Look up some Amish cabinetmakers - from PA. They do modern work, and are reasonably priced. However, be prepared to have them take a long, long time to finish the job.

Posted by: chnyc at October 31, 2008 3:18 PM in response to Built in wardrobe/closets

Oh, and slick makes a point as well, about an increase in rent. However, there's actually a law which provides for a small monthly increase (say, about $16., I'd have to check on this to be sure) for extra water usage in a Rent-Stabilized apartment. Again, I'd have to check on this, to be sure of the exact amount, and the Rent-Stabilized part. If you'd like me to do so, just let me know.

Posted by: chnyc at October 31, 2008 2:54 PM in response to Tenant Wants to Install Own W/D

PitbullNYC, your comment appears to lack any sensitivity to others who are not you, I'm sorry to say. Many of us, single mothers, and others who aren't as easily mobile as some, truly would/ do appreciate having a washing machine at home. Some of us also don't live terribly close to laundromats, and appreciate doing laundry ourselves, so we can be sure it's done well. Have you observed some of those laundromat workers who're doing multiple loads from multiple clients all at one time? I'm very pleased that the OP has asked such a considerate question of our group.

Posted by: chnyc at October 31, 2008 2:35 PM in response to Tenant Wants to Install Own W/D

MM - as always, you are right on!

Please understand, though, posters, that with many people in foreclosure, the homeless population of those who thought it could 'never happen' to them, will doubtless only increase. I've met homeless with Master's Degrees. There's no monolith here.

Posted by: chnyc at October 16, 2008 4:01 PM in response to Shelter Woes Spread From Crown Heights to Bed Stuy

MM - as always, you are right on! Please understand, though, that with many people in foreclosure, the homeless population of those who thought it could 'never happen' to them, will doubtless only increase. I've met homeless with Master's Degrees. There's no monolith here.

Posted by: chnyc at October 16, 2008 4:01 PM in response to Shelter Woes Spread From Crown Heights to Bed Stuy

Hello,

Did you consider an Amish woodworker? They, in my experience, are incredibly sensitive to a client's custom requests. The Amish don't only do woodwork typically associated with them. I've seen beautiful, modern Amish work before. Be prepared to wait many weeks for the job's completion, though. I've seen them take good time to do their beautiful work.

chnyc

Posted by: chnyc at September 19, 2008 8:34 PM in response to ISO Furniture maker who can copy this style

Hello,

Thanks, denton, I saw your pix - very nice! However, I was thinking less academically, if you will, and hoping I'd find a pic of my daughter in the Target children's area, or wandering around. You know - proud mom. Her digital camera is broken and I don't have one.

Thanks again - chnyc

Posted by: chnyc at September 15, 2008 6:32 PM in response to Pix of Book Fair?

Polemicist, yes, not all housing court lawsuits are frivolous. But many, many are. Think about the neighborhood elderly, who've been there in lean times, who also have, possibly, large rent-controlled apartments. Prime targets they. And that's a shame. I know of frivolous primary-residence lawsuits, as well, which are scary for some tenants, even if the apartment is their primary residence. The list goes on, with the goal being $ rather than humanity. Change can be positive, and change happens. It just need not be unethically produced.

Posted by: chnyc at September 8, 2008 4:47 PM in response to Do Generalizations About Harlem Hold for Brooklyn Nabes?

Thank you, East New York, thank you!

Harlem is at war right now. In my observation, people aren't breathing - they are knee-jerk reacting to unethical owners/ developers (and not all owners/ developers are, of course) who are evicting tenants seemingly left and right through frivolous lawsuits which take advantage of tenants' lack of knowledge about the intricacies of housing court. Lower-income people are being divided and conquered in Harlem. And, they are dividing themselves. Shouting 'cracker' to white people who may be in a similar situation, or who could be part of a larger community with their neighbors is counter-productive behavior. Harlem is getting hit hard. Yet, it need not be so negative uptown. There's an opportunity to bring a community together there, which doesn't appear to be happening.

Thank goodness for Brooklyn. I can now breathe.

Posted by: chnyc at September 8, 2008 3:41 PM in response to Do Generalizations About Harlem Hold for Brooklyn Nabes?

I'm sorry to say this, but this doesn't surprise me at all. I recently saw an advertisement for a school which supposedly teaches English. It was written VERY poorly!

Posted by: chnyc at August 26, 2008 7:13 PM in response to Ending with Ignurance

bayridgegirl writes: "Broker lists this as being in Bedford Stuyvesant. I hate when brokers don't even know what neighborhood the house is in, or for that matter know anything about the neighborhood."

Hold on one minute. Old-timers, and those who've grown up here say this block is, indeed Bed-Stuy. Yes, maps say that South of Atlantic is Crown Heights. Neighborhood people say differently. What do you know about the neighborhood?

