Making waves: A sleek sailing yacht sets a course for nautical style

The 55-meter superyacht, *Ocean Paradise*, developed by Benetti's in-house interior designer Mauro Izzo, showcases a distinctive blend of modern, Asian-influenced décor, reflecting the owner's personal aesthetic while also being suitable for charter. The owner's initial brief emphasized a desire for a cool, contemporary, fresh, and original design that would resist dating easily, prioritizing brightness and airiness to create spaces that "breathe." This challenge was met through specific design choices aimed at maximizing a sense of openness and light within the confines of a yacht. To achieve the desired airiness, Izzo incorporated light woods, innovative lighting solutions, and extensive use of glass for interior walls. A notable feature is a skylight that connects the main deck to the upper deck, integrated into the outdoor dining table, which is crafted from transparent material. The main saloon features full-height windows and lowered bulwarks, ensuring remarkable sea views even when seated. Glass walls also divide the living area in the main saloon from the stairwell, fulfilling fire zone regulations while maintaining an open feel. The foyer on the main deck houses a Zen garden, symbolizing naturalness and vitality. The tactile quality of the materials is a key element of the interior. The main hall's floor is made of large timber pieces, treated to create a worn, textured effect, embodying a "Zen principle of transience." This tactile experience extends to other elements, such as pony hide surfaces and carbon fiber furniture, which, despite their contrast, align with the owner’s vision for modernity without resorting to minimalism. The owner was deeply involved in material selection, including the types and colors of skins and stitching effects. The master suite exemplifies visual harmony with a fixed balcony that can be enjoyed while the yacht is underway. A clear glass bulkhead separates the cabin from the bathroom, creating a perception of expanded space. The bed is crafted from white leather, complemented by black leather bedside tables. All furniture in the cabins appears to float, thanks to hidden supports and diffused LED strip perimeter lighting, enhancing the spacious feel above the thick carpeting. Joinery throughout the accommodations uses oak in natural and colored finishes, with some areas featuring a special blackened process that preserves the wood grain. Leather, including alligator and stained pony hide, is extensively used, from headboards to cabin ceilings, featuring double stitching reminiscent of Lamborghini's automotive design. Another nod to automotive styling is a "love seat" on the bridge, modeled after an early Ferrari bench seat. Customization is evident in features like the upper saloon's vintage video game console from the 1980s, complete with retro joysticks and knob controls, reflecting the Singaporean owner's collection. An onyx bar forward of the gaming table glows with hidden illumination. The VIP cabin on the upper deck boasts two large artificial skylights with RGB LEDs for customizable mood lighting, alongside windows offering excellent sea views from the bed. On the lower deck, two of the four guest cabins have pullman beds with a custom mechanism that allows them to appear to float when in use and retract invisibly when not. Captain Gui Garcia praised the yacht's performance, noting its speed of 15-16 knots, with a maximum of 17 knots, and better-than-expected fuel consumption, attributing this to Benetti's hull design and ship balance. He also highlighted the yacht's stable behavior in rough seas and ease of maneuvering in restricted waters, facilitated by Benetti's BEST monitoring and control system. This system integrates with iPads and allows for attractive and functional helm areas, such as the one on *Ocean Paradise* where the console is positioned away from the forward bulkhead for easy access to components and protection from heat, further aided by vertical bridge windows and ample overhangs. The yacht's exterior features include a capacious outdoor area aft of the saloon, sheltered by the sun deck's overhang. The sun deck serves as a terraced area overlooking the sea, complete with a spa pool surrounded by a large sunpad and a carbon fiber wet bar. A seating area under the communications arch includes coffee tables, and glass panels can be deployed as wind barriers. Beyond these panels, a gym and a large relaxation area with chairs and tables are available. The beach club is accessible from both the bathing platform and stairs from the main aft deck, with a transom section that opens to create a larger deck and a shaded lounging area at sea level. The side-opening garage houses a large tender launched by an overhead crane, while the rescue boat and personal watercraft are stored on the bow. The crew accommodations are generously sized, with laundry and cold storage on the machinery deck below, and well-planned circulation paths and double stairways typical of larger yachts. *Ocean Paradise* is slated for year-round cruising in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, with plans for other destinations. #SuperyachtDesign #BenettiYacht #ZenInspired #LuxuryInteriors #YachtCharter #CustomDesign #MarineArchitecture #ModernYacht #OceanParadise

