Cunard ships, while among the most modern afloat, are known for their traditional luxury, accentuated by extensive use of brass, classic fabrics, marble and highly polished woods and veneers.
So the interior of Cunard's new Queen Elizabeth posed a particular challenge for designers deciding how to treat the significant central arched space on the sweeping staircase leading up from the main deck in the ship’s soaring Grand Lobby, the first area to greet embarking passengers. Cunard's President and Managing Director, Peter Shanks, says: "We needed to fill that space with a decorative screen which would not just be dramatic, a wow factor in an area already full of wow, but which would also reflect our emphasis on traditional and sumptuous materials. After much thought and exploratory work, it was decided to commission a 5.6-metre (18 ft 6 in) high marquetry panel depicting the original Queen Elizabeth, an Art Deco icon, using a variety of natural woods from around the world. Once we had decided on the theme and the medium, it didn't take us long to conclude that no-one was better qualified for this detailed but monumental work than the company of the exceptional craftsman David Linley, whose creative ability and mastery of wood is renowned."
As a result, Linley, a company specialising in the design and manufacture of fine furniture and marquetry was commissioned to design and make this stunning centrepiece at the heart of the ship. Work is currently under way, and the completed panel will be shipped during the summer to the Fincantieri shipyard at Monfalcone, Italy, where it will be installed over a period of four days to take pride of place just before the ship enters service in October. The magnificent artwork shows the port bow of the original Queen Elizabeth seen dramatically from sea level, and is intricately executed using the technique of marquetry inlay in nine different types of wood veneers. Spanning 2 decks, the panel is made up of nine panels seamlessly jointed to lightweight board. The marquetry panel features Madrona, Indian ebony, American walnut, grey ripple sycamore, burr ash, bird's eye maple, satin walnut , ash, burr walnut and Macassar ebony; all used to depict the evocative image of Queen Elizabeth.
Commenting on the challenges faced by the bespoke commission, Linley’s Chairman, David Linley, who founded the company in 1985, says:
"Though we have made fittings for luxury yachts in the past, this is the first sea-going work we have done on this scale; it is certainly the largest screen we have ever made; but it was a commission I was delighted to accept. I recall my father saying the interior design on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 made one proud to be British, so I am hoping our achievement on the new Queen Elizabeth will make him, and others, equally proud". Queen Elizabeth will be the second largest Cunarder ever built and will join her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria as part of the youngest fleet in the world. She will feature many unique Cunard traditions linking her with her sisters and their predecessors, together with all the modern day luxuries Cunard's passengers have come to expect. There will also be features that will give the vessel her own style and personality.
The first Queen Elizabeth was one of Cunard's greatest ships, and the new Queen Elizabeth will reflect her predecessor in interior grandeur, decor and style, but with a modern twist. From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at an experience that differentiates a Cunard liner from a modern-day cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship's adherence to liner traditions, with elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale, luxuriously endowed with rich wood panelling, intricate mosaics, hand-woven carpets, gleaming chandeliers, and cool marbles. Art Deco features will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, and will allow the new ship to reflect a more civilized era of travel. Queen Elizabeth will depart on her Maiden Voyage on Tuesday 12 October 2010. This 13-night celebration will leave from the company's home port, Southampton, and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (overnight call) and Funchal.
For further Curnard press information, please contact: Eric Flounders, Public Relations Manager (0207 940 5390) or Michael Gallagher, Public Relations Executive (0207 940 5391).
For LINLEY press information, please contact Christina Macmillan or Annie Gregory on 0207 824 7202.
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