The perfect fit[out]

The quality and skill that went into the outfitting of vessels present at the Monaco Yacht Show was outstanding…

As most of us are aware, the line-up of yachts in attendance at the 2019 edition of Monaco Yacht Show was astonishing. I’m fairly confident that those of us in attendance were pretty spoilt for choice with yachts such as Excellence, DreAMBoat and Tis dwarfing onlookers on Quai Rainer III. In my opinion, all of the above, and many others, exceeded the accepted industry standard from the design perspective, but even more so in the case of their outstanding fit-outs and finishes.

Having won the Monaco Yacht Show interior design award, 111m Tis, built by Lürssen and designed by Winch Design, was among the very best, having been fitted out by Austrian interior outfitter, List General Contractor. Built to recognised Passenger Yacht Code (PYC), which sets out the technical and operational safety standards for such vessels, List GC has outlined some of the technical challenges that comes with taking on such a feat.

The impressive curved wall panelling on the staircase, which spans two decks, had to be made from highly flame-resistant material, for example. The designs were finished with a matt-brushed lacquer effect – a technique in which the strokes left behind by the brush remain visible on the surface. This is a natural consequence of working by hand that is accordingly carried out by a single person for each room, to ensure consistency of appearance.

The curved double staircase – which is the show-stopping element of the yacht’s saloon – is partially made of marble and provides a passage between the decks. Here, the wrought-iron railings are brushed and gilded, with a handrail made from polished mahogany that is embellished with 23.8-carat gold. While on board the vessel during the show, Andrew Winch of Winch Design explained, ‘The colour scheme needed to be so exact that the team actually travelled to the places which inspired the design to colour match these elements perfectly.”

Another challenge overcome by the build team was presented in the spectacular dining room, which needed to be specially curved for this space. “Since everything needs to be precise to the nearest millimetre, when it comes to applying interior fittings to the substructures of yachts, each curved panel had to be manufactured individually,” explained Rainer Sommer of List GC. “Aside from the level of precision in its design, the dining room combines exquisite elegance with a surprising twist of functionality. If required, it can be converted into a conference room. Concealed elements can be revealed for this purpose, such as the plug sockets that are hidden away in veneered inserts, or the retractable screen for video conferences that lies behind a large painting.”

A similar level of extraordinary finishing was found on Oceanco's DreAMBoat, with interiors by Terence Disdale, and Abeking and Rasmussen's Excellence, with interiors by Winch Design.

The exteriors of these yachts is, of course, incredible, but for me, the level and skill that went into their outfitting was even more mesmerising, and worthy of mention.