An exciting interior design project on a Lightship...
Q. When is a Lightship not a Lightship?
A: When it becomes a Bed and Breakfast!
Well in a nut shell that is the story of Glouster’s Sula Lightvessel, but what has that to do with Peter Green? Well quite a lot lately as it happens…
The Lightvessel LV14 SULA was built in 1958 and she spent her working life stationed at the mouth of the Humber Estuary just off a narrow island known as the Spurn Sandbank. For twenty-six years she faithfully guided mariners safely through these tidal waters, until in1985 Sula was sent into retirement and was unceremoniously replaced by a navigational buoy.
After twenty years serving as a tourist attraction Sula wound up at Gloucester Docks where she became a well known land mark. But, life changed for Sula last year when Colin and Viv Brooks came cruising by and noticed the ‘For Sale’ sign posted on her wheelhouse. With a passion for life on the water, it was love at first sight for this couple from Winchester when they laid eyes on Sula’s scarlet hull… and the idea of turning her into a floating bed and breakfast was born.
In the last year Sula has undergone a transformation and as loyal customers of Peter Green, the Mr. and Mrs. Brooks turned to us for help. Colin explained “Our vision is to blend authentic restoration with more modern renovation to create a unique holiday suite and multi-functional event space.”
Earlier this month we carpeted the sleeping quarters and hallways with a stunning Brintons City Plaids Axminster in the colour Kensington. We also laid a beautiful Amtico Click Smart LVT floor in the living areas and guest rooms toward the stern of the vessel.
“This is a stylish and versatile choice,” said Peter Green sales consultant, Bryan Minns, “it was a very good choice for this situation, being both easy to lay and hardwearing,” Colin and Viv chose Linden Oak which has the character and texture of real wood. “ We also fitted safety flooring and stair nosings to comply with health and safety standards,” said Andrew Hatton who also worked on the project.
Ian Glister, Peter Green’s flooring installer had his work cut out when he came to fit the floors as they sloped right up into the walls and were in bad shape. He stayed on the boat for two weeks while he used specialised screeds to get the floors looking good. and ready for the luxury carpets and vinyl tile that had been chosen.
When the floors were finally finished it was time for the furniture. Solid oak bed frames and cabinets were selected for several bedrooms and we supplied and a sumptuous, twin electric reclining G-Plan leather sofa for the upper deck TV room! All installed with the Peter Green white-glove service. (see video).
“This has been a amazingly interesting project,” said Peter Green General Manager, Mike Devey, who supervised the installation, “and we are not done yet.” In the future we will be helping to furnish and floor, the three bedroom guest apartment “for’ard” and will help interior design and fit-out the large multi purpose meeting/entertainment and cinema room in the belly of the ship.
Peter Green is in awe of the project that Captains Colin and Vivien Brooks have taken on board and we wish them and their resident Cocker Spaniels, Wilfrid and Whistler plain sailing with their maiden voyage into the land of hospitality. It has been a wonderful journey for us to help them get SULA ship shape again and ready for her new role/ At Peter Green we will keenly look forward to hearing of her adventures in the years to come.
Bon Voyage LV14 SULA and all who sail within her!
- 25th August 2020