The Scented Home

To me, a fridge full of snapshots and doodles, area rugs strewn with squeaky dog toys, and mantels of mementos make a home.
So too does a home's scent. Not bacon still lingering two days later or running shoes parked near the front door, but the good stuff.

The ideal scent for me is a mix of petrichor, amber, bergamot, teak wood, and a slice of fresh lemon. I deploy a mix of the
following with the exception of indoor gardening.

SCENTED CANDLES AND ROOM MISTS ~
Although everyone has their own preferences, here are some favorites of mine. You may find something to love.
Niven Morgan Gold
Cote Bastide Amber
Diptyque Feu de Bois for wintertime
Trapp Burmese Wood

HOUSEPLANTS ~
My green thumb stops at the front door. Either for lack of warm, sunny windows or a house that is kept too cool in winter,
I've had little success with growing plants indoors.

Jasmine–reminds me of a garden we kept in San Francisco.
Gardenia–I've never had luck with this one. If you have, what's your secret?
Indoor Fruit Tree–try the dwarf Improved Meyer Lemon or Kaffir lime.

FRESH FLOWERS ~
No cutting garden? No problem. Try the local farmers' market, the grocery store or flower shop.

Recycled Glass Bottle by Creative Co-Op via One Kings Lane

Image styled by Olga Naiman

In a vase of this size, in place of flowering branches, try giant tropical leaves.

If arranging flowers intimidates you (and it does me), 

check out Bringing Nature Home: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Nature.

A page from the book – Bringing Nature Home: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Nature

Nearly anything that holds water can be used as long as its scale and size suits the bouquet. Instead of reaching for a bud vase, 

consider this collection of old chemistry and laboratory flasks.

Image from Heart Home Magazine Issue 2

A few favorites...

1. SHANE POWERS OPAL LARGE VASE via west elm 2. MARIA MOYER HIVE ORB via west elm 

3. MARIA MOYER GRID ORB via west elm 4. SHANE POWERS OPAL ELONGATED VASE via west elm 

5. VINTAGE FRENCH PITCHER via one kings lane 6. VINTAGE DEMIJOHN BOTTLE via jayson home 

7. TEXTURED EGG VASE via west elm