MANHATTAN
l
LONG ISLAND l BROOKLYN l QUEENS l STATEN ISLAND l ROCKLAND COUNTY
CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2009
Dining Room, A lifetime Investment
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Some things never change
USS New York Cover image White Plaines New York
Honoring a Memory
Welcome Home Make your foyer give a good first impression
Liberating Lady Liberty Opened at last
10 Fun Facts About Lady Liberty
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Things you thought you knew
The Air in There What you should know about indoor air
Wooden Doors Complimenting and protecting your home
Get Organized The Garage It’s time to clean up your favorite dumping grounds.
10 More Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Save money and the ecology
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Every door a
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Showroom Address: Grand Doors, Inc. 1372 39th Street Brooklyn, NY. 11218
www.GrandDoors.com
Phone: 718.871.2200 Toll Free: 866.671.2200 Fax: 718.871.3800 Email: info@granddoors.com
EDITOR’S NOTE
A
And so we bid this summer a fond farewell. Not the best summer weather-wise, but mother nature did manage to throw us a few solid summer days. Now it’s time to turn our attention back to the nest... put things away, organized, get rid of some old possessions and refurnish the home. If you’re in the market for new furniture, our feature article will take you through the process, from defining your space, to choosing the right materials for your lifestyle. Like the mythological Phoenix, rising from the flames, November marks the commissioning of the USS New York, made partly from 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center. Named after the Empire State, the ship will be feted during two local ceremonies. Read all about it!! The entrance to your home, the foyer, is your visitors first glimpse of your home, and like all first looks, leaves a lasting impression. This month we explore the Foyer and offer some decorating hints and tips. Air Pollution is all around us and affects us daily. That same air pollutes our homes as well. Is there a way to clean up the air you breathe at home? Well yes there is and we’ll show you how in this months issue.
Finally, we spend a lot of time writing about other folks design ideas. We’d like to see yours!! If you are interested in submitting a photograph of a special area of your house we’d love to see it, along with a brief explanation and if selected, it will be showcased in an upcoming edition. Please note that all submissions become the property of INTERIOR NEWYORK living and more ©. Only digital photographs will be accepted and should be sent to editor@ interiornewyork.com.
Carole
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living and more
PUBLISHER W MEDIA EDITOR IN-CHIEF CAROLE DELMONICO SENIOR EDITOR DAVID P. KAUFMAN GRAPHIC DESIGNER EFRAIM SCHNALL PHOTOGRAPHY W MEDIA DIRECTOR OF MENASHE SCHWARTZ OPERATIONS SALES RAIZY NEUFELD PRODUCTION ABE BERKOWITZ COORDINATOR CONTRIBUTING JULIA LISANTI WRITERS ZACHARY SCHLEE ADVERTISING 1227 60th Street OFFICE BROOKLYN NY 718.854.3773 www.interiornewyork.com
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Interior New York has openings in its sales department. Commissioned sales are offered at a competitive rate in a great work environment. Please contact Carole Delmonico at (718) 854-3773
DINING ROOM A LIFETIME INVESTMENT
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Dining room furniture is a long term investment. Of every room in your home, the dining room is the space to which you should give the most thought before going out to purchase furniture. The furniture that you buy for most of the other rooms in your home will either wear out or look dated after five or ten years. Couches, beds, and armchairs eventually begin to sag. Even dresser drawers can break after years of constant use. But a good quality dining room set should last a lifetime. The point is- choose wisely! Here are a few questions that you should think about before buying a dining room set:
How large is your dining room? Before you even begin to look at dining room sets, measure your dining space. Knowing the amount of space you have to work with is essential, lest you purchase a table only to find out it is too large to fit your allotted space. Is your dining space a separate room, or is it attached to your kitchen? If it is attached to the kitchen, it is most likely a smaller area and therefore requires smaller furniture. For
small dining spaces, consider a round table. It will fill the space better and allow for a cozier, more intimate feel at mealtimes. A taller, bar style table with bar stools is another great option for cramped spaces. If you have a larger dining area or a full sized dining room, a rectangular or oblong table is probably the best option. Dining room tables come in a variety of sizes, the smallest of which are designed to seat four to six people, and the largest of which can seat twelve people or more. Average sizes for dining room tables, which are meant to seat six to eight people, include 36 inches by 60 inches and 48 inches by 72 inches. When you are purchasing your dining set, keep in mind that you need to be able to move around the furniture, pull out the chairs, and leave space for any buffet or cabinet drawers you might need to get into. Be sure to leave a few feet on every side of the table for foot traffic and access to any furniture.
Do you already have any furniture or decorative pieces in the room? If you already have pieces in your dining room, and are simply looking for a table and chair set, it’s a good idea to SEPTEMBER 2009 I INTERIOR NEW YORK
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consider how the new pieces you pick will work with your existing furniture. A set made out of glass and stainless steel may seem like a good idea unless you plan to pair it with grandma’s antique china cabinet. Use your existing pieces as a starting point and buy a dining set that will compliment them. Also, keep in mind any other artwork or decorative items you would like to display in the room. The colors or designs in these pieces may provide you with some ideas about the direction in which you wish to go.
What style are you interested in? Do you want something sleek and modern, or classical and antique looking? What do the rest of the rooms in your house look like? Does your house already have a definitive style, a theme you would like to continue? If your home already has a definitive style then, by all means, you should continue it. If the home you are decorating is a country cottage, then a wooden dining set is the only way to go. A stainless steel dining table would simply look ridicules if placed in a log cabin. 10 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
If you don’t have anything in mind, it’s time to do some research. Browse through catalogs, websites, and anywhere else that you can find pictures. Try to get an idea of what you are interested in before you even leave the house. Then, go to your local furniture stores and see what’s available. If you are interested in purchasing an antique dining set, then you really have to do your research. This is especially true if you have no experience with antiques. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the basic terminology and styles of antique furniture in order to get some sense of what you want. Learn what a cabriole leg is. Get any information you can about how to spot forgeries, or pieces that have been tampered with. Most importantly, only buy antiques from a reputable dealer. If you have any friends or family who are familiar with antiques, ask them who they would recommend. Better still, and if at all possible, ask them to come along with you when you go shopping.
