A superyacht, by definition, is a luxurious vessel more than 100 feet in length with a crew and captain aboard. These vessels celebrate all that’s inspiring about the high life and lavish living on the sea. So, when Dee Dee Taylor Eustace (the Toronto-based architect and interior designer who’s also the founder and owner of the prominent firm Taylor Hannah Architect Inc.) told us about the ultra-magnificent superyacht she and her fiancé, entrepreneur Bobby Genovese, share, we were instantly enamored, and couldn’t wait to feature it in the pages of our Summer issue.
Originally owned by Microsoft’s cofounder Paul Allen, the classic BG Charade is a luxury Feadship (one of the world’s premier superyacht builders often dubbed the Rolls-Royce of superyachts). The vessel is 158 feet long and accommodates 12 in its six expansive staterooms, two being on the main deck — there’s one VIP suite and an owner’s suite, as well as four luxurious staterooms on the lower deck. There’s also ample cabin space for a crew of 12, including a top-notch chef and captain’s quarters.
Acquired by the couple in 2014, the BG Charade is illustrative of their devotion to their families. “Bobby really does love to collect boats, gather friends and create memories, but the idea behind buying this one was to motor around the world and bring our kids along with us,” says Dee Dee, who redesigned the superyacht and was nominated for the top five superyacht refits in the world in 2016. “When we purchased it, the interiors looked like a New York apartment from the ’90s,” she says with a laugh. “Every square inch of it was done in darker hues, and there was a pink-coloured wood fireplace in the main salon. This iconic design was refitted years later.” Dee Dee was inspired by the vessel’s exceptional lines and opted to bring in a Hamptons-esque look. “Throughout the interiors, I wanted a more timeless feel. It is designed with shades of white and various designer furniture pieces including Hermès , Christian Liaigre and Calvin Klein, rather than built-ins. The floors are a marine-grade grey wood, and the photography includes Canadian artists David Burdeny and Joshua Jensen-Nagle, and the iconic Slim Aarons,” she explains.
A superyacht’s interiors should be both luxe and comfortable, and the main salon — akin to a home’s living room — is the perfect case in point. During the refit, Dee Dee moved the dining room into the main salon (and transformed the formal dining room into a VIP stateroom including an ensuite bathroom). While the sofas, chairs and linens are all done in monochromatic shades of white with grey accents, colourful pops in the artwork, accessories and the views of seas out the windows brings the space to life. The dining table, designed by mid-century modern design icon Karl Springer, was modified to accommodate 12 and sits adjacent to a striking wine display. Two large glass doors leading to the aft deck are positioned at the other end of the room. Wonderful mementoes such as lacquered bowls made of petrified wood collected while travelling in Indonesia adorn the space. “It’s a beautiful room — very bright and elegant,” says Dee Dee.
The sky lounge carries the same light and bright feel as the main salon. “I removed the bar, lacquered the entire room, added two book-matched L-shaped sofas with two blue ikat throws from Indonesia and everything rests on an area sisal carpet.” The doors on either side of the television have a fabulous diagonal pattern circa 1990 that Dee Dee chose to leave as a nod to the superyacht’s heritage. The door on the left leads to the captain’s quarters, while the door on the right takes passengers to a lit stairway leading down to the main salon.
Spacious enough for a king-sized bed and a seating area with settee and chaise, the owner’s suite is mesmerizing. “I kept the soothing palette the same, but I added a fabulous feature on the ceiling. To pick up the wall detail, I used a lacquered wood veneer and ebony inlay. The ceiling reflects and encapsulates the bed. The technique plays with scale and perspective,” she says. The ensuite has a two person shower, two vanities, a separate water closet and a freestanding bathtub. The photograph above the tub is another boat in the couple’s fleet, a 78-foot Lazzara.
“A superyacht’s interiors should be both luxe and comfortable.”
The exterior’s amenities are just as plentiful as the opulent interior. The aft deck is ideal for al fresco dining (the antique McGuire chairs around the table are exquisite), entertaining and movie-watching in the moonlight — there’s a 102-inch screen that’s deployed from a built-in cabinet. The hot tub area was refitted and there’s a new sun pad at the top of the vessel where guests can enjoy a glass of Champagne and take in their surroundings. For active friends and family onboard, there’s fun to be had with a multitude of watersports — there are kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis, Seabobs and hydrofoil surfboards alongside a rock-climbing wall and a waterslide.
The refit was a two-year project, but it was one that Dee Dee remembers fondly. “This was the second boat I’ve designed, and I love that it’s of today and of tomorrow. It was done seven years ago, but it is iconic, and the design is remarkably lasting. It’s truly standing the test of time, as all Feadships do,” she says. “We’ve also really loved our travels on BG Charade and have created such wonderful memories with our friends and family as we explored the coastlines of Bali, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Croatia, Venice and Monaco. We have adventured to some of my favourite destinations by sea, including the Italian coast, the French Riviera, Malaysia, Montenegro, Cuba and The Bahamas,” she adds. “From my time abroad, I’ve noticed how fascinating it is to see the world from the outside looking in — it offers a different perspective and pure joy.”
Photography by José Jeuland
