The Harmony of the Whole

The Harmony of the Whole In this project Giuseppina Arena has developed the interiors of the Sunreef 80 catamaran with an emphasis on luxury, and every detail embodies her creative, elegant and refined style

by Samuela Urbini

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This photo, the saloon of the Sunreef 80, whose style is based on one material, leather, in all its various forms, as well as the diagonal lines in the ceilings, floors, wooden table and carpets.

Opposite page, the designer Giuseppina Arena

Y

acht interiors designed by Giuseppina Arena feature a range

client wanted something intensely customised, using luxury brands.

of styles, personalised on the basis of what can sometimes be

I selected Fendi Home as the right brand to integrate all the fixed fur-

the rather extravagant specifications of clients whose tastes

nishings with the furniture elements and make them unique. In this

are interpreted with an extraordinary creative ability by the

case I already had an idea of the freestanding elements and I wanted

Sicilian-born architect. They share two common elements – harmony

these elements and the fixed pieces to share a language in terms of both

and a sense of well-being that embraces guests when they step aboard,

materials and shapes, integrating all the furnishings to create a single

the result of a careful study of every detail that only an expert in mate-

language. In my projects I always try to achieve a cohesion and fluidity

rials, finishes and furnishings like Arena can pull off successfully. She

between the various parts”. Her inspiration was based on two elements

is backed by solid design experience in the cruise sector with Princess

– leather, specified by the client and present in a variety of forms like

Cruises at the Giacomo Mortola studio and at large yacht-building yards

nubuck, leather panels and leather rope, and the 45-degree lines in the

like Intermarine-Rodriquez, Cantieri Admiral and Ferretti, work which

ceilings, floors and some furniture elements, which provided the original

has led her to move to Miami to supervise customisation of yachts for

inspiration. While most catamarans rely on basic styling and level of

American clients. “My training means that my creative approach also

comfort, the Sunreef 80 unlocks a new potential for living at sea. The

involves a close focus on production and delivering within budget”, says

yacht’s interiors are refined and luxurious. The yacht offers generous

Giuseppina Arena, who launched her Miami studio in 2016. As well as

space tailored for comfortable living over extended navigation periods

designing yacht interiors, she also handles luxury residential projects,

as well as an elegant environment to host business meetings. “I’ve cre-

retail stores and resorts. The yacht’s interiors are intensely personalised

ated an important union of interiors and exteriors in terms of style and

design jewels where no detail is left to chance, which helps generate

colours, and although I’ve used right angles the corners are never sharp,

the harmony embodied by the project as a whole. “Details make all the

giving clients a feeling of relaxation. They may not know why they’re

difference. It may sound banal but it isn’t. Living in the US has made me

experiencing this sensation, but I’ve made a great effort to create this

realise the importance of the details that we Italians pay more attention

harmony. In future I’d like to extend my creativity to larger craft that

to. This skill is recognised throughout the world”. It’s clear to see in the

would give me more room to express myself”.

Sunreef 80-foot project, envisioning a catamaran as a luxury object. “The

https://giuseppinaarena.com

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