Bograd’s Announces Opening of new Green Demolitions Location

Bograd’s Fine Furniture, located at 100 Riverdale Road, Riverdale, NJ, announced today that they have teamed up with Green Demolitions to open the fourth Green Demolitions location. To make room for them, Bograd’s has announced a liquidation sale intended to clear out the existing warehouse for Green Demolition’s arrival.

From Bograd’s press release:

We are very excited that Green Demolitions has chosen our warehouse location to become their New Jersey home. Already operating in Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania, Green Demolitions performs an incredible service while they earn money for a worldwide addiction recovery outreach which provides free literature and resources for addicts around the globe. Their work has been featured on CNN, The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living Radio to name a few.

In order to make room for their arrival, we must clear all our excess inventory from our warehouse. Merchandise will be sold at discounts you haven’t seen at Bograd’s before. You will find many items at discounts of 60 to 75%. You will find odd dining chairs and barstools with retails over $1000.00 for $99.00. You will find a section of goods for which we ask you to make an offer. It is critical that we empty the space, so everything will be priced with that goal in mind. You’ll find items from most of our major manufacturers. To see a list of our vendors, click here. For sample prices and pictures of the merchandise we have in the warehouse, click here.

Green Demolitions will do its part by offering a sample of what they sell. They will have under counter refrigerators, gas and electric cooktops, and stainless steel sinks, all by famous brands. They will also have a brand new, famous name, never used kitchen display that they have just received from a fine seller of kitchens. All of their items will also be offered at prices you’ll find hard to believe.

All merchandise will be available for immediate pickup or you can arrange for delivery. Payment can be cash, credit, or debit card. Our previous customers may also pay with checks.

Don’t fail to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity. We plan to do everything in our power to make this a total sellout. Never before have we offered such values. Never before have we had a situation like this.

So remember, this sale is for four days only. Shop early for the best selection and bring your friends

Remember, the sale starts Thursday, March 11 at 10 AM

Sincerely,

Joseph, Marcia and Mark Bograd
Bograd’s Furniture

New NYC Flagship Store for Waterworks

From Waterworks.com:

Waterworks, known for its’ unrivaled quality and luxurious bath experiences, is moving its New York flagship showroom—set to open early 2010.

Located at East 215 58th Street, around the corner from the famed D&D Building, the two-story, 8,000-square-foot space will feature the brand’s iconic bath fixtures, fittings, surfaces and bath furnishings. The showroom will showcase inspirational vignettes and the essential tools for specifying great bathrooms.

“We are excited for the opportunity to fully update all aspects of our product presentation in support of our amazing New York clients,” said Peter Sallick, Waterworks CEO. “Working with the New York design community has been one of the primary pillars of our business. Making a further investment in this new showroom is a very positive move for Waterworks.”

The layout of the space, designed by the Waterworks design team, will meld luxury and intimacy to reflect the brand’s philosophy of the bath as a personal space of relaxation.

Co-founded in 1978 by Barbara and Robert Sallick, Waterworks is based firmly upon a foundation and commitment to design excellence. Inspired by the rich history of the European bath, Waterworks has brought impeccable style and artisanal quality craftsmanship to the American bathroom. Each product has a story to tell and is created through a unique collaboration involving designers, craftsmen, artisans and manufacturers. Highly regarded as a premier design resource, its exclusive designs now encompass bath and kitchen faucets, surfaces, bathtubs, washstands, accessories, home furnishings and more. Waterworks showrooms can be found in 15 locations across the country.

Amanda’s Law Requires CO Detectors in All Homes

Amanda’s Law goes into effect today.

From NYS Division of Code Enforcement:

New carbon monoxide alarm requirements to go into effect February 22, 2010.

As the result of legislation, Amanda’s Law will go into effect on February 22, 2010.  It requires essentially all residences, both new and existing, to have carbon monoxide alarms installed.  The specific requirements differ for new and existing residences and also on when the buildings were built and subcategories of occupancy groups.

Probably the most asked question will be the requirement for existing one and two family residences.  They will be required to have one carbon monoxide alarm installed on the lowest story having a sleeping area.

The proposal to modify the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, in order to comply with Amanda’s Law, is in the process of being adopted as an emergency rule.  The following link provides the proposed code text and legislation, Amanda’s Law.

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/code/COAlarm.htm

House Museums on Squidoo

A few months back Katie Hutchison posted a piece about my Squidoo lens, Your Complete Guide to Residential Architecture, on her informative blog, House Enthusiast. Within her very kind post regarding my work online, Katie suggested that I add a new section to the page linking users to house museums.

Well, I thought that was a great idea; an idea that I was surprised was not already on the lens. As a child, Mom would truck my brothers and me to dozens (maybe hundreds) of house museums during summer weekdays. I am sure it was mostly to stay sane and keep us kids busy and focused on something other than tormenting one another. I am also quite certain that all that exposure to historic properties lead me straight to architecture school.

It has taken me some time to add the section, but I would like to announce tonight that the section is live and ready for your perusal. Be sure to scroll through the first several sections to find the new list of house museums. It follows Honor Awards. If you do not find your favorite property, please leave a comment below or drop me an email (there’s a link at the top of this page). Send me a link and I’ll add it to the list.

