Carla Guilhem Takes Us Inside 34m Explorer Lady Lene

In May of this year, interior images of the 34 metre fully custom Van der Valk explorer yacht Lady Lene were unveiled for the very first time, and was publicly presented at the Cannes Yachting Festival last month.

The all-aluminium tri-deck superyacht is instantly recognisable by her golden-bronze hull, fast-displacement round bilge hull and wave-piercing bow. However, Lady Lene’s interiors more than rival her sleek and sturdy exterior.

Carla Guilhem, founder of the world-renowned interior architecture and design firm, worked on the yacht’s interior styling, adopting an Art Deco theme that gives Lady Lene a refined elegance; balancing seamlessly against her explorer-style exterior.

This is Guilhem's most significant yachting interior project to date, collaborating with fellow designer Guido de Groot who is responsible for the exterior styling.

After partnering with Lady Lene's owners on previous residential projects, Guilhem felt more than confident that she could realise and create the client's vision.

"The owners engaged our studio to design the yacht's unique interior spaces in accordance with their main goal which was to build a “home at sea” for four generations of the family, incorporating full wheelchair accessibility throughout the yacht," says Guilhem.

Accommodating up to 10 guests, the client's brief included five staterooms: two master, one of them on the bridge deck with a private balcony, two spacious and comfortable VIP, and a guest cabin, as well as six crew members in a captain's cabin and two crew cabins. 

In the name of bringing the outside in, Carla set about re-implementing Lady Lene’s exterior round corners in the theme of an Art Deco interior of curves and angles. 

"In this way, I also think it is much more comfortable for those on board because you don’t have any corners or sharp edges. The spacious general arrangement also means that the yacht is wheelchair friendly," she adds.

The intention for Lady Lene's interior was to create a calming effect throughout. Using materials such as fluted wood, a popular material in the 1920s and 30s, as well as natural oak, silk georgette stone, leather, and suede, the design team were able to create a cosy yet luxurious feel. 

Subtle champagne gold metal touches also help create a harmonious connection between the spaces, masterfully executed by the artisans of the Van der Valk Shipyard. 

"As a design, it is very fluid and flows well when you walk around. I am proud of the circulation on board: it doesn’t feel like you are passing from one room to another when you move around in the space."

"The guiding principle of Lady Lene’s interior design was to create a feeling of sleek elegance through a distinct style that is luxurious yet unostentatious. All materials used for the interior were carefully selected to convey and celebrate the main through-line of a serene atmosphere of total relaxation."

The main deck expands from the spacious dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows and hideable cabinetry over a residential kitchen with full-size side-by-side fridge and freezer and a six-burner induction cooktop at the bow all the way through the saloon to the large al-fresco dining and lounge areas on the extended aft deck, with a seamless transition from inside to outside areas.

Personalised accessibility features have been tailored for those with mobility issues in a way that is imperceptible at first glance. For example, grab bars have been elegantly fitted in all spaces and subtly recessed in the walls. 

Another key highlight is the guest elevator, granting easy access to all decks, with transition through the main deck being facilitated with automated sliding doors. 

Large panoramic windows complimented by 2.30-meter-high ceilings offer thrilling views, creating an overall sense of class, immense space and freedom when on board.

To ensure pure comfort at sea, Lady Lene is also fitted with twin SeaKeeper gyro stabilisers and a Humphree electric fin stabilising system.

She can cruise comfortably at 14 knots and can achieve a top speed of 18 knots as she finds the perfect balance between exploration and travelling in style; powered by two MAN 1650hp engines and equipped with a fast-displacement round bilge hull.

Encompassing effortless style and practicality, these are the values that lie at the very heart of Lady Lene as she continues to grace our waters.