Spring fragrances for Irish homes: Expert tips for a fresh new season
Coconut & Hibiscus is influenced by scents from the Indian Ocean; candle €33, diffuser €42, Labougie.com.
Fragrance is so evocative of places, occasions and even people. Just one whiff of pine, clove and cinnamon hitting the olfactory nerve and we’re transported to Christmas.
This time of year, we’re starting to crave freshness, and while we’re waiting for spring, which might not be far off, unless we get a revisit from 2018’s Beast from the East, we can treat ourselves to some home fragrances in the meantime to get the scent of the warmer and brighter seasons ahead.
Siobhán Kehoe, who is responsible for scent and new product development at candle maker Rathborne’s, looks to fragrances reminiscent of her childhood at this time of year.
“One of my favourite memories growing up is walking through a wood in spring where the ground is covered with bluebells and snowdrops,” she says. “It’s such a beautiful break to our damp and dark winter ground cover. Bluebells with the fresh shoots of honeysuckle and lily create a lovely soft transition to the month, and their fragrance transitions naturally into spring.”
As we’re also moving into spring cleaning season and its modern extension, decluttering, finishing a marathon weekend of clearing out by lighting a scented candle has become a ritual many of us follow, especially after having windows open to let in fresh air, and wanting to retain that feeling afterwards.
“If I’m looking for a very clean but faint fragrance that lingers in the background, I will burn jasmine and petitgrain for that feeling of calm and relaxation,” says Siobhán, “and if I’m really in the mood for spring cleaning, then I always reach for wild mint or other earthy, fresh notes.”
Fragrance designer Alison Banton of Brooke & Shoals cites fragrance’s ability to alter our mood as something we are certainly in need of during these cold, wet days that seem never-ending.
“Changing up the scent notes in our homes is the perfect way to elevate the interior ambience,” she says. “I would advise swapping out the heavy wintery woody and spicy scent notes like cedar, pine, oud, cinnamon and nutmeg, for something lighter that represents the promise of better times ahead. Then, as spring takes greater hold and develops into summer, I would change the olfactory backdrop to a blend of citrus and floral notes.”
With the trend for matching scents to places and even occasions, scenting weddings being a popular one, choosing where in the home to place them is a particular skill in itself.
“A living room scent needs to be subtle and comfortable to be around for long periods of time,” says Alison. “Delicate florals, gentle woody blends or ozonic coastal blends work well. Whereas, in the kitchen, a stronger blend with a herbal or citrus angle, like bergamot, basil or lemongrass, won’t overpower the smell of delicious food, but will also help clear the air of post-cooking aromas. “
While aromatherapy has been mainstream for decades now and most of us know our neroli from our bergamot, there are places where scents should be avoided, according to Alison.
“Personally, I don’t advise scenting a bedroom while sleeping, as I believe that fresh air from an open window is the best aid to sleep. Instead, I prefer to locate a fragrance reed diffuser on the landing to create a calm atmosphere upstairs, and suggest using a scent with chamomile, neroli or lavender.”
But while some of us will choose a candle or diffuser purely because we like a fragrance in the moment, regardless of the time of year, others see scenting as another layer in an interior design scheme to be changed seasonally.
“There are two stages that I would go through from a fragrance journey perspective,” says Alison. “For early spring, February and March, I would move gently into scenting with light woody notes combined with fresh florals. Then, as spring takes greater hold and develops into summer, I would change the olfactory backdrop to a blend of citrus and floral notes. Go for zesty notes of ripe citrus fruits, luscious lemons, tangy oranges and juicy grapefruits. They infuse the air with a burst of energy and vitality, instantly uplifting the mood and brightening the atmosphere. Complement this with floral notes, from the soft petals of orange blossom to the aromatic sprigs of lavender and the gentle sweetness of sweet pea, rose, lily or jasmine.”
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