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Some Sweet New Pieces

Some Sweet New Pieces published on

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The name of the game this summer is to work on pieces that are quick and easy, thereby being able to price them to sell.  Instead of painting an entire piece of furniture with several coats, a complicated design and more coats of sealer, we’re repairing only the damaged bits with funky designs and letting the original beauty shine through. To be honest, we haven’t come across a fabulous piece of furniture in terrible condition that we can work on as a signature piece. It seems like nearly everyone who came into the shop this weekend asked about that bold deco dresser or the orange mid century dresser that we opened the store with and had there for months before they sold. They caught people’s eyes and we want to do more, but they do need to be the right pieces. We’re totally into customizing if you gots it!

The half table above goes up against a wall for mail in the hallway or it could be used as a plant stand.  We found it broken and instead of putting a new top on it, decided to center what was there and recycle that very piece.  How cool is that design done with a doily and spray paint? $75.

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A decent sized side table with just a few colorful designs on the top to brighten it up.  We did a smaller one about a month ago that sold within hours of putting it out, so we figured it will be a popular look. $125.

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Remember this desk?  We wanted someone to come along and customize it.  Nobody did, so we went ahead and worked on the damaged bits, leaving the beautiful undamaged wood untouched. Please forgive the terrible Photoshop job trying to cut out the background. The stenciled desk is a substantial piece of furniture for a decent sized office. $325.

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We had to give distressed chalk paint a try since all the chicks are doing it these days.  They rave about how easy it is and how great it looks.  We agree that this piece looks great, but we pride ourselves on the variety we offer, so don’t look for a store full of shabby chic any time soon.  But this child’s bench with storage IS cute!  $150.

As Is. Make an Offer

As Is. Make an Offer published on

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Yo, check it out.  We have a whole load of projects-in-waiting that we are ready to share with our fellow DIYers for a low price.  What kind of prices? Make offers! Yes, they look nasty now, but if you’re handy, you know what you can do with them. Go for it!

The wheel table is by far the coolest piece we have. We just picked it up from Long Island yesterday where someone left it outdoors for years. We know that if we took it apart and worked on it, we would have to charge in the $1500 range, but we also know the amount of work involved, so we’d rather let some other savvy person take it on.  Looking for the ultimate most awesomest project? Make an offer!

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Another cool-as-shit piece that gives us a headache when we think about the amount of work it needs. Someone did a terrible paint job and it just needs stripping and repainting. No structural repairs needed. Whatddya wanna give us for it?

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Piano bench in need of a bit of scrape ‘n paint. 

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Could be a sweet side table with some TLC.

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Oh boy, this is an easy project. It’s not in bad shape after all.  We’re just throwing it in because it’s been in the basement for awhile.IMG_9240A decent mid century coffee table that unfortunately, has a white top.  We haven’t bothered with it yet because it’s not a solid wood top, but if you like white…hey, go for it!  Otherwise, there are definitely ways to deal with the melamine.
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Sweet two tier mid century round side table.

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Not really a project so much as something we have in our basement that we’re willing to let go for cheeep.

Lathing All The Way To The Bank

Lathing All The Way To The Bank published on

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We got our hands on some more plaster lath and we’re excited about the projects we’ll soon be undertaking.  Since nothing is finished yet (or even started) we just pulled some images from Pinterest to show you what’s in store.  Are we stealing ideas? Sort of, but then NOTHING is original these days, is it?  There’s just so much you can do with lath.  Anyhoo, we already knew we would be doing tables, headboards and walls, so there.

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Schmoozefest and Silent Auction

Schmoozefest and Silent Auction published on

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Our first event!  We’re starting with an easy one.  Boozing and bids.  Sangria and snacks.  On Wednesday, July 30th, you’re invited to stop by the shop to say hello to your fellow neighbors.  We decided on a meet and greet mixer because there are so many new faces moving to the neighborhood, we thought it might be fun to have them compare notes and get tips from the old timers.

As far as festivities go, we’ll be holding a silent auction on newer pieces and some older ones that will have verrry low starting bids.

Sorry, we can’t fill you in on what’s on offer because even we don’t know yet.  Just save the date, will ya? Here’s the Facebook event page.

Jews at Home Depot Making A Comeback

Jews at Home Depot Making A Comeback published on 2 Comments on Jews at Home Depot Making A Comeback

Back in 2011, I posted a video of a comedian doing his schtick on Jews at Home Depot.  It was the most popular blog post of the year. Surely, it was alta kockers like my mom and her friends forwarding those email jokes.  Commenters on the post did NOT find him funny!

The post hasn’t shown up on the analytics radar for a couple of years…until this week.  Someone’s Jewish mother somewhere has gotten ahold of it again.

The bit is still funny to me, although mehinks the Russian thing in the middle kind of goes too far.

So once again, for your viewing pleasure, I share “Jews at Home Depot”.

Museum of Recycled Art

Museum of Recycled Art published on

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We happened to come across the ND Gallery yesterday and what a find!  The online museum features reclaimed assemblage artists from around the world. Here are just a few items we chose to grab, but there are plenty more talented artists on the site.  If you are an upcycling artist who wants to join, it’s free of charge. Look into it!

Gabriel Dishaw specializes in “high end junk sculptures”.  Love that! “High end junk”.  His pieces are made from old computers, typewriters and adding machines. He has a passion for Star Wars, hence the awesome Darth Vader above.

