Part Nature, Part Nurture

The return of Saturday In Design to Melbourne shared the vibrancy of our industry, and talents of its’ creative community.

A day enjoying life led by design and making, collaboration and conversation about creative process and purpose.

 

EVENT
Saturday InDesign

System
EDIT Kitchen System

Partner
Cosh Living

Location
Richmond, Melbourne

Author
Kylie Forbes

 

Joining Kett Furniture in the Cosh Living Showroom to host as a part of Saturday In Design was somewhat of a milestone for Cantilever. The event is an initiative of InDesign Media group, and has been celebrating the design industry of Australia since 2003. It is a day focussed on the cognitive, spatial and sensory delights of Melbourne’s design industry, for your pleasure.

Design precincts in Collingwood, Richmond, CBD, Fitzroy and Abbotsford are connected by design trails and a free shuttle bus, running regularly throughout the day. For many years, our team has trailed around, hopped on and off the bus, and enjoyed the food, festivities and conversations that rise out of the occasion. To be able to share the talents of our creative community, and replenish the table, was satiating.

 
 

“To be able to share the talents of our creative community, and replenish the table, was satiating.”

Kylie

We were joined by Kym and Richard from Cosh Living’s Upholstery team, who generously shared their skills and made bags for guests from end of line fabric and offcuts from this years’ collection of furniture. Coffees were served from the EDIT kitchen with breakfast from Small Axe, a local Brunswick café, and accompanied by a selection of books shared from the Thames and Hudson collection, forming the EDIT Library.  We were joined by Lauren Li, who shared a signing session to celebrate the launch of her new book “The New French Look”.  To thank our visitors, we offered a limited edition photographic print from the EDIT Landscape series, created by Cantilever Creative Director, Kylie Forbes. A morning spent in creative conversation, and accompanied by delicious Chocolate and Halva cookies, baked in our EDIT Kitchen by Ashley of Gather and Feast.  No one could resist!

Dom Gattermayr of Florian Café in Carlton North shared the technique for creating her signature focaccia, topped with tomato and mozzarella, served warm from the VZUG oven in the EDIT kitchen. Followed by a locally sourced and carefully layered grazing table, the construction was a feast for eyes and stomach. The theatre of food when cared for, evolves to satisfy all of the senses.

 

The smell of freshly baked foccacia floating through the showroom was heavenly, and in many ways a vision realised. The design of EDIT Kitchen at the heart of the showroom was valued for it’s ability to bring comfort and ease to the innate elegance of the surrounding furniture and lighting displays created through the collections of Kett Furniture and Rakumba. A perfect setting to enjoy a perfectly poured gin by Melbourne Gin Company.

 
 

As part of Saturday InDesign, Cantilever and Kett Furniture hosted a conversation about design collaboration, and how to navigate toward a successful outcome. We shared the story built from designing our EDIT Kitchen together, and reflected on the broader picture, perhaps what was not visible, whilst in the journey.

The key elements identified centred on the necessary foundation of mutual benefit, the identification of the living purpose of the outcome, and a giving of trust to all involved.

In this instance, the living purpose of EDIT Kitchen in the Cosh Living showroom, was that of a meeting place. A place for people to gather, reflect and enjoy food and conversation. This concept drove the feeling, function and form of the Kitchen. It also informed the creative path undertook that centred the design detail, material palette, and feel of the Kitchen.

Functionally, EDIT exists as two core blocks, one being the Island/Adjunct table, that create their own architecture within the open plan. Both blocks function ‘within the round’ and are held off the ceiling. Each block contains functional niche elements that provide distinct gathering points, that can function cohesively. Featuring VZug appliances, EDIT caters a fine soiree.

 
 

Creatively, the concept of meeting place informed the repetition of curves, and lines at the junctions of the materials, which was drawn from the idea of the edge of water upon land. Extending this concept, a collection of photographs informed the colour palette collection.

Like a renovation, or refurbishment project, there is a blind spot at the centre of the product design process, which needs to be navigated. It is the part of the process in between the inspiration, the brief, and the designed outcome. It is the creative part, which doesn’t have answers to all the questions, until it does. This is where the trust comes in.

Collaboration is at the heart of every project Cantilever undertakes, with client, builder, and our inhouse team. Understanding the importance of mutual benefit of all parties allows fair, transparent, responsible and hopefully, enjoyable exchange.

 
 

“…product design is an exciting and deeply rewarding journey for our company. The greater joy, lives after.”

Kylie

 

Likewise understanding the living purpose of every project allows the design process to fulfil an arc that meets both exploration, and realisation. Without clarity of purpose, a project cannot confidently form a budget, a timeline, or a design.

Translating this experience to product design is an exciting and deeply rewarding journey for our company. The greater joy, lives after. Connecting this product to people and their homes, and releasing the product into the myriad configurations and examples that it comes to be, is the realisation of possibility.

Somewhat like siblings. Each unique and nuanced. Part nature, part nurture.

 
 

To start your own project, drop us a line.

 
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