"The idea of a retreat -- a place removed from one's daily stressors, an escape in a serene natural setting, a secluded haven to be enjoyed by family, is more appealing than it has been in decades. Though second homes are far from a novel concept; retreats have been built by families since the late 1800s, when the well-to-do began to build reprieves in coastal areas to escape the combustive atmosphere of city life. Over time, homes on the water have...

"A sumptuous survey of houses built with a strong connection to the oceans, lakes, rivers, and pools around them Living on Water showcases the finest examples of residential architecture that have one thing in common - their special relationship to that most essential of elements: water. These homes have been designed with water as a fundamental key to their very essence - whether built with a water view, built on water itself, or built to be reflected...