apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Alright, here is my room dilemna.

I live in a large shared victorian house. i'm moving from the tiniest room in the house to a larger one. I have an idea of the general color scheme (it's on the floor plan lay out but it's basically a deep rich grey, a plum/eggplant and white) but I'm unsure of what to paint where.

My plan thus far is to paint the walls the grey, and instead of a headboard paint a LARGE square on the wall with the door in the eggplant colour in a higher gloss paint. I don't know if I should keep the baseboards and mouldings, white or paint them grey or what exactly. I'm using gold as the sort of accent colour in the form of a big gilded mirror and also using the boontje garland light shade as the main light. The wallpaint is matte waterbased and the mouldings are all semigloss. I want to keep some of the detailing of the room but keep it modern as well. It should function as a work/study space but as it's a rented room I don't want to put too much money into it either.

Here's a photobuck link to the current room layout. http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/megtfs/?action=view&current=room.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1 any thoughts anyone could provide would be much appreciated. Hope the link works!

After one mangled delivery attempt, I am now the proud owner of an Equator Conserv refrigerator! It arrived two days ago. It has mystery bins and compartments I don't know what to do with.
I am SO filling it with popsicles today.
Click on name to see the shiny new toy.

hi Meg,
I like your colors. Not sure about sizes of things, but might the bed be positioned between the closets w/the gilt mirror as a "headboard" (or just as big art above the bed)? Baseboards: I think white would look cleanest, but you could also go in the opposite direction & check out the Olga post; maybe stenciled baseboards or decorative-painted somehow using a mix of your colors?

thanks for the ideas blood orange. I've never actually really painted a room before so it's a lot to take on (esp. as I live overseas from the all knowing father). I realized I didn't give dimensions. The room is a decent size (sorry don't know exact measurements) but the bed is queen sized and unfortunately too small to go between the two closests which are about 4 feet apart.

Nice, Trish! Can you share where you got it? I think I need one of these.

Fiona I ordered a scratch 'n dent model from SaleStores.com. It saved me several hundred dollars. Mine has just one ding on the right side, which will be invisible if I ever install it next to a cabinet. With tax and delivery it was just a smidge over $900.

They offer three levels of damage you can choose from - the more damage the less you pay. I opted for the least amount of damage.

meg-

I'd personally keep the baseboard white, but that's just me.

As for the door, I'd do it in semi-gloss rather than high... high REALLY shows of paint strokes. Well, or you could get some Floetrol (I think that's how it's spelled) which evens out the stroke, but also adds a considerable amount of time to the drying...

Either way, good luck!

Sorry I realize that didn't make much sense. By 'the wall with the door' i mean the headboard would be painted on the wall opposite the closets! I'm not sure whether to paint the door grey or keep it white along with the mouldings and the baseboard.

I am at the beginning of a bathroom renovation. Scary but exciting. does anyone have any experience using either NYKB (NY Kitchens and Bath) or Berceli as designers and contractors.

A few threads back, someone was looking for compact bike storage and I described a hook-like thing for hanging a bike up on the wall.

I saw one today in a store, made by Pro-Stor. it was priced very affordably at $12 CDN. See an image of one (labelled Iron Wedge Bike Hanger) and other handy storage devices at:
http://www.rackattack.com.au/prostor.htm

The site may be Australian, but I saw an array of these products up here in Canada.

Michelle of Montreal, many thanks! The hoist contraption also looks interesting. I've e-mailed asking if there are US retailers or if I may buy from them directly.

Just read this on Curbed.com:


BREAKING: Heat Wreaks Havoc in Union Square

From a tipster:

The heat wave has shut down Trader Joe’s today and neighboring wine shop. As a food writer I thought this was front page news. Sorry I didn’t have my camera to take a photo, but please let the food community know.

And just like that, the full scope of our pain has been revealed.

Trish M., congrats on your new fridge! I'm very envious as the one in my rental is badly in need of another defrosting.

Pixie - (re comment in OT251), the computer monitor in question is broken (it emitted a nasty burning smell and refused to turn on), so we cannot donate it (I've done that in the past with usable computer stuff) and actually need to dispose of it. There turns out to be an "eco-centre" near us that accepts computers amongst other hazardous waste stuff, so it looks like we'll be lugging it there.

trish, nice looking fridge, how exciting!

enjoy those popsicles. make them lime, yum. : )

I love the magnetic strip organizer idea as an alternative to the knife block. I had to get rid of my wooden block due to a very gross situation (no need to go into detail). However, I can't screw one into the wall (I have a stone backsplash in my rental kitchen) and don't have another place that would be convenient to mount it.

