Chloé Crane-Leroux’s Apartment Brings Paris to the Upper West Side

Like so many of those who occupy New York City’s most storied Beaux-Arts buildings, it was the rich history and ornate detailing that drew Chloé Crane-Leroux to her Upper West Side apartment – a neighbourhood she’s called home for the last seven years. “The building was completed in 1904 and has a French quality to it, a bit like the Haussmann style, which is typical of Paris architecture,” she says. The photographer and recipe developer had strolled by the building on several occasions, so when the opportunity arose for her and her partner to move in, there was no question.

“Funnily enough, my building was a hotel back in the day and my grandfather used to stay here,” she shares. When the hotel was converted into residences, her grandfather (who has since passed) had friends who moved into the building. “I have photos of that, which is so special. He would always talk to me about this building, so it just feels like such a full circle moment. He would be beside himself to know I live here now.”

Native to Montreal, currently a New Yorker, and a bit Parisian at heart, Crane-Leroux’s design sensibilities envelope the best of all these worlds. Her home is flooded with natural light and offers an open layout with exquisitely charming touches, from the built-in shelving and herringbone floors to the large windows and tall ceilings. The flow and feel of the space is reminiscent of a flat one might find in Paris’s 7th arrondissement – relaxed, sophisticated, effortless, and perfectly lived-in.

“Home needs to be a place of peace,” she says when we ask about the numerous curvatures found throughout the home, including the rounded edges of her kitchen island and her curved dining table. “For me, having these fluid shapes in my apartment creates a sense of balance, especially compared to the angular structure of my couch and different consoles and cabinets. Everything flows together.”

Because her home is over a hundred years old, it comes with its own unique characteristics – and quirks. “The doorknobs everywhere in the apartment are original to the building and are just so beautiful,” she says, pointing to examples of both silver and brass. “They all have a patina and that just brings me back to the Beaux-Arts style of the building.” Other striking details include the intricate moulding, folding doors that open into the bedroom, and original windows. “We also have these pillars that create a separation between the living and dining spaces, which are kind of random but I love them.”

Texture is another hallmark of her home’s aesthetic, manifesting throughout the entire space. Take the Japanese cloth light fixture that hangs above her bed, for example. “That was my first designer home purchase and was a big deal for me,” she shares. “It’s simple, but it’s so beautiful the way the cloth falls – it creates this kind of serenity.” Or there’s all of the different tones of wood scattered throughout the space. “I love mixing patterns, textures, and shapes,” she says. “I think that's just essential to the balance of the apartment.”

If you’re familiar with Crane-Leroux’s work as a food and lifestyle photographer, you won’t be surprised to learn her kitchen is a focal point in the home. And with her cookbook launch on September 24 (titled, The Artful Way to Plant-Based Cooking: Nourishing Recipes and Heartfelt Moments) we were especially curious to hear how she approaches design in this corner of the home.

The first thing that grabs your attention in the kitchen is the striking centre island mentioned earlier. “I used to always have galley kitchens, as most of us do in New York, and I would have to go from one counter to the other and they're pretty tight, so now having an open kitchen it’s so much easier for me to cook and shoot my recipe videos,” she says. And while she admits she wouldn’t mind renovating her “tiny” sink, there’s another quirk that’s worked in her favour. “I have two ovens! It is such a blessing, especially when I’m hosting.”

Her book (which she co-authored with her mother, Trudy) is all about nourishment – enjoying fresh, local ingredients through non-intimidating recipes. “What I really wanted to communicate was that it’s not daunting to open my cookbook. My recipes are very simple. I want people to feel like they can cook plant-based without it being an ordeal, regardless if their diets are vegan or plant-based.”

For her, the kitchen is also a place where she unwinds from the day. “One of my most precious rituals is having apéritif,” she shares. “It's that little time when you're just taking the day off of your shoulders, having your glass of wine, preparing a few snacks. To me, that’s such an amazing moment of the day, and you can even have it while you’re cooking, I always think that’s fun.”

And on the subject of unwinding, we’d be remiss not to mention the bedroom she and her partner share – a true masterclass in tranquility. “We wanted it to be a place where we can be completely at ease. So it’s very neutral, but there are the textures of the cotton bed frame, the black bedside tables, and of course, the bedding.”

Crane-Leroux selected caramel-hued Bed Threads linens, which she deems the perfect tone for autumn. “I often change my bed linens throughout the seasons. It can be these little touches that are so meaningful,” she says. “I think the takeaway is that my apartment is ever changing and it is truly like my canvas.”