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Save the Arizona Eliphante!

February 6, 2008 RH

Artist Michael Kahn passed on the 2007 Winter Solstice. His wife Leda still resides at the residence they built with their own hands near Sedona, AZ. But the non profit arts organization, Eliphante, is in need of repairs.

The 3 acre property was donated to the struggling artist couple in 1979. The series of buildings is a work in progress, not unlike Wings Castle or Broken Angel. It took 5 years to make the home habitable, during which time the couple lived in a small shack with no plumbing or electric. They did have a wood burning stove and Leda refers to the shack as “Winter Palace”, the best home she has ever lived in.

Building materials included found objects such as driftwood, glass and broken pottery. Eliphante is listed on the Smithsonian’s “Save Outdoor Sculpture” list and welcomes visitors on a limited basis.

Redwood Counter

Solar Bath House

Via NY Times

Howard Hall’s Shop Green Fundraiser

February 6, 2008 RH

I received an email from my buddies at Howard Hall Farm stating that they have joined forces with Let’s Go Green for a fund raising extravaganza. Let’s Go Green will donate 25% of every online purchase to the restoration project. Just don’t forget to specify Howard Hall at check out!

Howard Hall Farm is a 1780’s stone structure in Athens, NY which acts as a vehicle for educating people in historic preservation and green restoration techniques.

Let’s Go Green sells everything from cleaners to lightbulbs to water conservation products. All at pretty good prices!

Past Post on Howard Hall Farm

Operation Organize Garage

February 5, 2008 RH 1 Comment

Yeah, that’s my garage in Beacon. It’s a leaky, drafty old structure that is totally falling to pieces. And this is my storage and work space. But it’s kind of cute, isn’t it? And how do you like my white trash pile out front? That’s a sink vanity under the sheet and those are boxes of concrete tile. I have everything but the kitchen sink spilling out of that garage. Oh, wait….

The goal is to eventually tear this down (and reuse all wood, of course!) and build something….functional. But for now, she’s all I’ve got. No heat. Not a pleasant work environment. Don’t you feel sorry for me?

We were going to waterproof and insulate it on Sunday. But we stood there looking at it for a half hour and decided that it would be too much work for something that will come down in the spring. (Ha! Spring 2012 maybe!)

The other options were the dining room or the basement. We opted for the basement. The dark, damp basement. We’ll still have to organize and throw a tarp over the roof of the garage so we can use it for storage, but we can put that off for another few months.

Until the spring. When it will be pleasant to work out there again.

Reclaimed Home Super Tuesday Poll

February 5, 2008 RH

You’ve probably noticed that we’ve cut back on our posts. Gotta go out and bring home the tofu bacon, ya know? Please help out and let us know what is important to you so we can make y’all happy. Thanks!

Update: Oh dear, I was just informed that this isn’t showing up on iphone. If it doesn’t work with your browser, here’s the link.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Liquidation Sale + Flooring = A Productive Weekend

February 4, 2008 RH 6 Comments

This weekend I did some antiquing in Saugerties while the hubby worked on the Bed Stuy place. I hit The Treasure Shop’s retirement sale that was listed in the Friday Sales post. With 7 weeks to go, Tom’s prices weren’t rock bottom just yet, but there were some bargains to be had.

I met Jean aka I Love Upstate for lunch before our big shopfest. She was telling me how her mother is living in her house and redecorates with Walmart crap and how her fiance is one of those people who always lands on his feet (I HATE those people!). I read Jean’s blog regularly and she seems like a bit of a shopaholic, but I got to see it first hand. She purchased a framed horse ribbon display and some grain bags. What are you gonna do with those grain bags, Jean??!!

I filled my car with a bunch of stuff that I’ll transform and rehab. The twin bed frame will become a bench. The old metal gym locker can be used as a linen closet. And the singer sewing machine base will be used as a sink stand once I find the perfect piece for the top. I did ok. I’ll go back in a few weeks with a bigger truck when Tom is feeling more inspired to part with his items.

Meanwhile, back in Brooklyn, Husband picked up this floor I found on the Brownstoner forum. I had my heart set on wide plank antique flooring, but I was having trouble finding it at the price we wanted to pay. At the end of the day, this is a blessing. It’s 4″ wide, thick, solid oak leftover from a renovation. Already stained and polyurethaned. And it’s not one of those cheesy prefinished floors. The Boerum Hill couple had it sealed themselves outside of their home. So once we lay this sucker…it’s done! $400 for 200 square feet plus the $115 parking ticket my brilliant husband picked up.

All in all, not a bad weekend.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

February 4, 2008 RH

Author: Brett

Last Saturday, the next door neighbors moved away. We knew that it was coming; they had told us the week before, and of course, we had been there when the “For Sale” sign had gone up last April, the same day that we had left Manhattan and descended on the Boro of Kings.

