Posts categorized as DIY

Ok, so we’re obsessed with wood. It’s natural, beautiful and resistant to damage. Seven months ago we started hoarding unwanted material from a barn in Massachusetts, dumpsters in Far Rockaway and a gutted house in Ridgewood. It’s astonishing the stuff people throw out. We’ve put our collection to use, repairing floor boards, making paneling and adding features throughout the house. Our style inspiration is American Craftsman with a touch of “farmhouse”. We’ve seen exposed beams many times on our trips to Lake George and I’m always charmed by the Adirondack aesthetic. We salvaged the oak beams from an old barn […]

The Tomato Gals love seasonal decoration. The holidays are here – it’s time to adorn the home! Before you run out to Michaels Craft, take a look in your backyard or outside the apartment. You’ll be surprised what you can create with the materials around you. I was upstate recently at John’s cabin and came across this neat book. Using steeplebush branches I started to created a fall wreath. The city is not the Catskills, but you’ll find what you need. Last resort… take a walk to your local NYC Park. […]

We’re excited to participate at the Ridgewood Market this month, selling our unique potted plants. The planting containers vary – we have up-cycled hand-picked finds, decopage recycled cans and handmade wooden planters from reclaimed barn wood (white pine). Look for Spider plants, Coleus, Pothos Vine, and Kalanchoe. All plants are propagated and homegrown with love and care. Check out a sample of our merch!   Sunday, November 23rd 2014 11 AM to 5 PM! – Handmade, Artisan, and Vintage Gifts! – Food, Pastries, Brunch, Alcohol, and Music!!! – Gottscheer Hall!! […]

When I wrote about the patriotic Johnny pumps appearing in Rockaway somehow I missed this one. It brings to mind a kind of patriotism Andy Warhol would have approved of. We’re not sure who is responsible for these paintings. Maybe it’s the Rockaway Civic Association, the RAA, or one very patriotic Rockawayite? Contact us if you have any information about these wonderful public art displays.      

This is the first official “garden” post for our new location in Rockaway, Queens. I’ll post everything from a beach critter I find on the sand to the tomatoes growing in my backyard. Here’s the first post in The Nature Walk series! I discovered this beautiful Grasshopper the other afternoon. He was hanging out on my sunflower. This guy isn’t the only one enjoying these flowers, the bees are buzzing on them all day. In the spring, I ordered the Northeast Wildflower Seed mix which included sunflowers and other seeds that work […]

We have a working toilet, no walls to enclose it but hey, we’re not picky. Things are moving along, here’s the update. (Yes it looks crazy, we know) We hadn’t planned on changing the windows but Maureen found a deal on Craigslist for Andersens that we couldn’t pass up. They’re in great condition. We couldn’t believe someone would throw these out! Another person’s trash… that’s what they say, right? We managed to replace all windows on the first floor. The new ones bring in more light – I’m very happy with […]

With branches from your garden or found tree limbs on the street, give this DIY centerpiece a whirl. I was on the RD looking around when Aunt Brenda’s voice echoed in my head “I JUST SPRAY PAINT EVERYTHING, IT’S WAY CHEAPER THAN BUYING THAT STUFF IN THE CRAFT STORE.” Aunt Brenda is famously known for her gorgeous holiday decor. She uses spray paint on found yard branches to make Christmas and Easter centerpieces. After she transforms them with sparkles of gold and silver, she hangs ornaments on the DIY trees. Every year […]

Photo via Last Dragon Pizza Facebook Since reading on DNAinfo about the underground pizzeria Last Dragon, we’ve been dying to try it out. Last Dragon Pizza is the creation of Nicole Russell, 41, a super-fan of the cult classic film who slings her pies like blue arrows at her home in Arverne. A few weeks ago Susanne and I made arrangements to pre-order for a Wednesday night pick-up. After much back and forth, we agreed to order The Glo!!!  It would be smart to try the “nuts and bolts” pizza first, we thought.  The Glo!!! is […]

Stop by and say hello this Sunday at Gottscheer Hall. We’re selling house plants in recycled cans. There are some great vendors this spring, check’m out.

We recently caught up with Rockaway residents Beth Waytowich and Tara Mckiernan, co-owners and creators of  the End of the A Mobile Boutique. Yes, we’re talking about an on-wheels fashion boutique servicing the Rockaways! Here’s the scoop… Q: What was the inspiration for End Of The A Mobile Boutique? The inspiration for the name ‘End Of The A’ is Rockaway being the last stop of the A train. The idea for a mobile boutique stemmed from Tara and I wanting to turn our love for fashion and the beach into a business. Rockaway […]