How do you plan to use your dining space? Is your dining room going to be used mainly for family meals, or do you plan to entertain often? A very large antique
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mahogany or cherry table may be appealing to you, but it may be too formal for the family breakfast. (Not to manage the potential damage that might be done to it by small children.) If you only plan to have the occasional dinner party, keep in mind that it’s easier to dress up a plainer dining set with a nice table cloth, place setting, and a centerpiece, than it is to dress down a massive baroque table for a simple family dinner. It has also been my experience that a lot of dining rooms have to serve multiple purposes. They may be used only occasionally for dining, but serve the rest of the time as an office, a playroom, or a storage space. Dining room tables are often used to sort the mail, fold the laundry, or as an art table on which the children can paint or draw. If you think the table will get a lot of wear and tear, it’s probably not a good idea to get a delicately veneered wood, which is likely to get scratched or stained. At the very least, you should get a table cloth, and perhaps a less-permeable covering (like plastic sheeting), to go under it. You can always remove these items and use place mats when you have company. Glass tables are a good idea if your family is particularly accident prone, but keep in mind that they tend to show fingerprints and other minor imperfections.
What is your budget? You really should have a good idea of what you can afford to spend before you start looking for a dining set. You may
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find something that you really love, but if it’s out of your price range it’s better to forget about it than to go into serious debt. Hardwood tables are often the most expensive. Mahogany, cherry, and solid oak are great options if you can afford them, as they are among the most durable and beautiful options on the market. Engineered woods or veneered woods are a less expensive option than hardwoods, and a good middle of the road option. They are less durable and more prone to scratches, but can last decades with the proper care. Other options in terms of materials include: glass, stainless steel, copper, and synthetic materials. Unfortunately, these materials can vary wildly in price, depending on how trendy they are at any given moment. Metals in particular can be very expensive. Also, keep in mind that you are looking at this furniture as a long term investment, so try to avoid buying anything simply because it’s trendy. Buy it because you like it and you want to live with it. If you are really hard-up for cash, but desperately need a dining set, get creative. Go to estate sales, auctions, flea markets, second hand stores, and even yard sales. You’ll be amazed what you can turn up. As a final money saving technique, look for furniture you can assemble yourself. Furniture that needs to be put together may be less durable, but it is often cheaper to buy and less expensive to ship. INY
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USS New York
photo by uss new york
Forged from the steel of the World Trade center
WASHINGTON (NNS) — The Navy officially accepted delivery of the future USS New York (LPD 21) from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) during a ceremony Aug. 21 at the company’s Avondale shipyard in New Orleans. New York is the first of three LPD 17-class ships built in honor of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The ship’s bow stem was constructed using 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center. The Navy named the eighth and ninth ships of the class – Arlington and Somerset – in honor of the victims of the attacks on the Pentagon and United Flight 93 respectively. Arlington and Somerset are also incorporating materials salvaged from those sites. New York completed acceptance trials July 24, performing well for the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). During the detailed inspection, all shipboard systems and equipment, including combat, ship, machinery control and mission systems, were successfully demonstrated during a series of demanding inport and at-sea test events. This trial confirmed the continuing improved class trend in system design specifications and quality assurance programs.
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photo by uss new york
Out of the ashes OF 9-11 Comes A ship Forged from the steel of the World Trade center
“This ship will be a symbol,” said Capt. Bill Galinis, the LPD 17-class program manager for the Navy’s Program Executive Office for Ships. “The Navy and the shipbuilder have worked hand-in-hand to deliver this highly capable warship to the Navy and our nation. It has been a tremendous privilege for all of us who have had an opportunity to participate in the construction of this ship.” The principal mission of LPD 17-class amphibious transport dock ships is to transport and deploy the necessary combat and support elements of Marine expeditionary units and brigades. The ship will carry approximately 720 troops and have the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing craft and expeditionary fighting vehicles (EFV), augmented by helicopters or vertical take off and landing aircraft (MV 22). These ships will support amphibious assault, special operations and expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of the 21st century. New York is the fifth ship of the LPD 17-class and the fifth ship in the Navy to be named after the Empire State. Arrival in New York is scheduled for November. Early events will be focused on ship’s crew, their families, first responders and 9/11 families. Public viewing is scheduled in the days prior to and 18 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
days following the commissioning, slated for Nov. 7. For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.
The Commissioning of PCU New York will take place on November 7th, 2009 at the Intrepid Museum Pier 88 South, Pier 86 North NYC, NY, 10036, USA. Finally, some of what we lost returns, The USS New York, LPD-21, will parade into New York Harbor on Monday, November 2nd of 2009 for what will undoubtedly be the Commissioning event of the century. No other ship in world history carries the sentiment and import this ship possesses. In her bow is 7.5 tons of World Trade Center Steel, on her decks are the best and brightest crew this nation can produce and in our hearts, the hopes and dreams of a nation that will not be kept down. Please join us for the Feel Good America event of our generation, we all knew where we were when they fell, you want to be here when they return!
Monday, Nov. 2nd, 2009 - Harbor entrance PCU New York will pass under the Verrazano Bridge and be joined by a flotilla of boats from Federal, State and City 20 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
organizations as well as local municipalities, ferry companies and private boats. Many of these vessels responded on 9-11 to assist with evacuation, some with firefighting and some with the aftermath as New York struggled to clean-up and rebuild. A few are named after heroes who fell that terrible day, like PCU New York. Many were the vessels that turned Flight 1549 from an air crash into a Miracle. They all come to pay respect to what was lost and to welcome what has returned. It is here, at this time and place that we draw a line in the sand and say, We Will Never Forget. Many events are being planned for the week with public visitation of this great ship a priority. As schedules firm up we will post that information.
