Those visiting the Cannes Yachting Festival or Southampton Boat Show last summer may well have noticed the fruits of a new partnership between leading interiors firm Alexander James Interior Design and high-end yacht company, Sunseeker London Group. 
Drawing on 20 years of experience in creating award-winning interiors, the exclusive dressing of the yachts has offered an extra dimension to the work of the Alexander James Interior Design team.
Robert Walker, the company’s managing director and founder, explains the process behind this specialised form of interior design. “When designing interiors for a superyacht, you have to ensure that the quality of materials and style of the interiors are reflective of the grandeur of the vessel. Yacht owners wish to feel the same level of comfort and quality when on their yacht as they do at home.
“The yachts for which we design the interiors are already finished to an exceptional standard, however we are able to further enhance their magnificence with soft furnishings and accessories by using materials fitting to their rich specifications. Plush, luxurious materials work best, they provide the quality and rich look that the yachts deserve. We use quality fabrics in our soft furnishings and bedding, as well as throughout our accessories.”
Yacht interiors have traditionally followed a naval theme, using colours taken from their surroundings, such as blue and green tones. “However, as yachts are seen as a second home for many of their owners, clients now look to select a design that is more fitting to their property interiors, making their yacht a real ‘home from home’,” says Robert. “We look to use varied colour themes in each of the bedrooms, drawing on richer, more vibrant colours to add more personality and distinction.
“We also use monochrome tones and varied prints and patterns to add a contemporary edge to some yacht interiors, also using faux flowers and sumptuous scents to bring life to each area of the boat. Yacht interiors will inevitably be driven by trends seen in the home. We expect to see yacht interiors adopting the anticipated interior trends of 2018 such as subtle animal prints, vivid monochromes, leaf and plant patterns and beautiful tribal influences.
“Even the largest of yachts can have small spaces for us to work with, so we are of course sometimes restricted with the level of accessorization we can deliver. Despite this, we make the most of each available space to add a richness to the interior that makes each boat so beautifully distinctive.”
So far, the Sunseeker 95 Yacht has proved one of Alexander James Interiors’ favourite designs. “We used stylish monochrome patterns in the salon, adding a contemporary touch with abstract patterns in the cushion fabrics,” says Robert. “The luxurious dining area was styled with a beautiful floral centre piece for an elegant touch. We styled the flybridge using quality fabric cushions and a high quality faux fur throw for added luxury. The master bedroom was designed using rich fabrics and luxurious accessories for added sophistication.”