The article delves into the design and features of the 88.5-meter superyacht *Nirvana*, built by Oceanco and designed by Sam Sorgiovanni. Delivered in 2012 under the code name Y707, *Nirvana* was, at the time, Oceanco's largest yacht in its Y-coded series, even though the shipyard has since constructed larger vessels. The yacht is managed by Y.CO and is available for charter. Sorgiovanni styled *Nirvana*'s interior and exterior to facilitate an active lifestyle, featuring a distinctive slightly flared bow and a swooping curve that begins aft of amidships. A signature element of Sorgiovanni's design is the brightwork on the transom and a mahogany-look strip outlining the cap rail, visually extending the yacht's length. This design choice provides a nostalgic contrast to the contemporary yet whimsical interior, which draws inspiration from a tropical island rainforest rather than a sandy beach house theme, as seen in Sorgiovanni's earlier design, *Anastasia*. The interior of *Nirvana* avoids a kitsch aesthetic, offering a refined, sophisticated contemporary feel with Balinese and Indonesian design accents. Nearly 200 materials were utilized, including 10 different wood veneers such as eucalyptus, teak, oak, and palm wood. The bamboo flooring is designed to mimic sand ripples, providing a smooth tactile experience. Materials like black mother-of-pearl, white onyx, and limestone are integrated with other natural elements and fabrics. The color palette predominantly features earth tones, punctuated by splashes of green in various shades, appearing in upholstery, leafy-design carpets, silk throw pillows, and *objets d’art*. *Nirvana* features six decks, interconnected by a main stairwell and a unique six-person glass lift encased in a woven stainless-steel art piece, resembling a bubbling whirlpool. The main saloon, accessible from the aft main deck, incorporates textural art, including back-lit bamboo wall panels, a layered wire Balinese sculpture, a Brazilian fossil, and a metal sculpture inspired by cumulus clouds. The main deck also houses the dining area and a sitting room that can convert into a massage room. Instead of a large aquarium, these spaces are divided by two vivariums containing various exotic creatures like water dragons, bearded lizards, turtles, a chameleon, and exotic frogs. Guest accommodations on the main deck include a full-beam VIP suite and four double cabins, all with en-suite facilities featuring rain showers and bathtubs. Each cabin is equipped with a Crestron panel for controlling amenities such as lighting, blinds, internet access, yacht itinerary via GPS, and film selection. The main aft deck boasts a large oval-shaped 7.5-meter pool, which was the largest and first fiberglass pool on an Oceanco yacht at the time of its construction. This depth-adjustable pool can be filled with either fresh or seawater. The owner’s exclusive deck features a 150-square-meter master suite with an asymmetrical layout for enhanced privacy and circulation. A skylight illuminates the bedroom, while his-and-hers facilities are adorned with white Iranian onyx, a large shower, bathtub, and dressing rooms with black onyx and zebrano wood. The suite includes a private sitting room and an office, complemented by a vast exterior terrace forward with a whirlpool and sunbathing options. The guest suites feature ceilings made of woven Indonesian rattan with lacquered nickel borders, sandblasted oak veneer walls and furniture, and barramundi leather-covered bedside tables. A saloon-cum-cinema and games area with full-height windows and folding balconies offer stunning sea views. The exterior aft deck serves as the primary alfresco dining area, with an expandable table for 18 guests and a built-in buffet bar. This space is made multi-seasonal by windscreens and doors. Higher up, an 85-square-meter gym with an inset treadmill and free weights is located aft of the bridge. An adjacent traditional sauna features a stone-motif resin floor and a shower clad in Chinese black mother-of-pearl. The sundeck aft functions as a touch-and-go helicopter pad, complete with 14 inset lights and foldable wings for safety. A whirlpool surrounded by sunbathing cushions offers breathtaking 360-degree views. *Nirvana* is also equipped for water sports, featuring an enlarged sea terrace door leading to a tender garage with four hydraulic cranes managing two 11-meter Vikal tenders, an 8.5-meter ski boat, six Jet Skis, and four WaveRunners. A water-sports room provides diving equipment and a drying cabinet for wetsuits, with direct sea access via a lower lobby that opens into a beach club platform for Jet Ski docking. For entertainment, a lower deck cinema shows 3D films, featuring suede-upholstered tiered sofas, a bar, and a popcorn machine, with a library of 3,600 films available via a Kaleidescape system. Designed for both owner and charter guests, *Nirvana* combines luxury with an active lifestyle. The yacht is capable of ocean crossings, powered by twin 4000 series MTU main engines, reaching a maximum speed of 20 knots and a cruising range of over 5,000 nautical miles at 14 knots. #Superyacht #Oceanco #SamSorgiovanni #YachtDesign #LuxuryCharter #InteriorDesign #YachtFeatures #NirvanaYacht #NavalArchitecture

