Hi. Oops, tried to pack in too much for this weekend’s Beacon house clearing and now stressing out. Have a good weekend, y’all!
Share NYC Office with Architect
Here’s a good deal for an interior designer or contractor. Share Upper East Side office with architect. The rent is below market value at $1500 and may be negotiable beyond that. Here’s the listing.
Junk Sale This Saturday!
We’re clearing the house this weekend! Friday we move the rest of our “staged furniture” down to Brooklyn and whatever is left in the house we want gone by Saturday. Nuts to move and do a tag sale all in the same weekend? Yeah, whatev. And we wonder why we’re stressed.
Anyhoo, the stuff has already been picked over. We’ll price a few decent things and then the rest is whatever it’s worth to you. Could be a buck. We don’t care. We just don’t want to deal with change, so take a few things for a buck.
Free? Well, if you are a charity, sure!
Historic Bed Stuy Architecture Snappies
Much enjoyed touring my own area of Bed Stuy yesterday with Andrew Dolkart, Brownstoner’s “Montrose Morris” and Save Bedford Stuyvesant‘s “Amzi Hill”. Since I didn’t take notes, I’m just posting some pics and referring you to the links above for your own research. Because I’m lazy that way.
Or…perhaps some kind reader will comment on what we’re looking at. 🙂
Full Flickr set.
New Stuff (From Old Stuff)
Trying to get back to work after the whole moving meshugas. I won’t lie. It’s been tough getting motivated. It took me all week to make a few pieces for Crafts in Chelsea on Saturday. In November, it’s holiday season at the Brooklyn Flea.
Crafts in Chelsea on Saturday
The {NewNew} partners with PS 11 this Saturday to bring us Crafts in Chelsea. Over 100 crafts people (including me) will be outside on 21st Street between 9th and 10th while indoors is PS 11’s Fall Festival.
Historic Bed Stuy Walking Tour
Come see why I love my neighborhood so much! Bed Stuy is HU-UGE! This area is the proposed “Bedford Corners Historic District” aka “My Neck of the Woods”.
Haunted Houses Images via Flickr
I loves me some haunted houses. My perfect house is one that looks all scary and haunted but in fact has some pleasant, helpful spirits floating around. Here’s some cool Flickr imagery.
RIP KPD. :(
The NY Post reports that Brooklyn’s Kings Plaza Diner will close it’s doors after 35 years. There have been rumors going around, but it seems that this is for real as the land has already been sold to a developer.
KPD has been a beloved spot to many Brooklynites, not just those in southern Brooklyn. It took me 2 buses to get to Mill Basin when I was growing up, yet I found myself in that diner many times.
My high school BFF lived in the neighborhood. KPD stayed open late night (maybe 24 hours?) and there quite a few after club meals consumed there. Each booth had a personal jukebox, so we just hung out for hours. Who needed Starbucks back then?
My fondest memory is the night BFF crashed into the parking lot fence. No, we weren’t drunk. There was a snow storm and she had just gotten her permit but still was unsure of her driving skills. We were in another friend’s car and couldn’t get out of the spot because of the ice, so he got out and pushed while she steered. Well, we went screeching down the street and while we were swerving around, my life actually flashed before my eyes. (It really did!) When we were stopped by the fence after missing the telephone pole by about an inch, I was so happy to be alive that I wanted to do it again.
So, I’ll always remember Kings Plaza Diner for surviving my first brush with death.
I had since lost touch with HS BFF. She resurfaced about a month ago and we went to pop in on her in the old neighborhood. Guess where we had lunch before stalking her? We were so excited to be at KPD that I snapped the above photo of L at the booth. Who knew it would be our last time at the diner?
Goodbye Columbus
There’s a movement to get rid of Columbus Day and make it Indigenous People Day. Instead of going all preachy on y’all, I’ll refer you to the Reconsider Columbus Day and Ian Clark video.
Happy 3 day weekend!
Etsy Find: Recycled Pillows
Westchester Etsyan Alexandra Ferguson was in the fashion biz in her past life. Now she’s sewing recycled felt together to make these “statement” pillows. She had me at “Let’s Make Out”, but oh, there’s so much more!
Prices range from $49-$199. Need to give someone the message? This is one way to do it.
How Not To Get Mugged In NYC
You would think staying safe in NYC would just take a bit of common sense, but apparently it’s not all that obvious to everyone. Now that it’s still dark when I walk to the gym in the morning, I’m more aware of people just asking to be mugged. And no, they ain’t all Mid Western hipsters either (They are not out that early).
