Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Coastal-Inspired Floating House in North Vancouver
A couple escapes city life to connect with nature in their marina home
Kevin and Jessica Schmid left their 1898 Victorian and frenzied city life behind to reconnect with nature in North Vancouver. “It’s going to sound silly,” Jessica says. “But ever since I watched Sleepless in Seattle years ago, one of my favorite films, I have had a romanticized vision of living in a float home.”
After researching their options, they bought one of the Spirit Trail Ocean Homes at the Squamish Nation’s Mosquito Creek Marina in North Vancouver. A number of these homes are moored at the marina after being prebuilt nearby. The development is increasing in size as more houses are being added. “No matter how bad your day has been, you cannot stay sour for long when you look out the window and see the beauty of mother nature,” Jessica says about her new location. “It is so peaceful living here. It is like a permanent vacation, with the convenience of being a 12-minute ferry ride away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.”
After researching their options, they bought one of the Spirit Trail Ocean Homes at the Squamish Nation’s Mosquito Creek Marina in North Vancouver. A number of these homes are moored at the marina after being prebuilt nearby. The development is increasing in size as more houses are being added. “No matter how bad your day has been, you cannot stay sour for long when you look out the window and see the beauty of mother nature,” Jessica says about her new location. “It is so peaceful living here. It is like a permanent vacation, with the convenience of being a 12-minute ferry ride away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.”
The couple’s home is moored at the end of the “block,” or dock. The floating house feels sturdy, both inside and out, and ready to take on the marine elements. A playful string of outdoor lights decorates the front entry canopy.
Glass float lights: PartySwizzle.com
Glass float lights: PartySwizzle.com
The upper floor in the two-story house has an open plan with vaulted ceilings and includes the living, dining and kitchen areas.
Bedrooms, bathrooms, storage space and utilities are on the lower floor.
Antique mirror: Painted With Love, Tsawwassen
Bedrooms, bathrooms, storage space and utilities are on the lower floor.
Antique mirror: Painted With Love, Tsawwassen
A small table at the bottom of the stairs offers a handy spot for leaving keys and mail.
Lövbacken side table: Ikea
Lövbacken side table: Ikea
Although the house was move-in ready when they bought it, the couple wanted to make a few cosmetic changes to make it even better. “We wanted to go with a West Coast theme,” Jessica says. “We focused on earth tones and natural finishes.” The changes included a new fireplace surround and a rustic reclaimed wood wall.
Most of the furniture that filled their previous historic home didn’t fit the new contemporary space. Working with this new blank slate, they bought almost all new furniture.
Reclaimed wood wall: Vancouver Reclaimed; sofa, dining room table and chairs: Restoration Hardware; Mercer Round Coffee Table: Restoration Hardware
Most of the furniture that filled their previous historic home didn’t fit the new contemporary space. Working with this new blank slate, they bought almost all new furniture.
Reclaimed wood wall: Vancouver Reclaimed; sofa, dining room table and chairs: Restoration Hardware; Mercer Round Coffee Table: Restoration Hardware
BEFORE: An ornate precast fireplace surround didn’t fit with the look that Jessica and Kevin wanted.
The fireplace project was the perfect scope for a small renovation project. “We wanted the fireplace to be ‘West Coast rustic,’” Jessica says, “so that it didn’t feel out of place being in a marina.”
The fireplace project was the perfect scope for a small renovation project. “We wanted the fireplace to be ‘West Coast rustic,’” Jessica says, “so that it didn’t feel out of place being in a marina.”
AFTER: “We decided to make the fireplace the main focal point for the room,” Jessica says. “Since it’s open concept, we wanted it to be the first thing you see when you walk in.” The fireplace features stacked quarry rock, a solid stone slab hearth and a live-edge maple mantel with a natural oil finish. “The entire fireplace looks like something out of a Whistler chalet, so I think we nailed it,” she says.
Pacific Living Interiors built the fireplace. “They have their team of masons and and they make the mantels themselves,” Jessica says. “You can go to their showroom to pick things out.” The fireplace project cost approximately $8,000, including materials and labor. The existing fireplace insert was left in place in order to reduce costs.
