Decorate

Dream boat

Restored and redesigned, a heritage houseboat becomes a picturesque retreat
Infinite Design Studio

Once a family home, this houseboat rests gently on Sydney Harbour in picture perfect surroundings, ready with a warm and welcome respite from the real world.

Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Infinite Design Studio)

Originally constructed from parts of a barge built in the 1800s, the two storey houseboat has been fully reimagined by Infinite Design Studio, who have respected and preserved its heritage features throughout, blending these evocative touches with contemporary and luxurious finishes.

Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Sweeping decks for entertaining (Credit: Infinite Design Studio)
Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Upstairs master suite (Credit: Infinite Design Studio)

“I am a big believer in spending time on site to immerse myself in the location and to understand how best to integrate the qualities of the surroundings into the design,”

Michelle Macarounas, Principal and Lead Designer, Infinite Design Studio
Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Natural colours reflect surroundings (Credit: Infinite Design Studio)

The result is a sophisticated open plan abode right on the waters of Sydney Harbour in stunning Pearl Bay, a bolthole feels at once a thousand miles from care and the height of luxury with a view to one of the world’s most dazzling waterways.

Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
French oak flooring (Credit: Infinite Design Studio)
Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Open plan layout (Credit: Infinite Design Studio)

Far from any compromises you might expect to find in either a holiday hideaway or a houseboat, the clever design and simple layout is filled with contemporary furnishings in natural materials that reflect the environment in which it sits. Dark painted weatherboard exteriors sweep across decks accessed by timber-framed French doors to provide perfect entertaining spaces.

Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Natural light and ventilation (Credit: Infinite Design Studio)

“This property sits in such a fabulous location that we created an extremely pared-back palette so as not to compete with the views and environment.”

Michelle Macarounas
Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Infinite Design Studio)
Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Infinite Design Studio)

French oak flooring, cream-coloured travertine tiles in the upstairs master suite combine with  clever custom made joinery to give the illusion of space, though nothing is missing here for a sophisticated, soulful lifestyle.

Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Full sized bath in Master suite (Credit: Infinite Design Studio)
Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Travertine tiles (Credit: Infinite Design Studio)

The design pays respect to the vessel’s history, takes advantage of its privileged location and provides for contemporary luxury living and entertaining.

Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Double bedroom downstairs (Credit: Infinite Design Studio)
Houseboat on Sydney Harbour | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Infinite Design Studio)

For more swoon-worthy inspiration, take a tour of Tara Dennis’s riverside home.

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