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Alexandra Donohoe Church is one of Australia's most sought-after interior designers — founder of Decus Interiors, a Sydney-based studio she has led for over 16 years that has become synonymous with a rare kind of beauty: restrained, layered, and deeply felt. Her work has graced the pages of Architectural Digest, Elle Decoration, Vogue Living, and Belle. But what sets Alexandra apart is not her portfolio — it's how she thinks. She grew up between Sydney and Seattle, came to design via landscape architecture, and built a business starting alone from her apartment in 2009. That she now leads a team of 10–12 on some of Australia's most exquisite residential projects is both a triumph of vision and a testament to something quieter: the courage to do less, not more.

In this episode of Build Beautiful, we go beneath the surfaces Alexandra creates — into the psychology, discipline, and emotional intelligence that make her work unforgettable. This is a conversation about what it means to truly listen. To read a client's life, not just their brief. And to build a studio — and a creative self — that lasts.

In this episode, we explore:

• Growing up between Sydney and Seattle — and how living across cultures shaped her eye for space
• The unexpected path from landscape architecture to interior design — and why she never looked back
• How she reads between the lines of a client brief: decoding desire, not just preference
• What clients think they want vs. what they truly need — and the art of delivering both with integrity
• Creating 'tension in a space' — why conversation between art, furnishings and architecture matters more than matching
• The psychology of restraint: why editing is her most powerful design tool
• Running a studio for 16 years — what she's outgrown, what she's fiercely protected, and what's kept her going
• The emotional weight of creative leadership — and the discipline required to carry it with grace
• Her obsession with detail: the proportions, edges, and grooves most people will never consciously notice
• What 'building beautiful' means to Alexandra — in work, and in life

Why this conversation matters

In a design world saturated with trend cycles and visual noise, Alexandra Donohoe Church offers something rare: a practice built on discernment, psychology, and restraint. Her philosophy — that great design is an extension of the client's inner world — is a reminder that the most enduring spaces are not designed to impress, but to hold. At a time when authenticity is more sought-after than spectacle, this conversation is a masterclass in what truly matters.

About Alexandra

Alexandra Donohoe Church is the founder of Decus Interiors, a Sydney-based interior design studio she established in 2009. Over 16 years, she has built a reputation for creating luxury residential interiors that balance refined beauty with the unexpected — resisting signature style in favour of deeply personalised spaces that feel like extensions of their inhabitants. Her work has been published in Architectural Digest, Elle Decoration, Design Anthology, Vogue Living, and Belle. She leads a team of 10–12 designers on high-end residential projects across Australia and int

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