A unique promenade along the sea through interior and exterior photographs of thirty-three dream houses.

From the rugged Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean and the tropical shores of the Pacific, there are many ways of spending one’s life by the sea. This book showcases thirty-three exceptional houses from around the world in a variety of styles, from traditional to contemporary.

Each house has its own ambiance and its own particular relationship with the environment, whether it is perched on top of a cliff, nestled in a rocky hollow, or built on the sand. Sometimes the emphasis is on ecological concerns, on creating a natural harmony between a building and its setting. Other houses may have been designed to survive the elements, or to make the most of limited space or resources.

This profusely illustrated and captivating book features houses built along the cold seas of Canada, Scandinavia, and the European Atlantic coast; houses on temperate seas like the Mediterranean and Africa’s Atlantic shoreline; and homes found along the warm seacoasts of the Pacific and Indian oceans and in the Caribbean. Both inside and out and in every locale, the design approaches range from simple rustic style to the ultimate in luxurious elegance. 424 full-color photographs and 15 black-and-white illustrations

Emmanuelle Graffin writes about gardening, landscape, and interior design. She lives in France.