This Houseboat Laughs at Real Estate Agents

Designer Rachel Allen's home is on the Regent's Canal in London. It features a wood-burning stove and floors salvaged from an old museum.

Specifications

• Sq. Ft: Information not provided, but described as compact
• Price: Information not provided
• Bedrooms: Information not provided, but described as having a tucked-in sleeping area
• Bathrooms: Information not provided, but includes a small tin tub
• Stories: Information not provided, but it is a barge
• Location: Regent's Canal, Islington, London

Here’s the narrowboat — deep green on green. Looks peaceful, almost camouflaged.

From this angle, teal walls and warm wood floors. Boho bits everywhere.

And then turquoise again — leaning nautical? Anyone know why they doubled down?

Okay, this turquoise wall pops. Upholstered seat looks comfy — maybe too much color?

From this angle, that curved ceiling is nice — creamy white against aqua walls.

Back to the kitchen — big black AGA stealing the show. Worth the heat?

Details

Rachel Allen designed and built her wide-beam barge on the Regent's Canal in Islington, London, as an alternative to traditional housing. She has lived there for over ten years with her dog, Abe. The interior features a wood-burning stove, pillows upholstered in 19th-century fabric, and walls painted a vibrant green. To add character to the new build, Allen incorporated antique floors salvaged from a former museum and a small tin bathtub, originally intended for pets, to fit the barge's compact dimensions.

The AGA stove contributes to the home's traditional feel. The barge is moored near the Islington Tunnel, an area with a historical connection to transporting goods by water. Despite its size, the carefully curated furnishings and minimal approach to belongings create a comfortable and layered living space that feels far removed from the city's hustle. The barge's roof hosts a garden with potted plants, and on warmer days, it serves as an outdoor dining area. Allen has found that this unique home offers a sense of stillness and permanence, making it a place she can't imagine leaving.