pschsmith's Profile

  • Peter Smith
  • 2007
  • 2005
  • Brooklyn
  • Clinton Hill
  • House
  • Banking
  • Male
  • 40

Author's Posts

November 30, 2007

Hot Bird

Does anyone remember Hot Bird? Did you eat there? Was it any good? Where was it, exactly? Love the name...very evocative, to me, at least, of NY in the 70s.

Posted in Forum by pschsmith at 1:09 PM | Comments (5)
Categories: Research

November 27, 2007

MidCentury Armchair repair

Movers snapped the lower portion of one bentwood leg clean off an armchair by a named designer. It cracked diagonally close to the upholstery. Any suggestions on where to get this repaired/restored? $$$ no object as the movers insurance will be paying.

Posted in Forum by pschsmith at 12:26 PM | Comments (4)
Categories: Furniture

November 26, 2007

Brownstone Window Replacement: A 3-part question

The first major project we are planning on our house (which we just closed after a nearly year-long contract saga)is window replacement. 21 in all, including the extremely tall parlor floor windows.

Part 1: How can I find out what would be historically accurate, particularly for the front parlor floor windows? Our block (Clinton Hill) is not currently landmarked, though it is up for review in 2008. Most of the neighboring buildings have 1 on 1 replacement windows of fairly recent vintage, so I haven't got a good basis for comparison.

Part 2: Any experience with Major Homes or Window City? Found both through Angie's List, but neither firm appears to be on the radar with the Brownstonerati.

Part 3: Any knowledge/experience with Starmark composite windows? According to the manufacturer's literature they are more thermally efficient, durable, etc., than any other window on the market.

We'd be grateful for thoughts or advice on any or all of these parts.

Posted in Forum by pschsmith at 9:45 PM | Comments (13)
Categories: Windows

Author's Comments

Thanks, all, some good info here. I'm not sure what to make of the fact that no one has an opinion on the composite material. I'm not keen to be an early adopter--notwithstanding the supposed lifetime unlimited warranty.

Posted by: pschsmith at November 27, 2007 8:31 PM in response to Brownstone Window Replacement: A 3-part question

BTW, does anyone know how to contact airflo? Their website is rather coy--no contact information whatsoever.

Posted by: pschsmith at November 27, 2007 8:35 PM in response to Brownstone Window Replacement: A 3-part question

Thanks for the comments. Bought the pieces (a pair of the chairs) at a pier antiques show, so the Grand Ave route sounds like the right one.

Posted by: pschsmith at November 28, 2007 10:35 PM in response to MidCentury Armchair repair

Thanks. Just moved to Clinton Hill myself, near Atlantic. Try Brown Betty Cafe on Grand. I've also had delivery from Epoca over on Fulton. More restaurants are coming in...a friend just opened a place called Speakeasy, on Waverly and I believe Gates or Greene, don't know if they are delivering yet.

Posted by: pschsmith at December 4, 2007 2:31 PM in response to Hot Bird

Also, Joloff if your taste runs to West African...it's not Jerk Chicken, anyway.

Posted by: pschsmith at December 4, 2007 2:32 PM in response to Hot Bird

Responses to Author's Forum Comments

BTW, does anyone know how to contact airflo? Their website is rather coy--no contact information whatsoever.

Posted by: pschsmith at November 27, 2007 8:35 PM in response to Brownstone Window Replacement: A 3-part question

Have you pulled a tax photo for your building? (And, if they are the same, your neighbors?)

Also, if you know when your building was (really) built, look up comparables in the landmarks reports for FG and CH, and look at those for proper configuration. Even in the districts, a lot of windows are not original or historically accurate, particularly at the parlor floor (where windows were often shortened for privacy/economy).

As suggested, hiring an architect or preservation professional would help you out.

Posted by: WBer at November 27, 2007 10:49 PM in response to Brownstone Window Replacement: A 3-part question

I would strongly recommend against US Window Factory. They were installed by the prior owner and except for the screen and glass itself, have not held up well.

Posted by: guest at November 28, 2007 2:43 PM in response to Brownstone Window Replacement: A 3-part question

Try Rosini and Sons, they do high end restorations and repairs.

Posted by: geekspice at November 29, 2007 11:15 AM in response to MidCentury Armchair repair

Also, Joloff if your taste runs to West African...it's not Jerk Chicken, anyway.

Posted by: pschsmith at December 4, 2007 2:32 PM in response to Hot Bird