It is so lovely to be able to see where you’re going! 🙂 Pino, the elettricista, came right on time Monday morning. Luca (our painter) had recommended him to us and even called and arranged for him to come. He was an older man, a smoker (from his aroma) and he huffed and puffed through the work. He also talked constantly to himself. He definitely knew what he was doing. It still took most of the day to install the thirteen fixtures we had purchased, with a break for Pranzo of course. I also learned a word I think is amusing. Dimmerabile. It means dimmable — like, you can use a dimmer switch on the light. It is good to know a good elettricista. All that work and he only charged us €150 or about $165.
Another thing checked off of our list! Here are some pictures.
We also took a trip to Deruta, famous for its ceramics. I think everyone in town works in some capacity to make ceramics. In Umbertide there is a shop that sells ceramics. It is called CeramicArte. I am friends with Laura Tomassini. She offered to meet me in the big CeramicArte factory in Deruta of which she and her shop are a part. We took a tour of the factory. The first room was a large warehouse type room, very high ceilings and big windows. Very bright. Throughout the room were six stations at which artists were working. All on tables. It was an attractive place to work. The tables are each custom made and painted. In any size and any style. At least the artists don’t paint the same thing over and over. Anyway, we ordered our table for on the terrace. It is big enough to seat six. Here is a picture of one similar. It has markings on it to indicate changes. We will change out some of the flowers for fruits, grapes and pomegranates.
We also visited the Emu outlet store nearby. It is a French owned chain with beautiful things. We saw some outdoor furniture we liked but the price was really high. I am going to look around a bit more and see what else I can find. I don’t want to go too cheap. I do want it to last. So we shall see.
A bit more good news, we are getting our kitchen next week! At long last! This being without a kitchen has been very difficult. It will be so nice to be able to cook properly again. And to wash dishes in something other than a laundry sink! There will be pictures!
Hi Karen, thank you. It is starting to look like more of a place to live. I still don’t like the location much but I think once I get my garden going it will be better. I am assuming the kitchen gets installed in one day. That is standard here. I remember our kitchen renovation took so long in the US. Here they measure and then build the kitchen then bring it all on a truck and install it. I’ll post pictures.
It’s all coming together! Great news about all the lights going in, and it being done very efficiently. YAY! Love that the kitchen will be started very soon! Finally! Woo hoo! The painted table is beautiful! Can’t wait to see it in place on your patio! Lovely!
Hi Carlo, I got the lights from a good lighting company north of Castello. We used them for all of our lights last time. Good quality. They don’t install so we had to find our own electrician.
Beautiful lighting! Looking forward to seeing it in person. Great price for the installation, too. Well done.
Hi Noel,
Yes, we love the tables. We had a round one in our former apartment which we sold to our buyers. This space is bigger so a long table will work. They are pricy but I figure I’ll have this til I die! I also have a bazillion bowls and platters. I can’t get enough. They are so beautiful. Enjoy your little cups. A piece of Italy. 💕
Hey David! yay for you too!
Hey Matt, still issues with the upstairs kitchen. We need something up there to be able to fully use the space. Too hard to carry everything up. That is the elephant in the kitchen as they say!
I would love a table from Deruta and the one in your picture is beautiful, Nancy. We were there last Spring, around this time, and bought gifts and a couple of items for ourselves that we sahipped back to Arlington. Every morning, I have an espresso out of a lovely little tazzina da caffè made in Deruta. The lighting looks great!
Hi Nancy. Us too in Lucca, as we speak! Fantastic! 😂😂
So happy for you, Nancy. Sounds like the major stressers are mostly passed and the fun begins. I think once the kitchen is done and you can eat on your terrace the new place will be a blessing.