“I’ve always been inspired by beautiful interiors.”

I come from an environment where the men actually say, “Is it OK if I take off my jacket?” in a meeting. Everyone wears suits; it is a very dressed-up world.

AERIN is saturated with the qualities that have surrounded me my entire life, many of which came from my grandmother, Estee: passion, style, hard work, family, and, of course, all things beautiful.

I think to make your home as comfortable as possible is so important.

So the idea of being able to shop cross-category to buy the beach bag, the summer lip gloss, and the pillows for your pool house makes it into very focused, easy life.

I think it’s so much fun to create a space. As the world has gotten more and more hectic – with these horrible catastrophes [happening] – people are going out less, ordering in, [having guests over]. People love to be in their homes.

When I was creative director [at Estée Lauder], I was always being asked about my beauty must-haves. From there I had this fun idea to create a line of what was in my makeup bag. But I also love accessories, and people associate me with home, family, and beauty.

When I took the job as Estée Lauder’s creative director, the first thing I did was go into the archives! I love taking our heritage and making it modern.

In terms of pots and pans, I just use the basics – Im not a snob like that.

One summer I worked at Estée Lauder, and I really enjoyed the whole creative process.

I always loved beauty and accessories, and it’s always something I was passionate about.

Mom used to frame everything we made, and now I’m following her example. It makes children so proud to see their work on display instead of hidden away.

I love laugh lines. It means you’ve had a good life.

I’m natural, but I wear makeup seven days a week.

When you ask women what’s the one thing they wish they had more of, they always say time.

As a girl, my favorite toy was my dollhouse; if I could still play with it now, I would! I used to love a well-arranged room: the furniture, the fabric, the lighting.

People always ask what I would have done if I weren’t doing what I’m doing. And I say I’d [still] be in fashion or in beauty. It’s such a dream come true now because I have the ability to go into home [goods] and accessories as well.

For some reason I seem to absorb the landscape and cultures where I am planted. A State Divided Symphony was inspired by the 150th anniversary of Missouri’s entry into the Civil War.

Be inspired but not proud.

So we can feel grateful for what we have been given. Sadness soon disappears and, in return, we get inspired to bless others.

And that’s ok and I think that I should be inspired by that to know that it’s time to move on.

Instead she inspired people to listen and then act, and to me thats the hallmark of a true leader.

That’s more the kind of thing that get us inspired.

In loving someone, we become inspired to better ourselves in every way.

I’m inspired by the work of those (and sometimes even the people themselves) who strive to inspire.