Do people hate recessed lighting


What are people’s thoughts on recessed lighting? We are putting
some in our brownstone – which is almost completely devoid of details.

Categories: Lighting
By | 02/28/2007 9:11 AM | Comment

What’s going on across the street?


The one-story building that was at 104 4th Avenue, on the SW corner of Warren Street, has been torn down and heavy machinery is digging a new foundation. I wonder what is being built there? How can I find out what’s going on/up?

Thanks for any tips.

By | 02/27/2007 10:58 PM | Comment

Going to the Building Department


We are doing a small renovation in our brownstone apartment that requires filing with the DoB. My architect doesn’t do expediting, though she will fill out all the paperwork and stamp the drawings and forms.

Has anyone done filing themselves? I’ve heard horror stories about the Building Department and the chances of any neophyte, like myself, going in and coming out with the correct information in one day is pretty slim. Does anyone have any pointers? The project is so small, I really can’t justify paying an additional consultant to do the filing, but I can justify taking a sick day or two to go to the Building Department.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Categories: Expediters
By | 02/27/2007 9:04 PM | Comment

wallpaper removal cost?


hi, im on verge of buying a two floor, 20×50 limestone. so its 2000 sq feet of living space — all wallpapered. any idea how much it would be to both remove the wallpaper and then paint? (or just the wallpaper part since i could paint myself if the wallpaper removal is a ton of dough. also, is there a wildcard of whether there turns out to be a lot of plastering necessary underneath the wallpaper?any help would be much appreciated. thanks a lot.

Categories: Decorative, Painters, Painting, Plaster
By | 02/27/2007 9:03 PM | Comment

back outlet toilet?


Anyone have to purchase a back outlet toilet because of pipe-related issues? The only 2 manufacturers I’ve found are American Standard and Kohler. Neither are pretty. Your input is appreciated.

Categories: Appliances
By | 02/27/2007 5:14 PM | Comment

1940s Bathroom Tiles


I live in an early 1940s vintage aparment building on Plaza Street and we have what I believe are original ceramic tiles in our bathroom (small black and white squares and rectangles design). Do any of you know where to get replacement tile for this era? Much appreciated!

Categories: Floors
By | 02/27/2007 4:35 PM | Comment

New mechanicals means tearing down the walls?



I have spoken to two contractors about working on my new home, a 120 year old row house. Both contractors have said that they would tear down all the plaster walls and ceilings in order to replace the plumbing and electric. The walls are in near perfect shape. Is this true?? (more…)

Categories: Renovation
By | 02/27/2007 3:23 PM | Comment

Seeking Architect for Ditmas Park Victorian



We’re looking at buying an old Victorian house in Ditmas Park, with the intention of raising our family in this house. Thus for this house we plan to do things right, and not put in the standard cheap Home Depot low-quality kitchens and baths.

We have a contractor we’ve worked with in the past who has done many beautiful renovations in the area, and knows these old houses. But what we don’t have is an architect, and this time we want to consider using one.

Can anyone recommend an architect familiar with these old Ditmas Park Victorians (Midwood Park actually) who would walk through this house with us and help us consider what changes we might make both now and planning into the future? I see many names for brownstones, but these old Victorians are a different kettle of fish…

The house definitely needs a new kitchen and a new access to the yard. We’d also like to consider changing the master bath, family bath, and drawing up plans long-range for a basement reno. We’d love to speak with architects in advance of closing with a view toward working to the kitchen reno sooner rather than later, and drawing up plans for future projects to be saved up for.

Categories: Architects, Kitchen & Bath, Renovation
By | 02/27/2007 3:22 PM | Comment

Shelter on Marcus Garvey


My husband and I are considering buying a house on Putnam Ave and Marcus Garvey. But are concerned on the areas safety since there’s a shelter across on Marcus Garvey. It seemed relatively quiet when we were there, but I think everyone tends to stay indoors during cold weather. Any idea on how safe that block is? What’s the area like during the summer?

Categories: Quality of Life
By | 02/27/2007 2:44 PM | Comment

Historic District: Stuyvesant Heights in Bed Stuy


I have three primary questions:

1) I am wondering how the Stuyvesant Heights area got selected as the Historic District for Bed Stuy. It is quite far from Clinton Hill and Fort Greene relative to the other nice areas with brownstones in Bed Stuy (i.e. Greene Avenue, Hancock, Jefferson, etc.).

2) Because of its distance from some of the other prime Historic District areas, I wonder how quickly Stuyvesant Heights will benefit from any of the supposed gentrification that people expect to/are speculating will happen in Bed Stuy. What I mean is that as the Clinton Hill area “expands” and areas East of Bedford Avenue (I know that Classon divides Bed Stuy from Clinton Hill, but let’s face it the realtors say Bedford) it will take a very long time for that movement to reach Stuy Heights.

Does anyone know about the Stuy Heights area. What is it like to live their now? How much Fulton Street traffic and Project traffic impacts the neighborhood?

3) Could it be that areas East of Bedford Ave. will gentrify around the same time that areas West of Stuyvesant Ave will gentrify and that there will be a meeting in the middle (i.e. Marcyish)?

Any education and/or insights you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Categories: Landmarks
By | 02/27/2007 2:40 PM | Comment