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Executive Lifestyles
New Designs in Luxury Yachts
Knowles creates luxurious interiors and is involved from initial boat specs to final outfitting. A typical design project can take up to two to three years. He spends much of his time jetting off to the Middle East to meet with clients.
For years, Knowles says, interior design fell into one of two categories: Light interior or dark; traditional or contemporary. “Today, with so many people entering the yachting arena, anything goes,” says Knowles. “Yachting has become the epitome of selfexpression. If a client wants his yacht to look like it’s out of Africa, so be it.”
Of his 10 projects, one has a contemporary, Polynesian theme, and another has Tuscan touches.
Knowles |
Some recent trends Knowles has noted:
» Lighting — LED lighting is becoming the No. 1 lighting option on yachts because of its long luminescence and low to zero heat. “We’re using luminescence where we couldn’t use it before, such as underwater, lighting the bottom of the boat, on the bow, even under marble floors and countertops.”
» Electric glass — This new type of glass is electrified and can go from transparent to opaque to a light silhouette with the flick of a switch.
» Lightweight stone — New technology allows for a slab of marble or granite to be cut into oneeighth- inch thick panels that can be bonded to a lightweight underlayer. The result is a durable, strong and lightweight option for countertops, walls and floors.