Below, April 27, 2010, Fort Greene, Brooklyn:
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Chase Me Down
It seems more and more often, banks are the only commercial tenants who can afford to rent storefront leases in the city.
We live on DeKalb Avenue on the edge of the Fort Greene and Downtown Brooklyn neighborhoods.
While we see bank branches and atms everywhere, not one seems more prominent in our neighborhood than Chase Bank. I can walk out my door, one block down to Flatbush Avenue and am inundated with Chase Bank.
Below, Chase at 20 Flatbush Avenue:
Below, Chase (formerly the Dime Savings Bank) at 9 DeKalb Avenue:
Below, Chase at Metrotech Center, looming in distance:
While I do not feel lucky to be flooded with the Chase brand, physically and visually, I do feel fortunate to be able to partake in beautiful architecture within walking distance.
The Chase branch at 9 DeKalb Avenue at Albee Square is a magnificent piece of architecture and almost every time I walk down to Fulton Street, I walk though it as if I am just walking down the block. It is ALWAYS a pleasure and that's what architecture should be, always opening one's senses.
Alas, I was only able to take one photo of the interior before being told it was not allowed by security, but I am happy, happy that I can experience the grandeur of this space in my neighborhood.
Below, as luck would have it, a short walk over to Brooklyn Heights, at the Chase Branch (formerly the Brooklyn Trust) at 177 Montague, another architectural beauty, inside and out:
For more information and vintage photos of the former Dime Savings Bank at 9 DeKalb Avenue at Albee Square:
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/03/walkabout_photo.php
For more information on former Brooklyn Trust at 177 Montague: http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/03/building_of_the_3.php
Pop in for a peek and be happy.
We live on DeKalb Avenue on the edge of the Fort Greene and Downtown Brooklyn neighborhoods.
While we see bank branches and atms everywhere, not one seems more prominent in our neighborhood than Chase Bank. I can walk out my door, one block down to Flatbush Avenue and am inundated with Chase Bank.
Below, Chase at 20 Flatbush Avenue:
Below, Chase at Metrotech Center, looming in distance:
While I do not feel lucky to be flooded with the Chase brand, physically and visually, I do feel fortunate to be able to partake in beautiful architecture within walking distance.
The Chase branch at 9 DeKalb Avenue at Albee Square is a magnificent piece of architecture and almost every time I walk down to Fulton Street, I walk though it as if I am just walking down the block. It is ALWAYS a pleasure and that's what architecture should be, always opening one's senses.
Below, as luck would have it, a short walk over to Brooklyn Heights, at the Chase Branch (formerly the Brooklyn Trust) at 177 Montague, another architectural beauty, inside and out:
For more information and vintage photos of the former Dime Savings Bank at 9 DeKalb Avenue at Albee Square:
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/03/walkabout_photo.php
For more information on former Brooklyn Trust at 177 Montague: http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/03/building_of_the_3.php
Pop in for a peek and be happy.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Mon Oncle-Jacques Tati-1958
After deciding not to get cable TV service at our new apartment and at the coaxing of my niece, we decided to sign up for Netflix. While I had known of the Netflix procedure of ordering DVDs' through the mail, I was not aware that there was a myriad of TV shows and movies that we could watch instantly.
Our iMac is instantly transformed in the evenings from computer desktop to TV and movie screen.
It was almost 9pm this past Sunday and my husband and I had yet to pick a movie to watch.
I said something light for I feared I was going to fall asleep at any moment. My husband suggested Jacques Tati's Mon Oncle, a director/actor and film with which I was not familiar. I balked at first, not feeling like reading sub-titles that night, but my husband assure me there would hardly be any words to read.
Jacques Tati plays Monseieur Hulot, a bumbling but lovable bachelor who lives the charming and relaxed French lifestyle of romping dogs, fresh fruit and vegetable carts, the neighborly cafe and the old-world walk up apartment building. The movie is a whimsical social commentary on Mr. Hulot's old-world and the new fangled modern world of his sister's family, Madam and Monsieur Arpel and their son Gerard.
