Make Your House Feel Like You’ve Spring Cleaned (Even If You Haven’t)
If you don’t feel like tidying up, just wipe down the counters with Diptyque’s multi-purpose cleaner, hang some eucalyptus in the bathroom, and call it a night.
If you don’t feel like tidying up, just wipe down the counters with Diptyque’s multi-purpose cleaner, hang some eucalyptus in the bathroom, and call it a night.
Welcome to What’s That Smell?, a monthly roundup of the newest and the best in home scent solutions, from a dedicated home scent enthusiast to you.
Spring cleaning—are we doing it? I’m using "we" because I’m thinking that if I consider us a pair, and you’re doing spring cleaning, I might be more inclined. (It’s sort of a parasocial relationship I’m asserting between us, or … actually, maybe it’s an example of the bandwagon effect, or influencer culture.) Anyway, are we doing it? I certainly hope we are, because my home could use a good spring clean. Been piling up mail and boxes and clothes and other detritus since December. It’s a mess in here. To both aid in our efforts and reward us for them in advance (I’m sure we’ll get to it), here is a generous grouping of fresh-scented items that will, if nothing else, make it seem like you keep an immaculate home.
It’s bright and energizing!
Carrière Frères Yuzu Diffuser
Cultivated and celebrated in Japan as well as in Korea, yuzu holds an important place in oriental culture: its zest and juice are highly valued by chefs. Reminiscent of the lemon, its taste is a blend of lime, yellow mandarin and orange. Between freshness and exoticism, its aroma is both invigorating and energizing.
God, I love the smell (and taste) of yuzu. Like if a lemon were born a bit more interesting and charismatic, no offense to lemons, which I also love (please don’t be mad). And I love the brand Carrière Frères. The French candlemakers focus the scent of each of their home goods on a single botanical element, rounded out by scents that enhance it rather than distract from it, like how you’re supposed to add instant coffee to chocolate cake to, somehow, make it taste more like chocolate. Their yuzu diffuser is a bit green, a bit flowery, and entirely yuzu. It’ll make your space a bit brighter and more energized, no matter how dark and sleepy it may actually be.
It’s a multi-surface cleaner—but luxurious!
Diptyque Multi-Surface Cleaner with Vinegar
Cleans, degreases, descales. Diptyque’s Multi-Surface Cleaner with Vinegar cleans and shines all washable surfaces in the home, from the kitchen to the bathroom. Delicately scented, it leaves a subtle vinegar scent mixed with notes of Lavender, Cedar and Fig Tree. A clean aromatic fragrance, infused with nature.
Have you ever been cleaning your kitchen counters and thought, "I wish this process were more expensive"? Well, Diptyque has you covered. Just kidding (sort of). Obviously it’s a bit um, unique to spend $45 on a multi-surface cleaner, but we have to follow our bliss. And if our bliss leads us to beautifully scented (lavender, cedar, fig), but not overly perfumed, cleaning supplies from one of our favorite luxury candle brands? Well … it could lead us to much worse!
It’s a candle, and a plant!
Rooted Candles
Burn, plant, and grow! This ceramic candle vessel transforms into a planter after the flame has burned down and includes seeds to grow herbs and flowers. 6oz scented soy-blend candle features a light and refreshing scent. Candle and seed packet are packaged inside a beautifully designed box for easy gifting.
Rosemary and cucumber is the perfect "clean kitchen" scent. And with this Modern Sprout candle, after you’ve finished burning through the wax, the ceramic vessel turns into a planter you can place on your window sill to plant the (included) rosemary seeds, and grow herbs of your own.
It’s bubbles, but smells like cut grass!
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Bubbles in Cut Grass
An adorable call to go back in time, these Agathe's scented bubbles will develop the little ones’ sense of smell and amuse the grown-ups. This set of soap bubbles has the subtle scent of freshly-cut grass. With playful reflections and bucolic scents, these scented soap bubbles are deliciously nostalgic.