Of course this calls for a list.
1. TAKE OFF THE F*CKIN HEADPHONES! WTF? Do I even have to explain why? Also, may I go off topic a little? I don’t care if it’s broad daylight and there are a thousand people on the street. I’ve seen so many people nearly get hit by cars because they aren’t paying attention. I don’t even wear headphones on the subway. I like to be part of the world I live in.
2. The Friggin iPhones and Blackberries. Walking down the street texting. That’s a good way to get your phone stolen. It’s also a good way to get your ass kicked and don’t be surprised if I’m the one doing it.
3. Ladies: Mind your purses! The best bag is something that closes completely and can be slung over your neck and shoulder diagonally. Never carry it on your back and always hang on to it. Oh, and do you know how many times I’ve seen women leave their purses in their shopping carts at the supermarket while picking vegetable? Are you f*ckin insane? You deserve to be ripped off!
4. Guys. The wallets and phones. Back pockets are a no-no. Back packs? No good. Listen, I’ve been guilty of carrying my phone in my back pocket, but only when I’m going around the corner. Never in a busy area.
5. Have your keys ready. It’s late at night. You’re getting off the train and there is (seemingly) no one else around. You’re not wearing headphones, right??? Good. Have your keys in hand ready to put in the door. People get mugged right in front of their own homes while fumbling for keys. I like to carry mine between my fingers so I can jab someone in the eye if need be. Won’t do anything against a gun, but it makes me feel safer.
6. Pay attention. You have to have eyes in the back of your head. Seriously, listen for footsteps and look for shadows. Walk on the bright side of the street or even in the middle if you have to. Of course I’m talking about you being the only one on the street at 4am, not lunchtime in midtown.
7. Trains and buses. Back in the old days when I actually DID stay out until 4am and the city was rough, I had to take the train back to Coney Island. It was second to last stop and by the time I got home, there was usually me and one other drunk in the car. One night, after a guy came over and started jerking off in my face, I decided I had had enough. After that incident, I always got off at Kings Highway where the train was still crowded and took the bus to Coney. It let me off in front of my building and the bus driver was there to protect me. These days I just take a cab home if I’m out late. It’s more out of convenience than safety. Point is: Mass transit is safer than walking and if you’re the only one on a train, at least stay in the conductor’s car.
8. They smell fear. I dunno. I just made that up. I try to look tough, which is pretty funny since I’m 4’11”. Maybe it works. Never been mugged. (Knock wood!!)
Added bonus for your car…
Hel-lo! Do not leave anything of value in there! Yeah, people do that, believe it or not.
Stormville Antique Show
The Stormville Airport Antique Show and Flea Market in Dutchess County takes place on holiday weekends during the warmer months. Since next Monday is Columbus Day, the fair is on this Saturday and Sunday, October 9th and 10th.
There are usually a couple of hundred antiques vendors (that’s a guess) and an area set up near the entrance for new stuff. Admission and parking are free. Vendor’s prices are pretty fair. The only thing I would suggest is getting there way early (like 6:30am) as there is only one road leading to the show and it gets backed up.
It took us moving out of the area to participate, but Reclaimed Home has a booth this weekend. Look for us in site #10, driveway 3. We’ll be emptying out our Beacon house and trying to cram everything into our Brooklyn home of half the size. Much of the furniture for sale is from our own private “estate” (I’m gonna add an LOL here just so you know that’s tongue in cheek).
The flea market inventory we’re bringing is stuff we never want to see again, so prices will be good, especially by the end of the second day. In fact, if you’re a vendor or just some hoarder who wants a bunch of crap, come see us on Sunday afternoon and we’ll make a deal for everything that’s left over.
Here’s what we have…(Bear with me. The only images I have of our personal items are real estate shots.)
That red couch is probably 1920’s/30’s. We bought it in Brooklyn reupholstered. After moving it to Kingston then Beacon and living with it for 6 plus years, the fabric isn’t brand new anymore. Good but not excellent condition. $300
Bought this Eastlake rocker at a shop in Beacon. Paid $350 and would like to get as close as possible. It is comfy!
See that bed? That was our guest room bed. We no longer need it since we don’t have a guest room. Deco. Decent condition. Full. If you’re not paranoid about bed bugs (there aren’t any) we can throw in the mattress and box spring. $110. We also have some twin frames and a Mid Century Queen headboard.
