''Coastal Living'' offers abundant inspiration for anyone lucky enough to live by the ocean, as well as those who can only dream of it. Divided into four chapters - classic, contemporary, casual and country-style - Coastal Living visits homes scattered all over the globe, from Denmark to Mexico. These shoreside dwellings boast a rich variety of different architecture and interior styles, but they all share a similar spirit. All are are beautiful but practical, featuring bare wooden boards, uncurtained windows open to the morning sun, and furnishings covered in robust linen or cotton that can endure exposure to salt water and the sun''s fierce rays. Many of them feature nautical-themed accessories or draw inspiration from beachcombing, displaying shells and driftwood to feel close to nature and the sound of the waves. Whatever the style, their interiors speak of a relaxed, informal, carefree lifestyle where the boundaries between inside and out are blurred. The book also features insightful essays on some of the traditions and characteristics of the coastal lifestyle, such as the story of surfing, decorating with beach finds, plants for coastal gardens, living with nautical maps and charts, and more. Interspersed throughout are recipes for delicious and healthy seafood dishes that will allow you to make the most of the daily catch as well as evocative quotations from great writers extolling the drama and majesty of the ever-changing ocean.