Yacht Interiors (3 jpegs, 120k)They've always been popular in exotic ports such as Monaco, Palm Beach, and St. John. We in the Northwest are fortunate to have the San Juan Islands and the Canadian Gulf Islands at our door step. With calm, protected waters, it is the ideal region for yachting.
It is not just the west coast that has discovered this. A growing number from the east coast are choosing to spend summer here in the Northwest and winters in the Caribbean. It is becoming more common to see yachts from San Diego, Fort Lauderdale, and New England in the San Juans.
In designing interiors for these mega yachts the goal is to mold the character of the job with the clients needs, desires and tastes, while meeting the inherent requirements of being on the water. A yacht should have the grandeur and luxury of a fine home, with the added joy of watching ever changing scenery from your main salon (living room).
One of the challenges of designing the interiors of a yacht is the choice of materials. Essentially everything is in a state of decay with light, moisture and salt being the culprits.
Fixtures are preferably 24 karat gold plate. A heavy lacquer coating is applied to metal whenever possible. Plastic is also used to avoid rust.
Due to moisture, synthetic carpet pads are used as well as antimicrobial carpet. Non skid floor surfaces are also essential.
The challenge lies in not only having the details with an opulent residential feel, but being functional and practical as well.
In 1993 I remodeled the interior of the Crystal Spirit, a sleek contemporary 103 "Italian look" hull design originally launched from the McQueen shipyard in Vancouver, B. C. The clients' tastes were contemporary. They wanted the interiors to say "wow."
The remodeled yacht features a dramatic salon, bar, and dining area with blue pearl and black granites combined on countertops and architectural features. A custom fireplace, inlaid carpet, hand painted fabrics and upholstered walls set a tone of luxury. A handsome eggplant colored leather was used on a sectional to complement the hand painted fabrics.
A dramatic illuminated star fire glass table was used in the dining area, as well as a contemporary spiral lucite chandelier. A round illuminated cocktail table consisting of three lucite spheres resting upon a granite base with glass top, as well as crystal objets d'art, allows the Crystal Spirit to be true to its name.
The Crystal Spirit has three private staterooms with baths. The master suite was done in soft shades of apricot, violet, cream and celedon. Hand crafted wallpaper, walks of mirror, fine Italian marble, and a Jacuzzi continue the statement of refined luxury.
Both of the guest staterooms feature Italian marble, and soft finished woods. Colors were kept light, fabric patterns simple and easy on the eye. Guest staterooms are accessorized in a whimsical manner to make them fun and inviting.
An extremely large pilothouse with state of the art electronics is featured. Crew quarters for five with bath, as well as a laundry room and lazaret with workshop are featured on the lower level.
Outdoor spaces were designed for comfort and relaxation. Guests can enjoy the fresh or salt water aquarium/bait tank while using the Jacuzzi. Teak was used throughout the deck of the cockpit. Blue pearl granite was used around the Jacuzzi, continuing the theme from the main salon.
Installation of materials is always a challenge on a boat. When installing granite slabs on a boat a level could not be used. Because you are floating, "level" is a relative term. Essentially everything must be leveled by "eye." Even more of a challenge; floors, walls, and ceilings curve. This requires a constant hands-on approach to the project.
Lamps must be bolted into place and chandeliers must be designed so they will not shatter themselves at sea. A silicone adhesive is used to secure sculptures, rubber feet provide surface tension for heavy and low objects. Whether you are installing marble, draperies, or lighting fixtures, a consultant dialogue with suppliers and installers is critical.
Lighting is another critical element of yacht design. It has to meet both functional and aesthetic needs. There has to be enough light to read by and at the same time to highlight art and decor. Shore power is always limited and you cannot use your generators past 10:00 p. m. or before 8:00 a. m. at most docks, so low voltage lighting was used extensively throughout the craft.
The low voltage lighting is powered by a bank of batteries that also power (through the use of an inverter) the essentials i. e. electronics, refrigerator, freezer, stereo and televisions. Placed under counter, on soffits and under bed platforms, low voltage lighting also provides ambience.
Too often overlooked, it is the window treatments, artwork and accessories that complete a home or yacht and give it that completed polished look. Each element must relate to each other in a cohesive manner.
Yacht Interiors (3 jpegs, 120k)
Scale is another important consideration. For example, our firm recently completed a remodel of a 140 foot yacht. The main salon was quite large, there were eight small table lamps and many small accessories giving it a busy, cluttered look. They were replaced with two very large lamps and large scale objets d'art resulting in an open opulent feel. Furniture, lamps and artwork should be in proportion to the size of the rooms whether on land or sea.
The Northwest has become a major player in the yacht building industry. Approximately a third of the super yachts manufactured today come from Pacific Northwest shipyards. It is the highly skilled artisans, craftsmen, and designers whose talent and craftsmanship attract buyers from around the world.
Gary Potter is co-owner of Potter-Stewart Furniture Gallery. He operates a design studio, furniture showroom and custom marble shop.
Return to Design 95 top page