Gas Lighting Pipe Needs To Be Covered

This Old House

I finally got someone to change the light fixtures in my hallway & office -- look what I found.

 

  

That is the gas lighting pipe, from before this place was electrified.

It sicks out about 3". The previous fixture screwed into a nipple in the pipe. Now, it's just hanging by the wires.

This is what I want to put in it's place -- any suggestions?

 

There aren't any threads on the stem of the replacement fixture.

Some Ideas

Here are my first thoughts on what I might like in my new kitchen

I decided I should get a stove that's 30" instead of 36" so I can have a regular size dishwasher. Then I'll get a smaller single bowl sink. 

At first I thought I'd get black appliances, but that seems too dark. Now, I'm drooling over the stainless professional stoves that cost a fortune.

These are the cheapest ones I found.

 

The one on the left is DCS by Fisher & Paykel $2,500 & the other is Bertazzoni for $2,000 including the hood.

  

This is my 1950's Danish Teak table with my 1961 Denby Arabesque dishes from England

 The red is the floor tile Armstrong Red II & the other swatches are the paint colors with the darker for the cabinets & the lighter for the walls.

The red tile on the left is more truer to the color.

Now What?

 

I am second guessing my decision to remodel the kitchen & the bathroom.
I feel like whatever bid I get from a contractor, I am realistically looking at paying double. 
My Dad is a retired draftsperson, general contractor, architect and he thinks it could end up costing $100,000.
So, we both freaked out.


Here are photos of how it looks now.

 

 

Looking into the kitchen from the Living room. If I close the door to the bathroom I can't open the kitchen drawer. Plus, the upper cabinets are too high. The knobs are 6' off of the ground.

 

This is my usable counter space. There are no electrical outlets on the other side of the sink.

 

The Washer & Dryer that doesn't fit & the wall that seperates the pantry from the kitchen.

 

The WC door & back door closed & open. When I open the back door it hits the WC door.

 

Bathroom w/o cabinets

I'm Back!

Hello! 

I know, it's been almost a year since my last post. 

I don't want to bore you with all of the details -- I went through a bad break up. 

Now, I am embarking on a kitchen/bathroom remodel and I want to chronicle it.

I bought the condo I had been renting for 8 years. 

Over a year ago the owner of the unit lost it to the bank. Two weeks ago I bought it from the bank.

Now, I'm ready to do the remodel I have been dreaming about the entire time I've lived here.

The bathroom was built on a porch that was enclosed in 1910. 

However, they didn't bother to straighten out the floor. 
I found out decks are built at a slant so water rolls off.

Here are some of the issues I have with the original layout:

1) The floor slopes

2) It's a split bath

3) The entry to the bathroom is through the kitchen

4) The door to the WC hits the back door

5) The kitchen has a stupid 5' 9" X 3' pantry

6) The kitchen has two 1' sections of counter space

7) No dishwasher

It turns out that DBI (Department of Building Inspection) does not allow Owner/builder projects on condos, TIC's & townhouses. 

I have to go legal and get permits, because I want to move the toilet.

So, I have to hire a general contractor.

I've had three different contractors come by, but I haven't received a bid, yet.

But, I drew up by hand (so, be nice) one set of plans showing how it looks now and another with my design.

Here are the floor plans, the one on the left shows how it is now and the other is the new design

Please, feel free to tell me anything you think is pertinent. 

I am already overwhelmed and I haven't even picked the contractor.

I Am Taking Sugesstions For My Decorating Column

 

I am taking suggestions for my monthly Decorating column in 

Today's Vintage Magazine. 

 

 

Spectacle (2006) by Stuart Haygarth created from over 1000 pairs of prescription spectacles

(Copyright the artist. Courtesy Haunch of Venison 2010)

I would like to hear what you would want to know or learn more about in the area of decorating with vintage items or in an old house or apartment. 

http://www.todaysvintage.com/decorating/

 

 

The July Article I Wrote For Today's Vintage Is Up!!!

Well, the article I wrote for the July issue of Today's Vintage is out on the news stands and on line!

It's all about sprucing up your yard...vintage style!

Bringing Vintage Into Your Yard

It's summertime, time to go outside! So, your yard might need a little work...Ok, a lot of work. When working on our yards we want to create an environment that encompasses serenity, life, and eating. At least, that is what I want, but whatever your goals are, it is important to keep them in mind as you decorate. If you are quirky and stylish, the last thing you want is to go down to a big chain home improvement store and buy furniture and decorations straight off the shelves. However, sometimes when you bring in your latest flea market find or old thing from the basement, the garden starts to look more like a junkyard than the enchanted garden of your dreams.

