Repairs for Tall Front Doors

Bread Stuy is open at 7 a.m. every morning. I go by there just about every day for my mocha. They have the best muffins and cakes!

Posted by: April440 at September 8, 2008 5:37 PM in response to Streetlevel: T-Cup Opens on Throop

I just rebuilt my staircase and put back in the old railing and banister but I'm missing a few spindles. I can pick up tonight. Call me at 617 817 3052.

Posted by: April440 at May 14, 2008 12:02 PM in response to Full staircase: newel post, banister and spindles-FREE

I forgot to mention that Big Prototype is very eco-conscious--they used recycled materials in one of my kitchens.

Posted by: April440 at May 9, 2008 9:20 AM in response to seeking architect for bstone reno

You should try Big Prototype, a small Red Hook architecture firm run by two Yale Architecture grads. Their rates are reasonable and their taste runs modern. They just redesigned and helped manage the renovations of an entire 3 story brownstone for me. I was very pleased with the results.

www.bigprototype.com

Posted by: April440 at May 9, 2008 9:15 AM in response to seeking architect for bstone reno

OP here: I had a guy who restores furniture and doors come in and look at the situation and he told me he typically charges about $3000-4000 to strip the doors down to their original glory and repair/recreate as needed. He walked me around the neighborhood (Stuy Heights) to show me some of the other doors he's done over the years vs. the crap quick paint jobs others do. I believe he'll do a good job but with a price that high I may have to leave this project for later (I'm just finishing up a gut renovation so funds are tight). I may just leave my ugly gate up or get someone to do the very minimum on the double doors just to get them working again :(

Posted by: April440 at April 8, 2008 8:28 PM in response to Repairs for Tall Front Doors

What are you doing to that poor old house that you can't reuse the spindles, banister and newells? We had new oak treads and risers put in and the whole thing reset and we managed to keep the spindles (probably walnut as you say), banister (mahogany) and newells (lord knows what they are made of). Glad you are trying to avoid wasting it, though.

Posted by: slopefarm at May 14, 2008 12:53 PM in response to Full staircase: newel post, banister and spindles-FREE

slopefarm,

Not my project. One on my block. I have made it a point to befriend contractors in the area and help salvage/reuse perfectly fine stairs, counter tops, wood work, dental work, etc. whenever possible.

While I understand folks wanting to gut, rehab and install new stuff (we did, but kept our original stairs!), I want to make sure they are not just dumping usable pieces of the old architecture and craftsmanship into a landfill.

And I like it when folks get it for free :)

Posted by: Action Jackson at May 14, 2008 2:21 PM in response to Full staircase: newel post, banister and spindles-FREE

forgot to add, I have about 12 folks so far interested, but only 1 who's going to use all of the parts in their rehab. Unless that person bails, that's the top of the list. I'll let anyone who has e-mailed me know what happens next.

Posted by: Action Jackson at May 14, 2008 2:22 PM in response to Full staircase: newel post, banister and spindles-FREE

That floor is nice, what is it? Wide pine?

Posted by: guest at May 14, 2008 2:48 PM in response to Full staircase: newel post, banister and spindles-FREE

Sorry for the snark, AJ. That's a noble effort on your part. Can't imagine what the contractor is replacing that stuff with that would be an improvement.

2:48 -- I think you are looking at a plywood subfloor. But if you like the look, it is an extremely economical way to go.

Posted by: slopefarm at May 14, 2008 3:29 PM in response to Full staircase: newel post, banister and spindles-FREE

I have made it a point to...help salvage/reuse perfectly fine ..... dental work.

Sorry, you won't have much luck with my British teeth.

Posted by: johnife at May 14, 2008 4:05 PM in response to Full staircase: newel post, banister and spindles-FREE

I agree! Way beyond the call of duty, AJ, it's great to see someone working to preserve rather than destroy. Too many posters on this site are into demolish-and-replace. I usually cringe when I read about someone doing a "gut renovation."

Btw, I had a good laugh over "dental work" as I imagined you saving old bridges and crowns...until I realized what you meant.

Good job! as we parents say.

Posted by: cmu at May 14, 2008 7:50 PM in response to Full staircase: newel post, banister and spindles-FREE

OK folks, stairs have been taken!

Funny enough, by the same couple who took the newel post from out last give-a-way a few months back. Now they'll have a fully matching staircase.

Makes me smile.

Thanks for all the interest.

Hopefully more stuff in the future, and I encourage all of you forum posters to look out at job sites and help out your fellow DIYers :)

Posted by: Action Jackson at May 15, 2008 11:47 AM in response to Full staircase: newel post, banister and spindles-FREE

try maggie peng studio. i know she designed a similar project in brooklyn recently.

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 3:42 PM in response to seeking architect for bstone reno

I Agree with Jane. Dubravka Antic of Seem+Less Architects has been a great help to us. on several projects(residential and commercial). If you want a "star architects" design without the "starchitect" bill. We are about to do some new things in Brooklyn are are definitely going to use Dubravka nd her partners of Seem+Less.

Posted by: MODERNLOVER007 at May 21, 2008 9:35 PM in response to seeking architect for bstone reno