Simple living on a narrowboat home in West End London
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- Опубликовано: 2 апр 2013
- Emma Freemantle lives in pricey West End London (near Regent's Park), but she could afford to buy her home because she lives aboard what she calls a "floating caravan log cabin". Her home is a narrowboat: boats so narrow they were built in the past few centuries to fit Britain's narrow canals (some are less than 7 feet wide).
Her floating home is part of a community of narrowboats on London's Regents Canal where she has lived for the past 6 years (her sister Victoria helped her buy her boat). All the boats here come with a mooring which is permitted, though as Emma points out there are plenty of boat owners on London's (and Britain's) canals who continuously cruise without a fixed mooring address.
Emma has also made her boat into a floating office where she crafts handmade creations from secondhand and vintage finds for her Worn With Love label (she's also a freelance fashion stylist).
Her liveaboard life may be cheaper than flats in her area, but the lifestyle requires constant maintenance: disposing of toilet waste, filling the water tank, replacing canisters of butane gas and even buying pre-paid cards for electricity. Her daily life may take more work, but Emma sees this as part of what makes it so magical.
More info on original story: faircompanies.com/videos/view/...
Worn With Love: www.wornwithlove.co.uk/ 
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Don’t knock Emma. Even running a stove takes a steep learning curve most modern house dwellers could not even get one started. I like the interior it almost feels like a Dickens set and good use of repurposed furniture. Keep it up lady!
I could spend the rest of my life on a narrow boat parked 10 minutes for my favorite city on this planet LONDON. This type of boat would meet all my needs. Emma you have a life style I envy. Your home is beautiful.
I've never seen this before! Wow... awesome. And I love what she said "it's really good to have a little bit of hardship to really appreciate how you live and where it's all coming from... That's luxury in itself isn't it?"
This girl is more interesting than 99% of the other RUclips narrowboat “stars” I would totally subscribe if she had a channel.
All the best
Keep it in your pants
she is the poshest boat person ive seen
"Am I that fish?" Brilliant. Loved this, thought Emma was amazing.
"What's a narrowboat?"
"It's a boat that's narrow"
so smard
This was amazing to me. She lives on a narrowboat and has no idea why it's narrow.
and an English one is English and a dutch one is Dutch....
Haha Americans!
So English...eclectic, slightly eccentric but cosy and wonderful. Greetings from Winchester.
SLIGHTLY?????? ...pushing "bizarre"
Narrow boats were the workhorse of the early part of the industrial revolution. They were a leap advance in transportation in the 1770s, before the expansion of the railway in the 1830s.
she said a very important things 'We need to have a little bit of hardship to really appreciate were we live' Shes put in a a lot of heart and effort into her home and I'm so happy for her.. and to be located where she is and pay soo very little is fantastic.
Christ there's some judgmental arseholes on this thread. (There again, it IS RUclips, home of ignorant key-board warriors and wannabe know-it-alls.) Good luck to you, Emma. Do your thing, ignore the negativity, and carry on enjoying your life. And thanks for sharing.
Mesmerizing to watch and listen to Emma in her unique and beautiful home...love it!
Wow, these comments are... mean. Rude... You people are saying, "She just does it 'cause she thinks it's cool! She doesn't know history! She's just a hipster! Mahmahmah!" I mean- guys- if you thought something was cool, would you just pass it up? I wouldn't. And, listen, you don't have to know everything boats to live in a boat. I don't know everything about dorm rooms and I live in a dorm room. And my family paid for it. Big whoop, I'm supported by my parents. People like her who just dive into something they just have desire to do (that's not completely unreasonable) are actually very inspiring.
She's not a little crazy, she has personality all of her own. Maybe people are so used to the girls of today where they are all fed & lead by fads, trends, fashion, an unhealthy desire for possessions, who have a corrupt financial avarice, beauty that is cosmetics - deep & have no connection to nature, history, culture, art, & indeed life beyond the x-factor. This is someone who has no luxuries, privileges or excess waste, who has learnt to appreciate life unequivocally; at it's most pure with respect for nature, admiration towards the craft of the past, within the realm of society. Glamorous by no means, hardship abound, but the reward of clear thinking pays the wage of introspection that otherwise arrogates freedom from all too many in the world today who capitulate their entire lives to a system & tradition where you do what people expect of you. Never what you want to do.
The Government want 2 things from you: To work, & to die. I admire this woman for showing us there is an alternative to slaveship.
