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[ BESPOKE: ROYAL BOTANIA ]
WE CALL IT OUR 3 E’S
by Désirée Sormani
Ergonomy, Engineering, Elegance. Royal Botania’s outdoor furnishings deliver on all three, making them ideal for onboard living
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As its name suggests, nature and elegance are part of
E
ven getting to a silver anniversary in business is a huge achievement in itself these days. But the real measure of success is not just the
ticking off the decades but the ability to sustain enduring working relationships. When old university pals Kris Van Puyvelde and Frank
Royal Botania. Above, the Alura collection. Opposite page, Alura chairs with the Traverse occasional table
Boschman set up in business together in 1992, they probably could never have dreamt that they would one day own one of the best-known outdoor furnishing brands. But from the get-go, their work has had a finger on the pulse not just of current trends but also of emerging ones. Nature and elegance are an intrinsic part of the Royal Botania DNA. Teak has always been its creative weapon of choice but one wielded a thousand different stylish ways. Lighting ranges and a bathroom furnishings collection have added to the mix. The introduction of new materials such as stainless steel, aluminium and synthetic fibres has expanded the business’s horizons to incorporate new markets, the megayacht segment included. So what is the secret? “To always try to
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do better than you did before. That is the only road to perfection. Also a constant quest for best comfort and functionality with a focus on aesthetics,” says Kris Van Puyvelde. Every single Royal Botania piece is designed and engineered to deliver a perfect balance of precision and function. Meeting the needs of even the most discerning clients is another priority, making the company a perfect fit for the yachting world. “It is not that we have designed pieces specifically for use on boats but as our furniture is used a lot in coastal areas, it has to be resistant to marine environments. And that makes it suitable for use on board as well. It obviously appeals to demanding customers when it comes to quality, functionality and design.” Aesthetics part, Royal Botania products are effortlessly ergonomic. “Royal Botania furniture has always been appreciated by people who put comfort first. Lounger collections like Ninix, XQI and Alura are considered the most comfortable on the market due to the unique movement of the seating surface and the footrest.” Much Royal Botania outdoor furniture is used indoors too. “The line between in- and outdoor furniture has become a lot thinner over the last years when talking about look and feel. Royal Botania has made teak its calling card but has used it in a thousand
Outdoor furniture is made to resist hot summers and harsh winters, UV exposure, rain and
different ways to wonderfully stylish,
snow, so it survives perfectly well in an indoor
sophisticated effect. Above, the Jive
environment. And that is obviously a big plus.”
Collection. Opposite, the ZDZ320 table. Below, the Vigor sun lounger
Royal Botania’s 2017 catalogue includes a revolutionary new umbrella called the Palma which the company launched at Milan Design Week to mark its 25th anniversary. “There is a specially-designed gas spring inside the centre pole that opens the umbrella once just a single rib is lifted,” explains Kriss. “So no more need for pulleys, ropes and blocking pins. To close it, you just grab a rib and bring it down. The other ribs will follow till the umbrella locks in the closed position. It is as perfect ashore as aboard.” www.royalbotania.com
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Pictured here, Palma umbrellas incorporate a hidden mechanism. A specially-designed gas spring opens the umbrella once just one rib is lifted. Below, a lounge featuring the Alura collection
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