Bedrom Ideas for Designs: Florence

Showing posts with label Florence. Show all posts

Florence - Bellissimo Windows and Doors

Below are some pictures of window and doors that caught my attention on my recent trip to Florence. I am sure that one could spend a lifetime there and still not run out of beautiful treasures to feast the eyes on! Everywhere you look there is splendor, attention to detail and the utmost respect for beauty. I hope you enjoy looking at these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKUJ490sI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/Kehq72Ud4W0/Florence%20Day%202%20019%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 019" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKW4rV_GI/AAAAAAAAEcU/7DUzqzaPINs/Florence%20Day%202%20019_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="572" /></a> This photo was taken from the rooftop cafe at the Uffizi. The whole rooftop had a railing of this "quatrefoil" design.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFNzlXOMHI/AAAAAAAAEhs/2nOGN5kcYvw/0091.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLyuNBm6I/AAAAAAAAEhQ/KvPjW5sNbS0/0223.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKedNpwaI/AAAAAAAAEhU/6geUKR8dtRc/0273.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKgVkUpZI/AAAAAAAAEhY/cbB8Dzsp-Hk/0383.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKiS-dVLI/AAAAAAAAEhM/qlBXmDHFCTY/0252.jpg"><img alt="025" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKkZn6G5I/AAAAAAAAEcs/snhzkCzhQ30/025_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="570" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKnm7VTZI/AAAAAAAAEcw/lC-I9xQWnNE/Florence%20Day%202%20022%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 022" border="0" height="427" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKpQtzlhI/AAAAAAAAEc0/DjEHboyp38A/Florence%20Day%202%20022_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="568" /></a>This is another view from the rooftop cafe of the Uffizi. You can see more of the quatrefoil railing.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKgVkUpZI/AAAAAAAAEhY/cbB8Dzsp-Hk/0383.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKiS-dVLI/AAAAAAAAEhM/qlBXmDHFCTY/0252.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKteclAQI/AAAAAAAAEc8/bEeIppCff5E/Florence%20Day%202%20035%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 035" border="0" height="425" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKvKL-dhI/AAAAAAAAEdA/cd2P2jcAUkM/Florence%20Day%202%20035_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="565" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLyuNBm6I/AAAAAAAAEhQ/KvPjW5sNbS0/0223.jpg"><img alt="022" border="0" height="421" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKyJ8HmFI/AAAAAAAAEdI/Xib_RUVnl7k/022_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="560" /></a>A modern awning, that doesn't detract from the architecture, that I find very appealing in it's simplicity. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKedNpwaI/AAAAAAAAEhU/6geUKR8dtRc/0273.jpg"><img alt="027" border="0" height="416" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFK2Uzh7MI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/pZMkmmlKbSQ/027_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="554" /></a>Notice the initials in the center of this beautiful ironwork balcony <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFK4jP_gVI/AAAAAAAAEdU/jTuOK2fNXIM/Florence%20Day%202%20083.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 083" border="0" height="416" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFK6gOLjtI/AAAAAAAAEdY/XnXNFvdeWJQ/Florence%20Day%202%20083_thumb.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="553" /></a> Magnificent beyond belief this window in the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. This cathedral reportedly holds 30,000 people. The cornerstone was laid in 1296. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKgVkUpZI/AAAAAAAAEhY/cbB8Dzsp-Hk/0383.jpg"><img alt="038" border="0" height="426" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFK9SDmwSI/AAAAAAAAEdg/7ONWhqNgg3k/038_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="566" /></a></a></a></a></a> A interior transom window over a door in the JK Place Hotel. I fell in love with this Hotel and their wonderful staff and I will be devoting a whole posting to it.</a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFKnm7VTZI/AAAAAAAAEcw/lC-I9xQWnNE/Florence%20Day%202%20022%5B2%5D.