apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I would invite my most unattractive, uninhibited friends over and have a naked party on the fire escape every Sunday. Make it the restaurant's problem.

Hi Amy,
Well here's my chance to pretend I live in Brooklyn. For the summer months i think it would be lovely to do a mix of Jasmine Flowers, Passion Flowers and Clematis. There is a reforated patterned material used a lot for radiator covers that might be good to use for privacy or perhaps some long woven pieces of bamboo that you could roll away if needed. I probably would do a mysteriously gauzy sheer fabric window treatment with some plants. Hope this helps,
V

I'd try lining the fire escape w/ cut bamboo and florist wire or some sort of grass (think Hawaiian grass skirts). I don't know if this violates any sort of building or fire codes, but I think it will give you what you want.

along with something to cover the railing, could you maybe attached a roll up, outdoor fabric shade to the level above you? That way you could roll down fabric and tie it to your railing to furthur block views. If this isn't legal, surely you could just attach hooks to the level above and remove the whole roll of curtain when not in use.

How about something like this:

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product/4-panel-metal-privacy-screen.do

Here in the Netherlands the latest thing is to have a weatherproof blow-up of a nice picture in your garden. I can't tell you where to get that in the USA, but I'm sure there are companies who do them. Here it would be a company which does prints on canvas as well...

If you don't have something similar, you might want to check out companies which do prints on trucks....

Whatever you decide, please post pictures afterwards...

Petra

My inclination is that you can't put ANYTHING on the fire escape. No blinds, shades, flowers, etc. I think it's all illegal.

I'd pee off the fire escape while screaming, crying and waving a knife while dropping a mix of jasmine, passion and clematis flowers on those below you until everyone gets the point and never even thinks about looking in your fire escapes direction... or perhaps some sort of fire escape sized Hawaiian grass skirt.

You probably can't put anything on your escape, but you might as well do it until someone tells you to take it down.

You could take some sort of waterproof fabric and weave it through the iron slats. But maybe that won't give you the amount of privacy you want?

Fire escapes are not private spaces like balconies or terraces and should never be "decorated" with anything that is flammable or could hinder anyone's escape during an emergency. One or two potted plants would be fine - but dried bamboo, fabric, screens, etc. is not appropriate and could endanger someone's life in a fire.

Either pull the curtains or get accustomed to the occassional glances from below.

I think I would weave reeds in and out of the bars (think basket weaving)...here is a good supplier.http://www.franksupply.com/

Also, I would put a natural fiber mat on the floor.

Good luck

check with your landlord before you put anything up. when I moved into my aptartment, I was told that even putting a potted plant on mine was illegal. You could also check with 311 (NYC information). Let us know what you find out.

Placing ANYTHING on a fire escape is illegal, including weaving anything that is combustible into the grating.

My recommendation is get up and dressed BEFORE brunch, or keep your blinds down.

I'm sure it would be just as uncomfortable for the diners to glance into someone's home as it is to have them looking at you. I'd bet that there is one glance when they see movement, and then once they realise it's a private residence, they'll keep their eyes averted.

or so you can hope...

also sitting out on the fire escape is illegal.

I dunno Therapy4me... that might be seen as performance art and attract a pretty big following each Sunday.

I don't know what your windows are like in your apt., but perhaps you could buy come cafe curtains or top down/bottom up shades to block the view from below but allow you to still get light.

I think your fire escape looks pretty cool as is. Looks like you have a nice view. Very Breakfast at Tiffany's. Get a guitar, slap a bandana on your head, and go sing Moon River out there!

I had this similar situation about 10 years back. I got some sailcloth and wrapped it around (inside) the railing and then tied it to the top of every other rail with tabs I'd sewn on. The only thing is, that was a little iron balcony ... I'm not sure if you can legally put fabric on a fire escape. hmmm

What about some pretty window film? That way, the light still shines through but your privacy is ensured. See, for example, this great post by not martha at design*sponge:

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2007/10/window-films.html

They carry it at Rare Device. But I have to say, I love PaintChip's suggestion - I would definitely stop by! ;)

Have you thought of covering the lower half of your perforated vision film?

http://www.redcliffe.co.uk/point_of_sale/window_graphics.htm

If you have a double hung window without a grill, you can cover the lower half with the film and have the upper portion clear. The perforated holes will still allow some light to shine through while offering privacy. And you can print whatever graphic you'd like.

