Exploring CJH Studio’s Inspired Kitchen Style

Director of CJH Studio Cassie James-Herrick has made waves with her effortless style, creating personalised interiors that are warm, minimal and timeless. Most recently, Cassie and her team's penchant for natural materials and soft forms led them to a beachside penthouse on Queensland's Gold Coast, built in the 1980s. Remaining largely untouched until it was purchased by the owners in 2018, they asked CJH Studio to create a complete juxtaposition to the typical Queensland aesthetic. 

Gracing the cover of est magazine issue #35, we're taking a deep dive into how this penthouse's hub came to be. Cassie takes us through the key design considerations involved in creating this standout kitchen space, from project requirements, bespoke materials and finishes to the inclusion of top-tier appliances; all attune to the owner's desire for a calming beachfront home. 

Produced in partnership with Bosch

Cassie and the CJH Studio team began the project with a number of challenges in the kitchen. "Being an apartment, we were restricted with a large structural column; the plumbing locations including overhead sprinkler systems, so firstly the design had to encompass these and the original plumbing locations," Cassie says. The team embraced the large structural column in the middle of the kitchen, rounding off the front edge and cladding it with splashback tiles to create a sculptural feature in the kitchen. 

The owner made their expectations in the kitchen clear; to optimise the waterfront views with lots of bench space, storage, quality appliances and ease of maintenance. "The old kitchen space was sectioned off and quite small, so we removed the enclosing wall and opened it up to the living space, letting us increase the bench size," Cassie says. "We added the new breakfast bar where you can sit and enjoy your morning coffee overlooking the water."

"Although we can all have varying aesthetic interior design tastes, we all agree that premium appliances provide functionality, reliability, convenience and can elevate a simple dish with ease."

– CJH Studio director Cassie James-Herrick

The CJH team selected materials consistently throughout the home, for their practical, tonal and seamless qualities. "We were lucky to become custodians of an existing travertine tiled floor," Cassie says. "So rather than replace it, we restored it and selected our other finishes around it." Being a beachside location, hard-wearing finishes were chosen to withstand the natural environment.

An integral part of ensuring Cassie's refined yet contemporary aesthetic was selecting superior appliances. It was an easy decision, as the client had previously owned Bosch appliances and were adamant they make their way into their new home. "The client had always found their Bosch appliances well-performing and reliable," Cassie says. The kitchen features a Bosch Series 8 Stainless Steel Oven, alongside a Bosch Series 6 Rangehood and Bosch Series 8 Diswasher, while the Bosch Series 8 Washing Machine was chosen for the European laundry. 

The Bosch Series 8 Stainless Steel Oven soon became a central focal point in the kitchen. "The oven was compact, aesthetically streamlined and minimal, pyrolytic and happily within budget," Cassie says. The oven even reflected the circular, curved motives throughout the home. "The central circular dial was also a simple touch but tied in with the curves in our design elsewhere really well," she says. 

Rest-assured the Bosch Series 8 Oven is not only an aesthetic feat, but offers opportunity for first-class cooking and entertaining. The Black Series 8 Oven is a chic counterpart to the stainless steel model, featuring Bosch advanced technology; TFT touchscreen control, Bosch Assist, sensory technology of PerfectRoast™ and PerfectBake™ and added steam. Even heat distribution and automatic programs guarantee that any culinary delight will be catered for in an extensive menu of food categories. Cleaning is also a breeze with pyrolytic self-cleaning. 

Cassie maintains that like every project, the kitchen is the heart of this penthouse home. "It is where the homeowners can lovingly create meals for themselves, their family and friends," Cassie says. "Although we can all have varying aesthetic interior design tastes, we all agree that premium appliances provide functionality, reliability, convenience and can elevate a simple dish with ease."

Explore superior oven technology in the est product library with the Bosch Series 8 range here.

Est Living Free Digital Design Magazine