Blaustein Paint and Hardware

Profile

This compact neighborhood spot devotes almost half of its space to house-painting needs. The small selection of Ralph Lauren and Benjamin Moore swatches is backed up by a wide range of finishes, varnishes, and treatments, as well as rollers, sponges, and other tools of the trade. The rest of the West Village store’s inventory is a hodgepodge of household goods. There are simple replacement items like aluminum mailbox slots and unadorned doorknobs and the nuts and bolts needed to affix them. Basic kitchen, electrical, garden, pest-control, and cleaning needs are also here, and a tiny room in the back houses a key-copying center. Much of Blaustein’s clientele is made up of local contractors, but the good-natured staff will gladly school homeowners on DIY projects. — Alex Littlefield