Architecture

The short story "You're in Florence"

The short story "You're in Florence."

Author: Olga Sorokina

You are in Florence. Or better - in Firenze... How delicious it sounds in Italian! 

You live with two friends two minutes walk to the Duomo in a 13th century stone house. This flat is rented to you by a classy Italian woman of about 45, she smells strongly of expensive perfume and you really like her large earrings. In a white trouser suit and heels, she shows you around this chic apartment and casually mentions:

- You even have your own access to the roof. Behind this door, up the stairs to the top.

The flat still has historic wooden beams in the great hall with three huge windows and even two stone fountains with lion masks built right into the wall. The view from your bedroom is like a postcard: hundreds of terracotta roofs of the hot daytime city, pigeons cooing just outside the window, and you already imagine waking up early tomorrow, sitting in a silk shirt by the window, putting your elbows on the sill and watching the city wake up, listening to its sounds, soaking in the colours.

It's a very hot summer this year, +40 C, you and your friends even seriously considered switching to living at night and sleeping during the day. Climbing Giotto Tower this morning up the narrow endless stairs was a challenge for everyone (you were really worried about the old lady who bought tickets after you) but the view from the top was worth it. There's a reason they call Florence "the stone bag." It's also hot.

My friends say:

- We're going to go buy bread, wine and slices.

You close the door behind them and run to that door.

Climb a few steps up a very narrow and short stone spiral staircase, open the heavy old door, hear the sounds of dozens of wings of disturbed pigeons and say on an exhale:

- Wow!

In front of you is a mosaic of the city in all shades of terracotta and ochre. You suddenly understood why these colours have Italian names: siena, umber... And the main thing is the dream view of the Palazzo Vecchio. You drew it in the second year of the academy in perspective classes, and now you see this tower, these proportions with your own eyes. It's like you're in your old art history book. It's breathtaking.

Your feet are already touching the warm and rough tiles and your mind is flashing :

- I hope it's not as old as this house, just as long as it doesn't go!

You tread carefully on it. You sit down, enchanted by this moment and stare at the city for a long, long time. You want to paint, but you don't want to go anywhere, not even for a moment to lose this view. You're alone with the city. It's as if you were in a Vrubel painting now.

It's evening, the heat of the day is gone. You think of the Renaissance, of all those old masters who lived here. They were young, they loved and they created. History was being made in this city in the 15th century: the kind of culture and painting that would influence art for centuries to come. And you are here now. 

Painting like the old masters... friends barely got you out of the Uffizi Gallery yesterday. The bells of the Palazzo Vecchio are ringing, the long diagonal feather-like clouds are coloured apricot pink. 

You squeeze your eyes shut:

- It feels so good!

You suddenly realise that Florence is your favourite city in Italy. You hear the front door open, the voices of friends and the rustle of packages and, anticipating the taste of ciabatta with salt and olive oil, you run downstairs.

From my Italian memories. 

Olga Sorokina, June 2024


Please write your feelings, impressions from this story in the comments below and let me know if you want more such short stories from me in the future.

© Olga Sorokina


Waiting list for the sketch tour

Please leave your e-mail address to be the first to know about Olga's next European urban/interior sketch tours


Read more from my blog:

Guide "Top 10 Creative Ways for Architects and Interior Designers to Boost Their Income"

 

1. Sketch Artist and Commissions: Leverage your artistic skills by offering sketch commissions. You can create custom sketches of architectural designs, interior layouts, or even personalized artwork for clients.




2. 3D Architectural Visualizations: Use your expertise to create high-quality 3D architectural visualizations for real estate developers, builders, or individual clients looking to visualize their projects before construction.




3. Saatchi: Open an online shop on Saatchi, Etsy, or a similar platform, to sell artworks or prints or of your architectural or interior design drawings, creating a passive income stream from your art.




4. Public Speaking: Share your knowledge and experience by speaking at conferences, seminars, or webinars. You can charge speaking fees and even generate income from sponsored talks.




5. 1-on-1 Coaching: Offer personalized coaching services to aspiring architects or interior designers. Provide guidance, portfolio reviews, and career advice to help them succeed in the industry.




6. Group Mentoring/ Masterminds: Organize group mentoring sessions or mastermind groups where you can mentor a small group of individuals collectively. Charge a fee for participation in these exclusive sessions.




7. Online Courses: Create and sell online courses on platforms like Teachable, Udemy, Coursera, or your own website. Share your expertise on topics like interior sketching, architectural design principles, interior design trends, or software tutorials.




8. Admissions Consulting: Assist students in preparing their portfolios and applications for design universities. Many aspiring architects and interior designers seek guidance to secure admissions, and you can charge for your expertise.




9. Freelance Design Work: Take on freelance design projects outside of your regular job. You can work on residential or small commercial projects, helping clients with interior design or architectural planning.




10. Design Blog or YouTube Channel:  Start a design blog or YouTube channel to showcase your work, share design tips, and monetize through ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, or merchandise sales.




Remember that success in these endeavors may require some marketing and networking efforts to build a client base or audience. Additionally, staying updated with industry trends and continuously improving your skills will increase your earning potential as an architect or interior designer.

 

P.S. Please share this article with your friends.

 

By Olga Sorokina

Contact: olga@schoolofsketching.com

Instagram @schoolofsketching


School of Sketching by Olga Sorokina was named an expert on Redfin for interior design.

Check out the article we were featured in:

11 Timeless Beige and Neutral Home Decor Ideas| Redfin


Learn more about my online sketching courses, book, and 1-1 coaching here:


Read other articles from my blog: