UH, OK, thanks for all the enthusiasm. No, we don't own a brownstone yet, having an inspection done on one we are interested in. So we don't need a spray. And yes a brownstone is different from an apt., so we would prefer someone who has some experience with a brownstone or townhouse.

Does anyone have a recommendation? PLEASE.

oldbaby

Posted by: oldbaby at December 23, 2007 1:44 PM in response to TERMITES????

and no it's not on South Portland (but I love that block).

oldbaby

Posted by: oldbaby at December 23, 2007 1:44 PM in response to TERMITES????

hey when I lived in Clinton Hill back in the 90's (I went to Pratt), my friends and I lived in a brownstone that had a squirrel burrow into the building and stick it's head out of the ceiling of one of our bedrooms in the middle of the night. The owner tried everything from poisons, which it would eat in front of us and nothing to large mouse traps which were just evil. The solution that finally worked was a humane trap, which we baited with peanut butter. Then we just took the little fellow into prospect park and released him.

hope this helps...you can get these traps at your hardware store.

Posted by: oldbaby at January 4, 2008 11:11 PM in response to squirrels in the floorboards

wow, you people have way too much time on your hands.

I really don't see the horror in it, no it's not really my taste, I do agree with the fact that IT'S THE BACK OF THE BUILDING! So they should be able to do what they want with it, I can't tell you how many preserved backyards there are, and what horrible condition they are in. Yeah the railing is pretty ugly. But this would be an improvement over their neighbors and what was there before.

But as one of those jerky young people (or sort of young) I don't blab! People should be allowed to enjoy their homes. It never stopped those idiots sitting on stoops blasting their music or parking their cars blabbing on cell phones before, and people don't have party's every week. What if there is a BBQ going on? Do you call the cops?
Get a life!

As far as blocking others light, well from what I've seen, most of the people actually cut down their beautiful trees and leave their backyards in complete disarray. Yeah a monster extension is totally uncalled for, however most of the extensions I've seen are disgusting. And the ones in the West Village are amazing, and it's landmarked! This extension is really conservative! And does not stand out that much, remember this is the back of the building! I am a modernist myself but appreciate historic detail, it should be preserved to an extent, however if you really want to be historically accurate, give yourself a good bleeding and go sit by your coal fireplace. Oh and you should also hang all of your laundry on lines out the back of your building (because that's accurate). Welcome to 2008!

Posted by: oldbaby at January 4, 2008 11:37 PM in response to 432 Clermont Avenue: Totally Inappropriate

This looks like a job for Randy Cohen

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/08/magazine/08WWLNEthicist.t.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

He is the ethicist at the New York Times and has a column every week in the magazine...he usually responds, even if he doesn't publish your story.

I would personally hold Joe responsible, being that it was his friends and and responsibility to look after the place (welcome to the real world Joe!)

Posted by: oldbaby at January 6, 2008 6:14 PM in response to Damage to my old house -- who should pay?

we are the couple who just purchased the house.
it is a fantastic house and is definitely not a flip.
just needs some tlc, but the bones and mechanicals are very good.
the seller took good care of the building, and indeed has had it since 2000.
the house is light and airy, not dark and dreary.
elegant, functional and humble (10:08)
we love the neighborhood.

Posted by: oldbaby at February 18, 2008 1:31 AM in response to House of the Day: 299 Clermont Avenue

Thanks everyone for the responses, we love the house.
$1200 is a bit steep but we will consider it.
I took off a section of paint, the stone underneath was white, most likley marble. Slate would be dark gray' right?

Posted by: oldbaby at February 24, 2008 12:48 AM in response to stripping follow up...

uh, that's my wife retard. Thanks for the insight.

Posted by: oldbaby at March 27, 2008 10:01 AM in response to WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS THING?

I don't hate it, I've seen versions of it done better. My goal is to preserve aspects of the house and juxtapose them with modern furniture. The exposed pipes are a sprinkler system that runs through the entire house. I prefer it to having a nasty fire escape in the back. Ideally I would replace it with something more substantial. The thing is very rickety and is missing several pieces. Don't think it was original to the building. And no I won't just rip it out and toss it. I would probably just store it or sell it.

As for the carpeting, it came with the house. It's pretty ugly but keeps the stairs pretty quiet.

Posted by: oldbaby at March 28, 2008 12:53 PM in response to WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS THING?

it doesn't look original to me. Looks too new to be. I'd switch it out for a white marble to match the rest of the mantel.

Posted by: oldbaby at April 5, 2008 6:53 PM in response to Is the Marble in this Fireplace Original?

Let's all move to NJ Kearny, huge one family for under $300k

Posted by: guest at April 10, 2008 9:07 PM in response to most up and coming neighborhoor?

I love it, too (though I'd change the wall color.) Whether or not it is original, it is quite old, and pretty - and may very well be original - so why not keep it?

Posted by: guest at April 12, 2008 1:18 PM in response to Is the Marble in this Fireplace Original?

I second Daveinbedstuy's advice that eBay has good vintage lighting sellers. I have bought amazing light fixtures on Ebay. A big gilt toleware Hollywood Regency vintage chandelier for our dining room for $250. Delivered to our door by a semi-local seller. And several really cool vintage lamps. You just have to play with search terms and categories, and also revisit the better sellers until you find what you want.

Posted by: guest at April 19, 2008 2:36 PM in response to Where are the best places to buy light fixtures?

try repop on washington ave between park and flushing. there's also a nice place on havemeyer at south 4th or south 5th that carries a good selection. have fun!

Posted by: guest at April 20, 2008 2:20 PM in response to Where are the best places to buy light fixtures?

your safest bet is to get the shutters dipped. peel away works but I think it would be a pain in the neck on shutters, assuming they are louvered.

Posted by: guest at April 30, 2008 9:02 PM in response to STRIPPING LEAD PAINT

they can be hand strippped as well, it's a better process than dipping. it's not that much more and they would hold up,dipping is risky.

Posted by: guest at April 30, 2008 9:39 PM in response to STRIPPING LEAD PAINT

Had mine dipped by John deGamba 327 7th St 718-499-5788

We sanded them ourselves to save a buck but it took a looong time.

Don't know if there is anything special required w/ regard to the lead.

Posted by: phripley at April 30, 2008 9:42 PM in response to STRIPPING LEAD PAINT

Did you end up finding a good exterminator to handle the termites? If so, who did you use?

Thanks.

Posted by: SK at May 1, 2008 2:46 PM in response to TERMITES????

Note that if you use Peel Away, Peel Away ONE is recommended for lead paint removal, NOT Peel Away SEVEN. Peel Away 1 will also keep the paint in liquid form, and comes with special paper. Peel Away 1 is specifically designed for lead paint removal. Peel Away 7 is not, plus it stinks something awful. The only reason to use 7 is if you're not planning on repainting.

Posted by: guest at May 1, 2008 6:12 PM in response to STRIPPING LEAD PAINT

We striped paint off our mouldings using a propane torch and scraping tools. Now, I'm worried that it wasn't the safest approach...?

Posted by: guest at May 2, 2008 7:16 PM in response to STRIPPING LEAD PAINT