We picked the hottest day of the year for a 3 hour kayak tour on the open river, but we finally got to see Bannerman Castle up close and personal.

If you’ve ever taken the Metro North Hudson line past Cold Spring, you know the castle I’m talking about. It’s the ruins on the island. Yeah, that’s Bannerman.

We’ve lived in Beacon for five years now and every summer we say we’re going to do the tour. Finally, last week when we were walking up Main Street we saw a sign outside Mountain Tops Outfitters that said “Bannerman spots still available for August 15th tour.” So we just went in and booked it before we changed our minds.

You don’t have to kayak to get to the castle. There are large boat trips that let you off to tour the island. The kayak trip would have been pleasant enough had it not been 90 friggin degrees out. It’s about 1.5 hour from Beacon, 1.5 hour on the island and then 1.5 hour back. Three hours of river kayaking might be a bit much for a beginner, especially since you have to stay with the group. We kayak maybe 2-3 times per year and my muscles were slightly sore the following day, but it was nothing compared to the heat stroke I had.

Bannerman Castle lived up to my expectations! Wesley Gottlock was our tour guide. He and his wife, Barbara have some awesome New York history books out, including one on Bannerman. I filtered out the stuff that didn’t capture my attention and soaked up what was important to me.

That would be:

Frank Bannerman arrived from Dundee, Scotland in 1851. Nine year old Frank started to collect scrap from the harbor and became so successful at it that it that the business rapidly evolved into a munitions dealership. He started out at The Brooklyn Navy Yard and soon had to expand to 501 Broadway, NYC. Around 1900, NYC grew nervous of him storing so much ammunition and forced him out.

He came across Pollepel Island by chance and purchased it for his business. The massive castle he built housed his collection and he had a smaller home built on the island for he and his wife. Although Bannerman had no architectural training, he basically designed the buildings. Now, here’s my favorite part….he used recycled materials in the construction of his castle! Not entirely, but massive stones that were taken up for the foundation were reused, as was some of his inventory built into the walls.

Frank Bannerman died in 1918. In 1920, an explosion destroyed part of the complex. In 1967, the State of New York purchased the abandoned island and started giving tours. Two years later, the building was completely destroyed by a fire, making it unsafe for visitors.

The property is now owned by the NY State Park Department/Historic Sites and hard hat tours are given by Bannerman Castle Trust.

Frank Bannerman is buried in Greenwood Cemetery.

  posted @ 5:45 am Comments (5)

Love, love, love ABC Carpet/Home! They’ve got the best stuff evah! But those prices are out of control, for the likes of moi, anyway. Even when I hit the warehouse, can’t afford it. Even when they have a sale, can’t afford it.

How does this sound? The Bronx warehouse is having a 75% off sale through August 23rd (my birthday: take note). Probably not enough, I’m tellin’ ya. But wait, there’s more! Ok, you can download a coupon from the site to receive an extra 15% off.  So that means a $4000 chair would only be….$400.

Still too expensive, but I just may give it a shot anyway. I love feeling impoverished.

  posted @ 6:09 am Comments (4)

I discovered this Mr. Bean video on a Charles and Hudson newsletter. Yes, I LMFAO, but I also wondered if his technique just might work.

  posted @ 5:35 am Comments (3)

Vanessa from Etsy Storque alerted me to this video by Etsy seller Luxton Lake. Read the informative and fascinating post @ Etsy, but I just want to ad my own comments here:

1. OMG, I’m soooo jealous!

2. Why can’t MY house be finished?

3. Why can’t MY house be cute and bright like that?

4. Honey, when can we buy a 1940′s bungalow to restore?

  posted @ 6:09 am Comments (4)

Here ya go! A schedule-slash-description of The City Tech Continuing Ed courses in Brooklyn.

Urban Energy: Incentives for Solar, Wind and Energy$mart Savings

Saturday, October 24
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
A Free Community Program
HHT 081

How can you benefit by switching to renewable energy? Financial Incentives are available for solar electric or photovoltaic systems and a new tax credit is available for small wind turbines. Choose 100% wind power through your utility and save on taxes, green your roof or make your Home Energy $mart. The Solar Coordinator from the Center for Sustainable Energy at Bronx Community College, as well as key players in our city’s energy future will show you how to calculate the costs and benefits for using clean energy. You can gain incentives by making your home energy efficient.

Trea Case, Director Center for Sustainable Energy

NYSERDA’s Green Job Training Program
Did you know The New York State Energy Authority (NYSERDA) will reimburse tuition fees when you complete a certificate as a Home Energy Auditor, Building Performance Inspector, or Energy Envelope Inspector? Learn how to gain credentials and grow your career for the green economy.

