“Outdoor furniture is subject to strong wind and salty air, so don’t use the same materials you’d use for a garden and choose something that’s weather resistant and agreeable to touch,” says Gatto.
Glancy Fawcett recommends towel-covered cushions: Abyss & Habidecor’s Portofino cushions come with matching exterior towels, made from terrycloth, and can include a waterproof layer for beach use.
“We’re being increasingly asked for flexibility of furniture, so rather than fitting a dining table to a deck, we are being asked for something that can be reduced in size, moved away for a party or movie night,” says Polly Sturgess of RWD. Foldable lounge chairs, such as Summit’s SD345 stacking adjustable chaise created by yacht designer John Munford, are ideal.
“Lighting is extremely important when entertaining,” says Sturgess. “You want it to be soft, gentle and as atmospheric as possible. If you walk into a room with great lighting, you’ll want to stick around.” Choose a lighting system with dimmable lights so interior and exterior spaces can transform easily from relaxation to party.
Superyacht cinemas are more popular than ever and are the perfect way to entertain guests of all ages. According to Videoworks, the ISA yacht Okto shines due to her upper deck cinema, while CRN’s Cloud 9 has an outdoor screen on the owner’s deck.
When designing sound for superyacht entertaining, “the purpose of the area is key,” says Maurizio Minossi, Videoworks’ technical director. Sound must be carefully planned, he says, so it doesn’t affect other areas on board and one space can blend seamlessly into the other.