Intrigued, I agreed and was taken aback when the opening credits began and I knew I would love the film.
Below, opening credits via signage at a construction site:
Below, Monsieur Hulot's apartment building:
Below, Monsieur Arpel at the front door of Villa Arpel:
Below, interior of Villa Arpel with Gerard outside the door:
Below, the Arpel's new car:
Too many wonderful scenes in this movie, but here are two of my favorites:
Fabulous scene of Monsieur Hulot in the Kitchen at Villa Arpel:
Our iMac is instantly transformed in the evenings from computer desktop to TV and movie screen.
It was almost 9pm this past Sunday and my husband and I had yet to pick a movie to watch.
I said something light for I feared I was going to fall asleep at any moment. My husband suggested Jacques Tati's Mon Oncle, a director/actor and film with which I was not familiar. I balked at first, not feeling like reading sub-titles that night, but my husband assure me there would hardly be any words to read.
Jacques Tati plays Monseieur Hulot, a bumbling but lovable bachelor who lives the charming and relaxed French lifestyle of romping dogs, fresh fruit and vegetable carts, the neighborly cafe and the old-world walk up apartment building. The movie is a whimsical social commentary on Mr. Hulot's old-world and the new fangled modern world of his sister's family, Madam and Monsieur Arpel and their son Gerard.
Intrigued, I agreed and was taken aback when the opening credits began and I knew I would love the film.
Below, opening credits via signage at a construction site:
Below, Monsieur Hulot's apartment building:
Below, Monsieur Arpel at the front door of Villa Arpel:
Below, interior of Villa Arpel with Gerard outside the door:
Below, the Arpel's new car:
Too many wonderful scenes in this movie, but here are two of my favorites:
Fabulous scene of Monsieur Hulot in the Kitchen at Villa Arpel:
Madam Hulot giving a tour of interior of Villa Arpel:
I LOVED this movie as not only is it utterly charming, it is also visually stunning and stylish.
Afterwards, my husband said his father, a landscape architect of post-war modern design, loved this movie too and it was fitting that we had seen it on what would have been his dad's 92nd birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad!
It is a must see!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Pullet My Egg
Because my husband and I spent so much time last Saturday at the first day of the outdoor Brooklyn Flea, noshing on everything and looking at every other thing, I didn't get to our local Fort Greene Greenmarket until after 3:30pm.
To my great dismay, the vendors were already packing up if not already gone. Not to be defeated, I left with a dozen brown eggs from Tello's Green Farm for $3.50 and vowed that I would get to the Carroll Gardens Greenmarket on Sunday morning for my provisions.
My interest is piqued at the Grazin' Angus Acres stand where I inquire about the pullet eggs on display. They are a beautiful range of browns and seem ever so small, fitting loosely in their egg compartments with room to spare.
I am told that pullet eggs are the "veal" of the egg world, the first eggs of the pullets, young hens under a year old. There is only a small window of several weeks each year to obtain these early eggs before the hens fully mature and produce bigger eggs. Even though the $8.00 a dozen gives me pause, I walk away happy to try something new and eager to do an egg comparison.
The Match-up:
On the left, medium size eggs from Tello's Green Farm bought on Saturday.
On the right, pullet eggs from Grazin' Angus Acres bought on Sunday:
The Poach:
The Match:
On the left, the medium hen egg has a large, round, soft yolk and a firm, well structured white.
On the right, the pullet egg has a large, highly rounded, firm yolk and a soft, loose white.
The Upper Cut:
On the left, the hen's egg, a beautiful orange yellow yolk color and thick consistency.
On the right, the pullet's egg, a richer yellow, orange color and thicker in consistency.
The Split Draw:
Hen's egg: Rich, creamy, delicious and an everyday treat.
Pullet's egg: Unctuous, lush, delectable and a seasonal treat.
Both winners in my book, even if the pullet pinches my pocketbook.
