Architecture News

Designing the interior of a yacht presents a unique set of challenges, as acclaimed AD100 designer Markham Roberts discovered during his inaugural maritime project. The dynamic environment of a boat, with its constant motion, demands inventive solutions to ensure stability and comfort. Roberts's journey involved outfitting a classic 1950s vessel for a Manhattan couple, intending it for leisurely trips to destinations like Maine, the Bahamas, and Florida. His approach transformed the yacht into a refined yet intimate living space, carefully balancing aesthetic appeal with the practicalities of life at sea.

Roberts faced the intricate task of creating a luxurious and welcoming interior that could withstand the rigors of ocean travel. This required innovative methods for securing decor and furnishings, along with selecting resilient materials suitable for a marine climate. His design philosophy centered on making the yacht feel like a sophisticated home, capable of accommodating guests and crew while offering all the comforts of a land-based dwelling. The result is a testament to thoughtful design, where every detail, from custom fabrics to carefully placed artwork, contributes to an atmosphere of understated elegance and practical functionality.

Designing for Stability and Style on the High Seas

Embarking on his first yacht interior design, Markham Roberts quickly learned the intricacies of creating a stable and stylish environment on a moving vessel. He recounts early experiences where the boat's motion posed significant challenges, necessitating creative solutions to keep items from shifting or breaking. His clients, a couple for whom he had previously designed a city apartment, sought to extend their refined taste to their vintage 1950s yacht, built by the renowned John Trumpy. The goal was to fashion a space that felt like a comfortable home, rather than a typical, often vast, seafaring vessel. This vision led to a design emphasizing coziness and practicality, making it suitable for intimate voyages to various coastal destinations.

Roberts's design philosophy for the yacht focused on marrying aesthetic appeal with maritime functionality. He carefully selected durable fabrics and wall coverings, such as Soane Britain yardage and William Morris prints, ensuring they could withstand salty breezes. Furniture, including painted wicker armchairs and various antiques, was chosen for its resilience and then meticulously secured. Artwork, like framed watercolors and an American schooner painting, was fixed firmly in place, often coordinating with bed quilts. The salon's polished wood walls were adorned with Palissy ware, showcasing an appreciation for unique details. Every element was considered to create an inviting atmosphere while prioritizing stability, down to implementing silicone glue for model cases and noise-silencing felt to mitigate engine sounds.

Practical Elegance and Leisure on Deck and Below

The outdoor areas of the yacht were designed with paramount attention to durability and functionality, ensuring that all deck furnishings could endure exposure to the elements. Roberts emphasized that every item on deck was specifically chosen for outdoor use, maintaining both aesthetic integrity and resilience. Despite the practical demands, no detail was overlooked in enhancing the charm and comfort of these spaces. This included custom-designed chaise longues with cleverly stitched cushions that, while appearing effortlessly stylish, were engineered with genius welting to maintain their form and position against movement. The filling for all cushioned elements was also moisture-resistant, a crucial consideration for a marine environment.

Below deck, the emphasis shifted slightly to comfort and leisure, albeit with the same meticulous attention to detail. While outdoor cushions featured specialized fillings, the staterooms boasted proper bed linens, offering a touch of traditional home comfort. Roberts himself noted the pleasure of napping in a stateroom while the yacht cruised past scenic Maine landscapes. The interior spaces were conceived as havens for relaxation and entertainment, perfect for activities like jigsaw puzzles and games. However, a playful rule was enforced: martinis were strictly reserved for when the yacht was safely docked, highlighting a balance between sophisticated enjoyment and practical safety.

In the picturesque Napa Valley, designer Rachel Vineberg Jones and her husband, Eric Jones, embarked on an extraordinary journey, transforming a 3,000-square-foot house into a sanctuary of design and nature. This chapter, unfolding after a period of immense personal challenge with their newborn son's health, became a testament to their resilience and vision, demonstrating how a home can embody more than just shelter—it can become a living narrative of stewardship and interconnectedness.

