duckumu's Profile
- Nick
- 2009
- 2008
- Brooklyn
- Cobble Hill
- Rental
- Web Designer
- Male
- http://www.nickangiolillo.com
Author's Posts
October 8, 2009
new google maps street views
just a fun fyi -- it looks like with the various google maps street view updates pushed yesterday (there are a ton of canadian cities available now on street view), the street view images for some brooklyn neighborhoods have been completely updated.
cobble hill had a particularly bad street view originally. the brightness on the images was so high you could barely make out any detail. it's now revamped along with other neighborhoods brooklyn heights, fort greene, park slope, greenpoint, and williamsburg, and prospect heights.
i don't work for google or anything and i'm not advertising them -- i'm just a frequent user of street view as a tool for virtual tourism, even within the borough :)
check it out http://maps.google.com/?q=loc:+Carlton+Avenue+at+Bergen+Brooklyn+NY+US&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bergen+St+&ll=40.686008,-73.996418&spn=0.010885,0.01929&z=16&layer=c&cbll=40.686096,-73.996358&panoid=JrdEfTP5uoPrW3gmXlFQtw&cbp=12,177.45,,0,-15.72
August 4, 2009
Covering Up Exposed Brick
I'm a renter in a 1bed in Cobble Hill. I love my apartment but I have really come to detest the exposed brick covering an entire wall of the apartment. It's not that sort of attractive dusty looking brick, it's glossy, shellacked, dark, yellowed, light-consuming brick. (And it's nearly impossible to decorate around if you're going for anything but the hip 90's NYC loft look -- which.. no.) My landlord will let me do just about anything in the apartment other than painting the brick, because it of course attracts a lot of people.
Does anyone have any suggestions or good ideas regarding how to temporarily cover up the brick?
Right now my current thought is to make floor to ceiling sized frames out of canvas stretchers and cover it with a neutral fabric and securing it to the wall with velcro. If it's light enough I feel the velcro should hold it without affecting the wall in a way that would bother my landlord.
It would be lovely to have some sort of thin, hard, lightweight board that I could secure to the wall somehow -- something I could paint and then remove when I moved out. Any ideas on that?
January 7, 2009
Cold calling building managers?
Hey, everyone.
I'm looking to move to Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, or Carroll Gardens this spring as a renter (CH would be most ideal). Since I'm in no hurry to move (I already have a secure place to live -- but it's a share), I figured I would try to do the legwork of finding a place myself instead of relying on a broker and thus avoiding the fee.
Would it be absolutely crass to call building managers, owners, landlords, etc. to inquire about vacancies in their properties? For those of you who are landlords here, do you think this is a good way for possible tenants to reach you?
My basic method for getting info is to gather addresses for buildings that look like they're split into multiple units. I can then look up the ownership information on the NYC HPD website. From there I figured I'd just use the white pages to get the number for the head officer, managing agent, or owning corporation. Does anyone know which of these people are the best ones to contact?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Author's Comments
i agree with pete. if you can afford $1.8 to $2k for a 1 bedroom you can afford murray hill, yorkville, financial district, hell's kitchen, and many other areas in manhattan. they won't be luxury buildings (except in the case of the financial district) but they will be affordable for the manhattan crowd. downtown brooklyn's amenities aren't even as good as those of the financial district so nearby amenities are not the draw.
these buildings are for people who want to live in renovated apartments but don't want to live in jersey city or queens, and they're for people who want to live in brooklyn but can't afford a renovated apartment in a prime brooklyn neighborhood. i don't think they're largely for the manhattan people.
that's my take, anyway.
