Hi- I am the owner of the antique enamel gas range that you were interested in. Seems I forgot to leave contact info. If you are still interested email me at wax (at) houseowax (dotcom)

Thanks - Steve

Posted by: houseowax at October 23, 2009 1:32 PM in response to Refinishing Cast Iron Tub

Thanks, people.

It's funny, because everyone that came into the house used to oooh and ahh over the damn thing, yet now that I'm trying to part with it nobody seems in the least bit interested.

I'll see what the stovelady is all about, otherwise BIGNYC here it comes.

Posted by: houseowax at September 22, 2009 12:36 PM in response to FREE! ANTIQUE! ENAMEL! STOVE!

In English (my native tongue) there's a word for this sort of news and that word is "Awesome"!

Let the comments commence. In fact, let me help out:

"Hipsters should be shot on sight, stay in Williamsburg, why is it you people only get excited about new businesses when they fit YOUR particular socioeconomic paradigm, the neighborhood was doing just fine without you gentrifiers, go back to Ohio, this place will fail, this place deserves to fail, this place will be worthless when Atlantic Yards is built."

Did I miss anything?

Hope this is the beginning of a new trend on our stretch of Fulton.

Posted by: houseowax at September 22, 2009 12:33 PM in response to New Restaurant/Bar for Fulton Street

"Just Taste It"? Really?

I laughed rather heartily when I saw "Fish and Crustaceans" painted on the window of the previous business. Does the word 'crustacean' really have anyone out there smacking their lips?
It appears that lightning has indeed stricken twice, because "Just Taste It" is the only name I can think of offhand that would make me laugh as hard at it's uninspired ridiculousness.

Regardless I wish them luck, and that grilled tilapia DOES indeed sound tasty.

Posted by: houseowax at September 8, 2009 6:37 AM in response to Streetlevel: 899 and 901 Fulton

Agreed on all counts- that's not ipe, and that should be as easy as pie for anyone with even basic construction skills. Be sure to use outdoor rated fasteners to avoid rust or staining.

Don't see how these would block air circulation with gaps between the boards.

Posted by: houseowax at August 12, 2009 12:30 PM in response to Contempory Ipe Fence

Boss Hog! That got me all excited for a minute, then I remembered that their last 3 albums nearly put me to sleep.

Good for TKF, though- hope they thrive in Williamsburgh.

Posted by: houseowax at August 12, 2009 12:24 PM in response to Knitting Factory Moves to Williamsburg

I love the Pratt Coffee Shop. It's a great and dependable place and they really take the notion of being a 'neighborhood place' seriously- I never go in without receiving a friendly greeting and an inquiry about my family.

That said, the place is/was in DESPERATE needed of renovation. It was dingy and had all the charm and atmosphere of a dungeon after a flash flood. Even if it wasn't, it appeared dirty and dilapidated. Once I was there and the booth acroos from me simply started to fall apart- the coat rack detached from the bench and fell opver into the aisle with a loud crash and a shower of splinters and drywall screws.
I truly hope they are renovating and are not closed for good.

Posted by: houseowax at August 10, 2009 10:59 AM in response to Don't Worry, Pratt Coffee Shop's Just Renovating

I love the Pratt Coffee Shop. It's a great and dependable place and they really take the notion of being a 'neighborhood place' seriously- I never go in without receiving a friendly greeting and an inquiry about my family.

That said, the place is/was in DESPERATE needed of renovation. It was dingy and had all the charm and atmosphere of a dungeon after a flash flood. Even if it wasn't, it appeared dirty and dilapidated. Once I was there and the boot acroos from me simply started to fall apart- the coat rack detached from the bench and fell opver into the aisle with a loud crash and a shower of splinters and drywall screws.
I truly hope they are renovating and are not closed for good.

Posted by: houseowax at August 10, 2009 10:59 AM in response to Don't Worry, Pratt Coffee Shop's Just Renovating

I took classes with Kate Hawes - the woman cited in the first response - at the (now defunct) Craft Students League a few years ago and she is AWESOME. She's a great and patient instructor and her skills as a woodworker are astounding. Her own work is unbelievably beautiful and tasteful. Check out her website at katehawes.com and see for yourself.

I wish I'd known about this class before it sold out- even though I'm sure it's essentially the same thing I learned from her at CSL, I would have signed up in a heartbeat!

Posted by: houseowax at July 24, 2009 10:38 AM in response to Woodworking Class / Studio Space

We had a tree stolen from in front of our house; they simply yanked it right out of the planter and took off. OK, fool me once... the next time I drilled into the concrete, epoxied a large screw eye in, and used a heavy gauge stainless crimp cable to secure the tree. It took about 7 weeks for the f***ing degenerates to come by with bolt cutters and steal this one. I give up. It's no wonder I hate almost everybody.

