Inside MY Aelia – Studio Vafiadis’ Modern Yacht Aesthetic
September 22, 2025
Turnstyle Designs The Interior Designers Architects Furniture Makers Artisans Choice
A perfect collaboration between visionary clients and creative design talent, MY Aelia, a 55m motor yacht was built by the Italian shipyard Benetti. The 2015 charter yacht boast a multitude of decks ideal for the 12 guests in 8 cabins capacity. Comprising of a master suite, four double cabins and two twin cabins, she is also capable of carrying 14 onboard crew members.
In 2024, it underwent a transformative re-fit at Lusben shipyard by designs Studio Vafiadis. The design team crafted the perfect combination of functionality and modern understated luxury, alongside extensive upgrades. The all-new refreshed design aesthetic only further increased her impeccable charter record and is still today a highly chartered yacht.
At the heart of the design brief was the owners’ love for their art filled residences that echo modern and informal luxury. Premium suppliers were commissioned bringing the vision to life, these included Molteni, Flexform, Ruggiano, Cassina, Maxalto, Alchymia, Poltrona, Ethimo and of course Turnstyle Designs.
Opting for our Shagreen Recess Amalfine grip design, the designers emulated the contemporary feel by choosing our Stepped Door Levers and Stacked Doorknobs that feature in the suites, en-suites and communal areas creating a seamless continuity throughout the space.
Smaller matching cabinet knobs were chosen for areas such as the spa and treatment rooms as well as lounge and games room.
A highly textured grip design, Shagreen is one of our most popular Amalfine grip finishes. Its texture was moulded from a single, ethically sourced sting-ray skin, and then replicated with hair like detail in our unique composite material meaning it will last a lifetime.
Bespoke furniture and upgraded lighting schemes have enhanced the mood of the overall project and elevated the visual appeal. Choosing our beautifully handmade hardware for these areas, only adds to that visual opulence and textural story.
The creative concept and harmonious charm that Studio Vafiadis have created with MY Aelia is the reason why it is an incredibly popular charter today. Functionality meets artist style creating an onboard experience of refined luxury.
“This project is the result of harmonic processes and connections through different humans, each well-established in their own field. We are always willing to take new challenges and strive our works and design into perfection.”
THE HARDWARE
Over 30 years on, Turnstyle Designs is considered one of the foremost producers of hand crafted, design led, door and furniture hardware in the world. This is certainly evident within the marine and superyacht sector, where they have supplied some of the most prestigious and interesting superyacht projects worldwide.
This demanding area, where hardware must be of the highest standard and performance, is where Turnstyle Designs thrive. In a world where function is just as critical as the form, our products are engineered by a team of experts, designed to exceed the expectations of any marine based environment. They are not only made to look beautiful but made to last!
About Studio Vafiadis
“Not only assisting and supporting its clients through innovative, comprehensive and efficient design, but maximizing the performance of services through the understanding the culture of the client, his lifestyle and aesthetics critical issues.
Yachts are complex entities which require an optimization and appropriate use of space.
Owner and guests must be fully pleased while the crew must be able to provide the service and properly maintain the vessel and its systems.
As creative and innovative designers, studio Vafiadis are also committed to the evolving developments, and they stand ready to implement the latest technological advances through state-of-the-art techniques, materials and ideas. Interior design should echo the feeling of exterior styling while interior and exterior areas should flow nicely.
Their creativity is coming from inside the yachts we design!”
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