tiptoe's Profile
Author's Posts
September 10, 2009
Help with Bathroom Vanity
We purchased a vanity that is too deep to fit neatly against the wall (4" door molding is in the way). This only affects the side of the vanity. Do you think it is better to move the vanity out a couple of inches from the side (leaving that annoying gap that things can fall through) or should we notch out the molding so that the vanity can fit flush against the wall? I can sort of picture this, but think it may look ugly. Thoughts?
March 10, 2009
FYI - Action Glass
Action Glass now charges $65 to come out and give you an estimate. It will be deducted off your bill if you decide to go with them, but really, what up with this??? They should see an immediate drop off in business.
October 13, 2008
Just wondering...best use of parlor
so, many traditional brownstones have double doors that open directly into the front part of the parlor, right? The set up I most often see are couches or chairs flanking the fireplace, usually somewhat positioned in front of the doors. My question is...how do folks usually use that portion of the floor most close to the parlor windows? Do you have it set up as another little sitting area? Is your desk there? Just trying to use the space as best as possible and getting puzzled.
September 30, 2008
Classic brownstone interior paint color?
Awhile back, either on this site or apartmenttherapy.com, there was a discussion about a classic brownstone interior paint color - essentially, what brownstone interiors were painted 100 years ago. It is a very warm color, bordering on a rich, yet light yellow. Anyone recall the name - I believe it's a Benjamin Moore.
Author's Comments
A cab side-swiped my body about 5 years ago on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan--actually, it slowly backed up into me and didn't stop despite my shrieking and some witnesses yelling. The driver was using someone else's medallion. I reported it to the TLC and they did call and investigate pretty quickly, but I never pressed charges. The time it takes to call is probably dependent on how bad the damages are.
Posted by: tiptoe at November 5, 2009 3:54 PM in response to Mrs. B Side-Swiped In The Heights
I respectfully disagree with NorthSlopeRenter. parking is much much easier in the north slope than it is in the Center Slope. I used to live on 2nd Street and it was an utter nightmare trying to find parking - and I drove to work every day so didn't need to worry about alternate side!
The thing about the north slope is that people drive here from other neighborhoods, park, and take the subway into Manhattan. then at 5 p.m., they come back and lots of spaces open up. not kidding. This is not true of the Center Slope where people leave their cars for weeks at a time.
Posted by: tiptoe at November 5, 2009 12:39 PM in response to Subway Service on Weekends Is F@#%ed
I don't like stairs with no hand rails! What's up with that? I'd feel nervous in this person's home.
Posted by: tiptoe at November 3, 2009 1:18 PM in response to House of the Day: 28 Middagh Street
Some of these posts made me LOL as people who travel on the middle and left lanes probably do think the right lane is full of tourists. What I'll do if the traffic is backed up half a mile is go past the exit and take the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. 95% of the time, it's totally clear.
Posted by: tiptoe at November 3, 2009 1:17 PM in response to Squadron Helps Drivers Get Off (The FDR)
The living room is really lovely. But nothing else in the apartment stands out for me. Not worth 600K in my book.
Posted by: tiptoe at November 3, 2009 1:10 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 126 Greene Avenue, #2W
is it hot water or steam? post your contact info and I will email you.
Posted by: tiptoe at October 29, 2009 2:14 PM in response to selling a steam radiator
A film crew used the interior of our parlor floor to shoot street views for that recent Al Pacino/Carla Gugino movie. There is usually a standard contract. It went later than expected, but then we asked for more money and got it. At my BIL's advice, we made the bathroom off-limits for crew usage.
Posted by: tiptoe at October 29, 2009 1:16 PM in response to Renting Your Place for Movie
Most of Classic's stuff is in stock, if they don;t have it, it comes in the week after you order. They have an ad on Brownstoner- check to the right.
Posted by: tiptoe at October 28, 2009 4:11 PM in response to Tile Store?
I like Classic Tile, which I believe is in Besonhurst. They have lots of different styles. The sales guys are a cast of characters though.
Posted by: tiptoe at October 28, 2009 10:25 AM in response to Tile Store?
Think about how sick and upset that lady was with herself after coming back and noticing the wallet was stolen. I know I'd be.
Oh, and ditto on Nokilissa's point. Just b/c you're protective of Fort Greene doesn't mean crime doesn't happen there.
