dda's Profile
Author's Posts
September 12, 2008
SHUTTERS!
I am thinking of installing shutters in my new place. Let me rephrase - I would really like to get shutters. However, I've discovered just how expensive they are. Can anyone recommend a place that does shutters as a good rate?
July 28, 2008
Cleaning Marble?
My new apartment has a cool little marble mantlepiece. Unfortunately, it was not really taken very good care, but is still in generally good condition. However, the actual mantle ledge seems to have gone from it's normal white color to more yellowish.
Is there anything you can recommend that can clean it up (or at least make it a little less yellowed)?
May 22, 2008
INSPECTION
Hello! I tried running a search and didn't quite find what I was looking for, so thought I'd post here (sorry if it's a repeat).
I am looking to get a coop and, of course, the building inspected before purchasing. Does anyone have any recommendations or inspectors I should run away from?
Thanks!
February 22, 2008
Windowless
I am getting pretty close to purchasing my first place (cheer!). The thing is that it is an old tenement kind of building where the bedroom doesn't have any windows. It is a long apartment so the kitchen and living room get good light, but nothing in the bedroom. I was wondering (other than lots of light fixtures), if anyone else has had to deal with this. I was thinking that I could "make" a small window using those thick glass blocks, thereby letting in some natural light. The wall is not load-bearing.
Thoughts Brownstoner friends?
Author's Comments
Oh, I see.
I thought that if it was built before a certain time that the building follows the laws that were in effect when it was built (like the tenements on the LES).
Also, does it have to be a window to the outside? I ask this because there are 2 small (bed)rooms, neither has a window to the outside, but there is a little window-type-cut-out thing between the 2. Would that make it a real bedroom? I am just confused because this is HDFC housing.
I really appreciate the advice here, I didn't know that particular law. Anything else I should be warned about? Thanks!
Posted by: dda at February 22, 2008 9:58 PM in response to Windowless
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
This has nothing to do with tenement law--current law is it.
If this is HDFC housing and they are calling these rooms bedrooms, they are being deceitful.
Call the city and make a fuss. You are not getting the straight story based on what you've said here.
Posted by: tinarina at February 22, 2008 10:22 PM in response to Windowless
Unless you are talking about paying the price for a one-bedroom vs. a studio, why does it matter if the person who lives there calls it a bedroom? Can they prevent you from putting a bed in there? I didn't think so.
Posted by: guest at February 23, 2008 7:59 AM in response to Windowless
You are describing what is commonly called a "floor through" tenement. The LES is full of them. The two interior windows are there because there was a time in NY when 20 people lived in a single room and law makers decided that wasn't too healthy so they required evry room have a "window". Not unlike all these new duplex condo apartments going up with "cellar storage space". YEAH RIGHT! Anyway, to answer your question, I would actually do the reverse and sheet rock them over, or good time to install a pocket door in the wall between rooms, or i have seen people embrace the windows and install curtains.
Posted by: guest at February 23, 2008 11:37 AM in response to Windowless
I used salvaged stained glass for a bathroom w/o windows.
Posted by: rh at February 23, 2008 11:48 AM in response to Windowless
I wouldn't worry about the "legality" of your bedroom. There are so many other much more serious violations of housing law going on in NYC. It's not like a housing inspector is going to randomly enter your apt. and make you sleep in the living room...
If you like the place, buy it. As for adding light, I think glass blocks would work great. You might also cut a transom into the wall above the door. Our floor-through tenement has transoms and they definitely help with light and air circulation.
Posted by: guest at February 23, 2008 2:23 PM in response to Windowless
Open the top two feet of the wall up along the ceiling with a full length transom window and block off the old windows.
Posted by: guest at February 23, 2008 4:36 PM in response to Windowless
Glass blocks are so 80s...
Your bedroom is indeed illegal and can't be called such. You legally have a studio with a "home office".
Posted by: guest at February 23, 2008 7:04 PM in response to Windowless
11:37 has it right. Two common things in old floor through tenements are shallow closets -- to avoid a tax on a room -- which was described as any space that you could walk into and turn around and walk out of -- and windows connecting middle rooms to outside rooms -- because the law declared that any room you rented had to have a window. But the law didn't specify that the window had to open into the outside of the building.
As far as I know there isn't anything illegal about any room within a larger apartment not having a window -- many maids quarters in high rise buildings still don't. There may be some restriction on how it can be advertised as a bedroom if there isn't a window -- but who cares about the label? You could take down all the walls and call it a studio.
Posted by: breukelenbelle at May 28, 2008 6:19 PM in response to Windowless
Hi— I'm very much in need of a clawfoot tub ASAP— is it still available? If so could you please email me at of_rock@yahoo.com? Thanks,
B
Posted by: babak at September 30, 2008 8:35 PM in response to Moving Sale - Brownstone
I would be interested in a mantle mirror and/or a radiator cover or 2. Please let me know, travel_queen@hotmail.com
THANKS!
Posted by: dda at September 19, 2008 8:12 PM in response to Moving Sale - Brownstone