The dilemma: you have your very own superyacht; but how to decorate it? It’s no longer enough to throw some mahogany decking and monogrammed towels at the interiors. Here’s what you need to know
Words: Charlotte Pasha
Watersports
Those who treat the water like their own personal playground will enjoy Savannah by Edmiston – she has an extensive water toy collection and an underwater observation lounge. (edmiston.com)
Or you could check out Princess Yachts (64 Grosvenor Street) flagships Princess X95 and Princess Y95. Both are available with a garage which can hold a wet bike up to 3.05m with electro-hydraulic door, plus optional additional storage for two SEABOB water toys. The electro-hydraulic transformer bathing platform goes up and down and extends out by approximately 20ft into the sea – it can serve as a diving platform whilst in the up position, or go down and give you easy access to the water when it submerges.
Doggy design
The owner of Heesen’s Ultra G wanted to bring its beagle on board while they travel – which meant the dog would need to relieve itself on board. “We decided somewhere out of the way of the guests would be ideal. We built the ‘relief area' on the upper starboard side of the yacht which is generally a ‘dead end area’ and not often frequented by guests. The whole side of the ship is covered in grass with a flushing system that sprays and cleans the grass automatically,” says Heesen’s COO Mark Cavendish. heesenyachts.com
The big buzzword: sustainable
Aeolus is a new 430ft superyacht, designed by Njord by Bergman Design House (bergmandesignhouse.com) in collaboration with Oceanco NXT, made from fully sustainable materials. Njord co-founder Sarah Colbon says, “we selected and developed these luxurious and hard-wearing products using biomaterials that offer cruelty-free production, are typically biodegradable and store CO2 during their useful lifetime – thereby lowering the embodied carbon footprint of the interiors.” She even features Desserto, a premium vegan leather alternative made from climate-positive cactus plants.
Art Deco is a thing…
Harp back to a glossier age with the launch of the 90m Phoenix II, recently launched for sale for 124,950,000 by Burgess Yachts. Décor rivals the finest Gilded Age homes, with a crystal chandelier, gilt-and-black lacquer Steinway & Sons piano, spiral staircase, winter garden, Radio City-inspired cinema with popcorn maker, marble his and hers bathrooms. burgessyachts.com
Bye bye bling, hello nature
“In terms of design, we have noticed that clients are opting for more simple interiors instead of something ‘flashy’ and ‘out there’. The preference is now a ‘clean aesthetic.’ We are presenting Project Grace (with Harrison Eidsgaard studio) at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. The layout will emphasise the connection of the outdoors to the interior, providing plenty of natural light and fresh air from sliding windows in the main saloon on the main deck,” says Cavendish.
Elsewhere, Sunseeker’s 90 Ocean (34-36 Davies Street) “has elements inspired by nature with curved lines, soft shapes and natural materials. The owner’s stateroom has a sweeping curved bulkhead adjacent to the upholstered headboard, with soft curves in the bespoke vanity desk and bedside tables. The use of natural veneers such as eucalyptus adds a depth to the interior with the light reflecting wave to its grain enhancing the furniture. The full height glazing increases the natural light and allows a greater connection between the interior and exterior spaces,” says Sunseeker’s senior interior designer Natalie Carroll.
The natural vibe even extends to the on-board kitchen. Turn your attention to Poggenpohl, whose Sound of the Sea kitchen units call to mind an abstract silhouette of a coastline.
We like the fluted glass in delicate green with an interior painted in a soft, light blue-grey colour. Think relaxed country house vibes – at sea.
As for where you sit on deck? Minotti’s outdoor range has you covered.
“Our outdoor range is very popular for use on yachts due to its high quality – it’s ideal for the harsh effects of a sea environment,” says Anke Summerhill from Minotti London.
Seriously comfortable slumber
Savoir (6a Bourdon Street) creates bespoke beds for some of the finest superyachts in the world. Because they’re handcrafted, mattresses can be made to fit existing bed frames and berths of different shapes and sizes, including rounded corners, cutouts, and curves. On special request, a member of the Savoir team will visit the yacht to create a custom template for the bed.
Mattresses, toppers and bases use the finest natural materials – horse tail, wool, and cotton, which are breathable and help support temperature regulation. Stretch cotton casing on beds can be finished with anti-bug protection and the brand offers a selection of weather-resistant fabrics for upholstery, alongside special galvanised springs for our bases, ensuring there is no corrosion risk should humidity levels vary on board.
As for the next big trend…
“Look out for an increase in structural and curved glass and winter gardens” says Cavendish.
It’s a rarefied world indeed.
