Floating homes range from fancy to funky, but their allure is constant. Check out additional photos of all three floating homes from our June/July 2011 cover story below.
For the main article, click here
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{besps_c}0|01.jpg|The home of Erika and Jake Kocon on a Tomahawk Island moorage is on an outside slips, meaning the space faces the river. Many moorages also have a row of floating homes facing the bank.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|02.jpg|The river-facing wall rolls up like a garage door to bring the outdoors in. A layer of insulation between the corrugated metal ceiling and roof keep the room warm and quiets the sound of rain.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|03.jpg|When Jake and Erika bought their home, they planned to paint over the bright blue colors favored by the previous owner. Instead they fell in love. The kitchen bar can be easily rolled across the kempas floors, a type of Indonesian hardwood, to further open up the space.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|04.jpg|The home was built with its environmental impact in mind including sustainable kempas floors indoors and Trex Deck outdoors. Trex is a manmade product of reclaimed wood and recycled plastic that is weather resistant. Corrugated metal roofs last longer than traditional shingles and can be recycled.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|05.jpg|Along a window sill in the living room sits Erika’s collection of sand gathered from beaches around the world, labeled and arranged by color. Erika’s job with the Coca-Cola Company requires that she transfer so their floating home is on the market.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|06.jpg|The crow’s nest-like balcony off their bedroom and port holes on the Dutch door are the few nods to nautical in the otherwise industrial modern style. Their Home Owners’ Association fees, $250 monthly, are among the lowest on the river and cover the cost of maintaining shared ramps and docks.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|07.jpg|Flowers boxes bring color to the deck of Jan and Don Hansen cottage style floating home on Sauvie’s Island. The traditional turn-of-the-century has been completely remodeled inside.|PHOTO WAYNE ROCHE{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|08.jpg|The beadboard ceiling is new but true to tradition of the late 1800s cottage style floating home. The high quality fir plank floors were recently refinished. Although wood burning stoves are common on older floating homes, Jan opted for the ease of a gas stove. The rosewood rocking chair belonged to Jan’s grandfather.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|09.jpg|Don Hansen in the entrance to their covered walkway that runs the length of the houseboat and is wide enough for table and chairs. The additional seating is welcome during rainy days and televised game days when Don moves a television outdoors.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|10.jpg|Antique fishing creel and lures captures the summer vacation feel of river life. Jan and Don Hansen have their floating home on the market and are looking to buy a bigger one to better accommodate guests.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|11.jpg|Jan finds whimsical found art sculptures at regional art fairs and antique markets. Their houseboat faces protected lands so the natural setting will never give way to condos.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|12.jpg|The view from the home office might lure some from work. The two-bedroom, two-bath house sits on original old growth logs made more buoyant with newer foam floats.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|13.jpg|The grand home of Duane and Jody Dominguez at Columbia Ridge Marina enjoys expansive views of the Columbia River from all three floors.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|14.jpg|To keep the decks safe without obstructing the view, Dominguez opted for steel cables between railings.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|15.jpg|Hand blown pendant lights hanging over the kitchen bar, sway slightly from the wake of passing boats; a rare reminder that the home is on floats. Red stools, bright blue tiles and stove make a splash of color.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|16.jpg|Jody and Duane Dominguez look across the river to protected lands, and enjoy miles of upstream and downstream views. Duane boats across the river with the dog for daily walks. He’s seen plenty of beaver, otter, ducks, deer and the occasional sea lion.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|17.jpg|The outdoor kitchen and eating area, just off the main kitchen, is perfect for warm weather gatherings with friends and neighbors. From left, Matthew Barber, father Kevin Barber, Duane Dominguez, Eve Barber, Jody Dominguez and daughter Amanda Dominguez share a meal while dog Sheila hopes for a spill.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|18.jpg|The floating home has an “attached garage” for the boat. Duane drives into the boat well and up to the back door. Easy access to boating is one of the biggest draws of living on the river.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
{besps_c}0|19.jpg|Soaring floor-to-ceiling glass walls blur the separation between indoors and out. Duane developed several subdivisions on land before falling in love with life at the Columbia Ridge Marina.|PHOTO LINCOLN BARBOUR{/besps_c}
