Very nice! They got the proper proportions back, including the "hat". I'd like to see what they've done on the part hidden by the sidewalk shed. The arches look promising.

The previous version didn't look poorly cared for (there is something very loving about all those awnings), just a completely different set of tastes.

I once went to a Ditmas Park home where the owner had taken popcorn ceiling to a new level. They'd elongated their ceiling patching to a very thorough stallactite configuration. Then each stallactite was painted with an air brush type treatment of a pastel mint green with an opalescent pink accent. ..Very well executed but completely at odds with the 1905 home.

Posted by: bessie2 at November 19, 2009 3:03 PM in response to Development Watch: Turnaround at 424 Waverly Avenue

Have you talked to them and asked them about installing some soundproofing?

Posted by: bessie2 at November 19, 2009 10:18 AM in response to Illegal Business Next Door

In the late 1990's I looked at the place on the left for possible development. It was for sale for $140K. It's definitely old construction and was never a prime building, even in its heyday. It's divided into 2 apartments, one upstairs - one down. We ended up not buying it because there was a spry 76 year old woman who had recently moved in and we don't want to be in a position where we feel we have to kick out seniors.

Posted by: bessie2 at November 16, 2009 5:36 PM in response to Development Watch: S#!tbox on Underhill

I bought a gallon at the Home Depot on 23rd St. in Manhatan.

Posted by: bessie2 at November 16, 2009 10:38 AM in response to Thorocoat by the Gallon?

Try Heather at design-bud.com

She's great to talk to, has great taste and is affordable. oPricing is on the website.

Posted by: bessie2 at November 12, 2009 5:18 PM in response to Design a Room

The guys that came to my house were definitely on FD business. They came in a fire truck.

Posted by: bessie2 at November 9, 2009 11:40 AM in response to Fire Dept Inspection

They came by our place in Aprk Slope a couple of months ago. Someone else from the building let about 6 of them in and the only reason I knew they were there was becuase they were wearing those big, heavy boots. They told me that they were from the station house and were becoming familiar with the interior of all the buildings in their area. They took some notes on a form but didn't leave me with anything.

Last year I met with the Fire Department about assembly spaces. They showed me a computer system they are developing which automates information about all high rises. They plan to scan in architectural drawings and have their inspectors use hand helds, which they will use to mark deviations from the plan. Once they have the high rise info in place they plan to move on to assembly locations. Plerhaps the local station walk through was a related low tech effort, or maybe this is something the FD has always done but no one was home at other times.

Posted by: bessie2 at November 9, 2009 10:40 AM in response to Fire Dept Inspection

I've worked for architecture firms, developers and a construction company. Things have gotten a lot better since the days when the head of the development firm I worked at called me honey all the time and constantly tried to give me shoulder massages, mostly in front of the other predominantly male staff, and wouldn't let me go out into the field without a male escort, often the oily staff of building managers. I remember applying for jobs and getting call backs and having firms hang up on me after they heard my voice (my real name could either male or female).

At work now, I definitely notice that construction staff talk more nicely around me than they do when they're with groups of guys, so they are guarded. It also probably stacks the cards differently that I'm now in charge of the project purse, but I've also noticed I've become alot more firm and decisive about how things are to be done.

I did have a recent problem with some Time Warner guys that came up on my low roof to do something for one of my neighborswith that spaghetti of wire they have draped everywhere. They were very rude and dismissive with me when I asked about what they were up to and whther all the wires were active; inexcusable!

Posted by: bessie2 at November 6, 2009 1:16 PM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

Definitely sounds like the thermostat. You really don't need to be handy to replace it. It you buy the same kind of device you can reuse the screw holes. Leave the plate from the old one on until you're ready to connect the new one, that way you'll see exactly where the wires should go; if it's just heat there are only two.

I put a new thermostat in myself last night after work. It didn't take long. The replacement model was a Honeywell with these incredibly tiny screws to connect the two wires (so I wouldn't really recommend that particular type). I ended up using the screw driver from one of those glasses repair kits I bought at a dollar store.

