Despite challenges, I couldn’t be more thankful for my parents “dragging” me on family trips and for the times I’ve had to force my own children to look up from their devices to take in the scenery. The memories I have of both are priceless and we have never been more of a family than

Recent years have seen a remarkable shift toward environmentally friendly yacht interiors While the transition from traditional diesel to greener propulsion is vital, what about the myriad other design steps we can take to help reduce a yacht’s impact? In an industry known for offering the finest finishes and materials, yacht interiors have often been

Sure, when it comes to outfitting your yacht, tablescapes and decorative accessories get all the glory. But there is one space that in many respects is one of the most important areas onboard, and that is the stateroom – particularly the bedding and bed linens. I’m not going to lie, I make a pretty fantastic bed.

Savvy owners know the value of a pedigreed build. With a little TLC, the necessary mechanical upgrades, and an interior refresh, a well-built yacht will continue to hold her value for a long time.  The owners of a well-maintained Westport 112 knew they were purchasing a yacht that would retain its value and turned to

Millennials & Gen Z: The next generation yacht design The incoming wave of younger owners is stirring things up in yacht interior design. As designers, we are being challenged to re-assess traditional design concepts and respond to the changing desires and lifestyles of a younger clientele. So, how do we design – or refit –

You know what your design style is. But the yacht you’ve just purchased is far from it. What do you do when your yacht’s interior does not reflect your design style? Sure, it’s easy to say, let’s gut the whole boat to achieve your design style. With an unlimited budget it’s certainly an easy solution.

Let’s face it. Boats – yes, even yachts – have limited space. Maximizing storage, pre-planning access to hidden areas for maintenance and selecting the right furniture and decor are major aspects of any yacht design project. When faced with a small space, how do you avoid creating a dark, cluttered and unwelcome look? Let’s start

The refit of the 130′ Westport Rule No. 1 transformed a dark and dated interior into a California Casual design style retreat. I knew after spending only a short period of time with these particular clients that I needed to create a vibe, a state of mind, and that a California Casual design style was the way to go.

While the crisper air and bluebird skies of Fall inspire residential decor that answers in concert, there is no hard and fast rule concerning seasonal decor aboard yachts. In fact, yachts tend to operate outside of the exciting buzz over the latest fall color schemes and textures. There are many reasons for this, the most

Buying A Boat? Meet With Your Designer Now! That’s it, we’re buying the boat! This exciting statement is quickly followed by countless decisions to be made, including how you plan to use your yacht, what changes you want to make, and what is needed to transform the acquisition into your new home on the water.

Tile and wallcoverings are inherent elements of a yacht’s decor and the range of options is seemingly endless. In the past, implementing luxurious natural stones such as marbles and onyx were installed after undergoing a painstaking – and expensive – process called “honeycombing,” which essentially affixed a thin sliver of the stone to a lightweight

I have been thinking a lot lately about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the yachting industry and refit projects and it is clear that, figuratively speaking, we are truly navigating uncharted waters. In maritime terms, uncharted waters are those areas never before mapped – perhaps never even explored. For obvious reasons, navigating such an

Design and creativity is an ever-evolving process, and each year we seek those best elements that will enhance not only the style and emotion of a space, but the sensible characteristics as well. Perhaps there has never before been such focus on sustainability and environmental consciousness as today. Emphasis on sustainable and recycled products has

Prior to founding her Fort Lauderdale-based interior design firm in 2004, Destry Darr refined her skills as an interior designer for several world-class, well-known yacht interior design firms. Since then, Destry has overseen nearly 300 yacht design projects – both new construction and refit – and has honed her expertise to rank among the world’s

Gentle waves lapping on a sugar-sand beach, a sip of prosecco within a centuries-old piazza, local delicacies served overlooking an azure sea… The blur of sound, color and taste that permeates every inspired travel experience has eluded us en masse this year. Sure, we’ve managed to tick off a few road trips, maybe even a

“This is a complete Westport yacht transformation; it’s an absolute WOW,” says Westport Yacht’s Director of Marketing Ron Nugent of the 2003 Westport 112 Hannah, aboard which we recently completed an extensive nine-month refit. Our client had always wanted a Westport, and had been watching the resale market for the last decade. When this boat

Designing within a small space is always a challenge, but that’s the task we yacht designers are presented on a daily basis. The goal of each space is to be as functional as possible, with storage maximized and aesthetic appeal given prime placement! This year we have been working on an exciting project of our

© Adobe Stock On October 31st, 2020, a Blue Moon – the second full moon to fall within the calendar month – will illuminate the night sky, providing the perfect eerie effect for that intentionally spooky, candy-filled festivity we call Halloween. The rarity of a Blue Moon – as well as a full moon on Halloween

What draws people to the super yacht life? © Felix Mizioznikov / Adobe Stock According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), recreational boat sales in 2019 were the highest they’ve been since 2007, and 2020 sales are up roughly 5% per month in comparison. What draws people to the super yacht life? The short answer is,

A nautical chic yacht interior… A nautical chic yacht interior is one of the most beloved design looks, one that can capture the magic of the sea, the allure of the ocean, the emotion of a sun-kissed day, and bring it all into our interior space. Timeless in its popularity, coastal style has spanned generations

You bought the boat and now you want to offset the cost and make your yacht charter ready. Great news! However, while she might be perfectly fit for you and your family’s lifestyle, does she have what it takes to stand out on the competitive charter market?  When designing your yacht  for charter, keep these

TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE Spending a lot of time in your current surroundings can inspire – or even demand – a change of scenery. Now is the time to transform your space! Freshening up your space doesn’t mean throwing everything out to start with a fresh slate, however. Instead, approaching your space with the idea of

There is possibly no more common transition between design themes in yacht interior styles than that between Traditional design and Contemporary design. In its broadest definition and earliest implementation, Traditional styling aboard yachts illustrated “luxury” – a look reminiscent of the ocean-liner of yesteryear where velvet couches, sumptuous carpeting and gold tassels underscored opulence and

Much like the kitchen in a home, which so often operates as the central hub, facilitating entertainment, homework, life chats, baking and cooking, the design of the galley aboard a yacht demands similar consideration. How many appliances and what type, prep areas, service areas for the crew, considerations for guest interaction… In my large Italian

Considering Hiring a Yacht Designer Instead of An Interior Designer? This is a touchy question, but a common one that many owners will face: “I’m considering hiring a yacht designer, but I have a great designer for my home or homes, why can’t I use him/her to design my yacht?” Unfortunately, many owners have paid

When tasked with designing a yacht interior for the speculative market, we have to ensure that the resulting design appeals to a broad range of potential clients while showcasing the yacht in its best light. We talk more about this in our last blog post, “Creating a Luxury Interior Design Without a Client.” One of

NO CLIENT? NO PROBLEM! We’re often called upon by a builder to create a luxury interior design for a yacht that is being built for the speculative market. These projects – called “spec” builds – require a careful balance of design and decor so as to appeal to as wide an array of tastes and

Whether a yacht design project involves conceptualizing the layout of a new superyacht or bringing an older vessel up to today’s standards with a yacht refit, each yacht has a story to tell. As a designer, refitting a forgotten gem can be the most rewarding experience, particularly when the boat carries a strong pedigree or

It has been said in jest by many of us in the yachting industry that if it wasn’t for the owners, we could build our yachts on time and on budget. The truth is, of course, if it wasn’t for the owners, we’d all have to get real jobs! As Friedrich Schiller once said, “Grace