The Danny Seo 4-1-1
In which our favorite green guru reveals his favorite local antiques emporiums, beauty secrets, flea markets — and even offers up the phone number of his contractor
On Alfresco
“For my deck, all I’ve done is hang up LED string lights as cafe lights. They’ll burn out in about 15 years, and use just pennies to stay lit. I actually never unplug the lights because they’re so super-efficient.”
On Staying Cool (and Warm)
“My home’s new climate-control system is called Acadia, from Hallowell International. It’s one of the most energy-efficient heat-pump systems ever made for heating and cooling your home, and can shave about 70 percent off homeowners’ heating and cooling bills. I love the smart thermostat that comes with it, that ‘learns’ the way I like my house and sets the system to work as efficiently as possible.” Hallowell International, 877-322-2342, gotohallowell.com.
On Antiquing
“In the summer, I spend every Sunday I possibly can at the Golden Nugget in Lambertville. I like to rummage, seek and find bargains, so I don’t even go early in the day. Instead, I’ll have breakfast and show up around 11 a.m., just for an hour or so when the diehard vendors start to pack up. That’s when you get the best deals, like this wooden pitcher I got for $3.” Golden Nugget, 1850 River Road, Lambertville, 609-397-0811, gnmarket.com.
On Socializing
“I am obsessed with the Boat House in Lambertville, where I’ll take friends on a Sunday for Bloody Marys and sit by the fireplace. I feel like I’m in a Ralph Lauren catalog when I’m there, but without the stuffiness. But mostly, I like to cook at home for friends, and make homey snacks like fresh kettle popcorn and roasted seasonal veggies.” The Boat House, 8 ½ Coryell Street, Lambertville, 609-397-2244.
On Vintage Shopping
“I like Gristie’s in Kintnersville, where the stock is always changing and you can always find one or two unusual vintage or antique pieces at reasonable prices. All the way out near Kutztown, I go to lots of stores, including the antiques market in Fleetwood, which has tons of amazing finds merchandised in really unusual ways, like at Anthropologie. And twice a year, I definitely hit the Renningers Extravaganzas in Kutztown to score finds. I once bought a stack of framed early 20th-century botanicals [pictured] for just $5 apiece. I’ve been told they’re worth hundreds of dollars each.” Gristie’s Antiques, 9730 Easton Road, Kintnersville, 610-847-1966; Antique Complex of Fleetwood, Route 222, Fleetwood, 610-944-0707; Renningers Extravaganza, April 23rd-25th, 740 Noble Street, Kutztown, 610-683-6848, renningers.com.
“For my deck, all I’ve done is hang up LED string lights as cafe lights. They’ll burn out in about 15 years, and use just pennies to stay lit. I actually never unplug the lights because they’re so super-efficient.”
On Staying Cool (and Warm)
“My home’s new climate-control system is called Acadia, from Hallowell International. It’s one of the most energy-efficient heat-pump systems ever made for heating and cooling your home, and can shave about 70 percent off homeowners’ heating and cooling bills. I love the smart thermostat that comes with it, that ‘learns’ the way I like my house and sets the system to work as efficiently as possible.” Hallowell International, 877-322-2342, gotohallowell.com.
On Antiquing
“In the summer, I spend every Sunday I possibly can at the Golden Nugget in Lambertville. I like to rummage, seek and find bargains, so I don’t even go early in the day. Instead, I’ll have breakfast and show up around 11 a.m., just for an hour or so when the diehard vendors start to pack up. That’s when you get the best deals, like this wooden pitcher I got for $3.” Golden Nugget, 1850 River Road, Lambertville, 609-397-0811, gnmarket.com.
On Socializing
“I am obsessed with the Boat House in Lambertville, where I’ll take friends on a Sunday for Bloody Marys and sit by the fireplace. I feel like I’m in a Ralph Lauren catalog when I’m there, but without the stuffiness. But mostly, I like to cook at home for friends, and make homey snacks like fresh kettle popcorn and roasted seasonal veggies.” The Boat House, 8 ½ Coryell Street, Lambertville, 609-397-2244.
On Vintage Shopping
“I like Gristie’s in Kintnersville, where the stock is always changing and you can always find one or two unusual vintage or antique pieces at reasonable prices. All the way out near Kutztown, I go to lots of stores, including the antiques market in Fleetwood, which has tons of amazing finds merchandised in really unusual ways, like at Anthropologie. And twice a year, I definitely hit the Renningers Extravaganzas in Kutztown to score finds. I once bought a stack of framed early 20th-century botanicals [pictured] for just $5 apiece. I’ve been told they’re worth hundreds of dollars each.” Gristie’s Antiques, 9730 Easton Road, Kintnersville, 610-847-1966; Antique Complex of Fleetwood, Route 222, Fleetwood, 610-944-0707; Renningers Extravaganza, April 23rd-25th, 740 Noble Street, Kutztown, 610-683-6848, renningers.com.
