Drive-thru yacht interior services - an interview with IK Yacht Design

Yachting Pages recently spoke to Orna Kadosh, vice president at IK Yacht Design, to find out more about the family run business and their dock and shop philosophy.

When was your business founded?  

Established in 1984, Zak grew up around his father’s art gallery business in Israel and fell in love with that aspect of the business at a young age. 

After moving to Florida and working for eight months with others, Zak decided to open his own yacht interior business. By locating it in a full service marina, IK Yacht Design, a niche ‘drive – thru’ business developed by taking advantage of boat slips directly behind the shop as well as throughout the marina.  IK’s drive-thru component is a real attraction; it allows a boater to simply dock and shop. 

In a few hours for instance, a kitchen can be outfitted with new wares or a yacht can be totally stylised with pillows, lamps and accessories.  The yacht owner can pick from a wide variety of tables, lamps, couches and chairs that IK’s staff installs on the spot. 

I (Zak’s sister) then joined him about 10 years later and helped the management of all aspects of the business and in the creation of what exists today. 

What makes you different from your competitors?  

Bespoke furniture, art and accessories are a key component within the business. Having a custom shop is so important because finding a sofa, chair or window treatments that fit is next to impossible! 

What makes IK Yacht Design totally different from their competitors is that our clients don’t have to wait two or three months, we just build it!

To continue to bring the latest products and fresh ideas, Zak & I are constantly travelling. Taking care of clients, attending trade shows, both here and abroad and staying in touch with current trends. 

The shop is a proverbial design centre, always busy with companies keeping their extensive libraries of fabrics, lighting, flooring, wall covering and art up to date. Trend setters, original and business is good!

What’s new with your business? 

IK Yacht Design is developing a new department directed to RV Interiors. One can actually drive their motorhome into our custom indoor bay with 50 amp electrical service dedicated specifically to motorhomes. Since its conception IK Yacht Design, has designed office building interiors, private homes and aircraft as well as outdoor living spaces for its clients. 

What are the biggest challenges that you face in the superyacht industry at the moment? 

The challenge is time frame. When owners are not available to choose materials, the whole process can take a lot longer. Otherwise, we are very happy to work alongside captains since they make most of the decisions these days.

What is the most bizarre client request you’ve received? 

One of the most challenging projects was Moonlight ll a 280’ megayacht, the Royal yacht of H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayad Al Nahyan. The staterooms were designed and fabricated in Dania Beach and shipped to Abu Dhabi where they were installed on board the yacht. 

Included in the refit was two of the world’s largest marine life bronze sculptured dining tables.  Each table consists of marine life sculptures fused together with diamond cut crystal, backlit with led lighting that enhance the exotic patinas of the bronze sculptures. The sculptures held up two massive glass tops, which created tables that can accommodate up to 40 guests each.  The result created an atmosphere as if one was dining above a breathtaking reef!

Who would be your dream client?

All of IK’s clients are a big deal!  Customer service is the most important rule at IK.  Stop what you’re doing and take care of the customer. Our dream client is the next client that walks in the door!  No project is too big or too small.

For more information, or IK Yacht Design.

Or view interior designers.

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