Wild Horses – Longwood by Cantilever Interiors

Inspired by the natural tones of the surrounding Australian bush, Longwood by Cantilever Interiors is a refined renovation of an original stone structure on Broodmare farm in the Strathbogie Ranges. The restrained palette, united with the organic materials of the Cantilever EDIT system, softens the generous interior spaces, blending harmoniously with the original stonework.

Having recently acquired the property, originally a stud farm, the owners set their sights on the building that was previously the stallion viewing area – an impressive structure with high vaulted ceilings, masonry walls and generous spatiality. Little had been done previously to make this space habitable, and thus a complete reconfiguration and redesign was required to turn this outbuilding into a home.

The generous spaces within the new design allowed plentiful opportunities to showcase the quality materials available in the EDIT range.

The clients engaged Merinda Garrett as interior designer, who identified Cantilever’s EDIT system as the key to uniting the rustic materiality of the original structure with the proposed palette and interior architecture. The rejuvenation of the floor plan added thresholds and thoroughfares, imbuing the design with discretion between the spaces and a sense of flow, while still ensuring generous natural light and views to the surrounding landscape. Diagonal panelling adds subtle variation to the soaring vaulted ceilings, and the light palette washes gently against the detail of the polished concrete floors. The union of the soft tones of the new with the coarse richness of the old results in an impactful experience throughout.

The generous spaces within the new layout allow plentiful opportunities to showcase the quality materials available in the EDIT range. Each piece of joinery is finished in American oak veneer, interspersed with solid timber finger-pulls and handles. Honed Australian marble washes cream and grey detail across each of the benchtops, lightly accentuating the warm tones of the timber veneer. Black steel shelves provide an occasional textural relief from the intricate detailing of the marble. Cantilever’s Kitchen Systems offer the ability to integrate specific appliances seamlessly into the design. In the Longwood kitchen, a dedicated niche conceals a coffee maker, backed pleasingly in matching marble. The flexibility of the EDIT system enables use of the joinery throughout the home, from sideboard to television unit, ensuring a sense of continuity across the whole design.

The EDIT kitchen system becomes the anchor point within the new design, the eye-catching materiality complementing the joinery throughout. The agreeable warmth and soft edges evoke a sense of welcome and allure, encouraging one to touch and engage with each surface. The EDIT installation at Longwood was designed to balance cosy, day-to-day use with the ability to easily host numerous guests. Several entertaining spaces are created throughout, including a bar and a stainless-steel outdoor kitchen, as magnets to gather loved ones to share a meal or a cocktail, with Cantilever systems tactfully located throughout to facilitate this, while also creating striking architectural scenes.

Longwood is an homage to what is possible when a striking original structure is united with highly refined local kitchen design. Merinda’s interior concept allows this beautiful stone structure to fulfill its potential, creating a peaceful, welcoming home overlooking the distant Goorum Falls range. Within this, the Cantilever EDIT system brings a refined aesthetic and functionality to the project, accommodating everything from a quiet family meal to a joyous gathering.