Inner Warmth

Inner Warmth Italian creativity meets Dutch precision in this concept that Laura Pomponi’s Luxury Projects studio designed for a 47-metre Feadship superyacht. The team created a convertible upper deck salon which she describes as a “warm, embracing and cosy space”

by Mark Worden- - ph. courtesy of LP

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Left, two views from above of the convertible upper deck salon concept that Laura Pomponi’s LP studio created for a Feadship 47-metre. Near left, the “more luxury, with a touch of gold” version; far left, the “more contemporary” version, which is also shown below, from ground level

L

aura Pomponi probably doesn’t need much of an introduc-

suede leather. The general feeling of warmth is also enhanced by the

tion as her award-winning yacht interiors have often graced

soft, indirect lighting which is hidden behind the beams in the ceiling.

the pages of this magazine. Her LP company which, in addi-

The “more contemporary” version features a pull-out bed which, like

tion to containing her initial letters, also stands for “Luxury

the ceiling lights, is hidden, in this case behind a large work of art on

Projects”, is based in her native Ancona on Italy’s Adriatic coast, but

the forward wall. Once the sofa that’s set against the wall has been

she works with clients all over the world.

moved, the mural changes form “at the press of a button”, opening

The project which she presents in this feature took her to the Nether-

out to reveal a bed which extends down to the floor.

lands and, more specifically, the Feadship shipyard. The brief was for

Laura describes the “warm, embracing” atmosphere of the space as

a 47-metre superyacht. Feadship’s in-house team took care of the exte-

being “less minimalist.” Does this suggest that minimalism has had

rior design, while Laura was asked to create a concept for the interior.

its day in terms of design? “Not in design in general, but in terms of

She was invited to come up with schemes for a full-beam upper deck

interior yacht design, I think it has. Minimalism enjoyed something

salon, which could be converted for other uses. The original brief was

of a boom a few years ago, but now people want warmth, rather than

for a custom build, but it could evolved into a flexible on spec series.

cold surfaces. After all, the owners and their families need to live in

Laura says that the idea was essentially one of a “convertible space”

these spaces”. Although Laura had done a couple of Feadship yachts

in which various elements could be moved around to create different

refits, this was her first new build project for the shipyard. As with

scenarios, also through the use of different types of lighting. Both the

other Dutch shipyards she has worked with, she enjoyed the expe-

atmosphere and the purpose of the space could be changed: from a

rience, “When Italian designers are asked to create a concept they

salon with plenty of natural light, thanks to its large windows, to a

like to produce something that looks wonderful, whereas the Dutch

VIP cabin. She came up with two versions, one “more luxury, with a

tend to be strict and precise, even in the case of a concept: everything

touch of gold” and one that was “more contemporary, with a palette

has to be feasible and meet budget estimates.

of natural colours.” These included light brown, taupe and off-whites,

There’s no room for mistakes”. Nevertheless “They basically gave me

which she describes as “warm, cosy colours”. The same adjectives

net box and asked me to fill it with my creativity.” And, once again,

could be used to describe details like the inlaid wood, the carpet and

she managed to do so.

www.luxury-projects.com

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