Saturday, Nov. 7th, 2009 - Commissioning Day for PCU New York Its been 2948 days since the attack, more than a day for every man, woman and child killed. The greatest testament to our resolve is being commissioned into service with the United States Navy. There will be speeches, songs, tears, and emotions so strong its hard to speak. With the words Man your ship and bring her to life the world will change, at least for us. She will never fill the hole, but she will fill our hearts. INY Article source; www.ussnewyork.com
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Welcome Home The saying goes, “You only have one chance to make a first impression.” This statement applies equally to your home. Your foyer is the first room a visitor sees when entering your home and it is also where they will get the first impression of your home. The foyer is the welcoming space and the passage in between your “on the go” work life to your sanctuary of peace and happiness. It is where your kids throw their backpacks, guests toss their umbrellas and coats, and where you put your keys and other day to day items. A foyer has two main purposes: 1) To welcome you and your guests into your home and give your guests a taste of what’s to come and 2) To provide storage for shoes, school bags, umbrellas, hats, and other sundry items dropped in the doorway. The key to achieving both of these goals is organization. Proper storage or storage places is essential in order for your foyer to accommodate all of these items and to appreciate the design efforts you put in the space. Built-ins are the ideal solution to our storage problems: 24 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
photo by Ani Brieger
Closed cabinets to conceal the items you don’t want to be seen, cleaning supplies, coats, shoes, etc. and open shelving to display your artwork, sculptures and books. Not everyone can afford custom built-ins, but organization can still be achieved. Things as simple as an umbrella stand and a coat rack provide a simple, but clear way to organize and store foyer items. A small entry table with a draw can be used to hold car keys and newspapers. Put inexpensive bins labeled “gloves”, “hats”, etc. in a closet and create your own custom unit that allows everyone to keep things in their place and keep your foyer looking neat each time you and your guests enter. Wall shelves are a way to decorate your foyer while creating storage and display space. You can display some of your favorite collectibles or even pictures of the family and friends. Remember, less is more. One main focal piece is usually enough for a foyer. If you have a large area, you can use it as an art gallery to show you favorite pieces to all who enter. Perhaps you
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may want to put a chair or bench, so someone entering can sit and remove the wet boots or just to relax for a moment. For smaller foyers try hanging a wall mirror or even a full length one. The mirror will make the area look larger. You could also hang one large picture or a few smaller ones. This gives the area interest and creates a focal point. Of course, color is very important. It should reflect the preference you use in the rest of your home. You want a color that will react nicely with you when you walk through the entry door into your foyer. Foyers add value to houses. They make entryways grand. They make houses feel more important. We love them, yet often neglect planning and decorating them. Incorporate a few of these foyer design ideas into your home and you will ensure that everyone who enters your foyer will be excited to see what lies around the corner. Your foyer is the place to make a first impression – not only of your design sensibilities but also of your organizational skills. It’s that transitional space that helps you end the work day world and move into the private sanctuary of your home! INY Article By Jared Shermen Epps www.jaredshemenepps.com 26 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
Liberating Lady Liberty
Not two feet from where I sit writing this article is a button with a paraphrased quote from Ben Franklin. It says, “Those who would trade liberty for security deserve nether.” I can’t remember exactly when (whether it was before or after the September 11th terrorist attacks) or where I got this button, but it has been on display in this room for years. As I set about writing this article, the multiple layers of irony involving this quote being in such close proximity to me are something I cannot easily escape. You see, Ben Franklin’s full quote, from which this paraphrased version comes, appears on the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal. It reads, “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Endless arguments can be made about whether the liberties we sacrificed after the September 11th attacks were “essential” or not, or whether the tradeoff was worth it. But the fact remains, that whether large or small, some things were lost. Not least among them was Lady Liberty herself. The monument to freedom- the great symbol of America and all this country represents- closed after the attacks. Liberty Island reopened in December of 2001, but the monument remained closed for an additional three and a half years. On August 3, 2004, the base of the monument and the museum reopened 28 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
to the public, but it would be nearly five more years before the statue itself reopened. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), who lobbied for years for the statue to reopen, described its continued closure as, “a partial victory for the terrorists.” Indeed, it seems that the completely understandable fear that we experienced after the attacks gave way to an almost irrational paranoia that accounted for the statue’s continued closure. The National Park Service, which administers the island, denied that the statue’s closure was due to the attacks, citing building code and safety violations, including an adequate evacuation plan for the narrow staircase in case of emergency. Despite the denials, the fact remains that the decision to close the monument came immediately after the attacks and persisted despite improved security screenings for visitors to Liberty Island. As someone who has recently visited the island, I can personally attest to the fact that the security measures currently in place are similar to the kinds of searches that one would expect at an airport. Passenger’s belongings are thoroughly searched before they even board the ferry, and it seems highly unlikely that anyone could smuggle anything hazardous onto the island. (I was not even allowed to bring the beverage I was actively drinking.)
PHOTO BY ARMY.MIL
Whatever the case, a decision has finally been made to reopen the statue (building code violations notwithstanding), including the observation deck in the crown. The statue and crown officially reopened on Independence Day 2009. The July 4th date is particularly significant because it is the very date inscribed on Lady Liberty’s tablet. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the government of France, given to the United States to celebrate our centennial. Inscribed on the tablet is the date that the United States declared its independence from Britain, in roman numerals, July IV, MDCCLXXVI. It now seems that we have another reason to celebrate the 4th of July; it is the day that Lady Liberty was liberated. Visitors to the statue will now be allowed to ascend the 354 steps leading to the crown, in groups of ten. In total, thirty visitors an hour will be allowed inside the crown, after passing through an additional security screening. Indeed, it seems that security is still foremost on the mind of officials responsible for the monument. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, who announced the crown’s reopening on the Today show while standing in the crown, stated that, “We cannot eliminate all the risk of climbing to the crown, but we are taking steps to make it safer.” These steps include a “double screening,” and each group of tourists being accompanied by a park ranger.
The Golden Knights, the U.S. Army’s official parachute demonstration team, made a historical jump as part of their 50th Anniversary, onto the grounds of the Statue of Liberty in New York City. The demonstration was part of the Memorial weekend kickoff as members of the Gold demonstration team glided effortlessly toward Liberty Island, before a crowd of more than 3,000 spectators.
Interior Department officials also wanted to ensure that the limited amount of tickets available for entering the crown would be, “distributed not based on your connections, but in a fair and equitable way.” The exact method for distribution has yet to be determined, but Sec. Salazar assured the public it would be “egalitarian” in nature. In total, it is hoped that about 100,000 visitors a year will be able to make the long climb to the crown. There is an additional $3 fee for visitors who wish to ascend to the crown in addition to the $12 cost of the ferry. But those interested in visiting the crown should know that this is a limited time offer. The crown and possibly other portions of the statue will close again in two years to undergo addition safety related renovations and upgrades. The island and the museum will remain open during the renovation process, but there is no word, as of yet, as to exactly how long these upgrades will take. Access to the monument is limited to visitors with a “Monument Access Pass,” reservations for which must be made in advance, and picked up before passengers board the ferry. A maximum of 3,000 passes are available each day. Approximately 15,000 visitors take the ferry ride to the island each day, so access to the monument is limited. As of now, SEPTEMBER 2009 I INTERIOR NEW YORK
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This photograph, shows workers constructing the Statue of Liberty. The picture was taken in France in about 1883. The men are in Bartholdi’s Parisian warehouse workshop. It was on this day in 1885 that the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor.
the stairway to the torch is the only portion of the monument that remains off-limits. Highlights of the museum, available to visitors with a “Monument Access Pass” include the Statue of Liberty Exhibit which opened in July of 1886. The exhibit is located on the second floor of the pedestal and traces the statue’s history and enduring symbolic significance through photographs, prints, videos, and oral histories. Also included in this exhibit are full scale replicas of the statues face and foot. It is particularly interesting to see these features up close and in their original copper color. (The exterior of the statue has taken on its characteristic bluish green color due to oxidation caused by being out in the elements.) The Torch Exhibit includes the original 1886 torch which was replaced in 1886 during statue’s extensive renovations. After being damaged by an explosion in 1916, the original copper torch was drastically modified by Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor who created Mount Rushmore. Large sections of the copper were cut away and glass was installed so that the torch could be illuminated from the inside. Unfortunately, these modifications caused the torch to leak rainwater into the statue, resulting in a great deal of corrosion in the statue’s interior. Consequently, the original torch was replaced with a gold-plated version in 1986, which is now illuminated by surrounding floodlights. The museum’s other major exhibit is “The New Colossus” 30 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
exhibit featuring the sonnet engraved on the statue’s tablet. A bronze plaque featuring the poem by Emma Lazarus was added to the interior of the monument in 1903. The poem’s most famous line, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” is a reminder of the enduring purpose of the statue, to serve as a beacon of freedom and hope for all those who came, and continue to come, to America in search of a better life. INY
10 Lady Liberty Fun Facts about
1.