Posted by: houseowax at July 24, 2009 10:18 AM in response to Front Gate Stolen

The fish tacos were incredibly disappointing. I say here with a straight face that they were completely unremarkable and actually quite bland. WHat's all the fuss?
The missus said the lobster rolls were good.

I don't eat lobsters and I don't Tweet.

Posted by: houseowax at July 21, 2009 4:57 PM in response to The Flea in Tweets

Not in Brooklyn, but I fully endorse Room and Board's products. They are probably the best of the larger manufacturers: quality construction, solid woods and plys and generally fairly timeless designs. You can see everything in their SoHo showroom then order it to be delivered.

Like my grandfather always said, I'm not rich enough to buy it twice. Buy something that will last.

Posted by: houseowax at July 14, 2009 11:50 AM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?

Same thing happened to me on the LES in the late eighties. A vacant lot behind my apt was home to three roosters. The crowing was intolerable- a sickly caterwaul that was like a hot poker to the eardrum. It would start somewhere around 2AM and continue all night.
Despite my numerous calls to Animal Care and Control there was no legal course I could take. I was asked by ACC who owned the animals, as they would be served a summons. Obviously nobody rose up to claim ownership of the roosters and I was thusly hamstrung. One night I was driven to scramble over the chainlink fence at 4 AM armed with a hockey stick and murderous intentions. Roosters, it turns out, are quite spry and evasive.
I'm convinced that that Summer shaved a little bit of sanity off of me. Luckily I moved that Winter.

Posted by: houseowax at June 29, 2009 6:47 PM in response to Cock-a-Doodle-Don't in Gowanus

Can't wait.
I'll be there and, god willing, I'll be drunk.

Posted by: houseowax at June 17, 2009 10:34 AM in response to Der Schwarze Kolner To Open By End of Month

Hey knowitalls! I live in a 12.5 wide and it's perfectly livable. Not at all like 'living in a hallway' and I'm nowhere NEAR 'anorexic'.
The secret is the central staircase. The rooms don't have to be abbreviated to make way for a 6 foot wide stairwell. so they remain a full 12 feet wide. If you consider a 12x20 foot room unlivable, then I would counter that you are some VERY rare and privileged New Yorkers - the biggest place I lived in before I bought this house was 750 sq feet.

Furthermore, while I DO consider this place overpriced, I admire the hell out of the beautiful and thoughtful renovation. Maybe it's not for everybody, but it's one of the better ones I've seen with a great many unique touches. I'm confident that they'll get over 1.1 mil.

Posted by: houseowax at June 2, 2009 10:44 AM in response to House of the Day: 130 South Oxford Street

The bats in NY are brown bats. They are insectivores and wouldn't bite a person, so the rabies threat is almost nil. Unless, I suppose, a person bit a rabid brown bat.

I hung a bat house up 4 years ago and I've never seen one even attempt to investigate it. I do occasionally see bats swooping under the streetlights on our block, but very rarely.

I've been saying for years to anyone who'll listen that BK needs more bats. If you find the 'bag o' bats' source, I'm in for two bags!

Posted by: houseowax at May 7, 2009 10:13 AM in response to How to attract bats

Spnder, you might win the prize. I've seen every possible topic on Brownstoner be somehow reduced to either 'racist' or 'classist' by torch-bearing, pitchfork waving commenters. Your claim that "The Secret Of The Runes" is somehow 'racist graffiti' has me scratching my head. I just can't figure that one out, unless you're reading something into the Nazi reference above. In which case you're way off target.

It possible- and I'm not defending graffiti as an artform, nor do I even really consider it defensible- but it IS possible that you're guilty of an even more egregious douchebaggery.

Posted by: houseowax at May 5, 2009 6:24 AM in response to Closing Bell: Elvish Tagging in Greenpoint?

What's "bean bagging"?

Posted by: houseowax at April 28, 2009 5:35 PM in response to More Problems with Pit Bulls — And Their Owners

I don't consider a dog attacking a cat as unusual as a dog attacking a child. I don't imagine you do either, I think you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. This IS largely an emotional issue; dogs and cats are animals. It's only because we love them and choose to share our homes with them that a dog attacking a cat is worth of such debate. If a hawk attacked a squirrel would any amongst us care? Better yet, if one of us had a pet squirrel that we let roam the neighborhood and it was eaten by a hawk, what would the response be? Likely pretty tepid.

