house proud; a picky renovator tells how it\'s done
Donna paulmay 1999 Imagine a pre-war bathroom with a deep porcelain basin that sparkled (
But not too shiny)
Nickel fittings: a wide sunflower shower head and those small porcelain Buckles marked \"hot\" and \"cold\" in the middle of the brave beam handle.
There are copies, of course, but dreams are real.
This is my dream.
So when I was looking for a colleague
Op apartment took me to a pre-war apartment located in Upper West Side with warm East lights, high ceilings and a bathroom with 1929 fixtures, which I was thrilled.
Oversized bathtub, large base sink, white tile wall and basket-
The floor of the woven pattern is original.
The charm of disguise is green.
The black mold and mildew on the wall above the bathtub, decades later, the bathtub was organized into a pattern similar to the Luo Xia test.
This is not the only problem.
As soon as I moved in, I realized that the shower had been leaking ---
It\'s actually a persistent stream.
What\'s worse, I\'m absent.
Sitting carefully on the base sink, a crack of the size of the free clock is created through the base.
It\'s time to take action.
Battle plan renovated oneat-the-
The high-heeled bathroom of its pre-war glory can be a stone-
Cold sober experience as thousands of New York colleagues
The boss of Op already knows.
I budget a fixed amount that I think is reasonable. up --
Repair the leaking pipe, replace the sink, clean up the old mud-
And decided to act as a contractor after consulting with the architect.
The project looks small;
Why not, I guess?
David Moorman, the architect I called, took a look and said, \"intuitive work ---
Tear it off and start over.
Advertising can\'t.
Not only will this hit my budget, but I also know that I can\'t stand living on a construction site.
Yes, there is a problem, but most of the charm of the bathroom is in good condition.
I wouldn\'t consider tearing it off.
We moved to Plan B.
Original shower (
Valve Mechanism in the wall that controls the flow of water)and fittings (
Commonly known as faucet handle)
Could not fix and had to leave. But how?
The surrounding tiles will be destroyed when removed.
Sir, it\'s impossible to match the original tile.
Mullman came up with an amazing elegant solution: remove a part of the tile, replace it with a completely different mesh of handmade tiles, use color in Mondrianstyle \'\'mural.
The new section of 44 inch square meters will be set on the wall by half frame
Round border tiles.
The new shower and accessories will be located in the center of the grid.
Tentatively, I visited Ann Saks in Manhattan, where I saw glass, ceramics and stone bricks so brightly colored that I really wanted to repaint the whole bathroom.
Back to my feeling, I decided to hand tile at sea
Foam blue and yellow-green.
In the showroom, Tina Serpico is a wizard with dimensions and calculations, an asset if you don\'t want to end up with a box of remaining tiles. Ms.
Serpico told me that a client has done a similar project recently.
Murman and I took a look at the residential area.
When Mary and Russell Selver bought an apartment in a building before the Upper East Side war, they found a situation similar to mine.
\"It\'s a bad patch job . \"
Selover called it. Ms.
Selover\'s goal also matches mine: reduce costs and keep the original bathroom as much as possible.
\"Of course, the bathtub is not perfect, but it\'s one of the charms of moving into a pre-war building,\" she said.
\"Instead of trying to match the existing tiles, her architect Tom Hemmerick created a board illustration mounted on the diagonal.
The new mural looks like it has been there since the Hoover administration took office. Now I knew Mr.
Mullman\'s plan will be successful.
When I started looking for a replacement shower, I didn\'t know I was about to be educated on the New York Environmental Protection Act.
I was going to install new fittings in the old configuration with separate faucets for hot and cold water.
I understand that this is not possible due to local law 86.
New York City implemented the law in 1996 to protect citizens from scalding water.
Installation pressure required by law-
Balance valve or constant temperature mixing valve. The pressure-
The balance valve maintains the temperature by keeping the proportional balance of hot and cold water.
But it only allows the flow rate of 3.
5 gallons of water per minute, the flow may fluctuate.
The constant temperature mixing valve can be set at a specific temperature and it will maintain that temperature.
It will also allow a higher flow rate, usually 6 to 14 gallons per minute.
Once the valve is set, it will remain at that temperature.
