It’s hard to believe that this meticulously detailed renovation of an existing beach house in Cape Schanck on Victoria’s Mornington peninsula isn’t a brand new build. The project is, in fact, an extensive renovation of a previously run-down two-level home, drafted by Rod Hannah Design Group and built by Anderson Homes, with interiors by Cantilever Interiors – the Melbourne firm well known for their handcrafted kitchen and joinery designs.

‘The original home was split across two levels’ explains Kylie Forbes, Creative Director at Cantilever. ‘The client’s desire to update the tired original home was stimulated by the growing third generation of the family, and the possibility of accommodating everyone under the same roof, without compromise.’

The owners had originally intended to knock down the house and rebuild, however after living here for some time and experiencing its orientation, views and abundance of natural light, they decided to renovate instead!

‘The homes original orientation was carefully planned on the undulating site, in recognition of the sun’s arc passing over the home’ Kylie explains. ‘The positioning of outlooks, verandahs and room orientation maximised the sweeping views. In recognition of this, it was clear to the home owner that these were the enduring qualities of the home that he never wanted to lose.’

The considerable renovation that followed has resulted in a larger and more functional home, that retains this vital connection to the landscape. The lower level of the home was expanded, and is now big enough to host multiple guests and family, whilst the upper level, with its views across the peninsula, has been designed primarily as an entertaining zone – with the kitchen as its centrepiece. Beyond these two levels, a rooftop deck was also introduced to extend the entertaining space, and make the most of those epic views.

When it came to refining the interiors, materials palette and joinery, Kylie and the Cantilever team were drawn to the spectacular landscape surrounding the home. ‘The property is poised above the escarpment of Gunnamatta Beach… settled into the surrounds by native teatree scrub, against the dynamic light of the everchanging sky’ Kylie explains. Cantilever’s response was subtle and understated, lending a sense of respite from the immensity of this landscape. Theirs is a gentle, pared back design that aims to provide a sanctuary, from which the beauty of the location can be ‘restfully absorbed’.

At the heart of the home is the Cantilever K2 joinery system – a contemporary, functional kitchen that, in this iteration, brings together Pepperino Grigio stone and timber veneer. The honed stone bench top references the Peninsula’s rock formations, whilst the surrounding palette of cool greys extends into the living and sleeping spaces, where the bedroom cabinetry is accentuated with a fluted detail.

Throughout the home, a consistently cool, muted palette references the surrounding coastal context – punctuated here and there by feature lighting and black steel details. ‘The combination of muted tones, and natural textures successfully hero and compliment the views, without competing’ Kylie concludes. ‘We worked with subtle tonal shifts to create a calm, responsive environment that allows the expansive landscape views to take centre stage at every opportunity’. The result is a refined,  family home that is calm, comforting and clearly anchored by its context.

Learn more about the versatile K2 Kitchen from Cantilever Interiors here.