living and more
New Yorks
Hottest Real Estate
Incredible Murals
USA $2.95 CANADA $3.95
Inside front cover
living and more
TABLE OF CONTENT
8
14
Editors Note
6
Artist to the Interior Designers
8
Manhattan’s Hottest Apartments
14
Lighting Misconception’s
18
Choosing Carpet
22
Cutting Edge Kitchen Gadgets
26
Antique Furniture Care
30
Starting Daycare for working Mothers
32
Chelsea Peirs
34
Park Slope
40
How safe is your Microwave
42
What is Energy Star
44
Fire Proof Yor Home
47
Ad Directory
48
Free Estimates Fully Insured
718.855.0028
www.cmclosets.com 4 INTERIOR NEW YORK
April 2008
40
INTERIOR NEW YORK April 2008
5
I
nterior New York Magazine is a publication that is
living and more
geared to navigate the consumer and the professional interior designer in all categories of home décor
as well as innovative architectural design. The magazines editorial content will consist of articles that will be of interest to today’s homeowner along with current topics of interest, comprising of news and media events to health, business, glamour and automotive.
PUBLISHER W MEDIA EDITOR IN-CHIEF CAROLE DELMONICO SENIOR EDITOR MARK JONES ART DIRECTOR EFRAIM SCHNALL MENASHE SCHWARTZ DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING WILLIAM A. MILES
Interior New York Magazine will be the first magazine to focus on the unique interior style and décor of New York,
PHOTOGRAPHY W MEDIA
along with touching on real living issues that effect real New Yorkers on a daily basis.
DIRECTOR OF MENASHE SCHWARTZ OPERATIONS
We invite everyone to please visit our website www.interiornewyork.com There you will be able to learn more about our advertisers as well as to be able to take a virtual tour of their stores all in the comfort and convenience of your home. By visiting our website you’ll be able to experience the true meaning of “A New York Minute”.
6 INTERIOR NEW YORK
April 2008
SALES RAIZY NUEFELD
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES ABE BERKOWITZ 5104 12th AVE BROOKLYN NY ADVERTISING 718 854 3773 OFFICE www.interiornewyork.com
© 2008 Schonbek Worldwide Lighting Inc.
The new gold Designers have rediscovered gold. Myriad hues of gold permeate the fabrics and gild the walls in the homes of those in the know. In the same spirit, Schonbek is now offering several chandelier designs in Strass® Golden Teak crystal. See the collection in our showroom.
2148 Flatbush Avenue • Brooklyn, NY 11234 • Phone: 718.252.7722 • Fax 718.252.6466 Mon - Thurs 10-8 • Fri 10-3 • Sun 11-6 We Ship Anywhere
Cheskel Hershkop
Artist to the Interior Designers
I
srael (Cheskel) Hershkop was born in Israel and raised in an impoverished part of town in Old Jerusalem. The son of a painter, he was one of six children. At an early age, Cheskel had a fascination and gifted ability for art which resulted in a full scholarship to The Betzalel School of Art. For over forty years Cheskel has touched thousands of customers by the stroke of his golden brush and continues to do so to this very day. Cheskel’s artistic passion led him to open his art school, “Brilliant Strokes” as a means to share his gift with young aspiring artists.
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Left wall real: wall on right - mural including books and china
INTERIOR NEW YORK April 2008
9
What exactly is an artist to interior designers? Some people love to buy art by themselves where some people prefer to channel their own artistic view through an artist such as myself. What ranges of sizes are your murals? The size mural people seem to prefer is 8 x 14 feet but I have been commissioned to do murals as large as 11 x 44 feet. Any size is doable depending on the customer’s preference and need. What are the price ranges of your creations? Prices can vary from $500.00 to $50,000.00 depending on the size of the creation, the details required and the time involved. Is there an advantage to having a custom painted mural versus a wallpapered mural? The advantages to a custom made mural are numerous, such as there are no seams, no peeling, the mural is washable, it can be made in any size and any texture and can be painted in any area of the home regardless of dimensions or location.... such as a domed ceiling. There are absolutely no limitations other than your imagination. What is the inspiration behind each mural for each customer? The customer and I spend time talking about what they feel the room needs to be complete. Then we discuss ideas, textures and artistic mood to eventually come up with a vision that is uniquely theirs.
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Beyond custom murals, what other artistic ideas and possibilities do you offer your customers? The possibilities are endless and extremely unique. There are custom moldings, medallions, imitation stained glass, marbleizing, gilding, graining and trompe L-oleil. From your over forty years of artistic creations, do you have a favorite that stands out to you even today? That is a really hard question to ask an artist as each creation is so unique, it carries within itself a part of the artist. Beyond paint, brushes and your unique ick of the wrist, what other work is required to actually create one of your works?
