We return to Las Terrenas next month-First of many questions!

susan77 · #1 06-09-2008, 01:02 PM

Hola, dear DR1 forum!

As you may recall, my husband and I purchased a small house in Las Terrenas and we get to spend 8 days there July 29-Aug 6- hurray!

Here are just the first of several questions and I thank you in advance for your assistance!

1. Can anyone recomend an interior house painter and give me an average cost--Do painters charge by the hour or by the job?

2. We need someone to build/create an L-shaped sofa out of concrete for the living area--Any ideas again on who and how much?

3. Can basic furniture (wicker chairs, tables, etc) be purchased in Las Terrenas or will we need to travel to larger towns for these?

4. We plan to bring small appliances like blender, toaster and juicer from the US-- Any other items you'd recommend we buy in the states instead of LT?

Thank you again!
Susan

Menstresdias95 · #2 06-09-2008, 04:46 PM

Hi,
I would recommend you bring a suitable sized coffee pot, an electric fry pan, possibly an iron, a collapsible padded cooler and a fan if you can buy this stuff cheap enough and pack it properly for the flight.

susan77 · #3 06-09-2008, 08:15 PM

Great suggestions--thanks!

davidleemac58 · #4 06-09-2008, 09:31 PM

What about wireless telephones for the house.... I found out are incredibly expensive there...........

Juniper · #5 06-09-2008, 09:41 PM

Hi Susan:

It sounds like you are going to need lots of advice. I am sure there
will be lots of people around that can help you look for the people you
need; however, don't deal with anyone that is not recommended. Unfortunatly, people that do good quality work around here are hard to find.

Here you pay by the job and don't pay until the job is complete. Don't give them any money up front. Buy the materials yourself.

Unless you already have friends here that can help you out, I would suggest
you go to "Mi Amor" restaurant (run by Kelly from Canada) at lunch time. There are lots of English speaking people that hang out there and they will
be glad to help you find what you need.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing you around.

Juniper

Lafcadio · #6 06-09-2008, 10:58 PM

Ask around for "El Mello" (the spelling may be off). It means the twin. He is Alfredo Castillo, a creative artist who does hoese painting. He is reasonable and honest.

Bests

Lambada · #7 06-10-2008, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lafcadio

Ask around for "El Mello" (the spelling may be off).

Close enough

. Twin is gemelo and the g is prounced like an h.

susan77 · #8 06-10-2008, 12:05 PM

These are just the kind of responses I was hoping to get--thank you!

We will definitely go to Mi Amor and try to hook up with some English-speaking folks- (I'm taking intensive Spanish classes in the fall)- I've always believed it's not WHAT you know, but WHO you know....like finding "El Gemelo"!

I'd still appreciate a "ballpark" figure to have a concrete "couch" made--
$2000 RD? $5000?

thanks again-
Susan

Hillbilly · #9 06-10-2008, 01:47 PM

I can only address #3: For good rattan furniture there are two good places. (1) In Santiago there is Artesanía Rattan, which belongs to the Sang family. It is located on Rafael Vidal Street, near Duarte (the road to Moca). It is in the phone book.

(2) This is Mimbre y Rattan Navarrete, located in the town of Navarrete, just past the Linda factory on the left side as you head west. This is owned by Tito Bueno and his wife. (If you can't find it, just ask anyone in the area around the Linda Factory "Where does Tito live?

These are two places that will give you good quality furniture and service.

There is a third alternative. I have seen fiberglass furniture that "looks" like rattan and had a guarantee of ten years. You can wash it down with a hose. I don't know where it is least expensive.

HB

Hillbilly · #10 06-10-2008, 01:48 PM

I can only address #3: For good rattan furniture there are two good places. (1) In Santiago there is Artesanía Rattan, which belongs to the Sang family. It is located on Rafael Vidal Street, near Duarte (the road to Moca). It is in the phone book.

(2) This is Mimbre y Rattan Navarrete, located in the town of Navarrete, just past the Linda factory on the left side as you head west. This is owned by Tito Bueno and his wife. (If you can't find it, just ask anyone in the area around the Linda Factory "Where does Tito live?

These are two places that will give you good quality furniture and service.

There is a third alternative. I have seen fiberglass furniture that "looks" like rattan and had a guarantee of ten years. You can wash it down with a hose. I don't know where it is least expensive.

HB