Afraid of heights?

1. 2.3.4.5.6.

Minimalism II

Chigo

With the right toys, I think Georgia might appreciate the minimalist aesthetic, too.

Minimalism I

1. Maryam 2. Imi Knoebel 3. Hans Wegner

I may have missed out on the whole Jil Sander for Uniqlo collection down here in Brazil. But I am feeling the minimalist tide taking over. My closet. My house. My habits.
Stay tuned...

Speaking of Brazil and Beaches

via Regina

Along with the 2016 Olympics, Brazil has many other things to celebrate. Like the works of internationally acclaimed architect Marcio Kogan. His recent ecologically correct beach house graces the cover of Casa Vogue this month. Located off the coast of colonial Paraty, the house can only be reached by boat.

But, heck, I'd swim there for a house tour.

Hold the Bananas

I headed out this morning for the Brazilian fabric with the bushels of bananas. But came back with ready-made Indian pillows--bursting with acid colors and nature. The perfect "pop" for our neutral bedroom. All family members seem to enjoy the make-over. Georgia keeps repeating "bee" which is short for subir (pronounced sue beer) or "up" in Portuguese and proceeds to fall back into the neatly arranged row. And Bogart, our fat feline, won't stop sleeping on the bed (and was quite perturbed with the photo session). Finally, Felipe mmmmm'd approval--but how many husbands understand their wife's obsession with accent pillows?

Mission accomplished, I'd say. Now, I just have to get started on the headboard I posted a while back.

Banana, banana...

You might not necessarily equate good taste in interior design with images of bananas, I know. But give me a chance here.

I brought back a new duvet cover (anthropologie) from the States and, while away, had a bedroom accent wall covered in gray cement. But something is missing. So in an urgent rush to pull together the new look, I did what every decorator does: shop for pillows. So in my swatch carrying, color coordinating obsession, I discovered an amazing new source for fabrics (whilst walking) called, againdecor. You can imagine the tongue-in-cheek good taste of the above dapper duo who design all the graphics. Fresh and fun and very Brazilian. Have a look at the fabrics (tecidos) under the Brasil section on the site. I am deciding between the black and white bananas or palms and the windows of Salvador. And its not that I am into theme decorating but I do think that tropical goes well in the tropics--the velvet pillows from NYC just look hot and heavy below the equator.

Any opinions?

Living Room Accessories

I imagine most of us have a bit of Pottery Barn, Ikea, and Crate and Barrel in our home. But how do we differentiate our abode from the Smith's next door? Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize. And David Wiseman's nature inspired pieces are beautiful baubles that guarantee to banish the generic in your interior decor.

A little disco in your decorating

1.etc-alltherest 2. the selby via etc-alltherest 3.confetti systems via 2or3things

Refrigerator Magnets Begone

ohdeedoh

I still don't know if Georgia is left or right-handed and she doesn't have her own box of crayons nor easel (yet). But I am looking so forward to her first doodles. The curator in me has already chosen the perfect wall for our "MOMA-esque" installation. Because you can bet they won't be hanging on the fridge.

Inspiration for a princess

cakies

I am thinking about re-doing Georgia's bedroom. Soon enough her crib will have to go (sob) and she will need a real little girl's room. True's is probably the most charming I have ever seen. As the poster says: Simple, pratique, elégant. I couldn't agree more.

SchubLaden

Schubladen via forme-foryou

I almost gave my carpenter the go ahead on a pretty simple, user friendly set of shelves and a table for the workspace in my house. But then I saw this. Incredible, no? Schubladen uses old drawers and creates these absolutely modern works of art. Back to the drawing table. Sigh.

Mobile Art

Leptitpapillon (1,2) and Joanna Bean (3,4)

Fisher Price Beware.

Apartment Paparazzi, #1-Part 1

São Paulo is full of beautiful homes, immense gated mansions and architectural masterpieces. Be sure. But those are easy to find. And not what I want in my monthly "apartment paparazzi". What interests me is uncovering the unexpected and original. It is so easy to hire a decorator to do it all--down to which art books de rigueur should be on your coffee table. But it is an arduous and timely love affair, creating the personality of your home. The entrance door should open to a story about you. So let me start my first feature with just that: a story.

Around the sixth month of my pregnancy, Felipe's childhood pal, Marcos invited us to a dinner party in honor of his many pregnant friends. At the time, I was pretty surprised at the initiative. Was he aware of the risk of putting so many hungry and hormonal women (and their partners) together? But then I got to thinking about our host--the always-unconventional Marcos--and the idea was less astonishing. Naturally, the party was a success. We all left rubbing our bellies in pleasure, full and content in sharing our child-bearing lore. Excellent food and company aside, the novelty of Marcos's sweet gesture and his lovely home stuck with me. And now all these months later, I couldn't think of a more appropriate first candidate/apartment.

