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Original Art For $99

Original Art For $99 published on

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I’m not a poster person. If I’m going to take up valuable space on my walls, it has to be original artwork. Since I can’t afford that $5,000,000 Frida Kahlo painting, I find talented emerging artists elsewhere.

But $99? Even I would be willing to spend more than that! I found Original Art For $99 via an Apartment Therapy post and thought….”This has got to be crap.” You know….the stuff you see in tourist “art galleries” or at an amateur art show in some weird city that’s not NY?

But I was impressed. $99! The site has a bio of each artist and lists the size and medium. The artists get 90% of the sales price and shipping is a flat $11. I’m assuming they do alot of volume and that’s how both artist and site make money.

Here are some of my faves. Click on images for info.

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Green Furniture on a Budget

Green Furniture on a Budget published on 2 Comments on Green Furniture on a Budget

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The Lazy Environmentalist posted an article last week entitled “Green Furniture For All Budgets”. I thought “Hey, this is great!” I love Vivavi’s designs (The company behind the Lazy E). I just can’t afford them.

But alas, there was nothing for my meager budget in that article. I have a few theories as to why this is so:

1. Everybody out there is earning WAY more than me and the hubby. Ok, I’m a freelancer and winter is my slow season. I’ll give you that. But hubby? Steady paycheck. Decent salary. We’re DINKY’s. I dunno.

2. I’m extremely cheap. This is true! Only cheap with certain things. I will blow $300 on a dinner for two, but I would NEVER spend over $30 on a sweater. I let the hubby do that. And then I wear his clothes.

3. I don’t see the value in “new crap”. Give me antique over modern any day of the week. That Target coffee table pictured above is $339. Can I afford it? Yeah. But it looks cheap to me. I could pick up a great coffee table on Craigs for under $50. And it would be green because it would be recycled.

LE states that it is getting easier as there are more options for the consumer now. True, but I still don’t think it’s affordable to everyone. Case in point, the green Crate and Barrel sofa he shows listed for $2299 and the Vivavi sofa for $4200. I’m not sure if he was trying to say these are affordable, but if so, he’s out of touch with reality. Or maybe I am?

As someone who is cheap, first and green, second, I make up my own rules.

1. If it’s second hand, it’s green. Save it from a landfill. Recycle it.

2. If it’s a closeout or liquidation, it’s green. You’re not buying a new product that will need more production. They are just trying to get rid of what was already made.

3. Leftover materials from other’s jobs=green. People/contractors often order too much flooring, sheetrock or tiles and sell off the remaining for half the price. Take advantage!

Now, if you’re looking into green options because of health concerns, you will have to go with the formaldehyde-free, non toxic choices. But if it’s for the environment, then why can’t RE USE be the #1 rule?

So, there you go. It’s easy to be cheap (or poor) and green!

Cheap N’ Tasteful Window Blinds

Cheap N’ Tasteful Window Blinds published on 1 Comment on Cheap N’ Tasteful Window Blinds

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My two favorite places for inexpensive home decor are my top suggestions for window treatments as well. Surprise. Surprise.

Pearl River is the easy choice. You don’t have to leave the city. The carry fabric, wood and synthetic paper blinds, all very fashionable and cheap. I’d guess they are made in China (well, it IS a Chinese department store) and not very green, but since not everyone can afford to have a conscience, this will have to do for now.

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Brown thread bamboo starts at $16.50.

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Divinity Roman starting at $19.50

My husband thinks Ikea pushes a bunch of cheap junk, but I don’t care…I love it! Everything is so colorful and clean. Bright and shiny. And affordable! If you can hang on until the summer, you won’t have to schlepp to NJ or LI. Ikea, Red Hook (Brooklyn, not upstate) has already started recruiting staff. Hmm, I wonder what employee discounts are like?

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Ikea Roman: $6.99 – $14.99

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Melina starts at $19.99

Sales!

Sales! published on

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Eames Era furniture, artwork and lighting.
Showing Saturday in Williamsburg.
Lots of photos on Picasa.
Call Patrick at 914-374-4077.

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Vintage medical office furniture from the 50’s.
Previews and purchase February 22nd or 25th.
Somewhere in Brooklyn.
The exam tables look like something out of a B horror film.
Prices start at $350.

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Estate Sale
Danbury, CT, Feb 23 & 24
Waterworks tub and sinks never used, flat screen TV. Either someone got in over their head or these things fell off the back of a lorry. Either way, these high ticket items are significantly discounted.

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Over 40 large vintage commercial lights for sale. Great deal if all are taken. Anyone need lighting for an entire home or store?

Vintage Chair Heaven

Vintage Chair Heaven published on

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Oy. Just call me Fred Sanford. I found a source for vintage and antique furniture over the weekend and next thing I know, my garage, basement and living room are overflowing with time-worn furnishings.

That’s a good thing as I’ve been stressing out that the Reclaimed store is totally lame and I won’t have enough inventory to set out for the Brooklyn Flea this spring.

Now I have too much. So here’s what I’m gonna do. Over the next few days/weeks I’ll be going over the inventory, pricing it and uploading it to the store. The plan is to restore all this crap and make some decent coin. Since I don’t have space, I’d be happy to part with items I don’t have to strip, paint, finish or reupholster. Mainly the chairs.

Have a look at the Flickr page and make an “as is” offer. The worst thing that can happen is I tell you to feck off. I’ll be putting them on Craigslist once I figure out the worth, but you get first dibs.

I’d like to properly restore a few items and get my price for them. If you think something has value, those are probably the items I’m not parting with too quickly.

“This here is the finest pile of junk in the world.”- F.S.

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Affordable NYC: Brooklyn Under $600k

Affordable NYC: Brooklyn Under $600k published on 3 Comments on Affordable NYC: Brooklyn Under $600k

We’re going into a recession! There’s a housing slump! So does that mean a Brooklyn townhouse can be had for under $600k now? Let’s see….

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$599k: 2 Family, Crown Heights North. OH Sunday!

I’m putting this one at the top of the list because judging from internet alone, it looks like the best choice. A 3200 square foot 2 family limestone in Crown Heights North. It looks like this has great detail. According to the floorplan, only 2 floors are finished. Agents suggest finishing the “English basement” for a lower duplex. If the previous owner had done this, the price would not be under $600k! Open House this Sunday: 1274 Park Place.

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$575k: 2 Family Bed Stuy

Location! Location! Location! This house needs a full reno, including roof, plumbing and electric. Maybe even windows and facade, judging from the picture. Some details remain. They list it as a 3 story, but I’m looking at 4 in the photo. That would mean more rental space=more money. Or a larger space for yourself. The map is showing MacDonough and Tompkins, which is right near an up and coming strip of shops and restaurants, close to Fulton and 2 blocks from the A express. Oh, and a block from the Reclaimed Home Brooklyn headquarters. The rehab needed might be too extensive to make this work.

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$599k: Renovated 2 Family in Bed Stuy

Looks like they did a nice job of restoring this place, but it’s difficult to see since 2 of the 3 shots are of the hallway. And no exterior photos! Located on Monroe between Stuyvesant and Lewis. I know that Stuy/Lewis is verrry desirable closer to Fulton, but I’m not familiar with that particular block.

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$599k: Flatbush

Not much to go on. To say this house needs updating would be an understatement. Nice vinyl panels in the hallway! But I’m seeing some details, which makes this an exciting option. Looks like some original plaster, molding and doors are left.

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$599k: Bushwick 3 Family

Hmm, not much info here as far as photos or exact location. Sez 3 renovated apartments. I’m thinking, live in one and fill the other two with hipsters who will pay your entire mortgage. Not a bad scenario, no?

