As summer winds down, it's not surprising many of us city dwellers will be dreaming of a private getaway -- whether that be a cottage in the woods or a seaside cabin. Offering a glimpse into that idyllic life are the following easy summer reads:
In Cottages, author Brian Coleman chooses 15 eclectic cottages to showcase, including a unique Victoria property, located in the city's industrial district, that doesn't have knotty pine board panelling or wicker furniture one would expect in a cottage, but instead uses industrial materials like galvanized steel and aluminum. Coleman describes the home as an "urban cottage built for the future."
But for a book that defines cottage as a "small, simple, often crude dwelling usually only one storey" the choice to include this home doesn't make sense. After all, this particular property comes with a subterranean swimming pool, accessed by a concealed staircase that rises with the flick of a switch, and a bed that automatically retracts into the floor.
More in line with the cottage definition are the homes on Tybee Island -- a five-mile-long barrier island off the coast of southern Georgia. Eight of them were saved by a local decorator who gives us what we expect in a cottage -- sunny colours, distressed artifacts, and wicker furniture. (Published by Gibbs Smith, hardcover, $34)
On the other hand, The Cottage Book Living Simple and Easy, by Carol Bass, does deliver what most readers would expect in a cottage book. The author showcases simple homes in a wide range of landscapes -- by the sea, in the woods, and in the country. The homes have several things in common: a connection to nature, comfortable living and a humble style. A charming book celebrating equally charming retreats. (Published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang, softcover, $22)
Coastal Style: Home Decorating Ideas Inspired by Seaside Living, by Sally Hayden and Alice Whately, delivers just what its title states. Seaside homes from around the world are featured, including the tasteful Caribbean home owned by British decorator India Hicks. Even if you will never have your own tropical paradise in the Bahamas, ideas on how to bring a beach connection into your own abode abound. This is a room-by-room guide to creating your own seaside chic. (Published by Ryland, Peters & Small, hardcover, $34)
Shelter at the Shore: The Boathouses of Muskoka, by John de Visser and Judy Ross, highlight 25 of the finest residential boathouses in Ontario's Muskoka region -- both historic and modern. The first vacationers to come to Muskoka, around 1860, were wealthy Canadians and Americans who built grand summer residences. The early boathouses often included second floors to house their service staff. Remarkably, many of these early boathouses are still standing and are featured here. The photography in particular makes Shelter at the Shore a standout. (Published by Boston Mills Press, paperback, $30)
Author Ralph Kylloe of Cabin in the Woods has written 19 books documenting the "creative work of others more talented than I" with titles like Cabins and Camps, Rustic Artistry for the Home, Rustic Traditions and
He is also the owner of an art gallery inIf you are also a lover of wood and stone, Cabin in the Woods won't disappoint. (Published by Gibbs Smith, hardcover, $33)
Canwest News Service
