Hawaiian Motif Vessel Sink: $225
Reconditioned Tools
My MacBookPro never leaves my side. Until I get my iphone, then we’ll see. When my old laptop became obsolete after a week (Thank you Mr. Jobs!) I didn’t want to spend good money on something I’d probably have to replace in another few months. I got this ingenius brain fart to buy a refurbished computer directly from Mac. I paid half the price and have a year’s warranty.
So, what about doing that with power tools? The deals aren’t as good as computers, but they are discounted and they do come with a warranty. Plus, buying refurbished means you’re recycling!
Keep in mind that used and reconditioned are two different things. You can purchase used tools on Craig’s, Ebay or Amazon, but you don’t know what kind of problems they have.
It’s best to go directly to the manufacturer or a reseller they recommend, but if that’s not possible, just make sure the company isn’t some guy fixing tools in his garage.
Here’s what I found during a quick search:
Tyler Tool
Tool King
CPO Outlets
Oh, PS: In all fairness to Steve Jobs, I dropped my old computer so many times that it finally just died on me. I can’t avoid a good Mac dig though.
Research The History Of Your Home
It’s one of those things I’ve always wanted to do but never got around to. I got goosebumps when we found old letters from the war in our Bed Stuy house. And I was equally excited when we found crack vials from the 80’s. It’s all part of the history!
If you’re not lucky enough to have found time capsules in your walls, there are some ways to figure out who was there before you.
Talk to the previous owners, tenants and neighbors. Local shopkeepers could be a good source if they’ve been there awhile. The guy at my local hardware store knows everyone and everything.
Public records include deeds, taxes and building permits. You’ll probably need to go to the County Clerk’s office and hit the library and historical society as well. Property Shark and ACRIS will get you started, but you won’t get very far.
The links below go into much more detail than I ever could. If all else fails, you can always hire a house genealogist.
Wiki How
Hunt Down Your Home’s History: CNN
Old House History
House Genealogy
Cyndi’s List
BKLYN Designs 2008
CALL FOR EXHIBITORS: BKLYN DESIGNS + 2008
Since it’s launch in 2003, Bklyn Designs has expanded into three main venues. The Dumbo show is presented by the Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Target this year.
In addition to showcasing up and coming home furnishing and fixture designers, BKLYN DESIGNS 2008 will feature a cash and carry market for small home accessories.
There is no jury fee to enter, but booth space is $800 and items must have been made in Brooklyn.
Application deadline is February 1, 2008.
Building Materials Reuse Association
BMRA is not for profit educational and research group whose goal is to encourage the reuse of building materials during deconstruction. It is a membership based group that brings together demolition companies and recycling organizations.
So what does that mean for the homeowner? Well, the site lists state by state directories of members and non members in the business. This includes salvage companies, reclaimed lumber and demolition services.
Wednesday Linkorama
Eco Friendly Glass Tiles: Get with Green
Hack A Wood Stove Into Water Heater: Daily Green
Keep Warm With Coffee Grounds: Chalk the Line
A Friend for Life: FiveCat
DIY Cat Tree: Martha Stewart
1950’s Kitchen Cabinets
Before you get excited, Source Antiques is located in Bath, England. But I just want to give you an idea of what you can do with old outdated cabinets. With a bit of refurbishing and new handles, your cabinets could be (almost) as spectacular as these. Won’t you give them a second chance?
We have a set of wood cabinets in our garage that are waiting for some love. And I can’t wait to get to them! It’s going to be a fun project.
Local Slate Quarry
Although slate is not a renewable source, there are some things to consider before dismissing it.
Let’s start with the negatives first. Is it raping the earth? What impact does the mining have on the environment? Does it create pollution?
If you really want your renovation to be green, these are questions you’ll have to ask about every product. You can buy a 100% recycled countertop that is fabricated under the best conditions, but if it’s being shipped from California and will be out of style by next year, what’s the point?
A few things to consider:
Buy local.
Get something that will hold up for many years.
Go with something that won’t go out of style next year. A classic look.
Is it recyclable once the life expectancy is over or if someone buys your house and guts it because it’s “not their taste”?
I found a local (enough) quarry in my search. Sheldon Slate is a 4th generation family owned business with locations in NY, VT, ME and PA. They mine and manufacture tiles, sinks, slabs and roofing.
Beats Italian marble or granite.
Hotel Liquidators
A few weeks ago I heard about the glut of hotel armoires on NPR. This due to the fact that flat screen TV’s are all the rage now and hotels are discarding the entertainment units along with the big outdated TV’s.
Armoires have been around since the turn of some long ago century. I don’t know the full history, so I won’t pretend I do. They can be converted for use as a closet, kitchen cupboard or computer desk. And why not still an entertainment center? Those flat screen TV’s are still very much out of place in a period home!
Universal Hotel Liquidators seems to be the only local hotel shop. And when I say local, I mean New Haven, CT. They currently have some cool couches and chairs from the Essex House.
For a list of surplus outlets across the country, see I Love Upstate’s November post.
This Old House Sweepstakes
Here’s an easy one for ya. No video. Just fill out your name and address. No purchase necessary. This sweepstakes brought to us by This Old House. Up to $25,000.
Rules
Furniture Sales!
Antiques at the Armory
January 18, 19, 20
69th Regiment Armory, Lex @ 26th St
$15 admission
Seminole Furniture
Now Til to February 15th, 2008
44 East 32nd Street, 2nd Floor
(Park Avenue & Madison Avenue)
212 683-6464
Store Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Two Worlds
Moving Sale
Call for appointment: 212-929-2210
ABC Carpet
Now through 1/21 at all locations
Up to 40% off
Green Demolitions
95% off until January 31
Check site for locations
January Brooklyn Blogade
Clinton Hill Blog will host this month’s Brooklyn Blogade. It will take place on Sunday, January 20th at Frank White Cafe & Gallery, 936 Atlantic Ave at St. James. 11 am. The brunch menu looks to die for, so if you don’t come for the chit chat, come for the food. Please RSVP by January 16th: clintonhillblogATgmailDOTcom
Preparing for Guests: The Kitchen
Yes, we live like this. And we have for years. If you’re a germaphobe, please look away now.
Our long term plan is to completely redo the kitchen. We’ll probably end up adding an extension as the layout here is difficult to get around. There are windows and doors in every wall. It would be a bit cramped for an island. We also don’t love the idea of having a full bathroom right off the kitchen, but we want the home to have 2 baths.Continue reading Preparing for Guests: The Kitchen
Affordable Burb: Cranford, NJ
Author: Brett
Andrew and I have employed a couple of methods over the years in order to pinpoint the town that is right for us. Some of them are zany, like looking up the area where a certain film was shot because we liked the street or studying the train map and researching the towns within an hour’s ride from Manhattan. Then there are the times when we hear about a place through word of mouth. That’s how we discovered Cranford, NJ.
One day, I was complaining to a coworker about how long we have been looking for a house in a town with a vibrant downtown area and that we would like said house to be no more than a 20-minute walk to the train station. She mentioned that her best friend lived in Cranford in Union county, New Jersey and that it seemed to have what we were looking for.Continue reading Affordable Burb: Cranford, NJ
Cranford Listings
$389k: 5 BR
$399.9k: 3 BR
$469k: 3 BR
$ 474.9k: 4 BR
$ 539k: 3 BR OH 1/13!