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Land:It’s The Only Thing That Matters

July 31, 2008 RH 3 Comments

Our Marbletown country house was on seven acres connecting a neighbor’s property that we also had use of. Although I was completely miserable living in the woods, I’ve gotta say, it was nice to have trails in my own back yard. Open space is a happy thing and it’s disappearing quickly.

The following listings are upstate homes set on some acreage.

$249k: Claryville

Off the grid, baby! Solar powered cabin set on 30+ acres. Spring water, wood burning stove.

$259,900: High Falls

Location, location, location! This Lincoln log cabin is near High Falls. 1 BR, 1 Bath set on 10.2 acres. Best part of all, it looks like it needs work. You can relax AFTER the renovation!

$289,500: Dehli

3 BR cute-as-a-button farmhouse on 8 acres. Dehli is a good 3 hours from NYC, but it is breathtaking!

$300k: Stamford

Never been to Stamford, but those old photos sold me on this one! Just read the description: “Established in 1890 Rosemary Farm is part of the historical fabric of Delaware County. This wonderful farm is situated on 114 colorful acres, which includes pond, pine forest, wood lot, apple trees, meadows, trout stream, huge ancient maple trees, 7 bedroom farm house and 2 large barns.” And a tractor comes with the house! Now that’s a good realtor. Can we close by leaf peeping season?

Mosquito Control 101

July 31, 2008 RH 4 Comments

I’m not a crazy PETA person or anything (Ok, yeah, I am) but I don’t like killing anything. Not a mouse. Not a cockroach. Not even a mosquito. But I am thoroughly aware that they are annoying little mofos and one should not readily befriend them. We have a major problem with those nasty tiger mozzies in our Brooklyn backyard and my husband wants to annihilate them. I say if we’re going to cause them an untimely death, let’s at least do it in a humane way.

The best thing to do is keep them from breeding in the first place. That means get rid of standing water! It can collect in drains, gutters, birdbaths or just about anywhere.

The female of the species is the only one who bites as she searches out nourishment for her eggs. Mosquitoes find their prey using a combination of sensory signals including light, shape, color, heat, movement and other by products of human activity. Contraptions like the Mega Catch or Lentek Mosquito Trap mimic a mammal by emitting carbon dioxide, heat and moisture. The mozzies are attracted to the unit and get sucked in where they eventually dehydrate and die. There is also a DIY method which will save you the $300. All you need is a coke bottle, sugar and yeast. My husband wanted to do this, but it was the slow death part I didn’t like.

Zappers will kill them instantly. There are bug zappers and mosquito zappers. They each have pluses and minuses. The Mosquito Power Trap uses the CO2 approach to attract biting pests only (supposedly), so you’re not going around killing pretty little butterflies and fireflies. This runs on propane though. There are zappers that just plug in. Less energy is used, but you’ll kill everything in site. The cost of compassion is steep. The Power Trap is $400 as opposed to the free coke bottle/yeast set up.

But here is my favorite idea: BATS! If you build it, they will come. You can attract them by installing bat houses in your backyard. After hours of research and thinking this was the direction I was going to take, I realized that you have to be close to a source of water. Bed Stuy is not. Yes, we can install a pond or even a small pool will do, but isn’t that just going to breed mosquitoes?

Cost Cutting Renovation Tips

July 30, 2008 RH 2 Comments

1. DIY

If you’ve never lifted a hammer in your life, now is the time to start. Buy a book, take a class, but goddammit, learn about that house you’ve just spent your life savings on! No skills? Come on, there must be something you can do. Demolition is fun. Or how difficult can it be to paint a room?

2. Be your own General Contractor

Even if you don’t have the skills, there are still some ways to save money by going the DIY route. Do you have management skills? GC your own job. There are very few contractors out there who are great at everything they do. And if they are, trust me, they charge for it! If you have the time, hire and oversee each individual contractor….the plumber, electrician, floor guy/gal, plasterer, rocker, painter, etc.