A quick glance around Marcos's apartment will get any conversation started and your curiosity piqued. First and foremost, a nod to his fledgling art collection. You will find some very recognized names and some obscure ink doodles by "a friend". Marcos is a study in contrasts. Next to the complete series of Sex in the City sits a large VHS collection of war movies; classic literature shares space with manuals on game hunting; cocktail recipe books sit atop volumes dedicated to linguistics (Swahili grammar, anyone?). Sequined liquor bottles, poker chips, loafers, and James Bond Memoirs might categorize him as a playboy/bon vivant. But he plays bridge and chooses an electric scooter over a sleek imported automobile. And the best part of all this? The eclectic gamut of hobbies, tastes, and travels (the list continues, trust me) are more than apparent: His home tells a story about it's special inhabitant. Thank you for sharing Marcos!

Apartment Paparazzi, #1-Part 2: Interview

Name. Age. Profession:
Marcos Machado. 31. Hedge Fund Manager

Did you use a designer or architect?
Yes, I had a friend of mine who is a designer give me a hand. I told her exactly what I was looking for and she showed me where to find it. I also gave her some good indications of new stores that she didn't know. It was nice. Overall I strongly recommend to hire someone like her, not to mention her great help with painters, brick layers, heavy duty personnel, especially when you don't have time to be at home during business hours. I also hired Alice Rocha, a very talented young landscape architect to take care of my plants and spice garden.

Most coveted object?
My bed from Carlos Motta. I like low beds and he had this one called "flyer" with little drawers (criado mudo) attached. Now he has dealers in NY and Holland, exhibitions in Paris. His work became very expensive--which is a pity. I like his chairs as well.

Next "within means" purchase?
A chair with no arms for my writing desk

Future "money is no a object" acquisition?
A water color from Francesco Clemente

Artist to watch?
Chiara Banfi and Claudio Edinger,- both Brazilians

Best restaurant in a city outside your hometown?
Manacá at Camburizinho beach

Favorite dish? If your own, share recipe?
My favorite dish is duck, but it is not practical for an ordinary dinner at home. So I order that in restaurants. But I can share my Rigatoni alla Norma recipe. Fast, delicious and spicy. 300g of ricotta, 1 eggplant, 1 medium-sized onion, 250 g of skinned tomato, malagueta pepper, salt, black pepper. Cut in little pieces and fry the onion until golden, add tomato, a pinch of pepper and salt and then the malagueta (with caution, otherwise it can get too spicy). In a different pan fry very quickly thin slices of eggplant in oil. Then put everything together. In the mean time, cook the pasta, not more than 15 min in boiling salty water. When the sauce is ready (approx. 10 min - time for the tomato to dissolve) add the ricotta (cut in little cubes) stirring it well. Serve it with basil if you like. The sweetness of the ricotta mates superbly with the bitter taste of the eggplant and the touch of pepper. Good dish either with red or white wine.

What are you doing to save the universe?
I am a member of WWF, World Wildlife Fund and Safari Club. Also try to use my car as little as possible. I got frustrated when the electric scooter that I bought 2 years ago didn't work, bad project. Zero noise and emission pollution. Maybe in a few years....

Where did you find the lady in your shower?
I asked a friend of mine who has a bikini shop where to find mannequins. I thought it was a good idea to fill the box of my spare bathroom, since no one will take showers there. I went to a street in Bom Retiro - near Pinacoteca - and "hired" them. They serve as great hostesses.

Can you suggest three apartments you would like to see on my blog?
Yes....[Stay tuned]

Time Out

Chairs: molly-meg.com

A while back I posted on the Bertoia kid's chair, I purchased for Georgia/me. You see I am obsessed with beautiful chairs. They are even more charming in the mini version. So either Felipe and I are going to have to get busy at the Jon & Kate plus Eight plan (minus the divorce), or we are going to have several "time out" chairs!

I'd like to say that Georgia won't need a "time out" chair, but I am discovering rather quickly that she is on the fast track to the notorious terrible twos. Last week, after I had given up trying to get her down for her afternoon nap, Felipe took over. Within a matter of minutes, I hear a squeal of pain followed by, "now you are going to have a time out." I didn't even think my dear husband knew the term "time out" (but then I remembered his penchance for Nanny 911 on cable). Obviously this moment is not a humorous one in the lives of parents. We laugh so as not to cry. The sad part is that it might be the first time she bit daddy. But not mommy.

The moral of the story? I just might have a lovely collection of chairs. Or should I say Georgia will?

Sweater Rug

Thanks to: www.lescarnetsdudesign.com

Holy knitting needle--another incredible design by Christien Meindertsm. In this case bigger is certainly better and more cozy!