TALKING SCENTS...
Make summer last longer with sunny fragrances for the home, writes GABRIELLE FAGAN
SUMMER may not linger long, but its scents stay in the memory – freshly cut grass, salty sea air, and the heady perfume of a rose garden – all evocative of lazy, sun-baked days. We’re particularly receptive to scents, because our senses come alive at this time of year, and the warmth and moisture in the air means smells are carried further. We’ve sourced the 10 of the best summer home fragrances. You can use them to enhance those sultry days while they last, or recreate your favourite scent sensations – from a classic cream tea and country stroll to sea breezes – and enjoy them long after the season’s ended.
1 STRAWBERRIES WITHOUT THE CREAM!
STRAWBERRIES and cream are a quintessential treat during British summertime, but simply savouring their sweet scent could be a caloriefree pleasure. This is a lick-the-spoon aroma with a rose scent mixed with the fruity, sugary notes of ripe strawberries.
■ Gisela Graham strawberry print scented candle, Rose & Summer Berry, £10.95, Hurn & Hurn.
2 GARDEN STROLL
NO GREEN fingers, no garden, no problem – simply sample the scent of a country garden indoors. The designer’s taken his inspiration from traditional cottages and meadow gardens for his fresh scent, which features bergamot, lemon, blackcurrant, rose, Ceylon tea, powdery, orange blossom, and musk.
■ Matthew Williamson’s English Garden candle, £140, Amara.
3 THE FUTURE’S ORANGE
ORANGE blossom’s been renowned for its relaxing properties since the 17th century and could be ideal for lowering stress levels on a hot, sticky, busy day. This citrus fragrance has top notes of orange blossom and petitgrain, an essential oil distilled from the bark of an orange tree, as well as hints of geranium, rose and amber.
■ Manor Orangery scented candle, by True Grace, £32, The French Bedroom Company.
4 FLOWERS IN THE RAIN
SHOWERS are never far away during a British summer, but those rain-drenched woodland flowers release a heavenly fragrance. White florals with pink pepper on an evocative base of amber and musk combine in this delicate, moist, fresh scent. To order, visit Mcqueens.co.uk, call 020 7251 5505 or email enquiries@mcqueens.co.uk.
■ Petal Storm candle, £65, Miller Harris X Mcqueens Flowers Candle Collection.
5 HOLIDAY VIBE
JUST the smell of coconut suntan lotion transports us to a sundrenched beach quicker than any plane ever could... Have cossie, flip-flops and a towel at the ready as a blend of bergamot, orange, coconut, almond and vanilla instantly evokes sandy beaches, blue seas, palm trees, rum cocktails and relaxing in the sun (no passport needed).
■ The Tropical Paradise scented candle, £32, Chase And Wonder.
6 THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME
FRESHLY cut grass is one of the nation’s favourite smells (along with freshly baked bread and cooking bacon) – the only downside is labouring with the mower! Take a short cut with a scented candle that promises to replicate the vibrant green aroma of freshly-cut lush rich grass.
■ Fresh Cut Scented Grass candle, £20, Sophie Allport.