CRN LATONA: INSPIRED BY LIBERTY STYLE

Over the years, we have featured superyachts that could be described as either majestic, sporty, innovative, or classical, but with CRN’s 50-metre Latona, the only word that truly fits her style, ambience and character is, delectable. It’s no surprise though, as the Owner worked alongside CRN and Zuccon International Project to create a yacht inspired by Stile Liberty, the short-lived, but highly intricate international style of art, architecture and applied art that defined the turn of the century design. Most popular between 1890 and 1910, Stile Liberty, or Art Nouveau, as it was also known, was inspired by natural forms and structures, particularly the curved lines of plants and flowers. But what makes Stile Liberty such a strong base for a yacht design is that it’s a total art style; that is, it embraces a wide range of fine and decorative arts, including architecture, painting, graphic art, interior design, jewellery, furniture, textiles, ceramics, glass art, and metal work. This gave CRN and Zuccon International Project a full repertoire of inspiration to call upon while creating Latona’s delightful demeanour.

Super Conero Style

Although architecture was an integral part of Stile Liberty, its ‘whiplash’ style of sudden curves, asymmetrical shapes and dynamic lines would not have worked on any part of Latona’s exterior. Just imagine a yacht in the style of Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia basilica, or Otto Wagner’s Karlsplatz Stadtbahn station: it would simply be too much for the senses. Instead, CRN and Zuccon looked to something far more subtle for Latona’s exterior lines – CRN’s very own Superconero of the 1960s. Classical and timeless, Latona mixes a thoroughly modern silhouette with subtle superstructure detailing giving it the feel of la dolce vita. There are no sudden or aggressive lines on Latona; her design is honest and unpretentious, with the flamboyance saved for the interior. If most superyachts can be described as ‘black tie’ then Latona is very much ‘exclusive beachwear’ – inviting, warm, friendly and of course, topped off with that gorgeous turquoise hull which changes intensity depending on the water Latona sits in.

A Grand Entrance

The turquoise experience continues as you step on board Latona’s aft deck, with the pool (featuring a windowed floor that lets natural light illuminate the tender bay below) and cushions radiating the soft, blue hue. A C-shaped sofa with two tables is served by a forward bar and it’s here at Latona’s main salon entrance that we first see Art Nouveau’s swirls, segments and curves in the colourful, flanking seascape murals.

Owner’s Suite

Heading forward, we follow the Emperor Dark embroidery on the floor which leads us to Latona’s lobby. Here, Stile Liberty can not only be seen on the lobby wall panels, but also the doors themselves, which feature the asymmetrical lines that make the art form so intriguing. The swirls continue in the main staircase’s hand rails, whose dark wood shapes contrast with a central backlit column finished in wood with silver leaf. At the end of the lobby corridor is the Owner’s suite, an area so vast, it has been split into three distinct areas. At the entrance is the studio, with its curved sofa stretching away from the starboard door. A huge walk-in wardrobe can be found to port, with the bedroom accessed forward.

Stepping inside the master stateroom, your eye is immediately drawn to the hand-made headboard that flows out of the bed like a dark walnut and light blue velvet crown. The ceiling is also crafted by hand, with wooden flowers encasing the spotlights, while underneath, the familiar dark brown carpet embroidery leads you past the Owner’s private terrace to the his and hers bathroom. Constructed entirely in bright Carrara marble with Calacatta marble detailing, the bathroom features a large circular hydromassage tub, a walkthrough shower, elegant taps and doors in glass with haut-and bas-relief decorations.

For the Guests

Heading back into the foyer, the guests can choose to take the stairs or elevator down to the lower deck. Here we find the lobby for the four cabins – two double VIP aft and two twins forward. Unlike many superyacht designs that like to mix things up with a radically different guest cabin design, Zuccon and CRN kept the Art Nouveau look that works so well on the upper decks. Decorated with fabric-lined panels, mirrors and deep carpets, the guests are treated to the same experience as the Owner – even the en suite bathrooms share the same style as the master stateroom up above, featuring fine marbles and the large showers with seat.

Music Room

Last stop on the elevator is the upper deck, with the bridge and captain’s cabin forward and aft we find arguably one of Latona’s most delightful areas, the music room. Surrounded by the charming Liberty Style decorations is one of the most magical sofas we’ve come across, a deep couch shaped like a lyre – a musical instrument straight out of Art Nouveau’s heyday. A white-lacquered grand piano sits in the port-side corner, with precious curtains and Lalique lamps contributing to this unique lounge. Stepping through the sliding doors, Latona’s upper deck opens out into a huge entertaining area, complete with a 12-seat dining table with two large sun pads aft.

Sun Deck

If the upper deck sunpads aren’t big enough for you, then it’s time to head up the starboard staircase to the sun deck. Much like the Owner’s suite, it too is made up of three different zones. Aft is for sun-lovers only, with four sunpads and a delightful, raised circular sunbed with convertible roof. The inflatable slide is also deployed from the aft area, which along with the upper deck’s inflatable climbing wall, adds to Latona’s lighthearted character. Central is what CRN call the ‘living area’ although, ‘eating area’ is probably more apt, as there’s yet another dining table for 12. Unlike the interior, the furniture here is made for being out in the elements, so there’s no lyre-shaped sofas, or motif flooring; up here on the sundeck, it’s all very much Saint Tropez beach club. Talking of which, forward is a huge sunpad area fitted with a Jacuzzi, which thanks to a low-profile splash screen, gives you a commanding view of the surroundings, while keeping your privacy fully intact.

Beach Club

Latona’s outside areas reflect her easy going attitude, with a generously sofa’d foredeck lounge perfect for Med-style mooring. Here, the seating can be covered by a bimini top, with only the forward sunpad open to the sun’s rays. Last, but by no means least is Latona’s beach club, which in many ways is her most impressive feature. The reason for this is not only her solarium, gym, hammam and integrated open air lounge, but her float-in garage.

First seen on Latona’s big sister, the 58-metre J’ade, the float-in tender bay is located at the forward part of the beach club and when flooded, can be used as a salt water pool. Not only is it a major aesthetic innovation, but it takes up less space than a normal garage as it’s not partitioned off. It’s so important in yacht design to have a theme and with Latona’s Stile Liberty, CRN had the ideal basis for creating a unique superyacht with a warm and endearing heart. Latona’s quality is a testament to the craftsmen who built her, and her finish, for a 50-metre yacht is truly world class. Art Nouveau lasted a mere 20 years before Art Deco replaced it, but with Latona, CRN has created a timeless classic.