A Few New Updates (#250)
This morning we went over to the apartment. We made sure to go early since there's no electricity or lighting at the moment. Many of the rooms look the same, aside from the pile of old doors and materials that have now been cleared. The biggest change by far was the terrace.
Then we stepped through the "window" onto the terrace. The door on the right will become the master bedroom window, and the door on the left will be the master bathroom window. You can also see the outline where the new terrace door into the master bedroom will go.
A floor will be added to the open space in the center, and then an elevator will be installed against the far wall. Unfortunately, we won't get to keep the entire space--the Fine Arts Commission is limiting the total square footage--so we'll have to wait and see what the final terrace layout becomes. I did include the rendering of the terrace, the walls of the elevator won't be see-through, we nixed that pretty quick.
Back in Massa, I noticed the big gingko behind the Duomo had started to turn. Here's a shot from then--likely it will be fully gold in a day or two.
Back in town and on our way to the organ museum for piano practice, we found the Christmas committee setting up Santa's Village. We made sure to give the ladies some encouragement--they're doing a great job.
We were hoping to get up to one of our favorite sunset spots, but we arrived a bit too late. Still pretty, though.
After about an hour of practice, Dr. Ronzoni showed us his new restoration project. He has all the pieces removed--he'll clean, refurbish, and reassemble everything good as new.
Ci vediamo tra una manciata di giorni.
From the guest bedroom, you can see the progression: what it looked like last spring, what it looks like now...and the rendering of what it will someday become. Notice that the old bathroom is completely gone--you can now see straight through to the terrace.
Guest bedroom Spring 2025
Guest Bedroom Winter 2025 (minus the terrace bathroom)
Guest bedroom rendering
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they've been able to save many tiles. Our original plan was to repurpose whatever survived into a medallion or faux rug in the foyer. So...we may be moving on to plan B.
Tile demolition
Below is the view looking out through the former bathroom door--soon to be a window--looking out on the terrace. The thickness of the walls is wild. Not totally sure how they're going to execute a new window here.
Looking out the future guest bedroom window
Terrace Winter 2025
Terrace Winter 2025
Terrace Rendering
When you cross the span and step into the master bedroom, then turn back toward the terrace, you can see what the view of the Duomo will be from the master window. The section of the terrace directly between these two windows will be removed, but we'll still have a lovely view.
View of the Duomo from one of the Master Windows
And that concludes the apartment update. Honestly, we weren't expecting much progress inside, since they're racing to finish the exterior before the three-month scaffolding deadline. But it was nice to see both terrace bathrooms completely demolished.
Next stop: Follonica, to use our four €5 coupons before they expired today. Ira thought we'd find a better selection of high-ticket items in the larger Coop, since you must spend €30 per coupon. In the end, we bought a few boozy gifts and...panettone! Probably silly to buy one now, considering we'll be in Milan next week, but if we keep it sealed it'll be fine. Anyone care to weigh in on how long a Panettone lasts if it's sealed?
Pile o' Panettone
Gingko in Fall Color
After unpacking groceries, we headed out for a walk. I wanted to see if we could find our way back to the Airbnb we toured with Enrico the other day. Enrico was our host in January and February 2024 when we stayed at Palazzo Malfatti. Here's the post from the first day we arrived in Massa. We're supposed to be hosting three bonsai ceramicists in March, so we needed a place where they could stay and work. Thanks to Melissa's help, we think this spot will be perfect.
I remembered Enrico pointing out a walkway down to the lower part of Massa as we drove by. I managed to find the path, and then we worked backward until we discovered a sneaky way to get to it--right under the roadway.
Under the road bypass
The walkway continued in the general direction of the Airbnb. We walked until we came across these picnic tables--with a pretty great view.
Newly discovered walkway
Picnic Table with a View
While wandering, we came across Tim and Izabella's house. We knew it was somewhere around here but didn't know exactly where. Kind of fun to stumble upon it by accident. Eventually, we made it to the Airbnb. Good to know it's walkable from the main piazza--much easier for the guys if they won't have a car. On the way back up, we caught the beginnings of what might become a really pretty sunset.
Pre-sunset
On our way back up the path, Ira grabbed this shot of Massa. Do you see the building on the far left? We looked at an apartment there ages ago. We called it The Donut in our House Hunters International post. The view was incredible, but the cost to renovate and furnish the place? Yikes.
Walkway to Massa
Pre-Christmas
Post Sunset
New Restoration Project
Organ Guts
On our way home, Ira snapped this shot of the Duomo waiting patiently for Christmas.
Duomo Waiting for Christmas
On a personal note--though really, it's all personal, isn't it--this marks my 250th post. My first was on January 27, 2024, and what a ride it's been. Thank you to everyone who's come along with us.
I believe the "best before" date for Panettoni (plural of Panettone) is around 6 months, so you have plenty of time! You should also put aside some Panettone and eat it (supposedly dried) on February 3rd (Saint Biagio's day) to protect your throat from illness in the following 12 months.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea (Sofia also told us not to worry). I hadn’t thought to check the ‘best before’ date—turns out ours is April 30, 2026--so I guess we're safe for Saint Biagio and beyond, LOL.
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