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the government of France to commemorate the United States centennial and to celebrate the alliance that the two countries had established during the American Revolution. The statue was initially assembled in France, then disassembled, shipped to the United States, and then reassembled in what was surely one of the most complicated engineering and architectural feats attempted during the 19th century. The statue was officially dedicated on October 28, 1866.
2.
The official title of the Statue of Liberty is “Liberty Enlightening the World.” Her classical appearance is meant to represent the roman goddess Libertas, the deity who symbolized freedom from slavery and oppression. The Statue of Liberty’s left foot, which is in motion, tramples the shackles of oppression that lie at her feet. Her torch symbolizes enlightenment, and the plaque in her right hand represents knowledge.
3.
The seven stars in the Statue of Liberty’s crown are said to represent the seven continents and the seven seas, but much debate still revolves around this “fact.” The notion first appeared in print the 1940’s, and many scholars think that the spikes in her crown are simply sun rays, with the particular number being a mere coincidence.
4.
Creating the Statue of Liberty was a truly collaborative endeavor. The monument was first proposed by French historian Edouard Laboulaye in 1865. The statue was designed by French sculptor F.A. Bartholdi, but the internal structure was designed by Gustave Eiffel’s engineering company. Another man, Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, was responsible for the choice of copper to create the statue, and for the use of the repouse technique utilized to pound the metal into shape.
5.
The Statue of Liberty was built on what was then known as Bedloe’s Island. The irregularly shaped 11-point star at the base of the structure was a 19th century fortification called Fort Wood. The irregularly shaped structure 32 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
was used as a base and the pedestal and statue were simply placed on top of it. The island was officially renamed Liberty Island in 1956.
6.
The Statue of Liberty stands 305 feet, 6 inches from the base of the pedestal to the tip of the torch. From the bottom of her heal to the top of her head is whopping 111 feet, 6 inches. She weighs a staggering 225 tons, or 450,000 pounds. That’s one big woman!
7.
The statue served as a lighthouse from 1886 through 1902. As such, it was the first lighthouse in the nation to employ electric lighting. The light from the torch could be seen for 24 miles, which was a good thing for ships, but not so much for the birds. Fatally disoriented by the light, as many as 1,375 birds died in a single night in October of 1887.
8.
F.A. Bartholdi’s first model for the Statue of Liberty stood a mere 9 feet tall. This model is currently on display in Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris, France.
9.
There are 25 windows in the Statue of Liberty’s crown, most of which provide a view of New York Harbor. There is no view of the New York City skyline except from the smallest windows on the left side of the crown.
10.
Although the Statue of Liberty can be seen in just about every movie that takes place in New York City, there is only one movie in which she appears as a character. In 1989’s Ghostbusters 2, the statue comes to life with the help of some psychokinetic goo and helps the Ghostbusters defeat the evil villain Vigo. And speaking of the movies, Lady Liberty sure does have it rough on the silver screen. She can be seen lying destroyed in both Independence Day and Planet of the Apes, gets bombarded by a tsunami and then frozen in The Day after Tomorrow, and gets decapitated by a monster in Cloverfield. INY
The Air in There: How to Improve the Air Quality inside Your Home
There’s a funny thing about air. No matter how bad the quality of the air around us is, no matter how stinky, or putrid, or vile, or downright unhealthy it is, we have no choice but to breathe it. Our lungs give us no other choice. They want oxygen, and they will breathe whatever air is around them no matter how we feel about it. Sure, under the smelliest of circumstances, we could hold our breath for a moment or two at most, but eventually our lungs will demand air. In one of my favorite episodes of the original Star Trek series, Captain Kirk has to take Spock to his home planet of Vulcan. Once there, Kirk has trouble breathing in the thin Vulcan atmosphere. In response to this problem, a Vulcan Elder quips, “The air is the air. What can be done?” What, indeed? Based on the environmental conditions in the area where you live, the air is, indeed, the air. People in California can not avoid smog. If we are talking about the quality of the air outside than, individually, there is not much that can be done. If we all collectively decided to drive hybrid cars, or demanded that factories stop spewing poison into the atmosphere, then perhaps we could make a difference. 34 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
If, on the other hand, we are talking about the quality of the air inside our homes, there is plenty that can be done. And considering the fact that the air inside our homes is, in general, anywhere between two and five times more polluted than the air outside, there is plenty that should be done.
Causes of Indoor Air Pollution So, what causes indoor air pollution? The answer is: a great many things. In general, sources of indoor air pollution are common household items that release gases. These items can be things as random and disparate as furniture, pets, home heating systems, cleaning products, and air fresheners. Honestly, it would probably be quicker and easier to tell you what doesn’t cause indoor air pollution than to tell you what does. In fact, practically everything in your home has the potential to adversely affect air quality if not kept sufficiently clean. Every surface in your home can collect dust, pollen, dander, and other particles which can then affect air quality. This is especially true of carpets and upholstered furniture
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which act as virtual sponges, sucking up all of the pollutants in your home only to release them later when you sit on the couch or walk across the carpet. If carpets and upholstered items are made of synthetic fibers then their potential for causing pollution increases. Synthetic fibers shed tiny particles which can then irritate the lungs, eyes, and even skin. Some people are more sensitive to synthetic fibers than others (but it’s probably not a good idea for anyone to be breathing these non-biodegradable particles into their lungs). Even furniture which contains no upholstery can affect air quality in the home. This is especially true if this furniture is made of inferior quality woods, like particleboard. Furniture, cabinetry, and even flooring made from composite or pressed woods release Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOC’s, such as formaldehyde. VOC’s are gaseous chemicals that, when inhaled, can cause a number of detrimental physiological effects, including respiratory and neurological illness. Besides furniture, many other common household items release VOC’s and other harmful fumes. These items include paint and paint removers, construction materials, cleaning products, pesticides, and even air fresheners. Products used in hobbies, like paint thinners, markers, glues, solvents, and items used for welding, soldering and sanding can all release noxious fumes when used in an unventilated room. Indoor air quality can also be adversely affected by household items and activities that involve combustion. Home heating and cooling systems can contribute to indoor air pollution because many of these systems simply recirculate the polluted air that is already in your house rather than 36 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
bringing fresh air in from outside. Malfunctioning stoves, furnaces, and space heaters can also release carbon monoxide, a potentially deadly source of pollution. Chimneys, fireplaces, and cigarettes are also potential sources for carbon monoxide and other carcinogenic pollutants due to the smoke involved in their use. Other pollutants common in homes, especially older homes, include asbestos and lead. Some pollutants, such as radon, nitrogen dioxide, and pesticides, are present in the outdoor environment and seep into the home through windows and natural ventilation processes.
Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution Exposure to indoor air pollution can cause both short-term and long-term health effects. Short-term effects can begin after a single exposure to the pollutants, or after several repeated exposures. These effects include: nose, eye, and throat irritation, dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. These symptoms can usually be treated by simply eliminating the sources of pollution, provided that these sources can be identified. Some more serious illnesses, like asthma, humidifier fever, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, can show up shortly after exposure to indoor pollutants. In many cases, the short-term health effects of indoor air pollution vary greatly depending on the individual’s sensitivity. Some people will be affected more adversely than others, sometimes making pollution as a source of illness particularly hard to identify.
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The long-term health effects of exposure to indoor pollution usually occur after years of repeated exposure. These affects can be very serious and include potentially fatal diseases like heart disease, respiratory disease, and cancer. Because these long-term effects can occur years after exposure to the pollutants, it is hard to identify the exact cause of the disease. In either case, it is important to constantly be vigilant about reducing the pollution in your home in order to guard against these illnesses.
Reducing Indoor Air Pollution Now that I have probably scared you half to death (and for that my sincerest apologies) and you are probably convinced that your house is killing you, let me reassure you that there is plenty that you can do to improve the air quality in your home. The most effective, and usually least expensive, way to reduce pollution in your home is to eliminate the sources of pollution. If you are sensitive to synthetic fibers, remove them from your home. Furniture made of composite and pressed woods can be replaced with hardwood, glass, or metal furnishings. Stoves and heaters can be adjusted to reduce the amount of emissions they release. If there are any sources of asbestos in your home, these should be professionally removed or enclosed. Keeping your home clean is also a great way to improve air quality, provided that you use cleaning products that are not, themselves, polluting. Dust and wipe down tables, furniture, 38 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
and appliances often. Wash the floors and vacuum your rugs on a regular basis. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, you might consider replacing it with hardwood flooring and using a few smaller area rugs as accents. Upholstered couches and chairs should also be vacuumed and cleaned on a regular basis, or replaced with less absorbent materials like leather. Because cleaning products can also be sources of pollution, it is important it use eco-friendly biodegradable household cleaners whenever possible. A simple mixture of vinegar and water can be used to clean countertops, windows, appliances, and most bathroom and kitchen surfaces. Another way to decrease the amount of pollutants you release into your home is to limit activities that create large amounts of pollution. Hobby activities such as welding, soldering, sanding, and paint stripping should be done outdoors if at all possible, when weather permits. Other activities, such as remodeling and painting, sometimes have to be done indoors, but be sure that the area involved is as well ventilated as possible. Indeed, providing proper ventilation is one of the most effective methods for reducing indoor pollution. When outside air is not able to enter the home, pollutant levels can increase dramatically. Therefore, it is important to air out your home on a regular basis, preferably at least once a week. Ceiling fans help to circulate air within the house, but are only effective in reducing pollution if used in conjunction with open windows. Using your air conditioner with the vent control open will also increase the amount of air that enters your home Fans and ventilation systems that periodically remove air from a single room, like a kitchen or bathroom, and replace it
with outdoor air can also increase air quality. There are also sophisticated ventilation systems that continuously replace indoor air with filtered air from outside. About 70% of Americans have either forced air or central heating. The problem with most of these home heating and cooling systems is that they do not draw air from outside, but simply recirculate the air already within the home. To make matters worse, about 50% of the owners of these homes never bother to clean or replace the filters in these systems. Filters for home heating and cooling systems should be cleaned or replaced at least once a month while the system is in use. Last but not least, there are a number of air cleaners and purifiers on the market which can help reduce air pollution within the home. Air cleaners can vary wildly in both price and level of sophistication. Inexpensive table-top versions are generally less effective in removing particles than more expensive whole-house systems. There are a number of highly effective air cleaners on the market, but it is important to shop wisely. The effectiveness of an air cleaner is generally dependent on how much air it can pull through the filtering element, and how many of the harmful particles that filtering element can remove. Models with both a large circulation capacity and a high percentage of pollutant retention work best. Just keep in mind that these devices only work at their full capacity if properly cleaned and maintained, so always follow the manufacturer’s directions. INY
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40 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
Wooden Doors Give You The Edge
by: John Lee Wooden doors are the final answer to adding aesthetic value and ultimate curb appeal to your home. However, you should not choose your wooden doors just for the decorative aspect – they must also offer sufficient security to your home. There is no end to intrusive forces that strong wooden doors can repel – thieves and animals are the obvious ones. However, natural elements like wind, snow, hail and rain must also be guarded against. There is a huge range of wooden doors available today, and this begs the question of which wooden doors best suit your needs. There should be a certain amount of science involved in making your choice, so look beyond the aesthetic appeal and consider other aspects as well. To begin with, consider the kind of weather variations your wooden doors will have to contend with. We do know that wood expands and contract in tandem with climactic changes, and that this factor can reduce their lifespan. Choosing wooden doors that feature fibre-board panels is a good idea , since these not only look great but repel inclement weather rather well. This will therefore increase the durability of your wooden doors. Next, it does not pay to be too cost-conscious when it comes to wooden doors. You can, of course, decide on hollow core wooden doors. However, while you will doubtlessly save on the initial expense, such wooden doors do not last very Photos By Grand Doors 42 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
photo by window palce / Š anderson windows
long and are also quite noisy. Your best bet is wooden doors crafted from solid, good quality wood such as oak, mahogany or hickory. Not only do wooden doors made of such wood look great, they also score much higher on fire resistance. Style is important in wooden doors, but they should match the overall look of your house. You may not find an exact match for your home at your local wooden doors dealership, but this need not be a serious limitation. Search the Internet for more dealerships who may carry the desired styles, or buy plain wooden doors and have a good painter adapt them to your home dĂŠcor. While installing your wooden doors, ensure that there is sufficient gap between their bottom edges and the floor. Without enough ground clearance, wooden doors scrape the floor and cause damage both to the wooden door and the floor. Choose a reputed manufacturer of wooden doors, and make sure that your wooden doors are installed by appropriate experts. If you take these precautions, your wooden doors will serve you for years to come. INY Article Source: http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_4135. shtml
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Get Organized The Garage Now that the summer is coming to an end and the weather is getting more comfortable, it’s the perfect time to clean out the garage. Now, I know what you may be thinking. You may be thinking either: A) I don’t have a garage; or B) That’s the last thing in the world I would like to do. In either case let me reassure you. Even if you do not have a garage, the suggestions offered in this article are equally applicable to other areas of your home. They are useful for just about any part of your house that is used for storage including your basement, attic, tool shed, or even closets. With respect to choice B, I realize that depending on how dirty your garage actually is, the idea of cleaning it out may seem about as appealing as root canal. Many people’s garages resemble nothing more than overfilled and overstuffed storage units, into which a car may or may not actually fit. They are often filled to the brim with cast-off objects that have long since outlived their usefulness, or with stuff that we simply don’t know what to with. This is where I come in. What follows is a relatively easy to follow guide for many of the most common items stored in the garage and what to do with them. If the very idea of cleaning out your garage seems like a massive undertaking, just keep in mind that you can do it in stages. It is by no means a one day job, so take your time.
