Eight floating homes around the world

The Water Cabin, a new floating home in Seattle’s Portage Bay, blends the classic nautical personality of a houseboat with the weathered coziness of a cabin. Designed by Olson Kundig, a Seattle-based architecture firm, the residence is situated in one of Seattle's prominent houseboat enclaves, where wooden planks replace traditional lawns and piers serve as sidewalks. The client, who previously rented a houseboat in the area, sought to create a bespoke water-bound retreat that maximized its connection to the marine environment. The home's design features a geometric silhouette, a hallmark of Kundig’s style, supported by galvanized steel structures that elegantly cradle expansive roof planes and wooden decks. The architects aimed to seamlessly integrate indoor and outdoor living spaces. The interior layout spans two levels, with each space carefully configured to enhance engagement with the surrounding water. The bay-level floor adopts an open-plan concept, accommodating dining, kitchen, and office areas. A notable feature is a sliding wooden partition in the office space, which allows for the creation of an additional private room. This area also cleverly incorporates a hidden murphy bed, transforming it into a versatile guest room. Throughout the interior, material choices emphasize natural warmth and modern contrast. Oakwood lines the floors and casework, providing a rich, inviting foundation, while cooler silver and black metal accents introduce a contemporary edge. The ceilings, made from Russian birch plywood, are designed to reflect and distribute natural sunlight, thereby brightening the living spaces. Outside, an exterior patio crafted from durable Ipe wood decking extends the living area. This patio is thoughtfully protected by large roof overhangs, shielding the wood from the elements and enabling year-round outdoor enjoyment. The upper level of the Water Cabin is dedicated to the main bedroom, offering residents unobstructed views of the water, creating a serene and private lookout. This level also benefits from the same protective roof overhangs, which form an additional deck space. The exterior of the Water Cabin is clad in knotty western red cedar, lightly stained and arranged in an irregular pattern to evoke the organic appearance of a forest. This cladding effectively combines the inherent nautical character of a houseboat with the rustic charm of a cabin. Galvanized steel and flame-sprayed zinc elements are integrated along the frame's perimeter, providing both structural support and aesthetic detail. The design thoughtfully includes floor-to-ceiling glass windows that blur the lines between the interior and the surrounding natural environment, and the warm oak flooring seamlessly transitions to the exterior Ipe wood decking, further enhancing this connection. The Water Cabin's distinct cubic form offers a contemporary alternative to the more traditional houseboats found in the bay, demonstrating a modern approach to floating architecture. #FloatingHomes #Houseboats #CabinArchitecture #OlsonKundig #SeattleArchitecture #WaterfrontLiving #WoodenArchitecture #ModernDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation

This article highlights six distinct homes that incorporate spiral staircases as a prominent design feature, demonstrating their potential to create a visually striking element within a residence, particularly in spaces with generous ceiling heights. Each example offers a unique approach to integrating these curvilinear structures into various interior design styles and architectural contexts. The first home featured is a two-bedroom loft apartment in Bukit Timah, where interior designer Jacky harmonized a spiral staircase with honey-hued wooden steps by matching it to the new flooring. This design choice not only emphasizes the staircase but also cleverly positions the television beneath it, allowing for family viewing while children play on the stairs, showcasing a blend of aesthetics and practicality. The second example, a three-bedroom loft-inspired condo unit in Whampoa, utilizes a matte black spiral staircase to provide a stark visual contrast against the home's lighter color palette. Interior designer Keave deliberately selected this finish to make the staircase a strong focal point, enhancing the modern and sophisticated ambiance of the space. Thirdly, a Singaporean house inspired by the Japanese art of Origami, designed by Formwerkz Architects, features a main staircase that mimics the appearance of a spiral cardboard. The design allows light to filter through metal threads, creating dynamic patterns at the base of the stairs, transforming a functional element into an artistic installation. Next, a home recognized with an Architizer Award, designed by Park+Associates, places a grand spiral staircase at the heart of its layout. This staircase, characterized by wooden treads and white balusters, serves as the central focal point, guiding the eye and establishing a sense of grandeur within the home's overall design. The fifth residence is a 6,350 sqf two-storey home in Bukit Timah, which embodies a cool tropical minimalist design. Here, a large spiral staircase stands out as the sole curved structure amidst a backdrop of linear window screens. Its unique form makes it a captivating element, drawing attention especially from the adjacent pool area. Finally, a three-storey house with sleek, minimalist designs and antique furniture showcases a black spiral staircase chosen by the architect. This deliberate color choice creates a powerful visual impact, ensuring the staircase is an immediately noticeable and arresting feature within the otherwise understated decor. Collectively, these examples illustrate the versatility and decorative power of spiral staircases in contemporary home design. #SpiralStaircase #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #Architecture #LoftApartment #ModernInteriors #MinimalistDesign #FormwerkzArchitects #ToposDesignStudio

