One of the first things Evelyn did on moving into 126 South Ocean Boulevard was to paint the hallway sunshine yellow (Estée had fashioned it in greyish beige.) As seen in these pictures, shot for Architectural Digest, a renovation in conjunction with New York interior designer Thad Hayes saw elements of the house revamped under Evelyn’s eye, whilst still keeping the spirit of both Estée’s original design and the house’s history. The candy pink chairs out on the lawn were originally Estee’s, the hand painted Chinoiserie wallpaper in the dining room is a reproduction of the original, even the stove and fridge were restored to keep the lovely retro kitchen, but the house is also littered with Evelyn’s much loved Asian artifacts and touches of Oriental design – as seen in the sun room, a vision of bamboo and blue and white Brunschwig and Fils print. Whether seen through the prism of Estée’s stewardship or Evelyn’s, the house bears testament to a bygone era of glamour and the Lauder family’s particular brand of chic. Call it retro, call it Palm Beach classic, call it old fashion opulence, call it what you will – it looked damn good then, and still does now.

Click through our gallery above for images.

Pictures:

126 Ocean Boulevard Drive

Estée Lauder in her Palm Beach Dining Room, Town & Country March 1974

The hallway, facade, Florida Room, the kitchen, the revamped dining room and oceanfront terrace all shot by Scott Frances for Architectural Digest http://www.architecturaldigest.com/AD100/2010/thad_hayes/hayes_article_112000

Evelyn Lauder in the hallway, the screening room featuring Leonard Lauder’s collection of vintage posters on the walls, Evelyn Lauder on the steps of the house, all shot by Douglas Friedman for Harpers Bazaar http://www.harpersbazaar.com/magazine/feature-articles/evelyn-lauder-interview

Having known Aerin Lauder since our childhood together in Manhattan, from the schoolyard and on play-dates with my sister Alexandra, it is the woman that she has become today that inspires me, a great hands-on mother, balancing and coping with the same issues as any woman working in the corporate world -myself included, and doing so with solid values – and an immaculate blow-dry – at all times.

KOTUR: Do you have a beauty secret?
Aerin: Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer, sleep and tons of water

K: What do you wear on a fat day?
A: Black pants and heels

K: How would your female friends describe your style?
A: Classic

K: What’s the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
A: My Tiffany gold wedding band

K: Is there anything in your wardrobe you should get rid of but can’t?
A: Old Levi’s

K: What do you never leave home without?
A: My blackberry

K: Name your desert island essentials?
A: Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess SPF 30 for Face, straw hat, Eres black bikini, my husband, my children, boogie boards

K: Hot date night with your husband, what do you wear?
A: Jeans and a blazer with a great piece of jewelry and a fun bag

K: Do you have a favorite bag?
A: The Collins penshell minaudiere from KOTUR, and a black Birkin bag for work or travel

K: When home alone, what do you wear?
A: My husband’s Old Charvet oxfords

K: You’re the fashion police for a day, what do you ban?
Aerin: Wet hair to work

K: How high is too high a heel?
A: Never too high if you can walk properly

K: Are you ever too old for jeans?
A: Never too old for jeans

K: If you could live in any other time for it’s fashion, what would you choose?
A: 1920’s

K: What is your most recent purchase?
A: Lanvin beaded belt

K: What quality do you most admire in a person?
An: Honesty

KOTUR: Can you judge a book by its cover?
Aerin: Yes!

KOTUR: What’s your greatest extravagance?
Aerin: Cashmere scarves from Loro Piana

K: What are your guilty pleasures?
A: French fries

K: What are your bad habits?
A: Diet Coke in the morning

K: Do you have a cheap thrill?
A: Candy stores

K: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
A: Whatever you do, do it well. From my grandmother

KOTUR: What’s your favorite smell?
Aerin: Fresh gardenias

KOTUR: What’s your idea of a great holiday?
Aerin: Aspen for Christmas, with family and friends

KOTUR: What are you most proud of?
Aerin: My children

KOTUR: What are you least proud of?
Aerin: My children when they are naughty

K: What’s your pure bliss?
A: No plans for a day

K: What would you eat for your last supper?
A: Sushi

K: If you could meet someone from history who would it be?
A: Grace Kelly

K: Yes or no to a nip and a tuck?
A: No

K: What would you most like to achieve in your life?
A: Helping children in education

KOTUR: Which of your Kotur bags you have is your favorite?
Aerin: My JB Renna Shagreen clutch

KOTUR: On a scale of one-to-ten, how good looking are you?
Aerin: Hmmm, maybe a 7?