There is an enormous amount of prep work required before I can actually start drawing/painting. There is customizing the paint and brushes themselves, scaffolding, preparing the walls for paint, protecting the furniture within the room and then testing the colors in daylight and night light to ensure the perfect look. What is the time frame for one of your custom murals? Depending on size and detail, it can take several hours to several weeks. Again, each work is a speciďŹ c creation onto itself so I would not be able to give you a global time frame for a mural, it would be a time frame speciďŹ c to the creation itself. Why do interior designers seek you out and are so fascinated by your works? I offer a unique gateway to art that cannot be acquired through any other venue. I offer each customer their own personal view and vision of art resulting in the customer feeling unique and special with an end result that is matchless and rare. For more information on Cheskel Hershkop and his art studio Brilliant Strokes you can call him at 718.338.7287 718.437.5356
real estate
Manhattan’s Hottest Apartments
Olga Dimens
sky light and exquisitely high ceilings. Looking at all this, it can be easily stated that if there is any market that’s always good across the country, it’s the New York City luxury market. With all the foreign investors, the numbers are always growing. For example, the condo apartments at the Plaza Hotel are so high priced, that they actually blurred the market. Condo apartments in those buildings have a net cost of as much as $60 million dollars, and those condo apartments make up 7 percent of the sales within the market from last quarter. It was these sales that made the average condo sales soar by a good 51 percent.
N
ew York City to many is the home of luxury and a taste of heaven. But what if a small price of heaven cost as much as $1.4 million? That’s how much Manhattans high-inflated market has become. Even with the slump of the stock market, which took a steep downhill in the national housing market, Manhattan real estate is still sky rocketing. In the heart of New York City, the average sales price for an apartment has escaladed to as much as 34 percent in the last quarter of 2007, setting the price to an average of $1.43 million, according to reports put out by the city’s top real-estate brokerage firms.
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So who are these high-end buyers within the real estate market? They are New York’s pocket filled Wall-Streeters and foreigners. Their purchases of these extremely high-end apartments have tended to play with the figures as well. And what is it exactly that attracts these high-end buyers besides the obvious luxury? It could be the 1,334 square foot apartment in a nine story brick building built in 1942, and designed by the famed architect Rosario Candela, who is well known for his luxury apartments on Fifth and Park Avenue. These apartments include a fireplace, a doorman, laundry, storage, and a celebrity restaurant. And we cannot leave out a
Reports prepared by the Halstead Property showed that if you take all the condo sales out of the picture, the number then goes down to as much as half a million dollars. Yes, the price would still be higher than average from last year, but it definitely would not be up 51 percent. If the buildings are factored into these figures, the average price for a condo now holds to be $1.85 million dollars, according to Halstead’s numbers. Looking even deeper into the market, reports show that from October through December, the average sales price of over 2,500 apartments in Manhattan came to be $1.43 million, which was a 34 percent increase from the average within the fourth quarter of 2006 which was held at $1,070,000. If we look even deeper, the price per square foot also rose to a whopping 10
INTERIOR NEW YORK April 2008
percent. It went from $1,000 in 2006 to a good $1,140 as of today. That’s a $140 dollar difference per square foot. Now figure you live in an apartment at 40 West 55th St. That’s a 1,334 square foot apartment, and along with that, you pay $1,006 monthly for carrying charges, and an additional $1,092 for taxes.
That’s called a little piece of heaven for $1.4 million. This shows that New York City is in a class all by itself, considering that nationally foreclosures stemming from the sub prime loan crisis sent the real estate market into a serious steep downhill. The value of these apartments are still
red-hot, but if the price of all this luxury includes rolling out of bed and walking across the street to your office, then bring it on. Some call it a bargain, and if living on Park Avenue where median prices are up 100 percent, and apartments now go for $3.6 million, then call it a bargain, for the mega-rich anyway.
Chelsea/Flatiron
12 Central Park West
West Village
1088 Park Ave.
Fourth Quarter 2006: $735,000
Fourth Quarter 2006: $700,000
Fourth Quarter 2006: $578,377
Fourth Quarter 2006: $1.88M
Fourth Quarter 2007: $900,000
Fourth Quarter 2007: $885,000
Fourth Quarter 2007: $742,000
Fourth Quarter 2007: $3.6M
Fourth Quarter 2007: One Bedroom: $860K Two Bedroom: $1.67M 3+ Bedroom: $2.863M Median Prices up 22%
Fourth Quarter 2007: One Bedroom: $827K Two Bedroom: $1.47M 3+ Bedroom: $5.7M Median Prices up 27%
Fourth Quarter 2007: One Bedroom: $860K Two Bedroom: $1.67M 3+ Bedroom: $2.863M Median Prices up 28%
Fourth Quarter 2007: One Bedroom: $775K Two Bedroom: $1.723M 3+ Bedroom: $4.111M
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Median Prices up 100%
Lighting Misconceptions
W
e rely on artificial light in many areas of our daily life; from giving a potential burglar the impression that we are in fact home, to checking our oven only to find that our carefully baked soufflé has imploded. Effective lighting improves the general atmosphere and appearance of an interior, helping to define form and emphasize texture.
In the following paragraphs, I will address some of the most common lighting misconceptions, fixture faux pas, chandelier shenanigans, and offer some practical solutions.
Misconception
Solution
Downward facing lighting is the best and provides the strongest light
Downward facing lights can in fact be harsh and cause eye strain when looked up into from bed or when sitting at a table. It is best to relegate these lights to task areas such as desks, above mirrors, and kitchen islands. Instead, a fixture that contains upturned bulbs provides a more all inclusive general lighting. These fixtures are appropriate for use in hallways, bedroom
Misconception
Solution
I like the look of sconces, but cannot purchase them because I have no wiring.
