Alberto Pinto’s Retreat in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In the interior design world Alberto Pinto has reached the same status as Dolce & Gabbana or Prada in the fashion industry: that of an unreachable icon, a guru, to whom the only rules that apply are his own. The opulence and elegance that ooze from his designs may not necessarily be to everybody’s taste yet one cannot overlook his superb attention to detail visible throughout, from inception all the way to delivery of the end result.

Often referred to as an inescapable actor of interior design, Pinto draws upon diversily rich cultural influeces that shaped his childhood, being born in Argentina to parents of Italian and French decent and having travelled extensively with a photography agency he established in New York until settling down in fabulously stylish Paris. In his work he seeks challenges that would intimidate even the most veteran professionals and doesn’t limit himself to one particular style. Quite on the contrary, he continues to blend “genders from more than baroque to less than bare” exhibiting passion for beauty, perfection and refinement – a quality that helped to elevate the status of his work to ‘haute interior design’.

Having designed numbers of villas, mansions, hotels, corporate spaces, and even yachts and jets, for industrialist, bankers, businessmen and royalty all over the world, working on a holiday retreat on a famous Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro must seem like a pleasant, recreational way to spend his pastime. But it is impossible not to notice how much thought, precision and hard work went into creating this space that becomes a marvelous homage to anthropology and the vigorous, zesty culture of Brazil. The dining room panels made from hundreds of farmed butterly wings so as to resemble feather capes of the native Tupinambá people is just an example of how meticulously Pinto plans and manages each phase of the design process.

The main living area with strong African and Amerindian influences. To keep this space bright and airy the staircase framed in polished chrome is kept in minimalist style nad seems ‘barely there’. The sofa was designed by Pinto himself, while the dark-wood chars are by William Haines. A large Nancy Graves painting completes the cool, Latin look.

The second luxurious seating area features sofa by Antonio Pinto covered with leopard-fur cushions, chairs by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and a statement Marc Quinn painting.

The view on the Atlantic Ocean is overwhelming and draws one’s full attention to the outdoors. Part of the decor is this gorgeous table by Marcel Coard that holds smaller decorative pieces.

A trio of bronze heads by Jacques Darbaud is placed upon a beautifully designed chest of drawers. A Sam Francis painting provides a modern element.

The animal motif prevails in the dining room in the form of cheetah-spotted chair cushions. The wall panels are made of thousands of butterfly wings.

The bar features Chinese figurines and a Marcos Coelho Benjamin work.

The TV area features Indian cushions and a unique mirror by Hubert le Gall.

The decor in the hall consists of ebonised bookcases and Thai deer-shaped candleholders.

The master bedroom has an exclusive feel with a mainly black and white colour scheme.

Office area.

A stunning custom made vanity consitutes the centerpiece of the master bath.

The dressing room is lined with bleached-mahogany cabinets.

In this guestroom Pinto combined a Baroque red-lacquer secretary, a modern striking headboard and a vibrant suzani bedspread.

The second guestroom features more subdued beige-and-blue tones.

The wall hanging in this guestroom was hand-woven in Central America in the 1970s.

*Source: Architectural Digest