I S S U E 1 8 J A N , 2 0 2 5
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MAY Issue # 14
Jet Cabin Freshbook LLC - A Jet Media company
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All rights reserved - JetCabin Freshbook Magazine, a Jet Media Company
Issue 17 / November, 2024
JET CABIN FRESHBOOK Magazine is the world's only all-digital publication focussed entirely on jet interiors. We do not publish broad spectrum aviation news or content. The magazine and it's goals were an outgrowth of our founder's career-long profession as a designer of VVIP aircraft interiors. His singularly focussed goal in establishing JCF Magazine was to present Designers, Completion Centers, Flight Departments and Purchasing Agents with the very latest and most innovative interior related products and services by the top cabin suppliers from around the world. JCF provides in-depth coverage of the latest design trends, new materials, emerging technologies and continually showcases the world's top designers. To this day JCF Magazine maintains the most comprehensive categorized listing of Cabin Supplier Groups - worldwide.
JCF Magazine is also proud to maintain the world's only fully comprehensive global listing of top aviation interior designers from around the world. GLOBAL DESIGN ROSTER was developed exclusively for Operators & Flight Departments in need of design resources as they approach new projects. Each of the more than sixty renown designers have been vetted and most have OEM certifications and other industry accepted credentials and awards.
Our key areas of coverage are: Interior Cabin Design / Cabin hygiene / Cabin management • Food & Galley Service • Completions and Refurbishment / Carpet & Flooring / IFE and CMS / Lavs / Lighting / Seating /Textiles and leather / Trends & Emerging Technologies - and all relevant news directly related to interiors.
Who We Are
Photo by: Dave Koch
Jet Cabin Freshbook Magazine is a Jet Media company . Santa Fe, NM (USA) Founder / Editor: Richard Roseman
info@freshbook.aero ph: +1 (214) 415.3492. Advertising Opportunities Editorial: editorial@freshbook.aero Archive: Past Issues
F E A T U R E A R T I C L E S
Women In Aviation - Coming in January
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For those who own a private jet, the cabin is more than just a functional space; it’s an expression of personal taste, a sanctuary for relaxation, and often a moving extension of home. While the allure of a new aircraft has long been synonymous with bespoke luxury, a surprising shift is taking place. An increasing number of buyers are discovering that pre-owned jets offer a remarkable canvas for customisation—one that is not only cost-effective but also potentially more flexible than factory-new options..
Grab a latte and listen while Thomas Chatfield takes us through the finer points of why purchasing a pre-owned aircraft is not only not a bad choice - but a great, often unseen opportunity to save a pile of money and realize your dreams even quicker.
S T Y L E…it’s one of those words that evokes something special in literally everyone. Yet just as surely, it’s a word that means something entirely different to each person. However, there are those moments when we (and I mean WE in the collective sense) see something or someone and immediately say…now THAT’S Style! And that, more than anything, is what this article is about. Lancia Soans is a person for whom “style” is intrinsic. One look at her on any given day, and you’re immediately struck by an irrefutable sense of style, and by almost anyone’s definition..
Lancia Soans (Lancia Designs) is a true American icon of style and she's bringing it to an enthusiastic clientele of aviation customers.
London based CTM Design Studio was founded and is headed up by one Robin Dunlop, something of a legend in the aviation design landscape. In this entry of Jetzign, we focus on Dunlop's particular brand of design and a rather unique style of working with his clients. He has earned a global reputation ove more that three decades in the biz and in that time, has earned the respect of both his clients and the design community at large. His team of designers and engineers produce elegant interiors that are fresh, timeless and perfectly suited for a large segment of today's jet owners.
Tune in and learn more about Robin Dunlop in this entry of Jetzign
Every business or VVIP aircraft goes through it. And all the way through the process goes the Owner. But it's not like a golf game where you can still hang out with your buds and oh well, tomorrow's another day. If a complex completion doesn't go so well, it can gobble time and money like a starved dog in a cafe alley. And that's not even counting the lackluster outcome that may still be waiting. Canadian-based Camber Aviation Management excels in this unique art form. Thomas Chatfield walks us through how to avoid the "daunting" in VVIP. The Fine Art of Customer Guidance through Design Integration, Completion & Delivery.
Camber Aviation's Tom Chatfield talks about why retained guidance is a very smart decision for owners undertaking a VVIP project.
'it's very rare that I get to unfold a story like this. That doesn't mean they're not out there, but in the day-to-day of developing articles for JCF Magazine, articles that are generally focused on products or companies, I've honestly never run across one like this. Yet this story is one that is both relevant to our readers but inspiringly uplifting in the familial sense also. And if that wasn't enough to make it a special piece, via the efforts of these two siblings above, there is an underlying story about autistic children and how their lives are being enriched through exposure to aviation.
We're especially proud of this piece as it covers more than aviation interiors, bringing humanity, closeness and compassion to the forefront. Don't miss this one..
Ms. Gina Radke is the CEO of Galley Support Innovations in Arkansas - and she just happens to be one of more than 900 women CEO's in aviation. In our January issue, we will be showcasing some of the top CEOs in our industry from around the world. While there's still more to be done in balancing the gender scales, it's pretty impressive that so many women have ascended to C-Level positions across the industry - and it's to be celebrated.
Be sure and catch our January issue when the full article will debut!
Back in '23, we published a piece about the emerging trend of three-dimensional bulkheads, sidewalls and other cabin elements in modern jet interiors. Well, that was then and now is now. So what's changed? Nothing, except that no longer is it an 'emerging' trend, it is a full-on "thing" - a fashionable trend that has firmly taken root and isn't going anywhere. Why? Well, the simple answer is that the owners of private aircraft as well as high-end commercial carriers are constantly looking for ways to enhance the visual and tactile aesthetic of their aircraft. Modernism is everywhere these days. There is little (if any) call for stodgy traditional themes in today's jet aircraft - and so fresh new ways of achieving that cutting edge modernism, will continue capturing the attention of buyers and operators..
Our Cover Story
ICON Yachts proudly announces that the world-renowned design studio, Winch Design, are designing new interiors of the 70-metre Project MASTER. Reborn from a historical offshore rescue and standby vessel, MASTER, with almost 3,000 GT, is crafted to explore the most remote and uncharted regions of the world. She will serve as a platform for creating unforgettable experiences and venturing into the farthest corners of the globe.