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFK_wSIzQI/AAAAAAAAEdk/ZbyRl9GXI38/Florence%20Day%202%20066%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 066" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLB8rr5MI/AAAAAAAAEdo/AFP38HWj8iM/Florence%20Day%202%20066_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="572" /></a> This was one of the simpler windows and only one of a few that I saw with flowers. I don't know why they don't have more flowers in Florence, if not only because it is so very, very, very HOT there.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLEfM6fCI/AAAAAAAAEhg/W_Wsn7y3DsU/FlorenceDay20422.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLEfM6fCI/AAAAAAAAEhg/W_Wsn7y3DsU/FlorenceDay20422.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 042" border="0" height="428" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLI5jH4mI/AAAAAAAAEd0/iWjhmk89tbE/Florence%20Day%202%20042_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="568" /></a>You can see the scale of the architecture. The man in the window is dwarfed in proportion.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLK34JPzI/AAAAAAAAEiA/t3kgAcHDUz4/0262.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLNaO9q7I/AAAAAAAAEh4/hJ0i3pTo8KI/FlorenceDay20452.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 045" border="0" height="425" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLPVTrBOI/AAAAAAAAEeA/DTP7F4ZbVOI/Florence%20Day%202%20045_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="565" /></a>I can only imagine that this glass is a recent addition. I found it a little out of character, but at least they didn't have a neon sign blasting away at you. </a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLSr0bWyI/AAAAAAAAEeE/yBFVtnxMgfs/Florence%20Day%202%20086%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 086" border="0" height="422" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLUdwKuRI/AAAAAAAAEeI/cHTyNeEkY-M/Florence%20Day%202%20086_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="562" /></a>I loved the clock set between these two windows and the gold arms on it. I wonder how long it has been telling the time for the Florentines. </a> <img alt="Florence Day 2 002" border="0" height="523" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLWk7Wq9I/AAAAAAAAEeM/XCi5omMA3AA/Florence%20Day%202%20002_thumb.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="393" /> Look up at the ceiling through this window and you will see the most beautiful vaulted ceiling adorned with frescoes.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLYueGJ4I/AAAAAAAAEeQ/322n2FuC3-4/Florence%20Day%202%20093%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 093" border="0" height="516" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLajnQ9LI/AAAAAAAAEeU/56mDH_DzILY/Florence%20Day%202%20093_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="388" /></a>And of course Chanel was in a very prominent position right on the Piazza della Signoria facing the Uffizi and Palazzo Vecchio. You can see<img alt="018" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFL-5AqX4I/AAAAAAAAEfE/WmhkRC0-emk/018_thumb.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="184" /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFNzlXOMHI/AAAAAAAAEhs/2nOGN5kcYvw/0091.jpg"><img alt="009" border="0" height="298" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMBxAvqaI/AAAAAAAAEfM/SULFUi3PKTc/009_thumb1.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="396" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMDxi0fGI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/uk6D_wrhP5o/FlorenceDay20731.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 073" border="0" height="298" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMF08XslI/AAAAAAAAEfU/-V2h3kNhQZk/FlorenceDay2073_thumb1.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="396" /></a></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMIEOdPdI/AAAAAAAAEfY/Y2HbakcGL3I/FlorenceDay20022.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMK-iHUMI/AAAAAAAAEfc/LfNu3z8GktE/0182.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMIEOdPdI/AAAAAAAAEfY/Y2HbakcGL3I/FlorenceDay20022.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMK-iHUMI/AAAAAAAAEfc/LfNu3z8GktE/0182.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMPwxZMGI/AAAAAAAAEiE/I6bfGzr8AEM/FlorenceDay20631.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMIEOdPdI/AAAAAAAAEfY/Y2HbakcGL3I/FlorenceDay20022.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMIEOdPdI/AAAAAAAAEfY/Y2HbakcGL3I/FlorenceDay20022.jpg"></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMSDWhKnI/AAAAAAAAEiM/66JadAVctK4/FlorenceDay20742.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 074" border="0" height="314" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMTxwDWUI/AAAAAAAAEfo/m2m2G6I64VU/FlorenceDay2074_thumb.