the boat under water, a plane – and it is exactly the shape of the hull.
Recessed LED strips above it define the shape while embedded strips in
the surface play upon the idea of the keel and booms. This sort of chic
bling-meets-industrial look – and a similar smaller treatment in the
overhead of the cockpit – is striking, and immediately directs attention to
all the lighting.
While the main deck windows are covered with
blinds that provide sheer difusion to total darkness,
for the lower deck accommodation soft, short
curtains contained within wood and upholstered
wall panelling can be drawn over sheer Roman
blinds. The soft folds of the curtains and the fact
that their contours are lit from below provide a
playful contrast to the otherwise smooth and
tailored surfaces in crisp horizontal and vertical
patterns. Double stitched leather worktops and
matching velvety rugs amplify a theme of subtle tone variations on the
walls and overheads with accents provided by upholstered bed frames,
pillows, cashmere blankets and ottomans. It comes as no surprise later
when I learn that Benini has collaborated with Giorgio Armani since 1984.
The six double cabins are nearly equal in size and amenities; in fact there
are two mirror image owner suites.
“Everywhere the surface is soft and curved and
smooth like a skin,” says Benini. “Touch a rounded
corner; it is pleasant.” He calls design a three-step
process – “heart to brain to hand. The heart is
dedicated to feeling, to knowing what emotion you
want to project; then the brain – my profession is to
interpret this feeling; then to the hand – how is this
thing executed, how is it drawn?”
Seven is number three in the builder’s 60 metre
series behind Perseus^3 and Seahawk, but they areNot part of the saloon or located on the circulation path for guests or crew, the dining room, forward of the saloon
on port, is seen as a separate space for its own purpose. Two doors can be closed for more privacy“EVERYWHERE THE SURFACE IS
SOFT AND CURVED AND SMOOTH
LIKE A SKIN. TOUCH A ROUNDED
CORNER; IT IS PLEASANT”184