We’re asking $150 for the enamel table. See those chairs in the picture? We have 6 of them. They were our dining room chairs that we bought at Stormville when we first moved into the Beacon house. They never really matched our dining room table (which we’re keeping). Anyhoo, we paid $750 for the set of 6 and will take best offer. They’re English, 1800’s. Disclosure: Our dog chewed a corner of one of them.
Speaking of chairs, we have 4 painted brown ones that would match the table if repainted white. We’ll sell them with table for $200, entire set if ya want.
Antique wood burning stove from Beacon farm house. Needs a good sandblasting or wire brushing and some spray paint. $250
Mid Century reproduction lamps. A guy. A gal. And a whole lotta kitsch. This was actually from my cousin’s house and I have to do right by them. $175 for the pair.
So, you should come to the show. But if there’s anything you’re interested in, let us know and we won’t schlep it to Stormville for nothing.
Monday Linkorama
Islamic Center Design. HufPo
Where to install smoke alarms. Charles and Hudson
Fall Furnace Maintenance. This Old House
Dog Mansion. LA Times
What Bed Stuy Needs
Bed Stuy is home to some of the most beautiful historic architecture in the city. Countless people (including myself) have called it the “friendliest place” they’ve ever lived. The express A train takes less than 15 minutes to downtown Manhattan.
So what’s it lacking? Well, nearly every newbie and lots of old timers agree that the neighborhood could use more amenities.
Before I share my own wish list, please know that Bed Stuy is HUGE and I’m referring to my specific area which is near the intersection of Fulton/Nostrand.
Ok, so here we go:
1. Wine Shop. You can see what my priorities are. Well, it turns out that my prayers have been answered! Brownstoner reported that Breukelen Cellars will be opening on Nostrand and Halsey. They call themselves a “wine and art boutique”. I don’t care how pretentious that sounds, it beats pointing to a bottle through bullet proof glass, which is what we have now. Yesterday I walked into the local wine store (liquor store) and told them to give me their most expensive bottle of red. They handed me a $10 bottle of Merlot. Ok, I’m kidding. But seriously, the most expensive bottle was ten bucks. Hey, not that I have anything against inexpensive wine! I’ve been known to drink Three Buck Chuck. I just want a choice, man. I just want a choice.
2. Organic Grocery/Farmer’s Market. Ooh, the organic grocery is coming, but I’m sooo impatient! Organic Bed Stuy promises to be everything I’ve dreamed of, but I don’t think they have the funds to open yet looking at their Kickstarter campaign. For now, they are selling at the Malcolm X Farmer’s Market. Yes, Bed Stuy has a farmer’s market. So, why am I listing it? Because I am one lazy beeatch and I want it closer to my house! Here’s the deal…On Saturday mornings, I bring my dogs to Prospect Park in the car. The huge market is right there, so it’s more convenient for me to stop at Grand Army Plaza than to head farther east passed my house. I told you I was lazy. And while I’m at it, a Sunday market would be nice too!
3. More food delivery options. Yeah, I’m all about the food. I covered the Bed Stuy delivery options in the past. More please?
4. Bagel shop! Not just any bagel shop. They have to be REAL bagels. And they have to open early. Which brings me to…
5. A place to get a good cup of coffee really early in the morning. Am I the only one who wakes up before 7am? There are a couple of places that say they open at 7, but it usually takes them awhile to get their acts together. One thing lacking in the entire city is a place to get a decent cup of coffee AND a good bagel. I hate having to go to two different places for my breakfast, but I refuse to have a bad bagel and I refuse to have a bad cup of coffee.
6. Old school diner. I promise this will be the last food item on the list. I just want a diner. Oooh, a 24 hour diner! One with a 30 page menu and jukeboxes at the table and a waitress who calls me “Hon”. Is that too much to ask?
7. Um, non-food, non-food…Oh! Pet supplies. Yeah, it’s food, but it’s food for pets. Yeah, I know there are a couple of places on Myrtle. I want to walk from my house, remember?
8. Speaking of pets, we could use more petsitters. I like my Bed Stuy pet sitter just fine, but it was kind of a hassle finding her. There are maybe two dog walkers servicing Bed Stuy. Think about that, entrepreneurs!
That’s good enough for now. I really just wanted to get the food thing out of my system.