Does anyone have any ideas about a creative solution?

k_darling - You can still screw something into stone, you just need the right drill and anchors (and probably landlord approval).

You could also try attaching it elsewhere like inside the back of a cupboard or something.

K_darling, what about the sticky 3m removable things. I've used those to put up a bunch of things--they have the velcro kind too which I've used to hang pictures and my carbon monoxide detector. Not sure about weight, so check that out, but it might work. I believe they have wee little hooks too that you might be able to use in place of the screws.

Laurie - you're needed back at the Monster Mobil Cart thread.

i was wondering if you guys could share your opinions on something for me. i know the benefits of matte vs eggshell vs. semigloss, but i am very drawn to an eggshell or semigloss finish on most walls. i guess I'm just wondering what is your gut instinct about paint finishes. what do you think when you see a matte finish vs. seeing a finish with a little sheen?

I always use eggshell. Although my kids are grown I still have dogs at home. The eggshell finish allows cleaning and doesn't add too much shine.

Benjamin Moore has a "pearl" finish that I believe is between eggshell and semi-gloss and it's what I use on walls. Very washable, hides defects well, and adds a bit of glow to the room without looking "shiny".

Actually, I've always kept my knives in draws or in cabinets and they've seemed very happy there. However, how about creating a square frame. The top could be attached to the bottom of your cabinets over a counter -- probably toward the wall. Two strips of wood could drop down from that and you could attach the magnetic whatnot to the dangling strips, making a sort of open square. Of course, I don't know what the situation with your cabinets is.

thanks allison, prisilla, i know what the benifits of the finishes are, i guess i was wondering do you think matte is more formal than eggshell or semigloss? like when you see a room in matte finish do you think this is an adult room, a serious room or do you think they're just trying to hide a poor drywall job? i am trying to gage the feeling of paint, which sounds totally weird, but i'm trying to make a decision about finish for an entry way and living room.

colleen--
I say paint as flat as the traffic can warrant... I love the velvety look of a matte/flat paint, especially on darker colors.

that's a good point, dark colors really do look better more matte, I'll have to see what color i ultimately decide on. i am wavering between a murkey taupey brown w/a green tone and a natural linen color (not Linen White, like unbleached linen) so i think if i go dark i'll go flat and if go light i'll go eggshell. yeah. thanks!

On OT-251 jamie pup wrote:
> Wow Chris, very well done reno. Great use
> of space and good looking finishes throughout.

Thank you.

> Does the corner base cabinet under the microwave
> open out like two doors hinges in the middle?

Yes, with a lazy-susan underneath.

> Also does that panel above the dishwasher drawer
> open?

No.

> I'm sorry if you have said this before but in
> which area of nyc do you live?

Hell's Kitchen.

zachmami -- the iron wedge bike hanger thingie i bought at a local hardware store in nyc (gracious home) for $10.

Trish -- congrats, we should start a support group. I have the exact fridge but under the Summit label.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/apartmenttherapy/205084273/in/set-72157594221901285/

in my living room at the moment, but useful nonetheless. One issue though: the condensation trough keeps accumulating ice and blocking the hole through which the water is dispensed onto the waiting plastic container behind and below. Which creates water amassing under the veggie bins. I wonder if there's something wrong with my fridge or that I haven't totally levelled it as urged by the manual.

I suggest fully read the manual. It explains the mysterious bins and containers. But not enough. Like that large alien corrugated plastic thing that seems almost useless. But I do like the plastic bins that sit high up in the door. Ostensibly for butter and cheese but I use em for all kinds of stuff that'll fit.

Christine (dc) -- i posted a large write up in answer to your queries about the glazing/crackling on my house tour thread. I hope you got a chance to read it.

Curtis -- I'm humbled by your praise, truly.

Lori -- I would really really really love to know which type of cork product you used on your kitchen floors. Click together planks? Brand? Install after/before cabinets? THANK YOU.

Thank you.

Hey Olga, thanks for the crackle paint advice in the other thread. I just read it! I'll post pictures if (oh, I mean WHEN) I do the project! Thanks again!

I would strongly suggest avoiding NYKB. We are using them now for our kitchen and are having lots of problems. They are totally non-communicative and demand virtually all of the money up front. Not pleasant to work with.

NYKB big mistake!Iwould strongly suggest to not do any business with them they take most of your money up front giving you fantastic lies no communication basic line they dont know what they doing not professinall totally crook!

Agreed - stay away from NYKB! They ignore you after they have your money. You almost have to physically force them to do the work, or even call you back! Amazing.

agree about nykb. stay far, far away. unless you're masochistic.

