Neighbor's House Featured on Brownstoner

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2011/08/building-of-the-day-51-duffield-street/?stream=true

My neighbor's house was the "Building of the Day" on Brownstoner yesterday. Above is a link to the article.

I love that house. My neighbors are great, too. The article mentions that the author will be focusing on other houses in the area. Looking forward to that!

More Wire, Pipe, and Waiting

My Big Fat Not So Green Use of Dumpsters

We really did try to limit the creation of waste. Unfortunately, the house was in very bad condition and much of it needed to be removed. So, we are waiting for our 12th dumpster to arrive. The bricks, cement, and some metal will be reused, but this did not account for much. During this process, I've learned that while it's easy to talk about how less wasteful your renovation will be, when you're staring at rotted wood and mildewed walls, you will (and perhaps must) alter your plans.

I'm back in town, and progress is being made, albeit slowly

I have been to the house for the first time since I left for Italy in early July. Though slow, progress has been made on the plumbing and electrical work. The house is in an awkward stage where a week's work results in a few pipes and wires being added. Though this is necessary, and very important, I'm itching to see the more obvious signs of progress, such as new floors, or tile, or walls. Perhaps in a week or so, I'll have some floors to show you...

My Big Fat Green Renovation in...Venezia?

It's too rich for my blood, but those of you with deep pockets, a penchant for renovation, and a copy of My House in Umbria on your shelf might like this fixer upper. Its back faces a canal, and it is in a central, but not too touristy location.

NY Times Article on Rarity of Solar Panels

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/12/nyregion/solar-energy-slowly-grows-in-new-york-homes.html?_r=1&hpw

Ciao! I am sitting in a cafe in Bergamo, Italy, reading the NY Times online. The above link is to an article on how rare solar panels are in the New York region. I've seen many more buildings with solar panels in northern Italy than I ever saw in New York. Of course, it's a bit sunnier in this part of Italy, but not by as much as you'd expect. Also, the electic bills in Italy must be much higher. Still, I think there is something about the Italian psyche that makes solar more popular, namely, a distrust of anything even remotely connected to a bureaucracy and the government. The sun you can trust, the power authority, no.

Perhaps it's the hecticness of New York life that makes New Yorkers averse to trying out something new, especially when it is comes at a relatively high price. My ConEd bills get deducted automatically, and I don'te really think about them. Choosing solar requires effort, expense and maintenance. I am doing so, but perhaps that's the Italian in me. Maybe New Yorkers should start distrusting ConEd like good Italians, and then solar panels will start popping up on roofs throughout the region.

My Big Fat Green Renovation in...Bergamo Italy?

I'm in Bergamo, taking a little break from the day-to-day renovation, and letting my father handle things while I'm away. This house is across from the B&B where we're staying. Now that's a house that could benefit from a little TLC! It reminds me of the house on Duffield Street when I first met it.