Houzz Tour: A Bright Boathouse with Views Over Lake Windermere
A rundown boathouse has been extended and renovated, turning it into a light-filled, welcoming and luxurious bolthole
A devastating flood and years of neglect had taken their toll on this boathouse on the shores of Lake Windermere by the time David Booth bought it in 2010. Its virtues shone out, though. It was a pretty property in a beautiful situation and, unlike many boathouses in the region, it had permission for year-round occupancy.
Making it fit for living again was a huge undertaking. “We stripped everything back to a basic shell,” says Booth. A ground-level flat to one side of the boathouse that had been flooded out was demolished, and the boathouse itself had to be both reconfigured and extended to one side to create a practical, modern interior. The result? Light-filled luxury and an outlook that’s hard to beat.
Making it fit for living again was a huge undertaking. “We stripped everything back to a basic shell,” says Booth. A ground-level flat to one side of the boathouse that had been flooded out was demolished, and the boathouse itself had to be both reconfigured and extended to one side to create a practical, modern interior. The result? Light-filled luxury and an outlook that’s hard to beat.
The living space has incredible views of Lake Windermere, and a balcony immediately above the lake. “It faces southwest, so it’s a nice aspect,” says Booth. “We do get bad weather of course, but when the weather’s good, it’s worth it.”
Inside the living area, and throughout the home, the décor was influenced by homes on the other side of the Atlantic. “I love American style, and took inspiration from California and Florida, where interiors respond to the light and the weather,” says Booth. To help in realising his vision, he called in expertise from closer to home in the form of locally based interior designer Sarah Jane Nielsen.
Cassio sofa; Wilton armchair, both Tamarisk. Basse coffee table, Artcopi. Rattan lamp; Montgolfier hand-carved wood lamp, both Oka.
Inside the living area, and throughout the home, the décor was influenced by homes on the other side of the Atlantic. “I love American style, and took inspiration from California and Florida, where interiors respond to the light and the weather,” says Booth. To help in realising his vision, he called in expertise from closer to home in the form of locally based interior designer Sarah Jane Nielsen.
Cassio sofa; Wilton armchair, both Tamarisk. Basse coffee table, Artcopi. Rattan lamp; Montgolfier hand-carved wood lamp, both Oka.
To retain the character of the original boathouse, the stone wall in the living space was left exposed. With a floorplan limited in size, it was important to maximise storage space, so existing cupboards were incorporated into the layout with a new wood-burning stove placed above them. A log store was built into one side, and space for the TV and a bookshelf slotted into the other.
Sellette Basse side table, Artcopi.
A simple guide to reinstating period features
Sellette Basse side table, Artcopi.
A simple guide to reinstating period features
The kitchen has an expansive feel despite the restrictions of the building’s shape. The fridge-freezer fits neatly beneath the slope of the roof, while a vertical radiator is space-saving. “I wanted a breakfast-type kitchen and for it to be light,” says Booth. “I used a local kitchen company and, together with Sarah Jane Nielsen, we came up with a concept.” Corian worktops and pale painted cabinets both help to keep the area bright.
Oak was chosen for the flooring throughout, and complements the character of the building.
Kitchen, Webbs of Kendal. Joe counter stools, Vincent Sheppard. Drop pendant lights, Original BTC. Walls painted in Portland Stone; doors painted in Flake Grey, both Dulux.
Oak was chosen for the flooring throughout, and complements the character of the building.
Kitchen, Webbs of Kendal. Joe counter stools, Vincent Sheppard. Drop pendant lights, Original BTC. Walls painted in Portland Stone; doors painted in Flake Grey, both Dulux.
The open-plan living space includes a dining table with a view to the balcony of the newer part of the home. To the left is a window seat with padded cushions and built-in storage.
Helsinki dining table; John dining chairs, both Vincent Sheppard.
Helsinki dining table; John dining chairs, both Vincent Sheppard.
Through the door to the left of the kitchen is the entrance to the transformed boathouse. “There are hooks for wet clothes and a bench for boots and shoes,” says Booth. The bench and seat pad are bespoke designs.
A utility area is located to the right, with space for the washing machine and dryer as well as the entrance door to the home. Tiles are a hard-wearing and easy-clean choice for the flooring in here.
Walls painted in Portland Stone; door painted in Flake Grey, both Dulux. Lantern, Nielsen House.
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A utility area is located to the right, with space for the washing machine and dryer as well as the entrance door to the home. Tiles are a hard-wearing and easy-clean choice for the flooring in here.
Walls painted in Portland Stone; door painted in Flake Grey, both Dulux. Lantern, Nielsen House.
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The living area has views through to the kitchen in the new part of the boathouse as well as to the lake. Tall cupboards make room for towels and more. “We’ve done as much as we could without taking from the living space,” says Booth. “With it being a boathouse, it doesn’t have phenomenal room for wardrobes, so we’ve tried to utilise space where we could.”
The main bedroom has a window to the side as well as a view through the living area to the lake. Storage is cleverly incorporated, with a slim wardrobe and shelving for folded clothes alongside the door.
Booth preferred shutters to curtains to dress the windows of the home. “They give privacy and light, and at night when you close them up, it’s a good atmosphere,” he says. The shutters were made bespoke and finished in a colour to complement the rest of the interior.
Decorative panel radiator, Bisque.
Booth preferred shutters to curtains to dress the windows of the home. “They give privacy and light, and at night when you close them up, it’s a good atmosphere,” he says. The shutters were made bespoke and finished in a colour to complement the rest of the interior.
Decorative panel radiator, Bisque.
A freestanding bath is a highlight of the main en suite, with shutters providing privacy at the window that overlooks the back of the boathouse. Mirrors were used to make the compact room feel spacious.
Bath, Clearwater. Wall and floor tiles, Abacus Direct.
Bath, Clearwater. Wall and floor tiles, Abacus Direct.
The second bedroom has a calm and airy feel with light hues as a backdrop, and an accent of colour added with cushions, throws, a lampshade and a rug. Just seen is the glass block wall that allows the room’s en suite to borrow light from the bedroom.
The en suite to the second bedroom has a walk-in shower and built-in storage to make the most of the area. Although it doesn’t have a window, skylights let daylight in, while a large mirror reflects light and makes the room seem larger than it really is.
Wall and floor tiles, Abacus Direct.
Wall and floor tiles, Abacus Direct.
The glass block wall between the second bedroom’s en suite and the sleeping space ensures privacy but boosts the light.
Mosaic tiles, Abacus Direct.
Mosaic tiles, Abacus Direct.
From the southern side of the boathouse, the building’s jetties extend into the lake. The side of the building retains the original stone construction.
A dining set that’s kept in the lower section of the new extension is ready for use in the open air when the weather’s fair, or can be used under cover to enjoy the views when it’s not. There’s a barbecue down there, too, and the area is warmed with an infrared heater when necessary.
What do you think of this sensitively transformed boathouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
What do you think of this sensitively transformed boathouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Who lives here David Booth
Location Windermere, Cumbria
Property 1940s boathouse
Size 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Interior designer Sarah Jane Nielsen
Architect Peter Harris of Cassidy + Ashton
Photos by Mark Watts © Unique Home Stays
The home (left of photo) has two balconies overlooking the lake. The section of the boathouse on the left with the large window is a new extension that includes an outdoor dining area on the ground floor. Designed by architect Peter Harris, it mirrors the original building (seen to its right), which retains its wet dock below.
The enlarged first-floor accommodation across old and new buildings now includes a living-dining-kitchen space, two double bedrooms and two en suite bathrooms.