The Botanical World of Aerin Lauder

Margot: First of all, I want to thank you for devoting an entire book to living with flowers. What made you decide to undertake this project?

Aerin: I’ve always loved flowers, and the book is a great opportunity to bring all my memories and stories together. I launched a brand 12 years ago, and over time we’ve amassed this amazing library of floral images. When I started looking through it, seeing it all together, I began to imagine a concept for a book. I also became interested in understanding the symbolism of flowers, so it gave me an opportunity to highlight that as well. I know there are many books on flowers—everyone’s individual perspective on them is what’s intriguing.

We love getting to see your perspective—a peek behind the curtain at Aerin’s love of flowers and how you make them a part of your life every day. You dedicated the book to your mother, which is a lovely gesture. What is your first flower memory of her?

When I was a little girl, my mother would always do mini-geranium pots as party favors. She would line them down the table and everyone would take one of the potted plants home. I remember I was always so disappointed because I wanted a bag of candy and goodies. But looking back at that now, I’m inspired. My mother taught me so much about flowers, and the book is definitely a reflection of that.

Your grandmother, Estée Lauder, also figures prominently in your style cannon. What impact did she have on your life and your business? 

When I looked at some of the older pictures of Estée and the partnerships I had done with her, it all started to make sense, including my love of blue and white. It was the concept colorway for my grandmother’s brand. I always say blue and white is in my DNA—even my first bedroom was blue and white flowers! Estée also inspired me to start my company. She created something out of nothing and was one of the first to give women the green light to start their own businesses.

She certainly was a larger-than-life figure. This book beautifully acknowledges her, especially her relationship with flowers.

My grandmother was probably the first person to talk to me about flowers and their different scents, whether it was tuberoses or lilies. She always said her favorite flower was whatever’s in bloom. Estée was ahead of her time in that approach. When you walked into her house, the first thing you saw were beautiful flowers. She always had an arrangement on the table and sometimes would place a fresh flower in a bud vase on the tray for breakfast in bed. You see that concept in the book, translated in a more modern, new way.

Such special memories of Estée passing along her love of flowers to you. That love is reflected in the arrangements throughout your book, as well as in other ways. Share a little about how you have incorporated flowers into your decorative elements and furnishings.

My Herend china, the heirloom Meissen candelabra in the hall, hand-painted floral wallpaper, and even the carved rosettes in the door surround. I like creating a sort of floral fantasy. In the house in Palm Beach, there’s a set of antique floral prints that I found at the San Francisco Antiques Show several years ago. I didn’t have a place for them until we moved into that house where I hung them in the pantry. Who would think of flower prints in a pantry? It’s the idea that flowers are not just for private or feminine spaces.

You really make that point visually with more tailored arrangements in unexpected places like your husband’s office, the bar, etc. And I so appreciate that many of your designs are attainable and accesible to those who aren’t professionals. Speaking of making flowers accessible, tell me about that 50th birthday gift of the white cutting garden from your husband’s aunt. What a unique idea!

I’m very close with my husband’s aunt, and we have a shared love of flowers. She picked out all of my favorite white flowers for the garden. Then she had the plan drawn and had all the bulbs and flowers (some annuals) planted. It was a wonderful jumpstart for my garden. I enjoy cutting the blooms and using them throughout the house. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

I guess the ultimate white flowers would be wedding flowers. I love the pictures of your grandmother’s oh-so-modern white calla lily bridal bouquet. What did you carry at your wedding?

It was June 1st and I wore gardenias in my hair and carried a bouquet of lily of the valley. We worked with Robert Isabell almost 30 years ago. But the lily of the valley is timeless.

The simplicity of the gardenia and lily of the valley—something today’s brides may be surprised to emulate as they read this. You’ve shown us so much of that kind of beauty over the years, and now we get to see even more in your book. There’s also such generosity in these pages. You highlight design talents throughout, including Lisa Fine, Christopher Spitzmiller, Willow Crossley, Michael Grim, and Zezé, to name a few.

That’s very much who I am. Even in my stores, I offer more than just AERIN products. I love to edit and find brands that I admire and that I think will make lovely additions to our retail space. One of my new ventures is a collaboration with a very talented designer, Julia Amory. We both have an affinity for Palm Beach, and it reflects that.

More inspirational design that helps us know Aerin on a personal level! We certainly look forward to seeing the new collaboration and following the success of your book.