In collaboration with New York architect Peter Marino, luxury yacht designer Tommaso Spadolini has put his four decades of experience in the superyacht industry to breathe new life into four luxury yachts that were not growing old gracefully.

Tommaso Spadolini

All four of the refits were carried out by Cantieri C.A.R.M. in Lavagna, Italy, with attention paid to the original naval architect’s intentions when updating for greater performance, comfort and convenience.

Tommaso Spadolini Designer Studio in Florence, Italy

Open yacht GIGAGI

Built in the 90s, motor yacht GIGAGI from Pininfarina was being used as a day boat along the Cote d’ Azur by her young Owners and their three children when they decided to approach Tommaso Spadolini to update her tired interiors and create a more favourable layout for the family.

Magnum 70 yacht GIGAGI

He describes the changes made: “We enlarged the salon and moved the owner’s suite forward to provide space for a bigger bathroom. This meant moving bulkheads and redesigning the portholes in the hull. Close attention was also paid to the lighting with a sophisticated home automation system.”

Modern saloon

Galley

The extensive overhaul replaced all but the hull and the Arneson drives, which were stripped down and refurbished. The end result was an increased sense of space and light amplified by a contrasting colour scheme in white-painted brushed oak, glossy mahogany and Macassar with polished nickel embellishments.

Elegant and clean accommodation

Ensuite bathroom

Wood luxury yacht CUJO

20m/65.6ft wooden sailing yacht CUJO from Baglietto has been in the same family for nearly 30 years and is moored on the beautiful and popular luxury yacht charter grounds of Sardinia.

“The challenge here was that CUJO is almost a family heirloom,” says Spadolini. “The original boat had no sunbeds, awnings and other features that are considered essential on a yacht today, so we had to make quite substantial modifications to her exterior and interior without losing her classic Baglietto charm.”

Motor Yacht CUJO

Amongst her new exterior additions is a carbon fibre swim platform capable of storing a tender, and original features such as aluminium detailing have been kept and integrated into the new, updated appearance.

Classic sailing yacht LADY STELLA (ex.VIRGINIAN)

Another 20m/65.5ft sailing yacht also received the designer’s skills: S/Y LADY STELLA was originally designed by Franco Anselmi Boretti and received a two-stage refit back in 2015-2016 that saw a mechanical and aesthetic update. The Master suite originally had a small bed with one side against the hull – an awkward arrangement for couples.

20m LADY STELLA (ex Virginian)

“Her young owners wanted something more modern and comfortable, so we moved the bulkheads around and introduced a full double bed that you could walk around.”

Sold at the end of 2016, the new Owner of sailing yacht LADY STELLA is so pleased with the refit work that further modifications are planned for next winter.

Motor yacht A2 (ex.MADHURI)

The 38m/124.6ft superyacht A2 was a challenging project: The Owner wanted significant changes to be made to the interior and exterior of the 2008-built Eurocraft yacht, all within a six-month period.

Motor Yacht A2 Exterior view after the refit

“[The Owner’s] brief centred on light and space, but the original boat had no hull windows and was built on a very traditional layout,” Spadolini explained.

Saloon and bar after refit

Main lounge after refit

The windows here opened up in the hull – thus requiring new certification – and the layout was extensively modified to create a sizeable open-plan lounge on the main deck along with three comfortable cabins. A new Captain’s cabin, dedicated laundry and Seakeeper stabilisers were also incorporated into the new design. When designing the interiors, Tommaso Spadolini worked closely with famous New York Architect Peter Marino who had previously collaborated with the Owners.

VIP suite after refit

VIP bathroom after refit

“While Peter chose all the materials and fabrics, fixtures and fittings, we made sure his proposals could be integrated into the yacht,” says Spadolini. “After taking delivery and spending three weeks on board last August, the owners said it was the best family holiday they had ever had, which is music to a designer’s ears!”