Beautiful Brazil

http://www.nytimes.com

Photographer Massimo Vitali went on a photographic journey to Brazil. Vitali captured the beauty and vitality of Brazil in his photographs. (ABOVE) Lençóis Maranhenses national park is a 600-square-mile sea of white sand dunes. The area gets roughly 60 inches of rain per year. During the rain season lagoons form between the dunes. How gorgeous is the crystal blue water against the white sand dunes? (BELOW 1) A short drive from Rio de Janeiro is Niterói. The area features several modern style homes designed by renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. I would love to own any one of those homes. What an amazing view! (BELOW 2) The Ceagesp market is a wonderful place to interact with the locals and shop for fresh food. The market is hugely popular with 13 locations and over 2 billion dollars in yearly sales! Pretty cool! (BELOW 3) The Via Madelena neighborhood has a thriving graffiti and street art scene. Pieces like this make a big statement. (BELOW 4) Piscinão de Ramos is an artificial beach and swimming pool in Rio de Janeiro. Definitely a place to visit. Vitali really captured the energy of the area. What do you think of Vitali's work?

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Arch In Pictures: Top 10 Cities By Design

10. Brasilia, Brazil

http://mimoa.eu/projects/Brazil/Bras%EDlia/Alvorada%20Palace

9. Dubai, United Arab of Emirates

http://progressivetimes.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/dubai-the-nemesis-of-sustainability/

8. Berlin, Germany

http://commons.wikimedia.org

7. Athens, Greece

http://www.britannica.com/bps/media-view/100255/1/0/0

6. Rome, Italy

http://fwallpapers.com/view/rome-italy-4

5. Shanghai, China

http://cscw.fudan.edu.cn/cscwd2010/img/shanghai.jpg

4. Florence, Italy

http://www.scoprirelatoscana.it/Firenze/

3. Chicago, Illinois

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/9077361

2. Paris, France

http://franceinformation1.blogspot.com/

1. Barcelona, Spain

http://www.honeymoonsblog.com

Fashion Meets Brutalist Design

Look 1

http://maciejratajski.blogspot.com/2011/08/fk-yeah-brutalism.html

The Monument, Villa-Lobos Park, Sao Paolo, Brazil is an example of Brutalist Architecture. The clean lines and raw concrete material of the structure are the core of Brutalism. What fascinates me about this structure is the large overhang. It is extremely functional as it protects the stage from the elements, yet has a remarkable form. The seating that spans the outside of the stage has built in stairs, which is a unique design element and allows for easy access to the stage.

Create This Look In Your Home:

Whether you buy these items or ones at a cheaper cost, the key to recreating the look of this Brutalist structure in your home is to bring in neutral colors, concrete, and minimal clutter. Neutral colors can be brought in through rugs, furniture and paint. Concrete can be brought in through tabletops and sculptures. Minimal clutter is all about pieces that have modern finishes, and not too much details. The 1940s Steel and Rush chair is by Colette Gueden and from Alan Moss. The Rush seat and back are in the same color family as the structure. The Steel frame has clean lines, as does the structure. The 1960s winged Brass Brutalist chandelier is by Feldman Co. and from Dolce. The chandelier’s jagged edges resemble the structures cracked surface. In addition I choose the chandelier because, it is in the true spirit of Brutalism. The 20th Century lime green glazed bowl is by Otto + Gertrud Natzler and from Archer. The simple finish and rich green color resembles both the grass and simplicity of the structure. The brown rim of the bowl is in a similar color family as the structure. The vintage 1970s abstract Ceramic bust is from Showplace Antique + Design Center. If you look at the structure’s overhang you will notice solid grayish stripes running horizontally. In between the stripes is a brownish color. I choose the Ceramic bust because, it mirrors the variation in color of the structure’s overhang. The vintage Wool 20th century Moroccan rug is from Nazmiyal. The delicate vertical stripes mirror the structures seating and stairs.

