Fammi una domanda June 2024

Moving in Venice means a lot of boat trips

One of the secrets to a long and happy marriage is knowing who does what best.

In the last year I have spent weeks looking at copies of copies of copies of floor plans and learning the alphabet soup of things like SCIA and CILA and the importance of a paying bills with a bonifico parlante. There have been hours with our engineer hashing out budget numbers and finding a few extra centimeters and euros that changed all kinds of possibilities. I looked at hundreds of shades of blue and green and white paint and possibly a million kinds of flooring options. I set up appointments at the comune to change our residenza. I made dinner every night. Even when the kitchen was taken apart and squashed in to the cortile.

Mark has masked and taped and painted the entire upstairs. He created a bright spacious walk-in closet out of a dark awkward space. He has gone to Rome and sorted through old furniture pieces that will be transformed into countertops and cabinet fronts in our new kitchen. He goes across to the Lido with his carrello and does our laundry. He brings me coffee every morning. Last week he stayed in Venice and organized everything for the arrival of our household goods. I went to Ponza.

The bookcases and dishes and painting and carpets that have been in a warehouse in Rome since March 2023 finally arrived in Venice. Now comes the part where we put the puzzle back together again.

Paid subscribers can read more about the story of my little house in Venice, some more Biennale picks, learning how Venetian terrazzo floors are made, and what I have been reading, watching and listening to this month. I also answer any of your Italy travel questions. Ask me anything in the comments below.