Coffee houses aren't just for men anymore
As I’ve told you, I’m always looking for “yesterday” when I travel. Nowadays the whole world seems homogenized and there are Gaps and Banana Republics and Gucci stores everywhere you go. Boring! Why leave home, if this is what you find?
There was a photo of this coffee house in the tourist magazine in my hotel room in Istanbul, Turkey and I set out to find it. We had to ask a lot of people for directions as we walked the shopping streets in Beyoglu, the more modern part of Istanbul. I thought it would be a popular place since it is so beautiful, but it had only a few patrons. I’d recommend it, though. We had a sandwich and coffee. Good! And I’m fussy about my coffee and my sandwiches, too, for that matter. (note: Turkish food is almost always delicious.)
I love art deco and here were these huge stained glass windows surrounded by dark wood. Shaded lamps threw a yellow glow over the Bentwood chairs and small marble tables bathing the two women in soft light.
Should I tell you? These women were not dressed in the chador. They were modern women dressed in jeans and t-shirts, but that didn’t suit me. With a few strokes of my brush tool in Photoshop, I have my traditional women enjoying their chat.
More atmosphere or less?
Another thing I did was to add a layer of “gold” color to the darker image. I like them both so I’m showing you both of them. I must say I am attracted to dark warm colors and although I might try to do something light in blue colors, I just can’t!
Sorry that I cannot tell you the name of this coffee house! But check your tourist magazines that are in your hotel room. Maybe it’ll be there.