On a tiny island off the coast of Maine is a city called North Haven. For one couple, it was the perfect small town for them to create a personal summer retreat.
Foy and Louisa Brown built a small floating cottage off the island that was first intended to be a rental for summer revelers. The couple thought that it would be a great way to make a bit of extra income. However, once it was built, Louisa didn’t want to give it up.
“I thought I’d have to fight Louisa to go out on it,” Foy told Maine Home Design, “but it’s a fight to get her to come off.”
It took the couple over a decade to build their floating getaway, and although it wasn’t an easy feat, it was a labor of love.
Foy’s first step was to create a float onshore. He used plastic floatation tubs, styrofoam, and pontoons as the “foundation” of the home. After completion, the float was towed out to sea, and the cottage was then built on top.
Not only are there no neighbors at this floating cottage getaway, but it is also completely off-the-grid. They have a VHF radio on board if they need it, and their cell phones might occasionally receive a signal if the house faces a particular direction.
“The best part is getting away from it all,” says Foy. “There’s no TV, no one to bother you—and no property taxes or permits.” “When you’re in your house, you think of all the things you need to do,” Louisa added. “Out here, you can just relax.”
The couple utilizes their beautiful deck for Sunday barbecues with the family. Views of spruce trees and blue water surround them.
Although the indoor space is small, the high ceilings make the main room feel open and airy. A small kitchen is perfect to make family meals, and the dining space for four sits near a window to look out on the water.
The couple insulated the walls, but they didn’t insulate the roof. They wanted to keep the wood bare to expose the rafters. The skylights are the perfect addition to gaze up at the summer night’s sky. The Brown’s enjoy the cabin’s splendor from the months of May through November.
Lamps and cooking heat keep the small cabin warm during chilly nights. The outdoor shower, however, isn’t ideal during colder temps.
A 55-gallon tank supplies the water for the shower and the kitchen. Barrels collect rainwater for their plants and flowers. There are a couple of propane tanks that power the fridge, stove, and hot water. In addition to lamps and candles, the cottage also features solar lights that illuminate the platform.
Lovingly dubbed “The Redneck Yacht Club” or “Chateau Bathtub,” their floating cottage is truly one of a kind and a place where you can really get away from it all.
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