Dream Homes Archives - Page 3 of 4

Affordable Housing @ NYC.Gov

January 7, 2008 RH

I was on the city’s site the other day for one reason or another. It’s a great resource that I never took advantage of. Some of these things are pretty obvious, but there just might a helpful tip or two that you never knew about.

Check it out:

Apartment Hunting Tips : Finding an apartment, securing it and protecting your rights as a tenant.

Tenant’s Rights: Guidelines and legal help

Affordable Homeownership includes information on counseling, lotteries, down payment assistance and home improvement.

Repair and Maintenance for tenants and homeowners

Seniors and People with Disabilities

Habitat’s Eco Homes In The Stuy

December 20, 2007 RH 6 Comments

Caroling. Ribbon cutting. Blessings.

Nine new affordable condos in Bed Stuy are complete now, thanks to Habitat for Humanity.

Each owner contributed 300 hours of labor with help from 4,000 skilled volunteers. Habitat hired a professional contractor for the exterior, core and shell of the buildings. The owners learned skills while basically building their own homes.

The condos are constructed of highly energy efficient “insulated concrete forms” meant to save homeowners up to 50% in energy bills. Eco friendly materials such as recycled glass countertops and cabinets consisting of sunflower seeds were used in the building process.

New homeowners received symbolic keys to the homes, located on Halsey Street, but cannot move in until early 2008.

Via Green Brooklyn

Via NY1

Kate Pierson’s Inn: Rocket Through the Wilderness

December 13, 2007 RH 6 Comments

First of all, who doesn’t love The B-52’s and their sense of style? Kate Pierson (the redhead) is the proprietor of the Lazy Meadow Motel located in Mt Tremper, NY. Let’s just say if a motel could be a rock star, Lazy Meadow would be Kate Pierson.

The 1950’s cabins are situated on 9 acres fronted by the Esopus Creek. Decor is mid century modern/retro/50’s kitsch. Each suite has a different theme. There are two vintage airstream trailers which look even cooler than the cabins. Kate had design help from her friends William Stewart Design and tile artists Phillip Maberry and Scott Walker, original owners of, yes, The Love Shack.

Here’s my “pet” peeve: An animal rights activist, Kate has set aside (only) one room that is pet friendly. For an additional $25 per night, you can bring little Stinky, who must be under 25 pounds. As the mommy of 2 large dogs, I call that sizest!

You’re what? Tin roof….rust!

Dream Home: Recycled 747 Wing House

December 12, 2007 RH

I set out to write a post on Syndesis design firm and their eco friendly Syndecrete concrete material. But I got sidetracked.

Architect David Hertz, of Syndesis is working on a house made from airplane parts. His client requested feminine shapes for the home situated on a 55 acre property in Malibu. The used aircraft was purchased for about $40k. The wing of the 747 will act as a self supporting roof. Walls will be made from rammed earth.

David is attempting to use as many components as possible, much like Native Americans use every part of the animals they take. This means that material left over from the main residence will be incorporated into the guest house, art studio and meditation pavilion. Oh that I had a guest house, art studio and meditation pavilion! Oh yeah, and they’re contemplating an animal barn and sauna structure.

747 Wing House on Facebook

Attack of the Dome Homes

December 11, 2007 RH 2 Comments

An old article on Hudson Valley Magazine lead me to singer Peggy Atwood’s site about her monolithic dome in the Catskills. She decided to have it built after nearly losing a house to a tornado in Tennessee and another near miss Upstate due to a forest fire.

Granted, all dome homes are awesome, but when I came across the Solaleya website, I knew I had discovered my latest obsession. These homes, which have the added plus of totally looking like a spaceship, actually rotate with the sun. Need I say more? THE HOUSE ROTATES WITH THE SUN!

Solaleya homes are made with FSC wood and are insulated with cork. They are earthquake and hurricane resistant and can be equipped with solar panels. Unless I’m reading the brochure wrong, prices don’t seem to be insane. For $64k, you can get a 420 square foot “guest room”. $ 834k will buy you a 6307 square foot home with 25 foot ceilings. Of course, options and land not included.

