A Pragmatic Purity by CJH Studio

Timeless aesthetics and intuitive design extract purity through consideration and the guiding hand of pragmatics.

DESIGN | CJH Studio BUILD | KABSAV PHOTOGRAPHY | Timothy Kaye LOCATION | Melbourne, Australia WORDS | Tiffany Jade

Through a two-phase design intervention, CJH Studio has realised House Fin’s double-storey layout through a gentle fusion of existing and new, resulting in an enduring haven that yields to the evolving needs of a young family. The design team edited down the original collection of rooms to achieve spatial clarity and functionality, while an appreciation for intuitive usability has resulted in larger rooms, a study and a gracious master suite carved from two bedrooms.

The home’s ground floor abides by traditional design cues at the front, with rooms branching off a central hallway before unveiling a contemporary open-plan living space and an economical kitchen. Cornices, architraves, ceiling roses and ornate fireplaces have evolved through a uniformly monochrome palette and the cohesive orchestration of natural light.

The materials, joinery, fixtures and fittings work cohesively to temper ornate design accents throughout, many of which are from Linear Standard, a range of architectural fixtures, fittings and products curated by CJH Studio’s director Cassie James-Herrick. The studio sourced furniture, lighting and artwork from an antipodean collection of global creatives, lending a worldly sophistication through pieces that perfectly conform to the spatial and sensorial qualities of the home. This bespoke approach to reconciling architectural and interior design elements has had far-reaching resonance for the studio, with a current project underway in New York. At House Fin, this bespoke approach to each project is evident in myriad subtle details which carry clever intentions. A shift from grey to creamy white wall paint in the formal lounge, for example, has a delineating line between the two shades intentionally sitting at picture rail height.

In a world dominated by countless decisions and the collective dissonance in overwhelming choice, there is a growing pull towards the longevity that CJH Studio have imbued in House Fin. The result is quiet clean spaces that are bathed in the purity of light and texture.

CJH Studio director Cassie James-Herrick seeks out eclectic pieces for every project. We asked Cassie to share her four favourite design finds collected in her travels, from London to New York City.

By Faye Toogood