I'm doing a bit of redecorating and I needed a gallon of paint. But I wanted a color mixed for me,…read morenot just any paint color off the shelf. Most of the home depot-like stores down here offer this service in theory, but just try to find one where the machine didn't "just broke and we're waiting for someone to do service"... I went to 4 large stores: all with the same story (I think they just didn't want to be bothered). Undeterred, I came back to Mundo das Tintas (literally translated "World of Paint"). The reason I didn't come here first was because the last time I was here, I didn't have a positive experience (I specifically told them I wanted the glossiest paint they had; I didn't check the can until I left the store and it was satin finish. GRRRR!) Well, this time, they got everything right, including the price (they were the cheapest). So I guess I'd give them another chance, but I'd be careful to check my purchase before I leave the store.

Specialty shops are nothing new, but Brazil really, really likes specialty shops. This store is an…read moreexample of this. Here, they only sell doorknobs, door pulls, door hinges and door locks (really!). Having said that, it's a really good store! They have a great selection and you can find items here in stock that you can't find anywhere else. It's not very large, but it's a place I trust.