Plain sailing with Ethimo's 2023 Yacht collection

Anyone fortunate enough to spend time this summer on board a private yacht or poolside at a prestigious seaside resort will appreciate the demands on these spaces to perform at the highest level, both functionally and aesthetically. Only the best will do when specifying furniture for such rarified settings, where elegant style and comfort are essential. Products must also be able to withstand the constantly changing marine climate, providing a unique challenge for manufacturers as they seek to balance contemporary design with high performance and durability. 

Since it was founded in 2010, Italian outdoor furniture specialist Ethimo has become a trusted supplier for architects and designers working on luxury projects for nautical settings. The company’s products are equally at home on land or at sea, with designers often specifying them for use on large boats, as well as in resorts, yacht clubs or luxurious seafront homes.

This spring, Ethimo is launching two new furniture collections created by French designer Christophe Pillet with maritime use in mind. Baia and Costiera’s pared-back forms and generous proportions are suited to use in glamorous seaside settings, while their technical features respond to the demands of nautical environments.

Pillet says his design was inspired by the values of elegance, timelessness and summer living that define Ethimo’s collections, along with a desire to celebrate the furniture’s functionality. ‘I wanted to bring to Ethimo’s flair something slightly more technical that references nautical heritage,’ he explains. ‘The yachting metaphor allows us to combine the elegant, Mediterranean-influenced Ethimo lifestyle with a more engineered mood.’

The two collections have their own distinct characteristics but share certain qualities that allow them to form a cohesive seating landscape when used together. In total, the Yacht Collection numbers more than 20 pieces including modular sofa components that can be mixed and matched to create bespoke environments for relaxation and conversation.

The key detail that sets the two designs apart is the size of the armrests, which are larger on the Costiera sofas and armchairs than the more streamlined Baia pieces. Both designs feature minimal metal bases and cushioned seats that seem to hover lightly above the ground. They both utilise materials inspired by the world of yachting, including upholstery fabrics with a classic nautical look that have been reworked to give them a contemporary character.

As with all of Ethimo’s outdoor furniture, Baia and Costiera are Made in Italy from the highest quality materials. Exposure to sunlight and salty air in marine settings can quickly cause metals to rust, wood to rot and fabrics to degrade, so Baia and Costiera feature rust-resistant aluminium frames and water-repellent upholstery that is sealed to prevent moisture from penetrating. The collection also includes simple and versatile coffee tables with travertine stone tops that are suited to outdoor use. 

According to Pillet, Ethimo’s dedication to developing and specifying high-performance materials meant he could concentrate on perfecting the Yacht Collection’s contemporary nautical character. ‘The challenge with designing these products was not technical,’ he points out, ‘because all Ethimo products meet high standards of resistance to outdoor or marine stress. It was more about finding the right balance in the expression of technicality and sensuality.’

Pillet has done a fine job applying Ethimo’s values of comfort, elegance and functionality to the collections, which offer exceptional versatility thanks to their simple, modular designs. Baia and Costiera respond intelligently to the needs of 21st-century nautical settings, offering a tailored and technical seating solution for designers of exclusive private yachts and poolside terraces.

© Architonic

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