Matt Jarrett I believe I didn't opine "a cheap lifestyle". But "an alternative" to the one that society expects you to follow obsequiously.
I have observed how you chose to ignore all the points I highlighted in order to concentrate on money, even though there were no instances where I elaborated on her financial background. Quite frankly It's none of our business!
But let me reiterate in laymen terms; This isn't a bourgeois celebrity flexing her indulgences. She's not showing us the value of her jewelry, designer label clothes, or convertible cars. She speaks of cabbage as though it were silk, the girl loves her bed, she demonstrates tepid water drizzling into an obviously small bath tub & claims that the wardrobe is "a good size" when many women today have several wardrobes. Her philosophy is simple to understand & built on the foundations of seeing beyond what money has to offer. "Lets not wish for what we don't need". Far too many can only think in terms of money, because that's what's been bread into you. To wish for the new iPhone5, to re-purchase all your films on Blueray, *Remastered, New Recipe, 3 for £3, Upgrade to...* etc. Financial Status is a very parochial & competitive way of measuring self worth. It's based entirely on accumulation, comparison, & wanting more than your neighbour. As human beings, we want to share our joy, our experiences, ideas, skills, knowledge, artistic liberation & love. But no one wakes up each day willing to share their money far & wide.
"Make loads of it, keep it, hoard it, take it for granted that 'money' is all people want in every situation, & despise those that have more." >;-\
It's such an unnatural feeling. And yet our entire world is enslaved to this system.
There are so many treasures that may seem small at first, but grow into priceless components of a blissful lifestyle. Unfortunately, your eyes are closed to them with the more money you have. Don't let money blind you. For all the money in the world can't buy a human soul.
PREACH IT SISTER
therealKINDLE I just read your post with an accent.
therealKINDLE I tend to think of people who aren't a little unqiue as crazy.
I like how she's not self-conscious about living on her own terms and is happy with her lifestyle. I think it'd be fun to live on a boat, though it'd also be a lot of work to maintain it, like she said.
I love how eclectic the interior is. It's such a cosy space. It's all anyone really needs. This particular canal is quite wide but in the rest of the country some of the locks, tunnels and bridges are not much bigger than the boat itself hence the limitations on its dimensions. If you have a Dutch barge then large parts of the UK network will be off limits.
A narrowboat has such a great history. I was amazed the owner had no idea of the history of her boat ,or the great history of the narrowboats on the canals . Wow she is so lucky to be part of a big part of the industrial revolution , she is living in a part of history i would be so proud .
Tammy Wines What's ironic is that she loves, lives and breathes a Dickensian historical fantasy or lifestyle ( No problem with that ) but has little or no idea about the rich history of her chosen home.
I Love Her! What style she has... Wonderful! I could live like that!
Candles and clutter make for a cosy environment but you need to take care. I have seen several people die in fires over the years from exactly the way she is living, though normally in houses. A small fire rapidly spreads because of so much potential fuel in close proximity.
Fit two or three smoke detectors to give yourself a chance if the worst comes to the worst.
googoogolly I wouldn't have candles anywhere in there. Except maybe in a sealed lantern. Far too dangerous.
Emma seems so together and pleasent, her little boat is sweet and interesting, just like its owner
I can't tell exactly what it is but there's something about this video that fascinates me. Maybe it's the peaceful canal side setting or the sole fact that it is in London.
Thanks Kirsten for all those wonderful videos!
Took a pause from researching travel routes in Tibet and this spirit presents- what a wholesum person Emma is 🕉 thankyou for sharing her wisdom.
I am so jealous. What a perfect home! Unbelievably cozy, and just beautifully decorated. Clearly it's not for everyone, but I'd love it.
My god but I love the way the inside of your boat looks, how cosy is that, it must be great in winter to snuggle down with a good book. I would be taking it on a trip into the countryside don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone as I think you've already done that lol. I love people like you who aren't afraid to live their dreams so many of us are just armchair adventures myself included but I intend to change that god bless.
Ditch the candle, this is not the 18th century.
She is awesome! I agree with much of her thoughts about handmade things having their soul and a bit of hardship being good for you. The aesthetics of a tiny place like that are magical. Great place and a great lady.
What a genuinely elegant woman! Thanks.
LOL i like this lady so quaint essentially English and dare i say a tad eccentric and i absolutely love it ,I am also British but her classy demeanor is becoming a rare thing in England today especially when young too Good luck to her i say
There's still a few younguns knocking about keeping the class ;) me and my friend are moving onto a canal boat for the summer between second and third year of uni, can't wait!
