Interview with Designer Alexandra Donohoe Church

Alexandra Donohoe Church describes her approach to design as rebellious in spirit, manifested in contrasting interior details and a pervading sense of the unexpected in her work. 

After garnering experience at some of Sydney’s renowned design studios, she established her own interior design practice, Decus Interiors – which takes its name from the Latin word, meaning dignity, grace and ornamental beauty.  Decus Interiors is now one of the most recognisable names in the Australian design community, with a portfolio of show-stopping homes on both Sydney’s coveted coastline and, more recently in Western Australia.

Having stepped inside several homes designed by Decus Interiors both on estliving.com and inside est Magazine, it was time we sat down with director Alexandra Donohoe Church to learn more about where it all began. In this chat, Alexandra reflects on the role of design in our lives, what she sees for the future of residential design in Sydney and where she seeks out her favourite artworks and objects.

Take us back to where your career in interiors began. 

Alexandra Donohoe Church: Born and raised in Sydney, I’ve always been drawn to creative endeavours. I commenced my studies in Landscape Architecture at the University of NSW; however, after one year, I realised when I kept dozing off in science class that interiors were what really excited me, so I switched to study Interior Architecture. I was fortunate enough to begin my career at some of Sydney’s most sought-after design studios, SJB and Bates Smart, to name a few. When the GFC hit, I was made redundant. However, it was just the push I needed to go out on my own. And eleven years later, I haven’t looked back. 

How would you describe your aesthetic?

Alexandra Donohoe Church: We are striving to redefine our design language within the residential interior landscape, a language that acknowledges the importance of residential design and the role it plays in our lives. We are becoming more experimental, expressing our unique way of thinking, and of course, designing. We are detail-driven, layered, yet always refined, and we love experimenting with opposing elements for a sense of polarity. All our projects are instilled with something of a rebellious spirit, and ultimately, it’s about creating interiors that our clients love.  

What do you find most satisfying about design? 

Alexandra Donohoe Church: The psychological impact. I love how design directly impacts the way you feel through colour, materiality and texture. 

How do you ensure a sense of the unexpected in all of your projects? 

Alexandra Donohoe Church: We love the beauty in layering and pairing juxtaposing textures and materials together. We feel there is something intangible but powerful about injecting a little tension and the unexpected into every design. 

You’re known for your bold use of colour and texture. What’s one of your favourite materials to work with and why? 

Alexandra Donohoe Church: I love working with stone – each piece is unique with art like nature. I also enjoy experimenting with metals such as bronze and brass, I love seeing the beauty in how they patina over time

How does your workspace reflect the Decus Interiors design ethos? 

Alexandra Donohoe Church: We’re really passionate about taking a considered approach to the selection of furniture and artwork, and the studio allows us to showcase some of our favourite pieces, often rotating them in and out. As previously mentioned, finding a balance when working with opposing elements is another theme in our design language. You’ll note a decorative bathroom and cheeky quote wall juxtaposed with the more minimal,  clean lines of the work floor in the studio. This sense of contradiction is what we love!  

What do you see for the future of residential design in Sydney? 

Alexandra Donohoe Church: I feel we (Sydneysiders) are becoming more adventurous. We’re really passionate about expression through design. Therefore we strive to attract an open-minded clientele who take risks and allow us to realise their vision, and ours, through the creation of exceptional homes that they love to spend time in. 

What do we have to look forward to from Decus Interiors this year? 

Alexandra Donohoe Church: I’m looking forward to sharing a breathtaking residential project that we have recently shot along the coast of  Western Australia. We are also working on an exciting full scope project where we were engaged to complete the architecture, interiors, and furniture and artwork procurement. As a multi-disciplined studio, this enabled us to design a truly beautiful and holistic vision for our clients. Another project we are working on is an exciting heritage residence in Sydney; it’s architecturally beautiful, but the interior required some much-needed attention. Watch this space!