June 29 2016

Breathtaking Boathouses You’ll Want To Live In

You will want to move into these stunning boathouses, and in some cases, you can because they’re outfitted with kitchens, bathrooms and best of all, bedrooms. Falling asleep to the sound of the waves underneath is just an added bonus.

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Classic Muskoka Boathouse

This Muskoka boathouse serves as a fully-equipped guest house as well as a double slip, reminiscent of boathouses from a bygone era. Designed by Cory DeFrancisco of Muskoka Living, it’s lavished with classic nautical architectural details, from the cedar shake roof to the arched French doors and oculus windows.

Source:: Muskoka Living
Designer:: Muskoka Living

A diamond-painted deck adds interest and makes the space feel almost as polished as the graceful wood boats moored within. Screen doors lead into the adjacent living area.

Source:: Muskoka Living
Designer:: Muskoka Living

Comfy seating makes it easy to enjoy the view from the living room. Board and batten panelled walls are a classic nautical treatment, accented by a model sailboat and rope-embellished pillows. Black hardware pops against the room’s white palette.

Source:: Muskoka Living
Designer:: Muskoka Living

A generous deck and substantial Craftsman style columns lead to the second floor.

Source:: Muskoka Living
Designer:: Muskoka Living

Large French doors can be thrown open to take full advantage of the water’s proximity and lake breezes.

Source:: Muskoka Living
Designer:: Muskoka Living

Beautiful Blue Boathouse

This two-bedroom boathouse, designed by Jennifer Worts, is distinguished by graceful windows and a lake-blue exterior paint. The wraparound deck gives barbecues and weekend sunbathing a cruise-ship vibe.

Photographer:: Angus Fergusson
Source:: House & Home July 2006 issue
Designer:: Jennifer Worts

Victorian Boathouse

A pretty cupola and stone fireplace top Tom and Suzanne White’s buttercream confection of a boathouse. The “Muskoka Victorian” architectural style is defined by substantial window casings, wraparound porches, and bay windows.

Photographer:: Andrew Waller
Source:: House & Home July 2006 issue
Products:: Architecture, D’Arcy Dunal Architect

The rough-hewn pine siding is in keeping with a traditional Muskoka look. A granite path leads from the cottage to the boathouse, which has an east-facing wraparound deck and a swimming dock below.

Photographer:: Andrew Waller
Source:: House & Home July 2006 issue
Designer:: De Jong Designs

Designer Elizabeth de Jong based the watery palette of the living room (complete with fireplace) on the ottoman’s upholstery.

Photographer:: Andrew Waller
Source:: House & Home July 2006 issue
Products:: Armchairs, De Jong Designs
Designer:: De Jong Designs

The glass cupola on the top floor draws natural light into the space. Oculus windows are flanked by sailboats to underscore the nautical flavor. A window seat is ideal for appreciating the lakeside view.

Photographer:: Andrew Waller
Source:: House & Home July 2006 issue
Designer:: De Jong Designs

A cozy sleeping area is nestled at the bottom of the T-shaped layout. A vaulted 12-foot ceiling, tongue-and-groove panelling and exposed painted beams lend character.

Photographer:: Andrew Waller
Source:: House & Home July 2006 issue
Designer:: De Jong Designs

In the bathroom, a pine floor breaks up the creamy white space. A tasseled valance reflects the well considered design details of these lakefront living quarters.

Photographer:: Andrew Waller
Source:: House & Home July 2006 issue
Designer:: De Jong Designs

Charming Boathouse

On his boathouse, Cory DeFrancisco captures the quaint charm of the area with a collection of paddles, a sliding barn-style door and full flower boxes for color.

Photographer:: Michael Graydon
Source:: House & Home July 2013 issue
Products:: Siding color, Soot (2129) Benjamin Moore.
Designer:: Muskoka Living

Lake Simcoe Boathouse

Designer Michelle Lloyd Bermann of Lloyd Ralphs Design and her husband, painter David Bermann, raised the structure of their Lake Simcoe boathouse 3 feet to accommodate his sails and boards. French doors were installed on the lower level and inexpensive stock sliding doors were added to the top floor.

Photographer:: Stacey Brandford
Source:: House & Home July 2007 issue
Products:: Exterior colour, Cozy Cottage (740C-2), Behr
Designer:: Michelle Lloyd Bermann

Hinged french doors open out to the dock. Built-in storage boxes that double as benches are functional additions, and art dresses up the utilitarian space.

Photographer:: Stacey Brandford
Source:: House & Home July 2007 issue
Designer:: Michelle Lloyd Bermann

Hotel-style loungers and tray tables make this dock an even more hospitable spot to hang.

Photographer:: Stacey Brandford
Source:: House & Home July 2007 issue
Designer:: Michelle Lloyd Bermann

In the narrow, upper level bedroom, Michelle installed floating ledges flanking the bed and painted the antique French sconces white. “I don’t want to take decorating too seriously up here. It’s all about mixing things that are precious and simple with things that are rough and unexpected.” Raffia cushions give the space a distinctly tropical vibe that’s reminiscent of St. Bart’s, one of the designer’s favorite destinations.

Photographer:: Stacey Brandford
Source:: House & Home July 2007 issue
Designer:: Michelle Lloyd Bermann

Hillside Boathouse

Tucked at the bottom of a dramatic hillside, the boathouse belonging to David and Heather Beaton of Studio b seems to sprout from the rock itself.

Photographer:: Donna Griffith
Source:: House & Home July 2011 issue
Designer:: David Beaton

David’s collection of new and vintage boats includes this 1928 Hacker-Craft. Contrasting trim accents the boathouse’s large windows and distinctive muntins.

Photographer:: Donna Griffith
Source:: House & Home July 2011 issue
Designer:: David Beaton

Log Cabin-Style boathouse

Don Tapscott’s log cabin-style boathouse is topped by a large deck with a built-in stereo system, and seats two for sunset cocktails, or 90 for dinner and dancing.

Photographer:: Angus Fergusson
Source:: House & Home May 2011 issue
Products:: Chairs, Limberlost

Teal Boathouse

An inky-green exterior paint makes this Muskoka boathouse seemingly melt into the trees behind it.

Photographer:: Donna Griffith
Source:: House & Home May 2013 issue
Designer:: Lloyd Ralphs Design

Designers Christine Ralphs (right) and Michelle Lloyd of Lloyd Ralphs Design dressed up this sunny two-bedroom boathouse with an all-weather rug, as well as ample Muskoka chairs, throws, and a basket of towels.