Hope you have a great time on your boat
I am sir I am :)
I really love her boat!! It's one of those dreamed places or something you have seen from a film. So so so much character!!
Excellent documentary and commentary of this woman's life. I adore her spirit, her joie de vivre :) Let it be said, that I do envy her as well. I long for a life free from the trappings of the day. She is special, and I like her, too.
She is an artist living an bohemian life, and it suits her.
I am impressed by her reusing of old things instead of going the easy way and constantly consuming. Cute and sweet. Hope she can continue to enjoy her little perfectly happy life.
Love this little gypsy space with all the old stuff
Emma I think you are lovely and your life style too !! you have a lovely outlook on life
To all the people saying 'i hope she is careful with that candle near them books etc etc..When you live like this you actually become aware of your surroundings, an awareness that we have all been switched off from. You have time to think of everything you do in day to day life and of the dangers making you more switch on. You do not need a 'watch your head' or a 'Danger' sign on every obstacle that poses a threat.
That's just beautiful, I can't wait until I've saved enough for my boat it's such a brilliant way of life and, as Emma demonstrates, people who live on the canal are good people.
i like her. Wish this video was longer
What a cozy little messy place? I usually don't condone messy places, but her home is one hot lovable mess. She is a true artist!!!
" it's not great, but it's good enough," such is the way of contentment. Go well lady.
Looks like shes living alone but happy and contented! Shes creative lady.Her house looks so happy and full of wisdom.I watched her video 4x already.As they’ve said,theres always luxury in poverty.
"Why is it called a narrowboat?" Can the Pulitzer Prize be far away for this reporter...
Roger Mortimer this same woman asked a guy in France that build a tiny home in the middle of the forest " where do you get wood" -__- yeah
Stupid question, but very forgivable, Kirsten's youtube channel is amazing!
Here is a woman who met with great frustration in a fairly recent fantastic past life.
The best to you Emma, it appears you've found your home ; here's hope that you find your history and peace within your garden .
What a nice video. I lived on a 33foot old worn out leaky engineless cabin cruiser on the Miami River about 30 years ago and it was a very happy time. Being on a boat connects you to the world of water and sky and wind and rain unlike any other living space, you feel connected and alive, but it does take work, and you can sink.
I would do it again if I could.
Too much clutter in the boat for me, but you look like you’re happy in your space so good luck to you.
i really love the boat and life on it. Everything is so compact and wonderful. Great for sharing this video
I so agree. She's far from the norm. I love eclectic people. That's why I subscribed to this channel.
Think out of all the tiny homes I've seen this is one of my favorites!!! The look n feel of this boat there is just something about it!!! I would want to be able to move my boat being stationary just wouldn't do!!! Other than that I say screw all the haters your going to have those either way just because your being diff than everyone else!!!
haters are just jealous,
I live for videos like this! Your work is greatly appreciated, a excellent resource of ideas for when I am at retirement age and ready to create a simple, cozy nest for myself.
Emma you are a breath of fresh air. You home is delightful and I feel a bit envious for the freedom you have. I looked through the items you make and sell and they are lovely. You are a smart woman and will have a interesting life as long as you follow your dreams. Best of luck to you, stay safe and well.
beautiful and eclectic. reminds me of the inside of Cost Plus World Market. i totally miss that store.
Why-are you living someplace where there isn't one?? My only problem with that store is they import so much of their merchandise from really impoverished countries, and I worry they are not paying the workers a decent wage. I don't want to enjoy my funky new wall hanging or adorable embroidered pillow from India with the lingering worry they may have been produced using child labor or produced under unsafe conditions.
This young lady is so cool. Like your style,, please don't change
Hi from USA.
I love your boat.
"On the water" is something that just gets into a person. My late father had it & I learned a lot. Since it wasn't for me, I was "crew" & when they're serious & industrious, listen carefully, we get to be taken lots of nice places & have good water experiences! A pleasant trade-off. Barge families as workers in France stopped in the '70s but is making a comeback. The children go to boarding school, but that's typical of rural France & for many.
what a great video. a wonderful and appreciative lifestyle. i lived in a36 ft bus for 5 yrs so i know how wonderful it is to feel like you live in a big womb all Cosy and snugly. anybody who is critical should maybe ask themselves how contented are they themselves with their lot in life and leave her to her joy.
what a fantastic way of life.