Still, we were taken aback when we woke on Saturday morning to find the immense moving truck parked out front and to see the shouting men hoisting couches and mattresses and tossing them into the back.

All those many months of speculating who would buy the run-down, Colonial next door was finished. After 36 years, this family, one of the last of the old-timers on the block was selling to a wealthy family from around the corner. Apparently, the new owner had wanted to expand his house and met resistance from the neighbors. Eventually, he won the right to expand, but by then, bad feelings abounded, so they decided to move instead. Now we are not only coping with the loss of a fine next door neighbor, but the prospect of a new, arrogant one. Finally, what was this new owner planning to do? Would he knock the house down, as so many in this area have done, and construct a McMansion? Or would he simply add on, towering over us? Either way, our future is sure to be filled with the many sounds of scraping and drilling.

On Monday morning, I picked up the mail to find a postcard from the realtor who had sold our neighbor’s house. “Congratulations!” It read, “You have new neighbors!” Then: If you are looking to sell your home, please call us. When and if we will move or not is another issue entirely, and one better left for a future post.

Brooklyn Flea Blog

February 1, 2008 RH 3 Comments

As some regular readers may know, we’ve been gearing up to join Brownstoner’s Brooklyn Flea which launches on April 6th in Fort Greene.

Eric Demby, the MIC (Man in Charge), will be chronicling the planning process and asking for input via the blog. They are still seeking more antiques and vintage vendors as the goal is to capture the magic that the old Chelsea Antiques Market had. If you want to sign up you can register here or send an email to eric@brownstoner.com.

Meanwhile, check out the list of vendors on the sidebar. I have a feeling I’ll be doing more shopping than selling! This ain’t good.

Affordable NYC: Sunset Park

February 1, 2008 RH

Up until a few years ago, I considered Sunset Park “that area between Park Slope and Bay Ridge”. No offense to any long time residents, but the area didn’t seem to have much going on. Or at least I didn’t notice it.

We did briefly consider Sunset Park two years ago, before settling on Bed Stuy. Our decision was based on our own irrational concept. We sold our South Slope home in 2003 and we felt Sunset Park would be taking a step backwards since it’s that much farther out into Brooklyn. Bed Stuy felt like more of an upgrade, as the commute is less than half that of the South Slope. (Don’t argue, I lived it for 9 years.)

Anyway, enough with my own mishugas. Sunset Park does have a good mass transit system. The D,M,N&R run through the area, as well as bus lines. And if you do own a car, I have one word to say to you: Costco!

Sunset Park actually does have a park and is located just south of the historic and peaceful Greenwood Cemetery. This area is highest point in Brooklyn and has great views of the Manhattan skyline.

The architecture is nothing to sneeze at. Brownstones, bricks and limestones line the streets. There are the less expensive frames and apartment buildings as well.

Sunset Park has become more desirable in recent years. The folks getting priced out/cashing out of Park Slope are moving a few stops farther out for superior houses at a fraction of the cost.

This neighborhood should remain quite diverse as it was thriving before the newcomers arrived. 8th Avenue is home to Brooklyn’s Chinatown. Over on 5th Avenue is the Latin American section.

Village Voice
NRV Lowdown

Sunset Park Listings

February 1, 2008 RH

$190k: 1BR Coop: OH Saturday!

$619k: 2 Family Frame: OH Sunday!

$649k: 3 Family Brick: New Listing, OH Sunday!

$660k: 2 Family Brick

Sales!

February 1, 2008 RH 1 Comment

Gowanus Studio Space
Art Sale and Benefit.
Friday, February 1st. 6pm
$ 7.00. Live music and drink included.
All works priced $40-$70.

Estate Sale by Ann’s Tag Sales
Friday and Saturday, Feb. 1 & 2
10am-4pm, Paramus, NJ
Baby grand piano, grandfather clock, Duncan Phyfe style sofa, antique china and flatware, lots more.

The Treasure Shop, 92 Partition Street, Saugerties
Open daily 11-5pm.
Antiques shop closing after 15 years. Owner retiring.
I’m hitting this one myself on Saturday!

They Paved Paradise & They’re Putting Up A Green Hotel

January 31, 2008 RH

Longdock Beacon, on the Hudson, has been our own little dogwalking paradise since we moved here. There has been talk of developing a green dock, hotel and conference center for years, but the area remained untouched.

That is, until a few months ago. The bulldozers and cranes showed up seemingly overnight. It’s a construction zone now. How many mornings we had that pier all to ourselves! Alas, those days are gone. The dogs will have to stay on leash, if they will even be allowed down to the “new” pier at all.

Even though I’d rather see NO development to green development, I’ve gotta admit that the plans look pretty exciting. Most importantly, if it brings more restaurants to Beacon, I’m in.

