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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