2BR loft, Soho

When Richard Foreman, 72, moved into his 3,600-square-foot co-op (for just $10,000 and only $6,000 in renovations), it was an empty stage. Thirty-nine years and 15,000 books later, he jokes of himself and his artist wife Kate Manheim, 65, “We’d move to Paris if we didn’t have so much stuff.” While he admits to favoring the charm of Europe over the crowds of New York City, he says he’d never actually relocate because most of his work—including his new play, Idiot Savant, starring Willem Dafoe, which is now playing at the Public Theater (425 Lafayette St between Astor Pl and E 4th St; 212-967-7555, publictheater.org)—is in the city. Happily, Foreman spends much of his time toiling or relaxing at home. And after a morning among his library collection, we wanted to do the same.

Steal these looks!

(photo 1) Fill a room—or just a shelf—with piles of books sold by the foot at the Strand Bookstore (828 Broadway at 12th St; 212-473-1452, strandbooks.com) starting at $10 a stack.

(photo 4) Regina Gift Shop (1230 65th St between 12th and 13th Aves, Borough Park, Brooklyn; 718-234-0140, reginagiftshop.com) is Brooklyn’s oldest Catholic gift shop and stocks Jesus prints for $10–$400.

Why Soho?

“This building is a former doll factory and just happens to be in the area that artists were flocking to back then,” Foreman explains.

His favorite places

Aquagrill (210 Spring St at Sixth Ave, 212-274-0505) “They serve good fish, and Kate likes the oysters.”

St. Mark’s Bookshop (31 Third Ave at Stuyvesant St; 212-260-7853, stmarksbookshop.com) “I order most of my books online, but this isn’t a bad place to look.”

Rocco Ristorante (181 Thompson St at Houston St; 212-677-0590, roccoristorante.com) “It’s got an authentic Italian atmosphere. And it’s one of the few places in the city where the waiters are professional waiters and not aspiring actors.”

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