Although I’d love to see one of these under my Hannukah menorah this season, I still can’t overlook the fact that, as green as this is, it is still new construction.

Monolithic
Earth Shelter
Dome Home

Town House Living: It’s Torture

December 10, 2007 RH 5 Comments

NY Times revealed the pain and suffering behind owning a town house in the city. “Town House Living: The Untold Story” a gripping exposé of whiny ass rich folks who can’t do anything for themselves left me saying “WTF?”

The Manhattan town house owners interviewed complained of vertical living challenges and the fact that they actually had to maintain their own homes.

A 30 something couple had diaper changing stations installed on every floor and doubled up on kitchens, laundry rooms and espresso machines because they couldn’t handle the stairs. I wonder how much they pay for their gym membership.

One woman complained “You have no idea how much the garbage controls your life”. She spoke of the street people rifling through her trash leaving an “ungodly” mess. Another gentleman wakes up at (gasp) 6am three days a week to haul his own trash to the curb. And on top of that, he has to clean the front of his house. The horror.Continue reading Town House Living: It’s Torture

Sculptured Steel Trees

November 30, 2007 RH 1 Comment

Via CribCandy

If any of my readers can afford this for their residence then we need to talk about you supporting me. Prices start at $25k and continue on past $1mil.

Very cool idea, though….no? Nature Maker’s life size Steel Art Trees are replicated right down to the smallest detail. They are not only beautiful, they serve a purpose as well. The trees can be designed to hide structural columns and other unsightly objects.

The company was founded in 1983 by the late Bennett Abrams, an ecological artist and sculptor, and visionary Gary Hanick. As you may have guessed, the residential market for these isn’t quite that strong, although it does exist. These art trees can be seen in casinos, museums and libraries as well as other commercial venues.

Move Right In!

November 28, 2007 RH 5 Comments

From: Brett

Where do you go in New York when you’ve sold your Manhattan coop and the sale of your new suburban home has fallen through? Well, if you don’t want to spend a small fortune in rent for a Manhattan apartment only to break the lease because you are sure that you’ll find the home of your dreams in no time, then you do what any self-respecting Gen Xer would: you move back home.

Home, in our case, is the Madison/Marine Park section of Brooklyn. When we found ourselves backing out of our contract for a 4 bedroom in NJ last year, myself, my husband, and our infant twins, settled down in the house in which he was raised.Continue reading Move Right In!

SF Painted Lady: Chateau Tivoli

November 28, 2007 RH 3 Comments

We took a trip to San Fransisco a couple of years ago and I just found my photos on a card I haven’t used since. Hmm, never did that with a roll of film. Anyway, I remember taking hours and hours to search for the perfect Victorian B&B. We decided upon Chateau Tivoli in the Alamo Square district.

Built in 1892 and operating as a fully restored B & B by 1989, the building has seen alot of history pass through it’s doors. But the restoration is what fascinates me. The exterior features 17 colors of paint. Inside, the wood work is to die for. And then there’s the wallpaper and hand painted molding and medallions. The restoration took 4 years to complete. But I’m sure Craig and Yvonne could’ve done it in a few months.

Here are a few vacation snappies I took. Please overlook the unmade bed and low resolution. I was on vacation!Continue reading SF Painted Lady: Chateau Tivoli

Craig and Yvonne, Why Must You Taunt Me So?

November 27, 2007 RH 8 Comments

I first discovered Our Victorian House shortly after we went into contract on Our Own Victorian House in Beacon. I visited the site frequently for inspiration. When I showed it to my husband, filling him in on my intentions, he felt the need to send an email to Craig and Yvonne…something to the effect of “How dare you give my wife these crazy ideas? Thanks alot, buddy!”

Three years later and sidetracked by a totally different restoration, I just checked back on their site. They’re, like, finished.

I hate them.

Hate them because they had the focus to stick to one house and finish it.

Hate them because their house is so friggen beautiful.

Hate them because they were able to afford massive amounts of Bradbury wallpaper when they said they’re not rich.

Hate them because they used real artisans for detailing I attempt to do myself.

