I stayed in this apartment from September to January, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. It almost doesn't seem real to come home every day to a palace - every room is so beautiful, with paintings on the ceiling, huge elegant chandeliers, and period furniture. In the winter, the fireplace in the large room kept me warm and cozy, and I would often just lay on the couch and study the fantastic mural on the ceiling and listen to classical music and imagine what it must have been like to live there a century ago.
The trees across the park are filled with birdsong, and every morning it is a joy to open the shutters and look out on the world. I liked to watch the school kids gather in the park with my morning espresso, and the old people walking their dogs. You can sit out on the balcony with a glass of wine and watch the sunset. The whole experience was very romantic.
The kitchen is large and I cooked often. The oven is full size and they had a large refrigerator for my use. I hung out in the kitchen a lot and there is ample fancy glasses and plates to have people over. I enjoyed drinking tea and coffee out of beautiful tea cups and saucers and cute little espresso cups. The internet works well, especially from the kitchen (where it is located) and the main bedroom and livingroom.
The radiator in the bedroom worked well to warm the room at night, and the bathroom has a great shower. I didn't use the yellow room that much, but my cousin and my daughters came to stay with me, and it was nice to have a spare room for those occasions.
There is an elevator that you can use when you are carrying home heavy groceries, but otherwise, I took the spiral staircase. You have to descend in a queenly manor - every day was a unique experience where I felt like royalty descending and ascending to my palace. There is a courtyard garden that you have access to, and it was nice to sit out there and look at the beautiful synagogue; I had several meals sitting in the private garden, but I also enjoyed sitting in the park across the street and watching the world go by.
Perhaps the most special part of staying here is interacting with your hosts, Francesca and Claudio. They invited me up to their apartment multiple times for tea or apertivos, and they treated me like a daughter, and helped with so many things . Claudio is an amazing artist, and he showed me his loggia, or art studio, which filled me with envy, and his many drawings. He invited me to come to his figure drawing sessions, but I didn't have the chance to join him. Both checked in on me and made sure I had everything I needed - extra bedding for my guests, to show me how to use the fireplace and radiators when it got cold, and they were immediately responsive when the power went out. I haven't been treated so warmly by my own family. It made me sad to leave. Their daughter Chiara was also extremely helpful - she helped me with bus passes and practical matters, and was so friendly and down to earth. You feel as if you have become part of the family compound, and I wish I could have stayed longer and had them all over to my apartment to return the favors of their hospitality.
The bed is very comfortable and there were extra blankets in the chest at the foot of the bed when it got cold. The clothing storage is ample and it was fun to use the huge mirror with the giant glass chandelier behind you to get dressed up for a night on the town. I felt very elegant in that apartment, so rich and fancy. I took the most amazing photos there - bring a fancy dress just for the occasion to take pictures of yourself!
I fell in love with the neighborhood, as you turn the corner and the piazza Sant'Ambrosia is full of life. You see the same old friends gather with their dogs in the daytime for a cafe, and then more tables are added in the evening, and it is a happening spot to drink wine and people watch. I had cappucinos at the two cafes there - and there are bakeries and restaurants all around so that you have ample access to good pizza, pasta, and Tuscan food without having to wander into the more touristy center. But the Sant Ambrosia market was my favorite place to shop - I became friendly with certain vendors and felt like a local in picking up my weekly cheeses, homemade pesto and pasta, fresh cut prosciutto, and very good quality fruit and vegetables. In fact, Italy has far superior food for half the cost of groceries in America - I spent half as much on my food budget then expected, and the eggs and meat and produce was far superior to what I can get in California. I was spoiled for quality. There is also a little supermarket down the block where you can get your essentials, but I bought most of my food at the farmer's market as the inside has most of what you need as well as a restaurant that was fun to eat at - cheap and great quality, and also full of locals.
You can buy cashmere sweaters, gloves and hats at the market as well - it is cold in Florence in the winter, (for a Californian!) so for just 30 euros you can outfit yourself in what usually cost hundreds at normal stores. Everything else you want to visit in Florence is within walking distance, but also several busses go by which can take you to where you need to