I love these bubbles because I like to imagine an exceedingly wealthy child showing up to a birthday party with them. "Um, fellow child, why don’t your bubbles smell of cut grass? May I check the Maison Francis Kurkdjian bottle … is it possible they have expired?" They’re nice for an adult, too — backyard barbecue, having a spritz, blowing your cut grass-scented bubbles into the breeze. That’s living, my friend.
It’s tea, but a candle!
Trudon Sous un Ciel de Pétales Candle
The founding idea behind the Maître Tseng × Trudon collection came from imagining the flow of water from the sky, enriched by elements of the earth. Reflecting this idea, this range of scented candles is expressed in three stages. Combining jasmine sambac and jasmine grandiflorum both originating from the Himalayas - and with fresh notes of bergamot, the fragrance of Sous un Ciel de Pétales (Under a Sky of Petals), created by Vincent Ricord, alludes to a floral scene. Its fragrance is supported by base notes of guaiac wood and light touches of incense, which evoke this candle's connection to the earth. The origin of Sous un Ciel de Pétales' Chinese name is closely linked to the Qing dynasty poem that Master Tseng has written on the front of Maison des Trois Thés in calligraphy.
When it comes to scented candles, it just does not get better than Trudon. (That’s a fact—not an opinion.) Their new collection is a collaboration with renowned tea master Maître Tseng, and each option in it is delicious. My favorite, though, is this jasmine and bergamot candle. Grounded with a base note of guaiac wood, this will transport you away from your dirty little apartment and to … well, somewhere that smells much better. Burn for company, if you want to impress, or just for yourself (and your inner peace).
It’s just eucalyptus!
Live Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Branches
On their own or worked into a floral bouquet, these live silver dollar eucalyptus branches are natural-born beauties. With their fresh scent and soothing appearance, these small, multi-branched plants create a wonderful assortment of color, aroma, and contrast.
I know you’ve always wanted to do the thing where you tie eucalyptus to your shower head to make your bathroom look elegant and smell spa-like. Consider this a sign that now is the time.
It’s a zesty candlestick holder!
Anthropologie Lemon Taper Candlestick
Crafted in the shape of a blossoming lemon tree, this taper holder adds a fresh touch to your decor. Hand-embossed iron and hand-cast resin. Wipe clean with soft cloth.
Here’s a candlestick holder perfect for the warmer months that will make guests think, "Wow, is [your name] a little funkier and perhaps a bit cooler than we previously thought?" And yes, this is also my apology to lemons for what I said earlier.
It’s tuberose, of course!
Nomad Noé POET in Hangzhou Candle
A romantic memory of an evening stroll with yourself. Smells like: a lake of white flowers. Sweet jasmine, creamy tuberose, and gardenias. Benefits: Calms the soul. Compassion booster.
I love this candle. I love how it says POET. I love that it comes with a little pink hat. And I love its scent: mainly tuberose, with a little jasmine and gardenia. Burn it with the windows open as the sun rises and begins to warm your space, and think to yourself, "wow … maybe I am a poet."
It’s cherry blossom season!
Nippon Kodo Kayuragi Incense Sticks in Cherry Blossom
The fragrance of cherry blossom, full of the tenderness of spring in all its glory. Welcome to the world of Kayuragi, where fragrance "Ka" meets with slowly wafting scented smoke "Yuragi". The Kayuragi series includes the popular Aloeswood and Sandalwood fragrances as well as 9 Japanese floral and fruity fragrances. When the incense is lit, it's smoke and aroma wafts throughout the space and brings a feeling of relief and relaxation. It is not only from the pleasant fragrance, but also from the sight of the wafting smoke which will make you feel at ease. Beautiful Kayuragi incense box contains 40 sticks of incense and a mini ceramic holder. Each incense burns about 25 minutes.
You don’t need a cherry blossom tracker to enjoy this incense. You just need, well … this incense. Founded 75 years ago, this Tokyo-based incense brand is beloved for a reason, and that reason is that they make extremely good incense; incense that I am pretty certain you will love. If you’re not an incense person—well, why not? Live a little. Open your mind. Burn a stick and enjoy it, for once!
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