3. Salvage! Salvage! Salvage!

I’m not just saying that because I like old crap. Why create waste in the landfills when you can reuse materials? Try to salvage existing flooring and cabinets in your home. If you cannot, you can always find second hand material Build It Green or Green Demolitions. Places like Eddie’s and Silver Fox have all the antique details you’ll need to properly restore your old home.

4. Sales, Liquidation and Inventory Overrun

Sometimes companies list sales, but even if you don’t see it, it’s always good to ask. Think discontinued items, slightly damaged goods and returned custom orders. They don’t want to sit on this stuff and the price difference can be significant! Check out Overstock.com for kitchen and bath hardware and tools.

5. Craig is your man!

Craig for Vice President! My life revolves around Craigslist. Forget buying from companies. They want to make a profit. There are people out there who just want to get this stuff out of their homes. They ordered too much flooring. The brand new kitchen isn’t their taste. They want a modern look and that marble mantle just doesn’t fit in. Be sure to search the free offerings first.

6. Save on paint

You know you can buy previously opened cans of paint for a song? Sometimes people buy the wrong thing and need to return it. I just did it the other day. They gave me semi-gloss when I asked for flat. I painted half a wall before I figured it out. I know that Home Depot has them. Not sure about other paint store. Places like Hudson Valley Materials Exchange in New Paltz sells them too. You’ll just have to settle on the colors they have available, is all.

7. Again with the Craig

Some DIYers buy tools for the job and resell them when finished. There’s no need to buy new tools unless you’ll be doing this all the time. Things like the Silent Paint Remover, tile cutters or old cement mixers can be good buys. If you rent these tools, it could possibly cost more than buying if the job takes a long time.

8. Appliance rebates and tax incentives

Check out the Energy Star site for new appliance incentives. You’ll not only be saving money when purchasing them, but running energy efficient appliances over the long run will help in a big way.

9. High end contractors for less

Retired contractors. Fireman contractors. Guys or gals working for a high end company, but looking to take on extra work for themselves. All trained and highly skilled, but at a fraction of the cost because it’s just a side job.

10. Negotiate

I don’t like doing it, but I hear it works. Try it with everyone from contractors to kitchen showrooms. Let’s make a deal, Monte!

Faux Wood Beams

July 30, 2008 RH 14 Comments

I usually don’t like faux wood, especially beams. But these don’t look too terrible. Plus, they do have real reclaimed wood beams, so let’s talk.

The first FAQ on Faux Wood Beams informs us that “Faux is a French word. It means false, artificial or simulated.” Were people actually asking them this? Plus, they have a voice over explaining everything. Makes me feel stoopid.

Anyway, the faux beams are made from polyurethane, not styrofoam. They are non toxic, no formaldehyde and the manufacturing plant keeps waste in check.

The reclaimed wood beams are the real deal, only they are hollowed out, so it’s purely decorative. And it’s much lighter than a solid wood beam too!

Drywell Kit

July 29, 2008 RH

The mechanicals are my husband’s job. He takes care of things like foundation, structural, plumbing and electric. Then I come in and and do all of the finishing work. See, this way, I get all the credit for having a beautiful house. But I didn’t plan it just so I could get compliments. I actually become quite bored with the functional stuff sometimes and I really don’t understand it too well.

And that is my excuse for this poorly written post. I saw this Drywell Kit on Leed Pro and thought it looks like something that might work for our leaky basement. This post is my way of saying to the husband “Hey honey, check this out!”

Here’s what I’ve grasped from The Natural Home site:

Gutter runoff should be at least 20 feet away from the house to assure a dry basement. These drywells are 2 foot diameter x 2 foot tall recycled heavy duty, high density polyethylene. They will catch roof gutter runoff and yard puddles and can be used as a sump pit as well. Cost is $159 per kit, but you’ll probably need a few surrounding the house.

Sounds good? The website has all the info you need!

Overheard: You Can’t Make This Stuff Up

July 29, 2008 RH 2 Comments

Two of my favorite sites are “Overheard in NY” and “True Green Confessions“. I don’t check them every day and then when I say “Let’s see what’s going on there” I always LMFAO. Here are some of the better ones. Go ahead, LYFAO:

From True Green:

“I bought organic bath products for my whole family to use, and i was feeling really great about myself… then the bottles became empty and i realized they are all #4 plastic! My county only recycles #1 and #2! Now i feel really sad!”

