Houseboat Heaven... if you've ever wanted to live on the water, I've found your new home!

Project by Infinite Design Studio | Photographer Prue Ruscoe

Is this the dream house we have all been searching for? It's on the water, has beautiful interior design, a deck to watch the sunset and drink vino and you can move it to a new location whenever you feel like a change of view... I'm sold! 

Infinite Design Studio has restored and redesigned a house that has prime position on Sydney Harbour. The two-storey houseboat moored in Pearl Bay, Mosman, was once the permanent home of the client and their children.

Infused with new life, it is now their holiday retreat and entertaining space, afloat on Sydney Harbour.  “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,” says Michelle Macarounas, Principal and Lead Designer at 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.”

The restored and redesigned houseboat has an open living and kitchen area and deck on the first floor, as well as a double bedroom and ensuite. The master suite is upstairs, with a large bathroom, reading area and entertaining deck. Light, ventilation and openness are of vital importance for life on the water, fostering a sense of spaciousness and connection with the stunning surrounds. Infinite Design Studio transformed the interior and exterior living spaces with a soft palette and natural materials that reference the natural environment. Inside, French oak flooring, cream-coloured travertine tiles, contemporary joinery and custom-made furniture are a lighter counterpart to the darker weatherboard exterior.

Views of the harbour are captured through timber-framed windows, and circular mirrors throughout the house reference portholes and enhance the natural light and openness. The houseboat was originally constructed from parts of a barge built in the 1800s, which transported produce across Middle Harbour before construction of the Spit Bridge in the 1950s. To preserve this history, Infinite Design Studio restored the heritage features, including the timber window frames and leadlight window and the benchtops that date back to the original barge.

Marine grade components ensure the houseboat is watertight, and all mechanics, hydraulics, electrical and facilities were upgraded, as were the finishes and fixtures. Infinite Design Studio creates sumptuous and sophisticated spaces with warmth and soul. A unique and exceptional project, the design of Mosman Houseboat pays respect to the vessel’s history, takes advantage of its privileged location and provides for contemporary luxury living on one of the world’s most dazzling waterways.