FS: Parlor Ht. Silk Roman Shades


FOR SALE: a pair beautiful silk Relaxed Roman Shades from Smith + Noble sized for full length Brownstone parlor windows. These shades are in excellent used condition.

These shades are 100% silk, in a neutral off-white (Oyster) with privacy liner. They mount to the inside top of the window molding. Made to measure, both are over 7′ long. Inside mount: the width of one shade is 34½” and the other is 34 5/8.” The wood base can be cut to modify size. Originally $300 each, they’re now $75 each. Email for more pics etc. nodnyc at gmail.com.

Categories: Windows
By nodnyc | 07/19/2009 12:17 PM | Comment

FS: Parlor Ht. Roller Shades


FOR SALE: Two really sweet antique white cotton pull-down shades with an eyelet pattern that’s subtle, wide horizontal rows across the main portion with more detail from the pull-down handle to the scalloped edges. Two gently-used shades available: one is 30” wide and the other is 30 ½.” They can be cut to size. Both are over 6′ long. $30 each. Email for more pics etc. nodnyc at gmail.com.

Categories: Windows
By nodnyc | 07/19/2009 12:15 PM | Comment

FS:3 NEW Parlor Ht. Bali Shades


FOR SALE: Never used Bali Natural Standard Roman Shades with Top Down/Bottom Up feature and built-in 6” valance. The set of 2 were made for full length parlor windows, so they are over 8′ long (99”). The first shade is 38 ½” wide and the second is 38 3/8”. Style/Color is Caracas Honey. Inside mount. Originally over $350, now $125 each.

The single shade is Trinidad/Deep Cherry and is 33 ½” wide and over 6′ long (77”). In addition to the Top Down/Bottom Up and valance, this shade also has a privacy liner (expresso color). Originally over $200, now $100.

These can all be cut down to size. Located in Boerum Hill. Email for more pics etc. nodnyc at gmail.com.

Categories: Windows
By nodnyc | 07/19/2009 11:27 AM | Comment

Tree Stump Removal


Almost 2 years ago,I had a bad experience with a local arborist who didn’t finish a tree removal project. (It wasn’t Urban Arborists or Prospect Tree…I wish I did use them!)

As a result, I have a stump that’s about 2′ high and 4′ wide that needs to come out. It’s right in the middle of the yard and is constantly in the way.

It’s a brownstone yard, so I understand you can’t get a grinder in here and apparently a chainsaw isn’t safe in this situation (too close to the dirt).

Does anyone have suggestions (hatchet?) on the best way to get it out (just enough so the ground can be leveled over it…) and recommendations on who to use? Does it have to be an arborist? The first job was so expensive, I want to be as budget-conscious as possible, although overall, safety is paramount.

Categories: Garden
By nodnyc | 06/08/2009 4:59 PM | Comment

Advice on Neighbor’s Tree


I know I can trim any branches of a neighbor’s tree on my side of the property line, but my question is a variation on this theme:

My neighbor behind me has a beautiful, old, HUGE tree in her yard. The branches spread over 8 or more lots and the lowest branches are taller than our houses…more than 45 feet up. This tree may have never been pruned; it has many, many dead branches and needs a professional pruning because they will have to climb the tree to get to anything.

When I moved in two years ago, my yard had a lovely 50′+ pine tree and the assessment was that the other tree won the war and my tree would eventually be pushed over. I had it removed, at a cost of around $1200.

Since then, the neighbor’s tree has regularly been dropping branches in my yard and I’ve asked her twice, by note, to have the tree pruned. The request was ignored and the arborist that took down my tree told me she wasn’t going to do it. (He’d just done work for her.)

Right after a massive yard cleanup, the recent wind storms have dropped more branches; this time 2 huge branches…at least 7′ long. (The diameter is probably around 8″.)

So l-o-n-g story done, my big question is do I have any recourse to make her prune the tree. As always posted here, I will try again to be neighborly and speak to her directly, (I used the notes last time to not put her on the spot…) but her past disregard has me wondering what she’s required to do, as I sincerely don’t think this expense is my responsibility and I can’t afford to just flit it but I’m concerned about the increasing hazard and nuisance. Thanks!

Categories: Garden
By nodnyc | 04/15/2009 9:44 AM | Comment

Polling all Landlords on Rent Increases


I have very good tenants in one of my apartments, paying about $500-700 below market-value. The apartment has garden access, basement storage and a washer/dryer in the cellar.

I wish I didn’t have to raise the rent, as these people have become friends, but I’m being hit by water and gas increases that are making my head spin!

Is anyone aware of a percentage increase that can be applied to the utility increases we’ve experienced (it’s a 4 family house)?

And, regardless of the percentage question, I’d love to get input on what people are doing for rent increases.

From what I can see, this is a very desirable neighborhood, with little inventory available.

Thanks!

Categories: Renters
By nodnyc | 03/01/2008 10:26 PM | Comment

Desperate for quiet heat!


I’ve just finished a gut reno of a 3 family, with all new everything, literally, including individual gas/hot water heat systems for each apartment. (Slant Fin baseboards, hot water return system).

Since November, my plumber has been trying to figure out why the 3rd floor system won’t shut up! Whenever the heat is on, you hear gurgling water and an incessant knocking that has repetitive patterns that travel across my bedroom ceiling (located in the rear parlor). There’s some knocking in the ceiling above the front room, but it’s mainly occurring above my bedroom.

The plumber has repeatedly bled the air from the system, and there has been air each time, so he put bleeder valves on, which didn’t do the trick. Friday, he replaced the expansion tank (I hope I got that right) and that seems to have eliminated the water gurgling.

But the knocking is still driving me nuts. It’s not (just) expansion, because it continues throughout the night.

Also, when I had the tenants program their thermostats and drop the heat overnight, it stopped, but it’s gotten colder and I can’t make them lower the heat at night if they don’t want to. (They pay for their own heat.)

Any clues, any help, anything… he’s scratching his head & I’m becoming delusional from disrupted sleep!

Thank you Brownstoners!

Categories: Plumbing
By nodnyc | 02/28/2008 12:15 AM | Comment