To clarify: my dog is NOT aggressive toward humans. He is NOT aggressive toward other dogs. He IS on leash whenever he is in public and he IS obedient, although not to the level of Schutzhund 3, which is what you are describing. He is a companion animal and knows what's expected of him as such.
He DOES like to chase cats, although as I stated, I believe it is more an instinct to chase rather than intent to harm or kill. He also chases birds.

Children should be taught by their parents how to approach a dog and they should always ask before approaching. Dogs should be socialized with children and should be taught to respect and accept them. Dogs should be leashed when they are in public and if any doubt exists in the dog handler's mind he should avoid situations where the dog might come into close contact with children.
Cats, on the other hand, are ALSO companion animals. We impose our will on them; we did so by domesticating them. While I don't mind them being allowed to roam free and I quite like and enjoy cats, I also think that as domestic animals they should be restricted to the home. Failure to do so means that you accept the multitude of dangers that your pet faces.

SO: While I don't feel quite as casually about it as *rob* seems to, I do think that dogs and children are both members of our society and both can be unruly and erratic in their behaviors. If my dog is minding his business and behaving like a good member of polite society and an unruly child decides to hit him with a stick,poke him in the eye, grab him in an aggressive manner or some other similar transgression I would feel that an aggressive response by the dog would be acceptable. Regrettable, to be sure, but acceptable.
Remember, dogs are ANIMALS. They don't 'reason things out'. They ignore whatever is not pertinent to them and react to whatever is. If a dog is made to feel threatened or is hurt, he's not likely to want to talk about it over herbal tea after he's taken a few days to cool down and collect his thoughts. He's going to snarl, bark, lunge or snap. That is the extent of his language in such a situation. Don't put it in a human context; it doesn't belong there.

Posted by: houseowax at April 28, 2009 3:00 PM in response to More Problems with Pit Bulls — And Their Owners

Good point, Rob. Since when is a dog attacking a cat newsworthy? Seems like that's been happening since time began.

Dogs have different and unique temperaments and personalities. I have a friend that has a Redbone Coonhound that he was given by a man because it had zero hunting instinct. The rest of the dogs from the litter were all placed with hunters.

To try to reduce this topic to black/white terms, especially when most comments are made by people with limited knowledge of the topic, is completely futile and frustrating. I don't know WHY I let myself get dragged in every single time.

Posted by: houseowax at April 28, 2009 2:14 PM in response to "More Problems w/ Pits" Rebuttal

"And your comment showcases your lack of responsibility. The vast majority of *pet* dogs don't kill cats or attack kids; if anything, many dogs are scared of cats. So if your dog "can" kill a cat, it's your freaking responsibility to prevent it."

I suppose I was unclear in my response. What I meant to say was that my Boxer, a fun-loving and extremely spirited dog, has a STRONG IMPULSE to chase cats. I don't know for a fact that he would kill the cat as the dog in the story did, as I would never allow him access to the cat. I have taught him the 'leave it' command, but he is extremely strong-willed and is always testing boundaries. I could envision a scenario where if he got his jaws on a smaller animal like a cat he could inflict mortal damage in a very short amount of time.
If a cat were to approach him while he was on-leash ( which he always is) I can't say for sure that he wouldn't at least attempt to attack/chase the cat. In fact, I suspect the thrill of the chase is his motivator and he has no desire to actually kill the cat, but I'm not willing to find out.
I would be heartbroken if this were to actually transpire, but I would not feel particularly culpable- if one is comfortable letting their companion animal roam free, one must assume the risks of doing so.

Posted by: houseowax at April 28, 2009 2:09 PM in response to More Problems with Pit Bulls — And Their Owners

Midwood, thank you. That is one of the only informed and rational responses to this thread. In matters of world politics NYers seem to be more cynical; they are distrustful of mass media and pride themselves on their abilities and willingness to look at every angle of the story and reach an informed conclusion. Somehow, however, the ;dangerous breed; debate is not given the same consideration. It's downright alarming to see how many opinions are posted here ( and every time a 'pitbull' attack comes up; see B'stoner's thread he links to above) and how few if those opinions are actually informed.

"And frankly, instinct or not, if your dog attacks a cat out on the street for no reason, its because you haven't properly trained him."

Again ( and again and again) - ANIMAL AGGRESSION IS WHAT PITBULLS WERE DEVELOPED FOR. Certainly the animal is not to be blamed for doing what 100+ years of selective breeding has created him to do. I agree that the owner should have been watchful and kept his dog AWAY from the cat, but the pitbull didn't attack for 'no reason'. If a JAck Russell Terrier grabbed a rat that happened to pass by and snapped it's neck, that would be analogous. He would be applauded because rats are reviled in our society. The only difference, as far as I can see.

