This certainly wasn’t the blog post I had planned for today. On the heels of back-to-back trips to New York City and our friends’ ranch in the heart of Texas, I expected to share some new favorite travel items (please stay tuned), but in a moment of reflection (and rosé, let’s be honest), this seemed more apt.

In the company of five of my closest girlfriends is some of the best kind of conversation: it flows freely like a lazy Texas river in summertime, in some places deep, and others shallow. It’s always filled with laughter and occasional tears, but more and more, I am finding that opening up in this safe and supportive space brings forth real authenticity among these lovely women, and inspires me toward that myself—whether in faith, relationships, career, or personal passions. As we sat by the pool this weekend, casually dipping into topics from a Chat Pack, this question came up: “If you could be an apprentice to anyone, who would it be and why?” The game really is more fun if you blurt out your first instinct, and for me it was a no-brainer: Aerin Lauder.

I’ve mentioned on social media that I constantly find myself returning to Aerin’s book, Beauty At Home, for design inspiration when I’m at a creative impasse. As a self-described “interiors enthusiast,” with so many time-honored designers to adore and subsequent design books to savor, why the Estée Lauder heiress and her affinity for all things blue and white?

Aerin has been open about her philosophy on style, work, everyday life, and what it means “to live beautifully.” And in a hectic, screen-dominated, and disposable economy, these kinds of discussions might be more important now than ever. When we return home at the close of the day, does our space inspire or overwhelm? Is it a sanctuary to share precious moments with family and friends? Do our objects elevate us or weigh us down? These are questions that I ponder constantly. I like to keep it lighthearted here on the blog (in the words of some other dear friends, “sophistication is overrated”) but I confess that I have a profound interest in the “why” behind what makes a space—or celebration, or hand towel, or even a photo on Instagram—worthy of our time and energy.

I think what draws me so much to Aerin Lauder and her style is that she exudes this kind of thoughtfulness, creativity, and grace in every one of her undertakings. From elegantly framing her boys’ artwork to the pretty packaging on her line of bespoke fragrances, it seems there is no detail that Aerin overlooks. The moment this attention-to-minutiae begins to feel daunting is the exact moment when you know it’s time to let loose a little: frozen pigs in blankets on a platter for dinner party hors d’oeuvres? Aerin recommends these as one of her easy standbys, alongside mac and cheese and a good red wine. Why not serve them on an old silver tray? Elegance and effortlessness are ideals that can co-exist in both interior design and our daily lifestyle, and Aerin’s work is the paragon for my aim.

To that end, this caveat seems necessary: paging through Beauty At Home, one can quickly comprehend an aspirational nature to her living spaces in locales such as the Upper East Side, the Hamptons, and Palm Beach. Aerin worked with renowned French designer Jacques Grange to create her New York City apartment and ethereal Fifth Avenue offices, and in Southampton, her grandmother’s bedroom remains untouched in the Pierre Frey fabric wallcoverings and Porthault bed linens that Estée originally selected herself. But carefully looking beyond zip codes, exquisite Gracie wallpapers, and Cy Twombly paintings, is an honesty and authenticity in Aerin’s mode de vie, and especially in her ongoing narrative.

To read Aerin’s writings and interviews, she honors hard work, family time well spent, and good memories as simple as the taste of a chocolate éclair. And her appreciation and support for friends — especially girlfriends—is apparent. While we pursue excellent design and a life lived beautifully, these are the things that truly matter, that we can all cultivate more richly and authentically.

In that spirit, while I am still belaboring a decision on a bedroom paint color, I treasure the time one friend (an artist) and another friend (a forthcoming interior designer) spent researching Benjamin Moore samples and saving me from an unfortunate foray into a very wrong lavender. We celebrated avoiding this violet mishap with a super stinky cheese and a glass of $4 chardonnay from Trader Joe’s. In New York last week, my husband and I walked Lily, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, through Central Park each morning to sit outside at our favorite café. Through this ritual, we spent precious time together and made acquaintances who helped us feel right at home in the city. Every time I think of the café’s signature cerulean blue, and the shade of coral on the coffee cups, it makes me smile. I might even use that blue in our home somewhere (but I better call my friends first, no?).

These are just little things, but I think that cherishing those moments is the beginning of, as Aerin puts it, finding “beauty at home.” Given the opportunity, would I jump at the chance to be an apprentice to Aerin Lauder? Without a doubt. But in my own way, I would love to think that in my own mind, maybe, possibly, I already am.

I can’t wait to continue this conversation and learn more about what (and who) inspires my friends and readers. Please share and let me know what you think!

AERIN HOME FAVS

FURTHER READING