Posted by: tiptoe at October 28, 2009 10:15 AM in response to Wednesday Links
Thanks for these photos, Montrose. so cool to see the reservoir on the side of the museum. Filled in now, to be what--the parking lot.
Posted by: tiptoe at October 20, 2009 2:29 PM in response to Walkabout with Montrose: The Road to Prospect Heights
busy, but not 300K busy.
Posted by: tiptoe at October 16, 2009 3:17 PM in response to Open House Picks
tiptoe wrote a review about Szechuan Delight on October 16, 2009 2:22 PM
I've gotten take-out from Szechaun Delight many, many times. Best Chinese food in Park Slope hands-down. However, I only order tried-and-true dishes that are very hard to mess up. Their soups are delicious and good value. That said, we've had some pretty bad dishes on Sunday nights (which are good the rest of the week) - probably a different cook than the rest of the week.
Addressing the MSG concerns - there is no proven scientific basis that MSG is bad for you. Having been practically raised on the stuff - I can tell you that it is a flavor enhancer and not much else. Brenda - go to any Chinatown - even go to Hong Kong - and they cook with it. It's called umami in Japanese.
Will be interesting to see how Prospect Place fares. Just a block over is a Brownstoner HOTD on St. Mark's. Same configuration, same # of stories except that St. Mark's has gotten a lot of love in the press (big spread in the NYT) and is priced 300K less at just under $1.6 million.
Posted by: tiptoe at October 16, 2009 2:14 PM in response to Open House Picks
Oh, good, an affordable addition to the neighborhood--as opposed to franny's.
Posted by: tiptoe at October 16, 2009 2:10 PM in response to Streetlevel: Thai Food for Flatbush
dh's company repainted the parachute jump - he got to know it up close and personal. looks nice.
Posted by: tiptoe at October 8, 2009 12:36 PM in response to Thursday Links
It makes sense that the pulling of the liquor license meant the end of this restaurant. The side bar area and outdoor seating were perfect for drinking sangria and hanging out, but to be brutally honest, the food was inedible. I found it so strange that these were the same owners of Barrio, where the food is really good. This is probably why you could stroll by at brunch, and the place only had 2 or 3 tables filled (despite unlimited sangria) and other places with less charm on the same block were packed.
Posted by: tiptoe at October 7, 2009 11:11 AM in response to The Slope's Most Cursed Corner?
Wow, a 4 story brownstone in central Park Slope asking less than $1.7 million. Who'd ever thunk?
Posted by: tiptoe at October 2, 2009 1:38 PM in response to Open House Picks
I'm not sure about legally, but reasonably, it seems that you can set certain limitations on access and open houses. Speak to the landlord and if possible, the listing agent and let them know that you'd like to limit access for appointments to between 10-4, with advanced notification. As for open houses, I'd be less flexible. I might not agree to any open houses at all, or perhaps limit them to one or two, whatever makes you feel comfortable. When I've been the one visiting open houses, a tenant's apartment has been accessible on a few occasions, but more often than not, we were told that if we were "really interested, to call back and make an appointment to view the tenant apartment."
Posted by: tiptoe at October 2, 2009 10:11 AM in response to Right of Entry
The food wasn't that good, the atmosphere was eh, but the view of the street for the Halloween parade was great.
Posted by: tiptoe at October 1, 2009 10:42 AM in response to Longtime Thai Restaurant in the Slope Shutters
The woodworker's name is Frank Oquendo. He's out of Staten Island.
(917) 902-5218 or (718) 815-1356
He works with a GC acquaintance of mine, who specialized in restoring brownstones.
Posted by: tiptoe at September 29, 2009 8:27 PM in response to Repairing Brownstone Doors
I have the card of a woodwork finisher who specifically does this kind of work. I have see his workmanship on mahogany brownstone doors and it was really nice. The card is at home so if you can wait, I'll post the info tonight.
we had the guy come and give us an estimate for some old unrefinished front doors and the estimate was more than we could afford (but probably justified given the extent of work required).
Posted by: tiptoe at September 29, 2009 4:06 PM in response to Repairing Brownstone Doors
Seems to me, bxgrl, that idisagree made some valid points and rather than admitting it with good grace (and then perhaps raising valid points of your own) you took the road of belittling him/her and finding fault with his/her opinion. I see from the past that this the road you always take when someone takes a position that conflicts with yours.
