Recent Posts

1

Neighborhood Chat / snow clearance

« Last post by Londonjo on Today at 05:04:52 PM »

I can't believe I am the only person experiencing difficulty with having to clamber over icy snow walls and wade through icy lakes to access bus or car in the middle of the block (where most buildings' front entrances are). Is there any solution, or must we stay indoors until it's over?

2

Real Estate & Home Improvement / Re: Estimated cost of rennovating kitchen

« Last post by Liz on Today at 12:32:50 PM »

Home Depot has free workshops - you can look on their site.  Also there are a ton of do it yourself videos online - if you simply google what you are interested in.

3

Real Estate & Home Improvement / Re: Estimated cost of rennovating kitchen

« Last post by kristag on Today at 11:37:17 AM »

I'm in a similar situation and am weighing whether I'm going to do cosmetic upgrading or something more serious. I'm having my cabinets painted (I have 38 doors and drawer faces in a kitchen of similar size to the one posted, so it's a bigger project than I feel like dealing with diy) and am changing the hardware myself.

I would like to do a new countertop and backsplash too, but currently there is Formica covering nearly every surface of this kitchen and I was told it would be tricky, i.e. more expensive, to remove it all without destroying cabinets.

I tried Sweeten recently with mixed results (only one contractor responded and he doesn't seem to get my aesthetics and wants to do way more than I would like). One thing to keep in mind with that service is that the minimum suggested budget is $10,000 and that's more like my absolute maximum, including new appliances.

I'm curious if anyone here has had success with contractors and smaller projects. This is more than a handyman job (I'd also like to install a dishwasher where there has never been one). I've reached out to some mentioned here on past threads and have had a hard time getting any responses.

4

Real Estate & Home Improvement / Re: Anyone familiar with 35-64 80th street?

« Last post by Harorld on Today at 10:40:08 AM »

ha! indeed! thanks for noticing that detail. corner of 37th ave and 80th street.

5

Real Estate & Home Improvement / Re: Anyone familiar with 35-64 80th street?

« Last post by ECG on Today at 10:37:32 AM »

I think you mean it is on 37th Avenue. See Google map.

Black Tie is on 80th and the new deli is on 79th St.

6

Real Estate & Home Improvement / Re: Estimated cost of rennovating kitchen

« Last post by QueensGal on Today at 09:40:44 AM »

Thank you all for your wonderful advice. I think I will take most of your advice and keep our cabinets  and repaint them and add new hardware. We are going to replace the counter top, get a new sink, faucet and add a fresh coat of paint to the walls.

I hope it comes out nicely and I will update as soon as we close!

Any tutorials that have worked for you on refinishing cabinets and also counter top stores with installation would be grately appreciated

7

Real Estate & Home Improvement / Anyone familiar with 35-64 80th street?

« Last post by Harorld on Today at 08:59:02 AM »

My wife and I are thinking of moving back to the area and might rent an apartment at 35-64 80th street (also known as 35-63 79th St). It's a rental building on 80th, basically on the corner of 34th ave.

Anyone here familiar with the building? I've done some research and it doesn't appear as if there hasn't been anything major in terms of complaints with the building. Any input would be appreciated.

8

Neighborhood Chat / Re: Clothing donation dropbox?

« Last post by daisy on Yesterday at 08:33:02 PM »

The Jewish Center used to take donations but they seem to have closed for good.  Take the clothes to the greenmarket on 34th and 77, where they will be sorted into used/good and the rest recycled.  They will give you a donation receipt if you ask.

9

Neighborhood Chat / Re: Clothing donation dropbox?

« Last post by Minimal4me on Yesterday at 08:09:24 PM »

The Rite Aid parking lot at 85th and Northern has one.

10

Real Estate & Home Improvement / Re: Estimated cost of rennovating kitchen

« Last post by Minimal4me on Yesterday at 08:06:35 PM »

QueensGal, one thing to add...

if you really want to stay in budget and you are not changing the configuration of your kitchen, I notice that your cabinets are wood, so you could easily have them painted.

I painted mine myself (google Renov8or) and they turned out great.

If you paint yourself, here's a product I wish I'd known about before I did mine:

http://t.homedepot.com/p/Flood-Floetrol-1-qt-Clear-Latex-Paint-Additive-FLD6-04/100198078

It keeps the paint from drying quickly and leaving brush marks so you can get a smooth finish.

Also, Ikea Numerar countertop is very inexpensive and looks like butcher block. I had it in a previous apartment and loved it.