Posted by: duckumu at November 13, 2009 11:27 AM in response to Brooklyn Gold Joins the Downtown Rental Party
yeah, they're offering 5 months free rent on 2 year leases, 2 months free rent on 1 year leases. that's what i heard from my friend who is considering the building.
i disagree that renters from the "nice" brooklyn neighborhoods will not be attracted to these places. maybe if you're older and have kids you want to live somewhere more established, but i'm looking at my roughly $2k price point which could afford me a cramped, old, unrenovated walkup apartment in the "nice" neighborhoods (a.k.a. where i live now) or a lease in one of these new buildings. there's a reason why almost all of the apartments in these buildings are studios and one bedrooms -- because at the same price point, you can only find unrenovated junky studios and one bedrooms.
granted, brooklyn gold has the worst location of any of these new developments and is one of the only ones i wouldn't really consider living in. even by downtown brooklyn standards it is a bad location. but that's why the prices are the lowest there.
Posted by: duckumu at November 13, 2009 10:33 AM in response to Brooklyn Gold Joins the Downtown Rental Party
a lot of our furniture is actually very neutral too, but we set it off with darker colored accent furniture -- we have an iron and glass coffee table, a walnut credenza, black steel bookcases, brass lamps, a rustic wood farm table. if you mix a lot of natural materials with different textures you can break up the neutral look. we're bringing color in with throw pillows and artwork.
i've also considered covering the brick with fabric wall panels as the other commenters are suggesting. if you want to consider this route check out a post i made a few months ago where many people offered their suggestions:
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2009/08/covering_up_exp.php
it's something i'd like to do but we're considering moving in a few months when our lease is up so it's not a high priority.
Posted by: duckumu at November 12, 2009 3:12 PM in response to Paint and Exposed brick
i have this same problem. the living room of my apartment has one big exposed brick wall and it's awful. i thought it was cool for like a week and then i was over it. i've asked the landlord if i could paint the brick and the answer was a resounding no (with many exclamation points).
to coordinate with a brick you really need to go with a light neutral, especially for such a small apartment. we used benjamin moore "pale oak" which is a light warm gray. it looks really good against the brick and in bright light it reads almost as white paint.
if you want a more medium tone you should consider a gray. benjamin moore "horizon gray" is a really popular option. it will sometimes appear greenish without being overly green like actual sage green paint would.
Posted by: duckumu at November 12, 2009 2:06 PM in response to Paint and Exposed brick
is it normal for comments to be deleted on this site? the one in question was inflammatory obviously but i don't think it needed to be deleted. what's going on?
Posted by: duckumu at November 10, 2009 1:12 PM in response to Martha's Brooklyn Show Wrap
duckumu wrote a review about Giardini Pizza on November 6, 2009 11:37 AM
i've never been in this joint so i don't know how their single slices are, but we get their whole pizzas delivered and really enjoy them. price is reasonable and the pizza itself is really tasty.
i signed up for zipcar this year in may so i don't know what their old fees were like, but indeed the cost is high even for a one day trip on a weekend. if you want to get out of the city on the weekend your cheapest one-day rental is about $140. we took it to brimfield, mass this year for four days and it cost over $500.
i do find it convenient -- especially if you live in the downtown brooklyn neighborhoods where there is a high density of zip car lots (my fav is the one on boerum pl between state and livingston -- they have a good selection and bring the car to you as well as park it for you when you return). however if you want to get out of the city on a whim you can't do so cheaply, as the $140/day cars are reserved well in advance.
i'm considering getting a cheap car as well. parking in cobble hill doesn't seem too bad. there's so much to do and see outside of the city -- upstate, long island, new jersey, pennsylvania, and the immediate area of CT too. it's hard to enjoy the region without a car.
Posted by: duckumu at November 5, 2009 12:24 PM in response to Subway Service on Weekends Is F@#%ed
duckumu wrote a review about Hibino on October 26, 2009 6:42 PM
just have to put my word in on this place... it's simply the best restaurant in cobble hill without question. you cannot have a bad meal here -- impossible. every time i go it's a different experience since the obanzai change daily, and they're rarely a miss.
the rolls we have had are all solid. we make sure to get the spicy tuna roll each time -- it's the best i've had. the soy pudding dessert is made with their house-made tofu and is incredible.
if i were on death row i would want hibino to be my last meal!! i just love it.
how funny. i was just in UES for the first time in ages last night and walked by this house and had to remark how elegant it was. i loved the stairs leading up to the front door. i wondered what sort of people must live in a house like that. i guess now i know a little more. :) i have no recommendations but good luck with the house -- it's beautiful and on a great block.
