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Antique Stoves

October 3, 2007 RH 1 Comment

I’ve seen plenty of vintage stoves around in antiques shops and on Craigs and I’ve always been tempted. Some are free. Some are only a few hundred bucks. What worries me is the cost of restoration. I mean, you’re dealing with gas and fire….scary. This probably isn’t a DIY job.

Restoration companies can’t really give quotes without knowing about the stove, so it’s hard to say how much that “bargain” will cost you in the end. I’m sure I’ll find out when it comes time to redo our kitchen. Until then, check out some of the already restored models and classifieds:

Antique Appliances: Classifieds
Bryant Stove
Barnstable Stove
Antique Stove: Classifieds
Belgrove Appliance now Stove Lady
Stove Hospital

Green Demolitions Is Having A Sale!

October 3, 2007 RH 1 Comment

Sweet custom “Pine Wet Bar”: $2900

Green Demolitions is a second hand supplier of first class home fixtures. They sell high end commercial surplus and used donations from homes being renovated and demolished in CT and NY.

There are currently 3 locations in Bethel, NY, Blackrock, CT and Honesdale, PA. Saturday, Oct. 13th, will be the grand opening of their 4th location in Norwalk, CT.

But back to this sale….

Today through Sunday at the Bethel and Honesdale locations….50-75% off! They have cabinets, appliances, building materials, etc…

Green Demolitions

Tax Incentives

October 3, 2007 RH

I’ll admit it. I’m too much of a loser to get my act together to apply for these incentives. I don’t even know if it’s for NY. But if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s giving advice to others. So, don’t do as I do. Do as I say: read up on this and apply for these credits!

Homeowners can get credits for energy improvements to their homes, such as windows, insulation, and envelope and duct sealing. Credits are available to homeowners and businesses who install qualifying solar equipment including photovoltaic cells and solar water heating systems. They’re giving credits for installing efficient air conditioners and heat pumps; gas or oil furnaces and furnace fans; and gas, oil, or electric heat pump water heaters in new or existing homes.

Energy Tax Incentives

DIY: Repainting Cabinets

October 2, 2007 RH 6 Comments

Home Depot Special

New Life: Faux Antiqued Look

No, No, No, You don’t need to pay $20,000 for new cabinets! Not even $2000. Do you have real wood cabinets? Or even cool metal one? If not, you can probably pick up someone’s throwaways on Craigs.

Tools:

Palm Sander
Paint Brushes
Small Rollers (foam is good)
Paint Sprayer: cool, but not necessary
Drill
Sawhorse

Materials:

Lots of Sandpaper 120-180 grit
Bin Shellac Based Primer or Other Zinsser Primer
Gloss Paint (easier to clean than Semi or Eggshell)
Wood putty

Continue reading DIY: Repainting Cabinets

Thomas Crapper & Co

October 2, 2007 RH

Yo, that dude’s name is Crapper!

Actually, Thomas Crapper, a London plumber, set up shop in 1861. He promoted sanitary fittings and a water waste preventing cistern syphon. The company is still around today and offers some gorgeous reproduction bathroom fittings. They are not inexpensive and with shipping….yikes! But I’m thinking it might be worth trying to make my own version of “The Throne“, pictured below.

Letting Cats Out. Keeping Them Safe

October 1, 2007 RH 1 Comment

Our cats love to go outdoors and we don’t want to deny them that. On the other hand, we live on a busy road and need to keep them safe in the yard. We’ve been using the Cat Fence In System for years and we’ve never had a problem. It’s a very simple design: brackets at an angle the cat can’t jump on, plus netting.

The catch is: You must be diligent about maintenance. The few times our cats got out was because they found holes or tears in the netting that were overlooked. Squirrels can chew their way through and if a cat has something tall nearby to stand on (think: tool shed, tree) they can chew or jump over the netting as well. It’s a good idea to loosen the brackets during the winter (if you’re keeping your cat in) because heavy snow can bend them. You should also keep an eye on the screws because they loosen or rust. In other words: check it often!

Make sure the bottom of your fence is cat proof also. We use mesh where the fence doesn’t meet the soil. As with the netting, this should be check regularly as wild animals often dig holes under fencing.

Keep a close eye on the little rascals the first few times you let them out. Cats are crafty and they will think of things you haven’t!