Posted by: houseowax at April 28, 2009 12:23 PM in response to More Problems with Pit Bulls — And Their Owners

A) Pit bulls have strong jaws. They do not, however have LOCKING jaws. There's just no such thing.

B) The cat's owner has my sympathies; I would hate to have my pet killed by a dog. But I would also hate to have my pet run over by a car, eat something hazardous or poisonous, or befall any number of other tragedies that might present themselves to an unsupervised 'outdoor' pet. Keep your cats inside or in your yard- that's my advice.

C)My Boxer- neither 'vicious' nor 'attack trained' and as friendly as can be - hates cats. He could just as easily have done the same thing. Don't blame the dog because of it's breed- that just showcases your ignorance.

Posted by: houseowax at April 28, 2009 11:38 AM in response to More Problems with Pit Bulls — And Their Owners

Noel Claro is the greatest. Like, ever! Great logo, Noel.

Posted by: houseowax at April 12, 2009 1:24 PM in response to Closing Bell: Last Dumbo Doubleshot

"I will trade Prospect Heights its dive bars and coffee for one (or more) of the 1,238,666 wine bars in Clinton Hill/Fort Greene."

Heather, I'm with you. I'll gladly toss in a Colonial African/French restaurant or two and a phony 'soul lounge'.

Posted by: houseowax at April 12, 2009 11:21 AM in response to Manhattans in Brooklyn

The Underhill and Atlantic Ave spots are called New York City Explorers. They're 10 bucks for unlimited all-day play. They're more toys/blocks/balls etc than Mamalu's, which was more of a 'soft gym'. The NYC Explorers on Underhill is small, but esp good if you have a crawler or toddler; less big kids go there.
We've been to all of them, really. It was a long Winter to be cooped up with a toddler. Mamalu was good and an interesting crowd usually (more parents than nannies) but it was often filthy and could be a little rough. Big kids would get all amped up and you'd have to watch them like a hawk in order to keep them from stampeding the toddlers/crawlers. They had a $5 admission fee but were lax about collecting it- I saw people walking in without paying every time I was there; I had to actively get the counter person's attention in order to fork over my fiver. That probably wasn't helping their bottom line.
Lately we've been going to Powerplay on 3rd Ave and 7th St ( I think). It's VERY clean, which is nice, but doesn't have the good food or atmosphere that Mamalu had. The kids, of course, don't mind. They have stuff for every age/ability - slides, cars, dolls - you name it, and they also have a full gymnastics gym for the older kids.

As an aside, I can't believe I just wrote a virtual essay on indoor play spaces. It's true- you really do become what you despise. I actually used to cool, or at least I thought so.

Posted by: houseowax at April 10, 2009 10:56 AM in response to Streetlevel: Kids Space Mamalu Shuts Doors

I noticed that the door featured in the photo was hung plumb and level. Which is good in most cases, but as this building is so out of true the door jamb actually protrudes beyond the face of the building. This, in my estimation, is a bad sign.

If in fact they ever get a restaurant up and running, you'd be well advised to take out. That building looks as if it's about to crumble.

Posted by: houseowax at April 6, 2009 12:27 PM in response to Playing Ball with the LPC at 120 Lafayette

It might not be what the neighborhood NEEDS exactly, but I'm happy for it nonetheless. At least it's something vital and young; this neighborhood is like a tomb with it's endless hair and nail salons and cellphone stores and French colonial restaurants. There's nothing in the streets that reflects youth culture at all (save a few random iPod snatchings).

Full disclosure: I'm acquainted with one of the partners. He's a talented photographer. I wish them well.

Posted by: houseowax at April 2, 2009 10:46 AM in response to Clinton Hill Getting a Tattoo Parlor

Brooklyn is my second choice; I'd still prefer to live in Manhattan. Going back to Ohio is not an option - I need to live in NYC for work and I love NYC's cultural offerings ( although NYC no longer has the lock on culture; the cultural diaspora has reached every corner of the universe thanks to the interwebs).
I'm here in Brooklyn because I couldn't afford the amount of space I desired while living there. But I've always lived here somewhat grudgingly and I agree with the respondents who claimed that Brooklyn is overrated. In most cases I find that Brooklyn is home to people that don't have the drive to survive in Manhattan and they overcompensate with their 718 tee shirts and Brooklyn boosterism. Brooklyn is a borough of comfortable shoes and lukewarm food - something about Manhattan's razor sharpness is attractive to me even while I was struggling to keep up with it.
And before you tear me to pieces, I realize that Manhattan has become a corporate-sponsored playpen for rich twenty five year olds. Still, Brooklyn in contrast seems like a retirement community to me. A weekend in Brooklyn means sipping a free-trade coffee while updating your vegan blog at a cafe with ugly second-hand furniture.

