What do you do after you get off of a 10.5 hour flight back from Brazil (aside from sleeping really well last night)? Share pictures, of course. There were two stages to our five day trip, a side trip to Rio to see some nature and color, and then a three day stay in São Paulo, where I spoke at an event put together by Casa e Jardim, Brazil's leading shelter magazine. Here's the Rio part.
Arriving in Brazil
Why Brazil, you may ask? Good question, and one that I, too, had when I originally received the invitation to go there. It turns out that unlike many other parts of the world that were crippled (and continue to be) by the subprime mess of 2008-9, Brazil has been growing quickly. As a self-involved New Yorker, I did not know this.
The view of Ipanema beach from our hotel in Rio
"In 2009 Brazil did emerge as the eighth largest economy in the world, and its accelerated economic growth is expected to continue into the next decades. According to a study released in January 2010 by PriceWaterhouseCoopers... Brazil is likely to become the fifth biggest global economy by 2025." - Proof
While there is still a tremendous gap between the rich and poor in Brazil, with very little middle class, things are changing.
Front desk at Hotel Fasano. The entire desk is on slice of a large tree.
In particular, the magazine industry, which has been terribly hurt during the past few years, has been flourishing in Brazil as living standards have risen, and it is notable that Condé Nast just initiated a joint publishing venture with Casa e Jardim's parent company, Globo, to publish their titles in Brazil.
Magazines are booming in Brazil.
Add to this that Brazil's online presence is growing. They are the fifth largest group of readers of Apartment Therapy outside the United States and the third largest non-English speaking audience behind Germany and France.
Are you starting to get the picture?
Front lobby at The Fasano, which was entirely designed by Philippe Starck
Brazil is a really, really large country that is hungry for just the type of improvement that Apartment Therapy offers, and they were curious enough to fly Sara and myself down there last week.
Places we visited and recommend:
- Hotel Fasano, Ipanema — designed by Philippe Starck
- Restaurante Aprazível, Santa Teresa
- Restaurante Espírito Santo, Santa Teresa
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Marisa and Peter's Playfully Eclectic Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Energy Bars at Home
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
beautiful!
Please explain to me how that sink works! :)
Luckeee...I want to go now! Beautiful...
Please take me on your next trip! I lived in Rio for a year. It's a beatiful place, the people are very nice, and the food is beyond delicious (especially the all-you-can-eat pizza and meat restaurants -- called Rodizios). Oh, I want to go back! Anybody want to babysit 4 kids for a month while the wife and I go to the 2014 world cup or 2016 olymics?
I'm Brazilian and recently joined apartment therapy, while putting together my house. It's a great source for decor ideas for all types of taste. I do miss the simple life style I had down there though.. So I'm trying to incorporate it into my house :-) p.s: no comments about Sao Paulo?
Wow. I've never seen Ipanema so empty! Interesting shape to the hotel window (if the negative space represents the indoors).
I wonder if that hammock chair is Sergio Rodrigues or just influenced by him. Next time you go, you've gotta visit some of the custom furniture oficinas in SP and Rio. Amazing.
Wonderful!
Magnificent country, spent three weeks in Rio, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Bahia & Manaus, too many years ago. I found Brasilia (capital) a little sterile but overall fantastic time. I went on a Rio by Night tour (dinner & show) ended up on stage with the dancers & other patrons, had a blast. So many lovely sites to visit - Corcovado, Sugar Loaf, Hippie Market and the beaches - oh Lord!!!!! Every city I visited had something to enjoy. I too wish to be there for World Cup!
I am Brazilian and reader of Apartment Therapy and I was very happy to know you were here in Brazil! I am from Sao Paulo and I must say that the pictures were beautiful and also say that Rio de Janeiro continues beautiful!
I lived in Rio for 2 months while in medical school and was the happiest New Yorker in Ipanema. Can't wait to return. I am happy to see there is a burgeoning middle class.
fantastic photos. i love starck's hotel. i love old world meets new. thanks for sharing! may i ask what camera do you use for your photos?
I am also Brazilian and I got some tears in my eyes reading your post and looking at the pictures. We know how beautiful our country is but to 'hear' it from a foreigner is fantastic!
My husband is Canadian and his love for Brazil is beyond words.
Thank you very much for the post and if anybody would like to rent a one bedroom condo in Florianopolis (capital of Santa Catarina, in the south), beach front and 2 swimming pools, please let me know..nine1998@yahoo.com
I was very happy to know that you loved to visit Rio de Janeiro, one of the prettiest cities in your huge country.
Hope you come back and make a visit for other cities, I think you'll love the colonial cities of Minas Gerais.
Another AT's reader from Brazil (Fortaleza) :)
:-D
I'm glad you knew how to appreciate both the modern as well as the story you saw in Rio. Your beautiful photos make it very clear. I hope the next time you come to the Northeast to see its beautiful beaches.
Cris Turek
Fantastic photos and descriptions. That must have been an amazing trip!
The most beautiful place I've ever been to
Another brazilian AT's reader (from São Paulo)
That front desk is a beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Um, yes, would love to know what the one bedroom in Florianopolis would rent for! Guessing the sink works like an infinity pool.. interesting idea occurred to me seeing the sombreros hung in multiple.. I think I'm going to cover my entire ugly game room ceiling with them! My heart aches at the sight of these pictures. Have never been but the blush of pink paint, the lines of the beautiful woods... just want to go to breathe the air. Love that you and Sara were blessed with this amazing trip!
Another brazilian here :) Great pictures, though I never had been in Rio (it´s a shame, just 1 hour flight!). I´m from São Paulo, and looking forward to see the pictures from my beloved hometown :) I bet you felt difference between the two cities, not just because Rio have beaches and São Paulo don´t, but mostly because of the way of living.