the cityhammer blog

Hiring a General Contractor in New York State

2008-10-10T06:42:00.008-04:00

Dear cityhammer,
We've recently purchased an unfinished loft and are planning to do the renovations before we move in. That being said, we need to be in by year-end, and with the amount of work that needs to be done, my husband and I don't have that much time to choose a general contractor. What are the main things to be concerned with or check into before we hire the contracting company?

-LolaGirl56 in Manhattan

Dear LolaGirl56,
Even if your timing is tight, there are a few things that are crucial when hiring a general contractor in New York.

First, try to find a contractor with good feedback and customer reviews online, such as the contractors listed on our mothership site, cityhammer.com. Next, be sure to check the contractor's license and insurance out using resources like the local Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, or the New York Department of Consumer Affairs.

When you've got a short list of gc companies, be sure to have the contractor out to the site to put together an estimate and help you come up with some ideas. Getting estimates over the phone for an unfinished loft renovation is as useful as getting a physical over the internet, so having the contractor come out to the space is very important.

One other must is an itemized bid, rather than just one round figure for the entire project. Itemizing allows the homeowner to track progress, understand cost overruns, and make on-the-fly decisions about priorities once the project is in full swing. For example, if your move-in day starts coming up fast and there are 6 things for the contractor to finish, the itemized list will tell you which ones can be attended to post-move (window treatments, fixture replacement) versus what would have to be done beforehand (life wood flooring).

Good luck with the loft renovation, send us the pics when its finished!

Click for More: Tips for Hiring a General Contractor

Highly Rated Contractors in NY

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-10-08T06:56:00.010-04:00

Bailout Protest down on Wall Street, photo by Ol Slambert

Westchester County and the Lower Hudson region in general boast some of the most beautiful private gardens this side of the English countryside. The Journal News and their companion site LoHud.com have interviews and pictures from some of the most spectacular gardens and their owners. Of the 5 gardeners profiled, we were most impressed with the thousands of bulbs planted by came the 92 year old "Grande Dame" of Westchester gardening Henriette Suhr of Chappaqua. Its never too early to start thinking about spring planting (they start advertising Christmas in August these days after all!)
LoHud Great Gardeners

Back for the 4th year, Apartment Therapy's Fall Colors Contest is in full swing with photos from every region of the country posted on their site. The rules are pretty loose, you must simply live in the residence and have images of your home that really show off your color choices and creativity. Work done by professional painters and designers is allowed as well, so let's see if New Yorkers can take some prizes. Up to $2500 in CB2 gift cards and AT Books are up for grabs.
Fall Color Contest 2008 on AT.

According to Red Dot Online, one of he hottest interior design trends in the world for 2008 and 2009 is the color White. Sleek and shiny whites are appearing everywhere from furniture to fabric. Red Dot discusses the continued influence on Apple's iPod launch of 2001 and cites the fact that in Germany, for example, 70% more white cars were sold this year compared to last year and the trend is still up. The only problem we can forsee with the white movement is our proclivity for Grey Goose and cranberry juice...it'll never come out!
Red Dot on the White Trend

Massive Tiffany Lamp and Decor Exhibit on Long Island

2008-10-06T06:57:00.005-04:00

Grape Library Lamp from Tiffany Studios New York

Over the weekend, Ben Genocchio of the New York Times gave us some background on Louis Comfort Tiffany, scion of the famous Tiffany jewelry family who eschewed the family business in favor of being an artist. The article will be very helpful if you plan to visit the Nassau County Museum of Art to check out “Tiffany Lamps: Articles of Utility, Objects of Art”, a new exhibit that will run through January 4th 2009.

The museum has 45 Tiffany lamps on display courtesy of the Neustadt Collection, as well as lamp-making and glass manufacturing displays. There are also some examples of late 1800's Gilded Age art and furniture which clearly draw the connection between Tiffany and the aesthetic of his time.

The article mentions some interesting trivia, such as the fact that Tiffany and a group of friends started an interior design business in New York in 1881 that took on commissions from such high profile projects as Mark Twain's house in Hartford, Connecticut and the Chester A. Arthur White House in D.C.

The Nassau County Musuem of Art is located at 1 Museum Drive in Roslyn Harbor (use Northern BLVD) and they've got a website for more info at www.nassaumuseum.com.