Has anyone tried reporting them to the Better Business Bureau which lists them as having a "satisfactory record,"!! at:
http://newyork.bbb.org./ReportAProblem
The BBB also has an Alternative Dispute Resolution service.

By the way, they were sued by a company that bought their flooring, carpeting, and painting division for breach of a non-competition covenant:
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2007/2007_50208.htm

Has anyone tried reporting them to the Better Business Bureau which lists them as having a "satisfactory record,"!! at:
http://newyork.bbb.org
The BBB also has an Alternative Dispute Resolution service.

By the way, they were sued by a company that bought their flooring, carpeting, and painting division for breach of a non-competition covenant:
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2007/2007_50208.htm"3dseries/2007/2007_50208.htm

Has anyone tried reporting them to the Better Business Bureau which lists them as having a "satisfactory record,"!! at:
http://newyork.bbb.org/ReportAProblem.aspx?pid=4
The BBB also has an Alternative Dispute Resolution service.

By the way, they were sued by a company that bought their flooring, carpeting, and painting division for breach of a non-competition covenant:
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2007/2007_50208.htm

Has anyone tried reporting them to the Better Business Bureau which lists them as having a "satisfactory record,"!! at:
http://newyork.bbb.org/ReportAProblem.aspx?pid=4
The BBB also has an Alternative Dispute Resolution service.

By the way, they were sued by a company that bought their flooring, carpeting, and painting division for breach of a non-competition covenant:
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2007/2007_50208.htm

I checked to see if they were licensed by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, but they were not.
http://www.newyork.bbb.org/Default.aspx?pid=185

NYKB takes 50% down (at least they did from us and, I've been told, from others too)--but does NOT put the money in escrow or provide a performance bond. So there's little incentive for them to start your job (once our work was started, it was an unmitigated disaster of sub do-it-yourself without following the directions from Home Depot quality, but that's another post) It's a matter of LAW in New York State that deposits given to contractors be placed in escrow or protected by a performance bond. This 'little' fact doesn't trouble NYKB, though.

Want to post the link to back up what I'm saying. Unlike *some* people, I play fair:

http://www.oag.state.ny.us/consumer/tips/home_improvement_fact_sheet.html

I made a mistake about licensing. They are licensed, with the New York Department of Consumer Affairs, but according the Better Business Bureau, a "license number does NOT guarantee that the contractor's license is in good standing."
http://www.newyork.bbb.org/Default.aspx?pid=185#title2

It's hard to search for licensing info on the city's website. Nothing comes up under NYKB or New York Kitchen and Bath, but they are licensed.

I don't know how they could possibly be in good standing, if the quality of what they did to my apt is any indication. So bad that it's being redone.

They are listed under New York Kitchen & Bathroom Corp at:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/licenses/license_check.shtml

If you Google Sarid Drory, you will see that he was sued for non payment of a loan, but the case was dismissed.

If you Google Perry Himan, you will see that he has permits under his name for work in Manhattan. The names and addresses and phone numbers of the clients are also listed. Someone should warn them and refer them to the reviews above and also at:
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3719266296

Another link. They're under both NYKB and New York Kitchen and Bath:

http://www.insiderpages.com/b/15238675649

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/ContractorQueryByNumberServlet?allisn=0000028586&requestid=1

The info on them that appears on the city's site. Hope they have a new bond as, according to the city site, their old one expired.

I have had nothing but very good experiences with NYKB and their staff. You can see my comments at insider pages.

Beautiful Job - So ecstatic we just gave them my summer place to do too!

What a beautiful job the team at NYKP did, I get nothing but compliments of my new chefs kitchen...

NYKB, please stop posting positive reviews about your company. You're not fooling anyone.

exactly. it's embarrassing. you guys are awful and we all know it,

Right, Cal. Even *they* must know how crooked they are and how poor their work is. They're all about collecting $$$$$. Classic Ponzi scheme. I'm one of the poor suckers who's been ripped off, I'm embarrassed to admit. As a public service, I'd like to do what I can to save others the agony.

I agree with all the negative comments about NYKB. Our project, a simple bathroom, is now 5 1/2 months from start of demolition. Still not done. Work is very sub-standard. The only thing they do well is cash checks. I,too, am embarassed to admit that I got totally fooled by these people. I'm sure the positive reviews that have been written are by the company themselves.

Crat, my friend, ALL positive reviews about Perry and crew are written by themselves. ALL. Their creative writing skills are up there with their check cashing skills. Sadly, they need lessons in executing home renos. I could do a better job tiling and painting, that's for sure. Oh, and they definitely need a little honesty and integrity, but I think that's beyond them.

