Victoria Sass sits in the boat’s living area, which she designed to mimic the interior of a cabin, complete with blankets, a sofa, textured rugs and throw pillows. It’s a feast for the eye the way that Sass plays with different colors and patterns. She creates a cohesive look reminiscent of a classic cabin interior one sees from the summers of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Photos: Chris Mottalini
A couple creates nostalgia on the water with a 44-foot vessel named Freya.
Victoria Sass’s childhood is full of memories of a Volkswagen van making its way up the California coast. Her husband, Torben Rytt, has fond memories of growing up in Copenhagen and spending summers on a sailboat navigating the coasts of Finland and Norway. The nostalgia for the southwest Minneapolis couple is strong, and they wanted their children to feel the same magical connection to something.
That dream led them to a 44-foot vessel named Freya, waiting to be brought back to life on the water. “We found her in Red Wing, [Minnesota], and she needed a lot of work,” Sass recalls of the 2021 purchase. “My husband was always pining for a sailboat, and I wanted a Volkswagen van.” Freya was where the two nostalgic threads met.
The 1983 vessel wasn’t glamorous and needed a lot of work, but in the heart of COVID-19, the couple was up for the challenge and had time to do it. Though the boat was covered in carpet and blacked-out window traps, Sass who owns Prospect Refuge Studio in southwest Minneapolis, saw potential and an opportunity to push some design boundaries. “The beauty of designing your own space is that I could make the decision to do something form over function, if I wanted to,” she says. “Interior design for me is the native language I speak. It’s hard to even think about how it breaks down, especially when I don’t have to translate my vision to someone else. It’s already all in my head. I could just think it and do it.”
Rytt worked for weeks updating the boat but also preserving the look and feel of the 1980s. The exterior was the first major undertaking. Originally maroon and brown, Freya was repainted and mirrors the look of a classic Danish sailboat, complete with a deep blue hull and red stripe. Inside, Freya took on more of the 1980s California-hippie spirit with warm colors and a retro vibe. “Freya represents a little of each of us,” Sass says of her and Rytt’s childhoods. “And now we’re creating memories for our own kids.”
While the renovations of Freya required a lot of time and attention, Sass says it was a fun experience. Boats can require a lot of customization and had Sass hunting for a lot of hard-to-find items, including an almond-colored toilet and a canvas top in a shade that’s rarely—if ever—used anymore. “Of course, that was the color I wanted,” Sass says with a laugh. “There was a lot of custom on top of custom projects for Freya … Everything had to be modified.”
When it comes to tile, Victoria Sass often collaborates with ceramist Kristen Falkirk of Indiana. To create this woodland cabin look for the boat’s kitchen, Falkirk created handmade tiles in shades of black and green. The tiles were installed by Sam Devine of Devine Tileworks.
Window treatments were among those challenges. Sass wanted privacy in the boat but also light. It had been dark for too long. However, when light is brought in, it needs to be managed appropriately. On the water, sun exposure is often overlooked when choosing fabrics. “These fabrics sit in the sun for extended periods of time,” Sass says. “Not only does the sun fade materials, but it can also degrade them.”
Her expert advice is to stay away from indoor/outdoor fabrics and stick with truly outdoor only. Synthetic materials like nylon or polyester blends stand up against the sun’s rays. “There are so many cute outdoor fabrics,” Sass says. “I actually wonder why more people don’t reupholster the seats in their boats.”
The primary bedroom features a bold mix of patterns and colors. The bedspread is from Studio Ford, a Los Angeles-based textile studio that specializes in Indian block-printing. The blanket is from Gregory Parkinson, a designer who travels the world in search of handmade, multilayered woven blankets, pillows and throws. The curtains are made by weaver Christine Ann Novotny of Grand Marais, Minnesota.
And if sun exposure is a challenge, Sass laughs that boat storage is even stealthier. “Everything is a hatch,” she says. On Freya, she needed to be mindful of where everything was placed. The couch, every picture on the wall and the chairs all needed to be moveable because they likely hide or cover another access point. Fortunately, storage is plentiful and accommodates a family of five, plus a dog, traveling down the Mississippi River for weeks at a time. “We fit all the clothes, food, toys and books,” Sass says. “She holds stuff well.”
Outside of Freya’s main living areas, the kitchen remains largely original with updated countertops and handmade tiles by ceramist Kristen Falkirk. Laid by tile setter Sam Devine of Devine Tileworks, Sass credits his expert precision, which constantly navigated the boat’s many angles. “More custom on top of custom work,” she says.
Stripes adorn the table in the seating and dining area. Splashes of green can be found throughout the boat, acting like a unifying thread that intricately weaves together all the elements of design aboard Freya.
In the bathroom, Sass chose to have stripes hand-painted by Minneapolis-based artist Kelsi Sharp of Sharp Signs. “Choosing to paint was brave,” Sass says. “But I am so happy with how it turned out.”
Through all the renovations, both rewarding and challenging, Sass believes she achieved the goal of creating something her children will remember forever. They’ve already made memories traveling down the Mississippi River with a lot more summers to come. “Freya is like a member of the family,” Sass says. “She’s not fancy, but she’s friendly, and we love her.”
Good Design, Smooth Sailing
When it comes to renovating a boat, whether it be a 44-foot vessel like Freya or a pontoon, Victoria Sass says owners should be willing to break the rules.
- Don’t shy away from custom work. Boats require a lot of customization.
- Reupholster the seats with outdoor fabrics made from synthetic materials, including the inserts. This will help with repeated sun exposure and moisture.
- Think about function, and choose movable furniture to accommodate hidden storage spaces.
- Work with vendors familiar with marine environments. Sass gave a shoutout to Union Place in Excelsior for boat draperies.
Prospect Refuge Studio
Instagram: @prospectrefugestudio