Maybe I WILL move back to Ohio.

Posted by: houseowax at February 11, 2009 9:16 PM in response to Closing Bell: Are You Happy to Call Brooklyn Home?

The missus and I visited Vinegar Hill House a couple of weeks ago. We were seated immediately although the place was pretty well packed. The food was...not so spectacular. in fact, most was downright underwhelming. The salad came with no goat cheese ( as was promised) which rendered it rather bitter. The roasted chicken, which I'd read raves about, was in fact not crispy but rather rubbery. The flavor was fine but the texture was unappealing. Mrs Houseowax had a trout fillet that was dressed up with a thick slab of bacon. Teh bacon was delicous but the trout was a bit watery and the proportions were all off.
Maybe we'd just hit them on an of night, but I'd be hesitant to return.

Posted by: houseowax at January 22, 2009 7:22 AM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

"Fulton is JUST FINE. if you do not like the crime. LEAVE>"

So,Ibrahim...you LIKE the crime?

Posted by: houseowax at January 2, 2009 11:26 PM in response to Another Mugging in Fort Greene

The best contractors I know are in fact NOT busy and are increasingly frustrated and fearful. It has nothing to do with 'nickel and dimeing" and everything to do with the fact that people have less disposable income to deal with cosmetic or non urgent work.

Posted by: houseowax at December 29, 2008 11:07 AM in response to Contractor's Business Down 50 Percent

"I hear what you are saying but how many of those Shitzu attacks result in a kid getting a body part ripped off or worse"

Without question, Chaka. I fully agree. But for stats to claim that a higher percentage of attacks are made by pits vs other breeds is misleading for just that reason. Attacks made by Cocker Spaniels probably aren't reported because they often don't require a hospital visit. Let's say we take a cross section of 1000 Pit owners and 1000 Cocker Spaniel owners. Are there more Pit Bull attacks than Cocker Spaniel attacks? I couldn't say for certain, but I would doubt it. Unless, of course, we're discussing attacks on other animals- then I think I can say with authority that the Pit's number would be MUCH higher.

"owning a pit bull should be illegal."

This thinking makes me nervous. I myself have owned several breeds that are commonly considered dangerous ( a Rottweiler, a Siberian Husky, and a Mastiff). I have never- repeat NEVER- had an aggression issue with any of them, they were all gentle and docile animals. If the state were to suddenly tell me that my beloved family pet posed a risk to the public and needed to be surrendered (and then what? Euthanized?)..well, that's a slippery slope.

"they are dangerous animals. they appeal to the most violent and anti-social fringe elements of our society. these people could buy a Lab and train it to be vicious, but it would be more work. pit bulls are born vicious."

Again, this is only HALF true.
Pit Bulls are incredibly common her in NYC. I know quite a few and let my dogs play regularly with them on a daily basis. While it's true that the breed was developed for strength, agility and animal aggression, many of the dogs we see in the streets and identify as 'pits' display little of these characteristics and would likely be worthless as fighting dogs. Temperament DOES vary within the breed. I suspect the man in question has done precious little to socialize his dogs with other dogs, but I likewise doubt he's trained them to be vicious. Dogs, if kept in isolation from other dogs, are more than likely to become suspicious or afraid of them and act out aggressively toward them when confronted.

The old maxim 'there are no bad dogs, only bad owners' needs clarification. To make it seem as if every attack on another animal takes place because the dog's owner somehow trained and/or his dog to do so is, in my opinion, erroneous.In many cases, the owners only fault is not recognizing that his animal is not fit to be trusted in the public arena, and THAT is what makes the owners 'bad'.

Lastly, let's not vilify the animals. Dogs, in their various forms, shapes,and temperaments exist solely because of man's intervention. Almost every pure breed out there exists because mankind selectively eugenically bred them for a certain trait or traits. One need not blame a pit bull for animal aggression any more than one would blame a pug for sitting in his owner's lap. The owner should understand his responsibilities and know his animal before taking it into a situation where he lacks absolute control.

Posted by: houseowax at December 27, 2008 8:21 PM in response to A Christmas Tale

Those are neither Cane Corsos (BTW, "Cane" is Italian and pronounced "KAH-nay"; not rhyming with 'Spain') nor are they Neopolitans; they look most like Presa Canarios or Canary Island Mastiffs to me.