Project MASTER was first unveiled at the 2021 Monaco Yacht Show. Acclaimed designer and naval architect Espen Øino is responsible for her new appearance. While a significant part of the original platform and superstructure will remain, a new extended stern section, incorporating Voith eVSP propellers and an aft swim platform, will bring the total length to an imposing 70 metres.
"Remember, remember...the FIFTH of NOVEMBER!"
It's a phrase every Britt is more than familiar with - and an historical event known round the world - well, mostly.
One Guy Fawkes (/foks/); born 13 April 1570 – also known as Guido Fawkes while fighting for the Spanish Rebellion, was a member of a group of provincial English Catholics involved in the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. And failed it certainly was as young Fawks was caught red-handed by the Westminster guards. He had been tasked with guarding the massive stockpile of gunpowder the night before the plot was to unfold. Unfortunately, It lead to a rather grisly end for poor Fawks.
Fawkes was sentenced to be hanged, drawn & quartered, however at the end of the day, even that also didn't go as planned. On the day of his execution (31 January of the following year), he met his demise a slight bit prematurely when his neck snapped during the hanging part. Some sources claim he deliberately jumped to make it happen, thus avoiding the agony of his full sentence (sounds like a good option to me). From that day, Fawkes became synonymous with the Gunpowder Plot, the failure of which has been commemorated in the UK as Guy Fawkes Night celebrated every 5 November since. His effigy is traditionally burned on a bonfire, commonly accompanied by fireworks. OR as Hugh Grant likes to put it, "We kill a Roman Catholic."
BUT, the far more significant and slightly less stogy event, is that JetCabin Freshbook Magazine publishes its last issue of the year, every 5th of November. Nobody gets hung, no buildings explode and we don't kill any members of the clergy, Catholic or otherwise.
Remember, remember...the FIFTH of November!
Words From The Editor
Rick Roseman -
Publisher / Editor
From The Editor
First Visit? JCF Magazine is about Jet Interiors; the designers that design them, the centers that build them and above all, the cabin suppliers - worldwide, that ultimately make it all possible.
If your company belongs to one of these groups, let yourself subscribe to something worthwhile for a change. Stay fresh, participate and grow.
INSTALLMENT
6
Photograph by Colin Chatfield
or those who own a private jet, the cabin is more than just a functional space; it’s an expression of personal taste, a sanctuary for relaxation, and often a moving extension of home. While the allure of a new aircraft has long been synonymous with bespoke luxury, a surprising shift is taking place. An increasing number of buyers are discovering that pre-owned jets offer a remarkable canvas for customisation—one that is not only cost-effective but also potentially more flexible than factory-new options.
This is the sixth installment of Airborne Cafe. We are proud to embark on this ongoing series of thoughts, extollings and stories from one of the premier figures in our industry. In each issue Thomas Chatfield will offer us thought provoking articles like the one above - each of them relevant and insightful from the perspective of private aviation. Simply hit the link at right to finish the article and while you're there, learn more about Camber Aviation Management and the importance of their work
Thomas Chatfield - Executive Contributor & CEO
Camber Aviation Management
Pre-owned jets provide a foundation to build upon, where we can layer in elements that reflect the owner’s specific needs and tastes.
F
viewporn@interiorvilla1
P R I V A T E J E T I N T E R I O R S C A P E
"The top DESIGN studios around the world are absolutely the ones that inform the industry and set the trends."
Jetzign is where we highlight the very latest from the top designers and studios. Whether it be the iconic independents or the great design departments within the world's top completion centers, this is where you will find their latest works - and always with an emphasis on the near-term future of cabin design
Image courtesy of Sotto Studios
In this entry of Jetzign, we focus on Mr. Robin Dunlop, founder / director of CTM Design Studio in London. Mr. Dunlop has been at his craft for a long time, having earned a global reputation across the industry. He has a unique style of working with his clients and has gained respect from colleagues and the design community over more that 30 years in the business.
R O B I N
D U N L O P
CTM Design Studio
London, UK
London based CTM Design Studios is a multi-disciplined design team led by Robin Dunlop. Focused on the crafting of interiors for aircraft, yachts and high-end residences, the team is comprised of designers and engineers producing elegant interiors brought to life with years of technical understanding and experience.
Robin Dunlop asked if he could desribe his business by taking us through the various steps of a project, from initial client consultation to finally delivery. Below is his process, a winning one by all accounts from his clients!
"First," he says, "is Concept Design wherein listen and interpret our clients vision. Through research, concept generation and visualisation, we present our ideas, allowing the client to explore with us the possibilities. From the outset we build a relaxing and trusting relationship with our clients to understand and help them materialise their wishes in the final product. Once we understand the clients utilisation of any space, we share layout and configuration options and themes of design décor via material boards and concept sketches so the client can start to immerse themselves and give feedback to the utilisation, configuration and style of their project."
Next comes Design Development, which is the point at which we have a preferred concept and design language. From there we move on to fully develop the space and its’ design. We can specify and source every detail, from lighting to fixtures, fittings and any integration of technology to create a harmonised experience which is delivered across the entire project. We present artistic visuals, computer renders and drawings of our developed ideas of the final design helping us not only to communicate the ideas to clients but manufacturers and supply chain. Giving all stakeholders the same expectation.
From here, it gets a bit more technical as we progress toward Design Engineering. "We pride ourselves in our technical knowledge and experience to make our ideas reality. We work closely with architects, engineers and specialists to ensure the design intent is feasible and fully understood. We prepare each project for seamless handover to manufacturers and construction teams and our design engineers assist throughout the production process with problem solving and sharing our technical knowledge and experience."
Construction Support (a.k.a. Completion Oversight). At this point, it all get's real! "We consider design implementation the most important element of creating a successful project, without, the project is a mere pipe dream. The execution of our designs creates distinct, elegant and enjoyable spaces to be in. We continue to support manufacturers and construction teams throughout the build phase and regularly monitor the project to ensure the finish is being resolved to the highest standards."
"Delivery Support And finally, it's delivery time...and that means delivery support, an essential component of what we provide to our customers. A successful outcome can be measured by each disciplines involvement. We have found when we are invited to support the construction process it positively effects the overall outcome. We aim to please all stakeholders and this makes us the ‘glue’ to the project development, production and delivery. Ultimately we deliver a smile on the customer’s face.
CTM Design Studio is the classic representation of a full service aviation design studio. Customers that retain the services of an independent design studio expect not only a great design but one that conforms to all the engineering and regulatory constraints of an large aircraft completion. THIS is how Robin Dunlop cut his teeth in the biz and it's why CTM Design Studio has remained so successful over the years.
