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The third time’s the charm for Henry and Kelly Luken, whose new Liquidity finds perfection in the details.
by Mark T. Masciarotte
photography by Neil Rabinowitz
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04/01/2005
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| Christensen 157 |  |
The interior theme is similar in many respects to the couple’s
previous boat. Both feature flawless, raised-panel joinery of American walnut
finished to a high gloss. The wood panels and veneers are grain- and
color-matched to an almost obsessive degree. It is yacht-quality craftsmanship
in the truest sense of the word and showcases the remarkable level of detail
that the Christensen joinery shop is capable of producing.
The rich glow of American walnut
joinery highlights the living spaces of Liquidity's interior. In the dining
area (top) and the main salon (bottom) it is set off by subtle fabrics and
neutral carpets. The yard's joinery shop also created the
magnificent matching walnut
dining table. Photographs by Stephen Cridland. (Click images to enlarge)
The general arrangement, too, is nearly identical to the
smaller Liquidity, with changes based more on the extra available space
than a desire on the owners’ part to alter the room placements or deck
configurations.
The most obvious difference between the two boats is the décor.
Carol Williamson, who coordinated the interior design, points to subtle changes
that make the new boat more inviting, refinements she worked on with the
Lukens.
"We stepped away from dark upholstery and moved toward lighter
tones and more texture, placing a lot of emphasis on fine detail," she said.
"The result gives a more luxurious impression at first glance, because it opens
the spaces while tying them together architecturally." Williamson also noted
that more attention was given to the lighting and accessorizing, including the
installation of artwork.
Top: The
entrance lobby. Bottom: With its coffered overhead and
leather-topped desk, the office in the owner’s suite, provides an elegant
workspace. Photographs by Stephen Cridland. (Click images to enlarge)
The interior overheads are another departure from the previous
design. A complex grouping of smoothly textured, leather-wrapped panels
contributes to the sumptuous feel, mimicking the carpet color and complementing
the walnut’s color and grain.
The masonry is another major design upgrade. The first
Liquidity used a green marble almost exclusively. This project employs a
wide variation of stones – many of which are semi-precious – set in elaborate
designs that are testament to the exceptional ability of stonework designer and
installer Jeff Homchick of Seattle. The result of the collaboration between
designer and clients is a richer, more sophisticated look that retains the
comfortable, residential feel that the Lukens prefer.
Top: In the master bath, the
borders are of flawless lapis lazuli outlined in delicate, crowned strips of
polished stainless steel. Bottom: Due to the boat’s substantial volume, the master
stateroom, affords maximum space and privacy. Custom glass panels in the
cabinets are backlit to add to the room’s soothing ambiance. Photographs by Stephen Cridland. (Click images to enlarge)
While the interior received a great deal of attention, it is
the utility of the boat that interests this owner, particularly as it relates to
one of his great passions: fishing. Ask anyone who has cast a fly with Henry
Luken to describe the experience in a word, and the answer is usually,
"Wild!"
"I’m not sure it’s so wild," answered Luken. "I like to fly
fish when we’re up in Southeast Alaska. So, when the tide’s high, we put on
waders, strap a shotgun across our backs (for protection against bears), grab a
rod and jump on a Jet Ski. Then, we run as high up a river as we can go, and
when we’re out of water and we’re sucking rocks, we beach the ’Skis and start
fishing for salmon. Actually, it’s not fishing, it’s fish catching; we’re there
to get dinner."
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