LIFE ON the outside

AN IDYLLIC WATERFRONT POSITION MAKES A BACKYARD BOATHOUSE THE PERFECT SETTING FOR OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING

- RACHEL WHITE

Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney Harbour, a picturesque boathouse is cocooned by landscaped gardens and shaded lawns on the tranquil waters of La secluded bay. Complete with alfresco entertaining spaces and a deep-water jetty, the boatshed sits at the foot of a cascading 1380square metre site in Sydney's North Shore. Exposed to the elements, the once dilapidated structure was, until recently, in danger of being washed away with the tide after years of neglect. Now, it's renovated and fully equipped to host any number of guests at a moment's notice.

Part of a site-wide renovation, the boathouse and lower garden section came to the owner's attention once work was well underway on the main home. "The entire project took around two years from first meeting to completion," says interior designer Jodie Carter. "As we started to make progress in the main house, the owners were ready to make a start on the boathouse design." While the main home has an elevated coastal feel, the owners wanted the boathouse interiors to have a sense of fun, with a blue and white colour scheme matching the holiday-like purpose of the building. "Both the boathouse and outdoor dining/kitchen areas are an entertaining space for the family," explains Jodie. "Whether it's the kids hanging out with their friends or a party after a day on the water, they wanted somewhere comfortable to have a few drinks and cook a pizza while watching the sun go down."