Shower with pressure
The cost of the balance valve ranges from $75 to $300;
The price of the temperature control valve ranges from $200 to $1,000.
I found the way to the AF supply showroom in the Flatiron area.
The company has been open since 1922 and I believe this is the city\'s most complete choice of bathroom faucets and fixtures.
In the end, I chose a shower body with a constant temperature mixing valve manufactured by Dornbracht, although it costs a lot more than I planned.
\"You want to put the best products on the wall,\" says Bennett Friedman, director of sales and marketing at AF . \".
\"You don\'t want to have problems once it\'s inaccessible.
\"Beginners finding plumbers in New York are like taking a taxi in a heavy rain: no matter how futile the effort may seem, persistence will eventually pay off.
It took six weeks, but I got five estimates ranging from $375 to $750.
I hired Keith Simonelli, the owner of the Brooklyn Metro Pipeline Authority, not because his estimate is the lowest ---it wasn\'t --
But since he is highly recommended and has experience in installing Dornbracht products. Mr.
Simon Nellie is not only very reliable, but also enthusiastic about the job.
The day he broke the wall, he told me to go in and see.
He said excitedly, \"there are 10 feet tubes in it . \" He pointed to the Mazda-like twists and turns of the copper tube.
Five hours later, he installed the new shower into the maze.
After obsessed with setting a schedule for each stage of work, I look forward to the tile installer coming the next day.
The man canceled at the last minute.
It sounds trivial, but the domino effect of a single cancellation can refresh its knee.
It\'s the equivalent of a replica of the Y2K problem.
I need the tile installer to finish his work before the plumber puts the \"trim\" piece (
Panel, handle and knob)in place.
My wall was torn. I had no water.
Within a few minutes I could feel the need for a shower around my neck.
So I hired a replacement without seeing him work.
I will regret it.
Initially I was fascinated by the tile installer, especially his Sicilian father, who has been working with the tile for 40 years.
But their old world approach ended up being a bit more primitive than I had hoped.
Grouting line (
Space between tiles)
The new mesh is too wide and there is nothing to do once the tiles are in place.
Due to the irregular shape of the handmade tiles, it is difficult to obtain the so-called \"tight\" grouting line, but skilled installers can produce-Eight to three
Six months an inch. -
The ideal width of a tile like this, LadySerpico said.
My size is inches;
They are even wider in some places.
The ad, though the grouting line still annoys me, a friend who grew up in Italy, where craft traditions coexist with fatalism, commented on how plain and authentic the illustrations look.
My next mistake was significant: Although he had to complete some details, I paid the installer in full.
It took him months to come back.
The truth about TubsI draws an important lesson: Never hire when desperate, and always check past work if it involves aesthetics.
That\'s exactly what I did when I decided to rearrange the tub.
I travel around the city looking for jobs ranging from $300 to $600.
I don\'t hire anyone.
The professionals I consulted told me not to bother, reglazing is impermanent.
In fact, the word \"reglazing\" is misworded.
Leonard shecht, founder of Urban Archaeology, explains that the surface of the bathtub is actually sprayed with epoxy paint, which will peel off, debris and bubbles over time.
To really return a bath, it must be removed and burned in the kiln ---
Not only is it impractical, but it costs a lot. I listened.
Still, I gave up having bright, new prospects. looking tub.
Mary sellover is right, and although the old thing is not perfect, it is indeed part of the charm.
You believe it anyway. Architect-
Seidman Architects; (212)431-
0770: small work fee, $150 per hour;
Bathroom like this for a total of $3,200. PLUMBING --
AF supply company, No. 22 West 21 Street; (212)243-
5400: Dornbracht shower body and parts including hands
Philippe Starck\'s hand-held shower for HansGrohe, $2,354;
Palladio base sink, $995;
Dornbracht accessories for Sink, $725;
Samuel Heath glass and chrome-plated shelves are $246 each.
Administration of subway pipelines; (718)492-7513: $600. TILE --
Ann Sachs, 5 East 16 Street; (212)463-
8400: $44-$650
Square inch grid number 1182 and No.
172 handmade tiles, white decoration, No. 102.
Advertising Installation: $1,000.
From tile to tub: original material from supplier. and 2.
