I love Neatorama. They’re creepy and they’re kooky. Mysterious and spooky. And now they’re having a mystery sale! Those wacky kids! For $9.95 you’ll receive something worth at least $9.95. And act quickly, the sale may end mysteriously as well.
DIY: Replacing Wainscoting Panels
Remember my blue Bed Stuy living room? That post was back in July. Here we are four months later and I’m still stripping the wainscoting. Cut me some slack. I think I’ve actually worked on it twice since then. Half the room is stripped and we’ve encountered some problems along the way.
Like most everything else in this God forsaken house, the wainscoting was in bad disrepair. As I started taking off the paint, the caulk and plaster holding it together came along with it. We need to replace about 1/3 of the panels.
It was easier than I thought. Especially because it was Hubby doing it, not me.
First “we” took a piece of plywood and cut it to size. Best thing to do is get the measurements off the original piece. They’re inset, so you want it to overlap (or rather, underlap) enough to glue the edges. Those boards across are just holding it in place until the glue dries. There’s nothing to screw it into on the inside.
Next “we” had to recreate the groove design. We did this with a table saw. Adjust the blade to the proper height so you’re not cutting the whole damn piece in half. Then just guide it through. Measure twice, cut once!! *Please note the safety gear: gloves, goggles and earplugs.
So, there you go. Clean, straight lines with a table saw. You can use a variety of tools, but this was fairly easy as the straight edge was in place. If you don’t own a table saw, you can always rent one.
And PS: Don’t cut your fingers off.
Etsy Gifts
Am I pushing the gift giving thing too early? Well, excuse me. I’m just looking at all the things I want.
Our pal Jean at Renovation Therapy just opened an Etsy shop. She has all of 8 items so far but they are adorable, reasonably priced and would make awesome gifts. This coffee cup cozy is $8 and would make a great stocking stuffer or part of a coffee lover’s gift basket. I’m into gift baskets these days. It’s all the rage! According to me.
These pigment prints from Fields of Color ser are perdy. They would look great hanging on my walls. If I had finished walls. Most of the prints are under 8″x8″ and are priced at $25 apiece. They’re done on acid free water color paper or canvas.
OMG, I love this idea! A great gift if you’re invited to Thanksgiving, especially if it’s a vegetarian meal. 18 bucks. M n M Treasures means business. They have 140 items for sale in their shop. I probably have under 25, so non-lazy go getters like this piss me off. But, we should support them anyway. Even if it does put people like me to shame. Viva La Lazy!
See, that’s what I’m talking about! This set of antique brass tongs has been reincarnated as a toilet paper holder. Antiques 2 Uniques is in the trash to treasure business. This design is $27 and perfect for the bathroom obsessed person in your life.
Vintage Explosion!
My Living Room! 🙁
How did this happen? How did the tschotskas eat my house? I keep buying all these wonderful smalls for the Flea and I’m not selling them as fast as I’m purchasing. They are taking over!
My Dining Room table! 🙁
So you know what I’m doing this week? I’m putting together some vintage holiday baskets. I took some less expensive items and I’m making theme presentations for the holidays. Although I took the time and effort to carefully construct each container, I’ll allow shoppers to substitute items because I don’t want them giving me tsoris.
“The Victorian” consists of a vintage bear wearing some antique lace attire, a figurine, 2 framed ballerina prints (not shown here) and 2 photos in a sewing basket that’s 1940’s but looks old. I have this priced at $65. That basket is what makes it pricey.
The Man Box is $40. This has a timer (maybe from a darkroom), a manly ceramic figure (ARRG), a drunk guy ashtray, a bell and an antique planer. All in a manly Herman Munster lunchbox.
This is The Patriot. Vintage flag pin and scarf, plus a shower/window curtain set. I’m throwing in a spare Obama/Biden sign. Well, that’s not vintage but goes with the theme. And it’s free. I haven’t found a container for this yet so it might just go in a basket. $35.
I also put together a toy one, a camera one a New Years one, a cooking one……I did twenty! I hope they sell. :0
Think Global Act Local
Open Green Map is an interactive mapmaking resource for all things green. Google Maps are mashed with Green Map Icons and mashed once more with local knowledge. You can research the site all you want, but you should register to add businesses and create your own maps. The international site is still a work in progress, but already features some local maps including Manhattan compost and Rockland County.
Go play.
Another Green Demolitions Sale!
It’s been awhile since I raved about Green Demolitions. But guess what? They are having another sale! And this time it seems like they’re loaded up with inventory. So if you’re doing a kitchen or bath or in the market for upscale appliances at discount prices, check it out!
The World of Kitsch Art
C.M. Coolidge was the legend behind these dog paintings. Born in 1844 in Upstate, NY to abolitionist Quaker farmers, he did not have any formal training as an artist.
This Velvet Lady above is mine. I found her at a garage sale. The big velvet painting boom took place during the 70’s. Most of the paintings were made in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Elvis was amongst the more popular subjects, but Jesus and John Wayne were up there too. Black velvet paintings are still being produced to this day. Check out the bozos they’re painting now!
Jeff Koons is a well known and much respected artist, but I’m lumping him in here with the velvet painters because he is The King of Kitsch. From his inflatables to his statuary to his prints, it’s all tacky good fun, baby!
In recent years (like the past 20) people have started to collect thrift store paintings. What used to be a $15 find can now cost $75 and up. Portraits especially are really hard to find these days. The Museum of Bad Art in Massachusetts glorifies such paintings.
Margaret Keane was the Queen of the big eye paintings. For years, her former husband claimed credit for the work. They are divorced now for obvious reasons and she is alive and well in San Fransisco and accepting commissions. Keane wasn’t the only sad eye painter. There’s an entire website devoted all big eye masters.