Painted paddle: made by a local first nations artist; Watts Reclaimed Russian Oak Side Table: Restoration Hardware; table lamp: Restoration Hardware
Pacific Living Interiors built the fireplace. “They have their team of masons and and they make the mantels themselves,” Jessica says. “You can go to their showroom to pick things out.” The fireplace project cost approximately $8,000, including materials and labor. The existing fireplace insert was left in place in order to reduce costs.
Painted paddle: made by a local first nations artist; Watts Reclaimed Russian Oak Side Table: Restoration Hardware; table lamp: Restoration Hardware
Nautical vintage finds from a local antique shop offer a subtle nod to marina life. Jessica found a set of authentic antique Japanese glass floats. “If you throw them onto the ground and they smash, that shows that they are fake. If they are real antique balls, then they just bounce,” she says.
AFTER: To brighten things up, the couple replaced the dark backsplash tile with sparkly new white ceramic tile.
“We used subway tiles — we really wanted to do a chevron pattern all the way through,” Jessica says. “The tiler talked me out of it because he thought it would be too busy. I also wanted to do really dark grout, and he talked me out of that too. I’m glad he did.”
Jessica did get her desired chevron pattern as a design feature, directly above the stove.
Stove: Viking; tile: Home Depot, installed by A & Wes Tile
“We used subway tiles — we really wanted to do a chevron pattern all the way through,” Jessica says. “The tiler talked me out of it because he thought it would be too busy. I also wanted to do really dark grout, and he talked me out of that too. I’m glad he did.”
Jessica did get her desired chevron pattern as a design feature, directly above the stove.
Stove: Viking; tile: Home Depot, installed by A & Wes Tile
The new glossy subway tile wraps around all the kitchen walls.
“I really enjoy the open concept kitchen,” Jessica says. “Coming from a older home with many rooms, the open floor plan is a nice change for entertaining while soaking in the views of the marina. Every spot in the kitchen affords amazing views. I’ve never had that before.”
Chair: Ethan Allen with custom reupholstery; Bill Murray pillow: Replaceface; Remy Backless Stools: Restoration Hardware; double dishwasher: Fischer and Paykel
Chair: Ethan Allen with custom reupholstery; Bill Murray pillow: Replaceface; Remy Backless Stools: Restoration Hardware; double dishwasher: Fischer and Paykel
A large circular convex mirror is suspended over the staircase. The piece was made specifically for this location and was cast out of resin and plastic by local artist Matthew Buck.
Table and chairs: Restoration Hardware; convex mirror: Reflecting Design Ltd.
Table and chairs: Restoration Hardware; convex mirror: Reflecting Design Ltd.
After moving in, the couple found a hidden surprise. “We didn’t realize when we bought the place, but there are invisible speakers in the wall, behind the drywall,” Jessica says. “We could see in the floor plans that there were speakers in the walls. The whole house is built as a smart house, but we haven’t bothered hooking it up.”
The couple has connected their stereo system to the built-in sound system, which can be enjoyed throughout the house.
Reclaimed Russian Oak Parquet Single Shelving: Restoration Hardware; letter “S” wall art: Etsy
The couple has connected their stereo system to the built-in sound system, which can be enjoyed throughout the house.
Reclaimed Russian Oak Parquet Single Shelving: Restoration Hardware; letter “S” wall art: Etsy
Views out of a row of vertical windows at the end of a run of stairs offer a reminder that the home is floating at sea. Jessica explains that they often see wildlife, including families of seals and river otters. “For me, the best thing about living on the water is being close to nature. Every time I see a seal, I jump up and down and call Kevin to come have a look,” she says. “I don’t think that will ever be something I will take for granted.”
Views of the city can also be enjoyed from the large sun-drenched deck, which runs along the length of the house.
The Schmids have found that they are part of a special community. “All of our neighbors are amazing, It’s a pretty cool little community,” Jessica says. “People live on boats, older float homes and newer ones like ours. Residents range from retirees to young professionals, to writers, artists, contractors and the like. It’s a very relaxed environment. Every time I leave the house I have a chat with a neighbor or one of the friendly marina workers.”