“I reuse sandwich bags and ziplocs. i rinse them out then hang them upside down to dry on a little clothes line above my washing machine.”

“I hate low flow toilets because you have to flush them 2-3 times to get the poop to go down.”
**Editor’s note: Yes! Yes! That is so true!

“Republicans recycle too.”

“I have about 5 recyclable cloth grocery bags. Thing is, I never remember to take them with me to the grocers.”

“I need to figure out how to transfer my PMS rage into energy for my apartment.”

From Overheard:

–A Train

Little guy to big guy wearing fur hat: You know, wearing fur is murder.
Big guy wearing fur hat: So is me pushing you off the train.

–Bx41

(back door opens and closes, then the bus starts moving)
Obnoxious Hispanic Emo girl: Back doooor! Back doooor!
Bus driver: What the f*ck!? Speak up, I don’t have all day!
Obnoxious girl: Back dooooor!
Bus driver: I have a family! I’m tired! I want to go home!
Obnoxious girl: Back doooooooor.
Bus driver: Ladies and gentlemen, our future.

–Elevator, 82nd & 3rd

Man: That’s a very cute dog!
Girl #1: Yes, she is. My dad got her at a pet store. He was going to get a dog at the shelter, but he didn’t want to.
Girl #2: Yeah, so the dog he would have gotten at the shelter died, because it was a kill shelter.
Dad: Um, I’m not really taking full responsibility for that.
Girl #1: The dog was killed. Just because you didn’t want it.
Girl #2: Yeah, dad.
Dad: Really. I think this is less than 5% my fault. Look, this where we get off.
Man: Have a good night! Sleep well.

Paint Reviews and A Blue Living Room

July 28, 2008 RH 4 Comments

It’s finally happening. I’m painting my living room! At least one small corner of the living room where the hubby will install our kitchenette next week (or the following week, or the one after that). Thanks to all of you who helped with my color decision. Here’s how it’s turning out:

I went with blue walls and white wainscoting instead of my initial desire to have the reverse. Instead of a pale blue, I went with something more vibrant. I’m not the most subtle person in the world, so why should my walls be? I was inspired by a “House of the Day” on Brownstoner that I couldn’t get out of my mind. They painted nearly every room blue! But I could only find one photo left on the internet. When the husband walked in and saw the color he asked if we had a boy.

My living room. Not.

Originally, I really wanted to make the detail in the wainscoting pop with a glaze or a second color. After a few tests, I decided I liked a clean look better after all. I’m stripping 60 some odd years of paint off, but I still don’t have the patience for perfection and by adding a second color, I only accentuated the flaws. So wainscoting is the Behr Swiss Coffee from Home Depot. No patience to wait for color mixing either. Right off the shelf!

Here’s where I need more HELP. Ok, so the ceiling is going to be white. What color should I do the plaster molding? I don’t want all white, but when I tested other colors, I wasn’t grooving to any of them. I did the corbels in a darker blue, with some metallics, but I forgot to take a picture. Don’t know if I’m going to keep that anyway as I think I’d like to go with more of an accent color. Here’s some more info to help you help me: We have a red couch. Ok, what color?? I want glitz!

About the paint:

I went with “Midwest Spring” from Home Depot’s No VOC Fresh Aire Choice. The color looks much more intense on the wall than on the paint chip, but my motto is “Once I start, I’m not repainting.” The first coat looked very patchy and I thought “Oh crap, this is worse than Ralph Lauren paint.” But the second coat filled in nicely and I got away with 2 coats in that dark corner. I liked the paint, but not enough to spend the $10 extra per gallon to use it for everything. Sorry, Mother Nature, my pockets aren’t deep enough to save your ass on my own.

