Scent as a Final Touch
Interior designers often consider scent not as an initial element, but as the concluding layer in their design process. This approach allows the overall
aesthetic and functional aspects of a room to dictate the olfactory experience. For instance, Jacqueline Goncalves, an interior designer and founder of Moksa Studio, waits until furniture and styling are completely finalized. She then lets the room's narrative, encompassing its location, historical context, and the current season, inform her scent choices. The aim is to select fragrances that feel intrinsically linked to the environment, rather than appearing as an arbitrary addition. Instead of opting for overtly sweet or heavily perfumed options, she gravitates towards natural, herbal notes. This preference helps to anchor the space, imbuing it with a sense of groundedness and natural elegance, ensuring the scent complements rather than competes with the visual design.
Avoiding Olfactory Assault
A significant pitfall in home fragrance is the selection of scents that are too potent or artificial, which can quickly render a beautifully designed room uncomfortable and stuffy. Goncalves emphasizes that overpowering aromas can detract from the visual appeal and create an unpleasant atmosphere for occupants and guests alike. She advises that if one enters a space with an overwhelming smell, the immediate action should be to remove the offending source. Following this, the room should be revitalized with fresh air before a new, more subtle scent is gradually introduced, often through natural elements like fresh flowers. The ultimate objective for designers is not for individuals to identify a specific brand of candle or diffuser, but rather to notice that the environment simply possesses a pleasing, clean aroma.
Leveraging Natural Materials
Designers frequently harness the inherent aromatic qualities of natural materials to organically shape a room's scent profile over time. Materials such as wood, leather, and linen possess a natural ability to absorb and gradually release fragrances, contributing to a more lived-in and nuanced aroma compared to synthetic alternatives. The inclusion of fresh botanicals, like flowers and herbs, also plays a vital role in enhancing the room's olfactory appeal, promoting a sensation of cleanliness and freshness without constant reapplication of artificial scents. Beyond their aromatic contributions, these natural elements also add visual warmth, fostering a more inviting and cozy ambiance within the living space, thus enhancing the overall sensory experience.
Layering Fragrance Effectively
Rather than relying on a single product like a candle or diffuser to establish a room's scent, designers often employ a strategy of layering fragrances across multiple points in a space. Ceci Tucker, an interior designer and perfumer specializing in plant-based scents, highlights the symbiotic relationship between fragrance and interior design, particularly with the growing availability of non-toxic options. In her own projects, such as an Airbnb renovation, Tucker integrates scent at various levels: from the cleaning supplies used to maintain the space, to hand soaps in the bathrooms, and even room sprays applied just before guests arrive. Her goal is for scent to function as a subtle, grounding element that enhances the atmosphere without becoming the focal point. She also points out that opting for natural fragrances no longer necessitates a compromise on aesthetics, making it simpler to intentionally incorporate scent throughout a home.
Prioritizing Purity in Scent
When designers do opt for products like candles or diffusers, they exercise careful consideration in their selection. Goncalves notes a growing preference for natural waxes such as soy, beeswax, or coconut, combined with pure essential oils and wicks made from cotton or wood. She reiterates that a scent exhibiting an excessively strong aroma is typically not suitable for a designed space. The consensus among designers is that the most appealing rooms don't overtly smell of perfume; instead, they exude an impression of cleanliness, warmth, and subtle freshness, achieved through thoughtfully chosen and artfully applied scents.