There are options that can allow for sconces without having to rip open your walls. (Drop the sledgehammer.) You can affix them to the wall by simply bolting them in solely as a decorative element, without lighting them. Or, many bulb sconces can easily be converted into candle sconces which provide that elegant look with no electricity necessary. Finally, if the area you are interested in illuminating is above furniture, or near an outlet, there is a wide variety of sconces with clear cords on the market, which can be run either behind the furniture or along the wall and then plugged in. If you are interested in a particular sconce but it does not have a cord, most can have a clear length of cord added. Be sure to let your lighting retailer know the desired length of cord.
Misconception
Solution
I can’t use minishades on my fixture because they block all the light.
While it is true that shades block light, just how much depends on the color and thickness of the fabric and the backing. There is a vast selection of mini-shades that are made entirely of glass, crystal, sheer fabric or netting. Purchasing these completely transparent shades gives you the high style of mini-shades without compromising on light. There are also crystal bulb covers that look like little hats, that rest upon the bulb’s tip.
Misconception
Solution
Chandeliers are just for use in dining rooms.
Chandeliers are everywhere! And why not? A chandelier provides the effect of that perfect necklace on a painstakingly planned outfit. Chandeliers can be placed in guest rooms, bedrooms, powder rooms, foyers, and even kitchens for that authentic Clive Christian look. They come in all sizes from triple height, down to minis. There are a copious amount of finishes available such as antique brass, rubbed bronze, French gold, copper, antique silver, nickel, and wrought iron just to name a few. Chandeliers can be embellished and adorned with jewel-like crystals, beads, pearls, and glass drops in every color of the rainbow.
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Misconception
Solution
Florescent bulbs give off a commercial looking light and are not suitable for use in my home.
There have been great strides made in the world of florescent bulbs. Besides being environmentally friendly, their capacity to save energy while not diminishing on light output proves to be pocketbook friendly as well. Florescent bulbs come in lumen values ranging from 2,500K to 6,500K. Bulbs with a value until 3,200K are considered to be “warm”, and diffuse a yellow light that is comparable to regular Edison bulbs. They are suitable for use in bedrooms, halls, dining rooms, and even come in a flood bulb shape for spotlights. Florescent bulbs with a lumen value of 4,000K and higher are considered “cool” and diffuse a super bright, crisp whitish-bluish light suitable for kitchens, desk lamps, cool colored rooms, or within white-glassed fixtures.
Misconception
Solution
The wiring for my fixture is not centered over my table; therefore, I must resign myself to living with an off-kilter fixture until I’m ready for an electrician and painter.
At this point in the article, you know you will be provided with other feasible options. In lieu of calling an electrician, you can leave the wiring and canopy (the round part that attaches to the ceiling) where they are, and place a “swag hook” over the center of the table. Then, simply drape the chain from your canopy; hook a link into the swag hook, and Viola! – a centered fixture. (Swag hooks are available at your local lighting store, and come in a variety of metallic finishes to match most fixtures.) If your fixture is off only by mere inches, you can move the wiring to the desired spot, and cover the resulting unsightliness with a medallion. Medallions are lightweight, usually round, architectural moldings that are constructed of either wood or polyurethane. They come in a multitude of design motifs and diameters. Medallions are an inexpensive way to solve your wiring problem, plus add some structural panache to an otherwise bland ceiling, un-centered wiring or not!
Misconception
Solution
Crystal is crystal. There is no need to upgrade for superior quality ones.
That is like saying “A diamond is a diamond.” Much like diamonds, crystals are classified by a grading system according to clarity. The crème de la crème of crystal is the Swarovski Strass crystal. This is followed closely by Swarovski Spectra. Then there are crystal grades with names such as Danube, Imperial, and Bohemia, which are all comparable as far as quality. Like diamonds, crystals come in many shapes and different types of faceting. These include teardrop, French mandolin, angled icicles, spears, buttons, triangular, diamond or shell shaped, and spheres of varying millimeters in diameter. The combination of the crystal’s grade, shape, and number of facets either on one side, or both, will dictate its prismatic brilliance and clarity over time. When choosing your crystals, use the following two criteria: One: What is the appropriate shape in relation to the fixture it is hanging from? (For example: French for a traditional antique brass chandelier, or spheres for a more modern chrome chandelier.) Two: Consider where in your home the fixture will be situated, and ask yourself what statement you want it to make, and is it worth it to upgrade? (For example: For a front entrance, foyer, center hall, or dining room, where impression is everything, an upgrade is certainly warranted, whereas an upgrade in an upstairs hall, girl’s room, attic, or bathroom, might just be superfluous.)
I sincerely hope that I have been able to shed some light (pun intended), on the most frequent lighting misconceptions. In a forthcoming issue, we shall delve into the dizzying array of fixtures and bulbs available on the market today, and their proper applications to enhance your décor. Still confused? Please don’t hesitate to seek out the help of a trained salesperson at your nearest lighting showroom, or consult with a design professional. Remember, it is our job to put you in your best light Ita Litchfield is available at Rainbow Lighting on Sundays, or by private appointment for all of your decorating needs at the following number: (718) 757-0290
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INTERIOR NEW YORK April 2008
Choosing Carpets:
What to Look For Before You Buy The look, feel, and tone of new carpeting can change the whole personality of your home. Before you buy a product that will likely be with you for seven years or more, you may want to consider some of the features that distinguish one carpet from another, affect its service life, and determine its overall cost.
