Interior designer Kelly Lo’s first yacht project is infused with colour, creativity and an atmosphere that encourages a slower pace of life.

I was lucky—I had no brief for this project, says interior designer Kelly Lo as she explains her first design commission for a yacht, her verve and energy contagious even over the phone from her Causeway Bay office. The owners of the yacht just said that they planned to use it on the weekends for family outings, and that it should be a fun, comfortable space where they can have a break from their regular lives.

Click into the gallery below to explore the colourful cruiser and find out what inspired Lo’s vibrant design:

Colour pops

The bright use of colour in the yacht is a Kelly Lo Design signature. Eye-catching fabrics mingle throughout the boat's living spaces in a surprisingly harmonious dance. In a short two months, she sourced an array of fabrics from high-end brands across the globe, such as Perennials, Pierre Frey, Rubelli and Donghia. Meanwhile, an abstract lacquered painting by Israeli artist Calman Shemi takes pride of place above the dining table.

A not-so-blank canvas

Although Lo was granted free rein with the yacht interiors, the project was anything but a blank slate. Designing a yacht is a little different from designing a residence or commercial interior, Lo says. There are so many engineering aspects to consider. A lot of the items and rooms can’t be moved.

Size matters

The MCY 105 was designed by Venetian company Nuvolari-Lenard and won an award at the World Superyacht Awards for its generous living space. The master bedroom and bathroom are around 500sqft—huge by typical yacht standards.

The suite life

In a yacht, every piece of furniture has to be built in so it won’t tip, says Lo. For example, the lights and table lamps all had to be yacht-certified so that they can be bolted down. And most of the materials had to be good with humidity, since a yacht is always at sea.

Lo took these limitations in stride, coming up with creative solutions to get around such rigid engineering specifications. Steps leading from the master bedroom to the bathroom resulted in a zig-zagging headboard in the VIP suite underneath, which Lo softened thanks to a stripy fabric by Thai brand Jim Thompson Designs.

Clever furnishings

The exterior furnishings all came from German outdoor furniture brand Dedon, notable for its unique woven plastic material that looks just like rattan. Accessories included decorative vases and dishware made of melamine—particularly good for boats due to being break-proof—and were sourced from online boutiques such as West Elm and Pottery Barn.

Setting sail

With its sprawling outdoor areas, four spacious bedrooms, outdoor jacuzzi and bold and bright interiors, the yacht provides an ideal escape from the city. The owners have mostly used it for trips with their children, Lo says, visiting various bays around Hong Kong. Sai Kung is a particular favourite for its pleasant waters and breezes.

This is really a yacht designed for parties and entertaining, says Lo. Besides, you always feel a little freer when you’re on a yacht.

This post originally appeared on the website of our sister publication, Hong Kong Tatler. For more on life at sea, step aboard the five-bedroom Solon Islandus yacht.

The post Sail away: Inside the 32m yacht designed by Kelly Lo appeared first on Home Journal.