For a List of Interior Decorators in Nassau County, Click Here: Nassau Decorators

Read the Full Article on NYT: Times on Tiffany

Hot Interior Design Trend for 2009: Homemade

2008-10-03T06:58:00.008-04:00

Etsy Can Help You Decorate "Homemade" for 2009

We'll see if this one makes it to the luxury buildings of Manhattan, but one of our big predictions for interior design in 2009 is the emergence of the "Homemade" look.

Achieving the Homemade look will hinge on your color choices (think natural, earthy colors without any bright shades) and your texture proclivities; homemade items are neither minimalist nor are they slick, they are cluttered and mottled and shopworn and are thus all the better for these very flaws and imperfections. One great place where anyone can go to find a vast selection of homemade decor stuff would be Etsy.com, a site you can get lost for hours on.

We think the homemade trend may stem from the need for comfort in times of duress and hardship like these, which we can collectively thank California and Florida real estate speculators and reckless mortgage underwriting for. The layoff totals are piling up to astounding numbers, the high energy prices made our utility bills come in extra-thick envelopes all summer, and the tone on the evening news or the cover of our local newspapers is getting more election-ugly and recession-despairing each day.

After the 9/11 attacks, we saw a similar trend in this country, called nesting, which led to booming sales for home decor stores even as consumers pulled back from other spending. The explanation was that if people are going to travel, or even venture outside less, then they would at least "feather their nests" for the time being.

The same way a knitted sweater or a home-cooked meal can comfort you when you come in from the storm, so too can the homemade decor trend when you get back from a day of work in an economy like this one. Tune in next week to the cityhammer blog for more details on this design trend as well as others we expect to see in 2009.

For a New York interior decorator who can help you get this look for your house or apartment, click here: New York Interior Designers

Visit Etsy.com

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-10-01T07:02:00.009-04:00

Photos from AT

Certain facets of Japanese culture freak us out, like talking shrimp cartoon characters, vending machine shopping and now, from Tokyo, comes a home design scheme that you have to see to believe. Apartment Therapy LA has the story and some eye-popping photos of something called the "Reversible Destiny Lofts". The architecture features outlets and switches in hard-to-reach places, uneven floors, strange entrance and exits, and colors straight out of your most recent nightmare about that time you got separated from your parents at a carnival. Good luck with all that, Tokyo residents.
Apartment Therapy on Tokyo Loft Craziness.

Discussions about real estate are so 2006, like watching Friday Night Lights or listening to Fergie. One day, however, the subject will become palatable again. Over at the Comitini Blog, they've posted the definitive explanation of the difference between Townhouses, Co-ops, Condos and Cond-ops. For those new to or interested in the Manhattan real estate world, check it out and break some of your misconceptions.
Cominiti on NYC Real Estate Terms

Last but not least, cityhammer.com member and closet organizing maven Clos-ette is looking for 2 interns. If you or someone you know is interested in luxury design, real estate and VIP sales, email your resume to Clos-ette here: Contact Clos-ette
Clos-ette Internships

Take a Tour of the Design Expressions Virtual Showroom

2008-09-29T07:12:00.006-04:00

The Virtual Showroom by Design Expressions

These days, lots of stores have e-commerce websites to allow you to shop from home, but how many actually build a "Virtual Showroom" to give customers the actual in-store experience online? Well, we're happy to report that Oceanside, Long Island's home improvement superstore, Design Expressions, has done just that.

The Virtual Showroom is an easy-to-use, product-loaded shopping experience that will not only make you feel like you're in the store's aisles, but will help you find what you're looking for in the comfort of your own home.

Visit the Design Expressions Virtual Showroom

Here's how it works...You first pick one of three sections to shop in:

Windows & Doors (featuring Marvin, Integrity and Infinity products)

Roofing, Siding, Decking & Millwork

Kitchen & Bath

Next, you can click each section in the blueprint to see an image of the section as it looks in-store along with product previews, details, and information. When you have found the items or styles you are interested in, you can "favorite" them into your own list.

Once you have built your list of products you are interested in, you can print it directly from the Design Expressions website so you're ready to shop.

Visiting Design Expressions is an experience unto itself, but having the Virtual Showroom at your fingertips is the next best thing, so check it out today!

Click Here to Launch Showroom Tour

Visit or Contact Design Expressions:

389 Atlantic Ave. Oceanside, NY 11572

Phone: (516) 764-6600 Fax: (516) 764-5016

www.design-expressions.com

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-09-26T06:44:00.008-04:00

Is Swingtown Inspiring the 70's Design Wave? Is He Serious with that Mustache?

