Alexandra and Michael Misczynski designed.
Photo by : John Coolidge
Having never gave much thought to the correlation between the mind and scent I was intrigued when I read this interview. I definitely know that when something smells wonderful it does click a memory and evoke an emotion. Just as it does when something stinks! Candles or diffusers are always burning in my home with scents that remind me of the memorable times in my life. So when I read this article in Veranda about Dawn and Samantha Goldworm, custom scentologists, I thought you might like to understand the philosophy and the applicability to your own home and business environs. In the interview they discuss why the olfactory experience in a space is just as important as the aesthetics. So it’s not just style, design and furniture!
Veranda.com: What does a scent say about your space?
12.29: Scent for a space is a very personal, curated decision. Just as important as your choice of furniture, art work and lighting, the scent creates a certain mood and ambience to further accentuate the feeling of your home.
Veranda.com: What kind of effect can a scented space have on people?12.29:
Your brain processes smell in the same way that it processes emotion in your olfactive or smell memory. Therefore, every smell you can recall, is directly associated with a feeling or emotional memory. Walking into a scented space, can have two effects: if the space smells familiar, it can conjure up old memories and bring nostalgia from a past experience or if the space smells entirely new, it can create intrigue into a new adventure.
What’s your advice for people in search of a scent for their home? How can you find a balanced scent that’s not overwhelming and headache-inducing?
12.29: Your scent should work with and compliment all of the existing smells in your space. You would not choose one piece of furniture without considering the other furniture in the space. Your scent is the same. Your cleaning products should be taken into consideration as should your cat or dog, if you have one, as well as children smells and other perfumed products. If you are an avid cook, this should also be considered. To find the scent for your home, I would first consider how you want your home to feel—relaxing, stimulating, sexy, energizing. If your aim is relaxation, look for scents that are warm and inviting, like vanilla and woods. If you prefer a stimulating environment, try green notes like grass, fig or black currant. If sexy is more your vibe, try amber, leather or musk. Or if your prefer to be energized, go for citrus notes and bright fruit tones.