Love it - We live a block away and have been watching this go up. Can't wait to see the final project and what stores are in the bottom. I'd love a couple more good restaurants to start creating a mini restaurant row - and yes, it is a block from Toukeleur sp? (the great french restaurant on Bedford) and directly across from the Y which I can vouch for being great even after 6am :)
Looking forward to more updates...

Posted by: amybnyc at February 26, 2008 9:38 PM in response to Development Watch: 1142 Bedford Avenue

hubby and I do all our work - have for last 5 years since we started this. Both now 35. I'll be 36 next week, but still in denial.

Posted by: amybnyc at February 29, 2008 3:51 PM in response to Age/DIY survey

definitely spray with the bleach and get it off. It may not have a root system to speak of but it will eat away at your mortar and brick. It is wrong to think it is "harmless." Good luck!

Posted by: amybnyc at March 25, 2008 8:40 PM in response to Moss on facade

If you can post with a picture and quantity I'm sure you will get some buyers here. I'm always on the lookout for ones that match the ones I have. Ignore the trash person - jeez! And in case you don't know, Eddie has a place on Grand & Greene and sells old doors spindles etc. he is also at the brooklyn flea on sundays. Good luck!

Posted by: amybnyc at April 22, 2008 6:18 PM in response to Spindles Available

If you can post with a picture and quantity I'm sure you will get some buyers here. I'm always on the lookout for ones that match the ones I have. Ignore the trash person - jeez! And in case you don't know, Eddie has a place on Grand & Greene and sells old doors spindles etc. he is also at the brooklyn flea on sundays. Good luck!

Posted by: amybnyc at April 22, 2008 6:19 PM in response to Spindles Available

The other thing to consider is hot water doesn't make as much noise and it doesn't have the condensation/drips/etc. that steam inevitably does...often ruining the wood around the base. My vote is for the hot water, but it is a tough call since yours is theoretically working... How does the wood look around the base of the radiators?

Posted by: amybnyc at April 22, 2008 6:23 PM in response to Steam heat and reno

Hi Stuymom,
Can you tell us when the meeting will be - would love to attend! And yes, I would definitly try to do exterior work now if you can... assuming you do it in a landmarks type way. Thanks!

Posted by: amybnyc at April 23, 2008 12:09 PM in response to "Bedford District" about to be landmarked!

Hi there,
Nope - we've removed them and they are boxed up - not sure how many though - You are welcome to come see?

Posted by: amybnyc at April 28, 2008 8:43 PM in response to Free - Pink 4x4 tile from 50's also have white 4x4 and black accent and surround tiles

Thanks- I didn't think of eddie's. To the other poster... I love BIG which is why I am bringing them there if no one wants them on here for FREE - just trying to do a favor to the brownstoner community before I take them there and they have to buy them. jeez.

Posted by: amybnyc at April 28, 2008 8:46 PM in response to Free Brownstone original windows including bay - or advice on who may want?

For future people looking to find someone to use old windows - south slope woodworks came and picked them up and they will use the old glass to make new windows - love that! Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Build it green got everything else I had :)

Posted by: amybnyc at April 29, 2008 9:18 PM in response to Free Brownstone original windows including bay - or advice on who may want?

I generally agree with Master Plumber on his posts but this one I gotta say -- stick with the working, sound, already-there system. The dollars you pour into a replacement won't equal marginal savings between the two. And the green-ness of hot water v. steam is debatable. Save your money.

Posted by: Smokychimp at April 23, 2008 10:45 PM in response to Steam heat and reno

Thanks everyone for the contributions.

The place is 4 stories (no basement). Its 20' X 40. Its configured as an upper triplex and ground floor rental.
The owner told me the steam heat was good after it was sold, so his word is trustworthy.
We are however, opening all the walls already, and it now looks like I'll probably need to buy a new boiler anyway, so its looking more like I should change to hot water. I've been quoted 18-25K to do the job. Does that sound reasonable?

Posted by: hegelian at April 23, 2008 11:54 PM in response to Steam heat and reno

Thanks everyone for the contributions.

The place is 4 stories (no basement). Its 20' X 40. Its configured as an upper triplex and ground floor rental.
The owner told me the steam heat was good after it was sold, so his word is trustworthy.
We are however, opening all the walls already, and it now looks like I'll probably need to buy a new boiler anyway, so its looking more like I should change to hot water. I've been quoted 18-25K to do the job. Does that sound reasonable?

Posted by: hegelian at April 23, 2008 11:56 PM in response to Steam heat and reno

You can bring them to Build It Green in queens and they will give you a donation receipt. Then someone who needs them will use them in their house and you get a tax write-off.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:12 AM in response to Spindles Available

i would switch to hot water no question. your heating bills will go down significantly. ours went down by half and the switch ended up paying for itself in the first year (we spent far less than 20,000 to change though).

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:16 AM in response to Steam heat and reno

How much did you spend to convert the system?
Did you have a 2 pipe steam or one?
Did you convert your radiators?
How many floors is your place?

I guess I should several more estimates for the job...

Posted by: hegelian at April 24, 2008 10:48 AM in response to Steam heat and reno

12:16 must've turned down the 'stat to 60 after switching, there's no way the efficiency of hot water over steam is that drastic.

Steam boilers (which must boil water) top out approx 82% efficiency, hot water (if you get condensing ones, may be 92-96%). Assuming $3000/yr bills on old system, you may save $320/year, so figure the payback on install at 50+ years. So you wouldn't change for cost reasons. Otoh, hot water is more flexible.

Posted by: cmu at April 25, 2008 5:29 PM in response to Steam heat and reno

Thanks StuyMom - I will definitely try to go - thanks for posting this. I'll update here too. - amybnyc

Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 10:02 PM in response to "Bedford District" about to be landmarked!

Hello amybnyc.

We are interested in your old windows particularly the glass which we reuse in the fabrication of new doors and windows. Please contact us at: info_at_southslopewoodworks.com.

Posted by: southslope at April 28, 2008 9:33 PM in response to Free Brownstone original windows including bay - or advice on who may want?

actually had two (2) pink original tiles fall off my wall and break. Was just wondering where I would find replacements (Bergen?). If they match would appreciate a few to replace and have as spares.

carmine107S@aol.com

Posted by: guest at April 28, 2008 9:33 PM in response to Free - Pink 4x4 tile from 50's also have white 4x4 and black accent and surround tiles