For the ceiling, I spent an extra $3 for the gimmicky “goes on pink, dries white” paint. First time I used that. It does what it says and it’s a cool idea for anyone who hates straining their neck to paint the ceiling as much as I do. Your neck will still hurt, but at least you won’t have to do five coats to cover the spots you missed.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the most productive weekend. Time spent thinking about it, prepping, buying paint and supplies: 3/4 of the weekend. Time spent actually painting: maybe an hour or two. And I wonder why I only got one corner done.

Home Girl: Of Drugs and Brownstones

July 28, 2008 RH 2 Comments

I want this book! Judith Matloff and her husband purchased and renovated a Harlem brownstone years ago. Hilarity ensues when they realize they are living right next to a crack house and have a front yard view of the wholesale drug trade for the entire East Coast. I can sort of, kind of relate in a small way. We lived next to a drug dealer in Park Slope. If he wasn’t such a nasty, girlfriend beating bastard, we would’ve just ignored him. But he messed with the wrong neighbors. Oh, not us, the folks on the other side of him. But we joined in and got him out. So he could deal, threaten neighbors and beat up his girlfriend right around the corner.

Anyway, watch the video. Judith’s druggie neighbors are actually quite pleasant.

Via City Room

Brooklyn Flea Vs. The Church: Round 1

July 25, 2008 RH 33 Comments

Last night I attended the airing of the grievances for the Brooklyn Flea at Queen of All Saints Church. The town hall style meeting was well attended by both opponents and supporters of the weekly market, as well as Flea Daddies, Jonathan Butler and Eric Demby and politicians such as Letitia James.

There were some residents kvetching about noise levels, litter and crowds interfering with their peaceful Sunday mornings, but I’d say most of the criticism came from the church parishioners. As I had suspected, much of it had to do with parking issues. It was said that some elderly parishioners were no longer able to attend church because they couldn’t get dropped off out front or they were in fear of tripping over the bicycles that people lock up near the church gate. Some people stopped attending church because they couldn’t find parking at all. My husband thought that was funny since we have no trouble finding parking within a few blocks every Sunday.

One neighborhood gentleman got up to let the church know that he doesn’t appreciate all the years their visitors have been blocking the streets with their double parked cars. Another man thought they should be welcoming market attendees in to have a look at their church instead of turning them away. The issue there was the restroom. Many market visitors stop by to use the church facilities. But some simply want to see the interior of this historic church.

Most of the market opposition came from neighbors/parishioners whom have resided in Ft Greene all of their lives. As someone commented on my previous post “Old NIMBY vs New NIMBY”. My husband and I lived in Ft Greene in the 80’s when we were first married. We wondered if there was this much concern over the shootings and crack houses at the time. Ft Greene has always had some lovely architecture and people have kept their homes up, but Dekalb Avenue had nothing going on! And lest not forget “Murder Avenue”. Would people really prefer that to a flea market?

It did get kind of ugly when not one, but two separate parishioners stated “This wouldn’t happen in a Jewish neighborhood across from a synagogue on a Saturday.” That’s when my husband had to restrain me. I waved my arms like a 5th grader so I could respond to that, but alas, I wasn’t called upon to speak. All I wanted to say was that the last time I checked, Ft Greene wasn’t a CHRISTIAN neighborhood the way parts of Crown Heights are JEWISH enclaves. A less hot headed Jew than myself responded to those comments.

But it wasn’t until the end of the evening that I realized what this was really about. One parishioner stood up and voiced her concern that attendance has dropped for Sunday services at the church. I muttered “And that’s because of a flea market?” But that’s just it. Church attendance is on the decline all over Brooklyn. It’s a vulnerable situation and someone needs to be blamed.

So why not the flea market?

Green Tube

July 25, 2008 RH

It’s the environmentalist’s answer to You Tube. Go Green Tube has a similar set up to the web video giant. You can upload your own videos and search for them by date, popularity or ratings. But here’s the best part: GoGreenTube will offset one pound of carbon dioxide for every video watched. In order to earn the credits, viewers must sign up and every time they log in to watch a video, one carbon credit goes to Carbon Fund, a leading carbon offset organization.

Like this video of George W talking about global warming. But you’re not getting any credit for watching it here!

