BedStuy Reno
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October 31, 2007
Lower Level First Coat
After EPH2000 helped us sand everything down on the lower level, we were ready to get the first coat of primer on. This was transformative to say the least. All the spackling and taping and the drywall surface just disappeared, and what had been an assembly of pieces to form walls and ceiling became simply a real wall and ceiling. It reminded me of a theory lecture by our dean at architecture school where he said that we live in bags of paint. That despite any architect's best intentions at form or structure, and to get outside of the realm of simple decoration, we can't get around the fact that at the end of the day, we all live inside bags of paint. But here at our house, I say, bring it on! We can't wait to be living in our bag of paint!
I enlisted fellow architect friend George for some paint priming help. George had helped us at the early demo stages, so it was cool to have him back for painting.
On another note, George keeps a blog of his own, on the Architecture of Fear. I asked him if our house was an example of architecture of fear, and he said probably not. But I think he was just being polite.
Comments
do you mind sharing your skimcoater contact?
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 3:45 PM
Skimcoater was working on a sort of quid pro-quo basis, but I will ask him if he wants his name passed out. As for sanding, EPH2000 is really a film maker with a talent for flat surfaces. He is part of the Meerkat Media arts collective.
Check out the blog here:
http://www.meerkatmedia.org/
Posted by: guest at November 2, 2007 4:24 PM
thanks for replying. we are renovating a 4 story-four family brownstone in bed stuy that needs every wall and ceiling skimcoated. we are doing the work ourselves except for the electrical and plumbing. my husband is a very skilled carpenter and skimcoater, but finishing four apartments by january and working full time doesn't seem realistic. we have been trying to find a person who can work on a day rate or a less expensive hourly paid helper for my husband. i am currently acting as the general contractor and have found great resources for plumbing, electrical, flooring, roofing, painting and carpentry, masonry, but sheetrocking and skimcoating seem to be the hardest position to fill. i have found my other contractors through referrals and personal trial and error experiences on our other house renovation. i am scared to just cold call contractors or to even try out a random individual. that said, i think you guys are doing an amazing job and would be grateful for any leads you could give me. no offense to the other bloggers, but you two seem to be the most skilled at renovating a brownstone. i will gladly give you any contact information for the people i have used if you need it.
Posted by: guest at November 2, 2007 6:51 PM
thanks for the kind words. I don't know if skilled is the word - maybe more like willing. it's great to hear about other people doing the same kind of thing we are, and it's part of the reason I keep the blog - so crazy people know there's other crazy people like them out there.
Posted by: guest at November 6, 2007 7:26 PM
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