At this point, it all get's real! "We consider design implementation the most important element of creating a successful project, without, the project is a mere pipe dream.
'What we are about is listening and then being the best interpreter of the customer's vision you can possible be. It becomes creativity you can touch and experience'
- Robin Dunlop
CTM Studio maintains a clean, tailored aesthetic that is quite recognizable to its clients. Mr. Dunlop is continually focused on the refinement of small details, which he believes is one of the aspects that sets them apart.
Dunlop seeks to provide his customers with an interior cabin that is quiet, beautiful and ergonomically sound - one that supports an enhanced flight experience, time after time.
"Details are essential but shouldn't add complexity
to your visual palette"
Experiential design that blends aesthetics with fuctionaly
"The design of an aircraft interior should complement the technical capability of the aircraft itself not compromise it."
Mr. Dunlop is the sort of designer that is, and has been throughout his career, quietly dedicated to his craft. Neither he nor his designs scream with a loud voice or grand statements. Instead he looks for a harmony of clean aesthetics and well-thought-out details that ultimately render a final delivered cabin interior of understated refinement. Dunlop's knowledge of engineering and the often complex completion process, make him and CTM a sought after studio by clients around the world.
R O B I N
D U N L O P
Airborne STYLE. A lost art since the golden age of air travel . . . but for one Lancia Soans, 'style', is innate and she's on a mission to bring it back - at altitude.
S T Y L E…it’s one of those words that evokes something special in literally everyone. Yet just as surely, it’s a word that means something entirely different to each person. However, there are those moments when we (and I mean WE in the collective sense) see something or someone and immediately say…now THAT’S Style! And that, more than anything, is what this article is about. Lancia Soans is a person for whom “style” is intrinsic. One look at her on any given day, and you’re immediately struck by an irrefutable sense of style, and by almost anyone’s definition. From her crisp aesthetic to her flair for color and proportion, she exudes style. Don’t take my word for it. If our cover this month hasn’t already captured your attention, her delightful sampling of hand-crafted products below are sure to impress, each of which she lovingly creates for her customers . . . AND as you will discover, for beauty’s sake alone.
Article and Interview by
R I C K R O S E M A N
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Article by
R i c k W. R o s e m a n
ack in '23, I wrote a piece about the emerging trend of three-dimensional bulkheads, sidewalls and other cabin elements in modern jet interiors. Well, that was then and now is now. So what's changed? Nothing, except that no longer is it an 'emerging' trend, it is a full-on "thing" - a fashionable trend that has firmly taken root and isn't going anywhere. Why? Well, the simple answer is that the owners of private aircraft as well high-end commercial carriers are constantly looking for ways to enhance the visual and tactile aesthetic of their aircraft. Modernism is everywhere these days. There is little (if any) call for stodgy traditional themes in today's jet aircraft - and so fresh new ways of achieving that cutting edge modernism, will continue capturing the attention of buyers and operators. But, as we're all too aware, there are those pesky regulatory challenges that come along with anything new in aircraft cabins. Yet where there is a market, there is a way, and there are an increasing number of innovative suppliers out "finding that way" and opening the door for designers to really explore these options on behalf of their customers - with new-found confidence they can actually be built, certified and installed amid reasonable lead-times.
Let's first take a quick look at the history of 3-d wallscapes and then a few of the innovative suppliers that have already begun bringing this creative 'playspace' into the mainstream of cabin design possibilities.
B
WALLSCAPES
Dating all the way back to the prior mid-century, three-dimensional walls have been a thing – at least in the commercial architectural world. The post war era spawned its own era of modern culturalism and it extended to almost every facet of life – not the least of which was architectural style. After four long years of war, the world had something to celebrate. It was felt everywhere of course but quickly stirred a newfound playfulness and creativity among the architectural community – and soon the pillars of industry all wanted in on it – each seeking to have their corporate headquarters reflect a new air of modern sophistication. Three-dimensional wall sculptures and exterior building facades began showing up in cities and towns across American and Europe. Architects were collaborating with artists in an almost frenzied patronage to the public expression and proliferation of post-war modernity.
But public spaces is where the artform resided predominately, that is until the early 2000s. As the century turned, we began seeing modular wallscapes turn up in restaurants and smaller commercial spaces. By then, 5-axis CNC machines were able to fabricate virtually anything a designer could model up in CAD, and at a fraction of the cost of hand fabricated art pieces, making it affordable for smaller environs. It was around the same time that such custom 3-dimensional walls and bulkheads began showing up in yachts. Yacht designers had found a new playground – and in many cases, the results were quite stunning - leaving their clients delighted and on the frontend of a new boast-worthy trend.
As all designers know, custom yachts and VVIP aircraft are very closely connected in terms of emerging trends. But aircraft interiors almost always lag for obvious reasons. Constrained by far more stringent regulatory requirements, the infusion of innovative new design elements isn’t always a nimble enterprise. It takes will and it takes time. Nonetheless, it wasn’t long before three-dimensional wallscapes slowly began turning up in VVIP interiors and occasionally even top tier bizjets. Designers, completion centers and a handful of specialized vendors forged the will by finding ways to meet the regulatory demands and get them fabricated, certified and installed onto delivered aircraft. And the rest as they say, is history. Over the last decade or so, three-dimensional bulkheads, partition dividers, hallways etc. have indeed become a welcome new canvas for aviation interior designers – and the customers they serve.
In this article we’re going to take a look at some good examples of this growing trend. We’ll start by giving a peek at how some of the world’s top designers have infused three-dimensional wallscapes into their designs over recent years. We’ll follow up by discussing and showcasing a few of the bold fabrication groups that have stepped up to meet the challenge of bringing these artful applications to life – along with certifying them for install.
For Lancia, like so many other style icons, it’s coursing through her veins, a part of her DNA. I don’t know this for a fact, but I would bet she doesn’t even have to work at it. It’s as natural to her as donning a pair of shades on a sunny day. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ms. Lancia Soans in early October. We weren’t in the same room mind you, but the backdrop of her Washington DC based studio was as impressive as her physical style.
Out of the gate, I asked her where it all came from. Specifically, I asked at what age she first realized she had an eye for style and design. She wasn’t able to nail it down to a day or a moment, but she did say that she was surrounded by beauty from the very beginning. As a young girl, she recalled abundant beauty in both her surroundings and the things her mother made or collected. “She used to create beautiful luxury bags,” says Lancia “adorned with beautiful, delicate embroidery. My mum and dad penned hundreds of hand-written letters, Christmas and postcards on beautiful stationery expressed in poignant reflection.
