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New Year. New York. Free Events.

New Year. New York. Free Events. published on

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1. Times Square. The obvious event. In all of my 43 years growing up in NYC, I’ve never once gone to Times Square for New Year’s Eve. It just seems so crowded and touristy. But hey, don’t let me stop you! It’s free and I’m sure it’s a high energy, fun event.

2. Midnight Run. NY Road Runners does a 4 mile course through Central Park. Party, fireworks and costume contest. Haven’t participated in this one either, but I’ve been in the park on New Year’s Eve. Just not running. Actually, you pay to run. But it IS free to watch. Or to run on your own.

3. Time’s Up Bike Ride. Meet up in Brooklyn or Queens and head to Central Park on your bike or skates. Potluck/party/fireworks.

4. Fireworks in Prospect Park. Been there, done that. There’s a party at Grand Army Plaza as well. So you can do the free Brooklyn thing.

5. Concert for Peace at Saint John the Divine. Reserved seating is 55 bucks, but general admission is free. Concert begins at 7pm.

6. Bridge Walks. Guided Brooklyn Bridge tour is $60 with NY Talks and Walks but nobody is stopping you from crossing any bridge for free. Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg all have walking paths. And the Brooklyn Heights Promenade ain’t too shabby for viewing fireworks.

7. Polar and Ice Bears. Ok, so this is New Year’s Day, not Eve. Coney Island. Go. Bring a camera and a bathing suit or change of clothes. Just do it. You won’t be sorry. See you there!

Everybody’s Working for the Weekend

Everybody’s Working for the Weekend published on 3 Comments on Everybody’s Working for the Weekend

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*Please excuse bad iPhone photos. Forgot the camera.

I take it you all enjoyed your holiday. We didn’t have any major plans so we just ended up working most of the weekend. Got some stuff accomplished, at least.

Yeah, we’re still on the living room in Bed Stuy. Let’s see, what did we get done?

Finished stripping the wainscoting. Yeah! Break out the champagne!

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Demolition of the window surround at the front of the house. Years of water damage lead to rotted wood and loss of brick mortar. There’s  much to take care of in this little area, just like the back of the house, which had the same problem on all 4 floors.

There were actually two ongoing problems that caused damage to the house. The gutters were full, causing water to flow directly down the building. We haven’t fixed the second issue yet, but we must before our new work gets destroyed too. The ground pitch in both the front and back of the house leads rainwater to the basement instead of away from the house. Not a fun job, but then none of this is.

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Anyway, back to the interior. So, hubby was repointing bricks this weekend. He’ll then replace rotted wood, including old termite damage. Oh yeah, and all the molding, etc. around the windows. All rot. We saved the shutters though. My job is to paint them.

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My other job is to paint the “sink cabinet”. It’s going to be gold. Totally against the husband’s wishes, but that’s what happens when he doesn’t pay attention. I told him months ago what my plan was. Now he’s acting shocked. I primed it with an oil base because I want it to last. I also added a yellow tint to the primer because that gold paint takes about a thousand coats. I just learned recently that orange paint or primer under gold is the way to go since it will glow from underneath. The hardware store around the corner only had a peachy orange, so yellow it was.

Since most of this is pretty much stripped and sanded now, my job will be to paint as the husband closes off areas. I know it doesn’t look like it from the photos, but we’re getting there! No, really…we are!

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Exploring Haute Nature

Exploring Haute Nature published on

I stumbled upon Haute Nature yesterday. Maybe I’ve been there before. I don’t know. I have no memory. Anyway, I was like a kid in a candy shop. Check it out….

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These recycled belt tiles from Ting London are both brilliant and beautiful. I personally wouldn’t use them because being a strict vegetarian, I don’t do the leather thing. I know it’s recycled and I’m insane, but maybe I have issues walking on dead animal skin. Bad karma. No, I’m not in therapy. Anyway, the more practical reason I cannot have these is because they cost $75 per square foot.

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Israeli design student Naty Moskovich makes furniture out of these plastic crates. I absolutely love it even though it sends me back to my starving artist days. This was totally how my house was furnished! Ikea? Couldn’t even afford that. Actually, I’m so old, I don’t think was even in the USA yet.

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These plastic bottle curtains were used in Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea. That’s a big space. I can’t see it working in a home. It would look kind of nutty. BUT!! Here’s an idea. If you cut the bottles into little pieces (different shapes), it could work. I’ll try it one of these days. Let ya know how it works out.