Are the Seventies back? Based on the items and styles arriving this week at the Boston Design Center for the 2009 furniture design report, the Boston Globe sure thinks you could make that case. The evidence? How about the Kirk Brummel-designed mushroom wallpaper from textile company Brunschwig & Fils? White-on-white monochromatic looks, open weave pieces made of metal or leather, color shades of "juicy berries" like magenta and red, and "cool neutrals" are everywhere. The reporter chalks the seventies influence up to the TV show Swingtown, but seriously, is anyone really watching that?
Boston Globe on the 70's Design Comeback

Tragedy struck at the Ebbets Field Houses in Brooklyn recently when a handyman was arrested in the beating death of a churchgoing woman in her home. This is a terrible tragedy and the Daily News story just reinforces the fact that you must do your homework on any handyman or general contractor prior to hiring. In this case, the handyman was a building regular, but the fact remains that researching handymen is a must. You can find a rated and reviewed New York Handyman on cityhammer.com and here's a guide to choosing a New York Handyman.
Daily News Reports Handyman Arrest in Brooklyn

On Tom Kraeutler's AOL Home Improvement column this week, he fields a question from someone attempting to sell their home with a black mold problem in their attic. Tom gives some good advice and stresses the need for an environmental clean-up before the attempt to sell is made, as mold is a deal breaker. New Yorkers who know what's up find mold remediation and environmental pro's on cityhammer.com.
Tom's Money Pit: Black Mold

Special Report: Attorney General Cuomo Sets Up Website to Record Consumer Complaints Against New York Contractors

2008-09-24T07:00:00.004-04:00

From nyknowyourcontractor.com

In response to the huge influx of unqualified contractors and the accompanying deluge of unsatisfied customers over the last few years, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has set up a website to field and record consumer complaints about New York's general contractors.

Against the backdrop of "housing instability" leaving many homeowners in the same houses and in need of repairs, Cuomo's office has launched NY Know Your Contractor, a region-by-region database of all licensed contractors in New York along with a record of complaints against them from consumers who were unhappy with the work performed.

The New York AG has received over 1550 complaints against home improvement contractors since the beginning of 2007.

Here at cityhammer.com, our whole purpose in building New York's #1 Remodeling Directory from day one was to provide New Yorkers with a place to go to find highly rated New York contractors, designers, painters, plumbers, architects and so forth.

Having a government website where people can go to to an extra bit of homework sounds like it will be helpful, provided the government is fair to the professionals themselves. There are always bad apples out there, as well as the cream of the contractor crop, and we hope this helps the reputable general contracting companies in New York rise to the top.

There is also a link on the site for a contractor who believes the allegations made on the site are false or of an exaggerated nature to refute them, and we hope they get a fair opportunity to set the record straight in these situations.

For consumers who have been taken advantage of or have been the victims of shoddy construction in their homes, there are links to each region's Office of Consumer Affairs.

We remind all New Yorkers to do their homework on any home improvement company before hiring and to let your neighbors know not only when there are problems, but also to post favorable reviews on sites like cityhammer.com when the work is done well and exceeds their expectations.

Visit nyknowyourcontractor.com for more details

Tips for Hiring a Handyman in New York

2008-09-22T06:56:00.006-04:00

Anyone remember Dwayne F. Schneider, TV's Favorite Handyman?

Let's keep it real...some of the smallest household improvement tasks can be the most difficult to find the right person for. In a metropolitan area the size of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, surely there must be thousands of handymen, right? Unfortunately, with that many possible candidates, you also increase the odds of coming across someone who is sloppy, too expensive, or even downright negligent.

This is one of the key reasons we developed cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory to begin with!

Tips for Hiring a New York Handyman

Staff Writer Mitch Mayer has just posted the quintessential guide to finding, researching and hiring a handyman in the New York area in the Tips Section of cityhammer.com and it features answers to some of the most important questions you should ask before the work begins, including:

What does a handyman do?
What types of handymen are there?
How much should you pay a handyman?
What kind of tasks is a handyman qualified for?

This is a great time of year to get those creaks, cracks and wobbles repaired, as you will be spending more and more time at home as the weather turns cold. Before you go looking for help around the house, make sure you bring yourself up to speed and, of course, check cityhammer.com for a highly rated handyman in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, Jersey or Connecticut.

Find a Handyman in New York

I Want to Hire a New York Handyman...Now What?

