Country Homes: Elegant Weekend Retreats from Around the World Book

Everyone dreams of owning a country home; a private getaway far from the cares of everyday life and customized to fit your ideal lifestyle. Nowadays, more and more people are making that dream come true. Rather than settling for two weeks at a favorite vacation spot, why not incorporate the leisure, beauty and fun of vacation in a home that can be enjoyed year-round for quiet relaxation or to share with family and friends.

Within these pages you will find the very best of the best country retreats that combine beautiful settings and stunning houses created in harmony with their owners' notions of the perfect refuge. Divided into five distinct categories -- cottages, stately homes, contemporary style, cabins and Mediterranean style -- each abode exemplifies a pinnacle in design and decorating, including renovations of existing houses and homes custom-built to meet the owners' particular needs. Over 250 illustrations of fabulous country dwellings with hundreds of ideas at your fingertips to help you realize the vacation home of your dreams.