Sunapee Boathouse

Overview

MKWW's scope included all interior millwork for both the boat and bathhouse, covering casework, counters, casings, paneling, and architectural items. The goal of the client, designer, and architect was to achieve a highly refined interior, making this boathouse feel more like a luxury entertainment room than a typical covered dock. We refer to projects like these as “jewelry box projects” due to their exquisite detail and craftsmanship.

Challenges

After the project's completion, New England experienced record rainfall, causing Lake Sunapee to rise to unprecedented levels. This led to flooding, with standing water remaining in contact with the finished millwork for an extended period. Working in and around water presents many challenges, including persistent high moisture levels and humidity. In July 2023, the boathouse flooded, prompting us to reassess the situation and develop a plan to ensure the space's durability and long-term maintenance plan. While most of our work and materials withstood the flood, we identified areas for improvement. Additionally, we recognized the need for a more robust door stile and rail. Initially, we used a minimal modified Shaker door style with a 1” stile and rail profile, which proved too fragile for an outdoor environment. Our solution was to replace these with a standard 2.5” 5-piece construction, ensuring greater durability and stability. To address long-term maintenance concerns, we switched to finishes and paints that are more resilient and easier to maintain.

Complexity

Handling small jewelry box spaces requires us to anticipate complexities based on our experience. Every inch of this area posed unique challenges, from integrating a flush deck boat lift with hydraulics to wrapping a steel superstructure to match the plain-sawn fir timber design. All materials had to withstand outdoor conditions while meeting indoor fit and finish standards. The bath house, compact yet intricate, demanded meticulous attention to detail to achieve the desired high-quality finish.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this entertainment complex exemplifies our commitment to professional problem-solving, teamwork, and craftsmanship of the highest caliber. Often as intricate as larger projects, these "jewelry box projects" challenged us to refine our skills and innovate. Though replacing some cabinetry and millwork presented challenges, it ultimately sharpened our ability to devise creative solutions. We take great pride in delivering a luxury entertainment complex designed to enhance leisurely days spent on the lake.