Monday, September 29, 2008
Take a Tour of the Design Expressions Virtual Showroom
The Virtual Showroom by Design ExpressionsThese 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.
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!
Visit or Contact Design Expressions:
389 Atlantic Ave. Oceanside, NY 11572
Phone: (516) 764-6600 Fax: (516) 764-5016
www.design-expressions.com
Labels: 11572, Design Expressions, Home Improvement Stores LI, Interior Design Long Island, Oceanside
Friday, September 26, 2008
NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol
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
Labels: Environmental Companies in NY, Hiring a Handyman in Brooklyn, Mold Remediation in New York, Seventies Design
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Special Report: Attorney General Cuomo Sets Up Website to Record Consumer Complaints Against New York Contractors
From nyknowyourcontractor.comIn 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
Labels: Complaints Against NY Contractors, Home Improvement New York, New York General Contractors, New York Office of Consumer Affairs
Monday, September 22, 2008
Tips for Hiring a Handyman in New York
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?
Find a Handyman in New York
I Want to Hire a New York Handyman...Now What?
Labels: Handymen in New York, Hiring a NY Handyman, Home Improvement Help NY, Tips for Finding a Handyman
Friday, September 19, 2008
Janovic's Fall Inspiration: Bedroom Redesign
Bedroom by Jamie Gibbs and AssociatesIf 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.
"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...
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
Labels: Bedroom Lighting, Designing Bedrooms, Janovic, New York Interior Designers
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol
Manhattan Bridge Photo by Bob JagendorfSave 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
Labels: Carpentry in New York, Flood Damage, Interior Designers in NYC, New York City Townhouse
Monday, September 15, 2008
Prepare Your Home for Fall: 3 Simple Tasks
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.
Labels: Gutter Cleaning NY, New York Plumbing Companies, Roofing New York, Windows New York, Winterize Pipes
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Hottest Trends in Kitchen and Bath Design are Modern and Intelligent
The Dining Desk by Poggenpohl/DraenertWhat 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
Labels: Bathroom Renovation New York, Kitchen and Bath NYC, Kitchen Appliances, Modern Kitchens
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol
NYC Subway Concert Photo by MorizaOk, 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
Labels: Cost and Value Improvements, Gossip Girl, Interior Designers in NYC, Minimalist Bathroom, Spring Home Improvement Tips
Monday, September 8, 2008
Top Rated New York Handyman Companies
Deck by Greg Lines, Southampton HandymanIn 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.
For the main list of New York Area Handyman Services, visit: NY HandymanFirst 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
Labels: 10022, Hamptons Handyman, Handymen in New York, New Jersey Furniture Assembly
Friday, September 5, 2008
Target's Cool New York City Bodega Project
Bullseye, The Target Mascot DogWe'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 12thSoHo: 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
Labels: 10003, Bodegas in Manhattan, Home Design, Manhattan Decor, Target
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
NY Home Improvement Blog Patrol
1-800-GOT-JUNK truck in New YorkFirst 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!
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.
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.
Labels: Home Improvement Ideas, Interior Design New York City, New York Rubbish Removal
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
New Yorkers Can Help the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund
Gustav: Ugly name, ugly stormNow 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.
Labels: American Red Cross, Disaster Relief, Hurricane, New Yorkers
