Photography: Anson Smart
A finalist in the Belle Fanuli Interior Design Awards 2025: Dancing on the Ceiling by Decus.
Set atop the cliffs of Dover Heights, Dancing on the Ceiling transforms a modest kit-home into a dynamic family retreat, enlivened by sweeping ocean views. The brief called for a space that felt layered, playful and welcoming — a home equally suited to lively gatherings and everyday rituals.
IDAs 2025: Readers’ Choice
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Decus approached the project by overlaying the dwelling’s simple geometry with sculptural forms, expressive materials and curated tactility. A dramatic sprinkled stone floor sets the stage on entry, leading to an elegant elliptical stair — the project’s sculptural centrepiece — that anchors the double-height void.
Beyond, a timber screen filters light while drawing the eye toward the home’s ocean-facing living space, where a rippled-glass dining table and leopard print chairs set a spirited tone for entertaining.
The oak and green marble kitchen wraps around a bas-relief island bench, its sculpted surface both experimental and refined. Hidden service spaces are deftly integrated, while a raspberry and mustard rumpus offers a joyful counterpoint for teens and adults alike.
Upstairs, private quarters balance individuality and cohesion. The primary suite frames sunrise views across the headland, complete with a ruched leather bedhead and Calacatta Viola marble ensuite. The children’s bedrooms embrace personal expression with terracotta and blush tones for the daughter and graphic greens and textures for the son.
The result is a home that dances between structure and spontaneity, sophistication and joy. Playful yet composed, Dancing On The Ceiling captures the spirit of its inhabitants while celebrating the rhythm of family life against Sydney’s dramatic coastal backdrop.
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