Janovic's Fall Inspiration: Bedroom Redesign

2008-09-19T07:06:00.005-04:00

Bedroom by Jamie Gibbs and Associates

If you've been living in the New York area for a decent amount of time, chances are you've been in a Janovic store, either to grab a can of paint for a quick touch-up or for a more involved painting or window treatment project. Janovic's website also offers great tips for New Yorkers from interior design experts and this fall, they've got some inspirational ideas for the bedroom.

Interior Designers in New York

"Create a Sensuous Bedroom" features interior designer Elaine Ryan and offers a ton of ideas to decorate the one room that you spend most of your time in when you're at home (though during much of that, your eyes are closed!)

Ryan offers tips on incorporating more plush fabrics other than sheets, making sure the bed is the focal point of the room, using frothy colors, eschewing geometrics and plaids for the more appropriate floral patterns, and incorporating furniture for two.

The most interesting tip is related to how your bedroom lighting could actually downplay the cellulite on the occupant's body...yeah, that's a new one on us also...

Want to dispel cellulite, make yourself look thinner and bring a rosy glow to your cheeks? It’s as simple as a lampshade lined with pale pink or rose-colored fabric. Another trick Elaine suggests is to place a small lamp with rose-colored bulbs at the opposite end of the room from the bed. And make sure you install dimmers or rheostats so you can easily lower and manipulate the lighting level.

Anyway, if you've got the urge to get a new look going for the bedroom, be sure to check out Janovic for the full article: Bedroom Ideas from Elaine Ryan

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-09-17T06:59:00.005-04:00

Manhattan Bridge Photo by Bob Jagendorf

Save your sawdust? Charles & Hudson is advocating just that today with their 17 Uses for Sawdust post. The uses they list for sawdust range from the practical (fill holes and defects in wood) to the absurd (mix it with white paint to make fake snow). Either way, worth a look, especially if you've recently done renovations that have involved any kind of carpentry.
17 Uses for Sawdust

There are designers and then there are DESIGNERS, and every once in a while you get a chance to see a New York City residence get transformed into a masterpiece. We believe this gallery on Remodelista fits that description. The interior designer in this instance is Fernlund + Logan and they've turned this NY Townhouse into a mod wonderland using both classic and cutting edge pieces throughout.
Fernlund + Logan Townhouse

As the weather in many parts of the country gets bananas around this time of year, look no further than Apartment Therapy for tips on restoring your home after a flood or major water damage event. Included is a great disinfectant solution.
AT on Repairing Flood Damage

Prepare Your Home for Fall: 3 Simple Tasks

2008-09-15T06:55:00.007-04:00

Junior's Cheesecake of Brooklyn Gets Ready for Fall (Photo by X-Eyed Blonde)

If you're like me (or most dogs), you can smell it in the air when Autumn is coming. If not, you can certainly notice the earlier sunsets. There are tons of items we should be attending to in our homes to prepare for fall, and there won't be time for all of them, but here are three tasks that should definitely be high on the list.

1. Cleaning Gutters: You can get someone to do this is an afternoon, or simply get up on a ladder and rake the debris toward yourself with a garden hoe. Have an open trash can under you for the debris to fall into. The last and most crucial step would be to run your garden hose down the gutter and be sure there are no clogs in the downspouts, because if so, it won't matter how clean your gutters above are. For assistance, contact a New York Roofing Company.

2. Window Check: We all open and close the windows during the summer for one reason or another and what happens is that dirt and dust collect, preventing the closed window from forming as tight a seal as you'd want to prevent excess heat from escaping. This can drive up your utility bill more than you think. Be sure to thoroughly wipe down those areas where the summer's dust has collected, and while you're at it, take a look at the weather stripping around the windows, as this may be a great time to replace a worn down section. For assistance, contact a New York Window Company.

3. Winterize Pipes: Everyone talks about winterizing their pipes, but most people only realize the need for this when they get a call down in Florida that they have to come home because a pipe froze and then burst. Trust me, this is easily preventable. We recommend using a licensed plumber to insulate and check your hot water heater and pipes, especially if its been a few years. For assistance, contact a New York Plumbing Company.

The Hottest Trends in Kitchen and Bath Design are Modern and Intelligent

2008-09-12T06:55:00.007-04:00

The Dining Desk by Poggenpohl/Draenert

What are the hottest trends in Kitchen and Bath design right now?

