At home with: Cantilever Interiors
Blending immaculate design with impeccable craftsmanship, Cantilever Interiors has built a reputation for creating spaces that are both extremely liveable and quietly beautiful. With a workshop and studio based in Melbourne’s Brunswick East, their hand-built kitchen systems and made-to-order interiors are known for their detail, stunning use of materials and the signature calm they create in any space.
Founded in 2006, Cantilever was born out of a desire to reimagine the Australian kitchen. Since then, the team has grown to include a diverse mix of designers, makers and project managers who all share a belief in the power of good design to support the rhythm of daily life.
We recently caught up with Kylie Forbes, Cantilever’s Creative Director, to talk through their design philosophy, what’s currently inspiring the team and why natural materials like linen continue to play a key role in the work they do.
Kylie, you are the Creative Director for Cantilever Interiors, a premium design led, product-based studio and joinery workshop – what do you love about your role?
I love the creative diversity! Every project is unique, and I love developing the strength and breadth of our products.
Tell us more about Cantilever Interiors and why it is so unique?
We blend our joinery expertise, with an emergent interior design practice to revitalise our clients’ homes. People are often surprised to learn we make our products here in Brunswick, alongside our Design Studio. This combination maintains a deep creative flow within the company, and a connection to craftsmanship, our origin.
Are you working on any exciting projects at the moment?
Melbourne is rich with architectural diversity, which is what makes our work so stimulating for our team. Our favourite projects involve whole home renovations, where we can design a complete transformation. We are excited to be working with a family investing in a multi-generational townhouse project. Each residence will feel unique, by exploring individual material palettes and selections, whilst retaining a design-core centred in functionality and form.
We know you love linen and use these pieces across your projects - what Carlotta + Gee colour palette are you currently drawn to?
I love the rich tone of the Chocolate base, and Tobacco Stripe. I can imagine this combination working with a myriad of surrounding tones, be they gentle natural tones, or bold and intense colour.
Any trends in the home space that you see evolving this year?
Exploring combinations of texture, and light. What was once a ‘matte – only’ territory is increasingly playful with the addition of texture, reflection, gloss and leathered finishes in combination.
We love the use of our linen tablecloth in the Sky Place project, can you share a brief overview of this project and why the linen was a perfect choice?
Thank you! I admit I’ve a romantic nature, I love fabric. Sky Place was a penthouse apartment refurbishment, with abundant, consistent light, thanks to the floor to ceiling glazing, and its place in the sky! There are so many hard finishes in a home, I enjoy how a tablecloth can soften the feeling of a space, enhancing the shadows and the light of it.
All Imagery By:
Sky Place Project Joinery and Interiors Cantilever Interiors
Photographer: Martina Gemmola
