My friends and I stayed at Paloma's wonderful Santa Teresa apartment for a week during Carnaval. It is a great space - on the top floor of a colonial house in the traditional style of the neighborhood with a lovely balcony and hammock overlooking the main street of Santa but just far enough away to escape noise. Apartment looks just like in the photos, very colorful and comfortable.
I have spent many months in Rio over three visits and I wholeheartedly recommend staying in Santa Teresa over any other neighborhood. It has an artsy/bohemian vibe that is somehow immune to infiltration from the 'globalization of aesthetic' that makes hipster coffee shops look identical in Brooklyn, Kreutzberg or Palermo. Santa is uniquely down-to-earth. Apartment is around the corner from the best Acai and Pao de Queijo place in all of Rio so get ready for amazing breakfasts. Quick walk down the hill to Lapa for nightlife and Gloria for the metro to the beaches.
Paloma was quick to respond and kindly organized multiple check in times for our group. Valeu Paloma! A gente já quer voltar o ano que vem!