Via Groovy Green

Free Concerts This Weekend

July 24, 2008 RH

Thursday

Coney Island Seaside Concerts
Smokey Robinson

* Aug 7th: Liza!

Friday

River to River Festival
Ollabelle pays tribute to Johnny Cash
12:30pm, World Financial Center

Saturday

Celebrate Brooklyn, Prospect Park Bandshell
Ghostland Observatory, The Jealous Girlfriends, Bear Hands

Sunday

Central Park Summer Stage, 3-7 p.m.
Taj Majal, Skatalites, Los Pinguos

Save the Brooklyn Flea!

July 23, 2008 RH 15 Comments

What happened to Brooklyn? It used to be so cool when it was uncool. Now it’s full of a bunch of grumpy NIMBY whiners. Apparently, a flea market is an unwelcome occurrence.

People are bitching about the Brooklyn Flea already, 3 months into the endeavor. It seems that the nearby church is peeved that the vendors are taking their double parking rights on a Sunday morning. I don’t think that was said outright, but come on, what else could it be? On top of that, there are some neighborhood people complaining about….actually, I don’t know what their gripe is. But this is Fort Greene. It usen’t to be so….complainy.

The market sustains over 150 vendors per week (including moi).

The market generates income for the school.

The market employs 15 people part time.

The market is economic stimulus for Fort Greene.

And this is bad, how?

You know what? Screw you, Ft Greene! We’d love to have the flea in Bed Stuy! We could use the economic stimulus.

Councilwoman Letitia James is trying to save the flea and you can too.

A town hall meeting will be held Thursday, July 24, at 7 p.m. at the Queen of All Saints’ Roman Catholic Church, 300 Vanderbilt near Lafayette.

Via Daily Intel

Down In The Tube Station At Midnight

July 23, 2008 RH

Antiques on the Internets

July 22, 2008 RH 2 Comments

As an antiques buyer I usually just hit the local flea markets, yard sales and Craigslist. Now that I’m exploring different venues as a merchant, I’m discovering some sites that I knew about before but never really used.

Sometimes you don’t have time to shop around and if you’re looking for something very specific, it’s best to get it online.

For smaller vintage items, such as fabrics, linens and kitsch tschotkas, Etsy is the place to be! I’ve always loved Etsy for the handmade goodies, but it’s a great source for straight vintage as well.

Mitzi from Vintage Goodness recently started an online directory called The Vintage List. There are very few vendors on there as of yet, but help spread the word! If you build it, they will come.

Everyone knows about Ebay. I found many a bargain in my day and I’ve also had some let downs. Buyer beware. As a seller, I find their fees a bit too rich for my pocket.

Two antique malls I just signed up with are GoAntiques and Tias. I’m still working on uploading to both of my online stores so I can’t say how they are for merchant sales. One good thing about GoAntiques from a seller’s point of view is that they’ll automatically upload items to Ebay auctions, no fee. And unlike Ebay, these sites separate the reproductions from the real antiques. How many times have you done an Ebay search only to find new items sneaking in with “vintage” or “antique” in the description? I hate when that happens! Anyway, my take on these sites: Fewer bargains, but higher quality merch. It’s my impression that these sites are geared more towards collectors and dealers than the general public. I’m kind of lost there myself, but I’m learning!

Ruby Lane is the third big not-Ebay antiques mall. I really haven’t dealt with them, so I don’t know much.

Did I miss any? I’m sure there are lots out there!

Used Moving Boxes

July 22, 2008 RH

I don’t think I’ve ever bought moving boxes. I go to the supermarket or liquor store weeks in advance and stock up on soiled, too-small boxes because I’m too cheap to pay for a cardboard box. Plus, hel-lo….environment?!

But if you’re one of those people who doesn’t want to pack your white linens in a grungy box, then check out Ecobox.com. They sell used boxes of all shapes and sizes. I’m only assuming they are clean. I can’t imagine they would charge for a grungy box you can pick up from the supermarket.

The website also has packing materials. I filled my cart with bubble wrap and envelopes only to discover that this stuff is new. Oh well. At least the company is green.

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