Posted by: chnyc at August 26, 2008 6:07 PM in response to House of the Day: 1252 Dean Street

I am honored to be living in historic Crown Heights. This is a neighborhood where people take pride in their beautiful buildings, greet each other with eye contact, and have lived here for generations. Not dissable.

Posted by: chnyc at August 25, 2008 5:35 PM in response to Buying at Bed-Stuy

I have seen horror stories happen when a plumber, who isn't licensed (last time I checked, the plumber's license cost $5,000), and therefore likely less expensive, does work which is supposed to be 'signed off' by another plumber (the licensed one). I would absolutely hire a real, licensed plumber, and the one who will 'sign off' on the job, if that 'sign-off' is necessary. Real, licensed plumbers may be more expensive, but they will likely do the job right, and not give you a disaster which will take much more time and angst to fix..... I used to work for a construction company. Believe me, I've seen disasters!

Posted by: chnyc at August 25, 2008 4:47 PM in response to Good Plumbers in Bed Stuy

Greetings,

Thank you for your comments! phripley, that crazy utility pole you describe sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. I'm actually a renter, though. Two times Verizon did exactly what you described, and I'd also exactly described the problem. Thanks for the 'magic words'! If I am unsuccessful at this, despite my persistence, I'll likely jot a note to my landlord, who could then contact the neighbor as necessary.....

Thank you both!

Posted by: chnyc at August 25, 2008 4:38 PM in response to cables like crazy!

Yeah, I didn't shoot around there (and I didn't bring my real camera cuz I had a lot of books to get signed). These days taking photos of children, altho legal, is problematical, so I generally refrain, as do most people. But good luck.

BTW since my house is being deconstructed, I have a spare room on the first floor that I have all my studio lighting set up in. If you want to bring her over for cheap/free photos, drop me a line.

Posted by: denton at September 15, 2008 6:47 PM in response to Pix of Book Fair?

First, you pull out the dowel-like arm sections from the apron. The leaves come are each separate pieces which hook onto the beveled edge and rest on the dowel/arms. Each of the leaves has a hooking mechanism on one end and a latch on the other (same that you find on standard table leaves) so that once you set each piece is in place you lock them all together and they hold solid. I took a picture of the base so you could see.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30673694@N06/

However, I think it's a moot point since as you point out the table deero wants lacks an apron.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at September 19, 2008 10:04 PM in response to ISO Furniture maker who can copy this style

Thanks all. Great comments. I should have pointed out that I was just looking for a solution to the idea of having a not-horrible-looking round table that can be expanded into a larger round (or round-ish table). You've all provided some great suggestions. Many thanks. Keep 'em coming.

Posted by: deero at September 21, 2008 2:59 AM in response to ISO Furniture maker who can copy this style

Oh, and slick makes a point as well, about an increase in rent. However, there's actually a law which provides for a small monthly increase (say, about $16., I'd have to check on this to be sure) for extra water usage in a Rent-Stabilized apartment. Again, I'd have to check on this, to be sure of the exact amount, and the Rent-Stabilized part. If you'd like me to do so, just let me know.

Posted by: chnyc at October 31, 2008 2:54 PM in response to Tenant Wants to Install Own W/D

I love my full-size LG combo unit so much that I'm considering giving it a name. They work great. And it takes 110V. (We have a 220 plug so I actually run it off an extension cord. Don't think the full-size unit can run off the sink though.

Posted by: Heather at October 31, 2008 3:09 PM in response to Tenant Wants to Install Own W/D

I am totally surprised by the generally negative response of the homeowners on this site. These machines are well designed for a brownstone lifestyle. We've had one for seven years with two kids and tho it has limitations, IT BEATS THE CRAP OUT OF WALKING TO THE LAUNDROMAT. Additionally it's uses FAR LESS WATER and FAR LESS DETERGENT than top loaders --it's clearly more environmentally friendly. And it takes up less than half the space of full sized washer dryer units. Since most homeowners are paying between $650-$900 per sq foot these days, having a combo washer dryer unit saves at least 4 sq ft or $3,600 of precious floor space. On the other hand we can all drive our SUV's to our McMansions and clean our laundry in large capacity side by side washer dryers.

Posted by: lifeofreilly at October 31, 2008 4:26 PM in response to Tenant Wants to Install Own W/D

we have one in our house but we got a model that vents, yes they do make these that vent as well. the key is the spin at the end which should be a high rpm (and should also be switchable to lower rpms). the high spin speed does a very effective job of wringing most of the water out of clothes and decresing the load on drying. i also find myself air drying certain of our more delicate clothes. one thing to note, spin speeds over 1200 rpm will make lots noise as the machine often shakes.

Posted by: werner at November 2, 2008 10:50 PM in response to Tenant Wants to Install Own W/D