Rio de Janeiro—a World Heritage Site, a dream-vacation destination, ripe with exotic adventures (Carnival!), that giant statue of Jesus, and the upcoming 2016 Olympic Summer Games—is definitely one of those places found on the bucket lists of travelers far and wide. It is the “most visited city in the southern hemisphere,” and for good reason.
Brazilian architect Gisele Taranto recently gave us one more reason to fall in love with Rio when she and her cohorts, lighting designer Maneco Quinderé and landscape designer Gilberto Elkins, undertook the renovation of Itiquira House, a 16,146-sq. ft. “cottage” made of two blocks—one for the family’s residence, lushly outfitted with grand open spaces and bold, contemporary décor—and a separate block for staff, the laundry room, the garage, and a home theater. Oh, I mustn’t forget to mention the pool and patio, to which is attached a spa. No trip to Rio would be complete without an ample amount of sun worship. Sadly for us, this appears to be a private residence. No harm in dreaming a little, is there?
