“How did he beat out his competition?”
“On the day of the presentation, master builders arrived at the unfinished cathedral with models of their designs. Many ideas were reviewed, from the concept of using sponge-stone to keep the weight down to perhaps a giant pillar in the middle to hold it up.” He looked Rose in the eye, and she practically hung on his every word.
“Well, when it was Filippo’s turn to present—he went last, of course—he described his solution, which was a dome within a dome, octagonal in shape capped by a lantern, and the whole project would be completed without the use of scaffolding. The other master builders and judges demanded to see his model, which Brunelleschi refused to give them mainly because he was worried they’d steal his idea.”
“Then what happened?” asked Rose.
“In a bold move, Filippo told the assembled group that the commission for the dome should be awarded to the artist who could make an egg stand on end, and it was only that man who had the necessary skill set for the job.”
“Can’t you just see these builders scurrying around for eggs to make their point? It must have been complete chaos!” Zoey said.
“I’m sure it was, but Filippo was ready and whacked his egg at the bottom and placed it on the table where it stood upright. Ultimately, he won the competition to construct the dome.”
“How long did it take him?”
“Sixteen years, and it’s the largest dome ever created with bricks and masonry.” Lyon checked his watch. “Let’s keep moving. We’re right on time for house number two, which Zoey is going to label for us.”
“I love the name game,” exclaimed Zoey.
Rose looked around at the bustling activity that made up the center of town and felt as if she had one foot in the past and one foot in the present. She really couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this content and excited.
The building was yellowish in color with a black door. They walked up two flights of stairs to the next showing. Lyon reached in his pocket for the keys, opening up the door to a large apartment. A faint smell of lavender filled the air as Rose took in the space. She was immediately drawn to the living room with its sloped, beamed ceiling and terra-cotta floors. The walls were a clean white and the wood was a deep rich brown. She was certain this was one of the first pictures that she had seen online a few weeks ago. The sound of keys rattling brought her attention to the task at hand.
“This apartment is 20 percent smaller than the last one but, as you can see by the terra-cotta floors and dark wood accents, very Florentine in feeling.”
“Look at the ironwork on the stair railing,” said Rose as she rubbed her hand over the fine metal craftsmanship.
“That railing is original to this space and hammered by hand several hundred years ago.”
“I love that,” said Rose, admiring the sleek, curved spinals and black finish.
Lyon guided them to the guest bathroom, which was white with bright-yellow tiles and an old shower curtain.
“This looks like an ’80’s throwback,” said Zoey as she scanned the older-looking white subway tiles, dingy faucets and faded green paint.
“Yes, it’s going to need some updating in time,” said Rose.
Lyon ushered them into a spare bedroom, which he explained could be an office or the studio that she requested. Rose thought the room was small but functional with good light. A fresh coat of paint along with removing the 1980s-looking plastic venetian blind on the window would instantly brighten the space.
This kitchen was nothing like the other place; it was small and dated, but everything was white and looked clean. Zoey opened and closed several of the cabinets, studying the space for functionality.
“You could update the countertops and appliances readily and take down this wall to open up the floor plan. It wouldn’t be too bad to modernize this room.”
Rose pondered her suggestion. “How hard is it to knock down walls in one of these old buildings?”
“The smartest thing to do would be to go through this place with a contractor and get a bid on the job. You’ll need to figure out if this is a load-bearing wall or not. Another idea would be to simply cut a large square hole in the center of the wall to open up the kitchen to this sitting room, which would also work.”
“Great idea,” said Rose. “The idea of taking down an entire wall seems overwhelming and expensive, so I like your solution. Is this furniture for sale?” asked Rose, eyeing the white sofa and coordinating armchairs. “This place is very nicely decorated.”
“It could be, but everything has a price. We could add furnishings into an offer if you’re interested. I can’t wait to show you the master suite, which has been completely renovated.”
They headed upstairs to a gorgeous open loft with beamed ceilings and a wall of built-in closet and storage space. Rose thought the room looked like something out of a magazine. The wrought iron carved headboard fit the space beautifully along with the white linen sheets with a gray velvet bench on the end. There were two tall wingback armchairs in front of an old fireplace.
“This is amazing!” said Rose.
“I love it!” exclaimed Zoey. “Where’s my room?”
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” boasted Lyon. “Come this way.”
He opened a door out to a beautiful balcony with a spectacular view of Florence.
“I could totally hang out here,” said Zoey.
“Wow.” Rose was practically speechless as she stared at the terra-cotta rooftops and national treasures; she noted the undulating rooftops and the Duomo in the distance. “Look at the Palazzo Vecchio!” she cried.
“I could see you starting your day here with a nice cup of espresso and ending it here with a glass of red wine.”
“This is incredible,” said Rose as she gazed all around her at the beauty of Florence. “I can see all of these little rooftops here.”