Antiques, Vintage Items, and Collectables The first thing that you should do when beginning to clean out your garage is to sort 46 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
through everything and get a sense of what is actually in there. I am constantly amazed by the kinds of items that people choose to store in their garages. There are everyday run of the mill items like old motor oil, half full cans of paint, tools, lumber, and sporting equipment, and then there are things that should probably, under no circumstances, be stored in a garage. Years after my parents died I finally got up the courage to clean out their garage. My father had been something of a packrat and had simply begun to store things in the garage when he ran out of room in the basement. Among the heaps of belongings in our garage were hundreds of books, a good amount of furniture, a collection of antique religious statues, and a good portion of his record and stamp collections. None of these things should have been stored in the garage in the first place, and some of them damaged past the point of salvaging. Garages tend to be cold and damp in cooler weather, and excessively hot in the summer: not a great environment for anything you actually want to keep. Try to keep anything that is susceptible to moisture, like furniture or paper products, in a dryer environment like a closet or basement. Also, when you are sorting through your garage keep an eye out for hidden treasures. If you come across any antique or vintage items, or any other potential collectables, consider doing a little research on them to see what they are worth. There are people in this world who collect just about everything, including hat boxes, antique typewriters, and toasters. It’s easy enough to do a little research on the internet or at the library and find information on just about any kind of collectable. Before you sell a chair for two dollars at a garage sale, make sure it’s not a Chippendale. There has been many a time when I’ve been watching Antique Road Show and seen people who bought something for a few dollars at a yard sale, only to find out it’s worth thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars. If any of your items turn out to be valuable (and you don’t mind parting with them) 48 INTERIOR NEW YORK I SEPTEMBER 2009
consider selling them to an antique dealer, collector, or at auction. There are also plenty of online auction websites like Ebay, where you can unload your secondhand goods.
Have a Garage Sale Once you have determined that none of the items in your garage are valuable antiques, it’s time to have a garage sale. Print up some flyers and put them up around your neighborhood. If at all possible, try to have a two-day sale. It will double your chances of selling your items, and give you some insurance in case of rain. When the day of you’re your garage sale arrives, put out anything and everything that you want to get rid of, regardless of whether or not you actually think it will sell. Also, scour your house and see if there are any other items in your closets, basement, or attic that you would like to include in your sale. Get a few tables for your smaller items, and make a large poster to put out in front of your house for passers-by. If you are putting price tags on your items, be sure to make the prices just a little bit higher than what you actually want to get for them. This will give people a chance to haggle and make them feel like they are getting an even better deal.
Bulk Items Once you have sold everything that you can possibly sell, it’s time to get rid of the rest. If you have any bulky items that are in reasonably good shape, like furniture, appliances, clothes or electronics, consider donating them to a charitable organization like the Salvation Army. Just call them up and tell them what you have. Make an appointment with them and they will send a truck to your house to pick up the items. Anything that is not salvageable should be properly
disposed of. To this end, it is important to note that bulk items fall into two categories: recyclable and non-recyclable. Non-recyclable items include: furniture, mattresses, rugs (which should be rolled up and bound with twine), lumber, construction materials, broken electronics, TVs, and computer monitors. These items can be put out with the trash on any regular collection day. You are allowed to put out a maximum of six bulk items per collection day. Bulky metal items, like washing machines, water heaters, and filing cabinets, can be recycled and should be placed at the curb on your regular recycling day. Metal items that contain CFCs (like Freon) are slightly more complicated. CFCs are generally contained in items used for cooling, namely air conditioners and refrigerators. You must call 311 and make an appointment to have these items picked up before placing them at the curb. For safety reasons, the door must be removed from any refrigerator before it is placed in the trash.
Automotive and other Hazardous Materials There are certain materials that can not be placed in the trash because they are hazardous to the environment. These hazardous materials include liquids commonly associated with vehicles, like motor oil and transmission fluid. They must be taken to a Department of Sanitation Special Waste Drop-off Site. There are drop-off sites in each of the five boroughs, open daily from 8 am to 4pm. Old tires and car batteries can also be disposed of at these drop-off sites, and can also be taken to any dealer who sells tires, including auto-mechanic’s shops. Legally, any business that sells tires or car batteries must
also recycle old ones. Other hazardous items that must be taken to Department of Sanitation Drop-off Sites include: florescent bulbs, mercuryfilled thermometers and thermostats, and household and rechargeable batteries. Up to 10 batteries at a time can also be recycled at any sore that sells them. If there are any other potentially hazardous items in your garage that you are simply not sure about, bring them to a drop-off site. Just be sure to gather all of your items together at one time so you only have to make one trip.
Other Items Metal paint cans can, and should, be recycled. If there is any residual paint in the bottom of the can, simply pour it into a bag containing an absorbent material, like old rags or kitty litter. Let the paint can dry and then put it with the rest of your regular metal recyclables. Other materials that must be recycled include: plastic bottles (with a recycling code of #1 or #2), paper, cardboard, beverage cans, and virtually anything made of metal. Books, newspapers, and magazines can either be placed in a garbage can designated for paper, or stacked in piles and bound with twine. In addition, many electronics stores have take-back programs to recycle broken electronics, so consider this as an alternative to throwing these items in the trash. Broken cell phones can also be returned to wireless stores. INY SEPTEMBER 2009 I INTERIOR NEW YORK
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10 MORE WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT In our last issue we highlighted a number of steps that you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide that an individual person is responsible for putting into the atmosphere. Virtually all human activity contributes carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, which in turn contributes to Global Warming. Whether we are driving our cars, watching TV, eating dinner, or even soaking in the tub after a long day, almost everything we do affects our carbon footprint. By making some relatively minor changes to your lifestyle, you can greatly reduce your carbon footprint and save money at the same time. It’s a win-win situation, so here’s how to get started!
