OP here,

Thank you so much for the feedback.

We will be living in the brownstone, this is not a flip but I want to do things correct the first time in respect to the bathrooms and kitchens. Unfortunately, there is no original woodwork in any of the bathrooms or kitchens, they were updated at some point but done on the cheap and you can tell - they truly look awful.

Mrs. Limestone - I just want to confirm with you on your opinion, do you suggest removing all of the old plumbing and electrical and starting from scratch or does "updating" mean something different?

Thank you all again for your guidance.

Posted by: aetienne at October 19, 2007 11:43 AM in response to New Kitchens / Baths / Wiring / Plumbing

Does anyone know if you can purchase tickets at the door for the seminar or do you have to go to one of the other businesses first? Also, is the seminar being held at the Boys and Girls club? Thanks, Brownstoners.

Posted by: aetienne at October 19, 2007 12:08 PM in response to Bed Stuy House Tour On Saturday

Sorry - I meant the Boys HS.

Posted by: aetienne at October 19, 2007 12:11 PM in response to Bed Stuy House Tour On Saturday

Thank you for the clarification hot and humid :)

Posted by: aetienne at October 19, 2007 12:57 PM in response to Bed Stuy House Tour On Saturday

Benno,

If you like, you can take your coins to Commerce Bank and they have a couple of free coin counting machines in all of their lobbies.

Posted by: aetienne at October 19, 2007 1:21 PM in response to ISO Coin Operated Washer/Dryer

I don't have any direct experience with green roofing a b'stone, however, if you look at Prospect Arhcitecture's website, they have some beautiful examples of their work and they do a lot green roofs. Their architect is coming to look at a b'stone we are considering hiring them for so I did inquire as to the cost of the green roof and we would be interested in basically just a roof deck with some planters and we were told to expect about $60k all in. The more green you want it, the more expensive it gets due to the structural reinforcements required to support the weight of the soil. Hope this helps a little.

Posted by: aetienne at October 19, 2007 1:49 PM in response to Green Roof on a brownstone?

Benno,

We literally take our jar full of coins to Commerce and dump them in the coin counting machine and then a receipt pops out and you take it to the teller and you either have the option of depositing that amount into your account or you can cash it out. We have an account there but I am pretty sure that it is not necesary if you just want to cash it out and take it to your own bank. I'm not trying to get you to change banks but what I love about Commerce is that they are open 7 days a week and often until about 7 or 8 pm depending on where your local branch is. My husband and I both travel and work late so this is really ideal for both of us - not to mention that any check deposited by I think 3 or 4 pm is available the next day - we both are constantly depositing expense checks. It is so worth it to look into at least the cashing in of your coins - for the love of Christ, I would slit my wrists if I had to roll all of my coins versus taking them to Commerce and throwing them in the coin counter for 20 seconds. Good luck, Benno!!!

Posted by: aetienne at October 19, 2007 10:26 PM in response to ISO Coin Operated Washer/Dryer

OP here,

Thank you Donatella for the recommendation of Green Demoltions, that place is a goldmine. I looked at what they have to offer online and it is fantastic resource for someone trying to install a nice, quality kitchen at a good price. They have a lot of things that have never been used but drastically reduced in price. I think we are going to take the train out this weekend to look at the CT location as I was told that is the largest one of the three at 11,000 sf.

Anyone else looking for economical kitchens or bathrooms may want to check them out also.

Posted by: aetienne at November 13, 2007 12:55 PM in response to Best place to buy ALL WOOD kitchen cabinets

There goes Donatella stealing my thunder again! Check out 6:19am. Hel-lo! Someone is insecure and needs her own pat on the back! ;)

Posted by: rh at November 13, 2007 3:22 PM in response to Best place to buy ALL WOOD kitchen cabinets

Tillary tile and Cabinet
better than IKea Solid Wood.
718 875 2900
Located on Flatbush ave

Posted by: guest at November 13, 2007 3:45 PM in response to Best place to buy ALL WOOD kitchen cabinets

I have a chinese company located in lower bedstuy /williamburg area whos done a couple of kitchens for me, great price but you have to haggle. Feel free to minus 15% from whatever price they ask you for the cabinets and granite coutertop of your choosing. The great thing about them is they come out to measure and also install, unlike Ikea and others. I dont have their showroom/office address with me now but my contact person's name is Jacquy and his business number is 718 596-4000 and his cell number is 718 290-0599. Dont forget, whatever price he gives you once youve picked out your choices, deduct by at least 15% and stick to it. Im sure if not right there, they will call you within a week to accept your offer.

Posted by: guest at November 13, 2007 4:26 PM in response to Best place to buy ALL WOOD kitchen cabinets

I forgot to mention, all of their cabinets are all wood with some with plywood backs, which is still very good in my opinion in comparison to the press wood junk.

Posted by: guest at November 13, 2007 4:28 PM in response to Best place to buy ALL WOOD kitchen cabinets

I was told by a furniture salesman that plywood construction with a wood veneer is more stable for cabinets because solid wood warps and is subject to natural weak spots in the wood. He also told me that a particle board cabinet with what he called a photo finish paper veneer was the worst option for a kitchen cabinet. Does anyone know how true this is?

Posted by: guest at November 13, 2007 9:01 PM in response to Best place to buy ALL WOOD kitchen cabinets

That's true.

Posted by: guest at November 13, 2007 9:11 PM in response to Best place to buy ALL WOOD kitchen cabinets

If you are at all handy, consider looking (way) out of town. We got kitchen cabs from a company called Scherr's in North Dakota. They (and others) advertise in Fine Homebuilding. The carcasses are plywood veneer; the doors are either raised panel or veneer with solid wood edge banding. We chose to get them unfinished, and put the savings towards best quality hardware (full-extension drawer slides, etc.). Assembly is dead easy; finishing less so, but we got great results.

I don't know what a basic 10x10 kitchen is, but we did a full kitchen (over 20' of base cabinets, plus extra-height uppers with glass fronts) for at least 25% less than your quote (almost four years ago), including freight from ND. We provided measurements and they did the carcass layout; absolutely everything (except pulls and glass) was provided. They also have a very good selection of door styles and veneers.

Four years on, we have no complaints about the quality.

Posted by: WBer at November 13, 2007 11:01 PM in response to Best place to buy ALL WOOD kitchen cabinets

I used weiseman's for my kitchen. beautiful, professional (at least with me they were) and solid. they stood behind their product and others came in while i was there w/ minor problems and they were taken care of immediately. they look amazing, delivery was on time, and i thought the price was ok (5K) for a galley style kitchen w/ drawers that ease back instead of slamming shut. get them to "work" on the price they first give you...otherwise i think you'll be happy.

Posted by: guest at November 14, 2007 8:14 AM in response to Best place to buy ALL WOOD kitchen cabinets

4th year with IKEA cabinets, spent about 3K for everything and couldnt be happier.

Posted by: guest at November 14, 2007 11:10 AM in response to Best place to buy ALL WOOD kitchen cabinets

Hello from China. For quality all-wood cabinets, please forward your specifications to me at:
imggroupcn@yahoo.com

Posted by: guest at November 29, 2007 2:50 PM in response to Best place to buy ALL WOOD kitchen cabinets