interior decoration

[phanakapan]

I'm thinking up updating the interior of my boat,(currently brown floral upholstery contrasted with jolly "flags and anchors" curtains, stained headlining,cheap blue cord carpeting and varnished ply) and I've been looking at pictures in magazines and peering through window at the marina- and it strikes me that there seems to be only 2 or 3 different styles of decoration-i.e lots of varnished wood and brass, traditional style,or light wood/white melamine - and all with blue upholstery or maybe cream leather style if your'e a bit posh. Now don't get me wrong- I'm not disparaging your boat, I quite like both styles- but has anybody got any other ideas? Obviously there is a limitation to the type of material to be used aboard i.e light but strong, flexible, water resistant, easily cleanable, easily replaceable etc. And usually one's stuck with the basic interior design especially if your'e on a budget and can't afford to completely rip out the interior and start again. And anything too "trendy" could date quickly......Anyway- any ideas folks?


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[tugboat]

My last boat had nice fabric fitted covers on the seats and over the top of that there were tailored covers with velcro along the bottom rear opening. The covers were made of a fabric that I can only describe as similar to deckchair material (a sort of canvas). It was durable, easy to wash and, most important, superbly comfortable to sit on in the hotter weather and also when chilly. Lots of household fabrics feel uncomfortable in sticky damp conditions. My next boat will have the same if I can find it.

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[Twister_Ken]

You missed out of your description of decor styles boats from service sailing associations which seem to all have been upholstered in a hard-wearing vinyl, either olive drab or hospital-chair blue.

Neither is to be recommended in civiised company.

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[cgull]

My mother in law has just made me some yellow flowery curtains for my boat. Very tasty! I actually thought the blue stripey ones were ok. And the cushions are next!

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[Mollari]

FROM MRS MOLLARI

As someone who has studied interior design and lives on a boat, I have to say that you are quite right about some of the decor on boats. I believe that the only thing the limits what the interior of a boat can look like is imagination.

Our boat is currently out of the water going through major works both inside and out, I look through various design magazines for inspiration and Yachts International. There are some lovely interiors in there and they can be downsized to be incorporated into boats of those of us less loaded.

My grand mother is a tailoress and as such she taught me to look around for bargain fabrics, and take the time to mix and match if you can't quite find enough of one type. A brilliant place is car boots and charity shops. It is not all used.

I've just managed to make a leather sofa using cream leather off cuts from a boat jumble to the value of £2.00 (left over from cutting out for boat seats, enhanced with cushions with a lovely material with latin design, that used to be curtains in my flat, together with some others for a mix and match look (purchased from market). I would say that the whole thing has cost no more than £40.00 (including accessories).

As for walls, we are using a mix of exterior ply (much lighter and looks stunning with a high gloss), together with some carpet. If looking for carpet, carpet is brilliant for finding off cut pieces and discounted rates.

With a little patience and imagination (with the support of various magazines) you should be able to produce something just a little different and special.

Want any further advice just ask.

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[Tomsk]

It would REALLY be worth considering fireproof materials when re-fitting. If you are unsure about the fire-retardency of a material, you can easily do it yourself with Flamecheck...

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What the hell... it's only money!

 

[Mollari]

That goes without saying. I mean who wouldn't?/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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