daveinbedstuy's Profile
- Dave
- March 2007
- March 2007
- Brooklyn
- Bedford Stuyvesant
- House
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Author's Posts
November 12, 2009
Sunsetter Awning Sale
I know this pic is a bit tacky for the brownstone crowd but Sunsetter awnings are very high quality and they are running a pretty decent sale for awnings that's be great for a deck.
www.sunsetter.com
September 29, 2009
Beautiful mahogany rails?
Nope, it's been woodgrained. Not wanting to go throught the mess of stripping the bannister, I decided to take a stab at producing a mahogany woodgrain. I've done this before with antique auto moldings so had some experience.
First lay a base of a neutral brown. As an example of colors, I'll use the Benjamin Moore Virtual Fan deck names. Paint a single coat of Acorn brown. Then, with a 2" brush ( no fancy brushes or "combs") lay in some deep red similar to Tucson Red. You don't want to cover all of the base brown, just streak it. Then, on top of that lay in some streaks of deep, solid black, not in any particular pattern but just long strokes "with the grain." You should then see part red and part black. Finally, give it a nice coat of Minwax Bombay Mahogany Gloss Polyshades. This stain includes the gloss polyurethane. Usually, I don't like gloss bit for the bannister it loooks a lot better.
September 25, 2009
Free Chandeliers
I have 2 of these chandeliers. They are a bronze colored metal. Free to a good home.
Post your email & I'll respond. You can pick them up any evening or next weekend.
Facade Renovation Contractor
Adding this to the Forum so people searching will see the link from the main page. Lots of pics of the process renovationg the brownstone facade. Originally, my contractor's name wasn't posted and I want to recommend him:
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2009/08/dibs_refinishes.php#comments
Millad
ctgconstruction@gmail.com
718-669-8305
June 23, 2009
329 Adelphi Visit
First, let me say that it was a pleasure meeting the realtor, Bill Radtke, a really nice guy. This house will need a total gut job. The basement ceiling needs to be removed to determine the issues with the undulating (!) first floor. That said, this house seems really solid. It was most likely built in the 1840s or somewhere therabouts and maintains its original clapboards under the shingles. The framing is solid (likely oak) 4X5, 24" on center and filled with brick, which is why, despite the floors, the house stands plumb. It needs a new roof, all new plumbing but does have circuit breakers and a fair amount of new BX. There is nothing salvageable AT ALL on the inside except the crown moldings, which are pictured and quite interesting and a nice stair rail. The stairs are built against a curved wall and will be a beautiful feature once that wrap around rail is restored. The fireplaces have been long ago sealed up and there is one rather plain marble mantle.
The basement is full height and legally occupiable. The top floor has decent ceiling height to make a large bedroom and perhaps add a small bath. About a third of that 24' X 35" floor is usable.
So, it's really about 3,100 sq. ft. in total usable space. Carve out a utilities room in the basement from that figure.
The door and window casings outside might be slavageable but in reality should be replaced along with the windows, which are not slavageable. The porch needs to be completely rebuilt but the columns are salvageable.
The house next door which someone linked in yesterday's HOTD thread has been completely restored and is a copy of this one wrt porch & casing details. The addition on the back, though it shares the same basement is a bit funky with the second floor level lower than the main house. It was originally detached.
It'll make a beautiful house but it will require far more than $200-300,000 in renovation, ptobably $500,000.
I last did a gut reno in PA in 2000 and easily spent $300,000 on a smaller project.
The last comment I made to Bill as we were leaving was that dealing with LPC on the exterior was going to be the least of your problems. But if someone with the passion can see this as the size house that's good for them, it'll be a great project and it'ss be worth more than $1.2 MM when done correctly.
Ed: The original House of the Day post can be viewed here.
June 2, 2009
Recession At An End?
June 2 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. recession that began in December 2007 may have ended in May, said John Ryding, using the Institute for Supply Management’s factory index as a guide.
Readings greater than 41.2 on a sustained basis are usually
consistent with economic expansions, according to the Tempe, Arizona-based purchasers’ group. The CHART OF THE DAY shows
May’s reading of 42.8 surpassing the horizontal red line at the 41.2 mark. The vertical lines show the end of previous recessions and beginning of expansions.
The ISM gauge “is the greenest shoot yet in the recession-
drawing-to-a-close thesis,” Ryding, chief economist at RDQ
Economics LLC in New York, said in a note to clients yesterday.
“The ISM report is a very important indicator of the cyclical
state of the economy and it tentatively suggests that May is a
plausible candidate for the recession trough.”
What’s more, two of the most forward-looking components of
the ISM index are also flashing recovery, Ryding said. The
orders index climbed to 51.1, above the 50 breakeven level for
the first time since the month before the recession started. In
addition, the measure of supplier deliveries, a component of the
Conference Board’s index of leading economic indicators, gained
almost five points.
May 14, 2009
For All You Vegetable Growers...
