Life in This Renovated Houseboat Would Be But a Dream
Stealth storage and a color palette borrowed from nature lets this Australian houseboat live larger than its 495 square feet.
For this houseboat's renovation, led by Kate Harry of the Adelaide-based interiors firm Fabrikate, function was critical. Harry started with careful spatial planning of the 46 square meters, or 495 square feet, which included the captain's driving area. Within that petite footprint, she fit a kitchen with an integrated fridge, concealed pantry, and range; dining space for eight; a lounging area and reading nook; two bedrooms with queen-size beds; as well as a bathroom with separate spaces for the shower, toilet, and vanity. Both built-in and vertical storage were integrated to utilize all of the available space.
Vinyl flooring in a soft driftwood color underscores a dining table that can seat up to eight. Harry selected warm leather for the banquette seating for its "texture and timeless patina."
Jonathan VDK
While researching houseboat design, Harry and her team "found Australian houseboats [to be] notoriously dark and heavy spaces." Instead, they turned to the houseboat's setting on the Murray River for inspiration, combining a color palette of mint green, white, caramel, and driftwood.
"Selection of materiality was critical in creating the illusion of more space than the actual footprint of the houseboat," Harry said.
Jonathan VDK
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Upon visiting the finished design, the Harry and her team were struck by how the project had come together. "The morning sunrise, the reflection of light off the water throughout the interior was truly a memorable moment for us as designers," the designer said. "The houseboat felt completely at one with it's environment."
Harry said: "The inclusion of Australian product in this design was integral given its context." Kitchen joinery in affordable soft sage laminate sports the leather recessed pull from Made Measure and timber door hardware from In-Teria.
Jonathan VDK
Australian paint by Haymes envelopes the interior, including vertical and built-in storage.
Jonathan VDK
A drop zone across from the kitchen run
Jonathan VDK
A hemp rug from Armadillo & Co complements botanical prints from Cloth Fabric.
Jonathan VDK
Sleek storage
Jonathan VDK
The reading nook
Jonathan VDK
MDF panelling also allowed for contraction and expansion of the moving vessel.
Jonathan VDK
"Laminex Aquapanel was selected in wet areas to meet the weight restriction and potential of cracking tiles," says Harry.
Jonathan VDK
Bedrooms capitalize on river views and built-in storage.
Jonathan VDK
The stylish hooks in the bedroom were sourced from twenty21, a Melbourne-based shop that specializes in midcentury designs.
Jonathan VDK
Before:
Courtesy of Fabrikate
Project Credits:
Design: Fabrikate
Stylist: Emily O’Brien
Structural Engineer: McDowall Engineering and Construction
Cabinetry construction and installation: Module Dezines
Photography: Jonathan VDK
Published