Posted by: duckumu at October 22, 2009 12:21 PM in response to Major Facade Restoration
that price is insane but those few blocks of state are actually really special. i enjoy that street a lot. people there take very good care of their front gardens.
Posted by: duckumu at October 5, 2009 11:19 AM in response to Optimism on State Street
and this is what sucks about the sort of places i can actually afford to buy at our combined income level of ~100k:
asking price: $315k
down payment: $63k
total monthly cost: 2544. for a studio loft. that's not even in a real neighborhood.
what sort of people who are only making $100k a year have 63k+ saved up just for a down payment? even if we had that sort of cash, with the maintenance it's unaffordable.
Posted by: duckumu at September 29, 2009 1:09 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 96 Schermerhorn Street, #9G
duckumu wrote a review about Sal's Pizzeria on September 28, 2009 12:39 PM
can't comment on the pizza -- only the gelato -- which is terrible. has a "fake" flavoring taste to it and unfortunate texture. you are better off just crossing over to smith and getting gelato at nutbox which serves ciao bella.
ppl on apartment therapy will just tell you to paint it hot pink
Posted by: duckumu at September 25, 2009 2:30 PM in response to Toning Shiny Fixtures Down
btw -- as of last night lemongrass grill is "SEIZED" according to the large sign on the door. i don't know the details but it has something to do with taxation.
so although this area really doesn't need yet another thai restaurant, the total number of thai places on court street isn't any different than it was a week ago, assuming lemongrass stays closed :)
Posted by: duckumu at September 22, 2009 3:43 PM in response to StreetLevel: Ghang Opens Court Street Outpost
that's the nicest candle factory i've ever seen
Posted by: duckumu at September 15, 2009 12:29 PM in response to The Novo Sells Out
duckumu wrote a review about Cafe Chili on September 4, 2009 12:53 PM
This place is awful and has terrible service. When sitting in the garden we were literally forgotten by our waitress -- we had to go back into the restaurant and fetch her to ask for more water... and then ask for dessert... and then ask for our check.
The food was not worth it.
There are better Thai options, including one very nearby -- Lemongrass on Court btw Amity and Pacific is my choice in the area.
this is par for the course on the place blocks in carroll gardens... and far less offensive and tacky than some of the ridiculous holiday decorations people put on display on those streets.
Posted by: duckumu at September 4, 2009 10:57 AM in response to Adventures in Advertising
cobble hill?
Posted by: duckumu at August 27, 2009 1:18 PM in response to House of the Day: 86 Douglass Street
you posted this same question seven months ago. i guess god has forgotten you :/
Posted by: duckumu at August 19, 2009 3:12 PM in response to Looking for 1 Bedroom Apartment
i like dash and albert: http://www.dashandalbert.com/
gracious home carries their products. you can check out the location near columbus circle for swatches.
Posted by: duckumu at August 18, 2009 4:28 PM in response to Runners
thank you all for the suggestions. will not be painting as landlord has specifically requested i don't.
montrose -- i will look into homosote, thanks for that specifically.
Posted by: duckumu at August 6, 2009 11:48 AM in response to Covering Up Exposed Brick
i think some people are under the impression the garden apartments are much more likely to have roaches, mice, etc. can anyone confirm if there is truth to this? i always believed that if a building has roaches and mice you will see them on every level.
Posted by: duckumu at August 6, 2009 11:44 AM in response to Garden Apartments & Pests
the cafe mei mei website is a bit terrifying but i'll hope for the best -- as long as it's not another throwaway japanese restaurant i'll be happy.
Posted by: duckumu at July 29, 2009 4:49 PM in response to StreetLevel: New Restaurant Opening on Court Street
best scone i ever had is at ted & honey -- they are consistently good. i can't speak for the other pastries because i haven't tried them.