I can't recommend highly enough E & R Seed Company for vegetable seeds and plants. I just received my order of tomatos & brussell sprouts and these plants are among the largest and healthiest I've ever bought. Prices are very cheap even with the boxing and shipping charges. Brussel sprouts were $1.50 each and heirloom tomato varieties $2.05...all came in 2" pots and they're all over 1' tall & very hardy.
The only problem is they have no website. You have to call & leave a message to get a catalog & place an order. They do call back fairly quickly.
E & R Seed Company
260-692-6827
I think it might be getting late to get a catalog mailed (it's huge) and still get anything shipped but maybe not. They can probably accomodate an order of plants over the phone and walk you through what they have without a catalog.
Author's Comments
I suspect that the Chinese knew the earth revolved around the sun long before Galileo postulated it. He was excommunicated for teaching that.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:45 PM in response to Open Thread
Let this be a lesson to any of you out there who are thinking of buying a buiding with RC tenants.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:43 PM in response to severe dammage by tenants
Galileo was Italian but most of his inventions are credited to the Chinese.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:40 PM in response to Open Thread
stop the presses! Galileo's missing fingers and tooth have finally be found. They've been missing since the 18th century. Thank G-d- I can rest easy tonight.
It is kind of cool tho'
Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 4:25 PM
Until I read it on Bloomberg, I don't believe it.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:28 PM in response to Open Thread
stevie, I haven't been to a dance bar in NYC since 1998.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:22 PM in response to Open Thread
11217, that was hilarious.
But I still think some people here don't like you. :)
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:20 PM in response to Open Thread
i might bake a turkey on my roof.
*rob*
Posted by: Butterfly at November 20, 2009 4:14 PM
rob...get one of those turkey friers, fill it with oil, get it up to temperature and throw in the whole bird frozen.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:16 PM in response to Open Thread
Oh dear, THL! That's probably the song I hate of hers the most! No, wait...I take that back. That "do you believe in life after love" garbage is the worst.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at November 20, 2009 4:11 PM
Yes, but it's one of the BEST dance songs ever. Maybe none of you have ever seen a club full of 500 gay shirtless men start up when that came on. You could get high just from the number of popper bottles that were opened when they all danced to that.
Oh, the good old days.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:13 PM in response to Open Thread
Native Americans are:
1. not native to America, they originated from Asia
2. need to be called something else because it was not called America while they were the only ones here.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:11 PM in response to Open Thread
The best tip I ever got from a girl who was a friend (and not my "girlfriend") was that a girl is flirting with you if she starts playing with her hair when she knows you're looking at her.
Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 4:07 PM
Immediately got a pic in my mind of the slutty daughter in Cape Fear talking to DeNiro!!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:09 PM in response to Open Thread
I don't like Cher or Madonna (or Judy Garland for that matter)
Posted by: CarrollGardened at November 20, 2009 4:04 PM
LIAR
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:05 PM in response to Open Thread
I'd rather get a venereal disease than bed bugs.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:02 PM in response to Open Thread
Kennewick man was proved to be of Asian origin. His bones were found somewhere out wast and I think he was dated to >10,000 years old.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:59 PM in response to Open Thread
I don't like Cher either. She falls into the 'entertainer' category with Madonna.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at November 20, 2009 3:54 PM
YEAH, LIKE THERE'S BEEN ANY REALLY SERIOUS MUSIC AFTER THE BEATLES, NOT.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:55 PM in response to Open Thread
Native Americans came from China.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:51 PM in response to Open Thread
Biff, don'tt you know this is "Hate Foreigners Week" here on brownstoner????
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:49 PM in response to Open Thread
chicho needs to start selling me his bread and that will be all I need.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:42 PM in response to Open Thread
Tee-pees were used by the plains Indians. they were effective for Indians that were constanytly on the move. Others used more permanent structures like the long houses.
Anyone remember the homoerotic relationship that the young Indian boy had with Costner in Dances With Wolves.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:41 PM in response to Open Thread
And they lost their case against the Washington Redskins last week.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:36 PM in response to Open Thread
I think the Iroquois long houses were OK. The tee-pees were too ethnic and had to go.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:35 PM in response to Open Thread
And BTW, I've done more than my fair share of atoning to the American Indians of various tribes and kneeling before them!!!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:32 PM in response to Open Thread
$24 for manhattan is prrof positive that, in the long run, real estate ALWAYS GOES UP.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:30 PM in response to Open Thread
cobble, there have been many small indigenous cultures that, in the past, have always been peaceful. Howvere, things usually turn bad when colonization begins.
$24 for manhattan was initially, a peaceful bargained exchange.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:25 PM in response to Open Thread
where's the link to the cat with several ears??????
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:21 PM in response to Open Thread
Here's a song that sounds like a chant....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0WJJFjfenM
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Open Thread
>> I think it's good that more and more people in this country are starting to respect where we came from, those who came before us and allow those people and things (yes, that includes old homes) to help move us forward in a more sustainable and peaceful way.
11217, Puke-o-rama!
What is it from the past that was so good to remember? The genocide of the native american Indians or the enslaving of Africans? Or maybe the passing of such laws as "chinese exclusion act"? This country past is barbaric and bloody; that is what we should all remember.