Posted by: bessie2 at November 6, 2009 10:02 AM in response to Furnace or Thermostat Issues

Do you own a place, Brownstones Half Off?

Posted by: bessie2 at November 5, 2009 6:13 PM in response to Park Slope PPSF

I used Absolute Plaster to recreate part of a corner medallion and reset an existing piece and was pleased with their work. Call Fizroy at (917) 412-5593.

Posted by: bessie2 at November 5, 2009 6:06 PM in response to Old World Plasterer Needed

Glad there were no injuries! And lucky it was only a busted mirror.

This reminded me of two tiny taxi stories-

Some years ago I was taking a taxi in the Lower East Side. The driveer was clearly lost and my sister sharply said to him that he should really learn his way around if he was going to keep doing this for a job. Well his face scrunched up and he just burst into tears.

And in a completely unrelated incident, in fact having nothing to do with taxicab drivers, but the cab itself...

I've always been interested in going into buildings that appear abandoned. So, when someone asked me to go with them to scope out the old hospital or monastary on Throop Ave. in Bed Stuy, I said sure. We went in, saw lots of water damage and some great potential and an entire yellow cab, medallion and all.

Posted by: bessie2 at November 5, 2009 5:56 PM in response to Mrs. B Side-Swiped In The Heights

Residential parking permits have been around in Jersey City for years and seem to work great. They have a system where you can easily get a temp permit for visitors and it prevents the hoardes of people from the rest of Jersey from filling up all the street parking during the work week. The fee is, however, under $150 per year I think.

Another strategy is one used in the Fan in Richmond, Va. Parking in front of churches is allowed after 6 pm on weekdays. When there is something like a funeral after 6 pm, the church puts up signage to reserve the parking.

Posted by: bessie2 at November 3, 2009 9:45 AM in response to Closing Bell: Windshield Spam Backfires

I third the comment that the exterminator is going to little beyond that what you can do yourself, except for maybe the poison, which isn't the greatest idea for an indoor problem. Definitely employ snap traps. Also, if you can get into the basement, treat that, too.

I had a serious mouse problem in a 4 family so I just pretty much land mined the basement with traps. It seemed to do the trick.

Posted by: bessie2 at October 30, 2009 1:27 PM in response to Mice in Bed-Stuy

Thanks, everyone for all the input, especially Mopar, you really went above and beyond! Linen white has been a perennial favorite of mine and I totally agree about a lighter sage, but I think this place needs grounding with a rich and deep yet soothing golden yellow.

I can't tell you how many sample pots I've painted on the wall... Some were instant rejects, but I thought at the time a yellow like some of the lighter colors would work but there is just too much woodwork to support such a light hue (I have about 80 total linear feet of wall at 11'-3" tall. 16' is cabinetry with white doors, 25' is woodwork to about 10"-6" tall, so over half of the walls are either white or dark walnut in color). Based on your comments I'm going to take another look at the Farrow and Ball colors. Again, thanks everyone!

Posted by: bessie2 at October 29, 2009 5:22 PM in response to Yellow With Wood

Thanks for the good suggestions. These are all good colors, all better than what I have in terms of underlying tones, but may be too light. Right now the space is painted Benjamin Moore Filtered Sunlight 2154-60, an absolutely lovely color with white trim, much less so with all the wood.

I get extremely bright southern and western light. The wood is very dark. I think the space would look more grounded with a more mid-range color. Comments?

What's your favorite color for a brownstone parlor floor?

Posted by: bessie2 at October 29, 2009 1:33 PM in response to Yellow With Wood

I second the recommendation that you go with a gc. If you were just refinishing the floors in the main room, you could sub that yourself, but it surely doesn't sound like you have the time to coordinate the rest of the work. As far as the damage on the window wall, it sounds like you may have problem with moisture infiltration due to a poor flashing or pointing condition. You should contact your building's management to inspect the area prior to commencing work in that area.