Cat Fence In System
DIY Cat Fence
Purrfect Fence
Just 4 Cats
Cat Fence

Salvage Road Trip: Albany

October 1, 2007 RH 6 Comments

I recently took a trip up to Albany looking for inexpensive salvage. Here’s what I found:

Stoves at Historic Albany Warehouse

The Historic Albany Foundation Architectural Parts Warehouse is a private, non profit working to promote the preservation of Albany’s buildings. They do not ship, nor do they have inventory on their website. They are chock full of doors and windows and have some great antique stoves and good prices.

Silver Fox Enterprises

Next I hit Silver Fox Enterprises. This was like shopping in style for salvage. It was bright, well organized, spacious and clean. And the best part is the prices are pretty good! They transform salvaged items into functional home furnishings, kind of like what we intend to do, but haven’t gotten around to yet. On weekends, there is live music and vendors.

Next I went up to Troy, about 8 miles north of Albany. There’s a whole “antiques district”, which is about 2 blocks long. Because these were antique furnishings and not salvage, the prices were higher. However! You would have to search far and wide for prices this good closer to NYC.
Bournebrook Architectural Salvage, across from Bournebrook Antique Center (closed) has tubs and sinks which are in great condition. They also have some vintage refrigerators, mantles, stained glass and hardware.

Brooklyn Blogade

October 1, 2007 RH

Yesterday I went to my very first Brooklyn Blogade. Dragged the hubby (who had a nice time). We arrived late (my fault) and missed being in the picture of EVERYONE (except us). The event took place at Le Toukouleur in North Stuy and the food was yummy. Petra/Changeling and Joanna/Alexa11221 of Bed Stuy Blog organized the event along with Eleanor of Creative Times.

Shop Bed Stuy was on hand as well as Le Chateau de Frenche, an inexpensive luxury day spa offering high tea.

It was a good turn out (although I wouldn’t know, it being my first time and all) and everyone seemed to have a good time (I did, anyway).

Other bloggers on hand:

Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn
Bushwick BK
Flatbush Gardener
Saucy Tart
Luna Park Gazette
Brooklyn Nester
Greenpointers
Brooklyn Fashion Gallery

Recycled Glass Countertops

October 1, 2007 RH 2 Comments

Icestone

Of the three larger companies fabricating recycled glass composite countertops, Icestone, the best known, is also the only local one. The product, made from 100% recycled glass mixed with concrete, is manufactured in a day lit factory in Brooklyn. The chemical composition is benign and 99.5% inorganic. Icestone comes in a variety of 23 colors. Local showrooms include Chelsea Arts Tile and AK Tile Studio.

Vetrazzo

Vetrazzo is composed of 85% recycled glass with a binder of cement, additives, pigments and other recycled materials such as fly ash – a waste by-product of coal burning power plants. They do not utilize synthetic, petroleum-based resin binders. The product comes in 16 colors and is manufactured in California.

EnviroGlas

EnviroGlas Slabs are made of 75% post-consumer and post-industrial recycled glass and 25% binder by volume. They do use resin in the process. There are 22 standard resin colors or you can formulate your own design. The company is based in Texas.

Affordable Apartments In NYC via NY Times

October 1, 2007 RH 2 Comments

That’s What We’re Talking About!

You see? Even the Times says you can buy an apartment for under $200k in NYC. This Sunday’s article features some of the more affordable neighborhoods in the boroughs, including Riverdale, Forest Hills, Jackson Heights and Flatbush. Even in Manhattan’s Inwood section, it’s possible to find affordable digs.

I’m sure we’ll be covering these neighborhoods in the weeks and months to come since that’s our schtick: Affordable NYC. One thing we do feel strongly about though, is investing in a multi family home in need of TLC rather than an apartment. Each to his/her own, some folks don’t want to be landlords and others don’t want to put in the sweat equity. But we feel the pay off is much better than an apartment. At least the Times is advocating less gentrified areas!

NYT Real Estate Article

REBNY MLS: It’s here.

September 28, 2007 RH

If NYC isn’t the center of your universe, you may not know this. There’s no MLS in NYC, any of the boroughs. Well, no real MLS, it’s kind of a joke. It makes it crazy difficult for a house buyer, shopping around with various agents, looking at The NY Times and Craigslist. It’s a full time job. And “buyer’s agent”? Ha! And don’t even get me started on how unfair this is for sellers.