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$575k: “Park Slope/Gowanus”

And if you must live in Park Slope, there are still homes on the fringes of the neighborhood. This 2 BR shack house in need of updating is somewhere within walking distance to 7th Ave, 5th Ave and Smith Street. Maybe it’s even got breathtaking views of the Gowanus? Oh wait, there’s already an accepted offer. What? I didn’t say anything.

Weekend Sales!

Weekend Sales! published on

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Garage sale, Pawling, NY

27 Fennwood Drive Pawling NY
Sat. Feb 16th…9-3
Tony at 914-774-3814

I stopped by last week and filled my truck. I’m going back for more this week. If you get there at 9:01, you’ll be getting my leftovers.

30 years of accumulation..vintage tools, chairs, lawn furniture, brass door knobs and hinges, auto stuff like bumper jacks, floor jacks, jack stands, electrical, lights, art deco hanging chandeliers, 100 cup coffee pot, antique wine press, polaroid camers, hub caps, auto body puller.

Briarwood, Queens
Feb 16, 10am-3pm
139-15 83rd Ave, elevator B, apt. 430

Some great looking antiques!

Howard Beach Tag Sale
Feb 23 9-5
155-27 Huron St, Howard Beach, Upstairs

Antiques from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s

Bayside Estate Sale

64-50 212th St
Sat & Sun Feb 16th & 17th
8:30 AM – 5PM

Complete contents of home: Antiques, oil paintings, vintage clothing, vintage kitchen items, etc

Liquidation Sale + Flooring = A Productive Weekend

Liquidation Sale + Flooring = A Productive Weekend published on 6 Comments on Liquidation Sale + Flooring = A Productive Weekend

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This weekend I did some antiquing in Saugerties while the hubby worked on the Bed Stuy place. I hit The Treasure Shop’s retirement sale that was listed in the Friday Sales post. With 7 weeks to go, Tom’s prices weren’t rock bottom just yet, but there were some bargains to be had.

I met Jean aka I Love Upstate for lunch before our big shopfest. She was telling me how her mother is living in her house and redecorates with Walmart crap and how her fiance is one of those people who always lands on his feet (I HATE those people!). I read Jean’s blog regularly and she seems like a bit of a shopaholic, but I got to see it first hand. She purchased a framed horse ribbon display and some grain bags. What are you gonna do with those grain bags, Jean??!!

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I filled my car with a bunch of stuff that I’ll transform and rehab. The twin bed frame will become a bench. The old metal gym locker can be used as a linen closet. And the singer sewing machine base will be used as a sink stand once I find the perfect piece for the top. I did ok. I’ll go back in a few weeks with a bigger truck when Tom is feeling more inspired to part with his items.

Meanwhile, back in Brooklyn, Husband picked up this floor I found on the Brownstoner forum. I had my heart set on wide plank antique flooring, but I was having trouble finding it at the price we wanted to pay. At the end of the day, this is a blessing. It’s 4″ wide, thick, solid oak leftover from a renovation. Already stained and polyurethaned. And it’s not one of those cheesy prefinished floors. The Boerum Hill couple had it sealed themselves outside of their home. So once we lay this sucker…it’s done! $400 for 200 square feet plus the $115 parking ticket my brilliant husband picked up.

All in all, not a bad weekend.

Sales!

Sales! published on 1 Comment on Sales!

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Gowanus Studio Space
Art Sale and Benefit.
Friday, February 1st. 6pm
$ 7.00. Live music and drink included.
All works priced $40-$70.

Estate Sale by Ann’s Tag Sales
Friday and Saturday, Feb. 1 & 2
10am-4pm, Paramus, NJ
Baby grand piano, grandfather clock, Duncan Phyfe style sofa, antique china and flatware, lots more.

The Treasure Shop, 92 Partition Street, Saugerties
Open daily 11-5pm.
Antiques shop closing after 15 years. Owner retiring.
I’m hitting this one myself on Saturday!