To my great dismay, the vendors were already packing up if not already gone. Not to be defeated, I left with a dozen brown eggs from Tello's Green Farm for $3.50 and vowed that I would get to the Carroll Gardens Greenmarket on Sunday morning for my provisions.
My interest is piqued at the Grazin' Angus Acres stand where I inquire about the pullet eggs on display. They are a beautiful range of browns and seem ever so small, fitting loosely in their egg compartments with room to spare.
I am told that pullet eggs are the "veal" of the egg world, the first eggs of the pullets, young hens under a year old. There is only a small window of several weeks each year to obtain these early eggs before the hens fully mature and produce bigger eggs. Even though the $8.00 a dozen gives me pause, I walk away happy to try something new and eager to do an egg comparison.
The Match-up:
On the left, medium size eggs from Tello's Green Farm bought on Saturday.
On the right, pullet eggs from Grazin' Angus Acres bought on Sunday:
The Poach:
The Match:
On the right, the pullet egg has a large, highly rounded, firm yolk and a soft, loose white.
The Upper Cut:
On the left, the hen's egg, a beautiful orange yellow yolk color and thick consistency.
On the right, the pullet's egg, a richer yellow, orange color and thicker in consistency.
The Split Draw:
Hen's egg: Rich, creamy, delicious and an everyday treat.
Pullet's egg: Unctuous, lush, delectable and a seasonal treat.
Both winners in my book, even if the pullet pinches my pocketbook.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Knockdowned But Not Out
I have always had a fascination with campaign furniture, also known as knockdown furniture, furniture specifically designed to travel during military campaigns. The essence of campaign furniture lies in the inherent duality to be folded and portable yet be elegant and functional. Traveling and living in tents did not deter the wealthy from continuing to reside in luxury.
This article briefly describes the knockdown furniture of the British campaigns:
http://www.forbes.com/2001/08/15/0815connguide.htmlAlas, our cardboard boxes as dining table and computer table lasted less than a week and an immediate trip to the Target store at the Atlantic Terminal Mall was in order.
With the echo of my new motto, Keep it Simple, Keep it Clean, thumping through my head, I seek out our own campaign furniture: affordable and portable, cheap and chic.
I return triumphant with two tables in tow and set up in a matter of minutes, assured we are Knockdowned but Not Out.
Indoor Camping :
My favorite spot is in the corner:
The Greening of Our View:
Also check out these examples of contemporary and cool Flat Pack furniture:
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Home Sweet Home
Move in day was quick and painless. It was a quick trip over the Brooklyn Bridge from the West Village on a beautiful and sunny Saturday morning.
My husband is THE expert in packing any vehicle, truck, pick up or in this case, a Scion xB. I still can't figure out how he does it, but like magic, it is packed it to the gills with 10 plus boxes and our one piece of "furniture", our full size raised inflatable bed that we use for our "luxury" camping out West. Two trips up the elevator and we are done.
A trip to Ikea Red Hook is in order, as we agree, we need a least two chairs and a small table. As thoughts of Swedish meatballs dance in my head, we zip though the donut floor layout that is Ikea. I am trying to find my husband, surprised that he, who doen't like to shop, finds some of the displays mesmerizing. I need to nudge him along to the warehouse area to find the table and chairs that we have so carefully chosen in the last half hour. The glass and chrome table is sold out, but we do find the 2 swivel chairs with wheels and the 2 folding chairs for our future guests. As time is running out before our little Scion xB turns into a pumpkin, I begrudgingly eliminate the meatball and lingon berry pit stop and anxiously head toward the cashiers, hoping that the lines are shorter than a city block. To my surprise, we breeze right through.
Move-in Day with our inflatable bed, swivel chairs and 2 makeshift tables from the chair boxes :
We celebrate our first night with Chinese take-out and a bottle of delicious bubbly, courtesy of our good friends:
We couldn't ask for a more perfect day.
My husband is THE expert in packing any vehicle, truck, pick up or in this case, a Scion xB. I still can't figure out how he does it, but like magic, it is packed it to the gills with 10 plus boxes and our one piece of "furniture", our full size raised inflatable bed that we use for our "luxury" camping out West. Two trips up the elevator and we are done.