1.
Buy ENERGY STAR appliances. Looking back on it, it seems hard to believe that this rather obvious way to reduce your carbon footprint didn’t make it on to our first list, but it was omitted because of the cost involved. Obviously, buying all new appliances may be cost prohibitive to many people, especially in the current economy. But if you happen to need to buy a new refrigerator or air conditioner, take the extra few minutes to make sure that the appliance you buy is ENERGY STAR certified. Most types of household appliances, from washer and dryer units to coffee makers, are available with an ENERGY STAR rating. Since these models are more energy efficient, they have the added benefit of saving you money on your utility bill.
2.
Plant a vegetable garden. Most people don’t realize the enormous amount of carbon dioxide emissions involved in the processing and shipping of food. By planting fruits, vegetables, and other edibles, you can avoid these
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5.
Get reusable shopping bags. Most supermarkets sell reusable canvas bags, often for as little as a dollar each. These bags are more comfortable to carry and certainly sturdier than the plastic variety. Most people don’t realize that plastics are a petroleum product. The amount oil it takes to make 14 plastic bags could power your car for a mile. If you are in the habit of doing a single, large food shopping every few weeks and think that canvas bags are impractical, consider taking the plastic bags but reusing them on subsequent trips to the store.
6.
Buy products with minimal layers of packaging. Items like DVDs, toys, and electronics often come with extraneous (usually decorative) layers of packaging which should be avoided if possible. Buying frequently used items, like toilet paper, in bulk can also reduce the packaging involved. In fact, buying just about anything in bulk is a good idea as long as it won’t go to waste. Buy items like juice and soda in two liter bottles instead of cans or other smaller containers.
7.
Buy rechargeable batteries. All batteries are extremely hazardous to the environment when disposed of improperly. You can usually buy a battery charger for less than twenty dollars, and rechargeable batteries can last for hundreds of hours before wearing out, so the potential savings are great. But no matter what kind of batteries you buy, make sure to recycle them. It is actually illegal in New York to throw rechargeable batteries in the garbage, but used batteries can be recycled by returning them to any store that sells them.
emissions and save some money on your food bill at the same time. Even if you only have a balcony or fire escape, consider putting a few fruit or vegetable plants out there. Most fruits and vegetables, including miniature fruit trees and lettuce, can be grown in containers (just remember to keep outdoor containers well-watered).
3.
Avoid pesticides and herbicides when gardening. In keeping with the theme of the previous entry, there are a few more things to do to reduce emissions while gardening. Instead of using herbicides to kill weeds, use recycled wood chips or mulch. To keep insects and other pests away, plant marigolds rather than using a pesticide. Never use a leaf blower. Rake your leaves and put them into a compost heap along with any produce scraps you would normally throw in the garbage.
4.
Use your computer printer less often. Try to avoid using your printer unless it is absolutely necessary. If you only need a small amount of information from a website, try taking notes on scrap paper. When you have to print, be sure to use both sides of the paper and look for “printer friendly” web pages. Also, always make sure to recycle your ink cartridges. (Some companies will even give you a discount towards your next ink cartridge purchase when you recycle your old cartridge.)
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8.
Clean or replace air filters in your air conditioner and furnace. In the winter when your heating unit is in use, be sure to clean or replace the air filter once a month. Do the same for your air conditioner in the summer. About 50% of Americans never bother to clean or replace the air filters for their heating units. Keeping these filters clean makes the unit run more efficiently and can also greatly reduce indoor air pollution.
9.
Microwave more often. Considering the fact that a conventional oven usually has to be preheated before use, the microwave is a more energy efficient choice, especially for smaller jobs. Use your microwave to reheat leftovers, steam vegetables, and to cook frozen foods which usually take a long time to cook in the oven. If you are reheating something like a slice of pizza, which tends to get rubbery if microwaved, cook it in the toaster oven instead.
10
. Take showers instead of baths. Water heaters use a considerable amount of energy. Taking a shower uses a lot less hot water than a bath. If you want to test the difference, keep the stopper in the drain next time you take a shower. There will probably only be about an inch or so of water in the bottom of the tub when you are done. To save more hot water, take shorter showers, or try taking a cool shower when the weather is warm. INY
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INTERIOR NEW YORK DIRECTORY ACCESSORIES Success Office Products 5120 Ft Hamilton Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11219 718 972-3800 www.4successoffice.com Aaron’s Decorative Bath & Hardware 421 Rt 59 Monsey, NY 10952 845-352-0123 (Phone) 845-352-0014 (Fax) www.decorativebathhardware.com AIR QUAILTY RABBIT AIR 1 888 866 8862 ARCHITECTURE Avalon Designs 5922 18th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11204 718 236-8600 Maviz 718 305-5990 APPLIANCES Drimmers Home Appliance 1608 Coney Island Ave Brooklyn, NY 11230 718 338-3500 www.drimmers.com See ad page 1 S&W Appliance 162 Wallabout St Brooklyn NY 11206 718 387-8660 ART Brilliant Strokes 5814 New Utrecht Ave Brooklyn, NY 11219 718 338-7287 Lynn Russel artthou@earthlink.net Ani Brieger 212-724-0621