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="418" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLNaO9q7I/AAAAAAAAEh4/hJ0i3pTo8KI/FlorenceDay20452.jpg"></a></a></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMYQ1cF4I/AAAAAAAAEiI/mVtBiCTt4tU/0241.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMK-iHUMI/AAAAAAAAEfc/LfNu3z8GktE/0182.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLK34JPzI/AAAAAAAAEiA/t3kgAcHDUz4/0262.jpg"><img alt="026" border="0" height="408" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMcHzt8VI/AAAAAAAAEf4/wbG5tiSsbQc/026_thumb2.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="307" /></a></a></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMPwxZMGI/AAAAAAAAEiE/I6bfGzr8AEM/FlorenceDay20631.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 063" border="0" height="410" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMfOTrcjI/AAAAAAAAEgA/He8NnuFERdc/FlorenceDay2063_thumb1.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="308" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLEfM6fCI/AAAAAAAAEhg/W_Wsn7y3DsU/FlorenceDay20422.jpg"></a></a></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMYQ1cF4I/AAAAAAAAEiI/mVtBiCTt4tU/0241.jpg"><img alt="024" border="0" height="499" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMizQy05I/AAAAAAAAEgI/-1YTSpSb624/024_thumb1.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="375" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMlUeOb7I/AAAAAAAAEgM/J6z14ZKgGUs/FlorenceDay20091.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 009" border="0" height="522" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMnTiuCkI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/wiw_zd3kQPk/FlorenceDay2009_thumb1.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="393" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMq9ARpjI/AAAAAAAAEgU/tHnuPoqMbKY/0073.jpg"><img alt="007" border="0" height="522" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMtIMtGpI/AAAAAAAAEgY/sfRgkubO4gw/007_thumb3.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="392" /></a> The picture on the left is one of the staircases in the Uffizi. There are a mere 200 stairs to climb to reach to top floor of the gallery. The Uffizi was originally built as offices for the Medici family who were astute bankers. It is now one of the oldest and most famous art museums in the world. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMvG3HOnI/AAAAAAAAEgc/GdHYeCsfjt8/FlorenceDay2038%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 038" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMxMjGq6I/AAAAAAAAEgg/FOGDBrZ1x1k/FlorenceDay2038_thumb.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="304" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMzRCAm_I/AAAAAAAAEgk/inFOoZdsWIs/FlorenceDay20391.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 039" border="0" height="359" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFM1fhV5eI/AAAAAAAAEgo/q_6KJIYA6yw/FlorenceDay2039_thumb1.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="478" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMSDWhKnI/AAAAAAAAEiM/66JadAVctK4/FlorenceDay20742.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFM4tCYxKI/AAAAAAAAEgw/rWC9-FZLnqk/FlorenceDay20971.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 097" border="0" height="536" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFM6kku6eI/AAAAAAAAEg0/O2x38VzNX8U/FlorenceDay2097_thumb1.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="403" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFONrnf4xI/AAAAAAAAEic/UuGcKcA8W1E/FlorenceDay20962.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 096" border="0" height="536" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFOPSmlDpI/AAAAAAAAEiU/aKvudpy5qA0/FlorenceDay2096_thumb1.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="403" /></a></a></a></a> These were the only painted doors I saw in Florence and they particularly stood out for that reason. You can notice that the black door has a very attractive Carrara marble surround that lines the deep door casing.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFORLrXwBI/AAAAAAAAEi4/SLDHDiF74fA/FlorenceDay20984.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFONrnf4xI/AAAAAAAAEic/UuGcKcA8W1E/FlorenceDay20962.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFOTxSkkII/AAAAAAAAEio/4_fWW3C8FgA/FlorenceDay2076.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFOWAFyWrI/AAAAAAAAEiw/0K6bL6cpJaQ/FlorenceDay20883.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFONrnf4xI/AAAAAAAAEic/UuGcKcA8W1E/FlorenceDay20962.