Judy on Pro Boat Radio
08 November, 2011 ... Design
Her ability to blend high-tech construction methods, composite materials, color, light, product design and ergonomics into prestigious, unique, and safe design is well recognized. Her work is often showcased in prestigious yachting publications and boat shows throughout the world”.
Listen to Judy Bell-Davis on Pro Boat Radio
Judy is instructor for a ProBoat E-Training course, Designing Yacht Interiors, in which she talks about interior design as a career, and offers some basic skills for the discovery process in working with a new client. She has also been a presenter at IBEX and other industry events numerous times.
Bell-Davis was an early boater, attempting to take off on her first rate at around the age of seven. Today, her design business is located in Mount Vernon, Washington, with two associates, industrial designers Cliff Parshall and Steve Farb. “We’ve added a new dimension with 3D modeling now.”
Before we could get too far into our conversation, we were interrupted by a smoke alarm, but quickly recovered so that Bell-Davis could talk about the difference between design and decorating. The first is creating the space, where the second is dealing with the space, and “making it press.”
Bell-Davis says it’s useful if the same team can handle both aspects of the project. With so much television “reality” coverage of design, how is that affecting boat interiors? Some people do quite well at it, but when a person has a design background, they can take cultural and environmental factors into consideration. For example, a typical Western galley may not work out at all for Asian clients who want a wok, not an oven.
Megayachts, says Bell-Davis, are becoming more sleek all the time, while production boats are going more and more for a residential feeling to attract women by making the boat more comfortable and homelike.
What about designers and knowing their materials. How much information can a designer offer to a client. In 30 years on the job, Bell-Davis says she has been very fortunately to have good contacts who would show her what was coming up. For example, Corian was very quick to respond to requests for more “organic” materials.
While in engine work, service people are alarmed that people who are DIYers tend to use non-marine parts. In design work, there is a similar problem. “Those people end up having to go back around, and spend more money than they would have if they had used the right materials to begin with.”
Another concern has been builders who want to use up old fabric that they have in stock. Material that was attractive in the 70s, for example, might look pretty awful to buyers now. Bell-Davis points out that the norm used to be buying a whole bolt no matter how much the builder wanted. Now, textile manufacturers are more likely to sell cut goods in smaller amounts. So, the new problems is builders trying to cut corners, and not buying ENOUGH fabric, and then having to wait for more to be back ordered.
One new trend is making the boat totally accessible for pets, especially small dogs that need steps, or showers, or pull-out beds, or food storage and supply. “Pets are definitely part of yacht interiors now.”
Another trend is the move to having an office on a yacht. People no longer can leave their work behind; but also people use their computers for more than work, too.
Colors still seem to be very natural. There are not many customers looking for really bright colors. Cabinetry is becoming lighter, with laminates instead of wood. Teak is becoming difficult to find, so designers are looking for alternate woods. Maple and cherry are very popular; or at least dark stain on wood trim may create a feature.
For fixtures, the vessel sink standing proud is becoming more popular, rather than a usable 14 to 16 inch sink that takes up most of the counter space.
Fittings are no long just chrome or brass. Bronze is coming in, as is nickel. There are a lot of new options.
The first yacht that Bell-Davis worked on did not have a lot of headroom, so even a simple thing such as installing a light fixture could be a challenge until more European lighting companies came into the market.
Although fiber-optic lighting once seemed like the next great thing, but on a smaller yacht, the light boxes and daisy loop chains and heavy cable all turned out to be too much of a problem. Fortunately, LED lighting has come in, and has been a lifesaver. LED is the big champion in lighting.
On thru-hull lighting, the controversy is whether to go for the effects of the lighting, or to be concerned about cutting more holes in the hull. There are some real concerns, but the technology has been pretty well figured out.
Bell Design Group deals with new construction, refits, and smaller construction boats. When it comes to family runabouts, the styling is still automotive, with foam-backed fabrics. Those surfaces need to be easy to clean, because the family just wants to get out on the water and have fun. At the same time, there are some interesting advances in vinyl insets, as well as in carpeting.
Ease of maintenance is key, so those family runabout need to be serviceable.
Another topic is the landmarks in design evolution. In the 70s, everyone liked disco lights and bright things. Now people want their boats to be restful places to escape. More spa elements are coming in, and that’s a lot of fun.
Builders and designers, of course, are looking at finances and how to change they way they are working to provide new boating experiences.
At the Boats Afloat show on Lake Union in Seattle, Bell-Davis reports that one family bought an 85-ft Ocean Alexander – and also bought a brand new Beneteau that they wanted to take back to Hawaii. “So, there is money out there, and let’s just hope people want to spend it on boats!” she says.