The 66.25-meter Feadship superyacht, named _Vanish_, delivered in 2016, features an innovative design focusing on outdoor living and a strong connection to the water. The yacht's owners, who had extensive cruising experience on a 50-meter Westport, specifically requested enhanced outdoor access and spaces that would avoid making guests feel overwhelmed by the hull's size when arriving by tender or swimming. This design philosophy led to a unique configuration that allows for extended periods aboard, as demonstrated by the owners’ immediate use of the yacht for an entire season and multiple Atlantic crossings shortly after delivery. Harrison Eidsgaard, responsible for both the interior and exterior profile, collaborated with De Voogt Naval Architects for the hull lines and engineering. A key design element is the generous transition space from the main deck to the bathing platform, featuring two sets of curved steps flanking a main deck seating area, leading to an interim landing with sunpads, and then down to the bathing platform. This landing also provides access to a beach club with a sauna, hairdressing salon, and massage area, which can be reached before entering the tender garage. A notable feature is the 33-square-meter port-side terrace, created by a 12-meter-long and 2.75-meter-high shell door, almost mirrored by a tender door on the starboard side. These hull doors are secured with substantial stainless steel locking pins and pneumatic seals, with the starboard door being particularly complex due to its role in sealing two watertight compartments. The interior design, led by Ewa Tasior-Eidsgaard, emphasizes comfort and a “New England cottage look” with a blend of classical and contemporary elements. Loose, simple furniture with wood frames and canvas seats, alongside tongue-and-groove paneling, contribute to a relaxed atmosphere. Despite its 1,400 GT volume, the yacht avoids appearing excessively tall due to design choices such as a sundeck roof that angles down, sharp hull creases, and a red boot stripe that extends horizontal lines. The unique mast also incorporates dark blue and white sections to draw the eye downwards, minimizing the perception of height. Oversized varnished cap rails, measuring over 25cm in diameter, further enhance the horizontal perspective. Inside, the yacht maximizes space, notably with a formal dining room and a three-story atrium lobby on the main deck. The dining room, which seats 14, is oriented sideways to eliminate a typical hallway effect, creating a “chocolate box” feel with dark Foglizzo leather panels and a unique chandelier made of alabaster “candles” with varying LED light heights. The atrium rises over 8.5 meters, featuring a marble staircase with backlit Crema Marfil marble treads and insets of silver fish, a design solution that required specific engineering to isolate sound and vibration from the engine room below. The owner’s stateroom, located on the bridge deck, includes a separate sitting room with a sliding wall for privacy and a secret door offering direct access to the bridge. A private, self-service balcony on the port side of the master suite extends automatically with a single button, featuring attached safety railings and a teak floor that rises flush with the cabin floor when fully extended. The yacht offers six main deck cabins, or five if two are configured as a full-beam VIP. Joinery throughout uses dark brown stained walnut and light grey-tinted oak, with polished stainless steel inlays in formal areas. The sundeck includes an enclosed gym, a recessed bar, and a forward-facing lounge area, all protected by the hardtop. Six exterior seating and lounging areas offer views for water sports and scenery, supporting longer cruising durations of 30-45 days, compared to the owners' previous yacht's 7-14 days. A second helipad aft of the sundeck dining area was added for longer passages, complementing the foredeck landing area used for daily operations. #Feadship #SuperyachtDesign #YachtInterior #OutdoorLiving #NavalArchitecture #LuxuryYacht #CustomBuild #HarrisonEidsgaard #DeVoogt

Piero Lissoni, art director for Sanlorenzo Yachts and designer of the interiors for the 56-meter superyacht *Virtuosity*, challenges traditional nautical design by advocating for yachts to be conceived as villas rather than conventional maritime vessels. He criticizes the common practice among shipyard architects of incorporating overly ostentatious materials, such as excessive marbles, hides, and exotic woods, which he believes often lead to vulgarity. Instead, Lissoni emphasizes a design philosophy that prioritizes functionality, comfort, and beauty, akin to the aesthetics found in well-designed homes. His approach suggests that luxury should not equate to splashy materials but rather to sophisticated design and practical elegance. Sanlorenzo actively embraces this cross-pollination of ideas by collaborating with architects and designers from outside the nautical industry, including notable names like Dordoni Architetti and Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. Ferruccio Rossi, former general manager and president of superyachts at Sanlorenzo, highlights that these collaborations introduce fresh perspectives and stylistic elements, transforming the conventional interpretation of interior yacht spaces. He notes that while initially challenging to integrate these diverse design philosophies with the complexities of yacht architecture and its relationship with the dynamic marine environment, the shared goal eventually fosters innovation and unique solutions. Lissoni asserts that these 'outsider' perspectives have fundamentally altered design norms in the yachting world, moving away from outdated traditions towards a more modern and airy aesthetic. *Virtuosity* is the second vessel in Sanlorenzo's 57Steel series, with an exterior designed by Zuccon International Project. Bernardo Zuccon describes the 57Steel as a harmonious balance between its internal content and external structure, featuring a rational and simple exterior that discreetly houses its substantial 1,021GT volume. The yacht's design includes slightly forward-raked windscreens and an almost straight bow, giving it an explorer-like appearance, while a long foredeck maintains a light and