Vintage Cabinets Revisited

Vintage Cabinets Revisited published on 7 Comments on Vintage Cabinets Revisited

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Remember the post we did a few weeks ago on those gorgeous vintage 1950’s cabinets? Well, you have to start somewhere. We’ve unearthed the mother load of vintage cabinets: ready for restoration!

Retro Renovation is not only a cool blog, it features a forum as well. There is plenty of information on varying makes and models of mid century metal cabinetry. For sale, wanted, how to paint.

Check out 50sPam’s kitchen below. How jealous am I? I’m as green(ish blue) with envy as those cabinets right now.

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The Youngstown sink and cabinet pictured below is on sale for $150 in Ithaca, NY. That’s just one of the listings Pam has chosen for her forum. You gotta have vision, people!

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Sales!

Sales! published on

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Select Salvage Warehouse Liquidation:
Saturday, January 26th from 11am-5pm.
341 West John St. Hicksville, NY 11801 exit 41 off LIE south. 516-470-1960

1885 Barn coming down in Greenwich, CT. Weathered beams, lumber and flooring. Listening to offers.
Deep Discount Demolition

Moving sale now though January 31:
Bathroom cabinet manufacturer, LIC.
All display cabinets sold as is: $100.
Call Andres to schedule appt: (718)361-5918

Brooklyn Fix It

Brooklyn Fix It published on

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Bill’s Handiwork: 1 day, under $2000

A couple of weeks ago, Nicole, over at Brooklyn Based, asked me for some recommendations on where to get stuff fixed in Brooklyn. I couldn’t come up with any tailors, shoe or watch repair because I’m too cheap to buy items worth fixing, but I was able to weigh in on some home improvement contractors.

I just want to give a shout out to my guys who made the list:

Desmond Harmon for floors: 917-642-2752
Robie for ironwork: 917-892-6913
Bill, NY Fine Circular Stairs: 718-218-9051

I also like to recommend Emilia, a fine artist, for faux painting, murals and staining. devitisemiliaATyahooDOTcom

Full list of everything from bike repair to exterminators to custom framing at Brooklyn Based

Can I Get Me Some Of That Free Art?

Can I Get Me Some Of That Free Art? published on 1 Comment on Can I Get Me Some Of That Free Art?

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Participating artist Jake Borndal of Brooklyn

Via BushwickBK

Fine Art Adoption Network connects artists with potential collectors. The artists are pretty well established and yet the works exchange hands with no charge to the recipient.

The goal of FAAN is to encourage new audiences to take an interest in contemporary art. They would like art ownership to be experienced by all deserving folks whether or not they have the means to purchase. There is an adoption procedure to go through and any resale must be worked out with the artist.

So no more sitting on a bench at the museum staring at your favorite painting for hours. No more Ikea artwork. Now maybe you can get the real thing! For FREE!

Reconditioned Tools

Reconditioned Tools published on 2 Comments on Reconditioned Tools

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My MacBookPro never leaves my side. Until I get my iphone, then we’ll see. When my old laptop became obsolete after a week (Thank you Mr. Jobs!) I didn’t want to spend good money on something I’d probably have to replace in another few months. I got this ingenius brain fart to buy a refurbished computer directly from Mac. I paid half the price and have a year’s warranty.

So, what about doing that with power tools? The deals aren’t as good as computers, but they are discounted and they do come with a warranty. Plus, buying refurbished means you’re recycling!

Keep in mind that used and reconditioned are two different things. You can purchase used tools on Craig’s, Ebay or Amazon, but you don’t know what kind of problems they have.

It’s best to go directly to the manufacturer or a reseller they recommend, but if that’s not possible, just make sure the company isn’t some guy fixing tools in his garage.

Here’s what I found during a quick search:
Tyler Tool
Tool King
CPO Outlets

Oh, PS: In all fairness to Steve Jobs, I dropped my old computer so many times that it finally just died on me. I can’t avoid a good Mac dig though.

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