“The sea will grant each man new hope, the sleep brings dreams of home.” – Christopher Columbus
In times when so many lose their homes to nature’s fury, the se words from Columbus resonate with particular poignancy. What is a home, after all, but a shelter for our dreams, our memories, our sense of belonging? While some places bear witness to nature’s unpredictable force, others seem to exist in an almost mystical covenant with their environment – where sea, sky, and shore dance in eternal harmony. This is such a story
Natural Paradise: Where azure waters meet protected shores
On a sun-drenched morning along the Estrada do Coco (Coconut Road), the warm Bahian breeze carried whispers of possibility. “Pode deixar comigo,” (Leave it up to me) Lygia said softly, holding my arm as we made our way to Praia do Forte. Following the same route where Portuguese caravels under Pedro Alvares Cabral first dropped anchor on April 22, 1500, we traced the exuberant coastline toward destiny.
Legacy of Time: Indian coconut palms creating natural paradise
Forty-eight kilometers along this historic shore brought us to Arembepe, South America’s bohemian paradise. This enchanted spot, nestled between beach, rivers, and lagoons, once drew the likes of Mick Jagger, Roman Polanski, and Janis Joplin, along with Brazil’s own Tropicalists – Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, and Gal Costa. In 1980, visionary developer Klaus Peters, son of a successful Hamburg entrepreneur from Manaus, protected this former fishing village from unchecked development by acquiring 30,000 hectares. His eco-initiative created a sanctuary behind the historic Garcia D’Avila Castle, from which Praia do Forte draws its name.
Nature’s Mirror: Where architecture embraces landscape
Stepping out of the car, feeling the warm sea breeze caress my face, I knew. Here was a blank canvas of unprecedented possibility. With carte blanche to create, on collaborating with Brazilian architect Sig Bergamin to build this house from the ground up, I envisioned bringing the essence of Jaipur – a city that had captured my heart during my extensive travels through Rajasthan – to Bahia. The proposal of such a bold cross-cultural dialogue, where ocean and climate shape everything we build, both intrigued and gave him pause. But I had seen something similar before in Goa, where Portuguese colonial architecture meets Indian craftsmanship in an organic dialogue that has lasted centuries. I saw not contradiction but opportunity.
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living Jaipur -Praia do Forte living Design and visualization @ studio.joellemagazine.com
Here, where the Atlantic whispers to pristine shores, I envisioned a home where two worlds would merge seamlessly – Bahia’s untamed spirit dancing with India’s ancestral artistry. The design would honor both cultures: exquisite Syrian mirrors, their mother-of-pearl surfaces catching light like moonlit waves, would reflect Brazil’s golden sunlight across white-washed walls. Moorish arches, precisely positioned to frame the endless ocean views, would echo the graceful curves of coconut palms swaying in the breeze. Every element was chosen to create not just a house, but a living meditation on cultural harmony – a masterpiece of fusion born where sea meets shore.
Elegant living room featuring white sofas, arched windows with wooden frames, panoramic palm tree views through floor-to-ceiling Moorish-style openings | Design and Visualization: Studio.joellemagazine.com
A Symphony of Light and Air
The architecture reveals itself through masterful consideration of natural elements. Positioned diagonally on the land, the house harnesses the prevailing winds – a design choice that eliminates the need for air conditioning. Tall Moorish-inspired doorways and soaring ceilings create natural ventilation channels, allowing sea breezes to flow freely through the spaces. Perhaps the most inspired feature is the sweeping upper-floor veranda, where ornate iron railings frame endless ocean views. This long, graceful terrace connects all bedrooms, becoming more than just a passageway – it’s where family life naturally unfolds. Children run from room to room, parents sip morning coffee while watching the sunrise, and everyone gathers for sunset conversations as palm fronds dance in the evening breeze.
A Taste of Paradise: Dinaura’s Culinary AlchemyThroughout the house, colonial-style dark wood furniture creates striking contrasts against the white walls, while natural fiber elements – woven cane chairs, sisal rugs, and rough-textured linens – add layers of organic simplicity. The three bedrooms, with their soaring cathedral ceilings and strategically placed furniture, embody the essence of tropical living. Here, less becomes more – carefully chosen pieces allow the ocean breezes to circulate freely, while white linens and minimal decor maintain the sense of perpetual freshness.