“This is a special place,” said Lyon, “and it’s just come on the market. So, if you’re seriously interested, then you’ll need to proceed quickly.”
Rose walked back through the bedroom, which did have an updated bathroom and more than ample closet space. There was something about this apartment that felt like home, but she just wasn’t ready to decide.
“I think I need to see other options,” said Rose. “I do love this place, but there are a fair number of updates that need to be done, and it’s a bit smaller than the first one.”
“Location, location, location,” said Zoey as she looked at the living room. “And I think you could live with that extra bath for the time being. Maybe paint it and hang some nice photographs on the walls. The kitchen is all white and will work pretty well. I like the idea of cutting a hole in the wall and making it seem like an open floor plan.”
“I’m glad you like this place, Rose,” said Lyon. “Zoey?”
“We’ll call this house number two with the Balcony View,” Zoey said, rubbing her hands together. Lyon smiled, which Rose found endearing.
“I’ve still got one more apartment to show you that I think will be a very interesting comparison. It was once owned by Machiavelli, and it’s been turned into six units. One of them has also just come available for you to see.”
“Machiavelli and not Michelangelo?” joked Zoey.
“I think all of these options will put you in Michelangelo’s backyard, so to speak,” said Lyon. “Let’s get going so you have time for sightseeing before the next one.”
“I am thrilled with the first two options so far,” said Rose. “But I love the idea of a 15th-century building!”
“Hmmm,” said Zoey. “Let’s just hope the updates are from this century. There’s no way I’d buy a place without modern conveniences.”
“Wait until you see Machiavelli’s palace. You may change your mind!”
Rose was thrilled with the Mast
er Chef loft and the Balcony View apartment. She laughed. “I love the first two options. But I’m mostly worried about not seeing you every day anymore.”
Zoey shrugged. “I think you’re going to see more of Stan and me than you imagine. Remember, I get summers off and you may just have a spare bedroom.”
“Well, we still have apartment number three to see. Let’s hope it’s got some extra space and doesn’t need too much renovation.”
“I can’t wait to learn more about Niccolo Machiavelli’s palace. In the meantime, let’s go find that Florentine market and look around.”
***
The market was bustling with activity as they wandered in and out of the aisles. Brightly colored scarves lined one stall while another contained leather wallets and purses. As they browsed through the stands, Rose paused to look at women’s leather jackets. A cool black leather bomber jacket caught her eye as she reached to check out the price. The salesman spotted her and was just about to pounce when Zoey pushed her along, suggesting they eat first. They spotted an indoor market where raw slabs of meat were hanging on industrial hooks and rows of pigs’ feet in jars filled the countertop.
“Don’t you just love how rustic this market looks! It’s like we’re back in another century. Look at those cured hams over there.”
“Those pigs’ feet are the most unappetizing things I’ve seen in a long time!”
A pastry stand was located nearby, and the familiar smell of fresh baked bread wafted through the market. “How about if we get a baguette and some good cheeses to share? We can sit over there under that tree,” offered Zoey.
“I’ll go in search of some fruit and water as well.”
“Sounds like a great plan.”
There was a slight breeze as they sat under the tree to eat and discuss Rose’s first two options.
Zoey took a plastic knife to cut into some fresh goat cheese and slathered it on a piece of warm bread. “Okay, the food here is absolutely decadent. I could have this for lunch every single day.”
Rose savored the warm fresh bread, which practically melted in her mouth. “I’m going to have to figure out how to walk all the time so I can keep eating like this and still fit in my clothes,” she joked as she unwrapped a slab of white cheese to try. “I was really surprised at how much I loved that loft. It did have most things on my wish list, but it was missing a view, which bothered me. I mean, I’d love to look out the window and see all of these glorious historical buildings. Now, that Balcony View was a little smaller but every bit as beautiful with the old beams and terra-cotta floors. It really did have a Florentine feel to it.”
“I agree,” Zoey said.
“I’m excited to see the third option. After all, Machiavelli’s apartment has the history factor that intrigues me.”
“I’m not sure he was such a great guy. Wasn’t his book The Prince criticized for teaching power and deceit in politics?”
“Hmmm. I think that was five hundred years ago and some things may never change.”
They both laughed. Rose savored her last bites of the fresh baguette. Her house hunt was both exciting and challenging as the enormity of the decision hit her.
***
Rose looked up to see Machiavelli’s statue in a large alcove, and she wondered what it would be like to call this place home. Lyon was waiting for them outside a handsome building in the heart of Santa Croce. He had removed his jacket, and Rose thought he looked far more approachable and, in fact, more ruggedly handsome if that was possible. He greeted them warmly and asked about their lunch.
“This kind of history comes at a price, so I must warn you that this apartment is over your budget by 40 percent.”
Zoey rolled her eyes, but Rose’s curiosity was aroused, so much so that she started calculating if she would ever ask her mom for some extra money.
