Known for pushing the boundaries of design to create jaw-dropping custom curated homes for the uber-wealthy along Malibu's scenic coast, Scott Gillen, creator and founder of Unvarnished, has been commissioned by a private client to design 10,000 square feet of unique interiors within a brand new 160-foot (49 meter) luxury yacht built by famed nautical brand Rossinavi.
"As a designer and creator, I'm always looking to do something bigger and better. When it comes to super yachts, adding my signature style to an incredible Rossinavi creation is a challenging and exciting step," said Scott Gillen, founder of Unvarnished. "I'm creating one of the most unconventional designs you've ever seen in a yacht of this caliber. I want to create a true sense of sanctuary for this home at sea with the same laidback but luxurious vibe as your home on land. I've designed an innovative open space concept that doesn't feel disjointed or confusing with a look and vibe that is cohesive all the way through."
Gillen's style, acclaimed for attracting buyers who seek open spaces that appear effortless and usher in a calm, awe-inspiring atmosphere, will take form in the yacht to create the ultimate sanctuary at sea in a post-pandemic world. Dedicated to making the interior feel like an extension of their home, Gillen plans to design a seamless interior that reflects the high-performance, speed-driven exterior while never sacrificing comfort, design, functionality, or quality.
Gillen, who always believed his artistic aesthetic would transfer well into the yacht world, was introduced this past year by Justin Blue, CEO of Yachtsblue, to Italian yacht builder Rossinavi and Italian exterior architect Fulvio di Simoni, two of the most elite names in the custom yachting industry. Familiar with Gillen's renowned home designs, the famed duo approached Gillen with the opportunity to curate something uniquely special. This project marks a first-of-its-kind collaboration between designer and builder that will attract the attention of yacht aficionados at every step of its three-year construction. Rossinavi is well known for creating special projects designed and built to the owner's desires and has become the leader in Italian custom yacht production.
"The cooperation between Rossinavi and Unvarnished was born in the desire to maintain the sporty character of the boat without losing the vision of spaces, ergonomics and stylishness," said Federico Rossi, CCO of Rossinavi. "From Rossinavi's experience for high-performance boats, a new challenge opens up in the full custom category. An extremely lightweight superyacht with a super sporty attitude, that can reach significant speeds, above 30 knots, in which technology blends with luxury."
With his aesthetic rooted in warm, minimalist tones and clean, geometric lines perfected to every minute detail, Gillen's design will feature exotic woods such as teak, oak and walnut and modern hues of white, sand, and polished stainless steel, and a custom color scheme for the aluminum hull and superstructure. Built to feel like a Gillen-designed home on the water, the yacht will feature a complete modern re-imagination of the interior with an art-deco design of the master bedroom suite, guest accommodations, main salon, expansive beach club and media room.
The yacht's expansive open areas will offer a connection to the sea without the feeling of being closed off while the beach club will feature the option to section the space off for privacy, with the windows closed facing aft.
Gillen's work is currently seen in a collection of architecturally significant homes known as The Malibu Series, including a quintet of exceptional homes in a private bluff-front enclave called The Case, which includes homes ranging approximately around $100 million. To learn more, visit unvarnishedco.com.