Posted by: stevieb at November 20, 2009 3:06 PM
stevie, he's talking about homes.
Every counry's past is barbaric & bloody. Every country. Most of us have moved on.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:11 PM in response to Open Thread
bedstuyhoya...unfortunately (and i feel bad) I have not yet been to Therapy. What's your opinion???
Butternut is trying to get some money together and has a lock on the lease (for awhile) at Solomon's Porch.
That siad, if Butternut doesn't happen, the lease fot the corner bodega at Halsy & Macon is up in 2 years and I know who will be after that place...chicho
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 3:03 PM in response to Open Thread
bedstuyhoya...It's on halsey just east of Stuyvesant, in the old clothing/jewelry shop that barbara ran....across the street from Solomon's Porch.
Probably open in january...and I believe largely fish, smaller plates, but I think it's still evolving.
Whatever it is, if Chicho is doing it, it will be good.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 2:52 PM in response to Open Thread
Sorry I missed benson's rant.
i like rants by benson because they get so off topic from the particular issue at the center of the rant.
he has the uncanny ability to offend anyone hear who is easily offended.
that said, the former property was as big a piece of shit I've ever seen and the new, elegently restored, HISTORIC property is magnificent. The former probably cost $25,000 in today's money to destroy. er, I mean do and the new one $250,000.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 2:23 PM in response to Open Thread
blowfish, those are THE worst kinds of bfs. They get soooo jealous that they won't even let their partner see his old friends. Really rather petty isn't it!!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:47 AM in response to Open Thread
Or Hung Lo??? I'm not sure which you are using as the surname.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:46 AM in response to New Restaurant Coming to Bergen Street
Ummmm, an ancient terra cotta jug that wine was kept in. See above.
Are you realted to Lee Kum Kee?????
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:45 AM in response to New Restaurant Coming to Bergen Street
Uh oh....I also didn't know you were an attorney.
i hope you weren't offended by the lawyer jokes in this morning's Friday Links. :)
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:42 AM in response to Open Thread
blowfish, I didn't know you were a neighbor. I'm intrigued to learn more about your friend and his bf.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:40 AM in response to Open Thread
blowfish, have you ever had blowfish (Fugu) in Japan???
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:35 AM in response to Open Thread
benson, have you formulated your rant yet??? :(
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:33 AM in response to Open Thread
That fake brick curtain wall facade is really looking nice.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:27 AM in response to 868 Metropolitan Sells Out in Less Than Two Months
That picture of the pasta dish is really making me hungry.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:21 AM in response to Open Thread
Yes, is there any way to install a recessed medicine cabinet instead. They are far more convenient and this sink base has very little storage for all the toiletries, medicines, etc. But I gues it's a second bath anyway.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:19 AM in response to Credit for bathroom mirror
Mmmmmmmm...half Filipino & half Thai
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:17 AM in response to Open Thread
m4l, you really only need to beat then by 1 to win.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:14 AM in response to Open Thread
LOL, Snark, I had a pair too. :(
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:13 AM in response to Huh? Benetton for Bed Stuy Stretch of Bedford Avenue
The doors were more than $8-10k each, probably $20+ with all the casing work.
Windows $2,500 each
Cornices...don't know...$40k each???
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:12 AM in response to Development Watch: Turnaround at 424 Waverly Avenue
I believe it refers to the ancient terra cotta jugs that wine is kept in.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:10 AM in response to New Restaurant Coming to Bergen Street
It'll be Italian if the name is any indication.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:08 AM in response to New Restaurant Coming to Bergen Street
Kens, do they allow immigrants??? I might want to take the Chinese bf or the Mexican bf there???
The sidewalk isn't littered with homeless is it???
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:03 AM in response to Open Thread
What was wrong with Waverly??????
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 11:00 AM in response to New Cafe for The Heights
Ahhhh, OK. Unfortunately I don't knw of any in brooklyn but I know there have been numerous recommendations in other threads recently.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 10:57 AM in response to Plumbing Estimate High?
If I were happy with the fill job on the countertop I'd not ask for any money but that's just me.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 10:46 AM in response to Credit for bathroom mirror
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Thanks wyckoff and NeedaPatio.
Wyckoff- It's good to hear that financing might be possible. A friend told me he got regular financing on the home he bought this year even though the home was of questionable habitability. I also like this advice you gave: "don't rely on anything you read on this forum." Made me laugh. (I wouldn't rely on it, but it's helpful and informative nevertheless.)
But why do you suggest getting a contractor before making an offer? Before I hire a contractor, why not see if the buyer would accept my offer. My offer wouldn't be binding. Otherwise, I'd be wasting my money paying the contractor. Right?
NeedaPatio- You are correct. That's the house I'm referring to. And I think you're also correct that the seller is incapable of doing anything such as getting the electricity working. And you're also right that it would take a lot of stamina to have this place renovated. It would be a big project.
Posted by: Pigeon at November 20, 2009 4:31 PM in response to Habitable? Financing? Time-Bomb?
OK everyone, have a nice weekend.
Be nice to foreigners and homeless this weekend.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 20, 2009 4:49 PM in response to Open Thread