Thanks again to Katie for the post, as well as the suggestion.

Fivecat Studio: To Best Serve Our Clients

Fivecat Studio is positioning itself as Westchester County’s leading provider of residential design and construction services. If you are a long-time reader of my blog, you have taken this journey with us.

When Annmarie and I launched Fivecat Studio in 1999, we wanted to build a great and enduring company that would long outlast the two of us. We planned a firm with a culture that was friendly, professional and truly passionate about the creation of residential architecture; a firm that would serve our clients well with exceptional design and superior service. Ten years later, I think we have done just that.

We have a dedicated staff of project managers and office support, each associate working to provide the best possible client experience. We enjoy working together, have many common interests and respect one another as professionals. It is fun to be in the studio. The creative environment we have established has lead to dozens of successful projects.

As a team, our goal is to develop ways in which we can best serve each client.

In 2009, we launched Construction Management Services in response to client requests for a single source, responsible for the entire construction project. With more control over our projects, we can better maintain quality, manage schedules and control costs. Our Construction Management Service has been a great success.

Bjorn Slate, AIA

This past month, we made another big change at Fivecat Studio. Bjorn Slate, AIA has been appointed to the position of Director of Architectural Services. Read the official press release here.

As a Project Manager, Bjorn has assisted in the development of many of our project management systems. Now as our new Director of Architectural Services, Bjorn will lead the day-to-day operations of the design studio and oversee the successful completion of every Fivecat Studio project. His design skills, project management experience and respected leadership will take Fivecat Studio to the next level and allow us to best serve our clients.

Bjorn’s new position will allow me to focus on business development, operational systems and customer service. In other words, my job is to continue to build Fivecat Studio into the great and enduring company that it is destined to be, and to make certain that each client is happy… at all times.

As we have done since we started, Annmarie and I will continue to be involved in every Fivecat project. In fact, our studio has been structured in a way that each project is a collaborative effort. Each project is lead by a dedicated Project Manager, but through a formal peer review program, as well as continuous informal critiques, each project benefits from the influence and unique knowledge of each member of the Fivecat team.

A healthy, thriving business is one that continues to grow and evolve. With a dedicated team, a list of exceptional clients and a culture of respect and success, even through the tumult of the past year, Fivecat Studio has grown, evolved and succeeded in its mission… to best serve our clients.

It is very exciting to be part of such an organization.

Project Update 021710: Sulgrave Road, Scarsdale

I visited our whole-house renovation project on Sulgrave Road in Scarsdale this morning. Taconic Builders are doing a great job.

Fivecat Project Manager, Bjorn Slate’s design skills are beginning to show themselves in the details. I look forward to seeing the place finished. It’s going to be amazing. (Stay tuned to this blog for an upcoming announcement regarding Bjorn.)

We’re looking at the home stretch now. The insulation installers are doing their thing and the drywall is scheduled for next week.

I posted some construction progress photos over on Fivecat’s Facebook. Let me know what you think.

Our Interior Architecture Specialist, Karen Sidel is coordinating delivery of all the fixtures and finishes. Karen has worked very closely with the owner and has selected some very special finishes for this project. I will post again when the fixture and finish installation begins.

I have written many times before regarding successful projects and trusting clients. The Sulgrave Road project is another great example of this crucial relationship. Thank you to Bonnie and John for letting us do our thing.

Friends of Fivecat: Katonah Hardware

Whenever we’re looking for unique or hard-to-find hardware, we turn to Katonah Hardware.

This afternoon, our client with the glass house asked me to help him find new latches for his eight-foot-tall casement windows. The removed  hardware was a standard, putty-colored “Andersen type” latch. Not exactly appropriate for a 1969 modern glass house. We’re looking for something more contemporary with clean, simple lines.

My first call was to Ian Baren, owner of Katonah Hardware and within an hour we had three choices.

Thanks Ian.

Fivecat Studio: A Radio Interview on WVOX 1460AM

Last week, Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester, invited me to join her at WVOX 1460AM in New Rochelle, NY. I enjoyed speaking with her about Fivecat Studio, the business of architecture and our annual campaign to support local animal shelters, Pillows of Puppies.

Westchester Home Magazine’s Great Kitchens Contest

A few months back, Westchester Magazine editor Nancy Claus invited me to be a panelist for their Great Kitchen Contest. All the finalists are published in the current issue of Westchester Home Magazine and can be found online here. Enjoy…

Amanda’s Law

From NYS Division of Code Enforcement:

New carbon monoxide alarm requirements to go into effect February 22, 2010.

As the result of legislation, Amanda’s Law will go into effect on February 22, 2010.  It requires essentially all residences, both new and existing, to have carbon monoxide alarms installed.  The specific requirements differ for new and existing residences and also on when the buildings were built and subcategories of occupancy groups.

Probably the most asked question will be the requirement for existing one and two family residences.  They will be required to have one carbon monoxide alarm installed on the lowest story having a sleeping area.

The proposal to modify the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, in order to comply with Amanda’s Law, is in the process of being adopted as an emergency rule.  The following link provides the proposed code text and legislation, Amanda’s Law.

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/code/COAlarm.htm