Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1814, from Italian, literally "sweet doing nothing." The Latin roots are dulcis "sweet" (see dulcet), facere "to make, do" (see factitious), and nec entem, literally "not a being."\n\nThis phrase, frequent enough in English literature, does not seem to occur in any Italian author of note. Howells says that he found it current among Neapolitan lazzaroni, but it is not included in any collection of Italian proverbial sayings.
[Walsh]
WordNet
n. carefree idleness
Wikipedia
"Dolce far niente" (Italian for "sweet doing nothing") is a poem by Finnish poet Aaro Hellaakoski. First published in his 1928 collection Jääpeili ("The ice mirror") notable especially for its experimental typography, and was the subject of a study into the relationship between manuscript (or proof) and print version.
Usage examples of "dolce far niente".
I should respectfully suggest a recumbent posture, then put yourself in also and call it `Dolce far niente'.
We had been conversing of England, our own country, from which I had then banished myself for nearly four years, having taken up my residence in Italy to fortify a weak constitution, and having remained there long after it was requisite for my health from an attachment to its pure sky, and the dolce far niente which so wins upon you in that luxurious climate.