I am no Pit Bull apologist, but I think it's important to look at the facts from every angle. Pit Bulls were bred for animal aggression. Not guarding, not hunting, not herding. ANIMAL AGGRESSION. This is the hallmark of the pit bull's temperament and should not be seen as a fault in it's character. If you had a Labrador that didn't swim or a Collie that didn't herd it would be uncharacteristic of the breed. Same goes for Pit Bulls - the 'pit' in their name refers to fighting pits.
SO- these dogs have a naturally increased prey instinct and incredibly strong jaws. That coupled with their tremendous tenacity makes for a difficult 'pet' - ALL dogs fight and every dog owner knows that. When a pit bull fights it's usually with greater consequences than when, say, dachshunds do.
It is because of their need to work with their handlers in the fighting ring that Pits are generally NOT aggressive toward humans. However, as I mentioned before, they have a naturally high prey drive and can be incited to chase and bite.
The news media is more likely to report these stories, as 'Child Bitten By Yorkshire Terrier' doesn't make for very sensational news. But believe me, I'd suspect as many kids are bitten by Shi Tzus as are pit bulls. Also, keep in mind that pit bulls probably are in the genetic makeup of 75% of the dogs adopted out of city shelters; they are tremendously popular pets.

Presa Canarios are native dogs of the Canary Islands. In fact 'Canary' refers not to birds, but to canines-dogs. They were prized for their strength and aggression in the fighting ring, dog fighting being incredibly popular in Spain in the 1800's. They are by no means dogs for the inexperienced dog handler.
CAne Corsos, on the other hand, have become so popular (the post that claims they're rare is only half right; they have been recreated as a breed and, although rarely adhering to any sort of standard, are increasingly common) that their temperament has been softened to the point that they are rarely that formidible. Like any powerful dog, however, they should be extensively socialized and handled wisely.

The police are unfortunately completely impotent in these matters. There is little they can or will do to protect your animal from negligent and irresponsible dogs owners. Nor will they protect your animal from negligent and careless citizens, a lesson I learned when my dog was hit by a car.

Posted by: houseowax at December 27, 2008 4:39 PM in response to A Christmas Tale

As for layoffs, I personally know eight who have lost their jobs in the last six weeks: some in fashion, some in graphic design, one in publishing. I'm a freelance graphic artist and I know dozens of people in my position who, while technically not unemployed, are woefully underemployed. An alarming number of my clients are having budget cutbacks as well and are either not commissioning work or are offering less $ for the same work.

It's looking grim from my perspective.

Posted by: houseowax at December 16, 2008 11:25 AM in response to Open Thread

Doesn't look at all like Hardie Plank; in fact it looks exactly like clear cedar. Makes me wonder if they plan to leave it unpainted (a look I personally dislike, but whatever).

I question the quality of this job, actually- I noticed that the Tyvek was not properly installed. They simply cut holes out where the RO's for the windows are. This is improper; the Tyvek should fold INTO the RO. This oversight could cause potential water intrusion.Also I'm surprised to see that no fanfold insulation was used before the clapboard was installed; it makes for a smoother nailing surface and adds nominal insulation.

In fact,in my experience the windows and casings should be installed before the clapboard is affixed. How do they plan t install the window casings over the clapboard if it goes directly to the edge of the RO?

Anyhow, Grenier's house is so indescribably beautiful - I hope this reno will not cast a shadow on his if it's done poorly.

Posted by: houseowax at September 27, 2008 12:13 AM in response to Grand Avenue Haunted House Gets Its Siding

bklynbred, there's a florist on Myrtle and Hall called Root Stock & Quade that has beautiful selections. It is rather expensive compared to deli flowers, but there really is no comparison.

I still think CH/FG is too underserved to cater to specialized crowds ie gay bars and vegan restaurants. We still don't have a diner open past 7PM. I hope whomever takes over this space will do something simple and do it well.

Posted by: houseowax at September 17, 2008 1:51 PM in response to It's Official: L'Epicerie Est Morte

I'd reccomend finding what you want and calling DecoWare (www.decow.com) for a quote. I've used them a couple of times and have been very pleasantly surprised. A bit brusque on the phone, maybe, but I saved a boatload of cash.

Their showroom is basically worthless; don't bother. But after you know waht you want give 'em a call.

Posted by: houseowax at September 9, 2008 4:51 PM in response to Good places to buy shower sets

Agreed- Hot Bird is NOW!

Would love to see the bird land in Clinton Hill.

Posted by: houseowax at September 9, 2008 4:47 PM in response to Hot Bird Founder

Did you try Lowe's? I can't vouch, but they have a large selection of carpets and generally have a slightly higher quality/aesthetic level than HD.
Also - and I don't know about the week timeline - but try Better Carpet Warehouse on Atlantic around 4th ave. Be warned, though- their installers can be a bit lax; stay on top of them if you go with them.

Posted by: houseowax at August 28, 2008 11:24 AM in response to Where can we get carpet in a week?