“This one’s easy. Let’s call this third option Machiavelli’s Mansion,” said Zoey. “Or maybe I should say Machiavelli’s Over-Budget Mansion, but they certainly wouldn’t say that on the show.”
“Oh, and we must be true to the show,” joked Lyon.
“Absolutely!” said Zoey. “I’m addicted.”
Lyon opened the door to an enormous pale-yellow living room with fifteen-foot ceilings. A grand pair of immense windows looked out over a massive courtyard, letting in an abundance of light.
“The proportions of this place are great,” commented Zoey as she walked around studying the living room. “But I must say that these floors don’t look original to the house. Is that correct?”
Lyon agreed and said that it was possible to rip out the flooring and figure out what was underneath.
“These windows are fantastic. Look how much light they bring in, and the crest in the center looks original.”
“Back when this place was built, the nobility wanted large windows to display their wealth to the community. This approach was also highly impractical as it drove up the cost of heating during the winter. Nowadays, the systems have been modernized so there is no longer an issue.” He walked over to stand in front of the window. “Can’t you picture what it was like to stand from this vantage point and look out over this sweeping courtyard back then?”
Rose took a closer look at the view of the immaculately planted gardens and sighed at the beauty below. She placed her fingers over the crest and felt as if she were touching history. The glass was warm on her fingertips, and she pondered what it would be like to have this view on a daily basis. It was a heady thought, and she suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of joy on this journey. Machiavelli’s Mansion had such a historic feel, down to its wall tapestry and worn blue-velvet sofa.
Lyon led them to a small sitting room, which he thought could be used to expand the master bedroom. The room was too tiny to convert to anything. The master bedroom was small and more cramped than Rose had anticipated. The front formal rooms were designed for show, and the living quarters were tight and lacked good light. Lyon said that the master bath had been updated with a large shower and a jacuzzi-style bathtub.
“This is a beautiful bathroom!” Zoey exclaimed, running her hand over the gray marble tiles that made up the sink backsplash.
“This is well done,” agreed Rose, who decided that she wouldn’t need to do any updates in this room.
The next stop was the dining room, which featured built-in corner cabinets for entertaining. Rose marveled at the craftsmanship of the shelves designed to hold plenty of plates, glasses and red wine.
“You’re ready for your next seated dinner party for twenty guests,” said Lyon, who leaned on one of the wood chairs.
“Well,” said Rose, “I’m going to have to import family and friends to come over from the States. I’m afraid I’m really going to start a new life from scratch.”
“Don’t worry,” said Lyon. “There are loads of young professionals in this area. You’ll meet people in no time. The Florentines are welcoming. I arrived here fifteen years ago thinking I was going to stay for a year, and here I am. It’s a wonderful place to live. There’s something almost sublime about experiencing history on a daily basis.”
“But it comes at a price,” offered Zoey.
“Yes, that’s true. Rose, if you’re serious about this apartment, you may want to think about taking out a mortgage.”
“That’s really not what I wanted to do.”
“I understand, but the benefit of a place like this is the fact that it will always retain its value given the history. That’s important for you to keep in mind. I’d like to show you the last room in the house, which is the kitchen.”
Rose followed Lyon into a small dark space that was dated. The cabinets were old and worn, and the appliances had seen better days.
“This needs a complete renovation,” Rose said.
“Yes, there is lots of work to be done here to make it meet your needs. Fortunate
ly, the master bath has been remodeled and the formal rooms don’t need much work.”
Rose walked around the apartment again, taking in the size and scale of the living room and dining room areas, the kitchen and large windows with the courtyard view.
“You’ve really given me three great options, so I am going to have to ponder which one works best. I am hoping to make a decision in the next few days.”
“I understand that this is a big decision, but don’t dawdle too long. These are hot properties that will sell quickly. I’m available for questions at any time, so please don’t hesitate to call or text me with what you’re thinking.”
“Absolutely,” said Rose. “I won’t drag my feet, but I want to get it right.”
“Very good then,” said Lyon, walking them back outside. He shook both of their hands and headed on his way. “Good luck with your decision.”
Once Lyon had departed, Rose and Zoey walked side by side down the street.
“What are you thinking?” asked Zoey. “I think you should eliminate one choice and focus on the other two to make the final decision easier.”
“Good idea,” replied Rose.
“What did you think of Machiavelli’s Mansion?”
“Well, the formal rooms are simply gorgeous with their high ceilings and grand proportions. Those huge windows are breathtaking and the family crest in the stained glass was like touching history.”
“I agree, but the floors were not original.”
“Yes, I didn’t like that speckled faux marble or whatever that was they used in the ’60s. It would be expensive to redo them.”
“You could create a large master suite by using that small room, but there was no place to put a studio or have guests unless you put an inflatable mattress in the living room.”
Sunrise in Florence Page 4