After a topsy-turvy week, who could use a mental vacation? How about we head down to Brazil and hang out with Anderson Cooper in his gorgeous pied–à–terre for the day? Anderson and partner Ben Maisani’s villa in Trancoso is featured on the August cover of Architectural Digest. At first I was daydreaming with the photos but then I read his descriptions and the place sounds so tranquil, I have been lost in the editorial every since. You can read the whole depictive article here but below are a few quotes:
On arriving in Trancoso after a 14 hour trek from New York: “I put my bags down in the bungalow where we were staying, I walked out onto the porch overlooking the Quadrado, the town square, and I just watched for a couple of hours. In the late afternoon, the kids started playing soccer, the horsemen began to return from the fields, and the lights came on in the little fishermen’s cottages. It’s hard to explain the attraction, but I just sat there, spellbound.”
On choosing to live near the city’s center rather than the beach: “Most people want homes on the beach, but you can find beautiful beaches all over the world. The Quadrado is what makes this place so singularly compelling. I had to be there.”
On the property’s design: “I didn’t want the place to look fancier than the other buildings in town. I’m not a big beachgoer, as you can probably tell from my pale skin, so I really enjoy moving from spot to spot on my property.”
On not going to Trancoso enough: “I don’t get down there as often as I’d like. In my New York office, though, I keep a picture of the Quadrado, which I find very meditative and calming. Just knowing that my house exists makes me happy.”
It makes sense to me that Anderson was drawn to the Quadrado as opposed to the beach and not just because of his pale skin. Town squares tend to be more unique than their beaches because that is where you see how the city lives. I love a beautiful beach but when I connect with a city, it is because of the pulse of its center not its ocean.
One of my prior careers was a meetings and conventions planner. I visited some incredible locations during that time. A few of them affected me the way Anderson feels about Trancoso. I also have pictures taken from some special spots and when I need to clear my mind, I stare at those pictures and whisk myself away mentally. You can see the slideshow of the home and its grounds on Architectural Digest’s site. Be forewarned, however, you will not want to return to work after you view them. Enjoy.
Anderson got a new puppy! Her name is Lilly and she is precious.
These are not Anderson and Ben’s pups, these belong to a neighbor but they, too, are precious
Photo credit: Simon Upton/Architectural Digest, Instagram and Fame/Flynet Photos
Andy +puppy+Trancoso= 😍
The pic of Anderson and his pup melts my heart. 😍
Dangit!, ACoop is living IT!
I stare in awe and seethe in jealousy.
Wow, though since it’s Brazil, it’s going to mean hot & humid. Still, what a great escape.
I want to go to there.
Damnit. Now I want a puppy.
I hope they are being smart about using DEET. Brazil is home to the Zika virus, and there is so much we still don’t understand about it.
The place looks beautiful, but personally, I would have to have a place by the beach. Nothing spells tranquility more for me, than a view of the ocean. Which I am blessed to have at my home.
I’m brazilian yet I never understood the appeal of Bahia, everytime I go to the nothern states I never have a really good experience.
I wish more international tourists would see that they are beautiful places in southern brazil that nobody thinks to visit.
Although i guess I’m just a proud southern brazilian through and through lol
It’s about personal preference. I have been to places that I clicked immediately and others that a lot of people love that I haven’t fallen in love.
How very Southern Brazilian of you, to lift you region you need to put it down the Northern region. Typical Southern behavior…
I’m impressed that it has a rustic, (luxury) cabin feel. Different from the identikit white elephant mansions one usually sees.
But the Architectural Digest website? So tacky. So many video ads, sliding ads, pop-ups mid slideshow. They would make more money off fewer ads if people could stand to remain on their messy, cluttered website for more than a minute.
Sorry to be negative, but the NYT just had an article saying Brazil has a terrible problem with violence against gay people, despite its freewheeling image. It is not a safe place to be gay.
Nikki, I read the article and what is happening there is very unfortunate. As a Brazilian, I can assure Brazilians have become more tolerant and respectful of the sexual orientation of others. I have lived in US for many years now and whenever I visit my family, I am surprised as how respectful and tolerant our population have become in that regard. However, the ones who haven’t find ways to promote hate and discrimination. Unfortunately, we have intolerant, ignorant and awful people everywhere. *Sigh*
I am sorry to hear of the passing of his Molly, about whom I’d heard him coo. I am happy to hear of the arrival of sweet Miss Lilly.
Uuuhh, I love Anderson. He is great. And I totally want to stay some time at his beautiful vacation home. Love it, too.