Lecturers:

Tate Ryder, Senior Project Manager for Renewable Energy NYC Economic Development Corporation
Green NYC by 2030:
How the City will reach 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030

Wendy Fleischer, Pratt Center for Sustainability
Energy $mart Savings:
The NY Energy Star Multifamily Performance Program improves a building’s and reduces energy costs

David Seiter, Future Green
Green Roof Tax Abatement
Property Tax Abatements for installing a Green Roof

Con Edison Community Energy Program
Buying Green Wind Power: Elimination of Sales Tax

Rob Ashmore  Aeon Solar, NYSERDA Certified Solar Installer
Cash Incentives for Solar Installations
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) that provides cash incentives for the installation of new Solar Electric or Photovoltaic (PV) systems by Eligible Installers.

Debra Salomon, Green Educator
Urban Turbines and Solar Cities
91 Lumi Solair  solar/wind powered streetlights are being installed in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Estimated savings?  $600,000 in installation costs and $11,000 per year in electricity costs. Now that’s Green!

Hands-On Home Repair Workshops
Everything You Wanted To Know About Your Home (But Were Afraid to Ask)

Weds, 6:30 to 9:30 pm
$40 for each class, 3 classes for $105
HHT 078

These hands-on workshops teach you how to make basic home repairs and avoid calling in a professional plumber, electrician, carpenter or painter. We’ll show you how to repair a leaking toilet and patch and plaster a wall. Learn the basics of residential electricity and how to install a light fixture. Install a lock, cut a molding, unclog a trap, spackle a wall and become your own favorite handyperson.

Classes and dates as follows:

Homeowner’s Basic Tool Kit
Replace a lock, hang a cabinet, cut a board, level a shelf, install an anchor bolt in a hollow wall: This class introduces you to common household repairs and shows you which tool will get the job done. Discover your inner handyperson and save on home repairs!
October 14

Homeowner’s Guide to Basic Plumbing
Basic plumbing:  How to fix a toilet, bleed a radiator, unclog a drain
October 21

Home-Green- Home: Improving Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality
Is your home making you sick?  Breathe free and by using green cleaning products, no VOC paint and plywood, and removing your shoes. Studies show that asthma rates dramatically decrease when indoor air quality improves. Good Health? It starts at home.
October 28

Plumbing Fixtures that Fit (Your Style and Budget and Pipes)
Before you update your kitchen, move your toilet, or select a shower-spa
You should speak to a plumber and a designer. Here’s your chance.
November 4

Plaster and Sheetrock Repair
Repair drywall, frame and tape, patch plaster, repair plaster moldings.
November 11

Everyday Electricity You Can Do Yourself
How to replace a fuse, change an outlet, install a fixture, test
for power and splice a wire.
November 18

Hands-On Home Décor : Let There Be Lights—in every room
How to select and install the correct light fixture for bedrooms,
kitchens, living rooms and offices.
December 2

Installing Ceramic Tile for Floors and Walls
How to create a level surface; select  floor tile, design a
backsplash, and install like a pro.
December 9

Get in the Tongue and Groove
How to repair old floors and install new wood or floating floors.
See a range of flooring materials from wide plank to bamboo.
December 16

Home Design Toolkits

The  Art of Home Décor
Wednesday, January 6 -27
6:30 to 9:30pm
12 hours $150
HHT 070

Add beauty, drama and focus  to your home. Showcase your skills and explore your creative spirit. Dress a window, hang a picture select a palette or choose an accent piece. NYC designers show you how!

Home Staging for Homeowners
Wednesday, 6:00 – 9 p.m. February 3
3 hours $40
REX 081

Home staging uses professional design techniques to increase a home’s appeal to its potential buyers. This lecture/lab gives hands on instruction. Have a property you want to sell? Could it use some quick design tips? Bring a picture and leave with practical, affordable ways to increase sales. Rise above the competition and get your listings sold.

Home Staging for Real Estate Professionals
Wed February 10, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
3 hours $40
REX 080

Home Staging is a proven and time-tested method to help you market and sell your client’s home. In today’s economy, realtors can rise above the competition and get their listings sold. Making simple changes, removing clutter and depersonalizing the home allows the potential buyer to visualize the space and imagine living there. Invest in your future and prepare to become an Accredited Staging Professional.
Real Estate Continuing Education Credits are available.

