Alfredo Paredes has spent his career to refine a luxurious, towards Geraxe view of the American interior design. For 33 years he worked for Ralph Lauren, where he was appointed Chief Creative Officer and ensured that the shops, restaurants, events and furnishings of the respected brand were as fascinating as it was convenient.
In 2019, Mr. Paredes, 61, left his design company Alfredo Paredes Studio. At the same time, he focused on completing his own houses, which are included in the new book “Alfredo Paredes at home” (Rizzoli, 2025; $ 60).
During the pandemic, Mr. Paredes and his husband Brad Goldfarb, a writer and editor, moved with their two children from Manhattan's East Village to Locust Valley, NY, where they were renovated a house that was originally designed by architect Harrie T. Lindeberg in the 1920s.
“Every time I bumped into one of his houses, I fell in love with it,” said Mr. Paredes, the son of Cuban immigrants, who was born and grew up in Miami. “And it turns out that he built many houses here on the north coast of Long Island.”
Mr. Paredes renovated the extensive house as a family home, but built up a studio on the lower level. “It is a combination of man, studio and office,” said Mr. Paredes. “Many of my personal things – my collection of photography, my books, my ceramics – have landed here.”
These are some of the parts that make it a particularly satisfactory withdrawal.
Just upgrade
Brito ceiling lamp, $ 179 with light shadows
In order to light his studio, Mr. Paredes saw himself a familiar design problem: he wanted a lot of lighting, but he didn't want it to be shining. “I didn't want to hit holes through the ceiling,” he said. “But I needed a lot of light because I work here.”
Unimpressed by ceiling lights from standard expenses, he happened to find out online. “I was like 'wow, that's nice',” he said. When he looked at the specifications of the game on the manufacturer's website, he saw that it consisted of handgail stoneware and brass, which seemed even more appealing.
In view of the relatively affordable price “I thought it couldn't be real,” he said. “But I understood it and it looks really good.”
Mr. Paredes installed 12 of the devices about the ceiling of his studio and liked it so much that he bought more than he installed in the house elsewhere.
Splumbling
Vintage Green Pottery, from 94 US dollars for reproduction Teco vases at Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
A bookshelf that Mr. Paredes designed holds one of his favorite collections – a number of vintage ceramics, all of which are glazed into green tones. During his time in Ralph Lauren, Mr. Paredes worked with the interior designer Mark Cunningham, where they combed antique fairs and shops for props in shops.
On the hunt “Mark always collected white ceramics,” said Mr. Paredes and found wonderful pieces for a few dollars a piece. “I had an affinity too green, so I would buy a green, one here, another.”
Today Mr. Paredes is expanding his collection. “It just inspired me,” he said. “It's a bit of addiction.”
Some of his favorite pieces are vases from Teco, an American company that made forming ships in the early 20th century. Tececo vases can catch up with thousands of dollars at the auction, but Mr. Paredes acquired most of him for hardly any more than change of pocket. For those who are not so lucky or who do not want to pay collector prices, a few reproductive pieces are still adequate today.
Unique
Sculpture from Puerto Rico
This piece of ceramic reminds Mr. Paredes of a trip that he took to Puerto Rico at 9 years. “I was with my father and remembered that I went along the street and pointed to a window and said:” Which would you choose? “, Said Mr. Paredes.
The young Mr. Paredes admired this piece and his father stepped into the shop and bought it. The sculpture was exhibited as travel tones in his parents in Miami until his father died in 1997 Mr. Paredes inherited.
It is a rare example for the designer who has selected an object for its history more than the style he brings into a room. “It doesn't really fit my aesthetics today,” said Mr. Paredes. “But it's not about whether it's nice or not beautiful. I remember that moment with my father.”