Colonial Elegance: Where dark wood meets tropical light. Dining Room Den Design and visualization Studio.joellemagazine.com
Every detail serves both beauty and purpose: pristine white walls reflect the intense tropical light while keeping interiors cool, while the infinity pool’s dark tiles create an illusion of infinite depth, mirroring the deep blues of the Atlantic beyond. Masterfully crafted Murano chandeliers, their crystalline forms catching and scattering light, add notes of refined craftsmanship to the airy spaces, their delicate details counterbalancing the bold architectural gestures.
Elegant dining room featuring colonial-style dark wood cabinets, woven cane chairs, and Murano chandelier framed by palm-fringed ocean view Main Dining Room Design and Visualization @ Studio.joellemagazine.com
Dawn’s Sacred Visitor: A Sign of Fortune
After months of careful creation, with the last treasures perfectly placed and the house beginning to breathe with its own life, like every morning at dawn, I opened the heavy library doors to let the ocean breeze sweep through. The patio, still cloaked in early morning shadows, beckoned for my daily ritual. As I unfurled my yoga mat beneath the swaying palms, something caught my eye through the gentle morning mist – I gasped. There, where sea meets sand, a turtle was making her slow, majestic journey into the first waves of the day. My heart quickened. Following an instinct I couldn’t explain, I turned toward the library steps.
Nature’s Blessing: Sea turtles at TAMAR Project symbolize the property’s harmony with its environmen.
And there they were – thirty-six perfectly laid eggs, still glistening with morning dew. She had chosen us. During the night, while the house slept peacefully, she had entrusted her most precious gift to our threshold. I felt she was exhausted from her night’s labor, yet determined as she made her way back to the sea. As previously instructed for such precious moments in this IBAMA-protected paradise, we called the TAMAR Project.
Nature’s Blessing: Newly hatched sea turtles making their way to the ocean
“Bom dia, senhora! What a blessing we have here!” the TAMAR worker exclaimed, wiping sweat from his brow as he carefully approached the eggs. “In all my years, rarely have I seen them choose house steps. The old fishermen say it’s a powerful sign – where turtles nest, prosperity follows. My grandmother always told me these ancient creatures know exactly where to leave their babies.” He paused, adjusting his well-worn cap. “Around here, we say a house chosen by sea turtles will never lack abundance.”
Nature’s Blessing: Newly hatched sea turtles making their way to the ocean Image courtesy : Projeto Tamar
A Taste of Paradise: Dinaura’s Culinary Alchemy
In the heart of this cultural fusion, another kind of magic was unfolding. During my stays, the kitchen became a laboratory of cultural alchemy. When Dinaura, an extraordinary cook, learned about kosher dietary traditions, she graciously adapted her Bahian recipes to accommodate these ancient customs. In a place where seafood and African influences reign supreme, she transformed these guidelines into an opportunity for creativity.
Each morning began like a carefully choreographed dance. At dawn, while the house still slept, large glass jugs filled with freshly squeezed maracuja, mamão, and fruta do caju juices (passion fruit, papaya, and cashew) would appear on the den’s counter, alongside bubbling hot coffee in thermal carafes. The aroma would drift up to the bedrooms, gently waking everyone to another day in paradise.
But it was Dinaura’s Biju de Tapioca that became legendary – delicate manioc flour pancakes filled with fresh coconut shavings and coalho cheese, appearing as if by magic, one after another, perfectly timed for each person as they wandered down for breakfast. Served on large green ceramic plates from Portugal shaped like leaves, these morning delicacies set the tone for the day ahead.
Property Overview:
- 7 luxurious suites
- 1,074 m² of constructed area
- 5,174 m² of private beachfront land
- Protected IBAMA sanctuary location
- Proximity to TAMAR Project
- Historical architectural features
This extraordinary property awaits its next steward. For private viewing inquiries, please contact joelle@joellemagazine.com
Other Specialized Services
- Interior Design Consultation: Professional guidance on incorporating historic pieces into contemporary spaces. Contact: studio@joellemagazine.com
- Luxury Travel & Experiences: Full-service travel planning including exclusive listings luxury hotel bookings, museum tours, fine dining reservations, and personalized cultural experiences along the historic mother-of-pearl routes from Damascus to Istanbul. Our travel team arranges every detail of your journey, from private transportation to expert guides and insider experiences. Contact: joelle.maslatonoster@fora.travel
These stories are excerpted from “Trees of Israel,” a forthcoming book that captures the magic of cultural fusion, unexpected destinations, and the profound connections we forge with places that choose us as much as we choose them.
Dinaura’s Domain: Where tradition meets innovation