SUPERYACHT TIMES: Giulia Grassi’s focus on yacht refits and evolving interior trends

In conversation with Supernova Design Studio: “Today’s clients want spaces that feel personal, warm and connected to the sea rather than purely impressive.”

For Giulia Grassi, founder of Supernova Design, which has offices in Lake Como, Monaco and Miami, the path to yacht design began in the marinas of Monaco. Walking  with her grandfather, a residential interior designer known for his work with clients such as Elvis Presley, Liberace and members of various royal families. Surrounded by gleaming yachts, those early visits proved formative, inspiring her interest in yacht design. “I asked him to buy me one of the yachts,” she recalls. “He told me, ‘Sweetie, what’s even more rewarding than owning one is to be the designer of it.’”

That remark, and her grandfather’s example of being a self-made man, became the catalyst for Giulia’s pursuit of design. After completing her studies, she began her career in Monaco as an intern and eventually rose to head the yachting department at Sabrina Monte-Carlo. Her time there, she says, gave her solid technical grounding and insight into the expectations of yacht clients.

SuperYacht Times sat down with Giulia to discuss her decision to establish Supernova Design, the refit of the 52-metre Benetti Solafide, the studio’s expansion into residential work, and her views on evolving trends in yacht interiors.

Founding Supernova Design Studio

Reflecting on her decision to establish Supernova Design in 2022, Giulia describes it as “a natural step in my journey.” After several years leading the yachting department at Sabrina Monte-Carlo, she felt it was time to create something of her own. “I wanted to build a studio that reflected my personal vision,” she says, “bringing together a collective of young designers and architects from both the yachting and residential worlds, all sharing the same passion for the sea.”

What began as a solo venture soon evolved into a family enterprise and a small team of designers joining as new projects came in.

Collaboration, she explains, lies at the heart of Supernova’s identity. Many of the artisans she works with today once collaborated with her grandfather. “They’ve known me since I was a child,” she adds. “It was important to give something back to them, and together we can offer yacht owners pieces that truly reflect their personality and lifestyle.”

The refit of Solafide

Supernova’s first major project was the interior refit of Solafide, a 52-metre Benetti built in the 1990s and completed at IMS Shipyard in the South of France. The owner acquired the yacht for family cruising and occasional charter use, with the brief to enhance comfort without compromising her original character.

“The aim was to create spaces that could accommodate a large family while preserving the elegance and identity of such a beautiful vessel,” Giulia explains.

The scope of work was ambitious, involving the complete redesign of the main and upper decks. “After the drawings were approved, we had just four months to complete the work, and we handled everything in-house with our artisans, from fabrication to installation,” she continues. “Completing the refit on schedule without compromising quality was our absolute priority.”

The decision to carry out the refit at IMS came from the owner’s project management team. The shipyard oversaw all technical aspects, including the restoration of the engines, which were removed and reinstalled during the process. “It required close cooperation between us and IMS to keep the timeline on track,” Giulia recalls. “While they focused on the engineering work, we coordinated our interior installation around it to ensure the yacht could be relaunched on time.” The refit later received the Best in Refit award at the 2025 International Superyacht Society Awards during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2025.

Following the completion of Solafide, Supernova soon undertook another project, the refit of Zaffiro, a 27-metre Canados. “The owners approached me after hearing about our work on Solafide,” Giulia says. “It was very much word of mouth.”

This time, the brief came from within the same family, who wanted to adapt Zaffiro primarily for charter use. “They told me they needed the yacht prepared for a specific purpose, and we began a close collaboration,” she explains. One of the family members, a professional singer, wished to use the yacht as a setting for small private performances and events, so the sun deck was redesigned as an open, flexible area. “We dismantled all the fixed furniture and restored the teak deck to create a completely free space,” Giulia adds. “That way, it can be configured for concerts, private gatherings or simply to enjoy time with guests.”