Kara Roberts from Smith & Noble joins Bob in the front rooms of the Manhattan Brownstone to show him the Smith & Noble wide-slat blinds that have been installed. The new windows are a full eight feet tall, allowing lots of light and picturesque views of the neighborhood. The blinds can be raised fully, lowered by degrees, and left with open or angled slats to control the light and privacy. These custom blinds were ordered online and shipped within four days, all for under $200. Standard ladder blinds are perfect for the space, but can be ordered with decorative tapes and custom valances for a personalized look.

Bob meets with Allan Cox from Nawkaw Corporation, on the front of the New York restoration project to discuss the bricks. The bricks were aged and roughed up with a grinder prior to installation to give them an antique appearance. This process also de-glosses the surface of the brick so pigments can be added. After three attempts, the New York City Landmarks Commission approved the pigments added to the brick. To further conform to the Commission's requests, sand dust must be sprayed into the finish to refract additional light.

Bob and Chris Vila are in the back spaces of the Manhattan Brownstone floor-through apartment to check on finish details. The refurbished bedroom space has cove molding at the high ceiling, finished with bed and picture molding for visual interest. The boxy closets and enclosed daybed space have been removed to make a large, open bedroom, with symmetrical boxes at the back end to hide pipes and create a visual frame for the view through the French doors to the balcony patio beyond. Architectural details like the moldings, window framing and apron, and the custom radiator covers from Thomas Bump recall the grandeur of 1890s Brownstone living. Bob and Chris Vila step through the custom nine-foot Pella full-pane French doors onto the balcony patio of the apartment. The doors are hinged in five places, making them extremely secure. The masonry around the doors has been rebuilt and repointed, and will be painted come spring to match the surrounding brickwork. Old concrete and brick has been removed from the patio floor and replaced with frost-proof, Durango Stone for a clean, soft-green look. Bendheim's Satin Tech tempered, etched glass is used as a privacy screen for the patio, and will be supported by a stainless-steel railing that is invisible from the patio side. The installation is designed to look like floating glass. Alternating etched lines give an opaque look and provide visual privacy for the residents, who will enjoy stepping outside without leaving their city home. The patio is completed by Frontgate with a stainless steel grill, iron table and chairs, and a decorative planter to give a winter-garden feel to a year-round space.

Jed Walentes from Two Trees Development meets with Bob to discuss the obstacles in restoring this New York landmark. The New York City Landmarks Commission was especially concerned with the facade as the building was designated an exterior landmark. To overcome the approval challenges the fa�ade was essentially left in tact. The central fa�ade columns were disengaged from their upper mounts, re-plumbed with horizontal jacks and then secured back into position. An entry staircase was added to the opposite side of the current one using bluestone and brick infill, the same materials as the original. The Landmarks Commission approved historic dark green colors for the window frames and a brown for the iron lintels and stone sills to give them a brownstone look. Even the mortar color between the bricks needed approval, so several samples were submitted to the commission before approval could be granted.

…configuration, installing the Unico System is always a possibility - without compromising design or architectural integrity. Brownstone or ranch, one story or multi-level, office or other commercial - regardless of your building's age, design or construction…

…Again wraps up its 15th season on a walk-though of the completed Manhattan Brownstone floor-through apartment. From the exterior fa ade, where 1890s Brownstone and wrought iron detailing have been cleaned and revitalized, to the grand living…

Bob Vila s Home Again on the Upper West Side of New York to renovate a nineteenth-century Brownstone. Brownstones defined the neighborhoods of New York society in the 1890s. But time has touched these properties -- front stoops…

The big story is the cornice molding found in tact when the drop ceiling came down. The molding will set a tone for the main living space, where the bricks have been removed to install a flue liner and drafting fireplace.