Fashion designer Adam Lippes, a prominent figure in American style, has long embodied the elegant lifestyle often associated with his discerning clientele. This tradition, echoed by luminaries like Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, and Ralph Lauren, sees designers not only creating beautiful clothing but also curating equally exquisite living spaces. Lippes’s portfolio of transformed homes, frequently featured in Architectural Digest, showcases a distinct aesthetic. His bucolic Berkshire farm remains a testament to his country sensibility, while a series of New York residences, shared with his partner Alexander Farnsworth, a cannabis entrepreneur, have highlighted his urban design prowess. These city dwellings, including a penthouse on lower Fifth Avenue, a chic Brooklyn Heights apartment, and a sun-drenched duplex overlooking Washington Square Park, consistently featured soft color palettes, abundant natural light, floral motifs, and a curated mix of antique and vintage pieces. "Interior design is such a passion for me," Lippes has stated, "It’s the most challenging creative act."
However, the dynamic nature of fashion, and indeed of the designers themselves, often leads to evolving personal landscapes. "I thought I would always live downtown," Lippes reflects. The profound impact of the global pandemic shifted his perspective. "When we could finally go back to work, I needed to be in Manhattan. For a while, I stayed at the Four Seasons hotel. At that point, I was thinking maybe I might move full-time to the country. Frankly, I wasn’t even sure my business would survive." Yet, as his fashion house experienced a resurgence in sales, so too did his affection for the city. An opportunity arose to reside in an apartment uptown, an experience that proved transformative. "And as it turned out, I fell in love with the Upper East Side. So, I started looking. And, wow, did I take a big bite."
This "big bite" led Lippes and Farnsworth to a remarkable duplex apartment situated on Fifth Avenue, directly opposite the Central Park Zoo. The residence is housed within a magnificent mansion originally constructed in 1886 for a prominent coal baron, an era synonymous with unparalleled opulence in New York City architecture. Stepping into the primary living space is akin to time travel, with its elaborately carved and gilded wood paneling, a striking marble fireplace, soaring arched windows, and a richly ornamented ceiling. These architectural details speak to an era even more extravagant than our own, a historical backdrop that immediately captivated Lippes.
The Allure of a Gilded Age Mansion
Despite the apartment’s undeniable charm, it had reportedly remained vacant for over a decade, presenting a significant restoration challenge. "I immediately loved it," Lippes admitted, though a note of hesitation colored his enthusiasm. "I wasn’t sure I had another renovation in me." Alexander Farnsworth, however, harbored no such reservations. "I saw it for the first time on a horrible dark night in February, with the building encased in scaffolding," he recalled. "Yet even then, I knew the place was incredibly special." This shared vision, coupled with the property’s historical gravitas, propelled them forward.
The scope of the renovation was substantial. It necessitated a complete overhaul of the building’s essential systems, including all mechanicals. A diminutive kitchen was meticulously carved out of what was once a pantry, and the entire lower level underwent a dramatic transformation to create distinct living areas. The primary challenge, however, lay in harmonizing the existing grandeur of the main room with a more contemporary sense of comfort and livability.
Reimagining Grandeur: Design Philosophy and Execution
Lippes’s initial inclination was to furnish the palatial space with equally grand, statement pieces. "My first thought," he explained, "was that a grand space would need grand furniture." This led him on an extensive global search, scouring dealers and auction houses for unique antique finds. "At one point I had so much furniture in here, it looked like I was an antiques dealer," he quipped. This realization prompted a strategic shift in his approach. He recognized that simply accumulating valuable pieces wouldn’t necessarily create a cohesive and inviting home.
At one point, the designer considered a radical departure from the room’s inherent character. "I even considered painting all of that brown wood," he confessed. He drew inspiration from the Palm Beach residence designed by Stephen Sills for Aerin Lauder, contemplating the impact of a lighter palette. The prospect of enlisting an interior design luminary like Sills or the Parisian designer François-Joseph Graf was also seriously considered. "I got very close to making that call," Lippes revealed.
Ultimately, Lippes resolved to embrace the mansion’s inherent opulence while simultaneously infusing it with an accessible comfort. He enlisted the expertise of Pilar Solchaga, who had previously served as his fit model before transitioning to interior design. This collaboration marked a pivotal moment, leading to the strategic removal of some of the more historically imposing pieces in favor of a more balanced aesthetic.
The living area now features low-slung, inviting white slipcovered seating, creating a relaxed counterpoint to the room’s architectural richness. An oversized ottoman, upholstered in a striking animal print, adds a touch of playful drama. A sinuous gold sofa, reminiscent of Napoleon III-era trim, is positioned beneath windows adorned with custom-embroidered sheer panels, a detail reminiscent of the atelier where Lippes crafts his signature dresses. Mirrors, ingeniously integrated into the wood paneling, now serve to amplify the natural light, imbuing the space with an airy luminescence.
Among Lippes’s early acquisitions that retained their place in the final design is a neo-Egyptian bed from Jonathan Sainsbury, a piece that perfectly bridges historical influences with contemporary elegance. The late-19th-century chandelier, a magnificent structure six feet in height, adorned with an abundance of porcelain flowers, was discovered in Paris. "It’s actually six feet tall," Lippes remarked, "but in this room, it doesn’t look it," a testament to the scale and grandeur of the Fifth Avenue residence.
Transforming the Lower Level: Sanctuaries of Serenity
The extensive renovation also reimagined the mansion’s lower level, dividing it into three distinct and highly personal spaces. The primary bedroom is envisioned as a tranquil haven, awash in a soft seafoam green hue. The walls, windows, and a custom bed are enveloped in sumptuous silk moiré, creating an atmosphere of profound serenity. "It’s super peaceful," Lippes commented, "We feel like we live in the country." This sentiment underscores the successful integration of a serene, almost pastoral, atmosphere within the bustling urban environment.
One guest room is elegantly tented in a subtle, sophisticated stripe, offering a refined and understated ambiance. The adjacent guest room, in contrast, provides a more shadowy and intimate retreat, furnished with an exquisite 18th-century Chinese bed, a piece that exudes timeless allure. Each of these private sanctuaries is unified by the use of immersive, scenic wallpapers from Iksel Decorative Arts, a recurring motif that enhances the narrative of each space.
Business Expansion and a Maximalist Vision
Concurrently with the residential transformation, Adam Lippes’s fashion business has experienced significant growth. Retail outlets have been established in key international markets, including Houston, Palm Beach, and Osaka. Beyond his acclaimed clothing collections, Lippes has expanded his product offerings to include leather goods and a sophisticated tabletop line developed in collaboration with Zoë de Givenchy. The anticipation is also building for a forthcoming jewelry collection, further broadening his design influence.
The renovation project at the Fifth Avenue mansion is ongoing, with future plans to develop the outdoor spaces on the lower level, creating an elegant setting for entertaining guests. "I’ve got a lot of balls in the air," Lippes acknowledged with a characteristic smile. "I’m definitely in my maximalism era." This statement encapsulates his current creative ethos, a bold embrace of abundance and curated luxury that defines both his personal style and his burgeoning brand. The juxtaposition of Gilded Age architecture with contemporary comfort and a maximalist sensibility has resulted in a truly unique and captivating New York residence.
This story appears in the September issue. Never miss a story when you subscribe to AD.
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