 |
| Photos (top L, clockwise) courtesy hurley.k e, THOR, Nic McPhee, Junhao |
Just as colors and decor help to create an
atmosphere in a space, so does scent. Certain scents help to energize, while
others have a calming effect. So what are the basics of fragrance notes and
where should you use them? This article from Style at Home gives you the
rundown.
Fragrance: Florals
There’s a reason that the gift of fresh flowers
is a tradition that has endured over the centuries. Once placed in a vase, the
blooms are not only gorgeous, they perfume your home beautifully, memorably and
entirely naturally. Though not all flowers are fragrant (notably tulips,
daffodils and orchids don’t have much scent), consider the flowers that do.
Rose, gardenia, lily of the valley, freesia and peony are instantly
recognizable classics. Any of these floral fragrances will create a strong
association for people who smell them in your home and tend to be the most
memorable. If you use a peony or lilac scent in your bedroom, for instance,
your kids are likely to always associate it with you. Aside from fresh flowers,
a few drops of a top-quality home-fragrance oil is one of the most authentic
ways to replicate floral smells in your home, which can be added to potpourri
or a diffuser.
Where to use this home fragrance: Florals are timeless, traditional and highly
memorable. They’re great for bedrooms and entryways.
Fragrance: Spices
Thyme, cinnamon, lavender (often assumed to be a
floral but is actually a part of the mint family), ginger, and vanilla evoke
the warmth of baking. These spice-cupboard fragrances are often reminiscent of
the winter months, especially cinnamon. And peppermint, in fact, has been
associated with curbing overeating and boosting your mood. These spicy smells
are a natural fit in the kitchen but are just as lovely for any room in the
home. They are usually more suitable than florals for the dining room because
they don’t clash with food smells. Candles tend to do a great job of
replicating spicy smells like cinnamon and thyme. Reed diffusers are wonderful
if you lean toward lavender, minty, and vanilla scents as they perfume the air
with just the right amount of tingly scent.
Where to use this home fragrance: Spicy fragrances create a warm, cozy atmosphere
and work well in the kitchen and dining room.
Fragrance: Citrus
Citrus fruit fragrances, like lemon, orange,
bergamot and grapefruit have one thing in common: they are energizing and
crisp. (It’s not a coincidence that lemon is a typical scent for household
cleansers and detergents; it smells clean and fresh). A citrus aroma is sunny
and bright, it’s ideal for lifting up your mood and reminding you of a
subtropical or Mediterranean vacation. The smell of orange, for instance, has
been shown in a study to reduce stress. Citrus is also ideal for entertaining
in the morning and early afternoon when it’s a little too early for heavy
floras or heady spices. Room sprays, the kind you spritz like a perfume, tend
to smell fantastic and zingy in citrus notes.
Where to use this home fragrance: Citrus aromas are fresh, clean and sunny. Use
them anywhere in the home when you want to add an energizing mood and reduce
stress.
Fragrance: Woodsy
Sandalwood, oud (also known as agarwood), cedar
and pine are age-old, ever-popular scents for the home. Cedar wood has long
been prized for its clean, outdoorsy fragrance, durability and moth-repelling
qualities, and pine reminds us of Christmas trees and the holiday season, but
also of camping and mid-summer. Sandalwood and oud are dark, mysterious and
exotic. All of these resinous, woodsy scents are earthy, intricate and sensual
and they can be used to create an inviting ambience in your home. Incense is an
ancient way of bringing smells of a woodsy garden into the home, but candles
are a more modern way to introduce these scents. They perfume the air intensely
when lit, and gently when they are not.
Where to use this home fragrance: Woodsy home fragrances are
earthy and can be used anywhere indoors or out, to set a mood that’s either
clean and outdoorsy (pine, cedar) or exotic and sultry (sandalwood, oud).
No comments:
Post a Comment