elegant profile. This exterior design philosophy complements Lissoni’s vision, blurring the lines between a yacht and a land-based villa, especially regarding the seamless integration of interior and exterior spaces, allowing occupants to experience a constantly changing panorama. Key features of *Virtuosity* exemplify this innovative design. The aft deck offers a luxurious outdoor space with a three-by-two-meter heated glass-bottomed pool, complete with massage jets and large sunpads. Symmetrical staircases lead to a expansive 110-square-meter beach club, which can be extended by folding down the transom and two side platforms. This area is enhanced by the interplay of light and shadow from the pool above, creating a serene ambiance. The beach club is equipped with a bar, water toys, and custom furniture, including a Bubble Rock sofa by Living Divani and a large Samsung flat-screen TV concealed behind a magic mirror. A Carrara marble-clad steam room and Technogym fitness equipment further enhance the wellness offerings. Lissoni's sculptural staircase, which connects the main and upper decks, is a standout feature, earning a Judge’s Commendation at the BOAT Design & Innovation Awards. This staircase, constructed from steel with composite and carbon fiber, is more than a functional element; Lissoni envisions it as a 'twilight zone' or an intermediate space. Although the owners requested a banister for safety during rough conditions, the staircase maintains its artistic integrity. The main saloon’s interior reflects Lissoni's preference for high-quality, commercially available furniture from renowned Italian brands like Cassina, Minotti, and B&B Italia, featuring bleached wood walls and ceilings, and Kerakoll cement resin floors. These choices prioritize durability and sophisticated design over custom, potentially less robust, artisan creations. The yacht's layout is designed for both private and charter use, allowing for flexible segmentation of public and private areas. The main deck features an owner’s cabin with a California king-sized bed, Dedar upholstery, and an en suite bathroom with polarized glass sliding doors. Additional cabins on the lower deck are similarly furnished. A significant alteration in *Virtuosity* compared to its sister ship, *Alma*, is the relocation of a second owner’s cabin to the upper deck, which includes a private deck with a spa pool and an office with a green screen for video calls. The upper saloon offers a reconfigurable Francesco Binfaré On the Rocks sofa and a circular dining table for 14. The flybridge, with its DJ console and bridge, completes the yacht’s sophisticated design, underscoring the success of Sanlorenzo's collaboration with outside designers in creating a 'new generation' vessel that blends architectural principles with yacht design. #SuperyachtDesign #YachtInteriors #PieroLissoni #Sanlorenzo #Virtuosity #NauticalArchitecture #LuxuryYacht #ZucconInternationalProject #CustomYacht

As summer approaches, many individuals seek to integrate the calming influence of coastal living into their homes, inspired by the serene rhythm of waves, the refreshing salty breeze, and the classic appeal of nautical aesthetics. This design philosophy evokes an adventurous spirit, encouraging the creation of spaces that foster relaxation and rejuvenation, drawing inspiration from the vast ocean and distant horizons. Whether applied to cozy beach cottages or sophisticated coastal residences, nautical design offers a tranquil escape, transporting inhabitants to sun-drenched shores and boundless seas. Ar. Saumitra Bhatkhalkar, Founder of Studio SB, a Mumbai-based design firm, highlights the enduring appeal of nautical-inspired interior design, emphasizing its ability to capture the essence of coastal coolness. To achieve this aesthetic, Bhatkhalkar suggests several key elements. Crisp white walls, reminiscent of sailcloth, serve as a foundational element, complemented by bold stripes that echo maritime flags. The incorporation of natural materials such as weathered wood, rattan, and jute is crucial for introducing warmth and texture into the living space. Statement pieces, such as a reclaimed driftwood coffee table or a vintage ship's wheel, can imbue the home with a rich sense of history and unique character. Integral to a nautical-inspired interior are seafaring motifs. These can be introduced through decorative anchors, model ships, and nautical charts displayed on walls. Additional accents like rope detailing and brass hardware further pay homage to traditional maritime elements. Accessories also play a significant role in enhancing this theme; cozy striped throws, plush blue pillows, and jars filled with seashells contribute to bringing the ambiance of the beach indoors. The versatility of this design language is one of its core strengths, allowing it to be adapted to various settings, from a coastal cottage to a city apartment far from the sea. Whether one prefers a relaxed, casual atmosphere featuring distressed furnishings and beachcomber finds, or a more refined look characterized by clean lines and tailored finishes, the nautical style can be tailored to suit individual tastes. The essence of nautical-inspired interior design is not merely about replicating a look, but rather about evoking a feeling. It aims to create a sanctuary where the stresses of daily life dissipate, leaving only the soothing sounds of the tide and the promise of endless summer days. #NauticalDesign #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #SummerMakeover #CoastalLiving #DesignTips #RelaxationSpace #NaturalMaterials #SeafaringMotifs