To work with style icon Aerin Lauder is to enter a rarefied world, one where where elegant arrangements of fresh flowers are everywhere—from her office to her kitchen island, from the foyer to the bath—all the time, not just for entertaining or special occasions. While helping Aerin write her new book, Living With Flowers (Rizzoli), I couldn’t help but fall under the spell of those transcendent blooms, realizing the outsize impact they can have in any space, large or small. From curating arrangements to displaying them in unexpected ways, here’s what I learned from Aerin about using flowers to bring more joy into my life (despite my significantly smaller bank account). After all, who among us couldn’t use a little more beauty in our everyday?
1. Think small
Flower arrangements don’t have to be grand to be wonderful, nor do they only belong on the dining table or foyer console where guests will see them. It can be as simple as gathering a few blossoms in a small vase by your bedside, an orchid by your bathtub (it will thrive in the humid environment), a nosegay at your desk, or a handful of daffodils on your kitchen counter. These are the places you will see and enjoy them every single day.
As Aerin’s grandmother Estée Lauder said, “One exquisite flower in a simple container can be as magnificent a a roomful of flowers.” A trio of delicately fringed Icelandic poppies proves her point.
Mark Lund2. Edit your palette
Aerin almost always prefers monochromatic bouquets. This offers a practically foolproof strategy for easy arrangements, but it’s hardly monotonous. Choose a mix of flowers in your favorite hue (hers happens to be white) with different shapes and textures, and don’t forget that foliage adds interest as well.
Even all-white flowers display a wide range of textures and tones in these arrangements, large and small, in the breakfast room.
Mark Lund3. Go for groups
One of Aerin’s favorite tricks is to cluster several arrangements of flowers in different vases of varying heights: for example, one larger centerpiece surrounded by smaller bouquets for a sense of abundance. Similarly, scattering an array of diminutive vases down the center of a table is simple to pull off, and everyone enjoys having flowers near their place setting, not just in the center.
Small bouquets of colorful cosmos and dahlias from the garden are arranged down the center of a table to bring flowers to each place setting.
Mark Lund4. Choose flowers in various stages of blooming
This idea comes from one of Aerin’s favorite floral designers, Raúl Àvila, who not only designs flowers for Aerin, but also star-studded events like the Met Gala. Using flowers from buds to full-blown, almost-past-their-peak blossoms adds movement, shape, and life to your arrangements. Allow space within the arrangement to appreciate each flower.
A silver cachepot of long-lasting pansy orchids by the tub brings scent and beauty to the bath.
Thomas Loof
On the kitchen island, a Jeff Koons Puppy vase holds vibrant daffodils, while a simple white cachepot offers up green parrot tulips in bud.
Mark Lund5. Embrace the beauty of foliage and branches
Greenery is often much longer lasting (not to mention less expensive) than its more colorful counterparts. Have a backyard? You can almost always find lovely branches, buds, and leaves to clip and bring inside.
Palm fronds and monstera leaves from Aerin’s Palm Beach property stand tall in a simple glass cylinder vase, forming a dramatic arrangement in the kitchen.
Simon Upton6. Fill your home (and closet) with floral motifs
Flowers don’t have to be real to spark joy: Aerin collects flowers made of porcelain, toleware, and even paper—they’ll never wilt or fade, yet can be just as cheering. She also embraces floral patterns in her decorating and fashion choices. While I sadly may never own a blossom-strewn Erdem gown, my floral Zara blouse brings me pleasure on gray, rainy days. The same can be said for the botanical wallpaper in my bedroom.
The vibrant color and flower-strewn fabric of Aerin’s Erdem gown looks right at home amidst the palms in Palm Beach.
Thomas Loof
Exquisite hand-painted Gracie wallpaper turns a dressing room in an Edenic escape.
Simon UptonIn short, what I learned from Aerin is to savor flowers on a daily basis, not just save them for special occasions—you’re worth it!
Aerin Lauder’s Living With Flowers (Rizzoli) is out now.
Thomas Loof