The Soho collection of towel poles and hooks designed by Thomas O\'Brien of Soho Studios was inspired by the skyscrapers of the 1930s s.
Nickel, matte nickel or chromium;
Single robe hooks, $153 to $168; an 18-
Inch towel strips, $462 in Chrome, $485 in nickel and $508 in matte nickel.
Water Plant, 469 Bloom Street (Greene Street)
237 East 58 Street3. Made-to-
Order the Robern bathroom cabinet with anode alumina frame has many sizes, colors (
Cobalt, black, red, green, matte silver)
And door options (
Mirror, clear, sandblasted or textured glass).
Delivery: four weeks;
466 to $975, 1220 Third Avenue (70th Street)
1992 Broadway Street (67th Street). 4.
The novocpedetta base sink from Italy is made today as it was in 1920s.
Each sink is handmade in a traditional artisan style
Porcelain and glaze for application.
The price competitive version of Novocento fertility.
It has three widths: 1/2, $695;
25 inch, $795; 27 1/2, $895.
Located at AF Supply, 22 West 21 Street. 5.
The Kaldewei Bath from Germany is made of steel and multi-layer enamel.
From the mold casting of the automotive industry technology, the bathtub shape is clean and the surface is particularly smooth.
They are one too. third to one-
Half the weight of the casting
Iron barrels, because of layered enamel, are resistant to fragmentation. The Duo-
Pool, right, 20-inch-
Deep soaking tubs supplied by AF are priced at $2,000.
For an extra $1,600, you can have a whirlpool. 6. and 7.
Oxo\'s library mirror in Wenge wood opens like a book with a flip cover containing a magnifying glass outside.
Opened, it expanded to 31 1/2.
The Oxo independent African sink has a white base and a stainless steel base
The steel basin is the compact size of the city apartment.
The library is $820;
Air Africa supplies $2,875. 8.
The stylish but sturdy cross of Remsen
Handle bathtub accessories from The Da Vinci series--
$430 in Chrome, $480 in nickel or brass-
High Design at affordable prices.
Custom finishes are available. At AF Supply. 9.
The 6 feet nylon bathroom clothesline costs $26.
At a friendly home.
Chrome disk is installed on one wall;
A small plate, hanging on another plate. 10.
Chromtech and Chromwork floor tiles look very stone-like, but they are solid porcelain developed for commercial use.
Easy to clean and slide
This material is perfect for bathroom use.
The cost is about half of the stone;
The installation fee is also low.
Monthly Chromtech comes in ~by-12-inch squares;
In 18-by-18. Prices are $4.
Shiyuan hotel 215 South Park Avenue is $50 to $6 per square foot (17th Street). Advertising.
This oversized acrylic bathtub is designed by Michael Graves for the Hoesch dream collection. Made for mini-
It has a diameter of 6 feet and a weight of 300 pounds. It is not suitable for small apartments.
6 inch thick edge perfect for candles or a glass of champagne.
The price is also high through Duravit: $11,000; (888)387-2848. 12.
Watercolor painting, a new collection of sandblasted glass bricks, has exquisite hues such as Lakeshore, waterfall and Ivy.
Tiles available in various sizes-4-Square inches, 6-by-12, 12-inch squares; $47.
50 square feet of water plant. 13.
Boffi\'s smooth, low rectangular sink is made of limestone from Leche, southern Italy.
It\'s in 31-inch-
High base of walnut, including space for towels.
The sink alone costs $3,689;
The base is $1,321.
Three optional drawers will add another $629.
The sink will be available at Boffi\'s New York showroom at 150 East 58 Street in early September. 14.
Dolci tiles are a mixture of transparent and opaque glass in a gemstone color.
It is best to use as accent tiles, they are very high
Ticket items: Quarter-
$2 per inch tile; 1 1/8-
$5 square inches.
Solid and $10.
More than 68.
At Ann Sachs, 5 East 16 Street. 15.
The limestone in the limestone coordinate tile comes from the quarry in France, and the color is reminiscent of Provence: blue, yellow, smoked gray and cream beige.
The price for ansaks is $9 to $17 per square foot.
We are constantly improving the quality of text archives.
Please send feedback, error reports, and suggestions to archid_feedback @ nytimes. com.