Posted by: bessie2 at October 29, 2009 11:38 AM in response to First Time Reno Qs

You have to go to the HPD website to look up those violations. It's my understanding that during the period to 12/31/2009, interest and penalties above the original fine will be waived on ECD violations only. If you have an old HPD or Health Department violation, my read is that you still have to pay. Those violations don't come through the ECB.

To get HPD violations written off I think the process is still arranging and paying for an on site walk through. It used to cost about $350.

I'm curious about the package you received. About a year ago we got something in the mail about 2 or 3 old HPD violations. It didn't really appear to be from the City and the violations on record were from 1990 or so. We ignored it and have never heard another thing.

Posted by: bessie2 at October 23, 2009 5:39 PM in response to 20-y.o. HPD Violations

Why is it that cigar lounges are legal, while smoking is strictly prohibited at other bars?

Posted by: bessie2 at October 23, 2009 11:42 AM in response to Puff, Puff! Cigar Bar for Fort Greene

You've removed the existing subfloor, right? Then 3/4" plywood is recommended

Posted by: bessie2 at October 22, 2009 10:30 AM in response to Installing Wood Floors

ftgreenepark, if the owners are the same people as years ago, they're Palestinian.

Posted by: bessie2 at October 13, 2009 3:44 PM in response to Streetlevel: Lafayette Grocery Overhaul

You'll probably have to check repeatedly, but Craig's List has always been a great furniture source for me. The comment above about the table vs. counter height and your back is spot on for chopping, less so for mixing. What size (length and width) are you looking for? If I come across a match in the near future, I'd be happy to let you know.

Posted by: bessie2 at October 9, 2009 10:34 AM in response to Source for Old Table?

I second Urban Remains. They have a great website and a fantastic array of fireplace inserts. I especially like the one that looks like a spider's web. Wish I had a place for it!

Posted by: bessie2 at October 9, 2009 10:23 AM in response to Mantle Insert - Where to Find?

I'm not saying that you should do this, but I once owned a rental building that was next door to this house owned by a policeman who had this dog that he just left out in the back yard on a short leash no matter what weather conditions. The poor dog was past the point of howling and just looked scraggly and sad. I don't know how long this had been going on since the parlor floor apartment had a tenant and I hadn't seen the back yard in a few years. Once we saw the situation we got one of those animal rescue groups to came over to our place. They then jumped the fence and took the dog.

Posted by: bessie2 at October 8, 2009 5:55 PM in response to Dogs Barking...Constantly

I've had both Kraft Maid and Ikea. I'd have to say that the Kraftmaid boxes seem better built; one also has more choices in terms of feet, filler, caps, etc. And the Kraftmaid wall cabinets are available in taller door sizes, something essential for my parlor level kitchen.

That being said, I do find the Ikea kitchens more stylish, plus their pricing is very, very, good. I wish they mad taller wall cabinets. 39" looks stumpy and lost in a room with a ceiling over 11 feet.

Posted by: bessie2 at October 8, 2009 1:54 PM in response to Ikea vs. KraftMaid?

I think corn is pretty lame for a street planting. A couple of years ago I planted some sweet corn on my low roof deck. I thought it would be a good way to get a tall hedge-like thing between me and my neighbor. Well corn takes a whole lot of water, not to mention the root system crowds out a pot pretty fast. I did get some ears, though. As far as polution goes, I would be concerned about soil polution, but don't see a huge difference between corn grown near an interstate vs. an urban neighborhood.

Posted by: bessie2 at October 8, 2009 1:46 PM in response to Corn Porn in BoCoCa

Starfish, your location is premium. I second the idea of getting the current tenant out, cleaning the place up and painting, and supplying excellent photos for your Craig's list post. I don't think your price is way off. We're near you but on 7th Ave. and just rented a similar studio for $1,500. Current tenants can make a rental or sale impossible.

I once tried to sell a lovely 3 family with a pit/lab and a baby that screamed in the presence of strangers in one apartment and hoarders in another. I couldn't move it until both groups were gone.

Posted by: bessie2 at October 6, 2009 12:42 PM in response to Advice on Rental Market

Never wanted to see or hear from them again, not before...

