Light walls and natural materials lend a beachy feel.

A low profile, all-white daybed (actually a boxspring and mattress) sets the pace in this living room. The white African Juju hat, vintage lamp and beige-and-white embroidered fabric from Mexico on the throw pillows infuse the room with personality. Teak folding chairs continue the organic, outdoor feel.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of White Cottages and Suzanne Dimma’s Favourite Dreamy Retreats.

Designer Colette van den Thillart’s island vacation home is a great getaway, but its smart indoor/outdoor vibe can be applied to personal havens, too.

Homeowner and designer Colette van den Thillart chose to play up the beachy vibe in the dining room of her Barbados vacation home. Green-striped slipcovers over teak furniture complement the lush greenery outside and a white ceiling and drapes make the space feel fresh. The gingerbreading is a traditional detail on island houses.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Warm-Weather Vacation Homes and Suzanne Dimma’s Favourite Dreamy Retreats.

Dark walls, layered furniture and plenty of texture give this space a warm, welcoming feel.

In this luxe library, HGTV star and Toronto designer Tommy Smythe added a TV to the shelving unit to save wall space, and covered the backs of the shelves with a neutral grasscloth wallpaper to balance the dark walls. Placing furniture in front of a bookcase creates a cosy, layered effect.

See Tommy Smythe’s Victorian Makeover for more photos of this home, plus watch Suzanne Dimma tour through the kitchen. Find more inspiration in our photo gallery of Suzanne Dimma’s Favourite Dreamy Retreats.

A formal dining area repurposed as a space for lounging.

HGTV star and Toronto designer Tommy Smythe opted out of a formal dining area in favour of a sitting room off the kitchen: “I think it’s just about the truth,” he says. “The kitchen is where everyone wants to be in any house, and in this one, the family can cook, eat, watch TV and talk to each other.” The red tufted sofa ties in with a red pendant light in the kitchen and a red bentwood chair at the dining table.

See Tommy Smythe’s Victorian Makeover for more photos of this home, plus watch Suzanne Dimma tour through the kitchen. Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Top 10 Eat-In Kitchens and Suzanne Dimma’s Favourite Dreamy Retreats.

Neutral tones and organic textures have a calming effect.

South of the Tropic of Cancer, Larsen found a home in Baja, Mexico. This simple, 1,300-square-foot one-bedroom home is made of concrete block and plaster. The rustic home blends seamlessly with its stunning surroundings — the Sierra la Laguna mountains, the Pacific Ocean in the distance and miles of desert. Throughout, a neutral palette ensures it’s easy to move furnishings from room to room.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Best Homes Of 2012, International Homes and Suzanne Dimma’s Favourite Dreamy Retreats.

An all-white interior gives this tiny space a tranquil vibe.

Youssef Habani — of Toronto shop L’Atelier — had special windows installed in his cottage’s guest bunkie to let in fresh air and create an indoor-outdoor feel. Guests can enjoy the view from a white bed and admire the unique trusswork overhead. An exotic end table adds a hit of visual interest in the all-white space.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of White Cottages and Suzanne Dimma’s Favourite Dreamy Retreats.

A layered mix of textures is key to creating an at-home retreat.

Designer and homeowner Barbara Purdy converted a wood-burning fireplace to gas to create a cosy focal point in this room. “I couldn’t see myself hauling logs down the stairs,” she says. Radiant heating installed under the wood-look porcelain-tile floor adds even more warmth. The sofa, a hand-me-down from her parents, was recovered and layered with pillows.

Tour this basement on Online TV, plus find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Barbara Purdy Designs, Budget Basement Decorating Tips and Suzanne Dimma’s Favourite Dreamy Retreats.