Anyway, REBNY, the Real Estate Board of NY, is the the closest thing we have to MLS. Yesterday, they launched a web search portal called Residential NYC. It’s powered by Trulia, making it seems like….Trulia. Two of the largest real estate firms in NYC opted out: Corcoran and Elliman. So basically, MLS in NYC….not.

Affordable NYC: Ridgewood, Queens

September 28, 2007 RH 1 Comment

No, that’s not a photo of Sunset Park.

I must admit something. I know nothing about Queens. All I know is that I get lost whenever I go there, what with all of their roads, avenues, streets, boulevards….it’s a confusing place!

Anyhoo, in doing a search for affordable and decent architecture in the boroughs, Ridgewood kept coming up. I’m impressed. Ridgewood has more historic districts than any other Queens neighborhood.

Can’t tell you too much about Ridgewood, but I know folks whom are priced out of Williamsburg and Bushwick are moving there. It’s on the M line, not the fastest train into the city, but if you feel like switching for the L, you can do so.

Ridgewood is a diverse neighborhood. Lots of Eastern Europeans about. It retains an old timey feel with it’s many mom and pop shops (remember those?) within walking distance of most homes.

I won’t give you the pros and cons since I’m not familiar enough with the area. Any Ridgewood readers out there? Feel free to chime in!

Queens links:

OuterB
Ridgewood: About
Onderdonk House
Queens Chamber of Commerce

Ridgewood Listings

September 28, 2007 RH

2 Family: $619k
* Open House this Saturday 9/29!

2 Family, Glendale: $ 629k

2 Family: $ 749k

DIY: Grouting Tile

September 28, 2007 RH

Tools:

Rubber Grout Float
Grout Sponge
Bucket
Mixing Trowel
Grout Saw
Vacuum
Rubber Gloves

1. First you’ll have to clean up that big mess you made yesterday. Grab a vacuum and a bucket of warm water. With the grout saw, remove any areas of mortar in the seams that are too high to accept grout. Vacuum all dust, wipe down mortar on tiles using the grout sponge.

2. Mix grout. We learned about slaking yesterday, so you know what time it is. Enjoy.

3. Throw a glob of grout on the floor and work it into joints at an angle. The key is to fill the whole joint, not just the surface.

4. Wipe up excess grout off tile with the clean edge of the float.

5. For edges and corners, you may need a margin tool, but fingers also work fine.

6. You’ll want to allow about 15 minutes for grout to set before you start to wipe the tiles down with sponge. Think about this as you’re grouting. Don’t do the whole floor at once so it dries and makes it more difficult to clean.

7. Cleaning is hell. You’ll need to replace water in bucket several times. Be careful where you dump dirty water as it can clog sewer lines. Just keep wiping and drying, trying not to drag the grout out of the seams. You only want to clean the tile, not the grout.

8. Wait 24 hours, then seal.

Weekender: Kingston

September 27, 2007 RH 5 Comments

George Washington Slept Here…Really!

Kingston is the perfect place to be if you want a weekend retreat, but don’t necessarily want to be stuck in the woods. It’s about an hour closer than Hudson and housing is significantly less expensive.

The Hudson River city is comprised of three districts: Uptown Stockade, Downtown Rondout and Midtown. There is also a mall area for all of your big box needs.

There is a wide range of housing stock, from modest cottages to grand mansions. For those who have dreamed of owning a brownstone but are priced out, Kingston offers some lovely brick row houses within walking distance of many amenities.

PROS

2 hours from city. There is commuter bus service leaving frequently during rush hour and Amtrak across the river.

Affordable prices for gorgeous homes.

It’s an orgasmic experience for the history buff. You do know it was the first capital of New York, right?

Plenty of shopping and dining.

Perfect base for exploring the Catskills. You’re in the country in 5 minutes.

CONS

5 hours from city in traffic. That’s 3 hours to get out of the city and 2 hours to get to Kingston.

Be on the look out for people playing banjos on their front porches in some parts of town. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!)

Property taxes…not so good.

Although the 3 districts are somewhat connected, it’s a hike to get from one end to the other. A car is more convenient.

National Registry of Historic Places

Hudson River Heritage

Hurley Heritage Society

Friends of Historic Kingston

Trolly Museum

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