Many times, my decision to stay in a place depends on the light.
I like well-lit places, I like the sun coming through the windows. I like to see clearly what's on my plate and in my cup.
I prefer well-lit cafés that feel very clean, so for me, lighting is the first element of the décor.
However, flat lights often make a place look cold and flatten the sensory experience as well, because light is magic. And that's what happens when we are outdoors, where light is transfigured.
This photograph is of a magical evening at a service offered by a friend by the sea. Too bad I don't have photos of the coffee, which was earlier in the day.The mosquitoes were not part of the decoration, but they were very present.
This photo is not as recent, but its light is still just as beautiful and it is a somewhat poetic experience. The setting for the cafe is natural, there is no decoration other than pretty tableware and vibrant tablecloths.
I say this because I have thought a lot about how much I appreciate the non-material elements of the places where I go, such as the music or the beloved silence. I don't like loud places. The same goes for the smell. Coffee shops smell like coffee and pastries, which means they smell good.
I like colored surfaces, no matter what the concept is. It can be neutral colors or the color that a natural element such as wood brings, but I believe that when good lighting is combined with appropriate colored surfaces and textures, magic happens.
The architecture of this mall is not particularly pretty. I appreciate that it is spacious and that they left enough bare spaces so that there is no feeling of variegation. There's nothing particular about the style, it's just a mall fair, but, whether calculated or not, you can spend hours looking at the play of lights.
And the colors are spectacular, bright without being overwhelming. Point against, very against, the ivy wall that you see in the background are artificial.
I love the green of these chairs and it is very nice that they are comfortable and that their texture contrasts with the polished metal tables. If you look closely, the whole thing harmonizes and, despite the metal and the cold reflections of light, despite how crowded it promises to be, the feeling is still friendly. I feel like I can come here and spend an afternoon talking, eating some cake with three or four friends. We would see each other's faces well and we could, perhaps, take fun photos with plenty of reflections.
I feel a certain pang of conscience when I think of all the energy this shopping center must consume. It has hundreds of lamps! But I can't deny that I like the effect.
By the way, I hate the decoration of the columns with all my soul. It seems that someone suddenly thought it was a good idea to place small tiles on those masses.
This is the view from the side terrace of the shopping center, in the yellow chairs area.
Lastly, I know this is not part of the decor of the place but it matters a lot to me, in fact, I have stayed in not so nice places just to take in the views, and the two terraces that the mall food fair has are spectacular, especially at twilight where all the light plays at becoming ghostly.
All the pictures were taken by me with my RedmiNote 9 phone
