cover image Country Homes: Elegant Weekend Retreats from Around the World

Country Homes: Elegant Weekend Retreats from Around the World

Jean Demachy. Filipacchi Publishing, $39.95 (216pp) ISBN 978-2-85018-832-9

Culled from the pages of Elle Decor magazine, the photographs in this beautiful volume depict a variety of stunning country homes, the bulk of which are located in France, England and the upstate New York/New England area. According to Margaret Russell, editor in chief of Elle Decor, the purpose of this glossy coffee table book is to inspire homeowners who are looking to build their own country homes or incorporate elements of a country retreat into their urban dwelling. While some of these homes are breathtaking, the book doesn't offer any do-it-yourself advice; indeed, it contains a minimal amount of text. What little writing there is consists of exaggerated design-speak: the homeowner is referred to as ""the master of the house,"" accessories go ""perfectly"" with the featured rooms and an owner somehow succeeds in ""giving eternity a color."" Nevertheless, the homes pictured here are gorgeous. Readers can pore over photos of a cottage in Ile-de-France full of lemons, flowers and spring fabrics; a hotel in Avergne, France, with a quirky design that includes bathtubs resting in piles of volcanic rocks; or a Richard Meier-designed home in New Jersey full of windows for tremendous views. As Russell notes in her introduction, ""true pleasure is to be found in escaping to the country, near or far, whether for a couple of days or a proper restorative holiday."" This book provides just such an escape. 250 color photos.