C
arpet is made up of fibers, mesh backing, an attached cushion, and the latex adhesive to hold the pile of twisted fibers in place. Better carpets have better latex adhesive. As for fibers, they may be nylon, olefin, polyester, acrylic or wool. By far, the majority of carpets sold in the United States are nylon, thanks to its durability, colorfastness, stain and soil resistance, and resilience to matting. In fact, nylon carpet will never wear out, it will just wear. When the twisted fibers known as pile begin to relax, the carpet begins to look tired. This tendency to relax, or “blossom out,” is common in cut-pile carpeting. The brightness and color of cut pile also tend to fade over time. Mid-range and high-end carpets can be expected to last and look good for 12 to 15 years. This level of wearability and durability comes at a price, however: Mid-range carpets vary in price from $25 to $35 per yard, while high-end carpet typically costs upwards of $45 per yard. Carpet quality is judged by density and pile. Density is the thickness and closeness of the pile yarn. High density is considered an advantage. The very densest carpets are so packed with fiber per square inch, that it is difficult to wiggle a finger all the way down to the mesh. So, the denser the pile, the better the carpet. Cut Pile All carpet starts out as loop, but machinecutting turns loop into cut pile. While pile may not be a factor in carpet performance, it is the key factor in carpet preference. The industry recognizes three textures of cut pile: plush, Saxony, and frieze. Plush, also called velvet because of its smooth face, is both dense and uniform. Carpet buyers choose plush for a formal look. Saxony is less formal, with individual strands of yard
twisted together and heat set. Saxony’s texture is varied and irregular, in con-
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trast to plush’s uniform appearance. Frieze is the most durable and least formal of the three pile styles. Frieze has a nubby texture and a characteristic curl that come from tightly twisting the yarn before looping and cutting. All carpet begins as loop pile. Those that remain uncut are called loop carpets. Within the loop carpet family, there are several combinations: level loop, cut and loop, and multi-level loop. Level loop is all one height, and is usually made of olefin. Cut and loop is a combination of the two tuft styles, which adds a chiseled look to the carpeting. Multi-level loop carpet is similar in that it has high and low patterns
flowing throughout the carpet. Berber is loop-pile carpet constructed of bulky wool, nylon or olefin. Berbers come in level loop or multi-level loop styles. Berbers, because of their pile, do not hide seams like dense cut pile does. If a Berber is burned, torn or badly stained, the entire section of damaged carpet must be replaced. Unlike cut pile, Berber cannot be repaired.
The Bottom Line Carpet prices begin at about $8 per square yard and go on up from there. Padding and installation will cost another $5 to $10 per square yard, while the brand name, pile weight and stain- and water-resistance features add even more to the final price. According to manufacturers, all carpet is manufactured to resist staining, crushing, fading, and wear. Additional treatments are available at a price.
QUICK TIP Foam Padding
When purchasing carpeting, you should buy the best-quality carpet you can afford, coupled with the highest quality padding. In fact, the padding that goes between the carpeting and the subflooring is as important as the choice of carpeting itself. Padding provides softness and support, cuts down on noise and insulates the floor. Often referred to as “underlay” or “cushion,” padding thickness depends on the pile of the carpet above it. Padding should be no thicker than 7/16 inch, even for a very deep pile carpet. Too much cushion can actually void a manufacturer’s warranty; so, take the time to find the padding that is right for your new carpet.
For more info call Sharon Ittah at Boro Rug & Carpet 718 853 3600
INTERIOR NEW YORK April 2008
12 Melnick Drive Monsey New York 10952 Phone 845-371-2200 • Fax 845-371-2217
Cutting Edge
Kitchen Appliances W
ith kitchen remodels leading the way when it comes to large scale home improvements, kitchen appliances have evolved into some of the most sophisticated, technologically advanced, and convenient home appliances on the market. If you’re ready to remodel your kitchen, here are 10 of the most cutting edge and innovative kitchen appliances to hit the scene in recent years. Installing any, or all, of these wonderful inventions will transform your kitchen from something out of date to darn near futuristic in the blink of an eye or should we say a few clicks of the egg timer?
Steam Assist Ovens
Steam assist ovens utilize steam in the cooking process to produce better tasting food and faster cook times. Because they use steam to cook, usually with convection heating, they reduce almost all need for basting, misting, and water bathing. These ovens are also fully computerized, and electronically monitor the amount of steam used based on the dish type you enter in on the keypad. Truth is, these appliances practically cook dinner for you!
Microwave Drawers
Microwave drawers are undercounter microwaves that electronically slide out like a drawer rather than requiring you to open a door. The benefits of these units include saving space, blending your microwave seamlessly into your cabinet design, easier microwave access, and more kid-friendly operation.
Induction Cooktops
Induction cooktops generate electromagnetic fields to heat up your pots and pans rather than the cooktop itself. Sounds hard to believe, but you can literally boil a pot of water on a burner and then set your hand on it moments later without experiencing any ill effects. Add to that the fact that induction cooking is up to twice as efficient as natural gas or traditional electric heating elements, and it’s easy to see why this futuristic cooking method is catching on fast.
Dishwasher Drawers
Dishwasher drawers operate on the same principle as microwave drawers. Instead of a clumsy looking traditional dishwasher, you can install dishwasher drawers fitted with your own custom cabinetry. The drawers look like any other drawer in your kitchen, but pull out to reveal a functional dishwasher instead!
