When I first picked up Bold and Bright by Maira Serra Teixeira I wasn’t sure what to expect. At a first flick through, I was intrigued by the images of homes that looked outwards towards the forests, mountains and beaches of Brazil. And then when I delved deeper – reading about the owners and architects who orchestrated these colourful interiors – I was completely hooked.

Interior inspiration from the city

The book is divided into three main chapters covering homes in the city, country and by the beach. In the city, apartments perch above the trees or nestle in an urban jungle. In the country, mountain views draw the eye at every opportunity. And the beach homes make you want to get on a plane straight away. Everywhere there is green.

Interior inspiration in the country

But it’s the interiors that totally captivate. As yet relatively undiscovered, Brazilian homes have a sophistication and confidence that really do lift the spirits and appeal to the eye. The homes featured in this book display an abundance of personality, and the exuberant use of colour is truly life enhancing. There’s a generous amount of pages devoted to each home so that you really get to know the occupants and their lives. Something that always appeals to me. I like to imagine what it’s like to live in a space and to move from room-to-room. The designer in me always want to know how a space is used.

Interior inspiration by the beach

Style-wise there’s a generous dash of modernity and mid-century chic – testament to the architecture and design that erupted from the new space-age capital Brasilia in the 1950’s and 60’s. There’s also sleek contemporary glamour combined with natural, rustic materials that are in such generous supply on the South American continent. Imagine rough-hewn stone, exotic dark woods, jungle greenery and sleek contemporary furniture. There you have Bold and Bright style.

Bold and Bright by Maíra S Teixeira, is published by Ryland Peters & Small.

Available from Amazon

Photography by Maíra Acayaba © Ryland Peters & Small.

Footnote: My heart goes out to the friends and families of the Brazilian football team tragically killed this week.