In her new book, legendary hostess and style icon Aerin Lauder shares ideas on using flowers to fill everyday moments with joy …
Aerin Lauder’s love of flowers is deeply personal, passed down to her by her celebrated grandmother, Estée Lauder, and her mother, Jo Carole Lauder. From fresh bouquets to floral decor, in Living with Flowers Lauder shares the many ways she brings flowers into her home. Here’s some tips I gleaned from her book:
Start Young: Aerin’s mother nurtured her love of flowers; making her mini potted geraniums for childhood birthday parties. “I had floral-wallpapered bedroom growing up, and my mother dressed my sister and me in matching flowered dresses and nightgowns from Laura Ashley and D Porthault.”
Learn The Language: From bluebells meaning kindness to red tulips being a declaration of love, Aerin is well versed in the language of flowers, which dates from the Victorian era (I recommend Vanessa Diffenbaugh’s A Victorian Flower Dictionary for more definitions). “A dear friend sent me lilies of the valley with a note about their association with happiness, which I found so thoughtful.” Aerin loves roses as yellow roses represent friendship; white, purity; pink, joy; and orange, desire.
Flower Power: One of Estée’s mantras was, “Everything can be beautiful if you take the time.” Aerin followed this advice when she redesigned her offices in New York. She worked with interior designer Jacques Grange, who decorated the space like a welcoming home with plants and fresh flowers, as well as plush sofas, floor length curtains and antiques from her grandmother.
“My grandmother Estée introduced me to calla lilies; they were her favourite flower. She carried a bouquet of them on her wedding day.”
All White Everything: Aerin has an all-white cutting garden in East Hampton filled with peonies, dahlias and delphinium roses as they can be mixed and matched freely. She carried a simple bouquet of lilies of the valley at her wedding and wore white gardenias in her hair. She also likes white florals in fragrance.
Always Bring Flowers: Flowers make thoughtful gifts outside of the usual celebrations. Aerin’s mother sends her lilies of valley to mark the start of spring, while one of her favourite gifts was a cutting garden from an aunt.
Branch Out: Flowering branches make a dramatic statement, according to Aerin; “I love their airy, sculptural grace. Nestle them in tall, sturdy vases or urns so they are rooted securely and water frequently.”
Happy Hour: Aerin always has a small nosegay in a bud vase among her collection of martini shakers, ice buckets, coasters, trays and bowls for lemons.
“Flowers are signs of life that remind me to slow down, take a moment to daydream or think over a problem – a form of visual meditation.”
Chic, Not Chintzy: Aerin has handprinted pale peach silk wallpaper, handprinted with white and grey monochromatic flowering branches in her dressing room, similar to Estée’s dining room. Floral wallpaper looks beautiful in any size room: you can make a big space feel grand, or a small space feel more open.
Curated Collection: Aerin pairs raffia, straw, wicker and rattan vases with flowers. Hedgeroe Home has a great selection.
Living with Flowers, Aerin Lauder, Rizzoli, €55.60.
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