I have worked at Princess for more than 30 years. In that time I have become the custodian of our interior and exterior living spaces in terms of design and styling. You develop an instinctive sense of what works, not just aesthetically but also with an eye on what’s achievable.
Princess builds a hugely diverse range of models, but step aboard any one of them and you will sense a coherent design integrity, from the new R35 at one end of the spectrum to our latest project, the tri deck X95, that pushes the boundaries of style.
A quiet confidence pervades. These are designs that will last. The Princess Design Studio look is simple yet sophisticated, and exquisitely executed – the aim is to create somewhere you will want to spend more and more time. As you do, you’ll notice the almost obsessive attention to detail.
We have been raising the standard spec on our boats in the last few years, not only around the outdoor living spaces, where an abundance of teak is often enhanced and complemented by metallic paint finishes, but inside too. Electric blinds on the S78, for example; sophisticated Naim audio systems, touch sensitive wall lights, Vispring mattresses, and so on. Fabrics and finishes are more robust than they used to be, but just as stylish. Our designs of today are more edgy – satin surface finishes combine beautifully with innovative treatments such as soft-touch laminates and lacquers, to create a textured, architectural vibe.
As we develop more innovative designs, we are becoming leaders rather than followers. My team gives creative direction, so a lot of thought goes into how each new model will be used, the latest trends that we believe are significant and will stand the test of time, and new finishes and effects. We scour design shows all over the world, study the catwalk trends, and keep a watching brief on the latest boutique hotels and luxury brand showrooms.
At the Princess Design Studio nothing is ever considered quite good enough, and in striving for perfection every surface finish is rigorously tested, new furniture designs are painstakingly mocked up and every stitch detail is considered. Sustainable timbers are hand selected at source. Veneers are sorted manually to ensure consistency of quality, colour and grain.
While we strive to create designs that exude confidence, beauty and craftsmanship, we never lose sight of the one crucial ingredient for on-board comfort – space. People need freedom of movement on board, and room to relax. Customers spend weeks if not months at a time on their boats and our aim is to make the environment on board so spacious and uplifting that they never want to leave.
