Living in the country means enjoying peace and calm far away from urbanstress. The country retreats we create for ourselves reflect thisdifference. A measure of the value we place on our rural sanctuaries isthe attention paid to every aspect of their design and construction. Todays rural retreats are far more luxurious, with a greater emphasis on richand exceptional materials. Yet these dwellings are still quite differentfrom their counterparts in the city. The houses featured in these pagesembody a simpler yet no less stylish attitude towards life. Country housesall over the world have been selected for their distinctive architectureand interiors.