A Glimpse of Venice at Midnight

There is something about Venice at midnight that feels surreal. The canals are quiet, the lanterns glow on the water, and the facades appear to be made of a new material, smoother somehow than the stone they are really carved from.

Most people can't appreciate this side of Venice, since they only see the daytime version, the one with the crowds on the Rialto and the gondolas returning from their rides. This Venice, full of life and color, is only for the few who wandered off after dark once and then longed for it every year since.

That's where the Midnight in Venezia Book Nook Kit comes in handy. It brings that other Venice to you, to the corner of your room, and out for all to see every evening

The City After Hours

Venice has always been two cities.

The one you see in postcards, with its gondolas gliding past beautiful facades under the sun, is busy, crowded, and loud.

But then this city disappears when the last tourists leave, the narrow streets quieten down, and the canals stop echoing to the rhythm of hundreds of footsteps.

The real Venice comes out after midnight. The facades are the same, but their stone seems to hold more history, and the canals carry the lights from the floating lanterns away into black pools of water.

These are the kinds of Venice that only appear to those willing to stay and find them, and that this kit brings right to your room.

A miniature cityscape of aged facades standing over a gently glowing turquoise canal. Climbing vines frame the buildings, their blossoms lit from behind glowing softly against the night sky. Stripes of patterned fabric flutter from above the canal, the awnings of shops now closed for the night. Weathered archways lead somewhere unknown, and even the canal itself glows with the reflection of lights from inside the buildings.

All of these details are lit up by twelve individual LED sources, which makes all the difference. This is not your average book nook kit, and the difference certainly shows when you look closely enough at the image.

439 Pieces. No Painting. No Frustration

All four hundred thirty-nine wooden pieces that make up this creation arrive painted and pre-formed. There is no need to guess at which piece goes where, no frustration of trying to paint small details when your brush won't reach. The electronics required for the lights to function also come installed, ready to be installed following the numbered diagram that comes with the kit. All you need to do is put together a small canal district, and watch it come magically to life under the glow of twelve miniature lanterns.

Taking it slow and methodical while putting it together, having no other task that demands your attention, allows you to slip into an oddly satisfying routine.

Some people build it alone, while others gather friends or family members and turn it into a shared activity.

When you finish, you get to keep something that will be a meaningful addition to your bookcase long after you put the last piece.

The Details That Make It Venice

Many miniatures look nice from a distance. The kit that is called Midnight in Venezia does not disappoint at close range.

The facade stones are detailed enough to show that the buildings were constructed with real materials. The vines growing along the balconies seem to grow in place. These small touches give the model character.

It is nice to see the canal, but what makes it special is the fact that it reflects the light from windows on the buildings. This means that the scene changes somewhat depending on the placement of the viewer.

Finally, the image includes elements that suggest that there is more to the story than what can be immediately seen. The archway at the end leads somewhere. The lit windows suggest that there are rooms beyond the ones that can be seen. The canal does not end where the buildings do. Miniature scenes should make the viewer feel that there is an entire world outside the one that is on display.

All of these details can be seen in Midnight in Venezia . The more you look at it, the more you see.

For the Person Who's Always Loved Venice

You most likely already know if Midnight in Venezia is the kind of thing you would enjoy. Perhaps you have already been there and never stopped dreaming about it since. Maybe you plan to visit and want to recreate this quiet, charming, and unforgettable time of day in a place you love. Or it could be that you simply admire the beauty of old buildings under the midnight sky, and this kit helps you recreate that memory in a way no other product you know does.

Whatever the reason, you should consider this an important kit to make, not just for the sheer pleasure of displaying it somewhere afterwards. It will become a part of your life in a different way than any other book nook creation, simply because of the time and effort you will have poured into it.

That's why this item serves as a decoration and a cherished memento all in one.