Blogs can sometimes be more than blogs, by the way. The written word has an effect, whether it comes in the form of a newspaper or someone's personal musings. And, I'm not sure how we can embarrass someone when we don't know his or her name or what she looks like. At least I don't.
I could go on, but there is already an outcome.
Posted by: tiptoe at September 25, 2009 6:16 PM in response to DOB Posts Letter of Intent to Revoke on St. Marks Ave
I'm in PS, so count me in for a book club. I think we need a few more to really get started.
Also a huge fan of Middlesex!!
Posted by: tiptoe at September 24, 2009 4:26 PM in response to Thursday Links
I've purchased at least 3 Murakami books, each time hoping I'd "get" the hype and never did. His kind of story-telling never did anything for me.
PS, if anyone starts up a book club, let me know. I'd be in.
Posted by: tiptoe at September 24, 2009 1:25 PM in response to Thursday Links
AB's Dry is one of the most memorable, humorous books I've ever read.
You guys might enjoy Junot Diaz. "Drown" is an amazing bunch of short stories, and the subsequent "Life of Oscar Wao" received a lot of praise, although I didn't like it.
Posted by: tiptoe at September 24, 2009 11:16 AM in response to Thursday Links
But Vinnie really does talk like that. The accent is so thick, it's verging on incomprehensible.
Posted by: tiptoe at September 16, 2009 11:52 AM in response to Cast Iron Fence: We Can Rebuild It
OP did not indicate that he or she is purchasing a condo in a brownstone and if it is not, then any talk about what looks appropriate for a brownstone goes out the window.
I only recently purchased shades for the bedrooms in our brownstone, and they are those top-up/bottom-down honey comb shades. so, we can let light in on top and have privacy below. They are also black-out. I think these look good in any setting.
i went to the H-D site and honestly am not crazy about the silhouette shades. I'd do the shutters, especially if you're not in an old building.
Posted by: tiptoe at September 16, 2009 11:45 AM in response to Shutters or Shades?
Arkady - so you notched out the vanity top? That really isn't an option for us - I was thinking of notching out the wood molding. Glad it worked out for you, though.
Posted by: tiptoe at September 10, 2009 10:32 AM in response to Help with Bathroom Vanity
By recessed pulls, do you mean that there is metal hardware that is inset into the cabinet front? or hardware that sits hidden on the top side of the doors or drawers? Either way, no other hardware is needed. I appreciate a clean look. If you mean no metal hardware at all, I don't prefer this.
Posted by: tiptoe at September 10, 2009 10:06 AM in response to Add Pulls to Brand New Cabinets?
Having represented brake pad liner companies in asbestos lawsuits, among others, in my former life, I will tell you that plaintiffs will sue just about anyone who could have been working at the job site during the period in question. So, let's say you had a steamfitter who was working at the WTC while it was being constructed and who later contracted asbestosis or mesothelioma. Any company that was on site will be sued. Manufacturers of asbestos foam, valve manufacturers, acoustic tile mfgs.--everyone would be sued with the thought that nobody had enough proof to get out of the case and in the end, everyone would contribute to a settlement. This was the case 99% of the time. I even had a case where a former steamfitter sued on bhelaf of his deceased wife who contracted mesothelioma after washing his work clothes for 20 years. That was a sad case.
Posted by: tiptoe at September 9, 2009 2:20 PM in response to Asbestos Law Suits
The news about the baby walrus's death was really sad. He and his mother were draws for the Aquarium, they were really cute together.
Posted by: tiptoe at September 3, 2009 1:59 PM in response to Thursday Links
You need to check out non-traditional lending institutions. Try Meridien on the corner of 7th Ave and 9th Streets.
Posted by: tiptoe at August 18, 2009 3:39 PM in response to Financing a SRO Conversion
hmmm, wonder why no one has responded.
yes, henry myers is a reputable outfit. they do good work, but they charge accordingly
Posted by: tiptoe at August 12, 2009 7:06 PM in response to Plumber Needed
No, Tanner, the fried egg would ruin a completely perfect BLT. I would vote for a BLT with roasted turkey though.
Posted by: tiptoe at August 12, 2009 10:03 AM in response to StreetLevel: Vanderbilt's Milk Bar Now Open
CCG: It's hard to believe that you got custom closets done including installation for 41,200. near impossible, I think. And $3,500 quote from California closets tells me that you have huge closets or they took you for a sucker. My quotes from Elfa and Easyclosets didn't approach $2,000 for a decent-sized walk-in, and they looked pretty damn good.