I think it would be witty to print a cat on a window sill and have the image face the diners below.

Whoops...I meant to write "Have you thought of covering the lower half of your window with a perforated vision film".

You mustn't obstruct the fire escape - http://nyfiresafe.com/April%202007.pdf - but you may put flame-proof screening around the edges. Radiator grille attached to the railing and floor would work.

You could also bring out a folding screen, table and chair just during brunches.

hi, amy.
i thought that fire escape/cafe looked familiar.
i confirmed with sarah that this was your place.
glad to see you're still there.
love,
julie (in pdx again).

seems like using an old radiator grille or fireplace screen to help block the view from the fire escape is a good idea - I guess you would attach it so it is flush against the far side of the fire escape so it isn't obstructing the path on the escape. I LOVE the window film options you linked to, mavieenrose. Perhaps the combination of those two things would be best?

I'm not sure why anyone would feel like they were entitled to privacy from the buildings around them??

If you don't want to close your curtains, then it's not their fault for looking up! What about all the other buildings around you - certainly people across the way and above can also see in? The whole city is a stage!

(Besides, won't a fire escape cluttered up with plants and hawaiian skirts just make people take more notice?)

If you have good rent, appreciate it and all the quirks that go along with it.

You cannot do much at all. As many have already said, you cannot alter or impede the use of fire escapes in New York. You will be fined (or I should say the owner will be) people do get away with things from time to time, but I have witnessed the fire department giving out fines to clients of my while viewing properties. I have somewhat of a similar predicament, in that out of my two large windows this couple has created a massive oasis roofdeck on their roof(of course) I am top flr and the two windows and their roof is about 15 feet away and eye level. This is the 2nd summer like this and this year it is worse. They are out there ALL the time, rain or shine, it's bizarre and they sit looking right at me, although they probably are not. I walk around naked still, but it's weird. I could care less being seen naked, but when its the same group over and over, it kinda loses its appeal to me. Reality is I need to move...Kinda sucks. You may need to move too.

Non flammable and non-impeding (i'd say radiator grille is it) that ish is kinda expensive so i'd prolly opt for cafe curtians personally.

One solution which does cost a bit, but would give you some privacy, is a 'top down bottom up Roman shade'. If it is just one window, and you have a few dollars set aside, it may be a worthy investment. And you can always take it with you. Smith and Noble sells them, and so does Janovics. Get one that is made of sheer material, like linen, and it will let light through as well as provide privacy on the bottom portion of your window on those Sundays.

As much as I would love to push the idea of flowers on the balcony, I have to agree that it is a choice that could get you everything from nothing to a warning to a citation.

Maybe you should call 311 and see if that outdoor cafe is legal.

i would go to a garden supply store (like jamali in the flower disctict) and get some of that cool bamboo fencing. then you could just fence the fire escape and therefore block the view. it is pretty to look at too. if they make you take it down then they make you take it down... but i see it all the time and nobody seems to care.

i like the window film idea too...

also breathing out on the fire escape is illegal.

Question Poster Amy here.

Ha - I have thought about doing crazy things that might make diner's uncomfortable. Ex: weird burlesque shows, or getting a recording of loud vocal sex sounds and playing it into the cafe (to compete with the brunch sounds of forks clanging against dishes, conversations, and babies crying, and then the super loud private parties at night. It's amazing how much sound reverberates). Or- even though I am pro-choice, getting those large photos pro-life protesters use to picket with, and having them face the diners. !!!

but - Those actions are fine for fantasy, but not really the kinda of person I want to reflect. ;]

As far as city living and privacy - I've lived in SF, Seattle, Chicago, etc.

Trust me, living right above a busy open cafe is WAY different than having apartments across from you or pedestrians on the sidewalk right outside your window.
Overnight guests have also commented on the noise and lack of privacy.
But as I stated in my original post - moving is not an option right now. I just want to make the place as enjoyable as I can make it. I want my apartment to be my oasis, as should everyone's.


Regarding 'is the cafe legal?' - hmm, that is a good question. For the last 3 years, when ever it rained in the summer, they used to attach blue plastic tarps to the fire escape above me, allowing me to ONLY view into the cafe. and making my apartment blue. It made me blue.

