Cunard has appointed SMC Design to lead the development of Queen Mary 2’s interior spaces in preparation for her forthcoming major refit in 2016. The Cunard flagship will undergo a multi-million 25-day (27 May – 21 June) extensive refurbishment that will see new interior designs and new guest experiences introduced on the most iconic ship in the world as she begins the next chapter in what has already been an illustrious career.
Queen Mary 2, is the last ocean liner engaged in regularly scheduled transatlantic service.
This announcement follows on from the recent well-received news that Queen Mary 2 will gain 15 new single cabins and an additional 30 Britannia Club cabins during the refit and that the very popular kennels will be expanded to cater for the high demand this unique facility already attracts. Today’s announcement about the appointment of SMC Design will be the first of several unveilings the company has planned underlining the importance of the work to be undertaken on Queen Mary 2. SMC Design was founded in 1994 and is a London-based design consultancy that specializes in the maritime sector.
The design team has worked on many ships from small luxury yachts to some of the largest ships ever built. The company also has a history of working with Cunard ships past and present, leading previous refit projects of QE2, Cunard Countess and Cunard Princess while also being involved in the designs for its current fleet: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. SMC’s Managing Director Andy Collier was in fact part of Queen Mary 2’s launch design team at the beginning of the Century when she was the first Atlantic liner to be built for over 35 years.
The new Queen Mary 2 designs will focus on updating iconic art deco lines and subtly introducing classic Deco touches inspired by Cunard’s rich heritage. The original Art Deco masterpiece Queen Mary has been one of the sources of this inspiration with the new interior designs bringing Cunard’s decorative and glamorous past into the 21st Century. This is now a style many people opt for, including home owners. There are many companies out there that can create this look for you, such as Wayside Furniture House, that offer the stylish furniture you need to match your new classic deco interior.
The new designs aim to give the interior spaces clear identity and character with some strong traditional Cunard colours introduced as features and off-set against more neutral Queen Mary 2 tones. With new signature colour schemes, new carpets, new furniture as well as more decorative fixtures and fittings installed throughout the largest ocean liner in the world, the design approach is set to ensure the flagship retains her leading position.
And it’s not just design experts who are helping to shape the future of Queen Mary 2. Over the last eighteen months Cunard has been consulting and testing different ideas with thousands of past and future guests across the world. These ongoing consultations are an important element of the work being undertaken in preparation for refit and the valuable opinions from the people who know Cunard and Queen Mary 2 better than anyone is actively being incorporated into the exciting and extensive development plans that will be revealed over the coming months.
“Queen Mary 2 is the pride of the Cunard fleet. With SMC’s proven maritime design expertise, invaluable input from thousands of Cunard’s discerning, international guests, and 175 years of history as our foundation, we look forward to even more exciting design innovations on the already legendary Queen Mary 2,” said Richard Meadows, president, Cunard North America.
