What i like most about this project of introducing people's home is the variety of people i meet in the process. Today, we are peeking into what i would call the quintessential downtown life of the busy new yorker.
Wes is a young investor living in a fairly new building. But his apartment somehow reflects the feel of a classic New York interior. He really used the space cleverly and created a home that is uncluttered, comfortable and simple. The stark winter light outside made the place extra cozy that morning.
As the nature of his profession always calls, Wesley had to work that day and i swifted out as fast as i had swifted in, leaving behind a sense of wonder on how it would be for me to live his kind of life.
©2012 Anne-Claire Rohé - All Rights Reserved
If you wish to inquire about my photography services, please contact me directly via www.anneclairerohe.com
Tell us where you live, since when and where you are from originally
I live at the corner of Henry street and Rutgers, where the eastern edge of Chinatown bleeds over into the southernmost section of the Lower East Side. I've been in NYC for eight years, the lower east side for five, and this apartment for three. I'm originally from Austin, TX and other than short stints in Dallas and London I have called New York "home" for all of my adult life.
What are the 3 fundamental elements in your daily / weekly routine?
I travel quite a bit for both work and fun, so i'm constantly in a state of packing and/or unpacking. The apartment is actually laid out to facilitate that which is something i got some help putting into place last year. When i'm in town i try to get out to Brooklyn at least once a week. I rent a workspace in a converted industrial building near the Brooklyn navy yards which is super convenient to bike to from here.
Another constant is eating out. I'm not a cook and i love trying new restaurants so the kitchen doesn't see too much action. The neighborhood has some great restaurants like Fat Radish, Barrio Chino and Cafe Petisco so i have some terrific standbys if i'm not checking out something new downtown or in Brooklyn.
Tell us about your current project
I'm on the board of a great local non profit called Hester Street Collaborative. the group does incredible programing at the intersection of community design, education and public spaces. I'm working with them to develop a marketing plan to get the word out about HSC's mission to the nyc design community. My background is in finance so we're all learning together. What's the best lesson you have learned so far? Change is a constant, whether in your personal life, your neighborhood or the world. There's no way to resist it so it's best to embrace it, enjoy it, and to harness that momentum instead of expending energy trying to slow things down.
What is your favorite occupation at home?
Flopping onto my couch or my chair and watching a program on Roku or Apple tv. Usually i'll peck away at some emails as i'm unwinding with some entertainment.
Your most cherished object?
My vintage Chesterfield chair. I picked it up off of a friend when she was downsizing apartments. I feel a bit bad about it because it's the greatest chair i've ever sat in and she must miss it terribly, but not so much that i'm willing to sell it back. I guess a good chair is worth the guilt.
What is your present state of mind?
Optimistic about the year ahead. Last year i invested a lot of energy pushing a number of moving pieces in my personal and professional life into place, so i'm excited about enjoying the benefits and opportunities provided by those efforts.
If you could live anywhere else in the world, what would be your place of choice?
Does Fort Greene count? (a neighborhood in Brooklyn)
I would love to spend a year hiding in Havana. I recently ran across some Andrew Moore images of Cuba at the Queens museum that really captured my imagination. I also have this Hemingway inspired idealized version in my mind. Those romantic notions and its unattainability make it the perfect place i'll never live.
