- Interior
Recently, Laminex and CJH Studio started a lucrative collaboration that originated out of a common passion for custom joinery. The result is a convincing union of pure designs and high-end laminate. With the creative eye of the studio, four rooms were developed that wholeheartedly put the qualities of this material at the front.
At Laminex, you find high-end laminate products that always create an authentic charm in a room. Their range includes the Woodgrain-collection, which consists of finished panels with beautiful woodgrains. With this laminate, you give your home a unique luxury atmosphere. In order to convince the great public of this, Laminex joined forces with CJH Studio. The studio was asked to design four contemporary spaces that each esthetically clarify the potential of Laminex Woodgrain. Imagicasa had the opportunity to ask Cassie James-Herrick, who founded the CJH Studio in 2017, a couple of questions about this interesting co-operation.
What were the initial inspirations for this project?
‘When Laminex approached us, there was an obvious love we shared for custom joinery, considering that this is a large part of what we do at CJH Studio. In this collaboration, we nevertheless didn’t only want to challenge the traditional applications of the material in various ways, but also to show that you can completely customize this product with various techniques and bespoke details. The spaces needed to be functional and practical yet possess a timeless aesthetic.’ 
What is the biggest asset of Laminex Woodgrain?
‘The biggest asset of Laminex laminate was the versatility and flexibility. The fact that you can manipulate the material influenced many elements of the design. Moreover, the Woodgrain-collection is durable and practical; you can incorporate it in your bathroom and kitchen without any issues. Personally, I am mainly attracted to the consistency of the woodgrains and stain colour, because you have a complete control of the final outcome.’
Outstanding quality, disarming charm and purity
In what ways is Laminex the common thread throughout the design?
‘Laminex provided a brief for each space that clearly outlined what they were looking for. First of all, they wanted a kitchen space that focused on a lighter tone Woodgrain with their Chalk finish. The space was to incorporate an additional use, which in this case happened in the form of a bar. I wanted to show that Woodgrain can be mixed successfully in one space. Next, we designed a living space with a light-mid tone Woodgrain. Here, it was crucial to challenge a creative use of storage and to provide multifunctional joinery. This space was designed during a long lockdown in Melbourne, so I was influenced by the need for multifunctionality. For example, the desk area can be completely reintegrated into the design. In the bathroom space we had to use as much laminate as possible and we had a free choice of Woodgrain. Although it is minimal in its design, this intentionality ensured that the strength of the product was amplified across large curved elements. Finally, a robe space was created as well, which focused on the full-length floor to ceiling style joinery to show how you can use the laminate to create versatile storage ways.’ 
Laminex Woodgrain is an ideal material to head in different creative directions. This collaboration with CJH Studio is the perfect evidence that your personal style is easily compatible with this high-end laminate, which, besides, is available in several variations. The studio succeeded in effortlessly highlighting Woodgrain without having to compromise on their own aesthetic philosophy.
Do you want to know more about this collaboration between Laminex and CJH Studio? Read the full article in Imagicasa Summer 2022.
Photography by James Geer