By George Powell, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – With an estimated 60,000 people expected to visit the Casa Cor expo this year, the exhibition has become the most important event in Rio’s interior design calendar. Running since 1991, the 2013 edition brings together 47 teams of designers, architects and landscape artists to showcase the latest decorating trends and styles taking the industry by storm from October 10th to November 18th.
Whether its R$60,000 chandeliers or outdoor balcony bath tubs and some of the biggest televisions you will ever lay eyes on, don’t expect to find many bargains here – this is a showcase of all things luxurious. Perhaps fittingly, the 2013 show ignores the city’s neglected mansions of previous editions and is instead hosted across two upmarket apartment buildings in Barra da Tijuca‘s Peninsula condominium, on the appropriately named Avenida dos Flamboyants.
As is always the case, however, the designers have been given free reign in their allocated space, be it a rooftop terrace, lounge, bathroom, bedroom, balcony or study. They simply decide who it is they are designing for – from a young executive to a family or even an elderly couple – and let their creativity flow.
Fortunately for those purring over the shiny fixtures and fittings, everything on show at Casa Cor, from the picture frames to the sumptuous sofas, is for sale at the close of the event. Even the music playing in each space is carefully selected to create the perfect mood for the environment concerned.
Patricia Quentel from the organizing committee of Casa Cor Rio told The Rio Times; “At the end of the day, Casa Cor is a business and the people who come here buy things. Our 800 staff built everything, apart from the main apartment blocks, from scratch, including the cafés and restaurants.”
Entrance to the showrooms costs R$40 during the week and R$45 at weekends, beginning with a short golf-buggy drive through the FontVielle condominium. Guests are then ushered through the maze of rooms by smiling hostesses before passing through the ‘boulevard’, which features gardens, shops, bars, restaurants and cafés.
Patricia Quentel thinks that Cariocas have their own particular style when it comes to interior design and believes Casa Cor has played an important role in the shaping of Carioca tastes.
“Brazilians and gringos have different styles when it comes to decorating their homes. Europeans, for example, tend to include parts of their history in their interior design, whether that’s something they inherited from a great, great grandparent or a reference to their ancient past, it’s reflected in their homes. Cariocas have developed their own style over the last couple of decades and that is reflected here at Casa Cor Rio.”
Whether Brazilian or not, what is clear is that for lovers of interior design, or anyone searching for a touch of inspiration for their own home, Casa Cor is something of a must-see event. The country has a strong history of furniture design and architecture, and this is the place to unearth the stars of tomorrow.
What: Casa Cor Rio 2013
Where: Peninsula, Avenida dos Flamboyants, Barra da Tijuca
When: October 10th-November 18th, Tue-Sat Noon-9PM, Sun 11am-8pm
Entrance: R$40-R$45