SINGAPORE — The Rio Olympics will get under way in less than a month, and Brazilian influences have found their way into creative outlets — from fashion to furniture. Singapore-based furniture company Akar de Nissim, started by the husband-and-wife team of Richard Le Sand and Marianne Fabre, has taken Brazilian pop culture and design influences and worked them into their latest collection.

“We draw a lot of our inspiration from Brazilian architecture — Marcio Kogan, Oscar Niemeyer, Arthur Casas and Brazilian designers such as Jorge Zalszupin, Sergio Rodrigues, Carlos Motta,” shared Fabre who is of French and Argentine descent.

Naturally, she is delighted that South America is in the spotlight. “I’m probably not the most objective person when it comes to South America — I recommend going to Brazil, Chile and Argentina together. They are all different and very unique. The variety and natural beauty of the landscape is worth three different trips,” said Fabre, herself an avid traveller who used to be in the hospitality industry. “South Americans are very friendly and warm people too!”

Q: How do you think your lust for travel has inspired the pieces for Akar de Nissim?

A: Travel is certainly the best source of inspiration. I keep my eyes open to everything surrounding me during my journeys to catch these inspiring elements, whether it’s antiques, artefacts in museums, or clothes and ornaments seen in the streets, even fragrances or colours ...

Q: Could you tell us about your favourite spots in Brazil?

A: I used to travel to Brazil twice a year from 1995 to 2008. Since I moved to Singapore, I have not had the chance to go back. I could not forget the legendary Ipanema beach. (I) climbed the Corcovado and visited the MAC (Museu de Arte Contemporanea de Niteroi) which is an incredible spaceship building overlooking the sea and designed by Oscar Niemeyer. There are also spots such as the Garota de Ipanema (a famous bar, where the song The Girl from Ipanema was born) and the Sugarloaf Mountain. Outside Rio, I took road trips to Petropolis through deep green mountains and Armacao dos Buzios known as the Brazilian Saint Tropez.

Q: Being from the hospitality industry, what do you think makes a hotel a stand out and do you have a favourite hotel?

A: What differentiates one hotel from another is undoubtedly the quality of service, and the best service I’ve ever experienced was at the Hotel Fasano in Sao Paulo. When a client first stays at the Fasano, the staff writes down everything about the habits of the client so if he returns, the team will know if he uses the laundry, how he likes his coffee and what he has for breakfast. It’s just unbelievable.

Q: So are you a fussy hotel guest?

A: I’m not a very demanding guest. I like to have a reasonably-sized bathroom with good lighting, a super comfortable bed and pillows, and, of course, great service. Breakfast is also important to me. SERENE LIM