ANN AND DAVID SUTHERLAND created Perennials because they perceived a need for durable, indoor-outdoor fabrics that were also elegant, stylish, and soft. And where better to incorporate those elements than in the gracefully appointed interior and exterior spaces of a world-class, luxury yacht? The Sutherlands are yachting aficionados and love to entertain on All Inn, their 130-foot Westport stunner. David shares, “My favorite moments on the water are when we’re approaching port and then when we are easing away from the dock, headed out to sea.”

On the All Inn, Ann chose fabrics that highlight the elegant yachting lifestyle. “We used Touchy Feely on the flybridge Blue Moon Bar banquette and it is absolutely gorgeous, saturated blue color, soft and cozy and dressy looking. For other lounge areas, Homespun provided unique texture and subtle color combinations to be interesting, as well as natural looking.”

When it comes to furniture, David Sutherland recommends something sturdy and sea salt resistant, like the brand’s Mariner chairs made from 316 stainless steel, which won’t erode from the effects of saltwater. The heavier frames also resist toppling over in rough waters or high winds.

Perennials fabrics and rugs are UV-, mildew-, and abrasion- resistant, pivotal for marine environments. But there is no need to sacrifice style for performance. Ann explains, “Performance is the main requirement, but on a yacht the interiors must be impeccable and stylish. It’s a lifestyle that exudes elegance and comfort.”

No matter how big a yacht is, interior space is always at a premium. Creating stealth storage solutions is key, as well as utilizing furnishings that won’t overcrowd a room. Designers frequently feature neutral or light hues in a space to make it seem more open. David explains that the All Inn is “lighter, brighter, and more carefree” than their Dallas home, making it the perfect vacation retreat.

“Collaboration on a brand new product range was a natural and rewarding evolution of our relationship.” —SIMON ROWELL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, BANNENBERG & ROWELL

New Horizons

Perennials by Bannenberg & Rowell, designed by the celebrated superyacht design studio, launches this fall at the 2022 Monaco Yacht Show. The collection—with three new fabrics and one rug—is made of 100-percent solution-dyed acrylic, and is inspired by a passion for the marine lifestyle. The fabrics—Vertex, Atomic, and On the Grid— are in colorways influenced by the ocean horizon. “We’ve worked with David, Ann, and the Sutherland team for many years designing, customizing and specifying furniture and fabric from their ever-expanding range,” says Simon Rowell, creative director of Bannenberg & Rowell. “So, collaboration on a brand new product range was a natural and rewarding evolution of our relationship.”

Floating Oasis

The Oasis, a 40-meter Benetti yacht, marks the first foray into yacht design for the multidisciplinary design firm, Bonetti/Kazerski. The firm, already known for a diverse array of clients such as Pace Gallery in New York and Ian Schrager’s West Hollywood EDITION hotel, was invited by Giovanna Vitelli, Vice President of Azimut Benetti Group to create interiors from a “different point of view,” says Enrico Bonetti. “We imagined an ideal owner, someone active and elegantly informal, and we made a custom boat for them.”

Vitelli says, “Bonetti/Kazerski embodies a European approach that strives to create spaces that possess an aesthetic of understated luxury and warm modernism. They were the perfect firm to collaborate on this project as their design fit the Class line’s mold—the interiors represent a casual-chic attitude, which is precisely the ambiance we wish to convey.”

The Oasis also marked the yacht debut of Bonetti/ Kazerski’s Plateau furniture line for Sutherland. The collection features teak chairs, sofas and tables that meld simple, elegant lines with architectural details.