Boathouse charm

When the activity in the main house becomes too much, this boathouse provides the perfect sanctuary by the water.

Christine Albertsson of Albertsson Hansen Architects completely remodeled the structure, which included installing a new kitchen.

"Originally, the boathouse was a storage shed," she says.

Because the main house is elevated above the water, the aim was to provide facilities so the homeowners could make the most of this part of their property for entertaining and relaxing next to the lake.

"The kitchen is compact, so we used consistent paneling throughout and minimized clutter. The ceiling was also painted white to magnify the light and create a sense of space," says the architect.

Lisa Peck of LiLu Interiors collaborated with Albertsson to design the interior of the boathouse, which also includes a powder room, sitting room and outdoor area. She says that as the building is primarily used for entertaining, the kitchen was very important.

"The main objective in the interior design was to create an easy, low-maintenance space that still provides a sense of warmth and comfort. I wanted it to have a traditional feeling with a modern twist," she says.

To create this, the architect and designer used conventional forms with a clean finish.

Not surprisingly, there is a focus on outdoor living the dining suite is without upholstery so it can easily be moved outside when needed. A drinks tub is built into the kitchen countertop, and casement windows directly above push out to open onto the deck area, so the counter can be used as a bar for serving guests outside.

A microwave hidden by Douglas fir cabinets and an outdoor grill provide all the cooking facilities needed for entertaining or relaxing.

One of the requirements for the boathouse was that it be usable year round. A working fireplace means that the sitting room can still be enjoyed in the winter months, when the owners do not entertain there as frequently.

Peck describes the main house, for which she designed the interior, as a more lavish expression of the aesthetic of the boathouse.

"I wanted the boathouse kitchen to relate to the architecture in the main kitchen, but in a different way," she says.

"For example, where we used painted white cabinetry in the original kitchen, we've used natural wood here. We mirrored the formal walnut with a lighter fir. The design in the house is very detailed, while the boathouse has a more pared-back feel. We wanted the look to be simpler and more playful."

Story by: Lydia Brewer