Computerized Refrigerators
Computerized refrigerators come with an actual computer and screen built right into the main door. You can access the internet, bring up stored recipes, and even check e-mail while you prepare dinner!
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27
Lift Ovens
Lift ovens have cavities that drop down like an elevator lift, rather than requiring you to open a door and place your food inside. You set whatever it is you’re cooking on the lowered tray, push a button, and the entire setup raises into the oven and starts cooking. These are convenient additions for any homeowner, but they are especially useful for the elderly and those with disabilities, since they eliminate the need to bend over and place dishes in, or remove them, from a traditional oven.
Built-In Rotisserie Ovens
Built in rotisserie ovens are just what they sound like. Instead of taking up valuable counterspace with that rotisserie cooker, you can have a built in rotisserie installed much like you would a more traditional oven. Imagine cooking everything from mouthwatering chicken to tender roasts without the hassle of dragging that bulky rotisserie cooker out of the pantry. It’s almost too good to be true.
Water Stations
Water stations are kitchen islands outfitted with multiple sinks (usually in a circular fashion) so that you and a handful of friends can prep dinner in each other’s company. With these handy additions, there’s no need to miss out on socializing just because you ran out of time to get dinner together before your guests arrived!
Oven Refrigerators
That might read like a typo the editor missed, but it’s an actual product that is taking the kitchen appliance industry by storm. These ovens refrigerate food during the day while you’re at work, then convert to an oven at a pre-set time so your dinner is ready for you to eat when you pull into the driveway. These units are perfect for today’s hard working professionals and busy families.
Kitchen Entertainment Centers
Kitchen entertainment centers are transforming the time cooks spend in their kitchen. They come with a full range of radio receivers, television consoles, and CD and DVD players. They can be installed on the wall, as undercounter models, or as undercabinet additions. Any way you cut it, these all-in-one units change cooking from an isolated endeavor to a multi-media experience! Talk to a kitchen designer, kitchen remodeler, or general contractor about installing any of these products to make the most of your new kitchen design. Doing so will add convenience, sophistication, and wonder to any new kitchen remodel!
For more information call Debra at Drimmers 718-338-3500
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Antiques
Antique
Furniture Care Rivka’s Antiques
A
ntique furniture should be properly taken care of to maintain its beauty and significance after all the value of that furniture piece increases with time. The methods of care for antique furniture have changed over the years and it is also necessary to know that caring and repairing tips for antique furniture are not same as modern home furnishings.
Environment
Ultraviolet light or sunlight is damaging to antique furniture as the finishes can turn yellow or opaque from the exposure and hence antique furniture should be placed out of direct sunlight. Use curtains or shades to diffuse or block sunlight when possible. Use blinds or have an UV-filtering film applied to your windows. Never placing your antique furniture in front of air conditioning vents, heating vents, radiators, fireplaces or stoves as the heat cause shrinking which in turn loosen inlays, glue joints and veneers.
Avoid insects and pests
Wood, leather, fabrics and upholstery materials of antique furniture if not taken care of leads to the gathering of insects and small pests, which can damage the existing finish by feeding on the accumulation of oils, grease and dirt on the surface. To avoid this , always clean and dust your furniture using a soft cloth.
Cleaning and polishing
To maintain the antique finish, use paste wax. In between waxing, dusting with a soft cloth on a regular basis is recommended. At times, you can
dampen the cloth slightly and dry it immediately. Avoid using dry rag as it cause scratches when dusting. For surfaces with a deteriorating finish, wax may not be appropriate. In such a case, take the advice of an expert.
Avoid using aerosol sprays
Moving and Handling
Surface damage of antique furniture can be prevented if you use coasters, mats and table cloths and avoid placing hot and/or wet items directly on the furniture piece.
When moving your antique furniture always check for loose or damaged joinery. Furniture pieces should always be lifted and never dragged across the floor. When transporting your antique furniture, remove shelves, doors and drawers and large items should be transported on their back or top, preferably their back.
Refinishing
The finish found on antique furniture is of the same significance as the furniture piece itself. It is always better to maintain the original finish. Stripping and regular polishing or refinishing removes the original finish coating and damages the patina, which can never be recovered, once removed. The appearance of antique furniture can be enhanced without damaging the existing finish and that is only possible with the help of experts.
Do not use aerosol spray polishes as they can contain silicone oil and other agents which can damage your furniture.
Use coasters
Avoid scratching furniture
Never slide any item across a surface because it will scratch.
Keep your furniture dry
Spilled water should be thoroughly dried up immediately. Alcohol and solvents should not be wiped but dabbed.
Avoid relative humidity
This is very important. A warm inside and cold outside is very harmful on antiques. Wood responds to relative humidity by expanding and contracting which can cause glue joints to loosen and the finish to deteriorate. Use humidifier or dehumidifier to help maintain the relative humidity.
For additional tips you can email Rivka itsantiques@aol.com or call 718 436 0807
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Starting Daycare for Working Moms D
on’t be surprised if the first time you drop off your child is extremely difficult. You might cry. Your child might cry. Your child might be totally fine with the daycare thing, and that might make you cry harder. Know that this is completely normal. You might warm up to the idea (for both of you) by visiting the daycare for a couple hours with you there the first time. If you’ve exclusively watched your child since birth, you might want to try a couple short sessions with a babysitter. It can be hard to go cold turkey from maternity leave to working with your child in daycare.
