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]