Similarly to when I lived in Yamaguchi, Japan, my current houseboat is very old. The wood has a soft patina, at times scratched and imperfect.
Both homes shared the irregularity and beauty of wooden surfaces crafted by amateur carpenters.
As seasons pass, the house adapts and changes. The lack of proper insulation makes the experience more in tune with natural cycles. Wood expands, contracts and cracks when the outdoor climate fluctuates. A contemplative, warm Honey Wood cup of tea seems like a good idea to me.