Judging by the trade shows this past spring, Modern, with a dose of intelligent design is definitely what's happening right now. Think minimalist cabinets, accessories made of glass and unframed appliances. Also of note were the light-as-air retractable fixtures as well as the fixtures that were finished with gold or even black.

For New York, New Jersey or Connecticut Kitchen and Bath Pro's, Visit cityhammer: New York Kitchen and Bath Contractors

For a look at the best kitchen and bath fixtures, sinks, light fixtures, appliances, finishes, materials and looks for 2008 into 2009, we found a great slideshow on PointClickHome, the online site for Elle Decor, Metropolitan Home and Home Magazine.

PointClickHome.com has just posted their Kitchen and Bath Sourcebook: Fall 2008 on their site. 49 slides of full-color kitchen and bath hotness to show you what the best-dressed rooms will be wearing this winter. Enjoy!

Kitchen and Bath Sourcebook: Fall 2008

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-09-10T06:56:00.007-04:00

NYC Subway Concert Photo by Moriza

Ok, Gossip Girl fans, and we know you exist based on the ratings...here's your opportunity to get the design looks of your favorite show's interiors. From faux-marble flooring to wallpaper to quilts, the CW has graciously allowed CasaSugar to post a slideshow with each image from the show accompanied by the product used on the set. Serena would be proud of your efforts to decorate your home just like the family's decorator did!
CasaSugar Breaks Down the Gossip Girl Design Look

The prolific Tom Kraeutler has posted an excellent Q&A on his AOL Home Improvement Tips blog focused on the home improvement projects that offer the best return on your investment. The host of The Money Pit suggests concentrating on smaller improvements in the current environment like reconfiguring storage space. He also points readers to Remodeling Online's 2007 Cost vs. Value Report.
Tom's Advice on Remodeling Investments

Minimalism in the bathroom is one of the most enduring design trends extant and Remodelista's got a great gallery showcasing the Dutch version of it. The pic's are from a photographer named Rene Mesman and really make you long for the Dutch Minimalist look in your own home. For help getting this look, visit this list of Bathroom Remodelers in NY on cityhammer.com.
Dutch Minimalist Bathroom

Top Rated New York Handyman Companies

2008-09-08T06:39:00.008-04:00

Deck by Greg Lines, Southampton Handyman

In our last apartment building, we had the nicest maintenance man in the world. Anytime something needed repairing, hanging, adjusting or replacing, Mr. Maintenance came up promptly and did the task with a smile. Which was great, except of course, nothing was done correctly. Light switches were upside-down, shower heads were loose and picture frames were mounted slightly askew.

Finding a great handyman in the New York area is worth the search, and so with this in mind, we thought we'd spotlight some of the highest-rated handyman services providers in New York on cityhammer.com.

First up is Johnny Brennan of midtown Manhattan, who specializes in all handyman tasks large and small. Johnny's got 6 very positive customer reviews and can do everything from furniture assembly to electrical maintenance to home office setup.
Johnny Brennan "New York City Handyman Services" Profile on cityhammer.com

Next we have Chelseahandyman's Alex Skreli, who's been in business since 1999 and can handle everything from painting to plumbing to full apartment remodeling. Alex has garnered positive reviews for his work from both high-end real estate investors and the owner of Luxe restaurant. Chelseahandyman's Profile on cityhammer.com

Unless you have an advanced degree in Heegan Haagen, putting together modular furniture from Sweden is no easy task. Never fear, because Adam Tate of Furniture Assembly Service and More of Edgewater, NJ can assemble stuff from everywhere, including IKEA, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Pottery Barn, Pottery
Barn Kids, Bombay Company, Staples, Target, Office Max, and Office Depot. They
service the entire New York and New Jersey metro area.
Furniture Assembly Service and More's Profile on cityhammer.com

Lastly,
whether you live in the Hamptons full-time or just have a summer share in need
of some repair after a wild summer, Greg Lines the Southampton Handyman is your guy. He's new on cityhammer without any reviews so far, but he's posted some great pic's of the decks he's built and some painting and power washing work as well.
Southampton Handyman's Profile on cityhammer.com

For the main list of New York Area Handyman Services, visit: NY Handyman

Target's Cool New York City Bodega Project

2008-09-05T06:56:00.013-04:00

Bullseye, The Target Mascot Dog

We're way over that sarcastic thing people do when they pronounce Target with a French accent (Tar-Szay - rhymes with "day") and have come to respect the discount chain's emphasis on savvy design and fashion-forward merchandising. If you're down with Target too, don't miss the limited-time only Bullseye Bodega event taking place in a Manhattan neighborhood near you from September 12th through September 15th.

