I agree with Bren, the contractor should have been laying down drop cloths not just in your yard but in your neighbor's yard who is getting the work done. Even if it doesn't get into your yard, the lead paint chips (or any type of paint chips) going into the dirt in the old lady's yard and/or into the storm sewer eventually gets into all of our groundwater.

Posted by: traditionalmod at August 14, 2007 2:03 PM in response to Paint and debris from neighbor's buiding work

It does start up pretty much right away after Labor Day. Do talk to brokers because they'll have properties coming on the market then and maybe you can get advance word on something you'll be interested in. Our broker was ready to hit the ground running right after Labor Day last year, selling our co-op. We held off, just like other sellers are holding off right now.

Posted by: traditionalmod at August 14, 2007 2:10 PM in response to Is the market basically dead until after Labor Day?

I wish I could get labor quotes for $7K from somebody good. I kept getting bids that were more like $12K for the labor and this wasn't even to move plumbing, just demo and reinstallation of new tile and new tub and vanity. So we put it off. Of course, now that I have had the time to think about it, I want an even more extensive bathroom renovation that will create a 2nd toilet behind a door (utilizing the master BR closet located behind the present bathroom wall) which will be like having a 2nd bathroom on that floor without building an entire separate one. So I'm estimating it will be at least $30K all-in, whenever it's done. Someday.

Posted by: traditionalmod at August 14, 2007 2:20 PM in response to Bathrooms.. typical costs?

Those cabinets are awesome. I love custom wood cabinets that are handpainted white or colors. I've had those before, in my old house. Thanks for posting the picture. And thanks everyone for the links; I needed original looking latches too, for the built-in cabinets in our DR.

Posted by: traditionalmod at August 14, 2007 2:26 PM in response to Hinges and Latches -- where to buy?

The store called Trailer Park in Park Slope on Sterling near 6th Ave, has custom order Amish-made farm tables similar to this one (if you get the Shaker leg). I got an 8-footer with big turned legs and we love it. It was the best priced farm table in the area I could find too. Right now Trailer Park doesn't offer a choice of stains or colors, only clear varnish so the antique barn wood variations shows up nicely. So if you want a darker stain like we did, you have to order it unfinished and stain it yourself. Even with the dark stain the variations in the wood show, and are beautiful.

Posted by: traditionalmod at August 14, 2007 8:22 PM in response to Parlor Floor Kitchen #9: White-and-Black in Bed Stuy

I love this style of wood house (Georgian?). There are a couple on Berkeley Place in Park Slope, on different blocks, I used to pass all the time and I fell in love with them.

Posted by: traditionalmod at August 15, 2007 11:01 AM in response to House of the Day: 419 Washington Avenue

It's nicely finished. This will be the perfect place for somebody.

One has to get used to where the kitchen is located, but it's an interesting solution that I like the more I look at it. However if bar chairs face a wall so closely, people avoid using them. It's psychological. Most young singles or young couples eat in front of the TV anyway, and that's who would buy this place. So the narrow counter and bar stools become wasted space.

A freestanding steel kitchen utility cart would have worked better there. The cook can work on the countertop of the cart while cooking. Either in that same spot, or move it over further, boxing the cook in creating an L-shape work area. Then roll the cart back out into the room and put stools around it for dining. Sorry, I know this is not a parlor-kitchen thread!

Posted by: traditionalmod at August 15, 2007 11:12 AM in response to Co-op of the Day: 786 Washingon Avenue 1BR

This narrow "railroad" layout is standard throughout the entire borough for coops and condos. The developers didn't have much of a choice about it.

I think the place is nicely designed. About its location, I'm not familiar with this area, but the price seems to reflect the fact it's not in the middle of Park Slope, right?

Posted by: traditionalmod at August 16, 2007 11:58 AM in response to Crown Heights Condos Fly Off the Shelves

When I was a child we had a 100 year old lakehouse in MN, in the location of an historical "Indian war" and sometimes when my mother woke in the middle of the night and went downstairs, as she often did, she would smell pipe smoke. We also captured one of the most convincing ghost photos you'd ever want to see, out in front of that house, but now I can't find it! I think my father threw it out, in frustration with my mother's pack-rat ways. Sometimes he just grabs boxes in the garage and tosses them out whenever she goes out of town.

Posted by: traditionalmod at August 16, 2007 12:21 PM in response to Ghosts

These WT prewar buildings are going to have to start figuring out how and where to install laundry inside the apartments, before they start fetching a certain price. Most of the coops in the older brownstone buildings have laundry inside the apartments, usually in a closet near the bathroom. Having one's own laundry is more important to many people, than space or layout. So at this price I'd think you'd see buyers choosing a smaller apartment with laundry inside the unit.

Posted by: traditionalmod at August 16, 2007 1:32 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 176 Seeley Street, Apartment 6C

We posted recommending Charles Wold, we need to RETRACT that....please do not use him as he stole from us and is under investigation...all other contractors have been great...but again, please do not call Charles (Chuck) to do any jobs....

Posted by: guest at September 11, 2007 11:27 AM in response to Contractor Recommendations

Thank goodness I was worried you'd choke the smell of your own flatulence.

Posted by: guest at September 17, 2007 9:53 AM in response to Rubber Matting to Cover Hatches

You have some good ideas. I found a good resource at http://www.b-dry.com/wet-basement-solutions.html All the best!

Posted by: guest at January 24, 2008 2:10 PM in response to My Idea for Fixing Water Intrusion in Basement. Thoughts?

We worked with Timothy Osborne aka The Organic Gardener.
He specializes in urban / brownstone gardens.
www.theorganicgardenernyc.com
He was really fun to work with as well.!

Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 3:47 PM in response to Landcape Architect Recommendations