Maria Lago sobre o lugar da sua Patuá, em Preciosa, entre arte, memória e o sagrado
I would never define myself as minimalist. I am closer to contemporary baroque than to homes inspired by Scandinavian aesthetic purity. A modern and tropical baroque, because after all I am Brazilian, and in this home Brazil is seen, felt and smelled in every part.
When I moved from New York to Madrid in 2020, I sought a space that I could transform not only into a home, but into a temple of beauty and memory, where art and design coexist in harmony with History. I found a spacious old apartment, beautifully renovated in the center of the city, that met this demand with its original period features and abundant natural light. Here, inherited objects mix with memories of travels through diverse cultures, eccentricities, many books, gifts from artist friends and a shoe collection I don't have the courage to show. Each object has a meaning, a life of its own and a story to tell, and together, in varied colors, textures and shapes, they form a certain accumulation that works as a whole.Upon receiving my Patuá Bowl, an exclusive piece by OMAMA made in solid Preciosa wood, my eyes lit up at the shape, the color, the texture, the scent and the aesthetic excellence. The scent, in fact, surprises: a discreet note of cinnamon and clove, characteristic of this wood. I couldn't say whether the piece is a multiple of art or of design, but, to me, arriving at this form requires great art and sensibility to listen to and feel the material. I have always loved natural materials like wood and leather, and, growing up in Brazil, we developed this knowledge and taste by being organically immersed in nature. The relationship between nature and the sacred is given to us from childhood.
My Patuá found its place on the vintage glass coffee table with an acrylic base from the 70s, alongside a work in wood by the French-Argentine artist Claire Santa Coloma and another by the Brazilian artist Ivan Grilo. On that same table there is a kind of altar with works in wood from the interior of Bahia, created by different artists and artisans, representing some Orixás. The name Preciosa, incidentally, is not by chance: the bark of this tree was, for centuries, one of the most valuable materials of the Amazon, and the piece seems to carry that memory in the way it settled among my objects of affection. The Preciosa has won a place on my altar-table, further elevating the beauty and the sacredness of this corner of the house.
By Maria LagoArtist book editor. Founder of FAMILIA EDITIONS
Three years passed between the idea and the chaos of an opening night.
Farrapo, a bohemian restaurant in downtown Manaus, was born slowly. It took shape over time through the digital adventures of its founders on an Instagram channel dedicated to food and humor. It gained momentum through the pop-up events the group organized in bars and restaurants across the city; became a familiar name between drinks and laughter during late-night after-hours gatherings; and finally found its home in this almost-corner building at 147 Costa Azevedo Street, a place that might have gone unnoticed if not for the ghost planted on the veranda.
The idea was clear, though hardly new: local ingredients treated with techniques from around the world. The Amazon as a starting point, not a destination. Less Raízes Caboclas, more Kurt Sutil.
The setting drew inspiration from the ruins of Paricatuba: a building under the constant threat of being reclaimed by the wild. The menu, however, followed the opposite path: cilantro in the Thermomix.
On opening day, May 2, 2025, guests were already arriving while the menu was still being printed on a table in the corner. Then the entire street lost power when a transformer exploded. Two hours in the dark.
Forget the mobile POS software and find that pencil buried in a backpack. No electric fryer? Use a pot on the burner instead. And the bartender’s shaker had absolutely nothing to do with any of it.
The only truly unavoidable problem of the night was the heat. There was no way around it: the dining room spilled out onto the street. Few people left for good; most stayed around, enjoying a few bites, a few drinks, and the timeless art of casual conversation.
When the lights finally came back on, the house celebrated with a complimentary round for all the survivors.
Since that night, Farrapo has continued carving out its place during a period of renewed interest in the bohemian roots of downtown Manaus, just steps away from one of the city's greatest icons, the Amazon Theatre, and the surrounding Largo de São Sebastião.
In a short time, it earned the title of Best Bar in Northern Brazil from Prazeres da Mesa magazine, hosted events featuring some of the region’s leading chefs and mixologists, and, in less than a year, has already launched its third menu, always experimenting and creating new experiences.
“But what about the ghost planted on the veranda?” you might ask.
I'll return the question to you, dear reader:And what about the ghost planted on the veranda?
Daniel Valentim MansurOfficial house taster
If stories like this resonate with you the way they resonate with us, it may be worth staying close.It is from the Amazon—and everything that grows from it—that we continue creating at OMAMA.
When living takes root and trends become heritage.
Respected in the market for over 30 years, Herança Cultural Gallery is regarded as one of Brazil’s foremost destinations for high-end design, built around iconic pieces of Brazilian modernism.
An extensive vintage collection featuring works by renowned names such as Sergio Rodrigues, Geraldo de Barros, and Lina Bo Bardi, alongside leading contemporary design brands, makes this space an invitation to explore the history of Brazilian authorial craftsmanship. A true legacy, passed down from generation to generation.
This was the starting point that brought together OMAMA and HERANÇA CULTURAL: a shared belief in the value of time as the most meaningful form of exchange.
We opened the 2026 calendar with this partnership. A capsule collection featuring two exclusive lines created for the gallery, Eixo and Buriti, developed using five species of Amazonian hardwoods.
The raw material, like all OMAMA products, is treated with the utmost respect and care by master artisans from the local community of Manaus, the result of meticulous sustainable forest management practices.
The product’s long life cycle also plays a central role in this sustainable chain. An authentic home does not follow fleeting trends. Instead, it stands the test of time without losing its originality.
Recognizing the strength of this ecosystem, major fashion and design brands have increasingly invested in the tableware and decorative accessories market. Prestigious maisons such as Dior, Gucci, Hermès, and the Brazilian brand Trousseau have embraced the table as an important category for creative expression and growth.
These are pieces that move beyond the ordinary and achieve collectible status, combining noble materials, original design, and limited-edition production.
The art of creating warm, welcoming atmospheres that bring nature indoors strengthens family bonds, builds lasting memories, and serves countless purposes shaped by emotion and everyday living. Style, refined taste, and heirloom value. Most importantly, all of this is made possible while keeping the forest standing.
Discover more at herancacultural.com and omama.design
Ricardo GaiosoCurator and creative director of design