It seems Target will be opening 4 bodega-type stores to showcase 22 of it's design partners and give consumers a glimpse of some of the newer lines that haven't yet launched to generate buzz.

Designers for the home whose products will be available include:

Thomas O'Brien --
esteemed interior designer known for melding modern and vintage products


Isabelle de Borchgrave --
Belgian-born paper artist and painter


Michael Graves --
famed architect and first Target designer partner


Christiane Lemieux (DwellStudio for Target) --
textile designer who has fused modern design with luxurious details
to create collections in nursery, bedding, kitchen and tabletop


Rachel Ashwell --
interior decorator known for combining English elegance with a relaxed
California vibe


Victoria Hagan --
respected interior designer known for creating chic and timeless home decor


John Derian --
decoupage artist celebrated for quirky vintage designs.
This limited-time-only collection will be available
September 7 through October 26, 2008.


Sean Conway --
renowned garden designer known for creating outdoor spaces that bring
great design to life one stylish patio at time

The Target Bullseye Bodegas will be open from 10 am until 10 pm in the following locations:

Midtown: 101 57th Street at 6th

Union Square: 813 Broadway between 11th and 12th

SoHo: 489 Broome Street between Wooster and West Broadway

East Village Bodega: 325 Bowery at 2nd

For a list of Interior Designers and Decorators in Manhattan,
Click Here: Manhattan Decor

Visit Target's Bullseye Bodegas Page: Target Design

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-09-03T08:37:00.010-04:00

1-800-GOT-JUNK truck in New York

First up, let's wish Charles & Hudson good luck as they relocate from New York City to the west coast. The dedicated blogging team at C&H is currently on the hunt for a home in Northeast Los Angeles, armed with only their Garmin 650 GPS unit and a burning desire to continue bringing us some of the best interior design and home improvement ideas out there. Good luck, guys!

Charles and Hudson Head West

We've written about the beautiful India Hicks, host of Bravo's Top Design, recently and now USA Today has as well. The message India gets across in the article is that taste in design has nothing to do with money. We'd agree, and would also add "but money sure doesn't hurt!" The piece also mentions the launch of her Island Nights collection of beauty and fragrance products for Crabtree & Evelyn.

Design Advice from India Hicks

Yet another Forum question on Brownstoner about how to find a Rubbish Removal Company in New York. When will they learn? You can find debris, cleanout, rubbish removal and junk pick-up pro's listed on cityhammer.com in the Debris/ Cleanouts setion.

Clueless on Brownstoner Forums

New Yorkers Can Help the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund

2008-09-02T07:43:00.008-04:00

Gustav: Ugly name, ugly storm

Now that Hurricane Gustav seems to be dying down, its important to remember that over 1 million New Orleans residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure. On top of that, Tropical Storm Hannah is gaining intensity on it's way to Florida with several of her menacing siblings close behind.

In what is shaping up to be the most active storm season since 2005, now is as good a time as any to give what you can to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund.

For many of us here in the New York area, our closest brush with a hurricane was in the 1980's during Hurricane Gloria. There was some real damage, but for most it was just a question of when LILCO would have the light's back on.

The Distater Relief Fund channels your money to where its needed most, and right now, the residents of the Southeast are counting on our help if that need arises.

Here's a link to their donation form: American Red Cross

Finding Contractors and Interior Designers in New York Just Got Easier!

2008-08-29T06:57:00.006-04:00

New Drop-Down Menus on the Mothership

Happy Labor Day, Gang. Before the long weekend, we thought we'd take a second to show off the new drop-down menus on cityhammer.com, New York's #1 Remodeling Directory.

Lot's of visitors have requested a way to sort each service category by borough or county to help them narrow down their search when looking for plumbers, movers, painters etc. The web team sprang into action and the site now offers New Yorkers and New Jersey-ites (we made that up, don't try to steal it) two ways to find them. You can search all areas or narrow down the list of pro's to just the area you live in.

For example, when you roll your mouse over "Flooring", you can choose to see all of the flooring companies listed on cityhammer.com or just the flooring companies that service Westchester or Brooklyn.

Take it for a test drive, and as always, if you have feedback on how we can further improve the site and make it easier to use, we're all ears.

Use the contact page here: Contact cityhammer.com

Wear plenty of sunblock, we'll see you in September!