Making Daycare Easier for Working Moms
If you are able to, try spending a couple lunch breaks a week having lunch with your child at daycare. If you are still breastfeeding, try breaking away to nurse instead of pumping. Choosing a daycare close to work instead of close to home can help. If those aren’t viable options, don’t be afraid to call and check on your child. Any decent daycare should welcome this, especially with a new mom. Naptimes are generally a better time to get a daycare worker to chat. Decorate your work space with framed pictures of your child or children, put a picture of your children on your work
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computer’s wallpaper, or even carry an iPod or PDA with pictures and videos of your child to see when you feel especially sad.
Make Evenings and Weekends Count
You might not have as much time with your children as stay-at-home moms. Instead of lamenting that, use it as an excuse to make every moment count. When your children are awake in the evenings, get as much quality time with them as you possibly can. On weeknights, go for quick and healthy meals instead of dinners requiring a lot of prep time. Save those for weekends. Allot a certain span of time every evening to just play with your child. It can be such a marathon in the evenings for working moms, that this is so easy to neglect. Even 15 minutes of floor time for fun can go a very long way. Don’t answer your phone until your child or children are in bed. Don’t consult your work. Consider the time from arriving at home until your child’s bed time to be family time. On weekends, be sure you also have long stretches of fun time for the kids. Make Saturdays daytrip days to explore the area. Make the most of your off-time with your kids, and it will be easier to cope with the stress and guilt while working.
Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex R
ising out of the ruins of four abandoned west-side piers is the Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex, a $100 million development offering a wide range of athletic activities. Covering piers 59 through 62 and the connecting headhouse alongside the West Side Highway between 18th and 23rd Streets, the Chelsea Piers spared no expense in constructing an impressive state-of-theart sports mega-center.
The Field House
The 70,000 square ft. Field House is located in the headhouse between Piers 61 and 62. It contains a 23,000-square ft. gymnastics training area (the largest in the city), 2 basketball courts, 4 batting cages, a rock climbing wall, and 2 artificial turf fields that can accommodate indoor soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse. The gymnastics area offers organized programs for children and adults. The Field House offers organized leagues at varying levels of play in soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and basketball. Call (212) 336-6500 for more information.
Film Studios
Also located in the headhouse is Silver Screen Studios, where the TV series “Law and Order” is filmed. The Studio has expanded and comprises 300,000 square ft. of sound-stage and support space.
Skating
All forms of skating are offered at the Chelsea Piers: ice, roller, and in-line. Pier 61 is the home of the Sky Rink, which previously was located atop an office building on West 33rd Street. This latest incarnation includes two full-size ice skating rinks and a viewing area with
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seating capacity for 1,800 people. The Sky Rink offers adult and youth hockey leagues, figure skating, skating instruction, and open skating time. Call (212) 336-6100 for more details. Pier 62 is the home of two outdoor, regulation sized skating rinks that can accommodate both in-line and roller skating. Here, too, the Chelsea Piers offers instruction and adult and youth roller hockey leagues. Call (212) 336-6200 for more info.
The Golf Club
The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers consists of a 200-yard driving range occupying the full length of Pier 59. Golfers hit from 52 hitting stalls which are stacked four stories high. The stalls are covered and heated, so you can play in virtually
any weather. You can forget about any fantasy you might have about putting a few golf balls in the Hudson River, though, since the range is surrounded by 15 story tall netting. The Golf Club bills itself as the most technologically advanced driving range and teaching facility in the United States. The hi-tech video and slow motion equipment in the four teaching stalls and the automated ball tee-up system certainly make this a credible claim. Each time you hit a ball, the rubber tee retracts into the ground and then emerges with another ball already teed up. You can regulate the tee height to simulate anything from a chip shot to a tee shot. Like everything else at the Chelsea Piers, the Golf Club is expensive. Range time is booked by the hour, not the number of balls hit. Don’t
worry though the tee system dishes up balls as fast as you can hit them. Final verdict: the Golf Club is a must see for every golfer in Manhattan. We suggest you check it out the next time your regular game is rained out or when you get a late night golf craving (the Club is open until 11 p.m.). Call (212) 336-6400 for more information.
The Sports Center
Completed in February, the Sports Center offers a lengthy list of facilities: Manhattan’s largest cardiovascular and strength training facility, a 1/4 mile indoor running track, aerobic studios, a 6-lane 25-yard indoor pool, basketball and sand volleyball courts, a boxing ring, and a 46- foot rock climbing wall. They also offer a juice bar, a physiology lab for ďŹ tness testing, massages, and a sports medicine center run by NYU. All of this is indoors, except for a sun deck overlooking the Hudson River. Call (212) 336-6000 for more information.
Getting There
A major drawback of the Complex is its location along the Hudson River. The nearest subway stops are more than half a mile away on 23rd Street. The best way to get there via public transportation is to transfer to the M23 cross town bus, which runs along 23rd street and makes a stop at the main entrance of the Piers. The Complex has ample parking for about $20 INTERIOR NEW YORK April 2008 35
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Park Slope
?