This article highlights eight distinct homes that were featured throughout the year, showcasing a variety of design aesthetics and functional solutions across different property types in Calgary. Each home presents unique design elements, from sophisticated interiors to integrated indoor-outdoor living spaces and creative renovations. The first featured home is a modern family room designed by Amanda Hamilton Interior Design, characterized by its sleek yet welcoming atmosphere and a striking marble fireplace that serves as a central focal point. This space prioritizes comfort and contemporary aesthetics, offering a refined environment for family gatherings. Following this, the article showcases the open-concept living room and kitchen of Alykhan Velji and Jason Krell's renovated 1960s bungalow. This space is described as the heart of their home, designed to be versatile for various occasions, emphasizing seamless flow and functional design. A high-rise condo in Mission is presented next, transformed into a bright, contemporary zen living area. The design focuses on balancing form and function, creating a tranquil and modern space tailored to the homeowners' preferences by their architect son. The fourth home emphasizes indoor-outdoor living with a front garden courtyard. The design intent was to create an effortless transition between the interior and exterior spaces, allowing the homeowners to fully embrace an integrated lifestyle with nature. Another outdoor space featured is a multi-level backyard in a Calgary home, designed as a summer sanctuary. This backyard, complete with a multi-level deck and professional landscaping, harmonizes with its parkside location, maximizing the use of outdoor living areas. The article also highlights a rooftop terrace on a three-storey Calgary house, functioning as the home's primary outdoor space. This elevated oasis offers stunning city views and provides a serene environment for entertaining or relaxation, compensating for a traditional yard. A unique transformation is seen in a 1950s rental home that was converted into a mid-century English dream. With the landlord's approval, interior designer Laura Collins infused the space with bold paint colors and antique furnishings, creating a distinctive and character-filled residence. Finally, a Calgary basement is showcased, having been transformed into a moody cocktail lounge and entertainment room. This space evokes a vintage 'Mad Men' aesthetic, incorporating elements that reflect the homeowners' family history and Caribbean heritage, creating a personal and inviting area for leisure. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #CalgaryHomes #ModernLiving #OpenConcept #OutdoorSpaces #RenovationIdeas #MidCenturyModern #ZenLiving

Parachute, a company renowned for its bedding products, has announced its expansion into the furniture market, beginning with a collection of upholstered bed frames. This new venture, which launched on September 15, allows customers to furnish their entire sleeping area with the brand's offerings. The initial furniture collection includes three distinct bed frame designs, available in seven different fabric options. This move is a strategic expansion for the growing brand, driven by sustained customer demand for complementary furniture pieces to complete their bedrooms. Ariel Kaye, founder and CEO of Parachute, highlighted that the company's customers have consistently requested suitable bed frames to pair with their existing bedding. Kaye emphasized Parachute's intention to leverage its expertise in the industry to offer a unique perspective on furniture design. As a company with a strong foundation in textiles, Parachute aimed to showcase its core strengths by developing an assortment of upholstered bed frames. The design inspiration for this collection draws heavily from the brand's home state of California, incorporating elements from the historic curves of Laurel Canyon and the natural formations of the Mojave Desert's sand dunes. The overarching goal was to introduce a softer, more tactile dimension to furniture. Following this design philosophy, the team developed a minimalist collection that aligns seamlessly with Parachute's established sophisticated and simple aesthetic. The collection features three main bed frame designs: the Canyon Bed Frame, which echoes the winding paths of Laurel Canyon; the Dune Bed Frame, characterized by a split back designed to achieve clean symmetry; and the Horizon Bed Frame, which pays homage to the serene sunrises observed in Venice Beach. Each of these bed frames offers a selection of upholstery materials, including a durable linen cotton blend, a relaxed washed linen, and a plush faux shearling fabric. These options provide customers with choices that cater to various interior design preferences and comfort needs. All furniture pieces in Parachute's new collection are proudly made in America. The brand ensures a premium delivery and installation experience by shipping items via white-glove service. While assembly is required, customers have the option to request assistance from the white-glove service partners for a complete setup. The pricing for the bed frames ranges from $1,800 to $3,050, reflecting the quality craftsmanship and materials used in their construction. This collection is available for purchase through Parachute's official website, Parachute.com, and at their brick-and-mortar retail locations. The launch represents a significant step for Parachute in broadening its product range and solidifying its position as a holistic home goods provider, extending beyond just bedding to encompass larger furniture items that maintain its signature style and quality. #ParachuteHome #FurnitureLaunch #UpholsteredBeds #HomeDecor #BedroomDesign #CaliforniaInspired #TextileFocused #MadeInAmerica #InteriorDesign