I have seen this so many times, i love the timeless feel, all the little bits and bobs, and the details of all the things she loves to make her home homely, thank you for showing us and sharing. I wonder if she is still in that boat or if she has moved on.
Thanks for the info. That's pretty much what I figured. Strange that the resident doesn't know about the boat she lives in. Many people would research the history of the exact boat and have old pictures of it from when it was in service.
I like how she describes her philosophies : )
there's something about living on a boat that s detached from the moronic masses, very appealing
Absolutely! This was a fantastic opportunity to learn about how simplicity can be beautiful and something to look forward to--not as a fallback, but as something to *achieve*, IMO.
Thank you for posting kirstendirksen!
Love the spirit & atmosphere!
Boat life pretty COOL.
Absolutely fabulous dah-ling
I watch this over and over to go to sleep, nice last thoughts, love it and Emma :)
i walked through these moorings yesterday (genuine coincidence - not stalking!) and it was so nice and homely i was sure i must have wandered into someones private area. theres loads of cultivated plants around the towpath (that the video doesnt quite capture) giving a really nice country garden feel. 5 mins away the canal passes through london zoo & you can get a free look at the weird prehistoric-looking birds.
I don’t know where this young lady was educated but, sadly, it seems that her school education didn’t include our social history, the importance of Britain’s canal waterways and their role in the Industrial Revolution. If it did, she’d gain a deeper appreciation of her narrowboat home and its origins.
This is only a very brief outline of the canal systems in Britain, and it’s a fascinating part of our history to explore further if you are interested.
Narrowboats were originated in the 18th century, during the Industrial Revolution as working boats for use on Britain’s narrow canal waterways to transfer goods. Originally, they were horse-drawn boats, hence why we still refer to the canal-side paths as “tow-paths” even though today’s narrowboats are mostly diesel-powered.
During the canals’ working history, people would live and work on the narrowboats as they took their cargoes from one place to another; it was a hard life but whole families were born and raised on the narrowboats, right up to the decline of the canal waterways in the 1950s and early 1960s.
Hundreds of miles of canals became derelict. In the 1960s, volunteers of all ages came forward and gave their time to renovate the canal waterways, and volunteers continue to do so. We owe a lot to them (including members of the towpath task-force and the lock keepers) of the Waterway Recovery Group and the Canal & River Trust, who work hard to restore and maintain the canals for other people’s enjoyment, whether that be walking or cycling the tow-paths or enjoying leisure time or living on the canals.
thanks for the info - I lived by a canal through my teens - hardly used at that time - we never learnt anything at school about them -
I understand where you re coming from but this comment is a little coy. you comment is like saying if you use a pen you have to know the history and the origin of the pen and the writing your using.
Cwu geology Rex flake
I love her boat,she is unique and I love people who are different. God bless her.from USA,Pennsylvania.
I love this so much and am very envious! Wonderful for you!!! Thank you for sharing your life and home with us. It gives me courage to go out and live my dreams because you make it so obviously easy and wonderful to do. It's not out of reach for the rest of us. Sincerely, Tammie Miller
I hope her dreams come true and she has a child. Motherhood is beautiful.
I have a kettle identical to the one Emma uses at 3:25! I use it on my boat too although I don't live on it. What a completely lovely way to exist and live in what was and still is a close community.
Good luck to Emma and her family!
Very much enjoyed this video - thank you Kirsten and Emma. It was lovely to glimpse your way of living and thinking and creativity. I'm living on a boat in Kent and love seeing other's experiences. Best wishes to you both.
I wish there was a LOVE button. My family and I are moving onto a boat in a couple months and Im really looking forward to it.
Such a beautiful boat with so much character! Love it!
If she wants more space, she should remove half the stuff she has inside the narrow boat. She'll only wind up collecting more things, if she gets a bigger place or an additional boat. Looks like a fun place to live and her plants on top of the boat look beautiful.
What a joy to watch! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful world with us - if we were all the same, oh! How boring life would be!
You have got all you need! And that outdoor space tops it all off! I think it's all very great!
I would love to visit her in her boat, drinking a glas of wine and getting inspired to make my home as cozy as her boat. So many things...but it all matches? Gosh I need to get more creative... :o
thank you so very much for sharing this .loved watching it.....many times.....
Thank you so much for sharing,I LOVE this!I've always wanted to see inside and how they lived.Thank you and her for allow us to see.She seems like a very lovely lady to know.
