This Narrowboat renovation project in London is a guest post by Sarah Meyer
Hi Alex and fellow Tiny House Newsletter readers,
I hope you are doing well! I love Tiny House Talk and hope our journey of taking an old narrowboat and making it our home can inspire others.
I am from the States and my other half is from England. We wanted to do something different when we started out in London. I had lived in Seattle and we have both visited and fell in love with the houseboats there. So when all the pieces fell together for us to buy and make our home on a boat, we jumped at the opportunity.
When I was leaving the States, people were either inspired by our choice or thought it was completely crazy. Especially, as our home was going to be the size of most peoples bedrooms. However, we have been living here for over a year now and could not be happier. Also, when I say ‘we’ this includes two adults and one very happy, but giant, golden retriever. So living small in central London, with a dog, is completely possible.
Below you’ll find the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos as we redid the boat.
Our Narrowboat Tiny Home ‘Before’ Redoing It
Images © Sarah Meyer
Our Narrowboat Tiny House ‘After’ We Completed Most of the Work
Images © Sarah Meyer
We have blogged about our journey at http://cozyconundrums.
Good luck to all making the leap to live small! If we can ever be of any help to answer questions send them our way.
Our big thanks to Sarah Meyer for sharing her awesome narrowboat tiny house with us!
If you enjoyed this tiny living in a narrowboat story you’ll absolutely LOVE our free daily tiny house newsletter with even more! Thank you!
Alex
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Congratulations! what a lovely way to make your dreams come true – I’m turning 50 shades of green over here in Vermont – growing up in the UK – this was my dream as a teenager (many decades ago) You have the best of both worlds – a beautiful home, and access to the scenic network of waterways that cover the UK. Great job on making it your own. Good luck to you both!
Hi Susie – Thank you so much for the message! If you are ever in London, please stop by for a cup of tea!
That’s awesome! I used to love the barge homes when I was in Europe. Does yours still have an engine?
Thanks Jeremy! It does still have an engine that works. When we were purchasing the boat, it was important to make sure it was a properly functioning boat first and foremost. If you are ever in London feel free to stop by for a cup of tea or coffee.
Wonderful, I may take you up on that 🙂
@SUSIE M—
I believe there are a few Narrowboats for hire on the Champlain and Erie Canals in NY-not all that far from you in Vermont!
I like seeing these as my family is originally from the Black Country where these were a common sight. I am kinda torn tho on if I like the Before or After better—the After is a work in progress and will no doubt change as time goes on and they actually live in it; and the befores altho very quaint look very dark.
Hi Comet! Thanks for the comment. We have seen many narrowboats around the Black Country. The boat was previously used as a Holiday boat and the space was not laid out well for full time living. So far we have been in the boat for over a year and the space has worked well. The boat was very dark at first and the white, while I know it is not everyones favorite, does make a 6 foot wide boat seem as wide and bright as possible! If you are ever in London feel free to stop by for a cup of tea.
I love these type of Tiny Homes; this would work great on the Mississippi here in the states. Or on the large Lake Winebago here in Wisconsin. Myself, I also prefer the prior wood look, but to each their own on the decor. The white actually looks more nautical and could easily appeal to those with that type of background.
WOW!! That is beautiful!! Look how much bigger an airy the place looks. Awesome job!!
Thank you!
I sooo love longboats! And this one is really well done. Love the colors!
Thank you!!!
May I ask the type/brand of wood stove?
Hi William,
I am so sorry I don’t know what type of stove it is. It came with the boat originally and does not seem to have any visible branding or markings on it. If you would like dimensions or anything specific, please let me know. It is very small, but great at making the place very warm.
Thank you!
Sarah
I totally love narrow boats. They have a special charm all their own. With the new renovations, you are set to enjoy a whole lot of good living. Congratulations!
Thank you Lisa! We love it and it has already been a wonderful year in it so far!
Take care,
Sarah
I wish they would build a network of canals in Australia! (I know not enough water). Do you miss the storage in the lounge and cupboard? Maybe you could build stowage under the new hug me lounge? anyway nice boat. 🙂
Hi!
I am from the states originally and wish they would build a network over there as well. As for the storage, we have to be very strategic on what we bring into the boat and where we put it, but honestly it is not an issue.
Please let us know if you have any other questions, always here to help!
Sarah
I love what has been done! It still has some wood for that warm feeling yet the lighter walls create a feel of more space & light. I love the stove, couch & plants on deck! Very special boat-home!
Hi Glenda,
Thank you so much, we could not agree more! The white on the walls instantly made the space feel bigger!
Take care,
Sarah
Absolutely Beautiful ! .. This is the first time I’ve been moved to comment .. A peaceful easy uncluttered space to breathe a sigh of relief & just ‘be’ .. I will consider myself in heaven if I manage to achieve something similar one day for Zebedee (cat) & Me .. Congratulaciones !
Jealous! LOVE it! Could definitely live there