Determined that as much as possible in Project #155 will be second-hand, renovated, or refurbished, I’m all for buying other people’s no-longer-wants. I have a vision of an indoor wildflower meadow achieved by lots of old embroidered cushions (sourcing) on a white reupholstered couch with matching armchairs (sourced). Whether it realises in the form it’s taken residence in my mind is another story. I popped up to the city during the week to pick some of said cushions in District XI, a part of Budapest I’ve rarely ventured into, other than to the train station at Kelenföld. If anyone told me they lived in the eleventh district, I’d have to ask for a landmark. I’ve taken the 17 tram but always in the other direction. And I’ve taken the #1 but never that far.
[I’ve just discovered something I need to note for later: Kelenföld Power Station, the largest electrical generation plant in the world after its construction in 1912, is now a tourist attraction and has received coverage in the English-speaking world in recent years thanks in part to its Art Deco control room.]
The neighbourhood around Barázda utca is bopping. Bustling neighbourhoods, cafés, restaurants. New apartment blocks. New office space. It’s all happening in this ‘hood.
What struck me was the colour. None of the drab pastels so so easily fade into nothing. These were bright and bold and in your face.
I was struck immediately that these modern buildings were painted in the same colours as the embroidery thread used in my old cushions. They’re all there.
I wondered at the inspiration and although impressed, am grateful that my colours will be on the inside.