I still have boxes of them.”
This,” she says, “was the genesis for who I’ve become.”
I was surrounded by beauty from a very young age. I find it everywhere.
Of course we expect these kinds of highly customized designs to wind up on VVIP and head of state aircraft - but more and more now, they're beginning to find their way ont top-tier business jets as well. Once again the technology and the economics are beginning to make these treatments viable on smaller aircraft. At this year's NBAA/BACE in Las Vegas, I had a good visit with my friend and colleague, Robin Butler (OmnAvia Interiors) and I was surprised when he showed me their newest rollout dubbed Versailles Textures. It's a product specifically designed to capture 3-dimensional designs of all sorts onto ultra-lightweight substrates and finish surfaces that are fully certified. OmnAvia serves a number of market tiers within aviation, but predominantly it's the refurb market within mid to top tier business jets. Yet price-point wise, the new product is digestible, certainly not for all of them - but for those wanting something a little more special on their bulkhead or window wall, it's within reach - all proving that custom 3-dimensional are finding their way into the mainstream - and that's pretty exciting.
And then of course, theirs the big commercial airlines. High-market carriers like Etihad, Qatar Airways, Emirates and others have, for years now, been pushing their designers to deliver more sophisticated designs that distinguish their brands. 3-dimensional surfaces are now a fairly common sight on section dividers and branding walls within the first and business class areas of these wide-body carriers. One of the companies servicing this top-tier market space is Miami-basedTechno-Aerospace. Techno has completed projects for Qatar, Emirates and others - all with highly custom 3-dimensional surfaces.
Another supplier that has made strong end-roads into these markets offering 3-d surfaces is DECONEL, a division of Kalogridis International. Many of Deconel's offerings utilize soft-goods as their medium - but they can accomplish customized hard surfaces as well. The interesting thing about Deconel is that, like their parent, Kalogridis Carpet, they serve all up and down the markets from mid-tier business jets all the way up to full VVIP and Head of State projects. Nicole Kalogridis, Deconel's director is very quick to point out that they will take on almost any requirement, no mater how challenging because as she puts it "everytime we deliver something new, we learn something valuable, and adds to our experiential repertoire."
Another slightly newer player servicing these markets is French-based Metal Composites. Their work is quite remarkable in the sense that their palate is all metals. Stunningly beautiful organic shapes in mixed alloys and an almost endless array of textures. Metal Composites is still struggling to make everything they offer meet the rigors of aviation cert requirements - but they're getting there and when they do, it will open a whole new world of options for designers and owners.
Techno Aerospace (Miami)
Kalogridid International / DECONEL (Dallas)
OmnAvia Interiors (Winston-Salem, NC)
Metal Composites (Lunel, France)
Kalogridis / DECONEL
3-dimensional treatments on bulkheads and sidewalls in aircraft cabins will become more of a common site each year forward - and will soon be affordable at virtually every price point. It's a huge and bottomless playground for designers - but the real winners of course, are the owners. The one ongoing aspiration of ALL owners, now and in the future - is "new and fresh", something they haven't seen before...something that doesn't reside on the next ten aircraft they're on. We are entering an era of true 'one-off' customization that simply can't be offered at the same level of individuality in carpets, veneers or softgoods. And don't get me wrong. Custom carpets, exotic wood veneers and sumptuous textural softgoods will forever play a huge role across both private and commercial interiors - but to take a bulkhead or a widow wall and transform it into something really special, something 100% custom to its owner. . . that just hasn't existed in the past except on enormously expensive VVIP and Head of State aircraft where developmental and certification barriers can be overcome with money.
But as Bobby Dylan likes to say, "...the times...they are a changin"
For our readers, consider this an ongoing story. The companies we've mentioned above (and below) are some of the top players in the space at the moment, but it's poised to explode with many others and each will have their own take on the medium. It's an exciting space and so, rest assured we will continue to report on the trend as it matures and grows.
Find more information below on the four companies mentioned above:
Metal Composites - Lunel France
End article.
In fact, she gives most of the credit to her mom – but is quick to point out her father’s influence as well. My mum was the designer blessed with a flair for exceptional craftsmanship, while my dad was gifted with an
impeccable grace of style and personality, Debonair in every way. “He was a banker,” she says “but his sense of style was just as present. He dressed impeccably, always, and wherever he went.” And when was this, I asked. “When I was a young girl growing up in Bombay.” She replied. You always know when someone actually grew up in India’s largest city when they still refer to it as Bombay. And when they do, it always evokes colonial India, a time when craft and handmade fineries were coveted by those who could afford them.
From there, following her marriage, she moved from India to New Zealand and later Toronto (where she attended the International Academy of Design), eventually settling in the D.C. Metropolitan area (DMV), where both her home and studio reside today. And from her striking minimalist studio, Lancia Soans and her staff create beautiful things – the sort of things you might have expected to find in 1930s Paris or New York or Bombay. This kind of exquisite beauty and attention to detail is something of a lost art – especially in today’s world. But for her customers – they are treasures - treasures made to order. Wonderful things that are as personally satisfying as they are to display or to give – or even simply to behold.
Little travelling treasures . . . wonderful things that are as personally satisfying as they are to display or to give – or even simply to behold.
Ms. Soans formally founded her company, Lancia Designs in 2010 and almost immediately thereafter had customers clamoring for her jewel-like creations. I asked Lancia if she might single out a recent client and tell us a little about the experience and what she created. “Yes there was an example actually for a client of mine based in California” she starts. “He was the director of a high-end audiovisual company and shared with me that he wanted to give two very special gift boxes to the founder of the company. I deliberated for days, but out of it eventually came the “Bentley Gift Box” a set of exquisitely detailed writing pens that mimic the style and detail of the Bentley car. And because I have a love for stationery, I designed its accompanying stationery as well, along with thank you cards and note cards. It’s one example of a product that’s been very successful for us with humble beginnings via a single customer.”
