Beach meets romance, intrigue and reflection at the hands of New York-based interiors specialist Yabu Pushelberg on a paradise Island in the Maldives

Interior design: Yabu Pushelberg

Guests staying at the Viceroy Maldives Resort will not only marvel at the tropical scenery but also at the interiors. Awardwinning design company Yabu Pushelberg used its innovative talent to transform this resort into one of the most spacious in the Maldives.

The 61villas of this island resort follow the design by New York-based design firm Yabu Pushelberg to provide laid-back luxury to a design-savvy clientele. Carefully crafted interior spaces frame a moment in time to provide an environment of comfort and ease in which, it is promised, one can rejuvenate, rekindle, and reflect. 

Yabu Pushelberg’s design concept veers away from overly complex detailing and formal  furniture pieces while maintaining a high-level of luxury and excitement through the unexpected use of natural materials and textures. Each space evokes the nostalgia of a sailing ship cast ashore during a voyage in a desert island paradise. Throughout the resort, nautical references are made with rope, raw wood, leather and canvas, used as unexpected detailing in furniture pieces, sculptural divisions of space and textural wall coverings.

Naturally rustic materials – a signature of Yabu Pushelberg – allow the spaces to be sophisticated without being stuffy, casual without being careless. For this particular project, Yabu Pushelberg (it also has designed interiors for Viceroy Miami, Viceroy Snowmass, Colorado and Viceroy Anguilla, in the Caribbean) offers a twist on the proverbial beach resort by incorporating concepts of romance, intrigue and internal reflection into an abundance of experiential spaces. The story weaves its way throughout the interiors, from the open-air lobby and reception space to the overwater spa, yoga and fitness bungalows.

The intimately sized open-air resort offers beachfront villas and water villas, both decorated in the nautical motif with crisp white and blue fabrics. Viceroy Maldives offers some of the most spacious rooms on the islands, with the smallest villa measuring 120 sq m while the larger ones measure 280 sq m or more.

The rustic timber water-view villas sit over the turquoise water, a perfect location to watch the sunset from. Flickering candles in glass holders are dotted through each villa, making them one of more romantic settings in the resort. An outdoor lounge furnished with beach furniture offers space to mingle, as does an oceanside pool.

One unique feature is the ‘tree house’ Zanzibar Lounge, an intimate and whimsical Moroccaninspired setting with oversized furniture overlooking the ocean. Accessible by a swinging wooden bridge and covered by a thatched roof, the tree house offers unparallel views. Under the tree house is a courtyard perfect for relaxing in. Here low daybeds decorated in richly coloured fabrics sit among tropical plants, as do dark wood rustic sculptures and hookah pipes.

The pool area overlooks the ocean and contains a contemporary styled bar in dark wood, which contrasts the light wood of the lounge chairs and cabanas, while basket-like candle holders reference the surrounding natural environment.