A version of this article was printed on page F00007 of the National edition on May 27, 1999, with the title: house proud;
A picky innovator told us how it was done.
But not too shiny)
Nickel fittings: a wide sunflower shower head and those small porcelain Buckles marked \"hot\" and \"cold\" in the middle of the brave beam handle.
There are copies, of course, but dreams are real.
This is my dream.
So when I was looking for a colleague
Op apartment took me to a pre-war apartment located in Upper West Side with warm East lights, high ceilings and a bathroom with 1929 fixtures, which I was thrilled.
Oversized bathtub, large base sink, white tile wall and basket-
The floor of the woven pattern is original.
The charm of disguise is green.
The black mold and mildew on the wall above the bathtub, decades later, the bathtub was organized into a pattern similar to the Luo Xia test.
This is not the only problem.
As soon as I moved in, I realized that the shower had been leaking ---
It\'s actually a persistent stream.
What\'s worse, I\'m absent.
Sitting carefully on the base sink, a crack of the size of the free clock is created through the base.
It\'s time to take action.
Battle plan renovated oneat-the-
The high-heeled bathroom of its pre-war glory can be a stone-
Cold sober experience as thousands of New York colleagues
The boss of Op already knows.
I budget a fixed amount that I think is reasonable. up --
Repair the leaking pipe, replace the sink, clean up the old mud-
And decided to act as a contractor after consulting with the architect.
The project looks small;
Why not, I guess?
David Moorman, the architect I called, took a look and said, \"intuitive work ---
Tear it off and start over.
Advertising can\'t.
Not only will this hit my budget, but I also know that I can\'t stand living on a construction site.
Yes, there is a problem, but most of the charm of the bathroom is in good condition.
I wouldn\'t consider tearing it off.
We moved to Plan B.
Original shower (
Valve Mechanism in the wall that controls the flow of water)and fittings (
Commonly known as faucet handle)
Could not fix and had to leave. But how?
The surrounding tiles will be destroyed when removed.
Sir, it\'s impossible to match the original tile.
Mullman came up with an amazing elegant solution: remove a part of the tile, replace it with a completely different mesh of handmade tiles, use color in Mondrianstyle \'\'mural.
The new section of 44 inch square meters will be set on the wall by half frame
Round border tiles.
The new shower and accessories will be located in the center of the grid.
Tentatively, I visited Ann Saks in Manhattan, where I saw glass, ceramics and stone bricks so brightly colored that I really wanted to repaint the whole bathroom.
Back to my feeling, I decided to hand tile at sea
Foam blue and yellow-green.
In the showroom, Tina Serpico is a wizard with dimensions and calculations, an asset if you don\'t want to end up with a box of remaining tiles. Ms.
Serpico told me that a client has done a similar project recently.
Murman and I took a look at the residential area.
When Mary and Russell Selver bought an apartment in a building before the Upper East Side war, they found a situation similar to mine.
\"It\'s a bad patch job . \"
Selover called it. Ms.
Selover\'s goal also matches mine: reduce costs and keep the original bathroom as much as possible.
\"Of course, the bathtub is not perfect, but it\'s one of the charms of moving into a pre-war building,\" she said.
\"Instead of trying to match the existing tiles, her architect Tom Hemmerick created a board illustration mounted on the diagonal.
The new mural looks like it has been there since the Hoover administration took office. Now I knew Mr.
Mullman\'s plan will be successful.
When I started looking for a replacement shower, I didn\'t know I was about to be educated on the New York Environmental Protection Act.
I was going to install new fittings in the old configuration with separate faucets for hot and cold water.
I understand that this is not possible due to local law 86.
New York City implemented the law in 1996 to protect citizens from scalding water.
Installation pressure required by law-
Balance valve or constant temperature mixing valve. The pressure-
The balance valve maintains the temperature by keeping the proportional balance of hot and cold water.
But it only allows the flow rate of 3.
5 gallons of water per minute, the flow may fluctuate.
The constant temperature mixing valve can be set at a specific temperature and it will maintain that temperature.
It will also allow a higher flow rate, usually 6 to 14 gallons per minute.
Once the valve is set, it will remain at that temperature.
Shower with pressure
The cost of the balance valve ranges from $75 to $300;
The price of the temperature control valve ranges from $200 to $1,000.