*Ok, the Big Eye link was working last night and it’s not up this morning. Keep trying.
Wednesday Linkorama
Coupons and Ebates: Renovation Therapy
Pillows for Puppies: Living Well in Westchester
Salvaged Door=Dressing Vanity: This Old House
Honoring: Shore House Chic
Nov 22 FreeMeet: Sustainable Flatbush
Fun Facts About BK’s Favorite Bus Driver
If you’re anywhere close to my generation, you grew up on The Honeymooners. Staying up late meant Odd Couple, Odd Couple, Honeymooners, Twilight Zone on channel 11. I still adore Ralphie Boy and the rest of the gang. Here’s some fun NY Honeymooners trivia.
The run down walk up apartment was located at 328 Chauncey Street in “Bensonhurst”. In actuality, that’s the Bed Stuy/Bushwick border. This was the address of Jackie Gleason’s childhood home which also served as the model for the show’s set.
The Ralph Kramden statue at The Port Authority was erected in August 2000.
The Jackie Gleason Bus Depot in Sunset Park was renamed in 1988. It was originally called the 5th Avenue Bus Depot.
The Flintstones was based on The Honeymooners. I kind of always knew that, but never confirmed it until today. Rumor has that Jackie Gleason thought of suing Hanna-Barbera but decided against it.
The 2005 version of The Honeymooners starring Cedric the Entertainer was filmed in Bushwick.
There is a production company called Chauncey Street Productions named after the famed address.
How sweet it is!
Fake America Is Now Patriotic Too!
Remember when I said I was going to fly the flag if Obama won? I went so far as to purchase a $2 flag at a garage sale in Beacon. I had plans of getting an Obama flag flying movement going and I meant it. I really did. But alas, I’m so very lame.
So check out this Flag That Ate Park Slope on Brownstoner. That’s some flag! And mine? It’s sitting in the garage. But I’m gonna do it! We should all do it. Fly your flags! Show “real” America that “fake” America loves their country too. At least now we do.
Trapped In My Flea Booth
This post was written yesterday at the Brooklyn Flea.
I’m on my own today so I can’t be walking around shmoozing with vendors for your flea finds. My hands are too cold to write and I have nothing to say. Screw this. Wanna see my booth?
And here are my neighbors to whom I am thankful for bathroom breaks.
That’s Stacey of Amazulu (website down at time of writing)
Amy Lapierre brings her Birdhouse jewelry
Etsy Pets
Dog Feeder by Merlin’s Bark: $55
Retro Cat bed by Likekittysville: $59
Upcycled cat bed by Umlauf: $52
Holiday dog bed by Jakey BB: $159
Cathedral of Notre Dog by Home Dog: $1600
Borough Homes Under $500k
It’s been awhile since I looked at real estate. I was curious to see how much home prices have dropped since the bubble burst. I didn’t find any real bargains out there.
$299k: Bed Stuy, Brooklyn
Ok, so granted Madison between Malcolm X and Patchen is not the best block in Bed Stuy. But it’s $299k. And that funky fireplace is awesome!
$428k: Richmond Hill, Queens
Even though this is vinyl or aluminum. Even though it has a fugly front addition. Even though the bedrooms are carpeted. Even though I have no idea where Richmond Hill is. This house is pink. And pink homes rock.
$495k: South Bronx
Listed as a “Browns Stone”. This is a one family that can probably be converted to two. Original details, nice back yard. This is sooo up my alley.
In Manhattan, it’s the usual small coops for under $500k.
There were some homes in Staten Island, sure, but SI is on my shit list. Here’s a fun fact: Staten Island was the only borough that went red during this election. They also went for Bush in 2004. And they wonder why we alienate them.
What is Upstate New York?
This question has come up a lot in Beacon. I’ve learned recently that people living here (mostly the newbies) don’t like to think of themselves as “Upstaters”. They think upstate is north of the Hudson Valley. Even my husband agrees, but what does he know? He’s from the other side of the Atlantic.
There is no right or wrong answer. It’s all about perception. Urban Dictionary lists Long Island as Upstate, stating “Face it! People from the city think anything other than NYC is Upstate!” That’s not true. Now, I’ve never been one to call Westchester Upstate, but personally, I’m convinced that anything north of that suburb is indeed Upstate.
What do you think?
Some Natural Cleaning Tips
1. White Vinegar. Everyone knows about this one. I use it for windows, brass and cat pee. But did you know that you can pour it down drains once a week for antibacterial cleaning? It’s also a mold and mildew killer. Just add water and spray.
2. Potatoes. I’ve mentioned the tin foil trick to remove rust from chrome, but here’s another rusty FYI: Potatoes can remove rust from baking pans or tinware. Dip a halved potato into salt and scrub. No need to cook it.
3. Lemon Juice. Removes grease from stoves and counter tops. Mix 2 Tbsp lemon juice with 10 drops of lemon oil and a few drops of jojoba oil to make a wood furniture polish.
4. Olive Oil. Now here’s something I always have in the house even though I refuse to cook. May as well do something with it. Add three parts olive oil to one part vinegar or two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice and viola (!): It’s a wood polish. Pour the leftover batch on your salad.
5. Baking Soda. Like vinegar, baking soda is a cure all. Even for the common cold! It can remove red-wine and tea stains, shine stainless steel and silver. Heck, my dentist uses it to clean my teeth. (Which reminds me, I have to make an appointment). Anyway, use baking soda mixed with castile or vegetable-based liquid soap plus a drop of essential oil (tea tree or lavender) to clean kitchen and bath. To unclog a drain, pour 1 cup down followed by 3 cups of boiling water. To strip paint off antique hardware: Boil and add some baking soda.
6. Don’t forget the Bronner’s.
Most of these tips came from Dr. Weil.