ICON - The magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers - (Page 49)

mutt, which is one of the things she likes about her work. In order to use space efficiently and honor clients’ specific requests, she works collaboratively with a team of interior designers, yacht stylists, product developers, naval engineers and furniture designers. One advantage of specializing in this area is “being able to focus on reﬁning a design because you fully understand your space and limitations.” Production schedules are always a challenge because installations become logistically difficult (to say the least) once a vessel sails away. Riding the Rails The train trip from Anchorage, Alaska, to Denali National Park is a breathtaking experience, and Alaska Railroad executives wanted the interiors of two new rail cars to complement the stunning landscape. Cathy Kerr, ASID, of Spiral Design in Anchorage, was hired to design the bilevel domed cars. With 35 years of rail car experience, Kerr began by researching designs of the 1930s and ‘40s, when rail travel was at its peak. Eventually, she decided that retro was not the way to go. “We live in such an amazing, special place, so I wanted to reﬂect the environment,” Kerr says. Her design for the cars celebrates the color of the Alaskan sky and the garnet hues found on river beds along the route. An Alaskan artist painted bursts of abstract color onto glass panels that divide tables in the lower dining car and Kerr also designed custom carpets and seating fabrics to create a look that calls to mind the aurora borealis. Designing the rail cars involves many stakeholders, and design approvals were required throughout the project by both the client and the Colorado company that builds the car. Kerr traveled to Denver for meetings, as well as to Germany to work with Lantal Textiles on her carpet and seating fabric designs. As advances are made in rail technology, there’s always a learning curve, but stability and durability are givens. “You have to remember that everything is moving all the time,” she says. “So you have to know everything about glues and adhesives.” How can a designer break into this niche field? “Get involved in tourism. Think about going overseas, and living in Europe for a while, where rail travel is big,” says Kerr. “And know the codes backward and forward.” Cruising in Style In business for 19 years, Nancy Burﬁend, ASID, principal of NB Design Group in Seattle, had never designed a cruise ship cabin in her life. However, a young designer on her staff had previously worked for Holland America Cruise Lines, so a connection was made. The cruise line was in the market for a “different look” for its staterooms—something evocative of a boutique hotel—and they were impressed with the ﬁrm’s proposal. There was much to learn in terms of codes and cruise ship standards, but Burﬁend and her colleagues relied on their (previously) land-locked instincts to inspire the design for more than 2,100 passenger cabins—from deluxe suites to interior cabins. They found out quickly that the color green and strong stripes are not welcome on a moving vessel! By introducing different woods, textures Designing yacht interiors requires unique design considerations. In this living space, the designer installed custom acrylic holders in the china cabinets and bar to secure stemware, glasses and bottles. All lamps and accessories are siliconed in place for stability, and items that need to be easily removed (such as trays and vases) are secured with “Quake Hold.” ASID ICON | NOV/DEC 2007 COURTESY LAZZARA YACHTS 49 PHOTO: DAVID MONROE PHOTOGRAPHY

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ICON - The magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers

ICON - The magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers Contents President’s Message Good to Know Innovations Breathing Life into a Building Designs for Senior Living On the Move Thinking Green Aging in Style Industry Inside ASID Grassroots ASID National Industry Partner Focus Showroom Advertisers Resource Guide Annual Articles Index

ICON - The magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers

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