Posted by: duckumu at July 29, 2009 4:44 PM in response to Best pastry store in Brooklyn
i only have experience with makeville personally and i thought it was great. they have new classes all the time and are starting to do real furniture making oriented courses (led by a woman trained at the north bennet street school).
Posted by: duckumu at July 23, 2009 4:21 PM in response to Woodworking Class / Studio Space
duckumu wrote a review about Ted & Honey on July 23, 2009 2:03 PM
love this place -- and just to clear the air, there is indeed a bathroom downstairs. there is a sign pointing to it past the register.
i'm a renter in cobble hill and i'm familiar with the ~2k price point for apartments (because that's my own price point). $1800 really is a stretch for this neighborhood and would be a steal if it ever happened, but it doesn't. $2000 for a garden apartment does not happen unless it's a complete dungeon. prices for garden 1br units around here are really around $2300-$2600. trust me, if they were cheaper, i'd be living in one. :) regardless if where you think the market is going, this is where it is right now.
and though kane/degraw is the last block of cobble hill, it's still a very nice one. kane st and the blocks of clinton and henry off it are some of the best in the neighborhood. the kane/clinton intersection is my favorite in cobble hill.
Posted by: duckumu at July 21, 2009 5:40 PM in response to House of the Day: 455 Henry Street
you're right that rental brokers are, on the whole, basically scam artists. it's a terrible culture that exists here. you just need to be really on top of the /nfa/ listings on craigslist. check it every hour or two. look for owner listings -- they're pretty easy to tell apart from the broker listings, because they're simple and sometimes don't even include pictures.
fyi if you are looking for september 1 or later, it is very early to be looking. you will start seeing more stuff in the beginning of august.
Posted by: duckumu at July 20, 2009 12:29 PM in response to Broker Necessary These Days?
i second sterling place -- it's my favorite shop on atlantic. they also have a location on 7th ave in south slope if i remember correctly, but i haven't been there.
housing works on montague has also been amazing for us... we found the most gorgeous old pine farm table for $200 and have seen so many treasures there.
haystack on clinton around joralemon is a beautiful little shop. they have the sweetest small loveseat in the window that i wish i could find a place for -- i've been staring at it for months. they have some upholstered pieces, side tables, etc. not a big store but worth a look if you're in the area.
for decorative accessories (not furniture, i know, but related) try abitare on henry between atlantic and state. nice little shop.
Posted by: duckumu at July 15, 2009 10:32 AM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?
i'll be measuring some doors as soon as i get home to see if these fit... i live in a great pre-war apartment with awful hollow core doors the landlord has put in
Posted by: duckumu at July 13, 2009 4:59 PM in response to antique solid wood doors F/S
You could check here: http://www.drynature.com/ it's a store in manhattan that sells wood poles, stumps, bark veneers, etc.
Posted by: duckumu at July 13, 2009 12:05 PM in response to Wanted: Tree stumps
we need a BoCoCaCoOp
Posted by: duckumu at July 9, 2009 12:37 PM in response to Union Market Coming to Court Street!
doesn't quiet enjoyment legally cover this?
Posted by: duckumu at June 29, 2009 4:02 PM in response to Withholding Rent?
my neighbor in cobble hill keeps three hens in his backyard. they're well cared for, quiet, and as far as i can tell quite clean. i'm sure he gets a few eggs a week. i'm a bit jealous, actually.
Posted by: duckumu at June 29, 2009 1:39 PM in response to Cock-a-Doodle-Don't in Gowanus
i've never even heard of a "swap meet"
Posted by: duckumu at June 11, 2009 9:23 AM in response to Brooklyn Flea & Brooklyn Bridge: A Classic Combination
come on... Everyone knows that the area west of Hicks is CoWaDi, the Columbia Waterfront District
Posted by: duckumu at June 10, 2009 10:29 AM in response to Cobble Hill or Carroll Gardens?
this block doesn't have a great feel to it. i don't live in the area but i'm frequently on this block because i take a class on 8th st and 2nd ave. there seems to be quite a disconnect on 8th street once you walk west of 5th ave vs. just a block east. it feels too absorbed in the commercial/shopping feel of the major 9th st/5th ave and 9th st/4th ave intersections nearby.
this is just my personal feeling though. it's a very safe area and close to everything, but i would not like to live on that block.
