After their two daughters got married, businesswoman Elisa Vianna and engineer Maurício Souza decided to start a new chapter. They left the old family apartment to invest in a more airy property with a light atmosphere. They found the ideal place in a
penthouse in Barra da Tijuca, west zone of Rio de Janeiro, with
260 m². To give shape to their new desires, they invited architect
Natália Lemos – from the
CASACOR Rio de Janeiro team – who led a comprehensive renovation.
(Fotos: Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio | Produção: Andrea Brito Velho/Divulgação)
"From the beginning, the proposal was to create a modest, welcoming home that reflected the beach atmosphere of Rio," explains Natália.
The solution was bold: to build a second floor to house the social area, with gourmet space and leisure – a fundamental
for a couple that loves to entertain friends and family – in addition to a guest suite, which serves as a base for the daughter who currently lives in the United States when she visits her parents. The other daughter stays in the same city. On the first floor, where the couple spends most of the time, are the more intimate , like the master suite and a room reserved for the grandchildren. The intervention increased the total area to 400 m². (Fotos: Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio | Produção: Andrea Brito Velho/Divulgação)
The architect relied on
natural materials to convey the rusticity desired by the homeowners. One of the main elements is the
light Sparta stone, which covers the wall of the
living room and appears sporadically in other rooms. The project also values textures and finishes:
the cabinetry was made of natural oak, the ceiling received a burnt cement application, and the flooring varies according to the floors – on the lower floor, the flooring is of solid tauari; on the upper floor, the chosen covering was a porcelain tile in a sand tone resembling stone. The play of natural light plays a fundamental role in the
, creating striking scenes – such as in the balcony, where sunlight crosses the eucalyptus biriba slats of the pergolas and draws geometric shadows on the floor. (Fotos: Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio | Produção: Andrea Brito Velho/Divulgação)
Following this more organic and welcoming language, the decoration reinforces the connection with natural materials, especially through the expressive use of wood. Contemporary design furniture occupies a prominent place, such as the Quadra coffee table, by Bruno Faucz; the modular sofa Yar, by Roberto Cimino and Nelson Amorim; the ebonized Waves stools, by Folio Design; the Balanço dining table, by Traço Design; the Hara chairs, by Patricia Anastassiadis; and the Meshmatics pendant, signed by Rick Tegelaar for Moooi. These pieces coexist harmoniously with vintage items sourced from antique shops, including the emblematic Mole armchair, by Sergio Rodrigues, and chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro. "We wanted the to have personality and liveliness, far from showroom aesthetics," comments Natália. She also highlights Elisa's active participation in the process of selecting furniture and making layout decisions, which prioritized integration between the social spaces. (Fotos: Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio | Produção: Andrea Brito Velho/Divulgação)
Today, the penthouse, which features exuberant tropical landscaping designed by Horto Girassol, is a true refuge. Elisa enjoys small daily rituals, such as having breakfast in the living room, contemplating the view through the door that opens to the balcony. "I like to play some calming music and just stay there, enjoying the nature around. It’s a moment just for me," she says. 