I found the way to the AF supply showroom in the Flatiron area.
The company has been open since 1922 and I believe this is the city\'s most complete choice of bathroom faucets and fixtures.
In the end, I chose a shower body with a constant temperature mixing valve manufactured by Dornbracht, although it costs a lot more than I planned.
\"You want to put the best products on the wall,\" says Bennett Friedman, director of sales and marketing at AF . \".
\"You don\'t want to have problems once it\'s inaccessible.
\"Beginners finding plumbers in New York are like taking a taxi in a heavy rain: no matter how futile the effort may seem, persistence will eventually pay off.
It took six weeks, but I got five estimates ranging from $375 to $750.
I hired Keith Simonelli, the owner of the Brooklyn Metro Pipeline Authority, not because his estimate is the lowest ---it wasn\'t --
But since he is highly recommended and has experience in installing Dornbracht products. Mr.
Simon Nellie is not only very reliable, but also enthusiastic about the job.
The day he broke the wall, he told me to go in and see.
He said excitedly, \"there are 10 feet tubes in it . \" He pointed to the Mazda-like twists and turns of the copper tube.
Five hours later, he installed the new shower into the maze.
After obsessed with setting a schedule for each stage of work, I look forward to the tile installer coming the next day.
The man canceled at the last minute.
It sounds trivial, but the domino effect of a single cancellation can refresh its knee.
It\'s the equivalent of a replica of the Y2K problem.
I need the tile installer to finish his work before the plumber puts the \"trim\" piece (
Panel, handle and knob)in place.
My wall was torn. I had no water.
Within a few minutes I could feel the need for a shower around my neck.
So I hired a replacement without seeing him work.
I will regret it.
Initially I was fascinated by the tile installer, especially his Sicilian father, who has been working with the tile for 40 years.
But their old world approach ended up being a bit more primitive than I had hoped.
Grouting line (
Space between tiles)
The new mesh is too wide and there is nothing to do once the tiles are in place.
Due to the irregular shape of the handmade tiles, it is difficult to obtain the so-called \"tight\" grouting line, but skilled installers can produce-Eight to three
Six months an inch. -
The ideal width of a tile like this, LadySerpico said.
My size is inches;
They are even wider in some places.
The ad, though the grouting line still annoys me, a friend who grew up in Italy, where craft traditions coexist with fatalism, commented on how plain and authentic the illustrations look.
My next mistake was significant: Although he had to complete some details, I paid the installer in full.
It took him months to come back.
The truth about TubsI draws an important lesson: Never hire when desperate, and always check past work if it involves aesthetics.
That\'s exactly what I did when I decided to rearrange the tub.
I travel around the city looking for jobs ranging from $300 to $600.
I don\'t hire anyone.
The professionals I consulted told me not to bother, reglazing is impermanent.
In fact, the word \"reglazing\" is misworded.
Leonard shecht, founder of Urban Archaeology, explains that the surface of the bathtub is actually sprayed with epoxy paint, which will peel off, debris and bubbles over time.
To really return a bath, it must be removed and burned in the kiln ---
Not only is it impractical, but it costs a lot. I listened.
Still, I gave up having bright, new prospects. looking tub.
Mary sellover is right, and although the old thing is not perfect, it is indeed part of the charm.
You believe it anyway. Architect-
Seidman Architects; (212)431-
0770: small work fee, $150 per hour;
Bathroom like this for a total of $3,200. PLUMBING --
AF supply company, No. 22 West 21 Street; (212)243-
5400: Dornbracht shower body and parts including hands
Philippe Starck\'s hand-held shower for HansGrohe, $2,354;
Palladio base sink, $995;
Dornbracht accessories for Sink, $725;
Samuel Heath glass and chrome-plated shelves are $246 each.
Administration of subway pipelines; (718)492-7513: $600. TILE --
Ann Sachs, 5 East 16 Street; (212)463-
8400: $44-$650
Square inch grid number 1182 and No.
172 handmade tiles, white decoration, No. 102.
Advertising Installation: $1,000.
From tile to tub: original material from supplier. and 2.
The Soho collection of towel poles and hooks designed by Thomas O\'Brien of Soho Studios was inspired by the skyscrapers of the 1930s s.
