PROFILE

The best collaborations are those between like-minded creative types, and that is certainly true for this new collection Aerin Lauder has created for Williams-Sonoma

Aerin Lauder shares her new collection, a collaboration with Williams-Sonoma inspired by relaxed coastal style

The granddaughter of Estée Lauder (the actual Estée) personifies that beautiful Hamptons style that very few can pull offff – think white linen and loafers - but this beautiful blue-and-white patterned range will give us all a bit of a leg-up. We chatted to her about the creative process; here are the insights she shared with us. What were you trying to achieve with the range? The AERIN by Williams-Sonoma collection ranges from beautiful blue-and-white tabletop items to sculptural desk objects, bedding, lighting, outdoor pillows and everything in between. Both AERIN and Williams-Sonoma customers love quality, craftsmanship, have a passion for enduring design, and love to entertain at home, which is one of the reasons this collection has been so successful. What was it like to work with a brand as well-known as WilliamsSonoma? It was a great learning experience and gives you incredible exposure. The team at Williams-Sonoma is the best at what they do and it was an incredible honour collaborating with them. How did it come about? Williams-Sonoma has been in my home for as long as I can remember. Both AERIN and Williams-Sonoma share the same sense of style and passion for impeccable design. It took about one year to complete the project from start to finish. Which is your favorite piece? I especially love the ceramic birds – they add a whimsical touch to any desk, coffee table or dining table. Gold-framed artwork or images of family and friends are staples in all of my homes and office spaces and I love the frames we developed for this collection. Picture frames filled with loving memories are definitely my favourite home accessory. They are effortless decorative pieces that make a space feel warm and lived-in, and allow for beautiful finishing touches with a modern feminine sensibility. What does a Sunday afternoon get-together at your place look like? Sunday afternoons are for winding down and getting ready for the week ahead. I like to take walks in the park and spend time with my family. This range feels like it’s inspired by travel – many are. What’s your favourite holiday destination? This collection in particular is largely inspired by memories of travelling to Palm Beach, Florida with my family. It’s such a special place to me and I’m excited to bring that aspect of my life into this new collection. Can you tell us a little bit about the colour palette and patterns used? There is nothing more summery and classic than a blue-andwhite table. My grandmother loved the combination of blue and white and it’s a palette that I knew from the beginning that I wanted to incorporate into this collection. The speckled glassware is a perfect example of how we incorporated difffferent tones of blue to create a casual yet luxurious feel. The ceramic plates are inspired by my grandmother’s love of blue-and-white Delftware. She always collected this type of ceramic and it became her signature, and mine as well. The AERIN collection is in Williams-Sonoma stores now. For more info, visit williams-sonoma.com.au.