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Andrew Chase creates his menagerie out of recycled automobile and plumbing parts. Each piece takes about 80-120 hours to complete. bird

Jacques Durvie recycles furniture parts and reclaimed materials for his avian collection.

Customize This Desk

Customize This Desk published on

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We’ve done some custom pieces at the shop and let’s face it…that’s the best thing since ice cream for us (coconut milk ice cream, for you vegans) since we know the piece is sold as soon as it’s finished.  We love custom orders!!

When we picked up this desk last week, we knew that it needed work, but it’s also such a great desk as far as size and design.  It’s in great shape structurally as well.  We kind of have an idea of how we would rescue it, but we thought we might put it out there first to see if anyone wants us to customize it.

The chipped veneer has already been filled with spackle for painting, so it’s not like it’s going to have the same look. We’re thinking of something more like the coffee table below with a stencil on parts, but showing the original wood where it’s not damaged.

What do you think?  If you want us to customize, come in and have a look.  Pick out colors and stencils.  The price depends on how much work it is, but we did at least get a good deal when purchasing the desk.

Measurements are 46″ wide x 20.5″ deep x 31.5″ high.  Shipping would definitely cost more than the desk, so we’d like to keep it as local pick up.  Plus, it will be more fun if you come in to help design it!

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DIY Wood Restoration. Unedited Video

DIY Wood Restoration. Unedited Video published on

So much for trying to shoot a DIY video.  Surely every shoot has it’s share of outtakes.  The difference is that other people know how to edit.  Here’s our first attempt at a how-to video on wood restoration.  Near the end, we had to cut and paste some clips, but….well, you’ll see.

If you didn’t catch it, here’s a list of items mentioned.

1. Sandpaper 120 grit-400. The higher the number the finer.
2. Rags. To be disposed of after job is done.
3. Fine steel wool.
4. Stain brush or foam brushes.
5. Safety mask with chemical/gas filters.
6. Latex gloves.
7. Howard Restor-A-Finish
8. Recommended stain: Mohawk
9. Recommended varnish: Epifanes Rubbed Effect

Shop These Craft Stores

Shop These Craft Stores published on

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After the Supreme Court decision yesterday, plenty of folks will be boycotting Hobby Lobby.  It’s easy enough for us here in NYC because they don’t even exist in our heathen city.  Thank whatever “God” you believe in for that!

We don’t know the political viewpoints behind each and every craft supply store listed below but we know that they aren’t Hobby Lobby, so here ya go, we’ll make it easier for you to boycott Religious Capitalism should you decide to do so.

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JoAnne Fabric

AC Moore

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RIP Antiques Garage

RIP Antiques Garage published on

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Yes, it’s true.  The Antiques Garage in Chelsea is no more.  Sadly, yesterday was closing day.  It’s the end of an era that kind of already ended with the closing of the original Chelsea flea market many years ago.  The real estate monster must eat to survive.  Expect to see a high rise condo with a bank or Starbucks on the ground floor.

Annex Markets still run the 25th Street flea and Hell’s Kitchen.  Hopefully they’ll be around for awhile, so support them while you can!

Bed Stuy East Tour

Bed Stuy East Tour published on

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Wouldn’t you prefer to meet people while learning about history rather than hanging out on the beach this weekend? Then get thee over to Bed Stuy tomorrow for a guided tour lead by Suzanne Spellen and Morgan Munsey!

Tickets are $20.  Here’s the full blurb…

“The 19th century Eastern District of Brooklyn encompassed parts of modern day Bedford Stuyvesant, East Williamsburg and Bushwick. The Bedford Stuyvesant end of the community started out as farmland, then became a suburban enclave of large houses, all built for wealthy German-Americans who called this entire area home. Later 19th century development brought row houses and apartment buildings and some very important and impressive churches and civic institutions, including the original home of St. John’s University. Join tour guides Suzanne Spellen, writer and architectural historian, aka columnist “Montrose Morris” on Brownstoner.com, and Morgan Munsey, architect, historian, and expert on the architecture of Bedford Stuyvesant for a look at this development, the great architecture, and the history of the neighborhood then and now. For too many years, this part of Brooklyn has been neglected and forgotten, but no more. Join us for a re-discovery of this part of the Eastern District.”

Beach, Mountains or Lake?

Beach, Mountains or Lake? published on

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When it’s so hot outside that the chickens are laying hard boiled eggs, that’s the time I start thinking about fleeing the city. Usually hubby and I head to the Hudson Valley, Berskshires or Catskills as my parents did and my grandparents before them.

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 Mountain house in Austerlitz, NY

I’m a mountain person as is my husband. We like to bring the dogs and go for hikes, cool off in swimming holes and have some awesome meals featuring locally grown produce. There’s always plenty of culture around the areas that cater to NYC weekenders, whether it’s performances, art or just good ole’ antiquing. The best part about it is that there is no “scene”. You can wear Birkenstocks to any event if you want, not that I would ever be caught dead in those hippy dippy things!

This summer we’re thinking of heading farther north to Vermont. The trip will be all about the dogs as there is a place called Dog Mountain with a nearby B&B that caters to canines. Because we don’t want to spend our entire trip on a dog ranch, we may actually hit the beaches in Maine. That’s a thought anyway, not that we’ve had a chance to plan anything out yet.

So, what’s your getaway preference? A beach house? Lake house? Or mountain hideaway?

grid-cell-20473-1372776338-5Lake House in New Zealand

 

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