Mr. Pink, the mid-century, retro-chic emporium on W. 16th Street, seems a logical place to meet Brini Maxwell, a Chelsea denizen who’s wholeheartedly dedicated to the gracious living of a bygone era. So I’m a little taken aback when my favorite television hostess shows up as Ben Sander: mild mannered, just as blond — albeit with a little less bounce — and casually turned out in a tan suede jacket over an orange cashmere hoodie. It’s only when he makes a beeline for the nested 1950s mixing bowls that I realize I am, indeed, shopping with Brini.

But first things first: The new book is called “Brini Maxwell’s Guide to Gracious Living: Tips, Tricks, Recipes & Ideas to Make Your Life Bloom,” which the author says “creates a mission statement for me.”

And if that’s sounding a tad corporate, bear in mind that Maxwell has made the quantum leap from cable access cult fave to Style Channel staple as “The Brini Maxwell Show” kicks off its second season on the network this week.

Still, Maxwell is refreshingly more Heloise than Martha Stewart. Consider her tip for treating ring around the collar: “Treat the stain with a little shampoo — it’s made to dissolve body oils — and then wash as usual. That ring will disappear like a husband on trash day.”

Wondering how you made it thus far without Brini’s bible? So am I as she picks up what’s either a very small plate or an ashtray without cigarette grooves. “What’s that?” I ask. She flips it over and answers, “Limoges.” This is someone who knows her way around the house. But she spends quite a bit of time outside the home as well. Maxwell’s on a perpetual book tour that recently had her performing table top demonstrations at Macy’s and signing books at the Chelsea Barnes & Noble.

Baggage claims
I confide to Maxwell that her publicist griped about the small fortune he was spending on hair and makeup. “Well, a girl wants to look pretty,” she counters. “And you should see the fortune I’ve spent on wardrobe.”

Since we’re trading gossip and secrets, I tell Maxwell I was a big fan of her cable access program, but have yet to see her Style Channel incarnation. “You poor dear,” she says. “You don’t have digital cable?”

She patiently explains the difference. “I was very disappointed when they didn’t pick up Mary Ellen,” Maxwell says. “She was my sidekick. I miss her. I miss having a foil.” It’s a testament to her ability to hold her own, but Maxwell begs off. “It’s easier with a sidekick because you can communicate humor more, but we’ve moved forward and we’re still presenting useful information in a humorous way.”

With this, she picks up a tiny, silver pig shot through with little holes. “Salt shaker?” I inquire. She shoots me a look and corrects. “No, it’s an hors d’ouvres server. You put toothpicks in there,” she says, pointing out the holes. “And then the toothpicks hold the finger food.” Perhaps a bit too eager, I reply, “Oh, like that Chia Pet thing in your book.” Another look, and then a patient, “Yes, dear.”

Patience is a virtue Maxwell possesses in spades. I ask her where it comes from and the conversation turns to her mother, who for years directed Maxwell’s show on public access.

Mom yelling “cut” laid the groundwork for a well-adjusted child to leave his chosen profession after a prestigious internship for designer Michael Kors and a bachelor’s degree in fashion design from F.I.T. to pursue his own dream. That dream was birthed from “a divine thrift shop purchase of 1950s nesting bowls,” which might explain Maxwell’s fascination when we first arrived at Mr. Pink.

Mactress pads
So is Maxwell merely a creation of Ben the actor (who just wrapped a part in “Fur” with Nicole Kidman as ’50s photog Diane Arbus) or is Brini a homemaking expert? “That’s a good question,” Ben says. “I like to stay behind the scenes. Even for this interview, you’re talking to Brini. I’ve decided I’m only going to accept roles that are biological women. I don’t know how to play drag queens. Brini isn’t a drag queen, she’s an authority, a real person, a woman.”

Brini, the character, arrives when I ask Ben if he’d eventually like to transition into living her 24/7.

“Oh, no, no, no,” he laughs. “Too much work. It’s not something that I want to cheapen. I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with playing drag queens. People misunderstand. I like to think of myself as a ‘mactress.’ It’s a combination of male and actress, like blactress. But Brini’s backstory is similar to mine, just to make things easier. She’s a product of the late ’60s and ’70s.” And Maxwell’s one product we’re fortunate to have placed firmly in Chelsea.

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