Ben Warehime
Ben Warehime is a brooklyn-based woodworker/fabricator and the man behind our rolling pop-up shop, the Wool Peddler.
Photography by Ian Durkin @ianbdurkin
HEY BEN. TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
I’m a fabricator / woodworker for a custom-furniture shop based in Red Hook, Brooklyn. We design and make high-end pieces for residential clients.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I grew up in Denver and went to undergrad out there before moving to Boston to get a degree in fine furniture making at the North Bennett Street School. My intention was always to go back to Colorado afterwards, but I ended up moving to New York City for a summer, and I just never left. I landed a job doing exactly what I love, and I’ve been doing that ever since.
WHAT'S THE APPEAL OF WOODWORKING, FOR YOU?
My grandfather was a carpenter by trade, and I grew up around it. I love doing custom fabrication because each project is different and the work requires a high attention to detail. The pieces we make incorporate a variety of different woods and often other elements, like leather, glass, and metal.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FAVORITE PROJECTS YOU'VE WORKED ON?
At work, we recently finished outfitting a sailboat that’s being custom built in Amsterdam. Outside of work, I rebuilt a 1965 Ford F-100 pickup truck from scratch.
HOW DO YOU LIKE WORKING IN RED HOOK?
I ride my bike there from Greenpoint, and love the commute and how isolated and a little raw it is out in Red Hook. It’s kind of a pirate vibe down by the water, and there are a lot of independent, creative people around.
WHAT ARE YOUR THREE FAVORITE SPOTS IN NEW YORK?
The Brooklyn Bridge Park. It's massive, beautiful and always lively! The BBQ's smell delicious and the view can't be beat. Watch out for the gravel when riding your bike!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. I’m a furniture junkie, and I love walking around this place and getting inspiration from all the historic designs.
And going out to the Rockaways, to relax and read and people watch, is one of my favorite ways to escape the city.
FAVORITE BOOK:
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Top Gun. It’s a classic, of course.
IF YOU DIDN'T LIVE IN NYC, WHERE WOULD YOU LIVE?
If I could go live anywhere and practice my craft, I’d love to go to Spain.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR WOOL&PRINCE GEAR?
I tried out the Wear More, Wash Less Merino T-shirt and it’s great. It’s breathable, lightweight, and durable, and I love that I can throw it into the washing machine, since it’s not dryclean only like other wool products. It kept me cool when I was wearing it in the shop.
Ben is 5'11", 175 lbs, and wears a size M.
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