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-08-27T06:57:00.007-04:00

Stuy Town Photo by Marianne O'Leary

The gals at Newsday's Real LI blog posted a review of a great kitchen design book, which is a must-see if your taste skews traditional/country in anyway. It's called "Country French Kitchens" and was written by Carolina Fernandez. The book is filled with pictures of kitchens that adhere to the basic "Country French" decor principles in the New York and Connecticut area. Not surprisingly, there are no shortage of yellow, orange and brown hues within.
Real LI on Country French Kitchens

Are Manhattan's luxury high rental buildings becoming the city's version of suburban gated communities? Tom Acitelli poses this question, or rather makes the comment on the The Real Estate, the New York Observer's fantastic blog about NYC real estate and development.
Luxury Rental Buildings in NYC

The fearless columnists at Curbed posted the follow up to the temporary wall controversy in Stuyvesant Town. Wait until you see the "privacy walls" the residents were provided with to separate their bedrooms from the living rooms in these units...nice touch, LOL.
Stuy Town Privacy Walls

Kitchen Cabinets Guide for New Yorkers Now in the Tips Section

2008-08-25T06:55:00.005-04:00

Kitchen by Michael Mariotti Interior Design of NYC and NJ

New appliances are great, but nothing screams "just redone" like a fresh set of kitchen cabinetry. Shopping for kitchen cabinets in New York can be daunting just based the sheer amount of options available. We have tons of custom cabinet makers in the New York area, but also plenty of stores with stock offerings in every conceivable style, wood species, finish and construction.

To make this task easier for homeowners in New York, cityhammer.com's staff writer Mitch Mayer has just posted the Kitchen Cabinet Cheat Sheet in the Tips section.

Here at cityhammer, we always recommend working with a pro, and when it comes to cabinetry, the measurements have to be perfect. Going out to the showrooms and home improvement stores with a rough idea of your dimensions is important, even if you just have a rudimentary idea of how much space your kitchen has, as this will help the sales people point you in the right direction.
For a list of Kitchen and Bath contractors in NYC, LI, Westchester, CT or NJ, click the link: NY Kitchen Remodelers

For a list of Custom Cabinet makers in NYC, LI, Westchester, CT or NJ, click the link: NY Built-ins and Carpenters

Top Rated New York Temporary Wall Companies

2008-08-22T06:58:00.009-04:00

Great Album...Won't Help You Subdivide an Apartment, Though

One side effect of the housing and mortgage crisis that has not been discussed enough is the fact that for the most part, rental rates for apartments in NYC and Brooklyn have never been higher. With less people able to get a mortgage to purchase a home, rentals have become the only option for a lot of New Yorkers.

UrbanDigs.com has done a great job covering this story so we won't go into it at length, but suffice it to say, if you are coming out of college or moving to New York City right now on a limited budget, subdividing a one or two bedroom apartment with a temporary wall or a pressurized wall may be the way to go...if you can find a tolerable roommate!

With this in mind, we thought we'd spotlight the 3 highest-rated pressurized wall companies in New York on cityhammer.com.

First up is Wallzilla, one of the big boys in the temporary wall business in NYC. They're based on 57th Street and come out to all locations to take accurate measurements and give competitive quotes.
Wallzilla's Profile on cityhammer.com

Next up is Wall 2 Wall, based on Maiden Lane in NYC. Wall 2 Wall not only specializes in pressurized wall systems, they can also help with your home theater system, furniture assembly and artwork installations.
Wall 2 Wall's Profile on cityhammer.com

Rounding out the top 3 is Brooklyn's 1 Wall 2 Rooms. They are known as a friendly, responsible company according to one reviewer who was very pleased that they cleaned up after themselves and answered all of her questions.
1 Wall 2 Rooms Profile on cityhammer.com

To learn more about temporary pressurized walls in New York, visit the cityhammer.com home improvement tips section: The Temporary Wall Cheat Sheet

NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol

2008-08-20T07:03:00.008-04:00

Main Street in White Plains, Westchester Photo by Joe Mad

Brownstoner offers us a look back at the beginning, middle and end of a terrific Brooklyn backyard remodel including some before and after pictures that really highlight the dramatic difference that landscaping and gardening can make. The property in question is an 1890's frame house in Greenwood Heights. There's a play-by-play narration to go with the pic's as well.
Greenwood Heights Gardening Project

