Blog
Blog by South Florida Yacht Designer Patrick Knowles focusing on yacht design, private aircraft design, luxury residential design and overall interior design from Fort Lauderdale to an international market.
Trendspotting: Curves In All The Right Places
“Beauty is power and elegance, right action, form fitting function, intelligence, and reasonability. And very often expressed in curves.” —Kim Stanley RobinsonCurved furniture is nothing new, but after seasons of mid-century modern pieces and serious furnishings with...
Facing the Challenge: Onyx Walls
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new.” —Socrates The challenge:To exceed the expectations of a long-term client by producing a design with a complexity and level of details unforeseen.The answer:There is...
How Covid has changed the process of buying a superyacht
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new.” —Socrates The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) reported that new yacht sales (defined as boats 33’ (10m) in length or longer), increased 51% in 2020,...
3 Elements to a Perfect Bedside Table
“If you want to change the world, start by making your bed.” —William McCraven, U.S. NavyI like the idea that you should start every day with something productive you can check off your to-do list, like making your bed. Change your habits, change the world! So what...
The New World of Disposable Luxury
It is a standing tradition that luxury was luxury because it was not disposable. Luxury is supposed to be a legacy, long-lasting, and something to be cherished, particularly when it comes to the yachting industry. The up and coming younger generations of yacht...
Where to go Yachting This Winter
It is official, “pandemic” is the word of the year, and in travel that translates to the best places to social distance while still enjoying a getaway. That is why yachting has seen an industry boost in 2020. The summer saw everyone cruising out on warm waters...
Questions To Ask When Hiring a Yacht Designer
“Art is pattern formed by sensibility.” —Herbert Read, PoetThere are so many questions that come to the surface when clients or shipyards come to PKD about a new superyacht or a refit project. Purchasing and designing a superyacht can be daunting, but that should...
Trend Watch: Yacht Design at The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2020
“Art is pattern formed by sensibility.” —Herbert Read, PoetIn years past, everyone in the marine industry was heading to Fort Lauderdale this week for the world’s largest boat show. This year, even one week before the show opens, there are many vendors, brokers and...
Find Your Rhythm – Repetition in Design
“Art is pattern formed by sensibility.” —Herbert Read, PoetGood design draws a viewer in, but great design keeps a viewer interested, taking in every aspect of the space. One of the best ways to encourage a roaming eye in a room is with repetition of design elements,...
Why Every Good Design Begins with a Sketch
“Drawing is vision on paper.” —Andrew LoomisThe world of technology is bursting with design tools, and yet you will often see architects and designers picking up paper and pencil before anything else. Why is that? When a client contacts Patrick Knowles Designs and...