Nickel, matte nickel or chromium;
Single robe hooks, $153 to $168; an 18-
Inch towel strips, $462 in Chrome, $485 in nickel and $508 in matte nickel.
Water Plant, 469 Bloom Street (Greene Street)
237 East 58 Street3. Made-to-
Order the Robern bathroom cabinet with anode alumina frame has many sizes, colors (
Cobalt, black, red, green, matte silver)
And door options (
Mirror, clear, sandblasted or textured glass).
Delivery: four weeks;
466 to $975, 1220 Third Avenue (70th Street)
1992 Broadway Street (67th Street). 4.
The novocpedetta base sink from Italy is made today as it was in 1920s.
Each sink is handmade in a traditional artisan style
Porcelain and glaze for application.
The price competitive version of Novocento fertility.
It has three widths: 1/2, $695;
25 inch, $795; 27 1/2, $895.
Located at AF Supply, 22 West 21 Street. 5.
The Kaldewei Bath from Germany is made of steel and multi-layer enamel.
From the mold casting of the automotive industry technology, the bathtub shape is clean and the surface is particularly smooth.
They are one too. third to one-
Half the weight of the casting
Iron barrels, because of layered enamel, are resistant to fragmentation. The Duo-
Pool, right, 20-inch-
Deep soaking tubs supplied by AF are priced at $2,000.
For an extra $1,600, you can have a whirlpool. 6. and 7.
Oxo\'s library mirror in Wenge wood opens like a book with a flip cover containing a magnifying glass outside.
Opened, it expanded to 31 1/2.
The Oxo independent African sink has a white base and a stainless steel base
The steel basin is the compact size of the city apartment.
The library is $820;
Air Africa supplies $2,875. 8.
The stylish but sturdy cross of Remsen
Handle bathtub accessories from The Da Vinci series--
$430 in Chrome, $480 in nickel or brass-
High Design at affordable prices.
Custom finishes are available. At AF Supply. 9.
The 6 feet nylon bathroom clothesline costs $26.
At a friendly home.
Chrome disk is installed on one wall;
A small plate, hanging on another plate. 10.
Chromtech and Chromwork floor tiles look very stone-like, but they are solid porcelain developed for commercial use.
Easy to clean and slide
This material is perfect for bathroom use.
The cost is about half of the stone;
The installation fee is also low.
Monthly Chromtech comes in ~by-12-inch squares;
In 18-by-18. Prices are $4.
Shiyuan hotel 215 South Park Avenue is $50 to $6 per square foot (17th Street). Advertising.
This oversized acrylic bathtub is designed by Michael Graves for the Hoesch dream collection. Made for mini-
It has a diameter of 6 feet and a weight of 300 pounds. It is not suitable for small apartments.
6 inch thick edge perfect for candles or a glass of champagne.
The price is also high through Duravit: $11,000; (888)387-2848. 12.
Watercolor painting, a new collection of sandblasted glass bricks, has exquisite hues such as Lakeshore, waterfall and Ivy.
Tiles available in various sizes-4-Square inches, 6-by-12, 12-inch squares; $47.
50 square feet of water plant. 13.
Boffi\'s smooth, low rectangular sink is made of limestone from Leche, southern Italy.
It\'s in 31-inch-
High base of walnut, including space for towels.
The sink alone costs $3,689;
The base is $1,321.
Three optional drawers will add another $629.
The sink will be available at Boffi\'s New York showroom at 150 East 58 Street in early September. 14.
Dolci tiles are a mixture of transparent and opaque glass in a gemstone color.
It is best to use as accent tiles, they are very high
Ticket items: Quarter-
$2 per inch tile; 1 1/8-
$5 square inches.
Solid and $10.
More than 68.
At Ann Sachs, 5 East 16 Street. 15.
The limestone in the limestone coordinate tile comes from the quarry in France, and the color is reminiscent of Provence: blue, yellow, smoked gray and cream beige.
The price for ansaks is $9 to $17 per square foot.
We are constantly improving the quality of text archives.
Please send feedback, error reports, and suggestions to archid_feedback @ nytimes. com.
A version of this article was printed on page F00007 of the National edition on May 27, 1999, with the title: house proud;
A picky innovator told us how it was done.
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