If you're looking to go the next level in terms of home heating and cooling comfort, you could do a lot worse than check out Trane's new ComfortLink II Residential Communicating System. Not only to all of your HVAC components "talk" to each other, but you have full access via telephone to see what's happening while you're not at home. This promotes not only complete comfort in terms of the temperature of your home, it also increases energy efficiency. Charles & Hudson has the scoop directly from the manufacturer.
Trane's Components Keep You Cool and Connected

Air Conditioning Companies in New York

Remodelista's latest gallery makes the case for open shelf kitchens with many examples of why some homeowners are opting for the airy shelving that gives you easy access as opposed to closed cabinets. The spread includes a shot of Ione Sky's L.A. kitchen...Ione was the bomb in "Say Anything", wonder what John Cusack's kitchen looks like!
Open Shelving in the Kitchen

Kitchen Cabinet Companies in New York

Decorating a Dorm Room; Tips from Tom

2008-08-18T06:57:00.006-04:00

The year was 1995, TLC's Waterfalls ruled the charts, the NY Yankees were at the beginning of their latest dynasty and a young man who would one day write the cityhammer blog was off to one of the few universities that were willing to give him a shot.

Admittedly, chasing girls, partying and affording text books were the priority back then and the decor in my dorm room showed it. There were posters (either Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs...I forget) and there was a nondescript pile of clothing, bottle caps and Doritos bags that made up the focal point of the room. The bed frames were standard-issue metal and the baby blue-painted cinder block walls only added to the prison cell-chic effect.

Looking back, it's all a blur, but that doesn't mean you have to go down that same tasteless road when you move in to your dorm room this fall. Obviously, there is little you can do to spruce up the common areas unless you want your fellow residents to think you're crazy, but your room can absolutely be your sanctuary.

AOL's got a great list of dorm decor tips up from Tom Kraeutler that are worth a look for anyone off to school or with a kid headed that way whom they wish to help.

Tom recommends solid color painted canvases or even stretched fabric over cork boards for wall coverings to add color. He also offers up an idea for wallpaper remnants and emphasizes the importance of getting the most out of your dorm room's space with furniture that can double as storage like beds with pullout drawers, ottomans that open, storage units that are built into the headboards or that go vertical.

Just because you're in a college dorm, doesn't mean you have to come back to a room filled with black-light posters and plastic Yaffa Block shelving. Although, there will be some nights that you get back to your room and the main concern will be how to stop it from spinning. Don't worry, we've all been there!

To read Tom Kraeutler's Dorm Decor Tips, Click Here: AOL Home Improvement

Hottest Trends in Interior Design...At Least According to the National Association of Realtors

2008-08-15T06:38:00.010-04:00

Reclaimed Wine Barrel Wood Flooring

Here's the deal with the National Association of Realtors and their ability to prognosticate; we'll take their opinion on certain things, but the direction of housing prices and the real estate market, not so much. Of course, regardless of the carnage in housing, this is a group of real estate professionals, so we expect tons of positive spin. NASA would never issue completely factual reports on the cost/ benefit of our trillion-dollar space program nor would the guild of buggy whip manufacturers have predicted the demise of horse-drawn carriages during the rise of the automobile industry 100 years ago.

OK, now that that's off of our chests, the NAR has a cool website to go with Realtor Magazine and they've just put up a feature on the top 10 interior design trends they're seeing in homes across the country right now along with a slide show. On this particular subject, we think they're on the money.

Their picks are:

1. Let it Shine (Wire Mesh Fabric)
2. Bathrooms as Spa-Like Retreats (Custom Bathtubs, Waterproof Wireless Headsets)
3. Faux Wood Trim
4. Transform Garage Space (Floor Space for Kids)
5. Hot Hue Add Blue (Color of the Year Blue Iris)
6. Reclaim Wood (Wine Barrel Counter Tops and Flooring)
7. Food Faster Than Carry Out (High Speed Oven Wall Oven)
8. Green Seating With Style
9. Wallpaper Redux (Recycles Vinyl Wall Coverings)
10. Hybrid Heaters (Water Heaters)

Realtors are in houses and apartments all the time, from open houses in Manhattan high-rise luxury apartments to Westchester and New Jersey walk-throughs and they also know what renovations are helping homeowners sell. Pricing predictions aside, we'll take Realtor Magazine's word for it when it comes to design trends.

To see the whole feature, click here: Top Ten Design Trends

For a list of New York home improvement and design pro's who can help you attain these looks, visit cityhammer.com