I have a confession: I’m currently typing this in a hoodie I’ve owned since 2017, surrounded by too many emails and magnificent chaos that comes with being an early 30s Millennial who’s friends are all getting engaged and having babies. My life, much like yours, is a dynamic mess of ambition, projects, dinners in the city and the occasional (read: frequent) late-night Uber Eats orders.
But there is one thing I feel I’ve truly nailed, one non-negotiable area where I feel I excel: scent. (Plz don’t come for me if you know me IRL and disagree).
When you walk into my flat, I want you to walk into an atmosphere, a perfectly curated, low-key luxe vibe that feels very nonchalant whilst being completely chalant (lol?). Scent is the final, invisible layer of design.
I treat home fragrance like a wardrobe, with different vibes for different rooms, moods, and guests. It’s about setting a scene without making a fuss. The silent assassins in my scent armoury are:
1. Granado ‘Bossa’ Eau de Toilette, £70
Summer in Rio, bottled, but for a Londoner who just finished a killer work week.
I discovered this Brazilian brand, Granado, earlier this year, and all of a sudden they basically sponsor my life. I started with the Bossa room spray, but loved the smell so much I upgraded it from the room scent to my Eau de Toilette - a true game-changer.
2. Granado ‘Açafrão’ Diffuser, £113
First impressions that whisper ‘tasteful.’ This is the workhorse of my hallway table.
A diffuser has to be strong enough to cut through a general ‘nothing’ smell without hitting you like a brick wall of essential oils. The Açafrão one from Granado does exactly that.
3. Loewe ‘Esencia’ Eau de Parfum, £162
Classic, reliable, magnetic. Okay, I don’t wear this, my partner does. So it’s become more than a smell, it’s an association.
4. Le Labo ‘Basil’ Hand Soap, £30
I know, I know. Le Labo hand soap now considered basic, but here’s the kicker: it’s Basil. And basil is one of my favourite smells. Sue me.
5. Earl of East ‘Jardin de la Lune’ Incense Sticks, £18
Pre-guest atmosphere adjustment. The Jardin de la Lune sticks are my current favourite. They’re a dark and smoky. They instantly shift the mood from ‘me working on my laptop’ to ‘someone who cares about ambience.’
6. Aesop ‘Kagerou Aromatique’ Incense Sticks, £35
When you like the idea of incense without the hippy vibe that’s sometimes associated to burning incense. The only incense I buy other than Earl of East.
In a weird way, it makes your house smell like expensive furniture - I can’t explain it, but when you smell it you’ll be like ‘…makes sense’.
7. Muji ‘Fireside’ Essential Oil, £12.95
The guest bathroom secret. This is the stealth behind my scent strategy.
I have the Fireside oil on Muji’s little aroma stone tucked away on top of a cabinet in my guest bathrrom. You can’t see the source, so the smell just is. It’s comforting and warm, like a chic log burner. Low-effort, high-impact trickery, and I’m here for it.
What’s the one scent you can’t live without right now? Let me know - I’m always looking for my next upgrade.