The article delves into the design and features of the 88.5-meter superyacht *Nirvana*, built by Oceanco and designed by Sam Sorgiovanni. Delivered in 2012 under the code name Y707, *Nirvana* was, at the time, Oceanco's largest yacht in its Y-coded series, even though the shipyard has since constructed larger vessels. The yacht is managed by Y.CO and is available for charter. Sorgiovanni styled *Nirvana*'s interior and exterior to facilitate an active lifestyle, featuring a distinctive slightly flared bow and a swooping curve that begins aft of amidships. A signature element of Sorgiovanni's design is the brightwork on the transom and a mahogany-look strip outlining the cap rail, visually extending the yacht's length. This design choice provides a nostalgic contrast to the contemporary yet whimsical interior, which draws inspiration from a tropical island rainforest rather than a sandy beach house theme, as seen in Sorgiovanni's earlier design, *Anastasia*. The interior of *Nirvana* avoids a kitsch aesthetic, offering a refined, sophisticated contemporary feel with Balinese and Indonesian design accents. Nearly 200 materials were utilized, including 10 different wood veneers such as eucalyptus, teak, oak, and palm wood. The bamboo flooring is designed to mimic sand ripples, providing a smooth tactile experience. Materials like black mother-of-pearl, white onyx, and limestone are integrated with other natural elements and fabrics. The color palette predominantly features earth tones, punctuated by splashes of green in various shades, appearing in upholstery, leafy-design carpets, silk throw pillows, and *objets d’art*. *Nirvana* features six decks, interconnected by a main stairwell and a unique six-person glass lift encased in a woven stainless-steel art piece, resembling a bubbling whirlpool. The main saloon, accessible from the aft main deck, incorporates textural art, including back-lit bamboo wall panels, a layered wire Balinese sculpture, a Brazilian fossil, and a metal sculpture inspired by cumulus clouds. The main deck also houses the dining area and a sitting room that can convert into a massage room. Instead of a large aquarium, these spaces are divided by two vivariums containing various exotic creatures like water dragons, bearded lizards, turtles, a chameleon, and exotic frogs. Guest accommodations on the main deck include a full-beam VIP suite and four double cabins, all with en-suite facilities featuring rain showers and bathtubs. Each cabin is equipped with a Crestron panel for controlling amenities such as lighting, blinds, internet access, yacht itinerary via GPS, and film selection. The main aft deck boasts a large oval-shaped 7.5-meter pool, which was the largest and first fiberglass pool on an Oceanco yacht at the time of its construction. This depth-adjustable pool can be filled with either fresh or seawater. The owner’s exclusive deck features a 150-square-meter master suite with an asymmetrical layout for enhanced privacy and circulation. A skylight illuminates the bedroom, while his-and-hers facilities are adorned with white Iranian onyx, a large shower, bathtub, and dressing rooms with black onyx and zebrano wood. The suite includes a private sitting room and an office, complemented by a vast exterior terrace forward with a whirlpool and sunbathing options. The guest suites feature ceilings made of woven Indonesian rattan with lacquered nickel borders, sandblasted oak veneer walls and furniture, and barramundi leather-covered bedside tables. A saloon-cum-cinema and games area with full-height windows and folding balconies offer stunning sea views. The exterior aft deck serves as the primary alfresco dining area, with an expandable table for 18 guests and a built-in buffet bar. This space is made multi-seasonal by windscreens and doors. Higher up, an 85-square-meter gym with an inset treadmill and free weights is located aft of the bridge. An adjacent traditional sauna features a stone-motif resin floor and a shower clad in Chinese black mother-of-pearl. The sundeck aft functions as a touch-and-go helicopter pad, complete with 14 inset lights and foldable wings for safety. A whirlpool surrounded by sunbathing cushions offers breathtaking 360-degree views. *Nirvana* is also equipped for water sports, featuring an enlarged sea terrace door leading to a tender garage with four hydraulic cranes managing two 11-meter Vikal tenders, an 8.5-meter ski boat, six Jet Skis, and four WaveRunners. A water-sports room provides diving equipment and a drying cabinet for wetsuits, with direct sea access via a lower lobby that opens into a beach club platform for Jet Ski docking. For entertainment, a lower deck cinema shows 3D films, featuring suede-upholstered tiered sofas, a bar, and a popcorn machine, with a library of 3,600 films available via a Kaleidescape system. Designed for both owner and charter guests, *Nirvana* combines luxury with an active lifestyle. The yacht is capable of ocean crossings, powered by twin 4000 series MTU main engines, reaching a maximum speed of 20 knots and a cruising range of over 5,000 nautical miles at 14 knots. #Superyacht #Oceanco #SamSorgiovanni #YachtDesign #LuxuryCharter #InteriorDesign #YachtFeatures #NirvanaYacht #NavalArchitecture