Romantic. Thoughtful. With pops of bygone patterning and whisper-soft nods to whimsy. These descriptors match up with designer Adam Lippes’ fashion collections, and happen to mirror his approach to his Berkshires estate. It’s not surprising given Lippes’ background in his industry, having previously worked for Ralph Lauren and Oscar de la Renta. Both of these mentors brought their signature panache to the home, and Lippes does the same, weaving in flourishes of the English Aesthetic movement alongside classic American Sagamore Hill-ish flair.
Describing his interiors as “an eclectic, classic mix” and “dressed up but comfortable,” Lippes devises spaces that feel like an incarnation of the clothes he designs. He clearly adores the Aesthetics’ spirit of “art for art’s sake,” leaning into trend-proof decor that recalls the English countryside of decades past, an inspiration that he says stems from the fact that his mother was an avid gardener.
“I really dislike ‘iconic’ vintage design,” he reflects. “I tend to like things that are a little off, and a little off doesn’t lend itself to being iconic.” Chipped benches, limewashed planters, and rattan furniture that adds a dapper dash of Victorian-era refinement adorn the spaces, all of which denotes his love of collecting.
“My father is a consummate collector and has been since I was very little, so I really grew up around it,” he says. “My first bedroom that I decorated when I was a kid, probably around age 10, was filled with antiques that I found, so it’s very much in my blood.”
And if he finds something that piques his interest, you’d better believe he’s bringing it home, a takeaway that should resonate with all vintage collectors who can’t get enough. He says, “When I come across a great piece of furniture, I will buy it if I can, regardless of whether I have a place for it then and there—I will find a place to put it.”
Shop the full curation of pieces inspired by Adam Lippes from the latest issue of our print publication, Magazinish. To read all of Magazinish, click here.