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFOTxSkkII/AAAAAAAAEio/4_fWW3C8FgA/FlorenceDay2076.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 076" border="0" height="486" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFOZpGXmQI/AAAAAAAAEis/wRIkYWfQzgo/FlorenceDay2076_thumb.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="366" /></a></a></a></a></a></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMSDWhKnI/AAAAAAAAEiM/66JadAVctK4/FlorenceDay20742.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 074" border="0" height="314" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFMTxwDWUI/AAAAAAAAEfo/m2m2G6I64VU/FlorenceDay2074_thumb.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="418" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFLNaO9q7I/AAAAAAAAEh4/hJ0i3pTo8KI/FlorenceDay20452.jpg"></a></a></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFOWAFyWrI/AAAAAAAAEiw/0K6bL6cpJaQ/FlorenceDay20883.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 088" border="0" height="622" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFOdRzw_4I/AAAAAAAAEi0/XHFkCjlo3e4/FlorenceDay2088_thumb3.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="467" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFORLrXwBI/AAAAAAAAEi4/SLDHDiF74fA/FlorenceDay20984.jpg"><img alt="Florence Day 2 098" border="0" height="621" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SHFOi4BAj0I/AAAAAAAAEi8/ChwA_j10nMY/FlorenceDay2098_thumb4.jpg" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="467" /></a>Notice the beautiful frescoed ceiling and the intricately detailed marble mosaic floor, to say nothing of the iron and glass door!!!!!MagnificoPost Note: I have arrived in Ferrara and spent today riding around this 15th Century walled city on bike. Tomorrow morning I start my <a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2008/06/ferrara-italy-university-of.html">studies</a> at the University of Architecture.

Florence - Bellissimo Windows and Doors

Below are some pictures of window and doors that caught my attention on my recent trip to Florence. I am sure that one could spend a lifeti...

4:00 PM

FLORENCE - Hotel Santa Maria Novella, Uffizi, Accademia Gallery

<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOduqd3tI/AAAAAAAAEIs/peKUba-B6Do/s1600-h/310.jpg"> <img alt="3" border="0" height="344" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOfNofupI/AAAAAAAAEIw/RUAT6s4A5EU/3_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="422" /> <img alt="clip_image001" border="0" height="274" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOf2m5j7I/AAAAAAAAEI0/4mkcrxnGti0/clip_image001_thumb7.gif?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="224" /></a> Section of the dome of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Cathedral">Florence Cathedral</a> <img align="right" alt="City of Florence: panoramic view" border="0" height="126" src="http://www.aboutflorence.com/images-from-Florence/Town/duomodallalto.jpg" width="208" />Florence will be my first stop in Italy on my way to study Architecture at the University in Ferrara (see my post here). I have always wanted to visit this city. FLORENCE, capital of the region of Tuscany, has a population of around half a million inhabitants. Florence is called the capital of arts; according to statistics produced by UNESCO, 60% of the world's most important works of art are located in Italy and approximately half of these are in Florence. This is the birthplace of <a href="http://www.aboutflorence.com/florentine-famous-peoples.html#dantealighieri">Dante</a> and <a href="http://www.aboutflorence.com/florentine-famous-peoples.html#michelangelobuonarroti">Michelangelo</a>. Wow do I have allot to see in this city. First things first. Where to stay. Well I wanted to stay at <a href="http://www.jkplace.com/" target="_blank">JK Place</a>, but unfortunately it was all booked (pretty popular place in spite of the very expensive room rates ). JK Place recommended the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.santamarianovella.it" target="_blank">Hotel Santa Maria Novella</a>, which is right next door. I checked it out on line and I liked what I saw! <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOgXbKn1I/AAAAAAAAEI4/GmjgAoixzzQ/s1600-h/map4.jpg"><img alt="map" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOhJRXdkI/AAAAAAAAEI8/CWGb4sbuhdE/map_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="549" /></a> It is centrally located, situated two steps from Florence’s central train station, (which is good because I will be traveling by train to Ferrara to start my studies) and it is in one of the most exclusive areas of Florence in the presence of so much beauty and History. It faces the piazza of the Santa Maria Novella Cathedral and dates back to the Nineteenth Century. All the better and I have booked a room with a "view" of this. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOhenJiII/AAAAAAAAEJA/lXt_8IHz0a0/s1600-h/hotelplaqueonfront3.jpg"><img alt="hotel-plaque-on-front" border="0" height="241" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOisYfeRI/AAAAAAAAEJE/vsjG-sdaBJI/hotelplaqueonfront_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="316" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOiwupe5I/AAAAAAAAEJI/9ffJRIVszSQ/s1600-h/400X2883.jpg"><img alt="400X288" border="0" height="332" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOkdglSvI/AAAAAAAAEJM/Mq_PsnZxY7E/400X288_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="225" /></a> I love the polished chrome door plaque. You never get a second chance to make a first impression and I'm impressed. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOkhLaXYI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/KZy7rLCAvVM/s1600-h/15.jpg"><img alt="1" border="0" height="259" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOlfzh6FI/AAAAAAAAEJU/F_DsylWy_WY/1_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="563" /></a> A beautiful marble statue graces the entry foyer. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOmO6Bi-I/AAAAAAAAEJY/nV8uyUZhvfQ/s1600-h/173.png"><img alt="17" border="0" height="368" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOnWOhniI/AAAAAAAAEJc/EeEBjavFFYk/17_thumb1.png?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="572" /></a> This is a view of the classically decorated dining room where a buffet breakfast is served, or to enjoy an aperitif, nightcap or a light snack later on. It has views of the Santa Maria Novella Basilica across the square. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOnluKLCI/AAAAAAAAEJg/E9KUB0P_xnI/s1600-h/184.png"><img alt="18" border="0" height="377" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOpaSNvxI/AAAAAAAAEJk/29l5I8TD9XY/18_thumb2.png?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="574" /></a> I love the "Grisaille" wallpaper and the enormous vase of yellow roses. "Grisaille" (noun) A style of monochromatic painting in shades of gray, used especially for the representation of relief sculpture. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOp0PFi7I/AAAAAAAAEJs/ZLov3UqcCbM/s1600-h/43.jpg"><img alt="4" border="0" height="422" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOq0HmrxI/AAAAAAAAEJw/0pH-tzd8bds/4_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="573" /></a> Stairway <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOrL2d8WI/AAAAAAAAEJ0/gHk4t5kouWc/s1600-h/163.png"><img alt="16" border="0" height="378" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOs8gN6GI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/3Rpb3kMmW9c/16_thumb1.png?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="584" /></a> Regal in Royal Purple & silk bed canopy and draperies that frame a view to the Historic Piazza and Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. I even have a flat screen TV. But don't think I will be watching it.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOt4XnhtI/AAAAAAAAEJ8/pRUPslf_NXw/s1600-h/125.png"><img alt="12" border="0" height="389" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOvdhDFuI/AAAAAAAAEKA/PFHDrx68ZT0/12_thumb3.png?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="590" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOwEMJJ5I/AAAAAAAAEKE/51WRbPJ3pqk/s1600-h/image3.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="218" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOxTbBDUI/AAAAAAAAEKI/SFVPSO_t8NQ/image_thumb1.png?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="325" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOyHMKARI/AAAAAAAAEKM/zlC05R96pQk/s1600-h/25.jpg"><img alt="2" border="0" height="176" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOywHoxlI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/0d8J0TudmGc/2_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="323" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOzJ4qPZI/AAAAAAAAEKU/RMlY7huyZb8/s1600-h/59.jpg"><img alt="5" border="0" height="224" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEOz5TaUqI/AAAAAAAAEKY/gMzQSMjUSS0/5_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="307" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEO0T4JynI/AAAAAAAAEKc/9wvR_q8XnEc/s1600-h/94.jpg"><img alt="9" border="0" height="232" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEO1UqjZSI/AAAAAAAAEKg/-akttN5ac2E/9_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="334" /></a> Beautifully detailed bathroom all clad in sumptuous Carrera Marble. Just what I would expect in Italy. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEO2CKgSWI/AAAAAAAAEKk/Kkc5Vy4uees/s1600-h/FlorenceHotel4.jpg"><img alt="Florence Hotel" border="0" height="218" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEO489GiyI/AAAAAAAAEKo/yRiGBXs0lx0/FlorenceHotel_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="319" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEO5Tnnl_I/AAAAAAAAEKs/wr_Ffb77aXA/s1600-h/viewfromterrace11.jpg"><img alt="view-from-terrace" border="0" height="261" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEO6nfF8cI/AAAAAAAAEKw/tbFOspNVmoA/viewfromterrace_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="331" /></a> A glance of admiration from my room towards the sumptuous church of Santa Maria Novella This is just a partial list of what is close to my Hotel: Santa Maria Novella Church – 50 metres Duomo (Cathedral) – 200 metres Congress Hall – 200 metres Exhibition centre – 200 metres Ponte Vecchio – 1 kilometre (0.5 miles) Uffizi – 1 kilometre (0.5 miles) Academy of Fine Arts – 1 kilometre (0.5 miles) Palazzo Vecchio – 1 kilometre (0.5 miles) Pitti Palace – 1.5 kilometres (1 mile) Boboli Gardens – 1.5 kilometres (1 mile) <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEO61qriCI/AAAAAAAAEK0/dGga76mKQoY/s1600-h/image7.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="452" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEO82vtTZI/AAAAAAAAEK4/2nIk_3YF42Q/image_thumb3.png?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="543" /></a> Two of my "must- do" visits are: Uffizi & Academy of Fine Arts or Accademia Gallery. Both offer private guided tours which I have booked on-line. The <a href="http://www.firenzemusei.it/00_english/uffizi/collezioni.html" target="_blank">Uffizi</a> is the most famous museum in Florence and houses works by Botticelli, <a href="http://www.aboutflorence.com/florentine-famous-peoples.html#leonardodavinci">Leonardo da Vinci</a>, <a href="http://www.aboutflorence.com/florentine-famous-peoples.html#michelangelobuonarroti">Michelangelo</a>, Titian and Rubens. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEO9tKLsJI/AAAAAAAAEK8/Vhr9eKLh9mA/s1600-h/image12.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="385" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEPAfjb7II/AAAAAAAAELA/EwuxHVfxxKY/image_thumb6.png?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="587" /></a> Botticelli Birth of Venus, 1484 <img height="427" src="http://www.firenzemusei.it/img/uffizi/venus.jpg" width="388" /> The <a href="http://www.firenzemusei.it/00_english/accademia/collezioni.html" target="_blank">Accademia Gallery</a> in Florence houses Michelangelo's most famous work - the statue of David <img alt="The David Tribune" height="440" src="http://www.firenzemusei.it/img/accademia/imma_galle.jpg" width="277" /><img height="451" src="http://www.firenzemusei.it/img/accademia/david.jpg" width="327" /> <img height="332" src="http://www.firenzemusei.it/img/accademia/vecu.jpg" width="487" /> the <a href="http://www.firenzemusei.it/">Venus and Cupid</a> by Jacopo Pontormo. Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli)<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEPBGmDZmI/AAAAAAAAELE/a-R__l6Dfv0/s1600-h/PittiPalaceBoboliGardens4.png"><img alt="Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens" border="0" height="266" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGEPC7u6doI/AAAAAAAAELI/001yJHD928I/PittiPalaceBoboliGardens_thumb2.png?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="429" /></a> Together with <a href="http://www.italyguides.it/pitti_palace.htm">Pitti Palace</a>, in 1550 the Medici bought the Boboli gardens behind the building. The name of Boboli is thought to come from the prior owner. Nicolò Pericoli, was called in to transform the area into one of the most spectacular Renaissance gardens. Pericoli worked at what he called his "green architecture" masterpiece until he died. Interesting note: Boboli became a model for all European Royal gardens, including those in the Palace of Versailles. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGG2oGL5sRI/AAAAAAAAEMw/TZLqjA79oJM/s1600-h/Florence%20Skyline%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="Florence Skyline" border="0" height="369" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/patriciagray1/SGG2otgKUTI/AAAAAAAAEM0/pvREQu9IX8Q/Florence%20Skyline_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" width="532" /></a> Florence skyline

FLORENCE - Hotel Santa Maria Novella, Uffizi, Accademia Gallery

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