Posted by: bessie2 at September 22, 2009 4:22 PM in response to Tenant Breaks Lease...

I'd be fair about it and refund all but the $$ you're out of pocket to make repairs and for lost rent. You had no period of lost rent but as noted above you did anticipate at least the final month's rent at the former higher rate.

I recently let a commercial tenant out of their lease almost 2 years early. I tried immediately to find another tenant but was unable to do so for about 4 months, so I kept the former tenant's 2 month security and applied it to my mortgage. Residential tenants I've had have left early and found a replacement tenant. I've fully refunded their deposits if the apartment wasn't damaged.

At least one former residential tenant left before the end of their term without making arrangements. I fully refunded their deposit because I never wanted to see or hear from them before. In fact, after I encouraged them to move by saying life is too short to be unhappy, I presented the refund as a gift to make them comfortable in their new home.

Posted by: bessie2 at September 22, 2009 4:18 PM in response to Tenant Breaks Lease...

I vote for semigloss, the same as the base. That's what I did in my place which sounds about the same height as yours. I don't really have crown molding though. There's a small piece of molding down about 10" from the top. There was another piece about the same width down about another 18". I removed that because it was discontinuous and couldn't be mounted all arount the room without looking ridiculous.

At the top of the 10" segment there's a curve of plaster to the ceiling. I had painted the whole segment an accent color but my inclination now is to paint it the same as the ceiling. Thus, a narrow "crown molding" painted white capped by a ceiling extending into the remained of the space.

Had the entire 10" been detailed molding I would paint the whole thing like the base board.

Posted by: bessie2 at September 21, 2009 5:28 PM in response to Paint for Crown Molding?

I knew the guy who originally renovated this place. It was boarded up and sans detail and required a gut job in the late 1980's early 1990's. He had wanted the large number of units to remain so he could fund his renovation.

Posted by: bessie2 at September 21, 2009 2:24 PM in response to House of the Day: 135 Lafayette Avenue

I went through the same thing- practically banging my head against the wall wondering how my taxes were so, so high. Definitely check out the links indicated above and, if possible, bring some documentation to one of those public sessions they hold. Also, make sure to fill out the online income and expense report for the past 2 years.

I ended up contested my small commercial condo. Turns out DoF was assessing like the place took up the whole lot, more than twice the actual size of the property. I ended up getting almost a 50% reduction.

Posted by: bessie2 at September 15, 2009 1:10 PM in response to Not Fair & Need Sleep

Call them and ask them how they'd prefer you to submit the offer. I don't think there's any hard and fast rule. I've made offers on apartments and houses with an e-mail, a form from the realtor and a phone call. The formality should start with the contract of sale.

Posted by: bessie2 at September 14, 2009 3:03 PM in response to Submitting an FSBO Offer

Some years ago I looked at a place in this building. The apartments are very handsome, the lobby less so. I was very put off by something about the proportions of the lobby, plus it had some very drab, bunchy, gray carpet, which I trust has since been replaced.

Once you add service to a high tax building, it's hard to get maintenance any lower than about $1.25/sf. And, if I recall, this building has a fair amount of staff, which is going to send it up even higher.

What I want to know is how some of those buildings in Park Slope offer such obscenely low maintenances. Their RE tax must be absurdly low and they must have no underlying financing. I'm also pretty sure they have no services whatsoever, and they may be doing without a Management Co.I run my co-op's books and I just can't see any way else they can do it.

Posted by: bessie2 at September 14, 2009 3:00 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 57 Montague Street, #4A

I don't get the noise complaint since this would probably be quieter than the current open bandshell, but I don't think it's a good idea in this smallish park. I can't really tell how big the proposed amphiteater is compared to the rest of the park, but it does appear to have walls all around. The structure certainly doesn't look large enough to accommodate the crowds that show up for the summer concerts. Those crowds spill out to the entire park, the surrounding sidewalks, across the street and even on the boardwalk. The cool thing about the current bandshell layout and orientation is that people can stand pretty far away and still see and hear the concert. The proposed amphitheater looks way too small to accommodate all those people, yet it looks too large to leave much park for the neighborhood on non-concert days.