Dress It Up This Way:

This look resembles aspects of both the structure and featured home look. The black leather and wool bomber jacket with curved shoulders is by Rick Owens. The jacket’s clean lines greatly resemble the clean lines of the structure. The knee length pleated herringbone wool skirt is by Mulberry. The skirt’s pleated design, and Yves Saint Laurent  shoes resemble the structures stairs and seating. The leather Edie purse is from J. Crew. The mint colored purse and Paloma Crystal sunglasses resemble the grass.

Look 2

http://www.interiorarcade.com/

This fascinating room is designed by architect Guilherme Torres. The room is the essence of Brutalism because, it uses concrete, the furniture has angular forms and the structural materials of the building are exposed. The blue sofa has many patterned pillows on it. The patterned pillows break the clean minimalist design and give the space more color and warmth. The textured rug has a rough surface which is quite popular in Brutalist spaces. The low hanging chandelier is a smart idea because, of the high ceilings. In addition, the low hanging chandelier provides effective light which lessens the need of a table lamp. 

Create This Look In Your Home:

Whether you buy these items or ones at a cheaper cost, the key to recreating the look of this Brutalist space in your home is to bring in a gray color palette with a splash of color, concrete, and texture. Gray can be brought in through tabletops, furniture and paint. Concrete can be brought in through chairs and sculptures. Texture can be brought in through rugs, pillows, and plush materials. The 1960s jeweled crystal and Chrome pendant is by Lobmeyr and from Decorum. The pendant’s beautiful crystals resemble the chandelier used above the desk. The pendant’s clean lines and simple form resemble the overall look of the space. The 1960s ribbon chairs are from Robert Dickson and Lesley Rendall. The chairs white color and form resemble the desk chair and lamp shades. The silver frame resembles the exposed building materials. The vintage Wool 20th century Moroccan rug is from Nazmiyal. The rugs striking color add an element of surprise. In addition, the rug’s texture resembles the vast array of pillows on the sofa. 

Dress It Up This Way:

This look resembles aspects of both the space and featured home look. The outfit is from the Spring 2012 collection by Louis Vuitton. The bold blue color is in the same color family as the sofa, the gentle flowers resemble the patterns on the pillows. The white sunglasses  with gold detail are from the Spring 2012 collection by Louis Vuitton, they resemble the rug and desk chair. The white paper box-style leather clutch bag is by Maison Martin. The simple clutch and Satin Charlotte Olympia pumps mirror the overall simplicity of the space. You can add as little or as much to your space as you want. Don't follow rules, just do.

Playing It Up With Patterns

http://www.elledecor.com/decorating/articles/fine-and-dandy

This fearless 3,200 square-foot apartment is designed by Brazilian editor Fabrizio Rollo. Rollo was formerly the editor of Brazilian Vogue. Now Rollo serves as an editor to Brazil's edition of House Beautiful. (ABOVE) I love how Rollo took chances in this living space. The space has a very international flare. I am a huge fan of incorporating multiple time periods into one space. The rug designed by Rollo is one of my favorite items. (BELOW 1)  I love the screens against the window. Their patterns work beautifully with the sculptures on top of the case piece. (BELOW 2) I love the dark wall color. I love the large geometric painting that hangs in the hall. It could easily be used for a dress designed by Diane von Furstenberg. In addition, I love the blue urns on either side of the archway. (BELOW 3) This bedroom has a great Indian flare to it. Despite Rollo using many patterns in this space, each has its own voice. I would use any one of those throws on my living room sofa. (BELOW 4) I love how the color blue was used in this bedroom. The pillows and 1960s Italian light fixture are brilliant. I find the way the paintings are hung very impressive. The paintings serve as a pattern. (BELOW 5) Love the elegance of the master bathroom. It does not feel like a bathroom. Incorporating a lamp into a bathroom is a great way to take a way the bathroom feel. You can add as little or as much to your space as you want. Don't follow rules, just do.

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