Register with City Tech or call 718 552 1170

  posted @ 6:38 am Comments (3)

This has gotta be the coolest bathtub out there! Not only is it a shoe, it’s a pimped out hooker shoe! Would I wear this style on my feet? No. Would I want to design my entire bathroom around it? Hells yeah!!

The Sicis shoe tubs by Italian designer Massimiliano Della Monaca hit the internet back in May, but I just noticed it. The company has glass mosaic collections which include lighting and floors. There’s a showroom in Soho and the line is carried by Wayne Tile in Ramsey, NJ.

Now, before you run out with credit card in hand, a word about the price. This tub will run you somewhere around $20k.

However! If 2000 of you donated just $10 apiece, you could pay for my tub. Isn’t it better if one of us is able to purchase it rather than none of us?

  posted @ 5:20 am Comments (7)

Tip #45 (I just made that up) on dressing up a house: Colorize your details! A bit of color can go a long way in showcasing your architectural features.

Case in point: The Medallions. If you have a white medallion on a white ceiling, shame on you! Trick that beeatch out! Make her shine!

My new favorite thing for detail is metallic paint. Not only did I do the latest medallion in blue and gold metallic, I’m using a warm silver for the plaster crown molding. Brownstone Bling, Baby!

A few things you should know before you start:

1. Ugh, it’s a real pain in the arse to stand on a ladder and work up on the ceiling. It can take 2 full days to a week for fine details.

2. Which means, if you’re buying a new medallion, by all means….work on it BEFORE installation!

3. Back to old medallions, be sure to strip away multiple layers of paint if it’s covering grooves. Spread a thick layer of Peel Away, cover with plastic and leave overnight. You may have to do this twice.

3a. See the photo below of the little detail we found in the wall. You can’t really see the beauty of it with all that paint. The medallion above the light fixture in the “after” shot is a reproduction.

4. Spray paint makes life a lot easier, but keep in mind that it’s not easy to paint over, so you’ll need at least two coats to top it. On the blue and gold, I sprayed the gold and hand painted the blue, but I had to go over both about 3 times.

  posted @ 6:26 am Comments (5)

Instructables is always holding DIY contests, but I’m choosing this one to write home about.

This time they’ve partnered up with Gorilla Glue and Gorilla Tape to award winning contestants $100 worth of GG products. Ok, so it doesn’t sound like much, especially since it’s pricey stuff (but it IS good!), but it does sound like a fun project.

You can use any type of cardboard and create anything you like. Multiple entries are allowed, but you can only win once. Rules here.

One top prize winner and eight runners up ($50) will be announced in mid September. Contest deadline is August 30, 2009.

  posted @ 6:02 am Comments (0)

After two weeks of staying with us, my mom is leaving today. Very nice to see her and all that, but two weeks. Nuff said.

I don’t do the Brooklyn Flea during July and August, but my goal was to catch up on inventory and online sales. There was some progress made on the house renovations prior to her visit, but I literally didn’t work at all for 2 weeks. Some people might call this a “vacation” but I call this “slacking”.

Anyhoo, as of today it’s back to the routine! Waking up at 5am to exercise and walk the dogs! Getting to work by 8am (yes, my morning routine which includes coffee and Facebook can take up to 3 hours).

Then….oh what the heck: A To Do List!

1. Garage full o’ furniture. Get that stuff finished and sold!

2. Prepare for 2 flea markets: Ft Greene on Saturdays and Park Slope on Sundays

3. Check out any last minute craft show openings. (Yeah, I waited too long on this one)

4. Start early with the holiday smalls. Gotta get some NYC photo touristy stuff going.

5. Update my photography website. It’s been about 4 years.

6. Market the real estate photography.

One thing about taking time off is that you get to look at the situation without it being piled on top of you. What’s really going to happen? As soon as I get started, I’ll become overwhelmed immediately and won’t accomplish half the list.

But at least I got to make a list!

  posted @ 5:18 am Comments (1)

Materialicious has a new format! Justin has opened the site to the general public to register and submit content.

What does this mean? If you’ve got something to say on the subjects of residential architecture and design, craftsmanship, materials and products, here’s your outlet.

If you are a creative, you’re welcome to promote your work on the site. The site will be moderated and edited, so commercial work and spam is out of the question.

It’s a great idea! For the reader, there will be more material than a team of bloggers can ever provide. For crafts people and other bloggers, it’s free promotion. Now if I can only keep up with my own blog, I can contribute to Materialicious.

More info in this Materialicious post.

Sign up here.

  posted @ 5:47 am Comments (2)

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