The Reimagination of a Napa Valley Residence

The story of this remarkable transformation begins in the heart of Napa, California. Rachel Vineberg Jones, founder of the San Francisco-based design studio Vine Projects, alongside her husband Eric, discovered this home at a pivotal moment in their lives. The property, though structurally sound, presented itself as a largely undeveloped expanse, surrounded by vineyards and a sprawling public park. This blank canvas, however, was precisely what appealed to the couple's innate desire to create and nurture. Rather than a complete overhaul, their approach was one of thoughtful layering and integration, preserving the intrinsic spirit that had initially drawn them to the site.

Inside, the residence became a laboratory for experimentation. The entrance, originally a simple passage, was reimagined as a dynamic visual corridor. In collaboration with artist Claudia Wieser, a bespoke wallpaper mural was meticulously scaled and adapted, creating a continuous artistic flow visible even from the exterior. This artistic journey is further punctuated by vibrant stools from James Shaw and elegant Float pendants from Ravenhill Studio, with flush mounts by ENTLER Studio overhead. The walls display an evolving narrative through works by Dashiell Manley and Celeste Rapone, complemented by an unexpected, playful bag crafted from recycled juice boxes, adding a touch of whimsy and sustainability.

The dining room, strategically positioned between the living area and kitchen, serves as a serene focal point within the elongated space. It features a Faye Toogood table and Mario Bellini chairs, adorned with pottery from Adam Miller and Christiane Perrochon, creating an inviting atmosphere for shared meals. This intentional design fosters a sense of warmth and intimacy.

The spirit of evolution extended to the material palette of the home. Vineberg Jones selected materials that would gracefully age and acquire character over time, such as cedar that silvers under the sun, zinc that records the changing seasons, and concrete that softens with use. These choices reflect a philosophy that embraces the passage of time, allowing the home to absorb the marks of daily life—sunlight, rain, children's muddy shoes, and even spilled dinners—enriching its narrative.

Perhaps the most transformative aspect of their vision lies outdoors. Collaborating with Terremoto Landscape, the couple meticulously crafted a series of outdoor 'rooms' dedicated to cultivating fruit, cooking, swimming, and various social activities. A winding path, echoing the nearby hiking trails, seamlessly connects these spaces. With the expertise of West Coast Wild, a Sonoma County-based ecological restoration and native plant nursery, the non-native flora was gradually replaced with indigenous grasses, trees, and plantings, fostering a biodiverse ecosystem. A mature redwood, though removed for safety, found new life as benches, sculptures, water features, and play structures, scattered throughout the property—a beautiful homage to its past presence.

The expansive outdoor garden enclosure effectively doubles the home's living area, becoming the backdrop for a multitude of family moments: children's play, convivial dinners with friends, community gatherings, peaceful morning teas, and even remote work calls. This versatile space seamlessly transitions between playground, dining room, office, and social hub, reflecting the dynamic life of two busy working parents, their young children, and their beloved chocolate labrador. The profound connection to their surroundings is further emphasized by the glass façade, which blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor, creating a constant, harmonious dialogue with the Napa landscape.

The meticulously tiled pool, a true highlight, consistently captivates visitors, a testament to the couple's discerning taste and commitment to thoughtful design. This elegant feature is framed by a scallop-edged sculpture by Nicole Wermers, adding an artistic touch to the serene aquatic setting.

The couple's deep connection to the home extends beyond its physical structure; they remain in contact with the original family who built it, sharing updates on its continued evolution. This collaborative spirit, involving gardeners, designers, children, neighbors, and even their four-legged companion, suggests that the story of this exceptional Napa residence is far from complete, promising many more chapters of growth and adaptation.

This narrative of the Napa Valley home transcends a mere architectural project; it serves as a powerful reminder of how intentional design, coupled with a deep respect for nature and community, can create spaces that are not only beautiful but also deeply nurturing and evolving. It underscores the importance of building upon existing foundations, both natural and structural, to craft environments that truly enrich life.