Posted by: bessie2 at September 14, 2009 11:15 AM in response to Another Snag for Marty's Amphitheatre

I've worked with the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council on 3 projects and would say that Vito Lopez seems completely intertwined with that organization but in a good way. They have done an amazing job building thousands of units of well-constructed, affordable housing in the Bushwick area. They also serve hundreds and hundreds of seniors on a daily basis. I've always heard allegations of impropriety, but in my dealings with the group I've found them nothing but professional and community oriented.

Posted by: bessie2 at September 2, 2009 6:08 PM in response to The Voice Calls Out Lopez

This is the second recent posting about sidewalk violations. What neighborhood are you in, Arkady?

Posted by: bessie2 at August 26, 2009 5:03 PM in response to Sidewalk holes

Where is it that they come from? With all the rain we have had this summer, I am now finding shells on my low roof.

For slugs, the beer definitely works. Not so sure snails will be attracted to it.

Years ago, I put a bunch of bowls of beer around for slugs, but our rowdy dog got there first and drank it all up. He go really tipsy and was running around like a mainaic...

Posted by: bessie2 at August 25, 2009 1:03 PM in response to Land Snails in the Garden

I think the first two are legit ads. The other three, I can't say. Please note that one of them has already been pulled.

I've used Craig's list as a landlord and as a renter and have found that even though you have to wade through a lot of stuff, it's pretty easy to pick out the actual owner's listings.

Posted by: bessie2 at August 24, 2009 1:34 PM in response to Rental Picks: Prospect Heights

If your yard is just a dust bowl I wouldn't think your landlord would mind you planting and making some more of the space. I wrote the info below assuming you're planning to stay awhile.

I don't think you need to spend much. Look on Craig's list for someone ditching some patio furniture and for anyone who may have some bricks to give away. Some friends of mine invited some folks over for a barbecue while we installed a decent brick patio. We just leveled things out a bit and threw down some sand and laid them down in a staggered pattern. It worked great for the years and years they lived there.

And since it's a rental, unless you're going to plant herbs or vegetables, I'd just use the dirt you have. For plants or seeds you may be able to find folks giving stuff away. I have serious quantities of French marigold seeds that you could have. They grow to about 2'-6" tall and have these great looking drapey turmeric colored flowers. If you have some sun in a corner, I also have seeds for this Asian plant that appears to be a relative of Hibiscus, but with a more geometric flower (its grandmother is at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden near the first greenhouse).

DaveinBedStuy, how would I go about contacting you about some lariope? Do you find it dies in winter in New York. I keep trying to get my Mom to bring some up from Va since she has miles of it, but she never does....

Posted by: bessie2 at August 20, 2009 5:16 PM in response to Sprucing Up a Garden in a Rental

The rear yard and much of the house does have a commercial construction quality, similar to many of the townhouses in listings for the Upper East Side. I'm sure it could be made to feel much more homey with the right design and assessory choices. I do love the size of the windows, the extra width and the location by the park. Someone, especially a lawyer or a finance type will probably find this very appealing.

Posted by: bessie2 at August 19, 2009 2:40 PM in response to House of the Day: 180 Washington Park

Wrong KAZ. You can replace fixtures in the same locations without filing but if the fixtures are rearranged or new fixtures added, one is required to file. The OP mentioned moving a toilet and a shower and adding a washer/dryer and radiator. For these items a plumbing permit would be required, most likely one for a limited plumbing alteration.

Posted by: bessie2 at August 18, 2009 4:12 PM in response to Bathroom Reno?

Not sure what stlyle you're going for, but Thomas Paul makes some nice modernist wool runners. One place they're sold through is ClickDesignThatFits. Pappelina modernist synthetic runners have some nice designs and are sold through nest-living. Also, Broacade Home makes some laser cut rugs that may appeal to you.

