceptualised to be a tranquil space, this bedroom boasts all the elements of a serene haven, including expansive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the verdant natural landscape. Additionally, as the clients love dressing up, the primary suite features a large open walk-in closet with a skylight to comfortably house all their clothes and accessories.

Monsieur G also boasts two vibrant bedrooms for the clients’ children. Unlike the rest of the home, these bedrooms exhibit bright colours and striking animal-themed wall murals. In addition, the home also houses a wine cellar, a home theatre and a gym on the lower level. The lower level features dark tones and a cosier ambiance. The wine cellar is reminiscent of traditional wine cellars that are often built underground or in a basement and are typically dark, cool, and humid. The home theatre houses comfortable furniture and the gym is functional. The lower floor was designed to grow with the family, with the option to convert the gym into an additional bedroom, if needed. Monsieur G is a functional, character-filled home, which is perfect for a young modern family.