The difference between magical and junky lies in the subtleties of placement and execution. You can use anything to decorate your yard, you simply have to be careful about how and where you place those items. The same rules apply outside as when decorating inside your home with vintage items. For instance, if you are going to hang something on the fence, make sure it is level, just like on a wall at home. Click here for more...

Check it out at 

http://www.todaysvintage.com/decorating/contentview.asp?c=271311

The Article I Wrote For Today's Vintage Is Up!

The article I wrote for the 

June issue of Today's Vintage is up on line 

and out on the news stands!

Let's Do The Time Warp Again! 

My Experience At The Oriental Theatre

Please, check it out...

Todaysvintage.com

 

The Article I Wrote For Today's Vintage Is Up!

The article I wrote for the May issue of Today's Vintage is out in the news stands, mail boxes, and on line!

http://www.todaysvintage.com/decorating/contentview.asp?c=268764

Of course the editor changed the title.

My title was

Would You Like A Licorice Pizza Under Your Fuzzy Navel?

I guess it was too long, or something...

Ananda Fuara & The SF EcoCenter

Sometimes all I want is the Neat Loaf Sandwich from Ananda Fuara. Ananda Fuara is a vegetarian restaurant on the corner of Market and Larkin, run by the disciples of Sri Chinmoy a guru. The ambiance of the restaurant is, basically a shrine to the beloved leader with all of the walls covered by his artwork, a designated area of his numerous books for sale, the music blaring through the speakers composed and performed by him, and a TV that is almost always showing tapes of him doing something amazing. The service consists of his converts shuffling around (the women wearing Saris and the men in blue polo shirts and white pants) like they were told Sri was going to speak and then realized they were actually expected to work. Dazed and confused would be a nice way to put how the staff look and act. I am sure Sri never set foot in the place before his Mahasamadhi in 2007. 

However, the food is excellent! 

My suggestion is the Neatloaf combo only available for lunch, the Neatloaf Sandwich, or the Neatloaf Dinner, which comes with mash potatoes and gravy. The Neatloaf is vegetarian made with some dairy, but now they have a vegan version that tastes pretty good also. 

Yesterday, en route to Ananda Fuara, I ended up parking on Grove Street across from the library and noticed a building I had never paid much attention to before. The big sign read SF Environment and the little sign (on paper) said it was the EcoCenter. The EcoCenter is a facility, run by the city of San Francisco that focuses on better ways we can all be more green. There happens to be a small gallery in their lobby that is showcasing Art Furniture made by Larry Berger. All of his pieces are made from found materials and recycled or milled wood.

http://www.intothewoodsstudio.com/Site/Welcome.html

I would like to leave you with some words of wisdom from the late great Sri Chinmoy

Be Happy
Be happy in the morning with what you have. Be happy in the evening with what you are. Be happy. Don't complain. Who complains? The blind beggar in you. When you complain, you dance in the mire of ignorance-condition. When you don't complain, all conditions of the world are at your feet, and God gives you a new name: aspiration. Aspiration is the supreme wealth in the world of light and delight.

The Article I Wrote For Today's Vintage Is Up

Check it out!

The article I wrote for the April issue of Today's Vintage is up on their website at
http://www.todaysvintage.com/decorating/contentview.asp?c=267657

The editor took a little creative license and changed the title of the piece from Cleaning Spring to illuminating Spring. I think she gets my humor, but she is afraid the reader's won't. I shouldn't complain, the piece is about lighting...

 

This is in my old store on the corner of Mission and Precita in San Francisco, which is now a BBQ restaurant 

The light fixtures are made from commercial whisks

From what I can tell, the editor couldn't squeeze in all of the photos I sent. They are all fantastic, I'm sure she had a difficult time choosing which photos to use.

 

My Article in Today's Vintage

I am very happy to write for Today's Vintage, a magazine (in print and online) that features many articles about vintage items. I have a terrible time coming up with decorating tips that have to be whittled down to teeny-weeny bite size bits for easy swallowing. I have always found it easier to write twenty pages than have to say exactly what I mean in 500 words or less. To put it in perspective, five hundred words is about a page and this blog post has 784 words.

Writing this latest bit about how to decorate a baby's room with vintage furniture, kicked my ASS! I am not a baby person, per say. I think that might have come out in the article, because I could tell that it was edited in a way, as not to offend. For instance, the title of the article I submitted was not published. In retrospect, that is probably a good thing.

