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Just thinking about a home by the water
conjures romantic images of white washed cottages hugging a cliff or
harbour edge, or maybe a retreat overlooking the river.
 A waterfront home is the most fashionable
choice with a host of celebrities settling down at the water's edge. Paul
McCartney, Zoe Ball and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen have seaside retreats and
others such as Michael Parkinson and Ant and Dec enjoy riverside
homes.
Author Ana Canizares has visited some of the
most beautiful waterfront homes in the world for her new book, Waterfront
Retreats.
She says: "It is no wonder that everyone
dreams of a house on the water, because we are naturally drawn to the most
vital ingredient of life. Water offers us a sense of purity and space and
helps calm us in an increasingly stressful world."
Even if you can't afford a home on or near
the water, you could still enjoy the peaceful sound and sight of water by
creating a water feature in your garden which is now a must have in
stylish gardens.
Alternatively use accessories and colours to
evoke a seaside feel to the most urban home.
Check out those watery choices:
 :: COAST
Everyone has their own special reason to be
drawn to the sea. It may be to recall nostalgic memories of carefree
childhood holidays or simply just a desire to escape urban city life.
Whatever it is, a coastal sanctuary - either
as a main or second home - is apparently becoming irresistible to an
increasing number of us. A recent survey revealed that in the last couple
of years around 360,000 people of working age have moved to be by the
sea.
Such is the popularity for a coastal
lifestyle that a new magazine, Coast, has just launched. It focuses on the
coastal lifestyle and includes seaside homes.
Editor Jo Denbury says: "Living by the sea
is a huge trend, and the lifestyle is increasingly attractive. I think
there are those, like myself, who grew up by the sea and yearn to return
and others who are turning away from city life, particularly young
families.
"Even those who want weekend retreats seem
to be forsaking the chocolate-box country cottage and opting for designer
apartments at new coastal developments like marinas."
Denbury's tiny cottage - a stone's throw
from the sea - in Dorset has traditional stone floors and white washed
walls.
She's chosen a simple, uncluttered interior
with a neutral palette to complement rather than distract from the
stunning colour and landscape outside.
She says: "I think the colours of water -
myriad shades of blue and bluey-green and silver metallics - work well in
a waterside setting.
"People sometimes avoid these because they
feel they are cold. Instead I believe these shades suggest tranquility and
space. If you want to be adventurous choose deep greeny-blue to palest
aquamarine to conjure memories of stormy oceans or tropical shores."
SEEKING THE SEA - Denbury's tips
Falling in love with a seaside holiday spot
based on summer visits is fine but check it out off-season before you
up-sticks and move there.
Ideally test your choice by hiring a weekend
cottage, or at least rent a home before you buy to make sure your dream
stands up to the reality of wintery, windswept days.
If you like bustle and being near amenities
consider marina and harbour developments. There are about 200 marinas
along Britain's coastline.
:: RIVERSIDE
A river view is so prized that the cost of
properties in or near the water is usually high, but dockland developments
in cities around the country are providing new opportunities to enjoy
waterside living.
This year 'Riverside Living' is the main
attraction at the Ideal Home Show in London. (March 10 - April 4)
It features a huge houseboat, floating on a
river with a weir, whose interior has been designed by Justin Ryan and
Colin McAllister, stars of BBC's Million Pound Property Experiment.
Ryan says: "Working on this project
converted us to waterside living and are now looking for a home probably
on a marina."
The pair reject a predictable 'nautical'
style and instead recommend a sleek, contemporary effect which they
believe is the smart choice for new riverside homes.
"Nothing should detract from the setting and
view of river homes. So we believe in neutral colour schemes, and lots of
natural effects such as a bamboo look floors, leather upholstery, floating
white voile curtains and plenty of sleek storage.
"These sort of homes should be easy to live
in and practical, and limestone bathrooms and stainless steel kitchens are
our favourite choices."
REACHING THE RIVER - Tips for home
buying.
Remember that riverside properties can
suffer from damp and flooding. Check out risks with a surveyor, local
authority and insurance companies before buying.
Unless you want a remote idyll, it is more
interesting to watch riverside life and boats so consider a property on a
river marina.
If you're thinking of a houseboat, remember
that moorings are expensive and mortgages are not available for these
craft.
:: WATER FEATURES
Celebrity garden designer at the Ideal Home
Show, Kim Wilde says: "Water features are an absolute must in gardens now,
because people realise what a beneficial effect water can have.
"The sky's the limit with designs - the only
restriction is your budget and your imagination. But I don't believe you
need a waterfall, or huge pond to enjoy the effect, which is anyway
probably not advisable if you have young children."
She believes wall fountains and even small
features giving the sound of running water will enhance any garden. A
glazed pot planted with aquatic plants, or a bird bath add a watery
touch.
:: WATER STYLE
Colours: Blue and white is a classic
combination especially for seaside homes. For a modern update pair blue
with silvery metallics. Take inspiration from shell and pebble colours and
match blue with grey, ecru and golden sand colours for a back-to-nature
look.
Accessories: Check out the Models Own
catalogue and website which includes a delectable selection of sculptures,
mirrors and lamps made from Devon's driftwood. It also has nautical deck
lights. www.modelsown.com. Call:
01803 835 842
Conjure a seaside feel in the bathroom -
even if you are miles from the sea - with Next's new roller blind or
shower curtain, Stones. featuring beach pebbles. Blind, £39.99 and Shower
curtain, £24.99. www.next.co.uk
Furniture: Simple rustic furniture usually
works best in seaside or simple riverside retreats. Dibor's mail order
catalogue is full of French style pieces and other accessories such as
blue and white enamelled kitchen sets to echo the coastal colour scheme.
www.dibor.co.uk
:: Coast is a new bimonthly magazine
on waterside living and lifestyle. It is available from newsagents, or for
stockists and subscriptions call: 0870 458 3992
:: Ideal Home Show, Earls Court, London from
March 10 to April 4. Ticket hotline: 0870 606 6080.
:: Waterfront Retreats by Ana G Canizares,
published by Harper Design International, priced
£25. | 
