Category Archives: Uncategorized

New York Architectural Treasure

November 23, 2012

A long view of the Bayard Condict building.Slideshow

A couple of weeks ago I had to go to a meeting on Layfayette Street in Lower Manhattan. I was a bit early so I looked for a place to have a cup of tea and found Le Pain Quotidian. Only when I was leaving and looked up did I realize that I was in a very special building disguised by huge scaffolding. I poked around a bit and found the entrance at 65 Bleecker Street and was I surprised!!

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Privet House at Christmas

November 23, 2012

An ornament tree as you enter the shop. You immediately feel the holiday spirit.Slideshow

I love small shops whose owners so tastefully decorate for the holidays. This past weekend I went back to the Privet House in Warren, Ct to find a couple of last minute gifts and was delighted to see the shop looking so festive. There were great gift ideas for everyone on your list from the dog to the smallest child.

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Care of Fittings

November 23, 2012

Three textures of soft Elements cleaning cloths should be part of your cleaning ritual for your fitting. Wiping them down after every use will stop hard water from damaging the finish. Slideshow

The expectation is that the original lustrous finish on beautifully crafted fittings will last at least 20 years. This is essentially true unless the finish meets with some calamity such as an ammonia based or abrasive cleaner or poor air quality.  In fact, the fitting should be treated with the same care as one would devote to the finish of a fine piece of furniture or a well-loved car. Improper cleaning can damage the surface of the fitting and careless upkeep is a sure way to allow air, water and harsh chemicals to ravage the plating.

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Waterclosets/Toilets

November 22, 2012

17th century earthenware chamber pots.Slideshow

I am not usually inclined to write about waterclosets/toilets; they are the strictly functional element of the bath.  However, there has been a lot written about them in recent days and I thought I should weigh in. The news has centered around the Bill and Melinda Gates initiative to search for a new toilet that benefits the health and well being of people living in developing countries. According to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, four in ten people worldwide do not have a sanitary way to dispose of their bodily wastes. To solve this problem, the foundation launched an event–the Reinvent the Toilet Fair. Eight teams of engineers competed to develop a super toilet that runs on a “shoestring” and doesn’t need a sewage or water system.

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