However, that is not the worst thing about the published article. I don't like the layout, it is very messy and they added photos of objects I would never (in a million years, even if my life depended upon it) ever use. They are far from what I would consider stylish elements, IE the lamp and S is for Sweet Pea thingy.

Other than that I am happy...the few other parts that were changed enhanced the piece. However, they didn't like my crack about eating babies...

Wait a minute...I spelled a word wrong in my original title, how embarrassing!

Here's the link for the online version http://www.todaysvintage.com/decorating/contentview.asp?c=266500

Below is the version I submitted to them...

When The Bough Breaks

Your home is finally exactly how you want it. Each room is furnished with vintage finds you have carefully selected over many years that cleverly express your unique style. It hasn’t been easy, especially when your cat decided to dig to China through the 1960 Swiss shag rug made from New Zealand wool, or when the movers reduced the 18^th century corner table into kindling right before your very eyes, and even after your boyfriend moved in with all of his tools and his fourteen-year-old dog.

Now, that a baby is being thrown into the mix, you might be wondering if sticking with your vintage style may be shelved, like jogging or clubbing.  You know you will be able to find adorable vintage pieces for your little bundle of joy, but your biggest concern is whether they will be safe. Have no fear vintage can be baby friendly! 

Here are a few tips that might help you maintain your sense of style while gaining a family. 

1)    Find baby furniture with a natural finish. Lead paint was not banned in the United States until 1978. Leave it natural or choose one of the non-toxic paint or finishes entering the market.

2)    Make sure everything is thoroughly cleaned with no repairs or rickety parts.

3)    Vintage crib bedding should be in the original package, unused.

4)    Follow the Consumer Product Safety Commission crib safety measures

a)    Crib should have a firm mattress that fits tightly into the crib.

b)    Make sure that the crib is assembled properly and that no parts are loose, missing or broken.

c)    There should be no more than 2 3/8 inches between the slats of the crib and there should be no missing or broken slats.

d)    The crib should have no cutouts in the headboard or footboard, in which the baby's head could get trapped.

e)    Doesn't have decorative knobs or corner posts higher than 1/16 inch.

You might not want to go with authentic baby furniture from the early 1900’s, but if Victorian is your style you may choose a new crib and decorate the rest of the room with antiques. If your place is already decorated with classic mid century modern pieces, Knoll kids is the place to shop for the scaled down and hypoallergenic versions of the classics manufactured just for children. An iconic theme, for example, vintage Winnie the Pooh sheets, curtains, lamps, clocks, etc. never used, are very accessible. Plus, there are stores online that carry vintage wallpaper from 1950 cowboys and Indians to 1960’s Peter Max type images.

Remember, stick with styles you already have in your house and pick a theme. The pieces do not have to be from the same era, unless a particular time period is your theme. If, you cannot pick a theme, start with one piece and build the room around it. Don’t worry, I am here to tell you that it is all do-able, you can have your baby, I mean cake and eat it, too! 

When the Bough Breaks

I am supposed to be writing my article for Today's Vintage about decorating baby nurseries with vintage furniture.

I seem to be stuck...I am not really a baby person, what can I say about it. "Um, lead paint wasn't banned in the US until 1978 and that really cute metal crib painted white will probably kill your kid, either slowly by lead poisoning or quickly by strangulation when his head gets caught between the really cool looking wrought iron bars on all sides of the crib."

I did however, find lots of ways to totally deck out a kid's room without trying to kill it. My problem is I have too many different ideas and now my head is spinning and I have no clue which direction to go in.

Birds Are Wiser!

One of the pictures I posted last night reminded me of Dorothy Draper. 

I really like this quote.

"Birds are so much wiser than we! A robin builds a nest for robins. A seagull builds a nest for seagulls. They don't copy each other - or build themselves nests as described in The Birds' Decorating Magazine."

Dorothy Draper, In the Pink (1940)

I Am Drooling!

The Danish really know how to marry vintage and contemporary design with style!

Below are some photos from the latest edition of the Danish magazine RUM. 
Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out who manufactured or designed these pieces. 
It is hard to believe, but I do not speak or read Danish.

I did figure out that this would be around $585.00.
It would look perfect in my office.

I would move to Denmark right now, if that was going to be my living room.

I think the Eiffel Tower makes the room.

Tea and chocolate, please!

I love, love, love the table.

I have the white chair in the forefront on the left.