For interior designers, translating a dry-land aesthetic to the waterborne realm—one that can include pounding waves, treacherous storms, and harsh ultraviolet light—is no small task. Just ask architect Guillaume Rolland, of French design firm Christian Liaigre . "A boat is a shelter against a very aggressive environment,” he once told AD, "so the belly of a boat must be a nest, a place where one escapes all that.” As a result, for the professionals tasked with conjuring luxe interiors aboard the world’s most esteemed private yachts, safety is paramount. “There has to be a piece of furniture, something to grab if a big wave or wind comes along,” advised Italian designer Alessandro Loni Coppedè, who selected round-edge pieces for the teak-trimmed interiors of Aquarius Alfa, a sophisticated 100-foot vessel anchored in the Greek Islands . Read on to see how Loni Coppedè, Guillaume Rolland, Lee F. Mindel, Joanne de Guardiola, Nina Seirafi, and others have transformed watercrafts into the sexiest yachts to ever grace the pages of AD .
Completed in 2013 for a retired fashion executive, Seahawk is the first of a limited-edition series from the dynamic Italian shipyard Perini Navi. Distinguished by its bright-red spinnaker emblazoned with a stylized raptor, the 197-foot sailing yacht features refined interiors by Christian Liaigre and Rob Holland.46 words
For the design of this sleek motor yacht, London-based designer Andrew Winch drew from the silhouette of a shark, trimming the 115-foot boat’s contours in stainless steel, punching eye-shaped portholes, and parsing LED accents that pulse periodically. (Even the boat’s name, Carcharias , is the name of a genus of sand shark.) “I wanted to see it as somewhat dangerous,” Winch said.
Dubbed Juno, this 65-foot wood-hulled schooner boasts interiors by AD100 firm Shelton, Mindel & Associates. The 95,000-pound yacht was hand-built by Martha’s Vineyard–based boatyard Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway. (Pictured is the wana-wood cockpit table and a ship wheel from Lunenburg Foundry.)
Revel in the intimate luxury of the yachting lifestyle aboard Crystal Esprit while exploring the Seychelles, Dubai, and other exclusive ports of call.
Completed in 1985, the 162-foot Highlander was built by the Jon Bannenberg for magazine publisher Malcolm S. Forbes. Its current owners, Roberto and Joanne de Guardiola, spearheaded a contemporary update after purchasing it six years ago, adding 12 feet to the hull and replacing timeworn finishes with European walnut and Brazilian granite, among other refined materials. Above is the yacht’s top deck, an ideal spot for sunbathing, thanks to plush chaise longues by John Hutton for Sutherland.
Monaco-based marine architect Espen Øino and New York designer Nina Seirafi teamed up to revamp this 160-foot motor yacht, dubbed Cyan . Among the myriad improvements were new mahogany interiors, a charcoal-painted hull, and an enclosed top-floor gym.
Named the Aquarius Alfa , this chic 100-foot vessel was conceived by naval architect Germán Frers and boasts elegant interiors by Alessandro Loni Coppedè of Nautor's Swan. The luxurious craft features four bedrooms with en suite baths, plus an entertaining space for 20 on the deck, which is lined with white-and-navy-striped leather banquettes.
Upon purchasing this 1953 custom Feadship in 2004, Malibu-based designer Michael Lee revamped the interiors, eliminating a wall between the pilot house and the main saloon, and removing built-ins from the deck. For the name, Lee settled on Dakota , after the legendary Manhattan apartment building: “ The New York Times said they built the Dakota so far out it might as well have been in the Dakota Territory. So to me Dakota means a place where you can get away from everything and have a little glamour.”
Originally built in 1965 at the famed Annapolis boatyard of John Trumpy & Sons (the masterminds behind the presidential yacht Sequoia ), this 67-foot vessel, known as Paragon , was overhauled by designer Mitchell Turnbough for use as his personal residence. As part of the makeover, layers of paint were stripped from the teak and mahogany cabinetry, and the cork flooring was replaced.
The current owner of Illusion , this stately 166-foot Feadship boat docked in St. Martin, enlisted English designers Dickie Bannenberg and Simon Rowell to refresh the interiors, which include two master staterooms. Although the 1983 motor yacht’s floor plan was left largely intact, original wood was stained darker, and new finishes, including white lacquer and richly veined marble, were added.
“I wanted to return to a classic yacht look, with a fresh twist,” said New York designer Joanne de Guardiola, discussing the inspiration for her 1987 Feadship boat Audacia . At 152 feet long, the watercraft boasts six cabins and a serene spa on the upper deck (pictured) that offers an ideal place to unwind.
For the interiors of this 155-foot superyacht, the Florida-based designer Bernard Desjardins worked closely with the esteemed shipyard Benetti to ensure every change would not jeopardize the boat’s performance. Now, a luxe spiral staircase composed of wood, leather, and curved glass joins a harmony of Hawaiian koa, American cherry, African anigre, and a Brazilian duo of mahogany and bubinga.
