Believing that integrity with the sea should not be lost, he positioned the main cabin on the aft of the upper deck, an unusual move in the megayacht world. We met with Beril Başaran, the name behind CMB Yachts’ successful launches, at the Bebek office of the Artebel Design brand to discuss everything about decoration.

From tourism to food, from yachting to aviation, Başaran Yatırım serves in various fields. Beril Başaran’s name is involved in creating the corporate identity and product decoration: Beril Başaran. Starting her career with furniture production in Çukurcuma, Başaran eventually found herself designing megayachts.

Designer of the 46-meter Mystic, 47-meter Orient Star, and most recently, the 47-meter Liquid Sky, launched in August 2017 in Antalya. We, as Boat International magazine, accompanied this exciting ceremony. The world premiere of the megayacht, set to be delivered to its American owner, will be at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from November 1-z, 2017.

In addition to megayacht decoration, Beril Başaran also designs hotel, villa, and restaurant interiors and has recently started designing private jet interiors. She draws inspiration from metropolitan cities like Milan, London, and Paris. Favoring simple designs that appeal to the eye, Başaran also places great importance on functionality.

How do you approach decorating a yacht? Can you talk about the creation and application processes?

Time is becoming increasingly important. People now prefer to live and move quickly. Yacht production is a long process, taking several years from project planning to application and details. Those who want to own a yacht do not want to wait that long. We set ourselves a roadmap for efficient time use to compensate for these processes.
We begin the creative process by drawing inspiration from our experiences and passions. The sea is our greatest passion. Living at sea is quite liberating. During this process, we lay out the power and beauty of nature before us.

On the other hand, we start the process by working with internationally recognized names who have made significant contributions to hull and shell designs. Long-lasting, durable, and natural materials are our primary preferences. We design many fixed products and produce them with the most suitable materials and forms for the yacht. Especially in composite megayacht production, our quality and know-how make us a well-known and followed brand in both Turkey and the world. The yachts we complete, starting with the question of how we can make it the best, are fully finished with all infrastructure and details. After this challenging process, clients encounter a yacht created with attention to every detail. Then, the use of movable furniture, accessories, and art pieces begins. This process continues with mutual exchange of ideas…

Decorating a yacht involves non-standard geometric spaces. Have there been any stages that challenged you in this regard?

Since our projects have always been for yachts 47 meters and above, we haven’t had to worry about creating empty spaces during implementation. Of course, some specific areas may lead you to different solutions than you imagined, but somehow, the results serve the whole. Fire detectors, emergency exits, and other technical constraints are also factors that affect the design and need to be adapted to.

What are your must-haves in yacht decoration?

Comfort and convenience are indispensable. It’s crucial to experience the comfort of home in this process where you spend a long time away from land, in nature. Comfortable furniture and spaces we’re used to while sitting, resting, and sleeping must be complete. Creating spaces that are understandable, purposeful, and suitable for use is a mandatory criterion. Special lighting for each space is important. Contemporary designs, natural materials, original lines… In other words, the space should be in harmony with the life flow of the person living in it, speaking the same language with the floor, light, walls, and ceiling, as well as with the furniture, lighting, and accessories…
For Beril Başaran, comfort and convenience are essential in yacht decoration! Başaran says, “Creating a home environment at sea is very important.”

What are the key points to consider for a client’s personal use when decorating a yacht? Have you ever had a disagreement with a client?

We work meticulously from the project stage. Our primary focus is the client’s lifestyle. Their family, entertainment preferences, the routes they enjoy traveling, and how they will use the yacht for more… Synthesizing and developing all these components correctly is one of our primary tasks. Then we spread our creativity, quality, and comfort understanding to the whole, personalized for the client. A yacht must consist of many spaces that are self-sufficient and meet all basic needs for a long time at sea. In this direction, we organize all areas and create functional spaces. When we approach the job this way, we progress in harmony with clients rather than having disagreements.

What are the latest trends in yacht decoration? Is there an approach you would like to see among the trends in the coming years?

The combination of natural textures and materials (stone, wood…) with natural linen-textured fabrics. Creating timelessness with metal accessories such as iron, bronze, or copper, lighting, and contemporary designs. Fundamentally, I like the dynamics brought by the Wabi-Sabi approach. Simple, plain, and the beauty of the inherent flaws… This is the most basic feature I look for in artistic works and objects aesthetically. With artworks and accessories in this style, I can always achieve the tranquility and comfort I seek in spaces.

What brands do you enjoy using on yachts?

As someone who also designs products in addition to yacht decoration, I follow and use many globally recognized, high-quality brands. The main ones are B&B, Paula Lenti, Morosso, Moooi, Gubi, Dedon.

What is your favorite color palette in decoration and the products you design?

Natural pastel tones are always my favorite. It’s enjoyable to follow trends and see the results by synthesizing natural tones with the current ones. There is a rapid change in trends. That’s why following only trends does not excite me and my team. Recently, the use of romantic colors like dark gray, pastel pink, and pale green with geometric patterns has become the most popular style of this year. Burned orange and midnight blue will also be alternatives to these colors.

What are the standout material and style combinations in yacht decoration this year?

Ethnic and natural touches unique to Africa and Morocco, large green plants are at the forefront. It can be said to be an open style with characteristic lines carrying traces of the past. In a sense, it is an understanding that sets a limit to extravagance. We will see a period where lived experiences are at the forefront…

What are your sources of inspiration?

Life has become easily accessible first with Google and later with Pinterest and Instagram. But living and feeling is another dimension. Euroluce Milano Design Week and Milan have been indispensable for years. Dimore Studio, Nilufer Gallery, Rossana Orlandi are among my favorites. Outside of our workshop and designs, we bring the products of many designers we admire from England, Italy, and France to our workshop and present them in our collection. We intend to grow this collaboration even further. I love my job and believe I practice a very special profession

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