As the old adage goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and so rather than going on trying to articulate in words, the beauty and detail of Lancia Design’s products, just take a scroll through our sampling here. And while you’re doing that, consider that there is a resurgence in hand-crafted gifts and amenities like these. Over the past few decades, as the digital world has taken over our lives, many find it wondrous, if not magical, to own this kind of by-gone style and finery. But it’s more than that really. I mean, one could argue that antiquities can fill that square – but for Ms. Soans and her clients, yes, it’s about honoring a style that flourished in a past era perhaps – but at the same time re-imagining them with new style to fit the modern landscape – one made up of remote villas and towering urban penthouses in the world’s most beautiful places. And even more recently, 100-metre super-yachts and private VVIP aircraft.
Increasingly Ms. Soans’ work is being discovered by these luxury mobility markets – and the mega-elite clients that drive them. In addition to her wonderful boxes, Baccarat shot glasses, liquor decanters, and Bentley Pen Boxes, her latest endeavor is the creation stunning one-off art pieces. One of the most recent (pictured below) is titled: Golden Sunrise, a 3-dimensional piece designed for yacht, aircraft or residential application.
Ms. Soans is currently working with Signature Plating in Texas, in developing the perfect finish for these iconic pieces.
One of the newest and most exciting endevours for Lancia Designs is the creation of what Ms. Soans refers to as "the art of a polished lifestyle".
The image to the right is a 3-dimensional art piece titled: Golden Sunrise and is but one of several examples in the series that have recently caught the eye of both the yacht and aircraft communities.
For more information, see the contact information at the close of this article.
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As we closed our conversation, I asked Lancia how she liked to enjoy her leisure time. Her response was to share this beautifully articulated quote by Lawrence Pearsall Jacks.
“A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.”
- Lawrence Pearsall Jacks
"I’m constantly looking for beautiful things," says Lancia, "and then thinking how I can put them together in creating something even more beautiful?” For Lancia Soans, it’s been a journey set amid the backdrop of multiple continents and of strong influences that started from childhood. But regardless of how she got there . . . she and her company represent a truly unique space and a particular brand of “style” that hasn’t been in vogue for several generations.
To learn more about Lancia Soans and Lancia Designs', visit:
Of Style & Beauty
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very business or VVIP aircraft goes through it. And all the way through the process goes the Owner. But it's not like a golf game where you can still hang out with your buds and oh well, tomorrow's another day. If a complex completion doesn't go so well, it can gobble time and money like a starved dog in a cafe alley. And that's not even counting the lackluster outcome that may still be waiting.
Canadian-based Camber Aviation Management excels in this unique art form. In the interview below, CEO Thomas Chatfield walks us through how to avoid the "daunting" in VVIP. The Fine Art of Customer Guidance through Design Integration, Completion & Delivery
Chatfield explains why retained guidance is a very prudent decision for owners undertaking a VVIP project.
E
By: Melissa Tokoriyama
S P E C I A L C O N T R I B U T O R
As a general rule, I make it a practice not to feel too sorry for billionaires. But on the few occasions I have, it's been with clients that were genuinely under the impression that slipping into a new VVIP aircraft was going to be like ordering their prior couple of Gulfstreams. Other than the fact that both have wings, an interior, and can get you to and from various points on the globe, they literally have nothing in common, at least from a purchasing and completion standpoint.
Today I sat down with one Thomas (Tom) Chatfield. Mr. Chatfield is the CEO & founder of Camber Aviation Management in Squamish, British Columbia – and perhaps more than anyone in the world, he has an acute understanding of the very stark differences in these two purchases. Camber is a highly specialized company that takes buyers exactly like the ones I described above, and assists them through the very complex and often dicey enterprise of ordering a new Boeing or Airbus for conversion to VVIP. Without such help, these projects are fraught with a series of inherit issues that will not only take the fun completely out of the process but spin your head around with stress and lay a series of financial and schedule impacts at your feet, before the project even gets off the ground. The only way to successfully navigate the acquisition and certainly the design and completion of a green VVIP, is with seasoned guidance – and that guidance is the precise expertise upon which Camber’s enviable reputation has been built.
I started my conversation with Mr. Chatfield by asking him to take us through the standard process with one of his customers, giving us an insight into what sorts of questions and conversations he has with a new customer embarking on this journey.
“Well first, I should explain that if you have a customer who has suddenly found a green aircraft available in the next couple of months let's say, and they want to crush it and try to get the aircraft designed and into completion in that very short window, you may have to give them the bad news and say...well, listen I'm sorry but that small timeline is just not possible and certainly not in your best interests. The worst thing you can do in that case, is to simply tell the client what they want to hear and then pay for it later by forcing everything through a firehose... which is of course where things begin to go wrong."
Ok, but assuming you have the proper lead time, which in the case of ordering a new Boeing or Airbus, normally provides an adequate rollout to get these things established – then what?
“So then, the first thing we have to do is it look at things sequentially before we even prepare to bring the aircraft in. The first thing you must do is understand what the customer is looking for... and that's a series of conversations. You have to invest the time right in the very beginning - get them to articulate what they want, and that takes a bit of psychology usually and it also takes some time for that person to get used to you. For example, it's one thing for your customer to say... “Well, we usually travel with four people down to the Bahamas for casual vacations.” Ok, that's great but there's much more to it than that. It’s different than deciding you're finally going to buy that new Lambo EVO you've been dreaming of. These are far more complex animals, and they involve not only the mechanics, but a host of emotional, practical and financial questions.
It can be as simple as hearing... ‘Ok, well I am going to be a grandfather soon.’ So behind that then follows other questions, like how do we design this aircraft in such a way that it's meaningful now but will also be meaningful for you in the future when you’re traveling with young children - making sure they're comfortable and their parents are as well, just as an example.” Can we not create a children’s bedroom that later on when they hit 12, 13 or 14 we, in the middle of a C-check say, we pull that out and install a private office?
So, I think we really have to spend time with all clients to make sure and open up all the possibilities and considerations for how they want to use the aircraft, what their lifestyle is like and a myriad of other criteria that will ultimately go into the design and build of the aircraft; in many cases things they’ve never considered on their own. You have to ask; how do you want this aircraft to grow with you over time?
And so, once we have some of that groundwork laid, we can of course recommend any number of highly capable designers that are well suited to them, but we also want to get answers to questions like ‘What do I like to do, what does my partner like to do and what do my family and guest like to do on board?’ For example, a customer might say we want to have a formal dining area and we want to have a large screen on the bulkhead in case we want to watch a movie. Well, OK but when was the last time the entire family watched a movie together? It's not going to happen that often because the luxury of today's choices means everybody is likely to want to watch something different. The classic sort of Norman Rockwell painting of six family members all snuggled together with popcorn - in most cases it's not happening, right?
