Beauty at Home

Lauder debuts her tasteful "everyday elegance" style in this solid, coffee table book, which contains luminous, full-page photographs of her homes and office, and which is generously peppered with anecdotes of her celebrated family. She credits her grandmother, Estee Lauder of the cosmetics empire, as a key influence in both style and vision for the Aerin brand of makeup, fashion accessories and home decor. A keen memoirist, Lauder's old photos and childhood memories reflect on a privileged childhood of world travel as an ambassador's daughter and granddaughter of a famous entrepreneur; her chapters are devoted to city life, country life, work and legacy. She loves blue and white (much like her grandmother), and embraces a modern, luxurious style that is child-inclusive. Lauder enjoys contrast, and has fun adding an unexpected spark to a predictable palette. Dark, cozy walls, natural light-filled rooms, vintage chandeliers, Estee's fine antiques and contemporary art all coexist in Lauder's homes; she enjoys family-style entertaining amid her elegant surroundings. Although her Manhattan and Hamptons residences are not typical American homes, ideas for entertaining, accessorizing, color combinations, grouping and displaying are usable and can be adapted for different styles and budgets. (Nov.)