“Tami Frain was so sure about the look and feel she and her husband, Rick, wanted for Romeo Foxtrot that she could taste it. She’s as big a fan of cooking as she is of boathandling and cruising. She has whipped up memorable meals aboard all the couple’s previous yachts, including the 98-foot Hargrave Tigers Eye, which they had for 12 years before taking delivery of the 116-foot Hargrave.
With Romeo Foxtrot, Frain envisioned turning out dishes that would please everyone, down to the youngest grandchild. And yet, everyone else was convinced that the reality of owning a yacht run by a professional crew would win out. Shelley DiCondina of Yacht Interiors by Shelley says she vividly remembers one of the first conversations with Frain about the design for Romeo Foxtrot’s galley. As Frain and Rachel Wike, a designer at the company, discussed color palettes and the overall ambience with Frain, DiCondina gently told Frain, “You’re not going to cook.” Frain replied, “Yes, I am,” without missing a beat.
Romeo Foxtrot’s extra length allows for a fold-down transom, perfect for the grandkids to board water toys while the grown-ups keep a watchful eye from the teak swim platform or the air-conditioned, shaded lounge. There’s also a steam room and a day head. In fact, the Frains insisted on having a day head on every deck, including the sun deck – quite uncommon for a 116-footer. Also uncommon for a yacht this length, Romeo Foxtrot has two king-berth guest staterooms and two nearly king staterooms belowdecks. The latter beds are, according to DiCondina, just 6 inches shy of true kings, which tend to be the exclusive domain of VIP and master staterooms. Most yacht owners also tend to put at least one twin-berth stateroom belowdecks for charter, with the berths capable of pushing together. The Frains felt that four nearly identical staterooms (with different accent colors) would be attractive for charter.” VIEW THE ARTICLE
Southern Boating Magazine, December 2023
“They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but when I stepped aboard the Hargrave 116-foot Romeo Foxtrot, the pictures I saw prior to my visit quickly went silent. The real-life visual in front of me spoke volumes as the colors, textures, design features and accents, and even the lighting blended into a work of art.
“As the lead designer on this project, my primary goal was to create a yacht with uncompromising amenities and luxurious comfort,” says Shelley DiCondina, president of and lead designer of Yacht Interiors by Shelley in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and designer of Romeo Foxtrot’s interior. “Our first mission was to design a floor plan that’s function was beyond reproach…to create a luxury vessel that has thoughtful gathering areas that are beyond comfortable, feels intimate for long conversations and relaxing, and are easily accessible for crew to deliver discrete service.”
And that’s just how Romeo Foxtrot emerged from the yard. As I said, walking into the main salon gave me an entirely new perspective. First, what appeared in pictures, a skinny, elongated salon and dining area, turned out to be quite the opposite. Nearly floor-to-celiling windows made the space feel much wider, and contemporary accents along with furniture choices made for a large cohesive room with distinctive social areas. It was then I realized the windows were so big because the headroom was unusually tall — seven feet, two inches to be exact.
Exotic walnut-based veneers, marble, wood, and tile are used extensively to create a refined, luxurious feel throughout the interior. Light sand tones everywhere are blended with splashes of browns, ocean blues, patterns, and gleaming glosses. With those interior design attributes and the “picture” windows letting in an abundance of natural light, there’s a spaciousness that lets you breathe yet keeps you wrapped in a cozy, comfortable frame of mind.
“The dining table is called a “Live Edge Table” of raw teak,” explains DiCondina. “We could not get the width of the table we required so we had the shipyard cut the plank down the center and flip the “live edge” of the plank to the inside. The table was then laid up with gray-toned acrylic poured to create width on the inside. This way, the raw edge is on view in the center of the table to enjoy. The other benefit is that the table perimeter is smoother and makes for easier table setting and use. We then designed a very clean, simple stainless steel banded base with sub deck that bolted to the floor. The “Live Edge” plank trend is a sophisticated nod to the organic vibe designers are embracing — earthly and starring Mother Nature; whether it’s looking out to the windows at the sea or admiring the simple beauty of a plank of wood.”
It’s a stunning piece of artwork that seats 10 and is an exquisite example of how Yacht Interiors by Shelley fuses modern design with timeless luxury.” VIEW THE ARTICLE
International Boat, November 2023
“Even when indoors, the family can enjoy the natural environment. Natural light is one of the hallmarks of the interior and the full-height windows in the main salon are a point of pride with Hargrave’s long-time in-house designer Shelley DiCondina. “I really fought hard for these windows, and I think now everyone is glad they are there, she says.
The interior color scheme is one of the lightest and most contemporary on a Hargrave yacht to date. Light wood floors are stained a pale gray and rubbed with silver powder to accent the grain. Light leather wall panels. Calacatta gold marble counter and tabletops and white window coverings contrast with ebony-stained walnut built-in cabinets and accent joinery. The chair and sofa fabrics are a pale warm gray with rich peacock teal accents selected by Tami.
“Shelley knows our style. I asked for an interior that has a feeling of peacefulness and calmness. I like soft textures. It had to be inviting and yet classy; I wanted to walk into every room and feel ‘wow, this is special.’ The rest is all Shelley.”
For that bit of “wow,” DiCondina and lead designer Rachel Orcutt-Wike chose to make the spiral staircase at the center of three decks the yacht’s focal point. Its floating treads radiate off a metallic center pole and anchor in a sweeping band that mimics the ebonized walnut joinery appearing throughout. The surrounding feature wall comprises alternating vertical panels of smooth white and walnut brown painted wood, taupe textured leather and chrome strips. A textured metal handrail sparkles with refracted light from LED strip lighting.
Covid-19 was still disrupting production schedules and supply chains as DiCondina’s teams sourced interior metals and furniture. “We’d order and they would tell us our selection was discontinued or back ordered and maybe they wouldn’t answer at all. The yard stepped in and made much of the loose furniture, even the sofas and the dining room chairs and the club chairs in the sky lounge,” she says.
She pays tribute to Rich’s interest in woodworking with details such as the interior dining table made of book-marched sections of live edge wood slabs and sconces with wood details. As for Tami’s interest in cooking, the galley is furnished to owner standard with a beautiful tile backsplash, quartz counters, and white upper cabinets with glass doors.” VIEW THE ARTICLE
Southern Boating Magazine, July 2021
“Irresistible was built with a 13-page list of standard equipment ranging from triple Glendinning shore-power cords to Naiad stabilizers and bow thruster to a decor from Yacht Interiors by Shelley of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I found Irresistible, well, irresistible as a long-legged offshore cruising yacht or a second home.” VIEW THE ARTICLE