“Nothing is supposed to be hard anymore “ wow now that was deep and profound. I wish I could find a partner like her
What a beautiful boat in such a gorgeous location
How do you live in all that clutter !! That candle really worries me !!
I know she should have read up on narrow boats if she was gonna live in one and do this interview... but I still admire her bravery and willingness to explore the possibilities for living styles that are out there in this world... coming from an Asian family, I’m currently working towards doing the same with my partner... it’s not easy when u feel like ur turning ur back on the world... kudos to this strong girl... we need to spread love in this world, not hate
Your home is so cool...peace and enjoy it
I really like this philosophy, Good Enough. I enjoyed the walk towards the boat..beautiful brick walls.
Some comments here are so judgmental; one cannot know a person well enough from a little video to make these sweeping generalizations and why would you tear a person apart because you suspect they come from money? I mean, who is the snob here? Anyone that is creative and explores life outside of their comfort zone is admirable in my book. :)
She has a rather interesting personality but I don't judge. I 1000 square-foot home for 15 years and now I'm moving to 1969 mobile trailer in Morondo Valley why cause it's affordable to because vintage and also is close to my job it's not about where you live is how you live if you're happy if you have freshwater and a place to cook place to bathe your self those are the important things when it comes to living we judge... People it's not how you live it's where you live and how you make it work for yourself for the first time I've actually thought about living outside the box when it comes to dwelling place to live a place to bathe use the restroom...cook...sleep.
How brilliant you are ,you’re home is you ,full of things that give you joy ,and have some meaning ,I also want to buy a boat and do all the canals when I retire ,but you’re boat I can see is much more than that ,you seem so really happy also you’re location is brilliant ,keep living you’re dream it’s perfect xx😜👍
She's a beautiful person with a beautiful spirit.
What more could one want! Bravo.
Love her. Too small for me, but I rented a house bus once and had to do some of the things she has to do. Was great, but way more space. Go her. I love her view on life. =)
Stunning.I've always had unusual places to live.I to hate plastic..love you're home!
LIVE ON A NARROWBOAT ....YES....LIVE IN LONDON...NOT A CHANCE
+peppersdog1 Probably near to her place of work though so some compromises have to be made. Can always motor up river at weekends though.
she is just inspirational living on her own terms, I love her. so many people live the Walmart IKEA life now day she is truly lovely.😊
Got my own little boat and mooring now in Rodley Leeds which is a nice spot but better still there's a 2 mile run up to Apperley Bridge with no locks or swing bridges giving me a 4 mile round trip through scenic countryside so I don't have to stay on the mooring - nice to be able to tie up 'out' now and again with only the wildlife for company. Anyone thinking of doing this - go for it! Sure there are all sorts of hurdles to overcome but the rewards make it worthwhile. Whatever you do - don't let anyone talk you out of it!
How did you find your boat?? Is much of this pretty much through word of mouth? Or Craigslist-LOL! I would imagine if available these get snapped up pretty quickly. London is just so incredibly expensive-and especially Central London. I can't imagine how this woman could own her own home in Central London and make a living as an artist any other way-what an incredibly perfect solution. I would do it in a heartbeat.
+Geny R. Boats are easy to come by! Dozens on eBay at any given moment, loads for sale privately, ex hire, or have one built to order. It's the moorings that are scarce and very, very expensive in central london- especially residential moorings.
Norfolk broads is great as well
I would love to know how she make enuf hot water to fill that bath ! I also cant sleep with my head going down hill like that!
loved ya narrow boat and the way of life freedom ya wonderful I enjoyed it and ya voice was so calming I always wanted to live on a narrow boat but life hasn't been to rosie
There are so many lovely people around the world!
I live just the other side of St Johns wood park and often walk that stretch, it looks very chilled out......Looking to buy a narrow boat myself to live on, but to mainly cruise during the summer months..
nice little spot she's made for herself. i like her enthusiasm about it, too.
when she slammed that door closed , which let all that beautiful light in , you lost me .. it felt like i was in a coffin .. yikes lol , feels stuffy and cramped .. the wrong kind of tiny living for me .. need natural light and moving air lol
Yes it was too cluttered and dark for me
Wonderful!
A really interesting video-biography. I enjoyed that. Thank-you.
I totally get what you are doing and why. It is so similar to liveaboard sailboats in small marinas or moored, in the US. The difference is you are in a great london location on the cheap. As I listen to you, I hear a philosopher with common sense and simple. efficient living. Thank you for sharing your wonderful, authored story.