Guido de Groot Reveals Interior Inspirations of 27m Motor Yacht Helga

The fully custom interior, distinctive for its spacious and comfortable main saloon and large seating area in the wheelhouse, is designed by the ingenious Guido de Groot. “Contemporary, elegant and fresh” are the exact words the innovative designer used to describe his work on board Helga, his latest collaboration with the Dutch shipyard Van der Valk. 

With space for eight guests across four staterooms, the brief for the interior had to align with the owner's contemporary wishes. With a desire to be on board for longer time periods, the owner’s brief was to make the interior of the 27m vessel as homely as possible whilst still retaining an essence of modernity. 

“It is still a modern interior,” says Guido de Groot. “But it has some cosy touches to it.” The designer had brought warmth to the interior with ingenious material choices such as the wood - a clever mix of oak and walnut which provides a cosy and homely feel.

Helga’s interior features a spacious main saloon, large seating area in the wheelhouse which includes dining area, and a galley forward. The decision to place the dining facilities in the wheelhouse provides ample room in the saloon for a family lounge, intensifying the cosy feel. 

The details of the interior were decided upon in very close collaboration with the owner, Guido de Groot comments, “The basic Raised Pilothouse design was there, but the client wanted to make it a little more detailed, especially around the aft area of the yacht. For example, we had to pay attention to the way that the boulders were placed on top of the large swimming platform, and ensure that they were all nicely placed: everything needed to look thought out”.

The motor yacht is powered by twin MTU 12V 2000 M96L diesel engines giving her a top speed of 27 knots and a cruising speed of 23 knots.

To see Helga for yourself, visit Van der Valk at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, taking place between 7-12 September.