Artexpo One Park Ave New York, NY 10016 212-951-6600 BATH B & H Home Expressions 728 kings Highway Brooklyn, NY 11223 718 513-3700 www.bhhomeexpressions.com See ad page 3 Home & Stone 1663 Coney Island Ave Brooklyn, NY 11230 718-787-1000 See ad inside front cover BLINDS MONMOUTH BEACH PLANTATION SHUTTERS 866 215 4265 732 229 3630 www.mbshutters.com See ad page 27 CARPET Boro Rug & Carpet 1141 37th St Brooklyn, NY 11218 718 853-3600 www.bororug.com See ad page 31
KEA Carpets And Kilims 477 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn, NY 11217 718-222-8087 718-222-8487 www.keacarpetsandkilims.com
FUNDING Fairmont Capital 212 710-4018 1333 60th St Brooklyn, NY 11219 www.fairmontcap.com
CLOSETS Closet Maven 63 Flushing Ave Unit 318 Brooklyn, NY 11205 718 855-0028 www.cmclosets.com See ad page 4
Fairmont Funding 1333 60th St Brooklyn, NY 11219 718 431-7795 www.fairmontfunding.com
Organize It All 718 812-9916 Closets by Portwoordwork 718 832-1714 European Closet & Cabinet 214 49th St Brooklyn, NY 11220 800 640-2567 www.europeancloset.com See ad page 50 CONSTRUCTION K & K Renovations 8670 20th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11214 347-538-4969 www.kandkrenovation.net See ad page 13 DOORS Exclusive Doors 376 Flushing Ave Brooklyn, NY 11205 718 246-2200 www.exclusivedoor.com See ad page 2
Levi & Sons Oriental Rugs 264 39th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232 718 768-1070 See ad page 51
Grand Doors 1373 39th St. Brooklyn, NY 11219 718-871-2200 www.GrandDoors.com See ad page 5
Quality Carpet 214 Ditmas Ave Brooklyn, NY 11218 718 941-4200 www.qualitycarpet.com See ad page 21
FLOORING TivTov Flooring Warehouse 1572 61st St Brooklyn, NY 11219 718 234-5511 www.tivtovflooring.com
Renaissance Carpet & Tapestries 200 Lexington Ave, #1006 New York, NY 10016 212-696-0080 800-325-7847 212-696-4248 www.renaissancecarpet.com
FOOD Sushi K Bar 718 871-KBAR (5227) www.sushikbar.com
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Rockwell Abstract LLC 1333 60th St Brooklyn, NY 11219 718 431-7795 www.rockwellabstract.com FURNITURE Accentuations By Designs 1501 60th St Brooklyn, NY 11219 718 972-2300 www.accentuationsbydesign.com Living Quarters 5926 16th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11204 718 256-4367 Renaissance Custom Interiors 4305 New Utrecht Ave Brooklyn, NY 11219 718 851-3977 Expert Furniture Finishing & Repair 718- 851-0927 See ad page 39 DESIGNERS CORNER 2085 Boston Post Road Larchmont 914 834 9170 www.designerscorneronline.com See ad page 27 S & G Fine Chair Collection 63 Flushing Ave Bldg # 3 Brooklyn, NY 11205 718 522-6500 See ad page 24 GLASS Monsey Glass 301-309 Roosevelt Avenue Sprint Valley, NY 10977 854-352-2200 See ad page 11 Leo Kaplan Ltd 114 East 57th St New York, NY 10022 212-249-6766 212-861-2674
INTERIOR DESIGNER WALL ART www.bfvi.us Shomer Shabbos CV Design Associates inc. celiavogeldesign@gmail.com Joseph A Berkowitz Interiors Inc. 1620 Gerson Dr. Penn Valley, PA 19072 Ph 610-949-0487 www.jabinteriors.com JEWLERY Simpson 4922 13th avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219 718 871-0120
Moda Custom Italian Kitchens 1935 McDonald Ave Brooklyn, NY 11223 718 787-1444 LIGHTING Aura 1355 60th St Brooklyn, NY 11219 718 972-5400 See ad page 33 City Lights 2603 Nostrand Ave Brooklyn, Ny 11210 718 252-2237 Sunshine Lighting 744 Clinton St Brooklyn, NY 11231 718 768-7000
Uniquely Yours Boropark 11310 48th St Brooklyn NY 718-871.7540
Lighting by Design 189 Round Swamp Rd Huntington, NY 11743 631-367-3895 631-367-1015 www.lightbydesign.com
Monsey 44 Main St Monsey NY 845.352.5353 See ad page 47 KITCHENS Artistic Kitchen Designs 206 Webster Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11230 800 521-2904 www.artistic-kitchen-designs.com See ad page 37 & 40 Brookville Cabinet & Design 119 Spruce St Cedarhurst, NY 11516 516 374-4675 www.brookvillecabinet.com See ad page 23 Complete Kitchens 99 Rutledge St Brooklyn, NY 11211 718 782-4010 Grand Kitchen & Stone 920 3rd Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11232 718 788-8301
LINEN Elegant Linen by Ben Barber 5719 New Utrecht Ave 718-871-3535 4801 13th Ave 718-972-3535 Brooklyn, NY
Moulding Classics Plus 6913 New Utrecht Ave Brooklyn, NY 11219 718 236-3566 Trim Worx 718 624-6900 See ad page 38 PLUMBING SUPPLY Solco Plumbing Supply, inc. 6916 New Utrecht Ave Brooklyn, NY 11228 413 Liberty Ave Brooklyn, NY 11207 209 W. 18th St New York, NY 10011 931 Zerega Ave Bronx, NY 10473 Main 718-345-1900 See ad back cover
Tile Decor 745 Bedford Ave Brooklyn, NY 11205 718 246-5900 See ad page 15
SECURITY BSD Home and Personel 10 Pleasant Ridge Rd. New Hempstead, NY 10977 877 273-9114 See ad page 45
Pedulla Ceramic Tile 4906 20th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11204 718 377-7746 See ad page 35
Key Master Locksmith 144 Lee Ave Brooklyn, NY 11211 718 388-1105
McDonald Stairs 1013 McDonald Ave Brooklyn, NY 11218 718 436-9714
Crown Millwork 12 Melnick Drive Monsey, NY 10952 845 371-2200
Custom Tile 4607 16th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11204 718 438-1515
PLUMBERS Plumber on Call 718-438-7656
LOCKSMITHS TKO LOCKS & DOORS INC. 1 888 TKO KEYS
MOULDINGS Architectural Decorators 102 Foster Ave Brooklyn, NY 11230 718 871-5550
30 S. Bridge St. Staten Island, NY 10309 718 967-5700 www.classictileny.com See ad page 49
L & T Kitchen Depot 121 11th St Brooklyn, NY 11220 718 492-8282 See ad inside back cover
STAIRS All American Stairs 130-23 91st Ave Richmond Hill, NY 11418 718 441-8400
Neiman Locksmith 917-577-7796
Classic Tile, Inc. 1635 86th St Brooklyn, NY 11214 718 331-2615
TRAVEL Luxury 4 less 1-877-2 flyl4l www.flyl4l.com WINDOWS Imperial Windows 2009 Avenue U Brooklyn, NY 11229 718 646-4420 See ad page 53
STONE - TILE STONE AND BATH GALLERY 856 - 39 St Brooklyn NY 11232 718 438 4500 See ad page 7 Super Stone 87-89 14th St Brooklyn, NY 11215 718 832-1808
Act II Interiors 1661 Utica Ave Brooklyn, NY 11234 718 338-5448 www.act2interiors.com Window Palace 660 McDonald Ave Brooklyn, NY 11218 718 854-3500 See ad page 1
TO BE LISTED NEXT MONTH CALL 718 854 3773 SEPTEMBER 2009 I INTERIOR NEW YORK
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