oldbaby's Profile

Name:
Mitchell Ratchik
In Brooklyn Since:
1987
On Brownstoner Since:
2006
Location:
Brooklyn
Neighborhood:
Fort Greene
Abode:
House
Profession:
Advertising Creative
Sex:
Male
Age:
37
Website:
http://mitchellratchik.com

Author's Posts

April 30, 2008

STRIPPING LEAD PAINT

hey does anyone know who can do this? I have shudders that have lead paint as well as the sections underneath the window frames.

March 30, 2008

How do I access the stain glass window in my skylight?

Ok, we have a stained glass panel in our skylight, it's really dirty, and does not let much light in. I tried going on to the roof to access it only to find that the skylight enclosure sealed with tar. I tried to lift it. No go. Getting at it from inside is an option, however it's located in the center of the stairwell and I have no idea how to do that. It also has this weird wire mesh over it, safety? I would assume you have to access it from the roof. However I have no idea how to do this.

March 26, 2008

WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS THING?

Ok the brownstone I live in has a great staircase, with a cool newel post, there is also a small landing at the foot of the stairs. At the base of the stairs there is another newel post and a thing on top of it that extends out from the wall. It's a cool detail i would like to keep but maybe replace with something nicer. Can someone tell me what this thing is called? I'll post an image soon. help.

What is this called?

March 22, 2008

Where can I purchace antique parlor doors?

My wife and I will eventually want to replace the boring square parlor doors with something more ornate. Any suggestions?

February 21, 2008

stripping follow up...

I also forgot to mention that I am in Fort Greene, and the mantles are Marble. So if anyone knows anyone who does this please let me know.
very flexible on timing.

PAINT STRIPPING MARBLE MANTLES

Does anyone have any recommendations for stripping the paint off of my marble mantles.
Or how much it costs to do?

January 4, 2008

SECURITY SYSTEMS?

Hey everyone,

My wife and I are about to purchase a brownstone in Ft. Greene, and are going to install a security system. Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions? Was thinking it would be good to have cameras installed at the front doors as well as the back yard and roof.

Help.

Trees?

Hey I've never had a backyard before and wish to put trees in.

I am thinking about japanese maples, pines and cherry blossom trees. Maybe some birch.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what does well in brooklyn? Oh and we are in Ft. Greene.

SECURITY SYSTEMS?

Hey everyone,

Help.

Author's Comments

i'm happy stores like this are coming to ft. greene.
we need some cool funky stores.

we don't need another crappy nail salon.

Posted by: oldbaby at May 14, 2009 3:40 PM in response to Streetlevel: Sneakers for Willoughby

I used to live in this building before the reno when I went to Pratt. It's a great building. The did a really nice job of fixing it up. There is no parking spot, that's the house next door. Which the previous owners took (why is beyond me it's a gross building). Don't know if it's worth 2.4 in this market, it's a good block but close to Myrtle Ave.

Also one of my roomates lost his pet snake in there years ago, we never found it.

Posted by: oldbaby at March 20, 2009 1:58 PM in response to House of the Day: 219 Washington Avenue

I had a bunch of shudders and window bays stripped.

we used DeGamba Stripping, they were great.

718-499-5788

they can get rid of it for you. it's better to be safe than sorry.

Posted by: oldbaby at March 11, 2009 11:51 AM in response to Lead Paint Paranoia

I for one welcome this. I love comics and love comic book stores. They are great for kids too! My only issue is that they opened up near Rocketship. Come to FT. Greene!

Posted by: oldbaby at March 9, 2009 8:10 PM in response to StreetLevel: Comic Book Shop Opens on Bergen

I for one am psyched about it. I hate going to the chase on Fulton St., it's always crowded.
Yeah, two banks right next to each other is a bit over kill, but I belong to chase so I can't complain.

Posted by: oldbaby at March 1, 2009 8:30 PM in response to Streetlevel: Chase Revealed on Myrtle

what do the other doors look like?

and sizes?

Posted by: oldbaby at October 5, 2008 5:33 PM in response to Original brownstone door set for sale

I use Windows we are Brooklyn,
they rocked

718-836-8083

9110 5th Ave
Brooklyn NY 11209
USA

Posted by: oldbaby at June 7, 2008 10:37 PM in response to Windows

Eddie's Salvage
222 Greene Ave.
Brooklyn NY 11238

Eddie is the man. He will have it.

Posted by: oldbaby at May 17, 2008 3:39 PM in response to Looking for Front Doors

I've been using
John Hlad Plumbing
718-768-0689
really nice guy and does a great job.

Posted by: oldbaby at May 9, 2008 5:37 PM in response to Plumber Needed

sorry, is it shutters? Shudder to think that I spelled that wrong.

Posted by: oldbaby at April 30, 2008 8:20 PM in response to STRIPPING LEAD PAINT

I've always used lighting by gregory.
they rock
and have a really good selection.

Posted by: oldbaby at April 16, 2008 5:21 PM in response to Where are the best places to buy light fixtures?

Thank you for doing this. It was really great seeing the neighborhood come alive. Ignore the critics. This was no small feat. I picked up 3 library chairs and 2 large jasper morrison FLOS glow balls. I would love to see more mid-century modern stuff and antiques!

Posted by: oldbaby at April 7, 2008 11:26 AM in response to Brooklyn Flea: Time Lapse

Posted by: oldbaby at April 7, 2008 11:17 AM in response to Brooklyn Flea: Time Lapse

I'd say BedStuy know several people who live there, love it. And have been trying to keep it on the Down Low.

Posted by: oldbaby at April 6, 2008 8:43 AM in response to PLG vs. Bed Stuy

2 words FORT GREENE!

This area is booming and people want more stores here. Just go check out the brooklyn flea tomorrow and walk around the neighborhood. This area is no longer a fringe area, right off the C train or G and walking distance from fulton.

I know that there are several properties for sale that had mixed use zonings, you just have to request it from your broker.

Posted by: oldbaby at April 5, 2008 6:57 PM in response to most up and coming neighborhoor?

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?

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?

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?

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...

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

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?

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

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

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????

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????