Posted by: bessie2 at August 18, 2009 3:53 PM in response to Runners

Since you're moving and adding fixtures you'll need to find someone to file this with the DoB, too.

Posted by: bessie2 at August 18, 2009 2:22 PM in response to Bathroom Reno?

This building is impeccably kept and the apartments have gracious prewar layouts. The transitions and closets are well-placed.

I looked at an apartment on this level and side of the building in 1998 or so. At that time the price was about $160K for an apartment on this floor and orientation (I found it quite dark when I visited after work). The view was over the rear roof of this building (maybe the cellar was built full lot?). The bathroom in the unit I saw was pink tiled circa 1950 or earlier.

The lobby of this building is quite spacious and it had to have been one of the tidiest I'd ever have come across. It's highly detailed with a well-done Americanaesque quality, which I actually find completely unappealing have been slaughtered with Jeffersonian detailing in my youth.

Posted by: bessie2 at August 18, 2009 2:15 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 145 Hicks Street, #B37

Cars should just plain NOT be allowed to make a right off Flatbush to Carlton at this intersection. Cars just breeze right through that right angled turn and totally ignore pedestrian traffic.

Posted by: bessie2 at August 18, 2009 11:29 AM in response to Safety Improvements on Flatbush Ave

Outside is always better than inside as far as water is concerned. I didn't have a choice in our rear addition. I was taking in a lot of water on the side of the neighbor's back yard, but she wouldn't allow me to come into her yard to dig because of the trees she has right on the property line (most likely one of the biggest cuprits for the water infiltration). We ended up digging an interior trench lined with gravel, into which we place a wrapped slotted pipe. The pipe is pitched to the sump pump, where we installed a larger bucket. It seems to work pretty well. We also re-applied thoro-seal, a product I'm not really sold on, but the existing seemed to have some deficiencies and it seemed like the most expedient way to handle the problem.

I do, however, feel like damp conditions persist in the summer months. I get this water witch type feeling in the space, much like I sense in the East Village and the area downtown near the old Collect Pond. It doesn't smell moldy or mildewy but I feel like there's still water.

Posted by: bessie2 at August 17, 2009 1:05 PM in response to Waterproofing Cellar?

After someone graffitied our painted brownstone we went to Pinchik to get a paint match. Although I had selected something from Benjamin Moore, Pinchik had a more perfect color already available. They just grabbed it off a shelf behind the counter. Now you can hardly tell where we had to repaint. If you paint the treads of the stair, make sure to mix some sand in the paint for traction.

Posted by: bessie2 at August 17, 2009 11:00 AM in response to "Brownstone" Paint

Here's an outdoor gas-fired fireplace accepted by the DoB:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/587-06-e.pdf

Posted by: bessie2 at August 13, 2009 10:55 AM in response to Outdoor Fireplaces?

Lovely pictures and house, though, from a liveability standpoint it seems a bit light on closets. Think there's any useable roof space from the study?

Posted by: bessie2 at August 12, 2009 2:42 PM in response to House of the Day: 20 Grace Court Alley

Hm Bentley is an ostentatious car. I wander how is best to communicate with Bentley owner in record industry. :)

Posted by: bobjohn at November 19, 2009 7:32 PM in response to Illegal Business Next Door

I sympathize, I have a Trust Fund DJ living next door who illegally sub divided the house to accomadate tenants. A single family house now used as a two family. The noise was unbearable, like living in a bass drum. I banged on his door(non-working bell) and told him that my lawyer advised me to speak to him about the volume and persistence of his music and could he please lower it so we both could avoid legal issues. That has worked some. DOB never showed up, the PD never showed up, five to ten calls to 311. If you tell the FD that the roof has holes and the back of the building is in danger of collapse and your worried about the fireman's safety, you may get the FD to send a report to the Buildings Dept.(an A-8). Complain, complain, complain the squeaky wheel gets the grease in this city. Document, document,document, time called, date called, person spoken to, etc. finally, get a lawyer.

Posted by: Grumpy at November 19, 2009 9:19 PM in response to Illegal Business Next Door