Posted by: tiptoe at August 11, 2009 3:14 PM in response to Closet Design
CCB: not everyone has the $$$ to have custom closets made. Elfa, Easy Closets, California Closets - their stuff is just fine for 99% the population.
Posted by: tiptoe at August 11, 2009 12:42 PM in response to Closet Design
Old Devil Moon made the best cakes ever. I mean delicious. And you could get them x-rated too (the name of the bakery was Masturbakers). I had no idea it closed. Oh well.
Posted by: tiptoe at August 5, 2009 12:19 PM in response to The State of 7th Ave
I love me some mashed potatoes.
I wish a good Jersey diner would open in BK, and have turkey club sandwiches and milkshakes on the menu, the way a diner should.
Posted by: tiptoe at August 5, 2009 12:07 PM in response to Brooklyn Food and Drink Round-Up
This is fascinating. wish I could enlarge some of these photos, would love to see the racial make-up of tenements, would a building house predominately Chinese or Irish or Jewish - or were they all mixed in together?
Posted by: tiptoe at August 4, 2009 11:12 AM in response to Walkabout with Montrose: Tenement Living
Two things I'm amazed about:
1) the gamble the LL took when buying this house, thinking or hoping that he might be able to get rid of the rent-controlled tenant. Most of us would walk away even with the low price.
2) the tenacity of the LL or his private investigator digging up records from the 1970s. plus, there must have been $$$ poured into this investigation. i guess this was figured into the all-over price of the house
Posted by: tiptoe at August 3, 2009 10:37 AM in response to Heights Rent-Controller Out on a Technicality
I am forgetting the name of the lending institution at the moment (think it may be Meridien), but we got our SRO loan from the place located at the corner of 7th Ave & 9th Street in Park Slope. They operate independently and have their own ways of doing things that are not exactly conventional, but I am sure that's how we got our super-jumbo SRO loan. It's probably worth it to stop in to talk to someone.
Posted by: tiptoe at July 21, 2009 3:21 PM in response to SRO -> 3 Family FHA Loan
I'm not getting the hatred of the bathrooms. The one that is predominately white looks nice enough, and the other 2 need minor cosmetic changes to make them desirable (to me). As for the garden, no big whoop to change. I love the staircase and the beautiful parlor doors. Can't make any comment on asking price since I'm not familiar with this area.
Posted by: tiptoe at July 15, 2009 2:17 PM in response to House of the Day: 202 Clermont Avenue
The doors and windows that came with our house were more ugly than yours. It took 3 years to replace the windows and 3.5 years to finally find entry doors that fit.
Posted by: tiptoe at June 25, 2009 6:39 PM in response to LPC-Approved Door Maker? Cont'd
tiptoe wrote a review about Amorina on June 25, 2009 12:54 PM
I can't make heads or tails of the one on the left. That being said, this place is great. Delicious salads and pizza combos, and the spaghetti & meatballs ain't nothing to sneeze at. Good nabe vibe, though I live somewhat out of the nabe.
Coors light - wouldn't that include every single college student in America? That was the beer of choice when I went to school.
Posted by: tiptoe at June 25, 2009 10:20 AM in response to Open Thread
Anyone else find the prices at the Brooklyn Larder on Flatbush to be totally ridiculous?? $10 for what appears to be a small sandwich and $40/lb for stuffed lamb?
Posted by: tiptoe at June 25, 2009 9:50 AM in response to Open Thread
Assuming that it is delivered vacant, you could live in it right away while you wait for the certificate of no harassment, which might take up to a year. If the building is delivered vacant, make sure you get letters from each of the former tenants stating that they left the building voluntarily. Getting the tenants to leave voluntarily most often involves an exchange of money, either yours or the current owners.
Posted by: tiptoe at June 23, 2009 3:36 PM in response to SRO to 3 family?
yeah, I noticed that too - it IS a triplex over a garden apt. sort of sucks to have the kitchen on the 3rd floor though.
Posted by: tiptoe at June 23, 2009 3:32 PM in response to House of the Day: 641 10th Street Revisited
you should look on apartmenttherapy.com. they recently featured an apartment that did this in their kitchen.
Posted by: tiptoe at November 5, 2009 4:00 PM in response to Wallpaper backsplash in kitchen