The Yacht Interior Designer To Watch In 2017 – Laura Pomponi Of Luxury Projects

With the utmost pride, we are delighted to announce that Luxury Projects took first place for the Master Cabin Award at The International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2017, which was held at the stunning Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy, on 19th May 2017.

With projects submitted from all around the globe, the night was a gathering of all the big names in the yacht and aviation design community. Over 10,000 verified votes were counted across the 18 award categories.

About Luxury Projects

Luxury Projects (LP), an Ancona-based company, is headed by the enchanting Laura Pomponi. Having grown up in Rome, Laura naturally adopted a flair for the creative while living amongst fashion designers, with skills including the art of embroidery, which she acquired one summer as a child in a monastery. Breaking the mould, Laura chose to go on to study technical engineering, a skill that would become indispensable while working on superyacht projects.

During a recent interview with superyachts.com, Pomponi stated: “I grew up surrounded by fashion designers - including my grandmother. But I chose to study engineering because I am really passionate about maths and complicated equations. What I actually like about the construction of a yacht is the intricacy of the process. It’s like a DNA spiral, and I love solving these complex issues.”

With a team of 12, the LP family boasts an exceptional mix of talents, from Architecture, Industrial Design & Visual Communication, Innovative Lighting, Visual Arts Masters and Project Management to Engineering.

LP walked away with three key awards from the IYAA ceremony: Best Master Cabin on the iconic 90m M/Y NERO, Best Lighting Design and Deck Design on the 36m Heesen M/Y DESTINY.

Laura Pomponi is without a doubt one of the most captivating names to watch out for in both Italian interior design and the superyacht refit sector. Bluewater is honoured to have collaborated on such a prestigious project with Luxury Projects.

Laura Pomponi, what is next for LP Designs?

The team at Luxury Projects loves taking on new challenges. Recently, the studio was asked to develop an interior design concept for the new Limited Edition 188 by Amels Shipyard.
Accepting this prestigious opportunity, Luxury Projects has the chance to express their creativity and implement new ideas during the entire design process. The brief is to create a top luxury interior, appealing to a large base of clientele belonging to the famous Limited-Edition Range of Amels, all while adhering to a competitive budget.

The whole design concept focuses on:

• Shapes and colours, creating a “timeless” style with the aim that the major interior features (ceilings, lighting and walls) could represent the “basic” design of the new fleet, allowing easy modifications to match the clients’ tastes by simply modifying the materials like wood veneers, giving an emotional, tactile feeling.
• Interesting and innovative interiors, but with simplicity of construction, allowing easy and swift customization.
• The light design as one of the central themes: "At Luxury Projects, we cannot see innovative materials unless they are perfectly combined with light”. Back-lit walls are the best expression of material and artistic pieces being merged in an “all-in-one” atmosphere with the aim of appealing to a diverse range of clientele.
• “Not creating crowded spaces”, a significant change in architecture and interior design. With the introduction of a few high-end, free-standing design pieces, crafting a more “relaxed and fluid space”.

What is your most memorable project?

For sure M/Y NERO was one of the most memorable experiences. It is always a great ideal to turn a “Gentleman Yacht” into a fresh “Lady of the Sea”, by subtly integrating new design features and technology, while maintaining the true character of the yacht.

The secret to a successful refit project is a professional design approach, guided by superyacht construction knowledge, combined with precise and organized management of expectations. Design, architecture, quality, management, competitiveness and, above all, working to a tight schedule.

Balancing classic lines and modern art, accessories and lighting were the most challenging aspects of the design of this yacht. The new style of M/Y NERO has largely been achieved thanks to a complete overhaul of the lighting, from halogen to LED, contributing to a new effect of the interior wood panelling colour.

What drew you to working on yachts?

I enjoy the “human side” of these complicated projects, with many people involved from different nationalities and cultures, all merged in the construction or refit process. Human and socializing skills are a key when working with the personalities involved.

Where do you find inspiration for each interior?

“I have always travelled extensively. To date, I have visited 112 countries around the world, and I love art, colours, details. My grandmother, a fashion designer, once told me: “If you are looking for inspiration, simply steal images from nature and anything else in the world which is around you… Then you have to make it better!”

To charter the award-winning superyacht NERO please contact our yacht charter specialist Rebecca on rebecca@bluewateryachting.com