I am an out of state (with sibs and children in Brooklyn) compulsive reader of this site. I have watched your reno blog as we finish up some stuff in our 150 old worker cottage. I love my hall closet beyond belief so I totally understand how happy a person can be when it seems as if there will be a place for everything. You have done some beautiful work and it is interesting to see what you choose to write about when there is so much content available. I also had wanted black risers and gave in to white/cream. My husbands size 13s leave scuff marks on the white so someday soon I will get summon the energy to paint it black. I did put in a black tile floor in a small bath and although it does show every watermark and dust from our dog I love it. Enjoy your house.

Posted by: lauriec at February 21, 2008 7:10 PM in response to Is it wrong to love a closet?

I believe persian rug weavers also put in an intentional mistake in pattern. The same human not acheiving perfection thing, it gives us all a little space.

Posted by: lauriec at February 24, 2008 3:30 PM in response to Top Floor Bath - Tile Floor In!

I think it looks great. It makes me feel as if my husband and I should get back to doing some of our work ourselves (we are old). You certainly seem to be having a less angst ridden experience that those of us who are always waiting for this or that or this guy or that inspector. (In exchange for all your hard labor) Keep posting. Can you tell us what kind of stove you will have.
P.S. I like the floors.

Posted by: lauriec at April 9, 2008 8:14 PM in response to Here Comes the Kitchen!

As parkslopemom says these are very hardy trees. I wouldn't worry about the health; just the aesthetics of a very off balance tree. We have always thought as this time of year as Barbie time in front of our house. Until it rains I even like the pink covered sidewalks. The weird thing of course is your neighbors still will have blossoms.

Posted by: lauriec at May 3, 2008 4:40 PM in response to Tree Issue

"You can't landmark a tree"

Actually,Putnamdenizen, you can.
The magnolia tree outside of what later became the Magnolia Tree Earth Center on Lafayette Avenue was designated in 1970.

Posted by: Bob Marvin at May 3, 2008 8:34 PM in response to Tree Issue

See "The Tree that Owns Itself" in Athens GA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_That_Owns_Itself

"FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION
OF THE GREAT LOVE I BEAR
THIS TREE AND THE GREAT DESIRE
I HAVE FOR ITS PROTECTION
FOR ALL TIME, I CONVEY ENTIRE
POSSESSION OF ITSELF AND
ALL LAND WITHIN EIGHT FEET
OF THE TREE ON ALL SIDES
WILLIAM H. JACKSON"

Posted by: guest at May 4, 2008 12:41 AM in response to Tree Issue

I don't know of anyone in the city that might do it, but you can 'appraise' a tree elsewhere.

Did you go to your neighbor after you talked with their neighbor? Maybe you can buy some time to find an arborist you trust with (1) appraisal for future record (2) trimming to your neighbors liking (3) maybe moving it as someone has suggested.

You neighbor does sound unreasonable, but if you're willing to shell out the cost instead of him/her maybe they'll work with you instead of against you.

RE: appraisal, talk to whom you think it the best garden center or landscape architect to see if they can refer you to someone in NYC or have someone come out from Staten Island or other suburbs to do it.

Please keep us posted. It's unimaginable to think that there are those today celebrating in BBG the very tree your neighbor wants cut!

Posted by: guest at May 4, 2008 11:30 AM in response to Tree Issue

The neighbor relations thing is one thing, but the rule is that the neighbor can trim whatever part of the tree is in their yard, but cannot kill or injure the tree.

Posted by: donatella at May 5, 2008 2:15 PM in response to Tree Issue

I will keep you all posted. Thanks for all the advice!

Posted by: jlo at May 5, 2008 2:49 PM in response to Tree Issue

A sad note, I'm the poster from may 2, 2:25pm.

Our neighbor's beautiful blossoming tree had a serious issue last night.

A giant section equalling about 1/3 of the tree fell off! WTF!? It looked, and still looks so healthy.

Thoughts? Termites? Rot? Blight? I hope the whole tree doesn't have to come down.

Posted by: guest at May 5, 2008 3:39 PM in response to Tree Issue

You could make a big fence between the petals and the neighbors.

Posted by: guest at June 7, 2008 7:24 PM in response to Tree Issue

I live in Oregon and I have a neighbor who has two huge cherry trees and a walnut tree.
Last year we trimmed off what was on our side but the neighbor had a fit and put up a fence all the way around her property.
We had asked prior to trimming it if we could pay to have it trimmed and she was not going for it.
I love all trees but I feel for the elderly couple on the other side of this neighbor who cant get out to do the clean up these trees require.
The community I live in is going to address this issue to this neighbor to see if there is some relief we can get for the elderly couple.
Yes, my husband and I do go rake the elderly neighbors lawn but there needs to be another fix with the neighbor who wont take care of her trees.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH TAKING CARE OF WHATS YOURS.
I do not think we are assholes for wanting a neighbor to take care of what is theirs.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 3:41 PM in response to Tree Issue