F E A T U R E D V I D E O
AMAC / Switzerland
“I think the idea of having a media room, again given the room, is also a good idea but do we still want that huge permanent monitor mounted on the wall? No. It simply isn't necessary within the current technology sphere. We now have flexible screens that can roll out of a headliner - extremely high-resolution beautiful screens, but no longer adding all the weight or thinking of the space in single use terms.
That then allows you to still have a classic sort of media room where perhaps the family does want to gather and enjoy a movie for a cinema experience, but to also have the flexibility of a second, or even a third utilization for the space. New emerging technologies open up big possibilities and break older paradigms. And that's part of our job, to make sure each new customer is aware of new innovations and how they can dramatically affect the design and ultimate enjoyment of their aircraft when it's completed.
So, certainly the next thing important to all customers, is food and galley. In this regard, many clients will simply say ‘well we need a microwave, a convection oven and a refrigerator.’ OK, well you've covered about 50% of the basics - but what are you cooking? Do you want to have a chef on board? Or maybe you have a flight attendant that enjoys cooking. Foods always taste better freshly prepared, versus something that’s been sitting in a foil pack for 24 hours, right? But regardless the answers, in general terms we usually recommend two ovens on the aircraft and the three classics to choose from are: steam oven, dry oven and inductive. And depending on the aircraft, you can plug and play these very easily. Iacobucci makes an incredible inductive oven as an example. Also, getting back to the food itself, if you're cooking with grease for example or you're grilling fish, you’ll definitely want to have a system that's going to rapidly take that air OUT of the cabin. A two or three zone air system is incredibly good at putting that curried Asian fish stew smell, all the way back into your bedroom! it's not what you want to do, so we have to address those issues
way up front.
Another important topic is emergency equipment. As an example, we need fire extinguishers on board of course. But if you’ve gone onto a Gulfstream aircraft or some of the others, you'll often see a fire extinguisher mounted on a wall with a big sign on top, saying ‘fire extinguisher’. I get it...I really do, but what we did for example on our Airbus A220 Corporate Jet concept, which worked exceptionally well, is we had two emergency equipment locations in the cabin strategically located - basically drawers at the bottom of two cabinets. You open the drawer up and everything was placed there in their own cut outs. The same is similar with exit signs. There are always better ways of meeting regulatory requirements but in a way that is not obtrusive or aesthetically offensive.
Cabin Design by: Warja Borges
So, I'm saying those are some examples of what we look at, little things that I think are brilliant ideas that we've learned over time.
Also, in the same way we don’t want our betrothed getting cold feet, neither do we want this for our flight attendants. Galleys almost always have hard surface floors and therefore are quite cold at altitude and it’s where they’re going spend much of their time. So, we always speak to our owners about this as well and generally recommend floor heating in those areas.
Also, in the same way we don’t have guests to our homes come through the garage or the kitchen, we try to avoid the same thing in aircraft as much as possible. So, you can either make the aesthetics of your galley look really cool with a clean appealing buffet, or if you can't, we recommend hiding it with a pocket door. And there are other considerations that address the same concerns. Basically, if your crew is comfortable and warm and they feel good, the cabin service is going to reflect that. It's just human nature.
Moving to the classics, where do I sleep on the airplane? Again, this becomes a very important thing depending on the aircraft and what kind of sleeping requirements you're going to have. If I get invited over to your house, I’m pretty sure you're not going to give me your desk chair to sleep in, right? As a good host, I’m seriously hoping you're going to be a little bit kinder to me.
So, I'm always shocked when I walk into some airplanes and I say, OK great, you can carry 14 people. But if only ten of those can sleep, what do the other four do? Are they going to stand around? “Like it's not fair you know!” he laughs. “So, yes, how to sleep your passengers – comfortably - is a big consideration, especially on long flights.
When you open the door to the Lou Hansell Bespoke studio, the possibilities begin. Our artisans and designers have selected a palette of exquisite materials, with 51 shades of ltalian leathers, five metal and inner trim pairings, and personalization options. Driven by their boundless creativity, they combine their talents and craftsmanship to
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Photo: Sami Jo Studios LLC
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'ts very rare that I get to unfold a story like this. That doesn't mean they're not out there, but in the day-to-day of developing articles for JCF Magazine, articles that are generally focused on products or companies, I've honestly never run across one like this. Yet this story is one that is both relevant to our readers but inspiringly uplifting in the familial sense also. And if that wasn't enough to make it a special piece, via the efforts of these two siblings above, there is an underlying story about autistic children and how their lives are being enriched through exposure to aviation.
So, If you don't normally have time to sit down and read all the articles we publish, this might be a good time to grab a coffee and dive in. It's inspiring in numerous ways and illustrates how full our life choices are these days. It proves how the things we love and are impassioned about, don't have to be enjoyed independently. They can be brought together reaching across our businesses and our homelife - all making for richer, fuller lives.
I had the pleasure of a sit-down with Samantha Ferrara (a.k.a. Sami Jo) a couple of weeks back. As you will quickly learn, out of her answers came the larger story I hadn't expected.
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R I C H A R D R O S E M A N
Article & Interview
Hi Sami Jo. Thanks for being with us this morning. As we discussed during our first meeting, your story is an interesting one - one I think our readers will find inspiring.
Q: I’d like to start by asking more about your father and your upbringing. You mentioned that he was a career pilot for American Airlines, some thirty years or more, and that he has owned multiple small airplanes personally. It must have been something growing up with a father with that kind of lifelong passion for aviation. Can you tell us about what it was like for you growing up in that environment and how he ultimately helped shape your own career aspirations?
A: Even though aviation is deeply ingrained in my DNA, I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would become a Jet Photographer. Even today this still feels surreal. As I reflect on my path to becoming one now, I see how well my life led me here.
I was born in Forth Worth, Texas because both my mother and father worked for the airline there at that time. My father, Antonio has been a pilot for nearly 40 years and has spent more than 30 years of his career flying for American Airlines. My Dad is also deeply passionate about teaching others how to fly. He's often owned small planes and for a period of time owned a flight school as well. As a child I was often at airports, near airplanes, and/or flying because of his career. My first flight was technically in the womb, and I began flying as an unaccompanied minor at the age of five. Growing up he would take my friends and I flying for fun and many of our meals together as father and daughter have been shared in quaint cafes at municipal airports. One time my dad landed his friend’s helicopter in my backyard and that was certainly a one-of-a-kind experience for me.
