Tommaso Spadolini My Legacy yacht interior inspired by the elegance of bygone eras

• Spadolini designed the interior of 56m M/Y My Legacy, by Cantieri Navali Codecasa
• Sumptuous fabrics and extensive gilding
• Minute detailing using skilled craftspeople
• High gloss mahogany and briarwood cabinetry

Tommaso Spadolini is able to reveal the sumptuous detailing that went into his design for the interior of 56m superyacht My Legacy. New photography shows how Spadolini and his design team drew inspiration from the luxuriousness of the past. The yacht’s Arabic owner wanted a palette of rich reds, blues and gold to contrast with the contemporary exterior lines of his new yacht.

It took hundreds of hours of research to source the woods, marbles and particularly the brocade that make up the lavish interior of this yacht. And Spadolini’s genius in this project has been twofold. First, he has made masterful use of artisanal contacts built up over a long career in yacht design mixed with those provided by the shipyard. Almost every element of the interior required the sort of craftsmanship that is becoming rarer and rarer.

And second, his rigour in identifying, customising and matching the materials and colours used have created a consistency of styling which is thoroughly modern. It is this alliance of traditional skills and materials with a contemporary eye for detail and perfection which has produced such a stunning result on My Legacy.

Tommaso Spadolini explained “What pleases me is that this project embodies the feeling of opulence in every detail of the interior, but expresses pure craftsmanship as well. We used modern suppliers who are real artisans, and most of these details are handmade. There is passion and care behind every detail, and it is absolutely fascinating to work like this.”

My Legacy is a four-deck yacht built by Codecasa to modern lines developed in house. She is a totally custom build, with lots of dark glass visible from the exterior and a sleek, dynamic aesthetic. It was the owner’s second yacht from the Viareggio-based yard, and he knew exactly what he wanted from the interior.

Spadolini explained: “The owner spent much time on board his first yacht so he had a very clear brief on the second yacht. He loves Italian craftsmanship and wanted a handmade interior that reflected a cultural love of sumptuosness and opulence. We have made this clear from the moment you step inside the main saloon, where the armchairs are upholstered in ruby red and gold brocade, with lots of gilding. Meanwhile cabinetry panels are in extremely high gloss mahogany with a briarwood centre whose patterns resemble palm trees. The effect is breathtaking.”

The owner’s apartment, comprising two cabins and a private lounge positioned forward on the maindeck, continues this red and gold theme. Exceptionally, for a yacht of this calibre, the VIP cabin on the deck below is fitted out to an identical standard as the owner’s accommodation. Stretching the full 10m beam of the boat, this cabin takes blue and gold as its chief protagonists, while the remaining two guest cabins are in beige and gold.

Much of the showcase fabric was sourced from Loris Zanca, matching the palette of the interiors. “The client was absolutely clear that he wanted floors to be either carpet or marble,” said Spadolini. “After the incredibly elaborate process of developing the pattern and tones of the cabinetry, a parquet floor, no matter how perfect, could hardly reach the same standard.”

Some of Italy’s most accomplished artisans have been involved in this project, which spanned five years due to Covid disruptions. Ginori 1735 has provided equisite handmade porcelain decor, while Badari Firenze created a range of classical lighting especially for My Legacy. Loose furniture came from DL Décor and Zanaboni, with the skilled woodwork by Stilnavi.

In the end, Spadolini is left with a feeling of pride when he looks back on the project. “We met all the requirements of the client, of course, but also produced an incredible example of craftsmanship. The styling is opulent, yes, but in this opulence is a real sense of consistency. We have not used many colours, and the cabinetry is the same throughout the boat, with an identical pattern around the edge that we chose after 15 or 16 separate trials. This interior may be classic, but displays a passion for the sea and for yachting. It is linked to the luxury of yacht interiors of the past, and I’m old enough to remember some of those!”