I used to work at cabinetmaking. I would never attempt to spray cabs without the proper ventilation We had a whole room devoted to spraying with a high-powered dust collection system; I would imagine doing it yourself even in a plastic-covered room is just asking for disaster.
I agree, however, that using an oil-based enamel, slightly thinned and doing multiple coats while sanding between coats (coat, sand with 220, coat, sand with 320, thin paint slightly more and coat for third and final time) is the answer. It will be time consuming and require thoughtful application, but in the end the result will be spectacular and you'll be glad you took the time.
A side note- make some stands by driving long nails through pieces of plywood. These will allow you to get your cabinet carcasses off the floor but still allow you to paint the side resting solely omn the nails. When dry, simply sand the small dimples the nails left in the paint and touch-up.
Good luck- I personally love this sort of project but I realize that I'm in the minority.

Posted by: houseowax at August 28, 2008 11:21 AM in response to Painting kitchen cabinets with a sprayer

Funny- our movers (Flat Rate Moving) gave us the same rap. I thought we'd given them a decent tip, somewhere in the range of 18% and the head mover told us rather gently if somewhat condescendingly that they're used to a bigger tip. When I asked exactly how much bigger he kinda danced around it and raised his eyebrows and gave me a pitying smile as if I was a child with his daddy's wallet. Like an ass I gave him what amounted to somewhere around 23%.
Looking back on it, I felt as if I were strongarmed. Reading your post makes me think this is a common practice in the moving racket. At least my bathroom was spared!

Posted by: houseowax at August 27, 2008 6:11 PM in response to Follow Up Report: experience with Movers Not Shakers

As i understand it you cannot have a dog run within the confines of Fort Greene (or any) park and still maintain off leash hours. It's one or the other.
Some have suggested looking toward the Cuyler Greene park as a possible location for the proposed dog run. I think that's a perfect spot; the park is one of the lesser used and it's green spaces are already fenced-off, meaning that no-one would be displaced from their favorite green patch.
I wish you much luck; I truly believe that well-exercised dogs make the best neighbors ( and yes, next-door neighbor with the loud yapping and obviously bored poodle, if you're reading this, you may consider that a hint).

Posted by: houseowax at August 27, 2008 6:03 PM in response to Clinton Hill needs a DOG RUN!!!!!

Wow- I'd all but given up on this place. Whenever I ( or anyone else) would ask Thierry about it, he'd just roll his eyes and say nothing.

As far as 1001 Affairs- over n out, it appears. They've been shuttered for at least 2 weeks and i saw a "For Rent" sign recently. No great loss as far as I'm concerned, although at least it wasn't a barber shop, cellular store, nail salon...Fulton could use a bit of diversity.

Posted by: houseowax at August 14, 2008 11:31 AM in response to Choice Greene Coming Into Focus

I lived in Manhattan (mostly the E Vill) since 1986 and moved to Brooklyn in 2002. Initially I was thrilled with the neighborhood-y vibe and quiet streets. After a few years I find it frustrating and at time excruciatingly boring. Like most Manhattan transplants, I now have a baby and find myself sticking closer to home most of the time.
If I could have/afford the same amount of space (including backyard) in Manhattan I'd be back there in a hot minute.
I would love to have the amenities and service that one finds and expects in a typical Manhattan neighborhood.It would be a dream come true to be able to walk around the neighborhood with the baby and actually have something to do. It would be heavenly to be able to get a decent head of lettuce on the corner or cold medication without having to ride my bike to Target.
It comes as no surprise that the Flea Market, the one event that actually brings some life into this tired little hamlet, has the locals up in arms as if it's some sort of Bacchanalian frenzy descended on their otherwise torpid little burg.

Posted by: houseowax at August 12, 2008 12:03 PM in response to The Next New Brooklyn

I painted most of the doors in our house a satin black and I love it. The missus was unsure when I brought the idea to her, but after I finished the first one she was sold.

Reno looks great -been enjoying your blog every step of the way.

Posted by: houseowax at July 29, 2008 11:21 AM in response to Top Floor Apartment: Painting in the Hallway

Spectacular idea!

Posted by: houseowax at July 29, 2008 11:13 AM in response to Salvage Mobile

The place mentioned above is A&K Tile Studio.

I shopped for everything I needed online(mostly at fixtureuniverse.com) than contacted Decoware (www.decow.com) in Brooklyn. They beat every price I found and were quite easy to work with. We ordered a Toto dual flush toilet, Duravit tub and sinks, Kohler shower, Grohe faucet. I'd highly recommend them. Several of my friends have had good experiences with them as well.

I recently bought some tile from Classic Tile & Marble in Bay Ridge (1635 86th St). Not the greatest selection, but good prices and they had some really beautiful stuff on sale.