Posted by: duckumu at June 8, 2009 2:53 PM in response to 8th St between 4th and 5th aves
it's my block and i think it's pretty fabulous.
Posted by: duckumu at June 4, 2009 2:28 PM in response to House of the Day: 143 Amity Street
it's not realistic. for those areas you will need about 1500 minimum until you start seeing livable junior 1 beds and studios -- true one bedrooms are around 2000 and up in cobble hill, possibly slightly lower in fort greene.
Posted by: duckumu at May 27, 2009 10:06 AM in response to Neighborhoods for Great Deals?
boston does this also in most of their residential neighborhoods. i've driven there a lot and never had much trouble finding parking on one of the many streets in these neighborhoods that are metered.
Posted by: duckumu at May 18, 2009 10:20 AM in response to Residential Parking Permits Pushed for Brooklyn Heights
i found mine after browsing /nfa/ on craigslist obsessively. we ended seeing a great place in cobble hill and rented it directly from the owner -- no fees involved.
Posted by: duckumu at May 8, 2009 1:32 PM in response to How did you find your Apt?
me and my boyfriend just rented a fantastic very large 1 bedroom apartment on amity street in cobble hill. it was 2200 but that includes wireless internet and satellite tv.
i've seen a lot of inventory in the ~2000 area but unfortunately not a lot of by-owner stuff. it is still early in the month though. we signed the lease in the middle of april and our move-in is june 1.
fyi, we did not use (and refuse to use) a broker -- they're pushy, rude, and charge too much for the little service they offer (specifically that is opening a door and handing you keys).
i think you will have better luck in your price point if you consider park slope. there is far more inventory there and the prices are lower. june 1 is a good time to be looking to move -- a lot of leases start and end in june.
Posted by: duckumu at May 5, 2009 1:23 PM in response to Downtown Rent Reality Check
check out the cobble hill tree fund plant sale this saturday:
http://cobblehilltreefund.org/news/?p=16
Posted by: duckumu at April 29, 2009 5:51 PM in response to herbs in brooklyn
the way i see it typically done is to use a wallpaper scorer or a razor to make perforations in the material. after that, run a steamer over the surface -- the steam will penetrate the paper through the perforations and it should peel off.
if you worry about damaging your walls with the scorer or don't want to use harsh strippers, try using ordinary liquid fabric softener, diluted with hot water (as hot as you can stand to use) and applied to the walls. follow that up with the steamer.
Posted by: duckumu at April 28, 2009 5:07 PM in response to Wallpaper removal
note to brownstoner visitors:
i have taken several classes at this shop with the primary instructor (robyn) and it was a great experience each time, so i highly recommend it. i took the table saw class, hand tools class, and routers class (and i believe one other which i'm forgetting).
in terms of convenience and pricing it's probably the best option in south brooklyn -- i have not checked out the shops (for example 3rd ward) in williamsburg/greenpoint/bushwick.
Posted by: duckumu at April 28, 2009 5:00 PM in response to Looking for woodworking classes?
$3k for 645 sq ft? ouch...
Posted by: duckumu at April 20, 2009 4:20 PM in response to Courthouse Apts. 125 Court St.
they look beautiful
Posted by: duckumu at April 17, 2009 10:41 AM in response to A Couple of More Doors For Ya
bergen is part of cobble hill now?
Posted by: duckumu at April 17, 2009 10:33 AM in response to New Art Center Brewing on Bergen
this is my favorite intersection of any neighborhood in the city.
Posted by: duckumu at April 16, 2009 12:54 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 314 Clinton Street, #3
yikes!! that maintenance is shocking.
Posted by: duckumu at November 19, 2009 12:55 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 150 Joralemon Street, #5F