What do you realy know P ark Slope is a neighborhood in the western section of Brooklyn, New York City’s most populous borough. Park Slope is roughly bounded by Prospect Park West to 4th Avenue, Park Place to the Green-Wood Cemetery according to the New York City Department of City Planning , though other definitions are sometimes offered. It takes its name from its location on the western slope of neighboring Prospect Park. Seventh Avenue and Fifth Avenue are its primary commercial streets, while its east-west side streets are populated by many historic brownstones. Park Slope is characterized by its historic buildings, top-rated restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as close access to Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Museum,
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the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and the Central Library (as well as the Park Slope branch) of the Brooklyn Public Library system. The neighborhood had a population of more than 62,000 as of the 2000 census, resulting in a population density of appro roximately 26,000/square kilometer) in the area bounded by Fourth Avenue, Prospect Park West, Flatbush Avenue, and Sixteenth Street.
In December 2006 Natural Home magazine named Park Slope one of America’s 10 best neighborhoods based on criteria including parks, green spaces and neighborhood gathering spaces; farmer’s markets and community gardens; public transportation and locally-owned businesses; and environmental and social policy Park Slope is part of.
The area that today comprises the neighborhood of Park Slope was first inhabited by the Canarsee Native Americans. The Dutch colonized the area by the 1600s and farmed the region for more than 200 years. During the American Revolutionary War on August 27, 1776, the Park Slope area served as the backdrop for the beginning of the Battle of Long Island, also called the Battle of Brooklyn, the first pitched battle between the British and the Continental Army under the command of George Washington. In this battle, over 10,000 British Redcoats and Hessians routed outnumbered American forces at Battle Pass. What appeared as a major defeat for the colonials was actually the first of many of Washington’s tactical retreats. The historic site of Battle Pass is now preserved in Prospect Park, and on Fifth
Avenue there is a reconstruction of a stone farmhouse where a countercharge covered the American retreat. The architectural details of one of Park Slope’s buildings.
In 1814, ferry service from the nearby Brooklyn Terminal linked the Park Slope and South Brooklyn region to Manhattan, a thriving business center at the time. By the 1850s, a local lawyer and railroad developer named Edwin Clarke Litchfield (1815-1885) purchased large tracts of what was then farmland. Through the American Civil War era, he sold off much of his land to residential developers. During the 1860s, the City of Brooklyn purchased his estate and adjoining property to complete the West Drive and the southern portion of the Long Meadow in Prospect Park.[7] Park Slope’s bucolic period ended soon after. By the late 1870s, with horse-drawn rail cars running to the park and the ferry, bringing many rich New Yorkers in the process, urban sprawl dramatically changed the neighborhood into a streetcar suburb. Many of the large Victorian mansions
on Prospect Park West, known as the Gold Coast, were built in the 1880s and 1890s to take advantage of the beautiful park views. Today, many of these buildings are preserved within the 24-block Park Slope Historic District, one of New York’s largest landmarked neighborhoods. By 1883, with the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge, Park Slope continued to boom and subsequent brick and brownstone structures pushed the neighborhood’s borders farther. The 1890 census showed Park Slope to be the richest community in the United States. In 1892, President Grover Cleveland presided over the unveiling of The Soldiers and Sailors Arch at Grand Army Plaza, a notable Park Slope landmark.
The Old Stone House is a 1930 reconstruction of the Vechte-Cortelyou House which was destroyed in 1897. It is located on Third Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues, beside the former Gowanus Creek.
Birth of the Dodgers Baseball has played a prominent role in the history of the Park Slope area. From 18791889, the Brooklyn Atlantics (later to become the Dodgers) played at Washington Park on 5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets. When the park was destroyed by a fire, the team moved to their part-time home in Ridgewood, Queens and then to a park in East New York. In 1898, the “New” Washington Park was built between Third and Fourth Avenues and between First and Third Streets near the Gowanus Canal. The team, by this point known as the Dodgers, played to an ever-growing fan base at this location. By the end of the 1912 season, it was clear that the team had outgrown the field, and the neighborhood. Team owner Charles Ebbets moved the team to his Ebbets Field stadium in Flatbush for the beginning of the 1913 season. The team went on to have historic crosstown rivalries with both the New York Giants and New York Yankees.
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How safe Is
Your Microwave?
What you don’t, and do, need to worry about How Things Work: The Physics of Everyday Life. He should know: Worried microwave owners regularly deluge the University of Virginia professor with e-mails and letters asking if this household workhorse is really, truly safe. Their number one fear? That microwave cooking can somehow make us sick, even give us cancer. They can’t, Although we associate microwaves with nuclear power (even the dictionary lists microwave as the second definition of nuke), they are generally safe--if you follow operating instructions, keep an eye on children around them, and always have an oven mitt handy. Why They Don’t Cause Cancer Like the broiler on conventional stoves, microwave ovens use a type of energy called electromagnetic (EM) radiation to warm your coffee and heat your pizza. Broilers use a form of EM radiation called infrared radiation; microwaves use microwave radiation (hence the name). While high-energy forms of EM radiation, such as x-rays, can cause cancer, infrared and microwave radiation can’t, because they simply don’t pack enough power to damage your DNA, explains Gary Zeman, ScD, a certified health physicist in Berkeley, CA, and spokesman for the Health Physics Society. (All electrical devices, including microwaves, do generate slight electromagnetic fields, he notes. Despite concerns, the National Research Council, after much research, found no link between such fields and cancer.) Nor do microwave cooking make food radioactive, change its protein structure, or contaminate it in any way, Zeman says. Once microwave radiation is absorbed by your leftover meat loaf, it is transformed into heat.
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?
