OP here.
We are keeping most of the details, but after giving it considerable thought (since January) we realized that we would end up altering the built in to meet our needs and that would ruin it, so we are happy to find a home for it.
I think that our upgrade of electric, plumbing, AC and heating systems far out weighs the negative effect of removing a lovley built in, but thanks for the feedback.

Posted by: PHfamily at September 22, 2007 1:36 PM in response to Selling brownstone detail pieces

Op Here-
We are retaining 99% of the original detail, so it's not like we are gutting this. Beautiful mantles, moldings, shutters, mirrors and doors, etc. will all remain. These pieces for sale are simply ones that we feel we have to 'work around' and we feel that they would be better loved in someone else's house - that HAD been stripped of all detail.

We posted here not to be judged, but to find homes that need these pieces. If anyone out there truly is interested, make an offer.

Posted by: PHfamily at September 23, 2007 1:15 PM in response to Selling brownstone detail pieces

We are considering this model as well. With the 5th burner and the oven drawer it seems like a good value. Have you been able to see it in person? We only found it on th internet, but I would love to see it in person.

Posted by: PHfamily at September 24, 2007 1:35 PM in response to GE Cafe Series Stove

Wow 11:19, why so agressive? As a life long Brooklyn resident I can safely say that perhaps you moved to the wrong place.
We are looking to insulate sound from room to room, floor creaks, and insulate sound from one party wall becasue their blaring bass music at all hours of the day and night keeps us from sleeping. Regardless, suggesting that homeowners shouldn't insulate it crazy. How about all of the haet that is lost on the front and garden walls?
Next time try offering useful information and try registering so that your insane comments can be tracked.

Posted by: PHfamily at September 30, 2007 8:39 AM in response to What is the best heat and sound insulator out there?

Thanks, this was very helpful.

Posted by: PHfamily at October 1, 2007 8:17 PM in response to What is the best heat and sound insulator out there?

Thanks! This was the simple answer I couldn't get from my electrician

Posted by: PHfamily at October 8, 2007 5:21 PM in response to Electrical Code Question

We bought a HUGE apartment with a courtyard view (ie. fair light at best) and it was great. We loved living in the space, we even found that the reflected light off of the windows across the courtyard brightened things up--I know it sounds crazy! It was also very quiet since we were removed from the street noise. I would say go for the space and location.

Posted by: PHfamily at October 15, 2007 8:36 AM in response to Dumb to buy a gorgeous pre-war apt with no view?

Make sure you use quartersawn wood for the flooring. We are installing radiant heat and have learned that you must use quarter sawn or engineered flooring.

Posted by: PHfamily at October 17, 2007 7:49 PM in response to radient (sp?) heat

Look at the BIS system on DOB's website. If the property is an SRO is will say "Yes" next to the SRO status......Good luck!

Posted by: PHfamily at October 27, 2007 8:20 AM in response to HPD registration?

It is an iron gate,and there is no drain....sounds like the worst case scenario, right?

Posted by: PHfamily at October 27, 2007 8:53 AM in response to Stoop Entry Awning?

I am in the process of interviewing architects right now and not one of them has asked for a consultation fee. All have recommended the meeting be at the house. I assume this is not only for my benefit but also so that should I chose to ask them for a proposal they have better info of what they are proposing on.
I would not proceed with an architect who asked me to pay for this meeting, it is not standard practice and that would concern me about their practices subsequent.
Is it possible that they are asking because they think you might not be serious about the job and are just "window shopping"?

Posted by: pmmtenement at April 25, 2008 5:13 PM in response to Architect consultation fee

If it is truly an interview about their past experience, and an for you to explain your goals, then it should be free.

If you are asking the architect to come to your house to pick his/her brain for ideas while they're there, then hell yes, they should and ought to charge you!

Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 6:17 PM in response to Architect consultation fee

2:45 here. Ouch, 3:05, you sure know how to hurt a guy. I think the initial interview with the architect can be held over the phone, for free. If you both determine that a meeting is warranted, either the architect should request a payment for a consultation, because that is what the meeting will be, or better yet, the client should offer to pay, because architects are notorious for not asking for their due. Not that I feel I need to defend myself from your comments, 3:05, but my firm is doing very well and if I have more than I can handle, well, I like it that way. You never have exactly how much you can handle, and you definitely don't want less.

Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 8:56 PM in response to Architect consultation fee

p.s. I visit Brownstoner Forum from time to time because I learn a great deal from it, knowledge which adds to my value, for which, as mentioned, I charge.

Posted by: guest at April 26, 2008 8:43 AM in response to Architect consultation fee

Well said 8:43, but I'm an architect also and I would find that if I charged for an initial visit to see a property, I would have very little or NO work. I'm glad I'm busy, too, but it's probably because I do these early visits for free.

Posted by: guest at April 27, 2008 5:39 PM in response to Architect consultation fee

I think you get to a certain point where you can tell whether people are just shopping around, or interviewing as many architects as possible in order to glean as much information as possible. I understand what you are saying, 5:39, but I think it's a form of exploitation to allow oneself to be used in this manner.

Posted by: guest at April 28, 2008 9:23 AM in response to Architect consultation fee

The way I see it, these consultation-charging architects are WAY to worried about this so-called 'valuable information' that they think they will impart to people. Are you kidding me? What this really means is, either they themselves know how little they really have to offer a homeowner after the consultation itself, or that they have their heads in the clouds and assume everybody else is an idiot.

How can a homeowner choose an architect without knowing what, and for what price, he/she will offer? It sound backwards to me.

Posted by: guest at April 28, 2008 11:26 PM in response to Architect consultation fee

I recently bought this stove and have it installed. I haven't used the oven, yet and will have to find out about the Crema? I wouldn't buy this stove again. I don't have duel fuel, but the lower oven is Electric, so much for saving electricity. I didn't find any pre-sales info saying the bottom oven is electric, but it is.

The large front burners are too big for any quart pan. I have wooden handles on mine and they are right in the fire, so all cooking with small pans has to be done on the back burners. They are really back there, so gravy or anything needing stirring means bending over to reach. Forget it if you have a large pot on the front.

I complained to GE about the design. Guess they think we have a plethora of large pots we want to watch and everything else will simmer on the back burner. However, the back burners are too low to properly heat a small pan, even with the heat on high. Forget soft boiled eggs, it takes so long to heat the pan that they are hard cooked before the water boils.

Unless you love to put a bunch of giant pots on the front burners to boil, forget this stove. Find one that has the small burners in front, where they belong.

It does look good, but be sure your upper cabinets over the counter next to it have clearance. The heat coming out of the front burner when it isn't covered by a pot seems to be hot enough to cause damage to the cupboard.

Luckily, I bought the extended warranty so I can get the fan noise fixed.

Posted by: guest at May 14, 2008 12:06 PM in response to GE Cafe Series Stove

Thanks for the message back- I will definitely come pick them up this afternoon-

Mike

Posted by: guest at May 23, 2008 2:04 PM in response to Front Doors Take Them Please

front doors? take them out back ;)

Posted by: guest at May 23, 2008 5:35 PM in response to Front Doors Take Them Please