Posted by: houseowax at July 24, 2008 1:54 PM in response to Sources for bath reno supplies?

I can attest to the fact that Mr Porter was very aware of and distressed by the fact that the storefront was completed in a fashion not in accordance with his original plans. I know this because he is my neighbor and is prone to airing his grievances quite loudly and publicly to anyone within earshot. One morning I heard him wailing as if he'd been gutshot. "You HAVE to call Landmarks and tell them that the storefront isn't being completed properly- it's supposed to be wooden and they're doing this horrible brickwork....PLEASE call them and tell them".

Why he believed I would have any pull with the LPC remains a mystery to me...

Posted by: houseowax at July 24, 2008 11:54 AM in response to 109 Gates Avenue Revealed: Man, That's Ugly

I've lived around the corner from this monster for almost 5 years. Every day I passed it my frustration increased. Who or what is keeping the sole retail space in our immediate area hostage? Finally the plywood comes down and this is what we get? Dreams of a nice diner/cafe/grocery dashed- it's gonna take a LOT of undoing to make this one happen.

The architect lives directly across the street from this mess. It's a well known fact that he and his wife are sticklers for Landmarks compliance, so what happened?

In any case, i can't imagine anyone's gonna rush in to sweep up that headache. Looks like it won't be long before the plywood's back up...

Posted by: houseowax at July 23, 2008 11:55 AM in response to 109 Gates Avenue Revealed: Man, That's Ugly

Saw on the phndc.org site that 4 gates were stolen recently from houses on Prospect Pl (Carlton/Vanderbilt). Clearly the neighborhood is being targeted. Don't expect the police to do anything.

Posted by: grand army at July 27, 2009 5:59 PM in response to Front Gate Stolen

Well, houseowax, I'm not suggesting anyone need worry about suffocating! But this design is to all intents and purposes the equivalent of a solid fence, and experienced gardeners will tell you that's not ideal in the narrow bowling alley-like conditions of Brooklyn backyards. Ideally you want air to be able to move around as much as possible. With poor air circulation, odd microclimates of stagnant air can develop where plants become susceptible to ailments like powdery mildew.

Posted by: grand army at August 12, 2009 5:47 PM in response to Contempory Ipe Fence

I think FInd is great as well. Worth noting is that they were 20% off everything last month and yesterday it was 30% off. So while the original prices didn't keep them on our short list, now we're reconsidering some things.

Posted by: jland at August 19, 2009 10:17 AM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Baxter & Liebchen [http://www.baxterliebchen.com]in DUMBO. Great mid-century [Danish primarily] furniture at not exactly cheap but reasonable prices. Unfortunately, the ABC Carpet store [also in DUMBO] is defunct!! There's a DWR on Montague in the Heights though I don't quite know "who's reach the designs are within"!! Haven't been on Atlantic for awhile but there "used to be" quite a few antique shops btwn 4th Ave. & Court Street. There's IKEA, of course. Also worth a mention are the Ft. Greene flea market @ Lafayette & Vanderbilt [on Saturdays] and the Brooklyn Flea Market under the Brooklyn Bridge [on Sundays].

Posted by: blkchrome at August 28, 2009 3:15 PM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?

You Can visit this site also for your reference http://www.copiaclassica.com/

Posted by: wagenfeld01lampe at September 12, 2009 4:32 AM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?

Yllebdael said: "Nova Zembla sucks. Bought a custom made piece from them. It was delivered damaged. A big chunk came out from one of the legs. The owner would not give a discount. He's a stupid man. Zero idea how to treat customers and a complete moron. Buyer beware."

I went to Nova Zembla for the first time as a result of this thread and am compelled to offset this. We saw great stuff, bought several right then and there, special ordered another (with legs moved to accommodate our vents) and had a first class experience. Delivery (that day) was inexpensive, especially considering it was three large HEAVY rosewood pieces up three flights, and done with extreme care and professionalism. Everything is high quality but not expensive. We are thrilled to have been able to get so much stuff made for urban spaces rather than suburban houses. We spent an inordinate amount of time in the store making decisions and were treated extremely well the entire time. I especially appreciated that the owner gave us all information and zero sales shtick. I know that if we hit an issue he'll deal with it to our satisfaction. I've hit countless furniture places this month and the only two that spoke to me were Sterling Place and Nova Zembla.

I will return and recommend highly.

Posted by: jland at September 19, 2009 10:45 PM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?

Is it still available? we are INTERESTED!

Posted by: dahlanddane at October 14, 2009 4:58 PM in response to FREE! ANTIQUE! ENAMEL! STOVE!