A local tour boat operator builds a Harbour Road dream home.
When this homeowner comes ashore from a life spent on board his boat, it makes sense that his home design would include a “subtle nod toward a nautical theme.” “Our client is the owner and operator of a number of tour boats and therefore has a strong association with our marine environment,” says senior interior designer Shelley Ray of L&S Design Ltd.
The nautical theme extended throughout the house includes three full en suite bathrooms, powder room, kitchen, and pool area. In addition to the colour scheme, fixtures that have a maritime connection were used where suitable. For instance, the bathroom cabinets feature thumb-turn latches that you find on boat cabinetry, while some of the exterior doors have brass portholes, and some of the light fixtures are brass and nautical in style.
Of course, one of the differences between a land home and a boat is the size of the spaces. L&S Design sought to create an open-plan concept for the kitchen, dining, and living rooms as well as the pool deck. “We created a casual atmosphere
for family living and entertaining with an open concept to allow the flow of conversation within these spaces,” says Ms. Ray. “The 50-foot north wall is orientated toward the view with large door openings to further allow fluid living onto the pool area.”
The design of the kitchen is classic and timeless with “an easy to live with colour scheme.” The key features in the kitchen include slim-line built-in appliances hidden behind custom panels, a freestanding cooker that anchors the layout, and a small but functional pantry within easy reach of the kitchen for extra storage. A large walnut-top island accommodates prep work and seating so that the cook can enjoy company while preparing meals.
Ms. Ray says that the one challenge of the design was the fact that the property is carved into the hillside on Harbour Road, but this proximity also provides stunning views of Hamilton Harbour. Fittingly, the nautical theme extends out onto the pool deck. The pool itself is a compact, infinity-edge pool with a seating ledge “conducive to lounging in the water whilst enjoying the views.”
“We were keen to include traditional aspects of a seafarer’s life such as navigational tools and signal flags,” says Ms Ray. “In this vein, a compass rose was designed on the pool deck and a flag pole located on the lower level.” “Sea turtles, which symbolise good luck and endurance, are excellent navigators that return to their original hatching place after decades of ocean dwelling.” “A whimsical sea turtle mosaic was placed on the north wall of the pool to represent these positive attributes and to further underscore the fact that this is the client’s first, and final, land-based dream house.”
