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Author Topic: Home Improvement  (Read 28610 times)

Offline julesnyc

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #75 on: August 11, 2009, 04:46:00 PM »
I'm going to chime in and second spanishfish's recommendation that you look at everything together.  How extensive is the work that you are doing in your building's lobby?  Is it enough for you to consider working with an interior designer?  To be perfectly upfront, I am an architect, but I have no self-serving intentions here!  Sometimes, you can save money in the long run by paying the fee of a designer who can make educated choices for you to review and ultimately approve.

At the very least, if you are choosing paint colors, please pick out more than one color and paint large swatches in the room that you are going to be painting.  (Most paint companies now offer small sample pots for exactly this purpose).  Look at the swatches in the morning and evening light and make sure that you look at swatches of the trim color as well.  Are you going to be changing out light fixtures?  What would the fixture finish be?  Any chance you might change your bulbs from incandescent to fluorescent?  That will have a huge impact on the way the wall color looks.

Good luck!
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Offline NYC Native

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #76 on: August 11, 2009, 06:01:50 PM »
Quote from: julesnyc on August 11, 2009, 04:46:00 PM
I'm going to chime in and second spanishfish's recommendation that you look at everything together.  How extensive is the work that you are doing in your building's lobby?  Is it enough for you to consider working with an interior designer?  To be perfectly upfront, I am an architect, but I have no self-serving intentions here!  Sometimes, you can save money in the long run by paying the fee of a designer who can make educated choices for you to review and ultimately approve.

At the very least, if you are choosing paint colors, please pick out more than one color and paint large swatches in the room that you are going to be painting.  (Most paint companies now offer small sample pots for exactly this purpose).  Look at the swatches in the morning and evening light and make sure that you look at swatches of the trim color as well.  Are you going to be changing out light fixtures?  What would the fixture finish be?  Any chance you might change your bulbs from incandescent to fluorescent?  That will have a huge impact on the way the wall color looks.

Good luck!


Actually - I have to agree 100% with julesnyc and spanishfly.  My bad - I didn't realize you were speaking of common areas.  In common areas you need to consider the existing decor...you may not be able to change the architectural features and the paint will either accentuate the positive (or negative / outdated) architectural features of your Lobby or hallways.  Go to the board and allocate some money for a professional, maybe a designer or decorator or even an experience stagger.  You don't want fingers pointing a you if the job comes out lousy.  Inside your personal place is one thing but it's a whole different ballgame in common areas of a building.
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Offline Marlene

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #77 on: August 11, 2009, 11:18:30 PM »
Quote from: racert on April 21, 2009, 11:25:31 AM
I just had my bathroom redone by Old Castle contruction and I am thrilled!  I chose them in part from the other comments here.  I highly recommend them !

www.oldcastleconstruction.com

Would you mind posting photos of the work.  Thank you!  Marlene
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Offline Marlene

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #78 on: August 11, 2009, 11:20:23 PM »
Native:

It's not Spanishfly.  It's Spanishfish.
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Offline Marlene

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #79 on: August 11, 2009, 11:21:26 PM »
Quote from: NYC Native on August 11, 2009, 06:01:50 PM

Actually - I have to agree 100% with julesnyc and spanishfly. 

Native:

It's not Spanishfly.  It's Spanishfish.   :smiley6600:
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Offline NYC Native

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #80 on: August 11, 2009, 11:32:15 PM »
Hum...dont you like spanishfly better?    :D
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Offline spanishfish

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #81 on: August 12, 2009, 04:13:14 PM »
Very good point about the lighting JulesNYC.
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Offline Marlene

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Home Improvement
« Reply #82 on: August 13, 2009, 11:46:07 PM »
Hi,

My Berkeley neighbor has met a contractor of Elray Construction Corp. to do the kitchen.  She has asked me for some feedback.  I can't provide any.  Does any JH Lifer have any feedback?  And if so, can you send the information directly to me at marleneflores25@yahoo.com.  Thank you!   :smiley6600:
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Offline dotley

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #83 on: August 17, 2009, 04:08:46 AM »
just wanted to thank all who replied to my painting question.  Your suggestions are much appreciated and I will certainly take them into consideration.
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Offline keylime

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #84 on: September 15, 2009, 10:19:46 AM »
Has anyone dealt with lead abatement (removal or encapsulation) as part or result of remodeling?
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Offline NYC Native

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #85 on: September 16, 2009, 10:50:03 PM »
Quote from: keylime on September 15, 2009, 10:19:46 AM
Has anyone dealt with lead abatement (removal or encapsulation) as part or result of remodeling?
If you have a violation demo it. If you don't have it in a violation and want to save the trims, moldings and doors you will end up spending lots of money saving it. Lead in paint is better dealt with it now before the rules become worst. Go to the DOH and USEPA web sites.  WARNING: ridiculous overkill

BTW - what do you need to know in particular  (if you can afford it and have lead in paint it in moldings and trims rip it and replace it with new )
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