In addition to relieving me of my money, they did AWFUL work. For example, the tiles in my bathroom are right side in--facing the wall! And this, according to them, is great work. Such a joke.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We value direct feedback as it enables New York Kitchen and Bath to address any issues requiring improvement. We have been in business for 8 years precisely because it is our consistent practice to delight customers with exceptional design, craftsmanship, and service. We boast thousands of happy customers and an excellent record over these years. We take very seriously any departure from this standard and I invite you to contact me directly at perry@nykb.com to discuss this. I also am pleased to tell you that your comments have been instrumental in NYKB’s developing new customer service protocols aimed at preventing any future dissatisfaction. We are currently preparing to launch these new protocols and will post them here for your information when we do. But again, I invite you to contact me personally about your concerns, as our number one priority at NYKB is to make sure every customer is thrilled with their new kitchen or bath.

Sincerely,
Perry Hiiman
President, New York Kitchen and Bath

Well, hello Perry. Remember me? Cristina?

I hired NYKB in June of 2004 so about 5 years ago and I am amazed that this company is still in business with the same Perry Hillman at the helm. I hired them to remodel my 550 square foot apt which took over one year to partially complete and was never fully completed. I just got completely fed up.

Like most companies, they started my horrible experience by demolishing my entire bath and kitchen even though I asked they do just the kitchen first to see how it goes. I was left with no running water for almost two months while awaiting delivery of materials. I list just a few of the problems that occurred:

-they installed materials that I did not order
-they installed materials that I am currently trying to replace today as kitchen cabinets fell apart four years later.
-bathroom mirror medicine cabinet fell down on me one year later and I learned it was glued on and not nailed into wall. The fall of course, chipped my bathroom sink and left scatches as the mirror glass plummeted to the ground on my feet. Nice!
-Installation of kitchen cabinets was done wrong and had to be done three times. As a result, cabinets in the interior have holes from prior screws and white tape was used to cover them. There were also a number of scratches left on the cabinets from the frequent install and dismantle.
-They were never able to align the cabinet doors properly and had to jimmy them with little wood pieces. I fixed this on my own.
-flooring was installed around standing air conditioners rather than going underneath completely leaving open space around the air conditioner.
-no cushioning was placed in between new floor hardwood and parquet floor
-closet doors of bedroom were ripped from my bedroom and were not supposed to be. They deducted money for the cost of the doors but i had to replace and install new ones myself.
-NYKB's hired Russian contractors told me that they weren't getting paid and were working "on trial". Great! I was a guinea pig.
-I personally had to be in my apartment to make sure that everything went according to design. The builders did not have any design work which is why things were done in triplicate and took forever.
-They never cleaned up after a day's job and left their garbage all over my apartment. I had to constantly clean up after them including cleaning the pee stains left on my new toilet from the contractors.
-Hallway closet Doors were measured wrong twice.
-Never framed the doors before installing them. The screws holding them in are up against an ueven wall and starting to fall out now.
-I was able to complain in time to get one of the doors framed correctly before it was installed. Unfortunately, they used a floor trim to frame the door.
-Bought appliances from Gringer. Oven was delivered with door broken, refrigerator had a big dent on the door. Thermador kindly fixed the oven and the delivery guy practically threatened to kill me because I complained about the dent on the refrigerator. I had to suck it up and of course the refrigerator three years later started leaking water.
-Was charged sales tax on services and materials. ontractor services are not listed as taxable in the state of NY. Check
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/business/business_tax_nys_sales.shtml

This and many other examples of unprofessional ghetto craftsmenship and business. Every step of the way was torture, more broken promises and pure dissappointment. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy...

Overall, I have lived with a crappy job for four years from the date of saying goodbye to these clowns. I spend most of my time repairing their mistakes today and avoiding have to pay out more to redo the whole thing.

If you do decide to work with NYKB despite this testimony which is still apparently going on today, my advice would be to never sign a contract with multiple pieces of work. Have them do one little piece at a time to your staisfaction. Never give more than 30% of supplies as deposit. If they don't want to do small pieces at a time, then my aforementioned conclusions above are only further validated. They want you to be stuck with them. They most likely still have on-going claims against them so ask them "what up with that?". Most importantly, shop around, talk to friends and find alternatives. There are plenty of other companies looking for the business from NJ or Brooklyn as well so open your selection so its easy to just walk if you don't like the T&Cs of the contract.

In my opinion, contractors have gotten away with poor business practices uncommon to most other services. They should get paid for work that they do and according to strict requirements that are measureable so both parties are well protected. The customer has always had to bear the risks only to end up in court driving up taxpayer dollar.

