31 Canonbury Grove, Dulwich Hill: Luxurious art deco revival

Nestled in one of Dulwich Hill’s most coveted enclaves, 31 Canonbury Grove is a meticulously reimagined 1930s Art-Deco masterpiece. Every curve, porthole window, and architectural flourish pays homage to its Streamline Moderne heritage, while delivering a strikingly contemporary standard of design and luxury. The result, a home that feels both historically authentic, dazzlingly fresh and crafted to endure for another century.

https://vimeo.com/1115671776?fl=pl&fe=vl

Video supplied by SyDesign.

In our conversation with Studio Albus, one of the interior design studios involved with the project, the team revealed the inspirations and philosophies that guided their creative process:

With Canonbury, our design intent was to celebrate the home’s 1930s Art Deco heritage through a contemporary lens. By embracing an Art Deco-inspired aesthetic, defined by streamlined details, gentle curves, and natural materials, we set out to create a harmonious space that balances timeless elegance with modern comfort.

The home’s strong existing structure gave us beautiful features to work with, including a striking spiral staircase with a double-height void and a curved wall of glass bricks. From the outset, the idea was to retain and elevate these elements by introducing a contemporary balustrade design and a centred round skylight to transform the staircase into a sculptural focal point.

Originally, the house had been subdivided into two dwellings across the ground and first floors. The architect successfully reconfigured the layout into a spacious five-bedroom family home with generous living zones. As always, our first step was to review and refine the interior layouts, adjusting walls and windows where needed to optimise functionality and flow.

From there, the vision carried through to the interiors. With our client aligned from the start, no detail was overlooked. A warm, neutral palette creates a serene backdrop, while organic textures and glistening plaster stucco add depth and elegance. Opulent lighting and bold expressions of Art Deco geometry further enrich the design.

Joinery is a standout feature of Canonbury. We opted for a refined, classic style with warm-white shaker panels and brushed nickel hardware from Lo & Co Interiors. Bespoke Volakas marble trims and benchtops bring understated luxury throughout. The entertainer’s kitchen, butler’s pantry, and dining zone form the heart of the home, marrying function with form. A statement coloured-glass pendant from Nook Collections defines the dining area, while the master walk-in robe is a dreamy, light-filled retreat with fluted glass inserts, LED lighting, a curved feature island, and a dedicated dressing table.

We love creating focal points, and in Canonbury the powder room is one of them, a jewel-toned space in dusty blues and greens, with luxurious stone detailing, colour-drenched walls, and sculptural fittings. In contrast, the bathrooms are calming sanctuaries, elevated with timber veneer vanities trimmed in marble, fluted glass screens, and custom tilework. Generous storage allowed us to integrate display niches across both levels, offering moments for styling and personal expression.

Our involvement extended to the exterior to ensure cohesion with the interiors. The existing brickwork was retained and celebrated, while subtle contemporary additions, a crisp white render, a custom stained-timber front door, organic stone paving to the alfresco and pool, and sleek feature lighting, refreshed the facade.The finished home embodies a unique harmony of Art Deco character and contemporary design, creating a space that feels timeless, refined, and effortlessly elegant.

Images of schematic concepts supplied by Studio Albus.

Contact Alex Mastoris on 0414 567 878.