What’s In, What’s Out: Antiques

What’s In, What’s Out: Antiques published on

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‘Tis my day off so I’m just going to do yet another cheater post and go back to sleep.

I received the following email from Vintage and Modern. It fills us in on what’s hot and what’s not and gives us an outlook for 2009. Interesting.

And take it away good ole’ cut and paste…..

“2008 YEAR IN REVIEW:

The product that sold better than any other piece of furniture on-line was… The X-Brace Low Bench in Steel with Chrome finish and Black Leather upholstery used in front of beds

The collectible category that made the most ground was… Palissy ware ceramics and Austrian ceramics

The Furniture item that lost the most value… 1950s mass-produced designers like Paul McCobb

The paint color that got the most play in interiors was … Grey

Some of the slowest selling furniture on-line was … “Brown” Victorian style furniture

The product that flooded the market the most on-line was… 1940’s-1960’s Italian glass table lamps

The product that dropped the most drastically in selling popularity was… Mirrored Furniture

WHAT’S AHEAD FOR 2009:

One of the big trends will be…

Japanamation….Asian will be taking another turn in the spotlight. It will be a bold Pop graphic Asian and 80s Mr. Roboto Asian. There will also be more interest in black lacquered items.

The Serious Furniture Collector will want… Memphis style furniture from the movement that brought Pop and De Stijl to the 70s-80s, as well as mosaic ceramics from the likes of Antonio Gaudi assistant, Jujol.

The Hot Collectible will be… Very large scale Italian colored glass, American designer art glass of the 80s and early Italian industrial design.

The most overused colors for interiors will be… Black and white with pops of red (or the transitional alternative grey and white with pops of red)

The largest change in attitude will be… Moving away from the luxury trend of the early 2000’s to a sensible VALUE oriented (not cheap but correctly priced!) 2010’s.”

Help A Family In Need

Help A Family In Need published on

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Bronx-based non-profit, The Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDCo), just launched an interactive website to help furnish apartments for low-income and formerly homeless families.

The Intervale Green housing complex will open next month to 127 families – several currently living in city shelters. Reclaimed materials and water/energy saving appliances have been used in the building. And here’s where I cut and paste: “The building utilizes smart growth elements, including proximity to public transportation and tenant-accessible green roofs and courtyards for gardening and exercise; it promotes community and economic development with 4 new ground floor commercial spaces, plus free computers and low-cost internet service for tenants; it brings more than 35 new trees and a public park to a former brownfield site; and it saves energy and reduces storm water runoff, all while creating a beautiful new landmark in a formerly vacant lot.” 

Through the MovingDay.org website, people can donate to fit their budget – from a single lamp to an entire furnished apartment. Gifts can be made in honor of someone for the holidays.

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More Salvage Magic

More Salvage Magic published on

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The disease has spread to the hallway.

Once again, I’ve spent my week finding salvaged pieces around the house looking to make something useful out of them. This coming Sunday is my last market of the season (Gifted) and then my life and this blog goes back on track for a few weeks until I show up at the Dumbo market.

Here’s what I came up with this week.

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Some guy from Manhattan Fruitier came up to me at the flea market and gave me this box. I painted it and put some felt on the inside bottom and now it’s a golden beauty.

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Yeah, been there, done that. I’m getting bored with these door knob hooks already, but buyers aren’t and I’m a ho for the dollar. I got my hands on some nice glass knobs and detailed back plates, so I’m groovin’ to these. How do you like my molding on top? No miter. Just by eye. It sucks, I know.

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I experimented with some 6×6 parquet tile flooring. I love the way these frames look, but I need to figure out what to do with the back because the mesh alone is not strong enough. Ideas? The images below are parquet flooring also.

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A Trip to the Newburgh ReStore

A Trip to the Newburgh ReStore published on 3 Comments on A Trip to the Newburgh ReStore

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I want

I’ve been meaning to go to the Newburgh ReStore since they opened in September and I finally got there yesterday.

My first impression was that it was warm and inviting. This may be the first salvage place I’ve been to that was actually heated. The upstairs is where the furniture is. Some mid century stuff, some antiques and the newer crap. All very fair prices. The lighting was mostly newer but I did see an antique crystal chandelier.

Downstairs (less heated) has the building materials. Windows, doors, shutters, molding….the works. I needed some antique molding and I found it without much trouble.