Please note that the Better Busines Bureau is not a reliable source since their revenues come from these very companies that dissappoint many customers.

Good luck!

I *totally * agre with Cristina NYKB Hater. Totally. My experience took place a few years after hers, but the experience was very similar.

A few other things to add to her list:

NYKB uses licensed plumbers and electricians to get permits, then lets any old painter or plasterer do the actual work. My drain under the bathtub was installed in such a manner (oh, and it was PVC, which is illegal), that the licensed plumber on the permit said as he lay beneath the tub (and I quote) "they're lucky they're not being sued". ALL the wiring had to be done as it was completely botched--whether solely through incompetence or malevolence, I don't know.

The biggie and what enables NYKB to stay in business: NYKB does NOT put advances into escrow accounts, nor do they protect them with bonds. So, they have your cash and keep coming to you for more and more (always with the "pay up or we'll shut down your job" threat). If NYKB did abide by this law, they wouldn't be able to get away with providing the hideously bad renos they do as clients wouldn't sign off on the craptastic and often dangerous. Incidentally, we asked NYKB repeatedly about our escrow account and were lied to on multiple occasions. Here's what the Attorney General has to say about this matter:

# Know where your payments are going.
Contractors are required by state law to either:

* Put your payments into an escrow account and use it only for your job until it is substantially complete (contractors are legally required to disclose where money will be held in escrow).

* Prove they have bond insurance to protect your money. Ask for proof of which option they use before hiring them.

Here's the link to the above (see #9 on the list) at the Consumer Frauds Bureau at the Office of the Attorney General. http://www.oag.state.ny.us/bureaus/consumer_frauds/tips/home_improvement_fact_sheet.html

Truly don't know Perry Hiiman has gotten away with REPEATEDLY committing fraud, but he has. So far.

Need to add: Agree with assessment of BBB. Either they or NYKB (or both) lied about response to our complaint (we never received one). And it was thrown out. Oh, and this is a hoot: A few weeks ago, NYKB's BBB rating (which means nothing given they're paying the BBB dues) was A- and now it's A . Amazing. They were probably late paying their dues.

Sorry, it's "A "

A PLUS--plus character doesn't work here.

I concur with NYKBSucks and Cristina NYKB Hater.

I do not work for them but I work very hard for my salary.
I was gouged by the cost of shoddy materials and quality of work. I was quoted a reasonable price and.. as soon as it was demolished.. the changes and scopes appeared out of nowhere. Yes some were necessary.. but my god.. the amount is exhorbitant. The quality of workmanship is appalling. I am waiting for everything they installed to fall.

I found out they walk off jobs if not paid.. they are total shills. They lie and it is your fault. They do not take responsibility for anything. The arrogance of these people are unbelieveable. Be forwarned. Three co-workers want to do renovations. and when they did a search on the internet. NYKB appears first and foremost on search engines.. Knowing my story, they quickly took my advice and refuse to enter their showroom just to look.

Ask your super, ask friends and business associates and look at jobs..get 4 REAL referrals before you take the plunge. And get your own materials.. you will save at least 80k no matter who you use.

NYKB never gets word of mouth referrals.

Cristina NYKB hater~ They are posting rave reviews in every rewiew site and their website using the name Cristina

Cristina NYKB Hater:

Please join Yelp and post review there under "Cristina's" review.

In solidarity,

NYKBSucks

Outstanding Work!

We recently contracted NYKB to renovate our 1 bedroom, 1.5 bath coop in New York City. This was a complete gut renovation, including wall repair, new hardwood flooring, all new kitchen and both bathrooms. NYKB handled everything for us, from initial design work all the way through completion of the project. Very importantly, they worked well with our coop and managing company to make sure all work was done properly and received all appropriate approvals. The results were fantastic, and everyone that comes to our new apartment cannot stop complimenting us on the renovation. In terms of service, NYKB was very responsive to our needs regarding follow up work and timelines. This was a very big project, and NYKB met every challenge. Most importantly, the final product speaks for itself. The quality of work was outstanding.

Tim and Suzanne Yarnell

Do a search at the city's ACRIS site for the surname "Yarnell". No record of either Tim or Suzanne Yarnell owning a property in the five boroughs. Hmmmmm.

http://a836-acris.nyc.gov/Scripts/DocSearch.dll/PNameResult

Link doesn't work. But go to NYC.gov and search for ACRIS Search their under Yarnell. Results are two individuals (not the two in Perry Hiiman's post above) and a fabric company. Or maybe they did this fabulous reno on a rental--lol!