As familiar as I was with aviation, I was not a natural born aviator. The idea of piloting an aircraft solo actually terrifies me! Instead of exploring a career in aviation, I went to business school and began my corporate career in cosmetics. Following that, ironically enough, I was able to advance my career by accepting a role in aviation. I spent the next 5 years working for JetBlue Airways within their Strategic Sourcing/Finance department. My dad was very pleased about this! Working at JetBlue is when my appreciation for aviation truly began to blossom. I gained a front row view of the operational complexity involved with getting an airplane off the ground and managing a fleet with hundreds of aircraft. JetBlue also enabled me to travel the world and develop a passion for landscape photography which was such a valuable gift. Looking to advance my career once more I left aviation and joined a Crypto startup for 4 years. It was during this time that I began pursuing jet photography as a creative side hustle which evolved into me starting my first business, Sami Jo Studios, LLC. to photograph jets full-time as I do now.
Q: One thing that really came across when we spoke was how much you look up to your older brother, which seems rare in sibling relationships today. I'd love to hear more about your journeys. How did your brother immediately gravitate towards aviation while you discovered your passion for creative photography? At what point did these different paths intersect, leading to your collaboration on aircraft projects? And how has this professional partnership deepened your bond?
A: When asked how I became a jet photographer, I often say, “The simplest answer is ‘my brother’”. Anthony and I grew up 6 years apart and had seemingly little in common. We're both surprised to find ourselves working together as we do now in such a meaningful way.
Anthony dove into aviation earlier in life, working on planes with our Dad. After high school he began flight school and started his career in business aviation with an aircraft detailing business. Since then, he has spent the last decade working for Talon Air (an Operator and Repair station) and works on a handful of other aviation projects within the industry including his own non-profit. Anthony has a wealth of knowledge about the industry and I value his expertise and ideas.
As for me, I was drawn to photography, baking, and sports as a child. I wanted to be everything from a lawyer to a makeup artist. Feeling unsure of my “purpose” in life, I pursued business school and spent 13 years climbing the corporate ladder. All of that time I deeply desired a more creative career path, though I had not yet developed the courage to “start over” and pursue one.
Our professional paths initially began to converge when Anthony asked me to take aerial photos of Talon to assist him in pitching his marketing ideas to management. These photos inadvertently led to me doing graphic design work for Talon, and further evolved into me becoming Talon’s jet photographer in 2018. For the next 5 years, jet photography became my side business and a much desired creative outlet to my corporate 9-to-5.
A number of difficult experiences in my life, including the loss of our older brother, Dustin led me to realize that I was living a less than purposeful life. After recognizing the true cost of this I knew I needed to make a drastic change. This is when I summoned the courage to take a leap of faith and end my corporate career in 2022. I went on a sabbatical to prioritize my well-being and discover what makes my heart truly happy. That period of time re-enforced my passion for photographing jets. I then began pursuing photography full-time and started Sami Jo Studios LLC. This is when our collaboration as siblings and support of each other professionally really took off.
Because our lives have led us down very different paths, we've each acquired unique wisdom and knowledge through our experiences that benefits the other. This enhances how we collaborate and support each other which is truly a gift. My appreciation for our relationship continues to deepen and I am truly grateful for that.
Q: I love your aesthetic. Aviation photography is something we’ve been featuring in the last few issues, especially younger talents like yourself. Can you please take us through your process as you approach a new project?
A: Thank you, Rick! I’m grateful for your appreciation and recognition of my work. Capturing the divine essence and fine craftsmanship onboard each aircraft is truly such a joy for me! My work is the convergence of three of my passions in one; photography, interior design, and jets. My aesthetic is infused with the excitement and reverence I feel in the presence of these majestic beasts.
My goal with any project is to welcome the viewer onboard with a visual experience of beauty and sophistication. When I view an image, I want to feel the desire to melt into the photo and become one with that experience. With each photograph I seek to evoke the feelings of warmth, comfort, excitement, and appreciation for what you see.
My creative process is inspired by interior design, food, and marketing. I’ll often create vision boards for clients to illustrate ways to capture their personality and/or their brand aesthetic onboard in subtle ways. I also consider the time of year of the photoshoot and how that can be utilized for advertising and marketing initiatives.
Most importantly, I am guided creatively by the individual aircraft itself. My process considers the jet’s unique interior, exterior, and what I know about its owner and/or operator. For example, when I photographed the jet of an athletic apparel brand, I paired the powerful aesthetic of the interior with edgy staging onboard.
I particularly love photographing a jet that has just completed refurbishment as well! I am stunned by the transformation these aircraft undergo and how uniquely they can be tailored to each client. I am always excited by the prospect to work directly with jet interior designers for this reason. I love to capture and honor the creativity, passion, and intentionality that designers pour into their projects. The editorial nature of my photography is symbiotic to their work in this way.
I really enjoy my time on-site at Talon. In addition to being their photographer, I also support them by developing their one-sheets for charter and other requests as needed. I also offer Talon employees corporate headshots from time to time.
This Falcon 2000 (pictured above) is one of my favorites in my portfolio and reflects my collaboration with Anthony at Talon. As I was shooting the exterior, Anthony had the idea to pull the owner's Mercedes into the frame. The result is just beautiful! What is even more gratifying is that this Falcon 2000 is the very first aircraft he ever sold!
Q: Can you share how Anthony’s creativity influences the success he’s experienced? Can you share your perspective on what it means to be creative and how you feel your creativity has supported your work?
A: Anthony demonstrates his creativity through his capacity to problem solve, and through his ability to see the big picture from a seemingly small element or piece of information. He excels with business development as a result of his creativity, and is often considering ways to create new opportunities. He’s always developing ideas for his initiatives and also works with vendors on ways to personalize an owner's experience.
Ironically enough, growing up, I always considered Anthony to be the “creative” one and artist of the family. He draws very well and drew on quite literally everything - including the walls and furniture!
"I love to capture and honor the creativity, passion, and intentionality that designers pour into their projects. The editorial nature of my photography is symbiotic to their work in this way."
Q: Obviously, our focus with the magazine is on “interiors”. I remember you saying you also have a strong draw and sensitivity to interior design. You mentioned how “staging” each cabin is extremely important to you when approaching an interior shoot. Can you please talk about that as well, and perhaps relate a story or two on what lengths you’ve gone to get the look and feel you wanted for a shot?