After couple of years of me politely asking them to take it down, I finally called 311 last year. (note - it was not up for years, a week at at time at most. but still). The inspector came out immediately (and I think issued a warning to my landlord, the owner of the property. eek.). But then a month ago, the Cafe again put up a plastic tarp - this time white, again making it so I can only look into the cafe, and blocking my view of the sky. They took it down because they thought I was going to call 311. well, I did call, but the agent thought the tarp had to be blocking my escape for them to do anything about it. But the agent was interested in the fact that there were tables right below my fire escape... in the end, I did not file a complaint, as they took the tarp down while I was talking to the agent.

So, maybe you can attach things, as long as it's not blocking the escape route? and as long as it is not flammable?

I think maybe it depends upon the inspector, 311 operator, fire inspector, etc. If they tell me to take it down, I'll take it down.

fyi, my landlord is 80 , and doesn't care. but they get free food from the cafe, so...

So far, the metal fence type things sound great! or rework some decent cafe curtains inside. (I do currently have some full length sheers and regular curtains, but the sheers aren't doing the job. I've thought about window film, or more structural screens, but the sill/view needs to be assessable to kitties.



and to all those telling me to suck it up...


Hi Julie in PDX. gosh, that was so long ago! good memory! Say Hi to Sarah for me.



A

and of course, thank you to the good suggestions!

It is ilegal for you to do anything to the fire escape .
Do you really want to tap dance around plants or slide around on a fire escape in order to get out if there is a fire?
At least think of the firemen who might have to save your life.
DON'T OBSTRUCT THE FIRE ESCAPE!



Bad move.

Yes, it's illegal - totally. Instead focus on window coverings.

ikea makes this great frost for your window. we use it in our living room leaving a space across the window so that we can see out. its private but doesnt make us feel shut in. maybe you can do this. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30079228 apparently you cant put anything on your firescape in bk, or else maybe a show and then its the restaurants problem....

I do not plan on cluttering or obstructing the escape route on the fire escape.
and to reiterate, DOB said it was ok for the cafe to hang the tarps from the fire escape, which totally blocked my view.

Well, your neighbor is your neighbor and you don't own your fence. I would only go outside if I expected to be seen.

As someone who has escaped a burning building via the window, I would be pretty careful in obeying safety laws, and just in general common sense and consideration of your neighbors who might have to come down that way someday. Also, if I'm sitting in a café, I might notice someone out on their balcony, but I'm not staring at you. Remind, you're not still inside; when you go outside, people can see you.

I would get a top-down, bottom-up shade for that window.

Then I would choose another window to look out of when the cafe is open. There must another window in your apartment with a better view.

If you must do something with the fire escape, drape sauerkraut over the railing above the tables below. (whoops! is that where I left the sauerkraut?)

Another idea -- you could simple hang a sheet over the railing, and fasten with some clothespins or industrial grips on Friday or Saturday night before brunch, then take it down during the week.

what if the tarp attached to the bottom edge of your fire-escape, so that it blocked your view of the cafe and vice versa?

Brownstone: For some reason - the Cafe sometimes wants to hook the tarp to the fire escape above me. I think it might have to do with drainage. but since I've complained last year, they now drape it from the wall. well, except that time a couple weeks ago.
During the winter, they keep up a canvas tarp they put over a metal frame. If they kept it up year around, it'd be a dream come true!

Carolart - Its a railroad apartment, so all the windows in the back face the cafe. but I love the sauerkraut idea! I'll save it for when diners smoke below my window...

weloveourGOV-I like the printable film idea. I already have kitties that sit in the window, so maybe a picture of someone mooning diners... oh, wouldn't that be funny.

I'd like to reiterate that the photo I submitted doesn't really allow let one feel how close the cafe is (I also wanted to be polite, and not take pictures of people). When you open the curtains, it's "whoa, there are a bunch of people RIGHT there." It's like there is a cafe of strangers, in my apartment.

It's seeming I might experiment with a few different methods.
I'll post pics and let you know what I decide.

weloveourGOV-I just made the connection that you are talking about the type of film that is on the outside of buses - THAT IS BRILLIANT!

That looks like Miriam's... whenever I eat brunch there I always feel sorry for the people living right above the patio... it is very invasive! Sorry for peeking in your windows : )

Try matchstick bamboo roll-up shades.. in the daytime outsiders cannot see through them, yet they let alot of light in. As long as you don't have any lights on in your apt. outsiders cannot see in. We have them. You can see outside as well, and so can your kitties. They are pretty inexpensive as well. Hope this helps!

...I meant for your windows, not the fire escape, to clarify.