At a breakfast table at the UXUA Casa Hotel, light shades crafted from indigenous clay and hung above a clean-lined wood table, feel simultaneously primitive and modern, much like Brazil itself.
RIO DE JANEIRO — Almost no other country will be dominating headlines in these upcoming months more than Brazil.
Ground zero for the increasingly worrisome Zika virus, looming concern over construction delays and preparedness for this summer’s Olympic Games, and an unfortunate turn from South America’s most promising economy to a quickly diminishing one plagued by urban crime, political unrest, bribery scandals and the recent impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff have led to an implausibly negative train wreck of events.
But on my recent stroll along the iconic Portuguese pavement of Rio’s famous Ipanema Beach, I could easily (and mistakenly) conclude that Brazil’s ducks are all in one perfect row. The seemingly carefree, famously attractive faces of this ethnically diverse and broadly mixed population are adorned with warm, easy smiles.
This is the country that bore uber-model Gisele Bundchen after all. And there is so much other well-known beauty to behold within Rio and far beyond. Towering mountain ranges, nearly 9,000 kilometres of coastline, the Amazon rain forest and Christ the Redeemer are all world-renowned. And it perfectly sets the stage for laid-back lounging, languorous summer meals and, of course, watching the world come together during this summer’s Games.
With vases, lamps, rugs, wallpaper and other items available from such retailers as Crate & Barrel and Frontgate, you can have a taste of Rio in your home.
Brazil’s complex cultural tapestry — woven with threads from indigenous Indian tribes, Portuguese conquerors and a wide array of settlers hailing from the likes of Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and China — might have blended uncomfortably into a cacophonous aesthetic. Instead, it telegraphs an approachable ease that’s also palpable in its people, food and culture. It’s attractive, soulful, rustic, elegant and pulled together with an inherent appreciation for natural materials.
Wilbert Das, former creative director of the global fashion brand Diesel, fell in love with Brazil while vacationing in Trancoso and never left. Now he’s the proprietor of its UXUA Casa Hotel, perhaps one of the best examples of this trending Brazilian look, and designed almost entirely with furnishings, art and decor crafted by Brazilian artisans. "There is a rough beauty in the local artisanal work that leaves a lot of space for the natural textures of the materials without over-manicuring," Das says. "The sincere connection to nature is very visible. Brazilian products and design have an honesty and simplicity that brings everything back to the essence of things."
Which makes perfect sense. Most Brazilians, whether raised in the dense urban centers, the remote outskirts or somewhere in between, have a more-than-healthy respect for nature’s gifts, understanding that they are perhaps their country’s most precious resource.
Consistent with their interior aesthetic, infusing your home with elements of Brazilian style doesn’t have to be complicated - or super expensive. Here are four easy paths toward embracing this perfect-for-summer look:
Colour: Brazil abundantly showcases Mother Nature’s masterpieces, so it’s no surprise that the turquoise blues of the ocean, lush greens of the rainforest and the ripe oranges of local fruits and flowers are woven into its interior style. Employed alongside these vibrant hues are a wide array of warm neutrals and plenty of black and white that allow brighter colors to command center stage. For an easy injection of Brazilian-inspired color, look to affordable home accessories such as bowls, vases, frames, trays and candlesticks in brighter, bolder turquoises, greens and oranges.
Of course, paint is one of the most accessible and effective ways to infuse these tones, so consider applying a fresh coat to your walls or an old piece of furniture that could use brightening.
Brazilian design embraces colours inspired by its abundant natural beauty. Sherwin-Williams paint colors Aquatint, Tantalizing Teal, Talipot Palm and Determined Orange freshen up walls or painted furniture while creating that tropical, lush Brazilian vibe.
Pattern: Rio’s famed Portuguese pavement sidewalks are iconic and immediately identifiable. Unlike the classically patterned black-and-white pavement widely found throughout Lisbon, Portuguese pavement patterns in Rio are comparatively modern, graphic and boldly geometric. And they fall perfectly in line with the current design trends of pattern layering and bold black-and-white color combinations. Throw pillows, rugs, drapery and small furniture pieces have all been widely spotted sporting both of these trends and are easy to integrate. Black and white, after all, virtually goes with everything. To add a Brazilian influence through wall covering, look for patterns that emphasize the natural beauty, colors and abundant resources found throughout this lush country.
Natural materials: Much of Brazil feels ripe, lush and brimming with natural wonders. Even in heavily populated Rio, gorgeous green mountains and beautiful blue water are plentiful and easy to spot. Consider layering your interiors the way many Brazilians do. Woven palm baskets, wooden bowls, natural clay accessories and items embellished with coconut shells all reference Brazilian resourcefulness and make great summer styling additions that are easy to change out seasonally.
Artwork: Although many may immediately associate Brazilian art with their native Indian cultures, the nation also has a well-regarded contemporary art scene, producing some of the art world’s biggest stars, especially in the photography genre. Vik Muniz, Sebastiao Salgado and Mona Kuhn may not be household names but they are immediately recognized by photography aficionados and widely collected by major museums.
Art can be a tone-setting statement in any space. For instance, photo images from Kuhn’s Evidence series, priced from US$7,500 to US$14,000 at the Jackson Fine Art gallery in Atlanta, showcase the abundant natural beauty found in the Brazilian jungle and take you there whenever you look at them. If your walls are looking bare, work from any of these artists will not only adorn them with Brazilian talent (often more affordably than you might think), but also help build an art collection worthy of passing down.
So this summer, as you’re watching Michael Phelps attempt to further cement his most-decorated-Olympian-of-all-time status, allow a few bowls, a new piece of art and perhaps some side tables to visually transport you to the Rio Games without ever leaving the comforts of your couch. Although you might not be winning any Olympic medals anytime soon, why not live like you’re worthy of one.
— The Washington Post
