When Alfredo Paredes was hired by Ralph Lauren in 1986 at the age of twenty-three, he started by arranging visual displays on the first and second floors of a mansion-turned-shop on Madison Avenue. “I saw not just his talent, but his passion for creating and storytelling,” Lauren writes in the book’s foreword, adding that eventually, he took him under his wing. “I guess I saw a little of myself in him when I first started out.”
Nearly 40 years later, Paredes has translated his talent for the all-American style into designing hundreds of homes, from fantastical penthouses to Gatsby-era mansions.
In light of his monograph released this month about his own houses over the years, Alfredo Paredes At Home, we chatted with the ELLE DECOR A-List designer about the threads that can be sewn throughout. “One of the biggest throughlines I noticed is how much I lean on storytelling through objects and vintage items, whether it’s a well-worn leather chair, a textile, or a hand-thrown ceramic piece,” he tells us. “Every space I design is layered with pieces that have history, that feel personal, and that feel lived in.”
Another clear thread throughout the book is a balance of nostalgia and modernity. “I love looking to the past for inspiration, but my spaces never feel frozen in time, instead they evolve and adapt,” he explains. His many rooms showcase rich materials—woods, iron, aged leather—that add warmth and depth to a home. But that doesn’t mean they’re without comfort. “I seek spaces that are inviting, tactile, and completely unpretentious,” he adds.
In examining the very personal homes he has created and lived in over the years, here are 10 things that, according to Paredes, make a house a home.
Paredes’s East Village apartment features personal objects, each with their own story, including vintage finds, books, and art.
Consider Location
A perusal of Paredes’s many homes will prove this to be true: location matters. «A home should feel connected to its surroundings,» Paredes explains. «I like to pull in design elements that are reminiscent of its location.» His Shelter Island home, for instance, feels very authentic to the island, with an emphasis on comfort, carefree summers, and nostalgia. Meanwhile, for his Locust Valley home, Paredes took full inspiration from the Great Gatsby era feel the home gave off, imbuing each room with pieces and elements that feel rich with history.
Bring in personal objects
Paredes is a master of creating a home that feels lived in, yet chic. His secret? Leaning into the story behind its inhabitants. «A home should tell the story of who lives there,» Paredes explains. «Whether it’s books, art, or a collection of vintage finds, these are the things that make a space feel uniquely yours.»
In Paredes’s East Village apartment, an entry table features weathered wood, textured ceramics, and brass accents.
Layer the lighting
We’ve debated the big light switch-off, but Paredes is here to say that it’s not all or nothing. It’s simply a matter of thinking in levels. «Lighting completely shifts the mood of a home,» he says. «A mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting makes a space feel inviting and intimate.» His homes in the book features rooms that are equipped for any time of the day and any activity, with reading lamps in cozy corners to accent lights for those end-of-day low light moments.
Bring in aged materials
If there’s one takeaway from Paredes’s book, it’s not to discount the aesthetic appeal of something run-down. «Nothing makes a home feel more soulful than materials with a patina like worn leather, weathered wood, handwoven textiles,» Paredes says. «They carry a history and add a warmth you just can’t fake.» Whether it’s a weather-worn armchair, an old wood cabinet, or a thick wool blanket that has been taken outside for many a picnic—all can add to the charm of a place and make a guest feel as if nothing is precious or untouchable.
In Paredes’s Locust Valley house, there is no shortage of comfortable seating.
Create a mix of old and new
If you’re going for a mere imitation of the past, you’re not bringing anything of yourself to it. Paredes’s interiors joyously bridge that gap between the old and the new, unexpectedly pairing vintage pieces with contemporary accents. «A space that’s entirely new can feel sterile, and one that’s purely antique can feel like a time capsule,» he explains. «The mix of both creates a balance that feels natural and effortless.»
Opt for comfortable seating
Just as we’ve ditched stilettos for low-slung heels, we’re so over uncomfortable seating. As it turns out, Paredes has been an advocate of sink-into couches all along. «A great chair or a deep sofa is an invitation to linger,» he says. «If a space isn’t comfortable, no one will want to spend time in it.» A perusal of his interiors will prove that comfort needn’t come at the expense of visual appeal—we can have our sofa and sit in it too.
This Provincetown house features a tasteful curation of textures, including aged leather, rattan, and raw wood.
Consider texture
Incorporating a variety of textures is an effective way to elevate a room’s aesthetic and create a more engaging, layered environment. Mixing materials like wool, linen, rattan, or raw wood can add depth and dimension to any space. Whether through pillows, rugs, or furniture, introducing diverse textures creates contrast and balance, resulting in a space that feels dynamic.
Create a space to gather
Designing a space in the home for people to gather is all about fostering connection and comfort. «Whether it’s a dining table, a cozy nook, or a kitchen island, every home should have a spot that naturally brings people together,» Paredes says. «That’s where the best memories happen.» Incorporating ample, comfortable seating options, like sectionals or lounge chairs, and positioning them around a central point, such as a coffee table or fireplace, can create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages conversation and togetherness. And really, isn’t that the whole point of a home?
This house in Locust Valley is a tasteful mix of old and new.
Don’t forget scent
One element not obvious in images is a room’s aroma—something Paredes is a big fan of curating. «A subtle fragrance, whether it’s fresh flowers, aged wood, or even a favorite candle, can transport you and create an emotional connection to a space,» he explains. «In my Locust Valley residence I use the Flamingo Estate candle, Ancient Agrigento Olive Tree, and it has become a signature scent in my home.»
Bring in music
And as the final element that makes a house a home, one cannot forget music. For Paredes, the right playlist can make all the difference at home. «I enjoy when a home has a soundtrack of sorts,» he says, adding that he appreciates a vinyl record player that provides a subtle hum in the background. «I think it really adds to the atmosphere.»
Rachel Silva is the associate digital editor at ELLE DECOR, where she covers all things design, architecture, and lifestyle. She also oversees the publication’s feature article coverage, and is, at any moment, knee-deep in an investigation on everything from the best spa gifts to the best faux florals on the internet right now. She has more than 16 years of experience in editorial, working as a photo assignment editor at Time and acting as the president of Women in Media in NYC. She went to Columbia Journalism School, and her work has been nominated for awards from ASME, the Society of Publication Designers, and World Press Photo.