A: Absolutely! Staging (as represented in the tryptic photo above) is an integral part of my creativity when capturing the beauty of an aircraft. My intention is always to invite the viewer onboard in a way that feels warm, welcoming, and lush - transforming the cabin into a sophisticated living room away from home.
I consider the uniqueness of each interior (color, finishes, features, etc.) in my staging process. I adore blankets and linens and enjoy styling them onboard. I also love the process of working with local florists to design floral arrangements that uniquely compliment the space onboard each aircraft. At times I even pull decor from my home collection if it’ll work well for the shoot. I also enjoy curating the type of food and beverages I stage onboard which is often influenced by season, the aircraft/owner. Clients share that my work feels like a “mood board” to them and that’s always such a satisfying compliment for me to receive!
Earlier this year, one of my clients called me to support them with their marketing on short notice. I asked them to send me some branded items to capture onboard (pilots wings, pillows, cocktail napkins). Then I took personalization one step further and created a branded wine bottle label and gift bag with their logo. This client is a luxury hospitality brand and I was excited to surprise them with these added branding elements onboard. I went with a clean and crisp look of black and white for this. I also chose to feature parfaits onboard for a more soothing food element. I selected blueberries for a rich pop of color to complement the warm earthy tones of the cabin interior. My client appreciated me honoring their brand in this way and it was fun for me to do!
Q: I know your brother has been a key figure at Talon Air for almost a decade. Perhaps you can explain his position a little bit and how his responsibilities there ultimately led him to you and the collaborations that have now become routine for you both?
A: Anthony began working on the ramp at Talon Air nearly a decade ago. In that time he’s been exposed to every aspect of the operation and has made continual advancements in his career there. He’s currently the Director of Quality Control and Aircraft Appearance. He oversees ground operations and supports inflight training, marketing, business development. He conducts charter sales and acquisitions acquisitions as well.
Anthony oversees photography as needed when a new charter aircraft enters the fleet. He continually shares insight on what kind of content is helpful for Talon to have as an operator and offers his creative ideas during shoots. He goes the extra mile to capture behind the scenes content of me shooting for instagram as well.
I am truly grateful to Anthony and Talon Air. The entire Talon team is great and I have them to thank for their continued business. They’ve given me the creative liberty that has enabled me to hone my craft into the aesthetic you see today.
Exploring the less traveled, less hospitable parts of the world without forfeiting any of the trappings of the modern world. A special task taken on by ICON Yachts and the venerable WINCH Design
Managing Partner & Creative Director / Yachts & Aviation
J I M
D I X O N
The Yachts Studio has been established for thirty-five years and is led by Jim Dixon. Our team shares a passion for delivering designs imbued with the Winch ethos for beauty, uniqueness and perfect proportion. The work created by the Studio over the last thirty years speaks for itself and current projects continue to push boundaries and expectations of design.
ICON Yachts works with the world’s top designers, utilising systems that combine extensive pre-planning with a modular construction technique to meet the finest quality whilst reducing build time.
Our location in Harlingen is pretty much in the centre of Europe, a guarantee for easy access, whether by road, rail, sea or air, to the continent’s vast reservoir of markets, services, designers, engineers, technicians, artists and artisans – and for clients and their teams who are always welcome on our premises.
September 29th, 2023 – During the Monaco Yacht Show 2023, ICON Yachts had the pleasure of hosting the ICONversation – a panel discussion dedicated to promoting sustainable and responsible practices within the Yachting Industry.
In collaboration with our partners, Cookson Adventures and The International SeaKeepers Society, we collectively delved into insights and experiences, conducting a holistic discussion on the concept of purpose-driven yachting.
The panelists – Micca Ferrero, the owner of ICON Yachts, Nick Davies, the Managing Director of Cookson Adventures, and Tony Gilbert, Chief of Programmes at SeaKeepers – shed light on the power of collaboration, exploring ways to facilitate the integration of marine research science projects and meaningful conservation initiatives.
Guided by the talented Julia Zaltzman, the goal for this panel discussion was to spread knowledge and address common misconceptions within the industry.
A special thanks to Louis Waite, for capturing such iconic moments
YACHTSPACE is an ongoing permanent feature within each issue of JCF Magazine. It is no secret that top-tier private jets and superyachts are purchased by the same tier of UHNW customers. YachtSpace is therefor offered to owners each issue as a glimpse into some of the most recent and extraordinary yacht builds.
The Jet Business is the world's first and only street-level aviation showroom for the marketing and acquisition of corporate jet aircraft. Headed by Steve Varsano and based in London, The Jet Business represents its clients throughout the aircraft acquisition process, offering the most up-to-date product information, global market data, extensive industry relationships
and universal world-class expertise.
Explore the options of jet ownership. Learn more.
So, most people whether they're young, or older, still enjoy things together maybe but focus on things that suit their own interests. Each have electronic devices around them and so I think, for the most part, the large monitors on the wall are passe’. In times gone by, and we can all remember this, you had monitors mounted on every bulkhead and they were usually situated at awkward viewing angles. So, instead we might recommend a small monitor on the wall with Airshow (or similar application) indicating flight-path and other basic flight data. But I think beyond that what you want to do is have some really great streaming content that can be utilized by each occupant, independently.
For example, we've been working with a couple of very interesting manufacturers from the transportation industry that have developed shoebox size units that basically have 3 terabytes of content on it. So, with an aircraft, you upload the content on the ground - which eliminates that inordinately expensive KU and KA band streaming, in-flight."
I used this opportunity to ask if he meant that media rooms were also on their way out in modern VVIP aircraft. Part of that of course has to do with the size of the aircraft and therefore available room, but Mr. Chatfield had a deeper answer to offer.
Even more radical, complex shapes like those characterized in this image - largely considered only conceptual and thought of as something for the future - are now within reach. Governing bodies like the FAA and EASA still have to pass their blessing on many such proposals from a safety perspective, but even in working through those challenges, at least the materials technology and supporting innovations are now in place to make them manufacturable and certifiable - and therefore viable.
Jet Aviation Design | Airbus A330-300
Greenpoint Technologies
In this 3d rendered characterization of BBJ 777-9 dining room, note the inboard will (RHS) wherein large dramatic geometric shapes have been used to give relief and interest to an expansive wall. Treatments like this were largely impossible to pull off even a few years ago, but via innovative technologies and new materials, it's now become a popularized (and real) alternative to less interesting expanses of wood veneer, painted surfaces or fabric covered panels residing within a two-dimensional surface