A trip to Ikea Red Hook is in order, as we agree, we need a least two chairs and a small table. As thoughts of Swedish meatballs dance in my head, we zip though the donut floor layout that is Ikea. I am trying to find my husband, surprised that he, who doen't like to shop, finds some of the displays mesmerizing. I need to nudge him along to the warehouse area to find the table and chairs that we have so carefully chosen in the last half hour. The glass and chrome table is sold out, but we do find the 2 swivel chairs with wheels and the 2 folding chairs for our future guests. As time is running out before our little Scion xB turns into a pumpkin, I begrudgingly eliminate the meatball and lingon berry pit stop and anxiously head toward the cashiers, hoping that the lines are shorter than a city block. To my surprise, we breeze right through.
Move-in Day with our inflatable bed, swivel chairs and 2 makeshift tables from the chair boxes :
We celebrate our first night with Chinese take-out and a bottle of delicious bubbly, courtesy of our good friends:
We couldn't ask for a more perfect day.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Starting Line in Brooklyn
My husband and I are not young nor inexperienced, yet we find ourselves
Starting Out Starting Over and once again at the starting line.
Why, you ask? Why not, I say. It may not be by choice, but I say it is fortuitous.
We find ourselves with not more than a few boxes of belongings beside us, most of our worldly goods freshly out from a long stay in a storage facility and currently tucked away out West.
From living in a wonderful apartment in Chelsea in New York, to out of our luggage out in California, in a cottage in the Carribean, in a cabin in Northern California, out of our luggage in New York, we have gradually adapted to living without much, both monetary and material.
Take a quick look, a single spin is all that is required, around the studio apartment:
Before even looking at any apartments, we chose the studio plan as an economic choice, period.
After seeing this apartment and its location, we knew instantly it would offer far more than its modest square footage and its gritty neighborhood belies.
I am ALWAYS the first to advise another that change is good and I am now the happy recipient of my own advise.
Starting Out Starting Over and once again at the starting line.
Why, you ask? Why not, I say. It may not be by choice, but I say it is fortuitous.
We find ourselves with not more than a few boxes of belongings beside us, most of our worldly goods freshly out from a long stay in a storage facility and currently tucked away out West.
From living in a wonderful apartment in Chelsea in New York, to out of our luggage out in California, in a cottage in the Carribean, in a cabin in Northern California, out of our luggage in New York, we have gradually adapted to living without much, both monetary and material.
Take a quick look, a single spin is all that is required, around the studio apartment:
After seeing this apartment and its location, we knew instantly it would offer far more than its modest square footage and its gritty neighborhood belies.
I am ALWAYS the first to advise another that change is good and I am now the happy recipient of my own advise.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Welcome to Brooklyn
My name is Silvina Goefron Royston. My husband and I have been bouncing from place to place across the country the past two years and we have finally landed in a special spot in Brooklyn. While I am a native New Yorker, raised in Queens, and my husband, a Bay Area native, transplanted to NYC over 25 years ago, we must admit that we know very little about the borough of Brooklyn other than the occasional visits to cultural events or to visit with friends. We arrive at the cusp of a new season and at a crossroad in our lives, ready to start anew. We are at what I call the SOSO point in our lives: Starting Out Starting Over. While our lives and our lifestyle have definitely changed and have felt so so in many ways, our new home in Brooklyn and the spring season brings us hope for renewal and regrowth. As an Architect, an avid home cook, a savvy shopper and enthusiastic New York City pedestrian, it is my goal to absorb and share all that is wonderful, intriguing, resourceful and affordable about my newfound Brooklyn and the New York City I truly love and adore and, no matter where I am living, will always call home.
Views from our Brooklyn perch:
Views from Brooklyn Botanical Garden of Cherry Blossoms and of Turtles Sunning in Pond:
Views from our Brooklyn perch:
Views from Brooklyn Botanical Garden of Cherry Blossoms and of Turtles Sunning in Pond:
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