I can think of no better time to curl up with a book about magnificent homes on the water than now, in the midst of a midwinter snowstorm. Although Spring is just days away, the landscape beyond my window is reminiscent of a scene at Christmastime with a foot of crisp white snow blanketing everything within my view. A thick layer of ice lies above the snow keeping even the hungriest of squirrels and fox at bay. Nary a bird - cardinal or robin - to be seen on the many bare trees in my backyard. When in bloom the trees form a natural screen, shielding me from neighbors and passersby.

But now the veil is lifted and I can see miles away... On a clear day I can see the large ferries carrying cars and passengers on the Long Island Sound. But today everything is white, the sky, the ground, and everything in between. As I open the book I am transported to summertime and reminded why I have chosen to live in my oh so very tiny home... I have chosen it for its location, its proximity to the water and the many small beaches that line my town's edge. There is something about the water... there is something about living on or near the water... It instills a sense of calm. It brings one closer to nature. It inspires. It invigorates. 

And so on this brutally cold March afternoon, I set aside all my worries of work and projects and deadlines. I give into the confines of my home, comfortable, warm, safe from the elements, and pour over the stunning pages of The Seaside House: Living on the Water, savoring each and every image. Of course, one needn't a snow day to appreciate and to be inspired by the stunning homes. A shady porch, a breezy patio, a stunning balcony, a relaxing bedroom all offer the perfect setting... a glass of wine, a lemonade or warm cup of tea as you savor each beautifully photographed home - interior and exterior. 

For those who dream of a house on the water, whether it is an ocean, lake or river, The Seaside House: Living on the Water, brings us there - if only temporarily, offering everything from clean, modern beach houses to traditional style cottages. These breathtaking homes will inspire you and anyone who loves a water view. We are given a privileged sneak-peak inside the homes of Martha Stewart's Seal Harbor, Maine residence and Giorgio Armani's Antigua Getaway. In quintessential communities such as Block Island, Nantucket, Malibu and Harbor Islands, these homes have been decorated by such revered designers as Steven Gambrel, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Celerie Kemble and Ken Fulk. 

Nicks, Voulgaris III is the author of Hinkley Yachts, a restrospective on the iconic yacht builder. His forthcoming books include the legendary boat company, Chris Craft and the New York Athletic Club. Nick is the proprietor of Kerber's Farm, an historic farm and retail brand located on Long Island. He lives in New York's West Village with his English Labrador, Charlie, and in the summer aboard his sailboat in Shelter Island. Douglas Freidman is a New York based fashion/interiors photographer whose work has been published in Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, ElleDecor and Vanity Fair, among others.

I received a complimentary edition of The Seaside House: Living on the Water by Nick Voulgaris III, Rizzoli NY 2017.
The thoughts and views are solely my own.