Emily Todhunter on S/Y Twizzle:
Having worked so happily for four years on the interiors of M/Y Twizzle with the owners and designers Redman Whiteley Dixon, it was a joy to be asked to join the team again in creating this wonderful sailing yacht.
Our brief for S/Y Twizzle was to design an interior that exuded a calm elegance. It was to have a simplicity of line and palette, so that the reaction of family and guests as they board would be one almost of relief. It was to be nurturing, engulfing and special.
We took our brief literally. We simplified the lines, designing the interiors such that there were literally only two horizontal lines in any one space. In this way we aimed to “decomplicate” and the effect is extraordinarily relaxing. The brain has to think about so much less that it has space to enjoy.
We simplified the palette as well, choosing colours throughout the boat that toned together; creams, beiges, greys, duck egg blues. But the effect is anything but bland. The colours are set against bitter chocolate lacquer and every texture is special and unusual. The silks are shot, the cashmere cabled, the timbers fumed to give that greyish bloom and tumbled to accentuate the grain. The decks are boarded but the boards are wide and creamy.
Unlike most boats, there are no pictures. Instead there are embroidered wall hangings designed in New York, handmade in India. The lighting plays a very important part in the overall sense of warmth, comfort and luxury. Sally Storey lit the space as if she were painting a picture and brought all these wonderful textures to life. The team at Royal Huisman were wonderful at implementing the design. Their attention to detail is second to none.
Every piece of furniture was designed especially for this boat. Huge amounts of time were spent choosing the beaten bronze detailing, the goat skins, the suede to cover the shutters, even the down fillings. The lamps, too, were designed for her, and created in conjunction with a variety of talented artists and craftsmen. Of particular note are the lamps in the owners cabin made by the silversmith Simon Benney. In white enamel and platinum they encapsulate the essence of the boat. They are simply beautiful.
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