If you build it, they will come. “It” in this situation is a scenic beachfront home; “that they” are all of your friends and family jockeying for a place to stay while conveniently vacationing close to you. That is what retired psychologist and holiday rental business owner Brenda McIntyre experienced when she designed and constructed a 435-square-foot hilltop home, dubbed The Crow’s Nest, which overlooks the gorgeous bay and beachfront town of Trinity in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Dwelling in such a gorgeous place soon led to friends and family flocking to see, and McIntyre was abandoned scrounging for more space. So she constructed an extra 465-square-foot residence, known as The Boathouse, a brief walk down the hill from her main property. But that was not enough additional space. So she constructed a streamlined shack, known as Bunkie, large enough for a more single bed.
Here’s a peek at all three spaces.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Brenda McIntyre
Location: Port Rexton, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Size: The Crow’s Nest is 435 square feet; The Boathouse is 465 square feet; Bunkie is 120 square feet.
Becki Peckham
The Crow’s Nest
The desire to have as many windows as possible inspired McIntyre’s most important property. “By echoing the design of the ancient schoolhouses in Newfoundland outports, I really could capture maximum light from oversized windows but also in a fashion that didn’t depart from community tradition.” She states. “My neighborhood, a Newfoundland outport, has a silent, slower pace with an emphasis on community and creativity.”
Exterior paint Timothy Straw, Benjamin Moore; trimming and deck paint: Polar Jade, Benjamin Moore
Becki Peckham
McIntyre matched marine blues with creams and used artist’s canvas as sofa slipcovers and drapes for the large windows. “My favourite part of my residence is everywhere I can look out over the harbor, across in the city of Trinity, the lighthouse and the ocean beyond,” she states. “Fortunately, this opinion is observable everywhere except from the restroom.”
Becki Peckham
One of her biggest challenges was matching a living space, a dining area, a kitchen, a bedroom and an office to 435 square feet. McIntyre designed Murphy beds to allow for a multifunctional space and a focus for artwork. “Given my love of art, I need as much wall space as possible,” she states.
To achieve an aged look on the plank flooring, McIntyre had a mill remove ⅜ inch 2-by-6 spruce boards that she then lightly sanded and painted a deep sea blue.
Flooring paint: Marine Blue, Benjamin Moore
Becki Peckham
Becki Peckham
When the mattress is flipped down to sleeping, McIntyre wakes up to a panoramic view of the ocean. “I experience sheer delight each day looking out in the magnificent view I have,” she states.
Becki Peckham
Her home office is tucked in a corner nook in the kitchen, and that, although small, has a gorgeous view of the water.
Becki Peckham
The Boathouse
McIntyre constructed this when she wanted more space for guests. The exterior is based on old structures in the region where top stories were used as lofts and the lower for fishing and boat equipment.
Trim paint: Polar Jade, Benjamin Moore; doorway paint: Cottage Red, Benjamin Moore
Becki Peckham
In a funny twist, McIntyre sold her ship ahead of the distance was complete. She now employs the ship distance — with its 12-foot ceilings — as a workshop.
Becki Peckham
A large Louis Vuitton poster McIntyre located in New York, which she shows on the closed Murphy bed, inspired the interior.
Becki Peckham
Becki Peckham
To create the space feel bigger, McIntyre capitalized on the glorious vista that draws your eye out over the water. The elevated kitchen, with its checkerboard flooring, feels just like a room. “Obviously defining all the living regions of the homes enables one to see each area as different and tricks the mind to create the illusion of a bigger space,” she states.
Becki Peckham
The kitchen cabinets were custom built. McIntyre subsequently had the doorways sprayed and given a very clear coat at an autobody shop.
Cabinet paint: Asphalt, Benjamin Moore
Becki Peckham
She capitalized on the perspective in the kitchen using a very long horizontal window framed with classic white subway tiles.
Becki Peckham
Creating a living area, dining area and kitchen in this space was a challenge due to its narrowness. A lengthy sofa along one wall allows for ample seating but retains the space open.
Becki Peckham
Because the colors of these posters and furniture are so intense, she painted the ceiling and walls a neutral shade.
Paint: Muslin, Benjamin Moore; living room furniture: Art Shoppe, Toronto
Becki Peckham
A little corner dining room overlooks Trinity Bay. The floors throughout, made for garage flooring, is durable and easy to wash.
Becki Peckham
The bathroom’s shower floor is tiled in a darkened pebble tile. A narrow vanity and white wall tiles create the space feel bigger.
Becki Peckham
The porthole mirror is a creative touch in a place without much space for artwork or storage.
Becki Peckham
Bunkie
McIntyre built this third 10- by 12-foot structure close to The Boathouse. It is large enough for a bed and some storage. It’s its own small patio that appears to the water but does not have a kitchen or bathroom.
Becki Peckham
Bunkie feels like another bedroom to the other homes, but also like a detached hideaway.
More: Saltbox Charm in a Heritage Fishing Community
Your turn: Show us your creative cabin or cottage!
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