Outdoor furniture: Costco; globe string lights: Pottery Barn
The Schmids have found that they are part of a special community. “All of our neighbors are amazing, It’s a pretty cool little community,” Jessica says. “People live on boats, older float homes and newer ones like ours. Residents range from retirees to young professionals, to writers, artists, contractors and the like. It’s a very relaxed environment. Every time I leave the house I have a chat with a neighbor or one of the friendly marina workers.”
Outdoor furniture: Costco; globe string lights: Pottery Barn
Neutral colors create a calming bedroom space.
Headboard: Joss & Main; bedding: HomeSense and Ikea; pillows: West Elm and Ikea
Headboard: Joss & Main; bedding: HomeSense and Ikea; pillows: West Elm and Ikea
“Pretty much everything is the same as living in a regular house, except the house moves with the current,” Jessica says. “Usually you can’t feel it, but sometimes there are bigger currents that really make the house rock. The bigger ones can make you lose your balance, but those don’t happen too often.”
Doorstops are used to stop doors from swinging shut when the house moves.
Doorstops are used to stop doors from swinging shut when the house moves.
Vinyl wood-like flooring was installed on the lower floor to match the color of the laminate on the upper floor. “We decided not to go with real hardwood,” Jessica says. “We went with a vinyl floor that we matched to the laminate as best as we could. Vinyl absorbs sound a lot more than laminate, and it dulls the sound of the dogs ‘tap dancing’ on the floor at night.”
Flooring: Agrigento, Vinyl2go, installed by Edgemont Floors; anchor bath mat: Simons; basket: Homesense; Iconic Point Blanket Multistripe: Hudson’s Bay
Flooring: Agrigento, Vinyl2go, installed by Edgemont Floors; anchor bath mat: Simons; basket: Homesense; Iconic Point Blanket Multistripe: Hudson’s Bay
Kevin’s 8-foot-long custom worktable, built to accommodate his computer monitors, was fabricated from reclaimed wood.
Horse sculpture: Maynards
Horse sculpture: Maynards
What do the animals think of the floating house? “They love it!” Jessica says. Pictured here are Chihuahua Lucy and pug Sullivan.
Strandmon armchair: Ikea
Strandmon armchair: Ikea
A view of the Vancouver city skyline can be seen from the deck from where they are tucked away in their quiet seaside alcove. The city can be enjoyed without any of the noise or congestion.
The Squamish Nation‘s Thunderbird symbol is carved into a modern gateway that frames the public “Spirit Trail” that follows the waterfront, for all to enjoy.
The Spirit Trail connects the marina to amenities such as the nearby Lonsdale Quay Market.
The marina at low tide, with the mountains in the background.
Both Kevin and Jessica work in the video game industry. New to marina life, they have had to get used to living on the water.
“There was a crazy windstorm where our house hit the dock so hard that it broke off a few buoys, knocked over our living room lamp and opened our kitchen cabinets in the kitchen,” Jessica says. “It was a scary night for us, because it was the first time it happened. We are tied securely and we are safe, but it is still unnerving when you aren’t a seasoned resident.”
More: My Houzz: Personal Touches Keep Things Fun in a Historic Vancouver Home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes| Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
“There was a crazy windstorm where our house hit the dock so hard that it broke off a few buoys, knocked over our living room lamp and opened our kitchen cabinets in the kitchen,” Jessica says. “It was a scary night for us, because it was the first time it happened. We are tied securely and we are safe, but it is still unnerving when you aren’t a seasoned resident.”
More: My Houzz: Personal Touches Keep Things Fun in a Historic Vancouver Home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes| Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Kevin and Jessica Schmid, Chihuahua Lucy, pug Sullivan and cat Gibson
Location: Mosquito Creek Marina (owned by Squamish Nation), North Vancouver, British Columbia
Size: 1,200 square feet (111 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Year built: 2013; renovated in 2015
The house floats on a raft that is made up of multiple foam slabs encased in concrete. Each corner of the house has a ballast where you can add or subtract water to level the structure out once furniture is in. “It’s never totally level,” Jessica says. “You just can’t use levels when installing anything, it never looks right.”