A First on The Commode -- A Private Residence!

This was just too good to pass up. Sitting up on a hill alongside Mr. Apples in High Falls is a unique house. Actually, the whole house is a converted barn, and it is rustic, beautiful, and has a rather mysterious past. Half exposed beam, half history lesson, the building is a hodge podge of space put together in a unique way with a kitchen with no counters, a living room with a gazillion outlets, and an informal living space upstairs that was added later.  You can still see where the loft doors were when it was a barn.

The commode is one of the most amazing I've seen. Alas, it may be doomed as it now has a new owner who wants to 'update' it.  So sad.  Meantime, though, we can preserve the commode at least through pictures, and this post.

These are all ads from Life magazine.  From the 50's.  It is an amazing testament to the history of the building, the style of the era, and, wow, advertising.  Each one is unique, and I can't imagine how long it took to do this.  Honestly, it's a wonder the people who lived there, Jake and Bern, were able to leave the bathroom.  I'd be stuck reading all the time!

Hope you liked this first on The Commode.  I know I enjoyed it!

The Shirt Factory -- Kingston, NY

There's this hip place in Kingston.  It's full of studios and old, wooden floors, and exposed pipes.  It's an amazing mix of old and new that really works as a part of the art scene in Kingston.  I had the opportunity to go to a Networking party (and birthday party for JAC) that took place in the hall.  New drywall beside brick from 1917 when the place was built and functioned as, you guessed it, a shirt factory.  Now, there are lots of different artists in the space, and I only met a couple of them.  You can find the link at the bottom for not-nearly-enough-info about the tenants at the Shirt Factory.

On to the restrooms.  There are restrooms on each floor, so bear with me here.

Floor 1 has beautiful exposed beams that compliment the exposed pipes, art on the walls, and shelving for extra supplies, or perhaps a magazine.  Nice.

Floor 2 still has the art going on, but no beams.  We got pipes.  Good enough.  The stall is rather public-bathroom-y, but I guess that's the point.  I apologize for the awful picture of the gorgeous radiator.  Really nice!

Floor 3 We can see seems to be losing it a bit.  The walls are pretty sad, but the hole in the wall is a nice touch.  I think it needs some artistic embellishment.  I took the warning to heart and did not steal the tp, though I think most people need it for 'personal use'  (couldn't resist!) and I'm really just loving the fact that there is an art magazine on the floor to share when one needs it the most.

Floor 4   I don't think I have words.  It's...it's...well, it has a slop sink, so that's something.  And two tones.  Yep.  It has that lived in vibe.  Let's go with that.

What happened here?  Did the owners just give up by the fourth floor?  Were they too tired?  There is a definite disconnect here between the fourth and first floors, and it's obvious that it transitions floor by floor.  Maybe it's an elaborate art exhibit with a hidden meaning.  The higher you go, the less you need these Earthly accutrements and just need the basics?  Hmm. Something to ponder.

(Happy Birthday today, JAC!)

http://artistworkspace.com/Tenants.html

Red Brick Tavern -- Rosendale, NY

Aaaaand, we're back!  And we went to the Red Brick in Rosendale.  The bar tenders are super friendly, and the food portions are so big, you're going to want a partner to share with.  I find their prices a bit high, but it helps when you share.  That doesn't mean I'm going to share my beer, though.

At the Red Brick, they used to have the coolest sink in the restroom.  I love the waterfall types, and this one was like an old fashioned hand pump, but modernized.  Anyway, times have changed, and so has the sink.

Like the rest of the bar, it is dark, wood, almost in great shape.  I do have an issue with the door, however.  They seem to have trouble with the lock, and right now it's a hook and eye affair, which doesn't quite do the job.  Having been on both sides of the door, I can tell you that you do have privacy mostly, but I'd really prefer privacy altogether. The good thing is that the ladies' is at the end of a teeny short hall right by the bar, so it's not exposed to the world, just to the one person trying to get in.  But still.

Also, I didn't see any other hook.  Like for a purse or coat.  Not that I'd take my coat in, but still.  How much is a hook?  On the other hand, if they can't handle the lock situation, maybe they don't trust themselves with the hook deal.

All in all, the Red Brick is a pretty nice place to hang out.  Sharing food makes the prices easier to take, and the commode is useable, but be warned you might feel a tad exposed.

http://www.redbrickrosendale.com/