ReStores take donations of items that would otherwise end up in landfills. I was told that this particular store has salvaged about 16 tons of goodies since it opened only a few months ago. They are constantly getting new inventory in. I think I found a new home.

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Bad Real Estate Ads

Bad Real Estate Ads published on 2 Comments on Bad Real Estate Ads

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A renovated single family home in Brooklyn for $299k? Wow! Oh wait, the renovation is crap and the house is in Staten Island. BTW, could you take worse pictures? What’s with the side shot of the house and what is that guy doing?? Come on….at least TRY.

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3 Family in Ozone Park for….oops…no price! Hey buddy, I wouldn’t advertise the fact that the bathroom is located right off the kitchen. People are gonna find out, sure, but you wanna get them in there. Ad says “House is semi detach (windows all around the house)”. I’m still trying to figure out where the windows are on the attached part.

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Ooh, you know I only like to make fun of brokers. And I don’t like to mock people just because English is their second language. But I can’t resist this one. Listed as a 3 BR.

“i have apartment with 2 1/2 bed room, hard wood floors, owner is looking for working family. with proof of job. sec-8 with 2 bed room voucher can be considered. no brokers. Ralph ave at pechen ave”

I’ll just say this. I believe the location to be Ralph at Patchen Avenue. I don’t know of a Pechen Ave in Brooklyn. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Alternative Photo Process

Alternative Photo Process published on 6 Comments on Alternative Photo Process

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The hubby hung out with me yesterday at the Gifted show, so I actually got a chance to walk around and see what the other vendors had to offer. Now, there I was thinking I was hot sh*t because I had black and white fiber prints displayed, but then I noticed some guy selling “modern tintypes”.

That guy was David Sokosh. He’s a regular at the Brooklyn Flea, but I never noticed the tintypes before. In fact, all I ever noticed was the cool handlebar mustache he sports. So, it’s very fitting that he works in a medium that went out of style with the handlebar mustache. *Editor’s note: They are both so out that they are totally IN!

I’ve made it quite clear how I feel about hanging digital photos on my wall (when I have walls). So when I saw a modern tintype, I just had to ask “Really? You actually do this? And you don’t cheat?” Personally, I wouldn’t have the patience for it, but I can appreciate all the work involved! There is no film and no paper. And definitely no digital! It’s a wet plate process that has to be poured by hand. You can read about the entire process here.

The linked art gallery no longer exists, but David is very much still in business doing tintypes and other early 20th century processes. The two matted and framed prints I saw at Gifted were $80 and $100. I was tempted to buy one for myself but instead asked if he does portraits. He would do a location sitting with 1 tintype for $250. Each additional tintype would be another $250. Trust me, that’s a good price!

David Sokosh also sells and repairs some gorgeous antique clocks that he had displayed at Gifted.

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Grab Bag Giveaway @ Reno Therapy

Grab Bag Giveaway @ Reno Therapy published on 2 Comments on Grab Bag Giveaway @ Reno Therapy

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Jean over at Renovation Therapy is going a little haywire from the holidays. She’s filling a tote bag with goodies and giving it away to one lucky winner. All you have to do is leave a comment on her blog.

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Making an appearance in the bag will be one of these ties (for sale on her Etsy shop). There’s a how to DIY in this post.

Good luck!

Recycling Day

Recycling Day published on

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I’m still trying to pump out the handmade inventory in time for the holidays. Can’t even upload it to the online stores because I don’t have enough stuff to fill my space at the Gifted show this weekend. I’m having great fun playing with all of the salvage and junk I’ve been collecting over the years.

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My second child. The first one was a very crude screened in baby. This one has class. She’s in an old clock case. I love the eyes!

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Non functional diorama in an antique sewing machine drawer. No, that wasn’t by Barbie, but that is a photo of me and I think that was my mom’s camera. It’s hard to distinguish what I grew up with and what I picked up at garage sales.

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What Christmas tree would be complete without an Obama ornament? I was lucky that a bulb blew out this morning. I made other ornaments but I used new glass balls. I like them better, but they’re not recycled. I’ll have to find some ugly used ones to cover.

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Someone put this chair back out on the curb thinking it was useless. It’s now a lovely coat rack.

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And speaking of racks, here’s another use for Barbie. She’s a decorative topper on a hook thingy made from an old yard stick. The stick is too delicate for coats. Dog leashes? Hats?

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