The developers are aiming for LEED Gold for the 166 room hotel and conference center. Not only will the building be green, but the plan is to operate the hotel in a sustainable manner. This will include the use of bulk dispensers in rooms instead of cute little bottles, cleaning with chemical free products and furniture that is constructed from low VOC materials.

The hotel will occupy 8.5 of the 25 acre peninsula. Scenic Hudson, which owns the site, is building a 13-acre nature preserve on the land to the south of Long Dock. The area will include meadows, a boardwalk, wetlands and a boat launch for non motorized boats.

There will be a farmer’s market and performance space at the site.

All sounds fabulous, but guess who is going to be bitching about the crowds once it’s finished?

Long Dock, Beacon

Better take advantage of this while we can.

Weekender:Vernon, NJ

January 31, 2008 RH

If the great outdoors is your thing, you might want to check out Vernon, NJ. Apart from skiing, hiking, kayaking and swimming, the town itself doesn’t offer much. Actually, I think the town center is the local A&P.

Now, this doesn’t suit me personally because I want the best of both worlds. I’d like to be able to go for a strenuous hike up a mountain and then dine in a great restaurant that evening. Oh, there are definitely ways to spoil yourself in Vernon, but where’s the village?

Vernon is 1 hour from NYC and is considered part of the metro area. It’s not really accessible by public transit. The bus goes to neighboring Warwick, NY and from there you would have to make your way over the NJ border. Taking the train sounds even more complicated. That will land you farther away in Orange County, NY.

Let’s get to some positives of Vernon Township.

42% of total 70.5 square mile area is federal or state preserved property, dedicated to the preservation of open space, natural resources, and wildlife habitat. The Appalachian Trail winds through Waywayanda State Park. The Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge offers up birdwatching, hiking and kayaking. There are a couple of stables in the area for horseback riding. Private lakes dot the area of Highland Lakes, so if you’re lucky enough to rent or own one of these homes, water access is right in your backyard.

Mountain Creek is a ski lodge in the winter and water park during the summer months. Hidden Valley’s snow sports is located on Breakneck Road. Wonder which came first…the name or the lodge? Speaking of breaking necks, see the area while in freefall with Skydive Sussex.

If pampering yourself is more your thang, there’s holistic Wildflower Spa or Crystal Springs Golf Resort. But if you’re reading this blog, the quaint Apple Valley Inn is probably more your speed.

There are farm stands, wineries and apple picking in the surrounding area. If you need the restaurants, antiques shops and galleries, Warwick, NY really isn’t far. Warwick is great!

The reason I choose to write about Vernon over Warwick this week? The house prices! Nearly $100k less.

Vernon Chamber of Commerce

Vernon Listings

January 31, 2008 RH

$179k: 2BR, Needs TLC

$189.9k: 2BR Painted Log

$237.9k: 3BR Chalet

Bamboo Flooring

January 30, 2008 RH 3 Comments

Bamboo flooring is the choice for many a green renovation. Personally, I haven’t gotten used to the look of it. I prefer classic looking floors that have withstood the test of time. I mean style wise, not durability.

Since bamboo is probably here to stay, let’s take a look at the pros and cons, shall we?

PROS:

Supposedly stronger than many hardwoods. It is resilient and doesn’t dent easily.

Bamboos reach maturity much faster than hardwoods. They can also be cultivated, making this a renewable source.

Highly resistant to moisture. Good for kitchens and bathrooms. We’ve covered countertops here.

If you want a “green” floor this is a less expensive and more convenient option than reclaimed antique wood. Not as nice though!

CONS

Choose the manufacturer wisely! As with anything, you get what you pay for. Some manufacturers harvest bamboo before it is mature enough to produce good quality planks. Four years of growth is recommended.

Again, check into the manufacturer. Make sure they are using glues with low or no formaldehyde and finishes that contain low VOC’s.

Bamboo is mostly harvested in China. We don’t know what the F* is going on in those plants over there. Not only that, that’s a lot of fuel wasted for a green product.

Teragren and Plyboo are 2 companies that distribute locally and keep an eye on their production.

Vintage Cabinets Revisited

January 29, 2008 RH 7 Comments

Remember the post we did a few weeks ago on those gorgeous vintage 1950’s cabinets? Well, you have to start somewhere. We’ve unearthed the mother load of vintage cabinets: ready for restoration!

Retro Renovation is not only a cool blog, it features a forum as well. There is plenty of information on varying makes and models of mid century metal cabinetry. For sale, wanted, how to paint.

Check out 50sPam’s kitchen below. How jealous am I? I’m as green(ish blue) with envy as those cabinets right now.

The Youngstown sink and cabinet pictured below is on sale for $150 in Ithaca, NY. That’s just one of the listings Pam has chosen for her forum. You gotta have vision, people!

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