Big Bay Views Buoy a Seattle Floating Home

The owner of the floating house wanted to have the ability to delight in the sublime Pacific Northwest views beyond its walls longer. She’d dubbed her current house”a floating double-wide,'” says interior designer Kim Mankoski of Kim Mankoski Interiors. She wanted something more contemporary, industrial and open to make the most of her life on the water.

Mankoski, architect Ryan Mankoski of Ninebark Design Build and Dyna Contracting flocked to create a cohesive design with an open design. The result has two glass sides wide open to spectacular views of bay waters, the University of Washington and the mountains beyond.

Floating at a Glance
Who lives here: A woman and her cats
Location: Portage Bay (between Lake Washington and Lake Union), Seattle
Size: 1,200 square feet, 1 bedroom, 1 bath

Dyna Contracting

The house was tugged away to neighboring Ballard, Washington, where the work was completed, then reunite. The original float serves as the base for the new residence. Everything was constructed from scratch. The project took about 10 months.

Dyna Contracting

Glass partitions fitted with double doors anchor two sides; another two sides include smaller and storage windows for privacy from neighbors. The open plan allows the owner to enjoy the views from every room.

The homeowner wanted a contemporary industrial fashion, but a concrete flooring was out, because of its weight. Kim Mankoski discovered a marmoleum product that has a concrete appearance.

Floor tile: Click tile in Lava, 12 by 36 inches, Forbo; pendant lighting: David Trubridge Coral Pendant, YLighting

Dyna Contracting

The exterior has a challenging industrial appearance as well, mixing structural steel, Cor-Ten steel glass and panels. Salvaged cedar accents hint at the warmth inside and remind us why this whole home floats in the first place — that the cedar float below.

Dyna Contracting

“My client wanted everything shipshape,” Mankoski states, so she made streamlined, efficient storage through the house to hold everything.

If you look closely, you can see a ladder out across the left side of the photograph. The homeowner uses this to access the kayak attached to her house.

Cabinets: habit, Baywood Cabinets

Dyna Contracting

The design team took some inspiration from The Farnsworth House and used a central center to hold the kitchen, bathroom and closets, and to divide the major living space from the bedroom. A strict color palette through the house highlights the beauty in the substances’ textures as well as the contrasts.

Sofa: Theater sofa, Design Within Reach; dining table: client’s own

Dyna Contracting

High-gloss crimson painted cabinets include a burst of colour, while a steel backsplash and shelves include industrial fashion. Bamboo woodwork conceals the fridge on the right. The countertops are Squak Mountain Stone, a composite product made from recycled paper, recycled glass and low-carbon cement.

Dyna Contracting

A wall of storage incorporates spots for books and display. The”D” is from the exterior of the old floating home. Mankoski made the built-ins with a TV in your mind for that spot.

Tongue and groove fir paneling wraps up the walls and ceiling. A few of the closets have acrylic doorways by 3form with an organic pattern on these, a detail that’s replicated from the bathroom.

Coffee table: walnut, BoConcept; rug: Flor; cabinet doors: acrylic, 3form

Dyna Contracting

Dyna Contracting

Reclaimed tongue and groove paneling extends to the bedroom, and the bed looks through a generous wall of glass.

Wall paint: Just White,Benjamin Moore; bed: Malm, Ikea; shag carpet: Ikea; Danish chairs: classic

Dyna Contracting

The bathroom also has streamlined storage composed of floating pine shelves as well as the exact same 3form acrylic doors used in the living area.

The custom zinc counter and sink are one piece. Mankoski chose porcelain tile with a patina that resembles that of basalt. The wall tiles have ridges that include a subtle industrial texture.

Dyna Contracting

Skylights bring natural light to the bathroom. In this deep shower, an old part of the cedar log float that wasn’t needed now serves as a shower seat. Since it had floated to the water for a number of years lived just fine, the client opted to not seal it.

Tiles: BSP, Pental; showerhead: Raindance 240 Air Showerhead, Hansgrohe

Dyna Contracting

Cable railings and metal measures continue the industrial vibe out. Untreated cedar produces a rain screen, a must in Seattle’s climate. The timber also adds contrast and warmth to the metal and glass.

Dyna Contracting

Between the roof deck and the smaller balconies below, the homeowner gained about 450 extra square feet of living area. The roof deck has got the best uninterrupted views.

Know more about life on a houseboat or floating home

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