Created with architect Maxime d’Angeac, the collection brings the design heritage of the legendary Orient Express into a new maritime setting.
Pulsatil has completed a bespoke lighting collection of 471 luminaires across more than 20 designs for the Orient Express Corinthian, marking a major collaboration with architect Maxime d’Angeac on one of the brand’s most ambitious maritime projects. Designed to translate the visual heritage of the legendary train into a contemporary yacht interior, the collection combines architectural integration, decorative craftsmanship and engineering for life at sea.
Working under d’Angeac’s artistic direction, Pulsatil conceived and produced the majority of the vessel’s lighting, developing fixtures tailored to its architecture and material palette. The project brings together historical references and contemporary design, with each piece created to serve both the practical needs and the character of its setting.
The interiors reinterpret 1920s Art Deco through a contemporary lens. Rare wood veneers, leather and marble establish a distinctive material palette, brought to life by nearly 2,000 French artisans. Within this setting, Pulsatil developed fixtures that complement the architecture, enhance its materials and give each space a distinct identity.
A Language of Light and Material
The collection combines sculptural wall fixtures, concealed architectural elements and integrated decorative pieces. Some designs reinterpret the visual language of the original Orient Express, while others translate d’Angeac’s concepts into finely crafted objects developed in collaboration with Pulsatil’s atelier.
Across the vessel, illumination emphasizes the grain of wood, the texture of leather and the reflective qualities of polished metal and stone. Subtle patterns of light and shadow add depth, while coordinated designs establish continuity between suites, lounges and circulation areas without compromising their individual character.
Designed for Rest and Retreat
In the private suites, the collection supports reading, conversation and quiet moments of retreat. Among its distinctive pieces, the Orient Express – Suite lamp expresses this approach on an intimate scale. Its domed, vertically segmented shade diffuses light evenly, while a polished base gives the composition clarity and balance. The design connects the yacht’s broader aesthetic with the comfort of the individual guest.
In the lounges, carefully positioned fixtures complement the surrounding materials and create inviting settings for conversation and gathering. Across public and private spaces, each piece balances decorative appeal with practical requirements.
Craftsmanship Engineered for Life at Sea
Developed over more than a year, the collection required close coordination between creative vision and technical execution. Each luminaire was engineered to meet the demands of a maritime environment while preserving the proportions, finishes and quality of construction central to Pulsatil’s work.
Material selection, durability and performance were considered alongside the architectural requirements of the yacht. The result reflects the precision needed to integrate bespoke objects into a complex project while maintaining consistency across more than 20 designs.
Aboard the Orient Express Corinthian, Pulsatil brings together historical references, contemporary design and French craftsmanship. The collection demonstrates how bespoke lighting can connect a storied design heritage with the technical and experiential demands of modern yachting.
Photos credit: Frontline Studios