What is Energy Starr
Did you know? A computer and monitor (without ENERGY STAR enabled) left on for a year generate the same amount of CO2 as a car travelling from Sydney to Perth. Printers spend approximately 95% of their time sitting idle. Fax machines are often left on continuously, but their actual use time amounts to only about 1 hour per day. Screensavers do not reduce the power consumption of a computer monitor unless they actually turn the monitor off. Home electronics products currently use anywhere between 1 watt and 20 watts on standby, and can be in this mode for between 16 and 22 hours per day.
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Energy Star is an international stadard for energy efficient electronic equipment. It was created by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 and has now been adopted by several countries around the world, including Australia. The Australian Government and State and Territory Governments are cooperating through the national ENERGY STAR programme to encourage the use of energy efficient equipment at home and in business. How does it work? ENERGY STAR reduces the amount of energy consumed by a product by either automatically switching it into a ‘sleep’ mode when it’s not being used and/or reducing the amount power used when in ‘standby’ mode.
Office equipment While most office equipment now has the potential to save energy in this way (i.e. it is ENERGY STAR compliant), not all machines, particularly PCs, have actually been enabled so that the energy saving features are activated. Ask your IT or maintenance staff to help, or check out our Step-by-step instructions on enabling ENERGY STAR features on computers. Home electronics products ENERGY STAR compliant home electronics products have their energy saving features already activated when you buy them. If your TV, VCR or DVD complies with the ENERGY STAR standard, it will consume around 75% less energy in standby mode than standard products do. Because products like these spend more than 60% of their time on standby, this can add up to a significant reduction in energy use. What is standby power? Standby power is the electricity consumed by appliances when they are switched off or not performing their primary function. It’s sometimes called leaking, vampire or phantom electricity. If your computer, printer, fax or photocopier complies with the ENERGY STAR standard, it can automatically switch itself into a power saving sleep mode after a certain amount of idle time. In the case of computers, the monitor will go dark and other components, such as the hard disk and main processor, will reduce the amount of power they’re using by about two thirds. The time it takes for equipment to ‘go to
sleep’ can easily be set to suit the way you work. And as soon as you need to use the equipment again, you can simply press a key or move the mouse and it ‘wakes’ up, ready to operate, with all your settings, programmes and documents exactly as you left them. Why is it important? Obviously, the best way to make sure a product is not consuming electricity when idle is to switch it off at the power point. Not only will this save you money; it can also reduce the risk of accidental fire. But the fact is, standby power accounts for an increasing proportion of the world’s energy use. In ‘developed’ countries, it can represent up to 12% of household
electricity consumption. In Australia, standby power could be costing consumers around $500 million every year -- and resulting in greenhouse gas emissions of more than 5 megatonnes (CO2 equivalent) annually. Worldwide, standby power is estimated to account for as much as 1% of global greenhouse emissions. Most of the energy used by products on standby is not performing any useful function. A small amount can be needed for maintaining memory or an internal clock, remote
More information about standby power is available on the Energy Rating web site at www.energyrating.gov.au/standby.html
control activation or other features. But most standby power is wasted energy. ENERGY STAR enabled products minimise this waste.
Article by Sunlite a Sunshine Lighting Company
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Fire Proof
your home
Did you know that the biggest house fire danger spot is actually not the kitchen, but rather the family room? We spend the most time there using electronic devices, fireplaces and candles. Here are some tips that will prevent any danger, promised.
Remember to UNPLUG! Make sure all
appliances are unplugged, like toasters, blenders, and coffee pots when they are not in use. They can overload your wir-
ing.
Always check power cords, especially those hidden under rugs. They get damaged when you walk or run a chair over them. Check the cord 15 minutes after you plug it in. It if feels warm, unplug it. Look for the special letters: CSA, ETL-
SEMKO, or UL on safety strips and appliances. These letters certify that the product has passed strict safety tests. Always follow the 3-foot rule. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from any flammable materials such as clothing, bedding, draperies, furniture and rugs.
Lint has a way of gathering itself in the hose behind the dryer, and this creates a definite fire hazard. Make sure to clean the dryer hose. To do so, remove the hose
every 2 years, clean it out, and then run the dryer empty for a good 20 minutes to make sure any remaining lint is blown away. For high wattage items such as a portable heater, the best thing to use is a heavyduty extension cord. And always use surge protectors to handle multiple plugs. This protects your electronics from any damaging power surges.
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Simple Ways To Remodel Cluttered Space
ad directory
First, start with the windows. Exchange your heavy curtains for sheer ones or flat blinds. Since they are less bulky, they give the illusion of an airy room.
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Next, you have to make your ceilings look high. This creates an image of a larger room altogether. To do so, you have to hang your curtains as high as possible. After that, you have to create natural light. This is the most stunning feature in a room. To create a natural bright light, hang a mirror across from the window. The mirror is the whole art within this trick. The mirror reflects the scenery and light coming through the window, creating a bright surrounding. Now, did you know that a few large pieces of furniture actually make a room
look bigger rather than a whole bunch of smaller furniture cluttered. Remodeling time! To add to that, floor space is very vital. To make more floor space, opt for floating shelves, and use them to display books, DVDs, CDs and place some picture frames too. Last, but definitely not least, to make a room naturally light, use a coat of light colored paint in purple, green of blue. The added bonus, it makes the ceilings look higher as well.
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Asbestos • Lead • Mold
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