Continental 80

Paperini’s brief was for a classic yet contemporary interior that was simple without appearing stark, comfortable without being plush. Moreover, special attention was paid to design details and space utilization. There certainly is a sense of space to spare aboard the Continental 80, a trait that immediately sets her apart from others in her class. As Paperini, who stands more than six feet tall, walks through the vessel’s social spaces and engine room, one notices several inches of extra clearance over his head.

The open-plan salon has a linear layout that is both functional and inviting. Orange leather Poltrona Frau chairs around the oak dining table add a splash of color to the neutral Lisio fabrics and pearlescent lacquer of the bar unit and side cabinet. The pilot chair and console are upholstered in hand-finished, caramel-colored hide that complements the ribbed American oak joinery used throughout the boat. This veneer has been modified to define the grain and remove any knots, giving it an attractive tactile quality. D’Agostino, who is passionate about cars (he owns a Bentley Continental), has added a personal touch with a steering wheel that is a replica of a Ferrari race-car wheel from the sixties, on which the CNM logo replaces Ferrari’s trademark horse. (Click image to enlarge)

This sense of space continues belowdecks with an airy lobby accessing the four ensuite cabins, which are laid out in a surprisingly versatile fashion for a midsize power cruiser.

The master suite is located just forward of the 20-foot beam to make full use of the available volume. Storage space abounds with side drawers, two wardrobes and deep drawers under the bed. Unusual décor materials in the master suite and guest cabins include leather floor tiles along the sides of the beds where guests are likely to place their bare feet and hard-wearing sizal carpeting. The owner’s bathroom is in the extreme bow where his-and-hers designer glass washbasins follow the contours of the hull and the shower-cum-sauna stall occupies that difficult-to-use triangle in the nose. Raised glass countertops add airiness to a space that could easily feel claustrophobic. An escape hatch in the ceiling leads to the foredeck and provides natural light in addition to two portholes above the washbasins that can be covered by pivoting mirrors.

Two guest cabins amidships consist of a double with twin singles to starboard and a single cabin with a piazza e mezza—a single-plus bed of 48 inches—to port. The single cabin also can be used as a study, changing room or walk-in closet. The head attached to the twin single cabin has separate access from the lobby.

The entire lower deck is almost on a continuous level with just two shallow steps amidships to the aft VIP cabin. To reduce vibration and noise levels, all the floors are mounted on aluminum frames and floated on rubber bushes.

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