Hello lovelies,
I came across a very charming space that I wanted to share with you today. This is a cosy houseboat, moored in London, which is filled with vintage style and Scandi vibes. If you’ve every day-dreamed about living on a houseboat, then you’ll want to pour over this gorgeous project that’s been handcrafted with so much love and ingenuity. Everything about this interior has been considered with light and comfort in mind, resulting in a space that feels loved and curated. The striking thing about the boat is the sense of space they’ve achieved, with a big open plan kitchen and living area and two bedrooms. I could easily imagine spending a year here, embracing the slow life. Perfectly set up for comfortable wintering, it’s a book lover’s idea of heaven.
The main living space centres around a beautifully minimal open-plan kitchen, custom built in birch by the owners to bring warmth and a subtle mid-century feel. It’s fully equipped with a proper sink, oven and ample cupboard space, while the open shelving offers the perfect opportunity to display glassware, vintage candles and a mid-century style mirror that ties the space together effortlessly.
The mid-century modern aesthetic continues into the living area, with what appears to be an R. Bennett teak vintage G-Plan coffee table paired with a classic teak chair. Warmth is introduced through a Scandinavian-style pendant light in a rich burnt orange and a soft cinnamon-toned throw on the sofa, creating an inviting and cosy atmosphere.
The owners lovingly restored pine floorboards from a Welsh church and they bring a calm, rustic lived in charm to the boat. The addition of an oversized jute rug in the living area, invites you to kick you shoes off and linger with a coffee and a book.
Speaking of books, the owner has built a full library wall in the boat’s second bedroom/office space and the solution of hand-made pocket doors, is an ingenious solution to open up the space to the main living area or to allow it to function as it’s own individual bookworm’s snug. I love the wood burner and the choice of deep terracotta coloured tiles to again bring depth and warmth to the living space.
The main bedroom of the houseboat bedroom is a wonderful cocoon, calm, clever and full of character. A built-in bookshelf headboard stretches the full width of the bed, doubling as both storage and a display ledge. Lined with well-loved books, framed art and small, personal objects, it gives the space a lived-in, almost cabin-like quality that suits life on the water perfectly. The honeyed wood tones ground the room, balancing the soft whites and muted textiles.
On either side of the bed, Scandinavian-style paper lanterns hang low as bedside lights, casting a diffused glow. Their simple, oval form feel light and understated, creating an intimate atmosphere without taking up precious surface space — a beautifully practical choice for a compact bedroom. The soft lighting enhances the cosy mood, especially against the curved ceiling.
Crisp bedding layered with textured cushions and a woven throw adds subtle pattern and depth, while keeping the palette calm and unfussy. Altogether, it’s a bedroom that feels thoughtful and serene — a perfect example of Scandinavian design on a smaller scale, where every detail works hard while still feeling effortless and inviting.
The houseboat’s bathroom is stylish and full of character. The crisp white tiles sit side by side with a reclaimed his and hers butcher sink which sits atop a vintage record cabinet. The exposed copper pipework cleverly doubles as a towel rail and the wonderful, well positioned sky light would allow you to have a shower under a sky full of stars. I particularly love the detail of the reeded glass shower screen, which added texture and privacy while allowing light to flow through the space. The owner has blended industrial, vintage and brand-new elements with ease, creating a space that feels both stylish and surprisingly spacious — more so than many apartments.
Blending Scandinavian simplicity with warm mid-century character, this houseboat strikes a beautiful balance between function and feeling. Natural materials, soft lighting and thoughtful craftsmanship create a deeply hygge atmosphere — calm, cosy and quietly joyful. It’s a space designed for slowing down, where comfort comes first and everyday moments feel just a little more special.
This wonderful, comfortable and spacious houseboat is currently for sale with our without it’s furnishings property is listed here.
*All images are shared courtesy of the homeowner @rosanna_irwin with permission. Rosanna also runs a luxury off grid cabin experience in Ireland called Samsú which is designed “for the ‘always on’ to switch off”.
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