Hate them because they even finished the exterior! Oh, how I hate them for that!

Hate them because of that green eyed monster we call “Envy”.

So, you think you’re so great, Craig and Yvonne? Well, why don’t you come to Beacon and show us what you can do with this house? I dare you!

Yeah, I thought you would back down. Losers.

Period Home Decor

November 19, 2007 RH

The hubby won’t let me do pink.

If you’re a sucker for old homes like we are, you probably want to keep your decor historically accurate. It’s not easy and it’s a bit frustrating at times. As much as we love Victorians (so much that we needed 2 of them), sometimes I wish we were converting a garage space so I can do all sorts of funky things. But that’s the next project.

Actually, we’ll be more creative with the Beacon Queen Anne than the Bed Stuy brownstone. We were inspired by the former owner’s style, which is more Nouveau/Deco than Victorian. We’ve continued with that style in wall coverings and lighting and we’ll also throw in some Gothic splash just for fun. The exterior, which we’ve been promising to do for 3 years, is going to be total crazy color San Fransisco painted lady. Or the closest we can get away with being in a historic district.

Here’s some help for narrowing down your home’s period and decor.

Identifying Your Home’s Style
Architectural Styles
Period Decor

So That’s What A Chef’s Kitchen Looks Like

November 13, 2007 RH 3 Comments

I’ve mentioned it before and I’ll say it again. My kitchen necessities: a phone and a microwave. And it has to look cute. Other than that, I don’t care about oven temperatures, layout or warming drawers. Warming drawers? Just stick the dinner back in the microwave. Wine cooler? Isn’t that what the fridge is for? Garbage disposal? Hey, my dogs have gotta eat!

So, when I found Marissa’s Kitchen on Living Well in Westchester, I had to pass along the fine design details to my readers who actually cook. Fivecat Studio’s design features a multi level Fireslate countertop, glass display shelves and a stainless steel recipe hanger, along with bamboo cabinets.

Of all the super duper high end appliances I’m actually only jealous of two:

The Fisher & Paykel dishdrawer, because I’d love to never have to put away clean dishes again.

The Miele Coffee System, because I like my coffee and it’s easier to make a cup at home than to go out for it.

Marissa’s Kitchen
And Blog

Architecture Against Death

November 13, 2007 RH 2 Comments

I heard about this on NPR over the weekend and I said “Oh, puleeze!” But then I saw the photos and ok, it looks pretty cool.

Artist/Architect team of Arakawa and Madeline Gins, both living in New York, collaborated on the Reversible Destiny Lofts in Mitaka, Japan. The living quarters “steer residents to examine minutely the actions they take and to reconsider and, as it were, recalibrate their equanimity and self-possession, causing them to doubt themselves long enough to find a way to reinvent themselves. These tactically posed architectural volumes put human organisms on the track of why they are as they are. To be sure, every loft comes with a set of directions for use.”

In plain English, I believe this means that the space is not convenient or comfortable. It makes a person THINK and interact with their surroundings. So I guess the space keeps you on your toes so you’re too busy to die?

Check out the proposal for the Reversible Destiny Hotel in New York.

Casa Invisible

November 12, 2007 RH

Discovered this cool house on Treehugger. It’s a 4000 square foot house in Nimes, France which, in time, will become invisible.

“Spidernethewood” is wrapped in mesh so that trees will eventually grow around it, making it one with the surrounding environment. It will take about 5 years to grow into the architect’s vision.

New Territories
Plataforma

Country Homes = Fear

October 29, 2007 RH 5 Comments

The NY Times featured an article on Friday titled “Home, Sweet…Yikes!“. Apparently, I’m not the only one suffering from nyctohylophobia. That’s right, there’s a word for it. It’s a fear of dark, wooded areas. The article didn’t say if the phobia only effects neurotic New Yorkers or if people are inflicted in other parts of the country as well.

If you’ve read our about page, you’ll know that we tried to live in the country and failed miserably. Like the folks in the Times article, I ran from my car to the house at night, kept my shades drawn and woke up to eerie sounds in the middle of the night.Continue reading Country Homes = Fear

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