Tour Cortney Novogratz’s Brazil Vacation Home Getaway
Jennifer Chen
Jennifer Chen
Jennifer Chen is a freelance writer and editor living in Los Angeles. She's written for O, The Oprah Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple, and several other publications. When she's not cooking delicious vegan meals, she's hanging out with her TV writer husband and twin girls.
Cortney and Robert Novogratz have a LOT of design work under their belt, with gorgeous properties in LA, NYC, and on HGTV’s 9 By Design. Not to mention, an Amazon storefront and a recently launched Fred Segal collab with stylish (and affordable) home accessories. So when it comes to vacationing, their gorgeous Trancoso, Brazil, home does not disappoint. Cortney recently gave us an exclusive look inside their amazing property, complete with a guest tree house, a beach hammock, and an al fresco dining room that is the ultimate dinner party gathering zone. Scroll through for some serious vacay decor envy and a few Novogratz-approved tips on how to create laid-back vibes no matter where you are.
(Photo via Ariadna Bufi)
(Photo via Ariadna Bufi)
The Novogratz family has an actual treehouse at their vacation home for visiting guests. "This closet is located in our treehouse. The treehouse was built as an add-on project a few years ago. It is our private guest house for couples or smaller families. The entire space is made of local, raw materials and was designed to be open to mimic the shape of the tree," says Cortney.
(Photo via Ariadna Bufi)
(Photo via Ariadna Bufi)
Nestled inside the treehouse is an airy bedroom, complete with a lush canopy bed and decor locally sourced to keep with the natural look. Says Cortney, "I love canopy beds. They can be sexy, draped in fabric or as a standalone frame. They can also be practical, like when you need to drape them in mosquito netting in a tropical climate to protect you from the insects. Plus, you can also personalize them by draping your canopy beds with tassels or your kid's artwork."
(Photo via Matthew Williams)
(Photo via Matthew Williams)
Whether they've taken a dip in the pool or come in from the beach, this outdoor shower is a serene retreat. "One of the best gifts you can give yourself is time alone. This outdoor shower evokes peacefulness and being one with nature. It was made with all natural materials and feels like a little sanctuary. Personal outdoor shower time is something the entire family enjoys," says Cortney.
(Photo via Matthew Williams)
(Photo via Matthew Williams)
Says Cortney, "All of the bedrooms in our home were built as intimate, private suites so the main porch and pool were designed to evoke a feeling of gathering and community. There are lounge chairs for everyone and a ping pong and pool table just inside. I love this area of our home because it brings everyone together to relax and have fun."
(Photo via Ariadna Bufi)
(Photo via Ariadna Bufi)
The dome-shaped brick oven was a special project for the Novogratz family during a longer vacation and was built with entertaining in mind. "Not only can we cook brick oven pizza on it, there are a variety of methods you can utilize to cook your food including roasting, grilling, and baking," she says. "It's become a gathering focal point of our outdoor seating and bar area."
(Photo via Matthew Williams)
(Photo via Matthew Williams)
"The main porch overlooks the pool with a beautiful ocean view in the distance," says Cortney. If you want to find her, she's often floating in this picturesque pool. "The pool is my favorite space in the house. I am known as the master floater in the family. I can float for a very long time. I can temporarily drown out all the noise and chaos when I float by keeping my ears under the water. It's my happy place."
(Photo via Catherine Hall)
(Photo via Catherine Hall)
The heart and center of the family's Trancoso home is the open-air dining room, which can seat all nine of the family or up to 20 people. The long dining table and woven chairs were made in collaboration with neighborhood artisans. "The handmade dining room table is one of my favorite pieces because it is handcarved with a raw edge. The chairs are handwoven and you can really tell the talent of the artisan because they have held up over the years," Cortney explains.
(Photo via Ariadna Bufi)
(Photo via Ariadna Bufi)
In the expansive backyard, you'll find two playful swings, which she added to bring a sense of whimsy to her vacation home's poolside views. "These swings are our design. We love the pops of color and how the blue reflects the ocean, the sky, and the color of the pool," Cortney says. "The swings are hung underneath a trellis of wood that's woven with flowers. There's nothing quite like having a good laugh with someone while swinging in the sunshine."
(Photo via Matthew Williams)
"The swimming pool is the focal point lined with natural stones locally sourced in Brazil. They are really soft on your feet and create a comforting sensation when you stand on them," she shares.
(Photo via Ariadna Bufi)
(Photo via Ariadna Bufi)
Imagine lounging in this hammock swing with a good book and the soundtrack of waves crashing. "It's our go-to beach hang out because it feels very private. I knew this would be the perfect place to hang the hammock to share with the community," Cortney explains. "The kids love to hang out in it just after sunset with a lantern light, their favorite book, and the sounds of waves crashing. It never disappoints."
(Photo via Catherine Hall)
What do you adore about the Novogratz Brazil vacation home? Let us know @BritandCo!
Jennifer Chen
Jennifer Chen is a freelance writer and editor living in Los Angeles. She's written for O, The Oprah Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple, and several other publications. When she's not cooking delicious vegan meals, she's hanging out with her TV writer husband and twin girls.