Kitchen Closeup | A Kitchen Inspired by the Australian Landscape

Established in 2006, Cantilever has made a name for itself as a user-centric, design-focused kitchen manufacturer with a busy workshop based in Melbourne’s creative epicentre of Brunswick East. Led by their principals of designing for longevity, quality and sustainability, the team pride themselves on crafting high-quality kitchen systems which are individually designed by hand and made to order for projects across Australia.

est joined Cantilever creative director Kylie Forbes for a coffee and an exclusive tour of the latest system to their designer collection; EDIT. We took the opportunity to ask Kylie about the grounding inspiration behind their fifth kitchen model, their collaborative relationship with Kett Studio and the decision to unveil EDIT within the recently opened Cosh Living showroom in the heart of Melbourne’s Richmond design district.

Produced in partnership with Cantilever

Cantilever’s small, expert team is led by founding director Travis Dean and wife Kylie Forbes who are passionate about creating enduring spaces that connect families with their surroundings, while simultaneously aiming to reduce their footprint through design and material sensitivity.

While each of Cantilever’s kitchen systems offer a range of aesthetic, material and budget preferences, they all exhibit a timeless sense of form and function. In an evolution of thoughtful craftsmanship, from the K1 system through to the Tableau, EDIT is the much-anticipated fifth addition to the Cantilever collection.

‘A kitchen to keep company and life, for memories’ the new EDIT kitchen system is just that; a meeting place for entertaining, enjoying a simple meal surrounded by family and friends or the perfect spot for celebrating special occasions. “EDIT is a design inspired by place, materiality and craftmanship which are harnessed through the customisable palettes and showcase our selected materials in a finely balanced way,” Kylie says.

A photographic series by Kylie herself became the inspiration. Natural landscapes where land and water meet influenced the creative concept of a ‘meeting place’ and helped to galvanise the sixteen distinct palette groups; cave, cliff, lightland, reed, rock, limb, sand, and scrub – each of which offers a dark and light option. Influenced by the unique character of our very own Australian countryside, Kylie says the design process can be characterised by the ebb and flow of a tide, an exploration of possibility and reduction which is repeated to create refinement. “This is where the name EDIT was conceived,” she says.

Combining a careful selection of both native and international materials has ensured Cantilever can continue to reduce their environmental impact. Strengthening relationships with local quarries, using low VOC finishes, and choosing FSC Timbers are all part of their sustainability plan.

Natural stones, curved steel and ceramic benchtops inform the harmonious design language, combined with a series of stained veneer cabinets and American Oak detailing – including innovative, solid timber finger pulls. “EDIT is our exploration of a new visual and sensory territory,” Kylie says, by refining Cantilever’s classic product inclusions, a collection of personalised niche modules allows for further customisation whereby a coffee niche or concealed bar accentuates the thoughtful design and bespoke detail resolution Cantilever are so well-loved for.

Designed in collaboration with Kett, in a unique partnership with Cosh Living, EDIT offers a highly refined kitchen that beautifully captures the craftsmanship of the local industry. Travis and Kylie’s decision to engage well-known Australian designer Justin Hutchinson of Kett was a natural pairing. Foundational to Cosh Living’s success in developing a collection that speaks to the contemporary Australian lifestyle, the team at Cantilever were equally keen to harness Justin’s enthusiasm for sustainably made, contemporary designs. Key additions by Kett include the ‘floating’ table over the benchtop and softened steel framing detail. Key additions by Kett include the ‘floating’ table over the benchtop and softened curves. “Kett brought with them a spatial, technical focus to the EDIT system,” Kylie maintains. “The floating table, for example, is a reference to Kett’s own Otway Table – the soft edges are echoed throughout.”

A man of many talents, Justin was also engaged by Cosh Living to design their new loft-like showroom space in Richmond; the heart of Melbourne’s design precinct. Mimicking the hub of the home, Cantilever unveiled a working EDIT kitchen system within the new showroom which offers an immersive and relaxed space to make guests a coffee or host an event.”We loved Cosh Living’s concept to align like-minded brands in one space,” Kylie says. “We share a design language with Cosh Living that sits seamlessly alongside their contemporary range,” she adds.

In a celebration of local craftsmanship and with a focus on functionality, the newly release EDIT kitchen is built for longevity. As Kylie puts it; “Good design is about living well and what better place to start than the heart of the home — the humble kitchen.”