In the previous blog, I told you that I now have my own place in Milan, and how it all worked out so quickly. It had quite an open-ended ending however: I was about to set foot in the house for the very first time and was I going to tell you all about what I saw then. After all, the photos from the advertisement had not managed to convince me at all…
But then the door swung open. And that changed everything!
But then the door swung open. And that changed everything! I saw a beautiful, spacious hall, with antique furniture pieces that I immediately fell in love with: a beautifully decorated mahogany bench with a chest under it, a wardrobe with one of those old-fashioned oval mirrors and cast-iron pendants depicting vintage cars from 1908 (the year is written there, that’s why I know), and yet another large mirror. The owner must have seen the pleasant surprise on my face, because he immediately realised that he had forgotten to capture the hall in the photos. I noticed the floor immediately too, a kind of marble, mosaic floor with colour accents of terracotta. A floor so typical of Italian houses, which I have thus far never encountered outside Italy.
Finally, I would have the space to put all my clothes and shoes in one place
Seen through my eyes, the bedroom was simply a ballroom with a lovely king-size bed and a closet no less than two metres high and as many as six (!) doors wide. Finally, I would have the space to put all my clothes and shoes in one place. In the bedroom there was again that touch of vintage without becoming pompous: two antique bedside tables on those elegant, curved legs with a black marble top; and a large, antique chest of drawers with the same black marble top, decorated, arched drawers, brass handles and a beautiful vintage mirror as wide as the piece of furniture itself.
As we say in Dutch; “pretty pink isn’t ugly”, and in this case I even love it!
And then I had yet to see the bathroom. Because it’s pink, all pink. But as we say in Dutch; “pretty pink isn’t ugly”, and in this case I even love it! It’s a very pleasant shade of pink, not over-the-top, but not too pale either. Every morning when I step into the bathroom, it instantly puts me in a good mood, no matter how grey it is outside. And after another little round in the house, I had to conclude that from all the windows you have a view over the Naviglio Grande, the largest of Milan’s two canals, from which this neighbourhood gets its name (Navigli).
Over a cappuccino (what else?), I let it all sink in, and called a few people for some good advice. But deep down, I already knew
But there was something else that immediately convinced me. Something that actually made me feel at home right away. It was the energy of the house. It felt welcoming and warm, and I felt that click with the neighbourhood too. Because right after the viewing, I immediately set off to explore it. It was a Saturday, so I was lucky. Because every Saturday there is a market taking place here, full of vintage clothes, vinyl records and antiques. It’s the place in Milan for a true treasure hunt, so I couldn’t be any happier. I then sat down at a bar that looked very inviting. Over a cappuccino (what else?), I let it all sink in, and called a few people for some good advice. But deep down, I already knew. If I was going to be the one chosen, I would definitely live here.
Last weekend, I already welcomed my first guest. His reaction was very important to me
And now, four weeks have passed since that first viewing. Last weekend, I already welcomed my first guest: my best friend Lucas. His reaction was very important to me: “it’s a really nice but also very comfortable flat”. I couldn’t agree more. There is plenty of space everywhere, the king-size bed is lovely, it’s always nice and warm thanks to the centralised heating (over which I have no control at all), and everything is within easy reach. It’s my very own casetta milanese. Even before Lucas had entered my place, I had already informed him about our main activity of the weekend: finding and putting up a Christmas tree. So, since Saturday afternoon, it has been shining its lights and I couldn’t care less about the fact it’s nowhere near the prettiest tree around. Because thanks to its strategic position in the hall, I can even see the tree from my bed. I now wake up with the biggest smile on my face every morning.