Does Your Home Need a Signature Scent? Experts Tell Us How to Find the Perfect One
We’re sussing and sniffing out this up-and-coming trend.
Nils Timm
When César Giraldo was tasked to decorate 1859 Bel Air—a 20,000-square-foot estate in one of Los Angeles’s most posh enclaves that hit the market for $68 million—he knew the space had to be spectacular. In addition to a statement-making spiral staircase and careful blend of indoor and outdoor living, Giraldo did the unexpected: He finished the space with a signature scent.
“[It] was driven by the belief that a personalized fragrance is just as integral to the luxurious ambiance as any other carefully curated element within the space,” he explains. “It’s not merely an afterthought, but a pivotal component that elevates the overall sensory experience.”
Nils Timm
The Los Angeles designer teamed up with French fragrance brand Ex Nihilo to select Gold Immortals. As a tribute to “a paradise of dreams,” Giraldo says the rich mélange of pear, bergamot, and amber volutes circulates throughout the home through a series of curated candles and custom diffusers. “Managed through a digital app, residents can personalize intensity, schedules, and scent levels, ensuring a tailored olfactory ambiance throughout the entire home,” Giraldo adds.
Teched-out diffusers might seem frenetically fancy but, thanks to California-based brands like Below 60° and Homecourt, incorporating a signature scent into your space isn’t just a good idea: It’s a pro tip everyone can apply to their spaces. (Yes, even you.)
Those with sensitive noses might naysay the trend—after all, scents can be polarizing—designers are on-board with an all-encompassing aroma. “A signature scent can (and should!) elevate your home,” says Candace Shure of Shure Design Studio. “It’s the first thing you notice when walking into a space, so it’s important to get it right and choose something that reflects the feeling you want to experience when you enter.”
Courtesy of 1 Hotel San Francisco
In fact, it’s a smart tactic that evokes the luxury of a five-star hotel. Don’t believe us? Just ask Joel Costa, director of marketing and sales at the 1 Hotel in San Francisco, which is known for its surplus of scent.
“The signature scent plays a crucial role in this by fostering a sense of nostalgia each time a guest is reintroduced to the scent after checking out,” Costa says. “It’s a subtle yet powerful way to capture a memorable stay and create a lasting impression.”
In 2015, the hotelier introduced Kindling, a scent that brings guests back to nature with calming notes of eucalyptus, cedarwood, and oakwood. Though 1 Hotel pumps its signature scent through a series of HVAC diffusers, you can also bring a little bit of your travels home with a candle or reed diffuser.
Nils Timm
Fortunately, you don’t need to splurge on a fancy vent system to recreate the look in your home: Matching diffusers, room sprays, candles, and soaps will create a cohesive aroma that isn’t overpowering. The challenge, however, is to find one scent that can move as seamlessly through your day as you do. (And, yes, just one.)
“Having five different scents in a space never works,” says Breegan Jane, an interior designer in Los Angeles. “Multiple fragrances will always be overwhelming.” Jane adds that exotic aromas might be too polarizing for visitors, noting that subtlety is key.
For inspiration, 1 Hotel’s Costa says nature-inspired scents are always a win in his book. “Start with an earthy scent that’s not too overpowering,” he says. “I’d suggest reaching for a candle with relaxing base notes to create a tranquil, spa-like atmosphere at home like eucalyptus, lavender, and cedarwood.” Meanwhile, Giraldo recommends investing in your aromas by partnering with a trusted perfumer.
Nils Timm
But no matter which scents are on the nose, Giraldo encourages you to stop and smell the roses… and the patchouli… and the leather. “Patience is key on the journey to discovering a scent that resonates with your essence and personality, ensuring it harmonizes seamlessly with your environment,” he says.
Good things come to those who wait, and your signature scent is no exception. Finding the right one will require time as well as trial and error, but Giraldo insists the results are worth it. “Remember, scent is a powerful element in design,” he says. “Follow your instincts to discover the scent that resonates with you.”
If you’re looking to skip the sniff test, here are a few base scents to consider.
Home Scents to Shop
Ex Nihilo Gold Immortals Scented Candle
If you’re looking to go for the gold—literally—consider the scent Giraldo infused into 1859 Bel Air. “The collaboration aimed to infuse the space with a timeless and luxurious olfactory experience, seamlessly integrated with the overall design narrative,” he says. “Gold Immortals embodies the essence of opulence and sophistication, enriching the ambiance of the luxury home.” A blend of pear, bergamot, and amber will be the olfactory equivalent of quiet luxury.
Homecourt Cece Deluxe Trio
Courteney Cox’s Homecourt—yes, that Courteney Cox—has a bunch of delicious scents in a range of products like dish soaps, room sprays, and candles. (Translation: You can have a comprehensive signature scent in one fell swoop.) Cece, the brand’s signature scent, is grounded with notes of cedarwood smoke, sweet cardamom, and white leather.
kai Reed Diffuser
For a consistent, refreshing fragrance, Jane says kai’s offerings are great for any home. “The notes of gardenia, jasmine, tuberose, and lily are elegant and fragrant but not strong or overbearing at all,” the designer explains. “Plus, all kai fragrances are paraben-, sulfate-, phthalate-, phosphate-, gluten-, and cruelty-free.”
Below 60° Fragrance Diffuser
Bring a little bit of vacation to your space with a fragrance diffuser from Below 60°, which is founded by Hilary Duff. Not only are the plug-in diffusers incredibly easy to use, but the sunny scents are also made with 100 percent natural ingredients. Right now, you can choose from three aromas: A minty lavender, vanilla-laced citrus, and a nuanced mix of grapefruit and sandalwood.
1 Hotels Reed Diffuser
Ready to give your space the five-star treatment? You can’t go wrong with 1 Hotel’s Kindling scent, which deftly blends oakwood, cedarwood, and eucalyptus. “The fragrance instantly helps guests feel at one with nature and evokes mindful rejuvenation during their stay, in alignment with 1 Hotel San Francisco’s biophilic design and deep commitment to sustainability,” Costa says.
Flamingo Estate Adriatic Muscatel Sage Candle
Those who are looking to trade in “light and refreshing” for “nuanced and moody” will find a lot to love about Flamingo Estate’s Adriatic Muscatel Sage candle. “It’s a really complex blend that’s also somehow very focused in its fragrance profile,” Shure shares. “It’s earthy and bright while also being smokey and romantic, which is a winning combination for any signature scent.”
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