I would like to introduce you to a series of wonderful scented candles by a small company called Orchard Cheshire. Read here about what scent works best in what room, so that you can have a home that not only smells beautiful, but that evokes just the right emotional response in you and your visitors depending on what the fragrance is and where it is used. Plus, using these scented candles supports a small and fledgling business in their efforts to make our homes perfect places for us all.
Of all of the five basic senses, the sense of smell is a human’s most fundamental connection to emotion, mood and memory.
Did you know that upon detecting a smell, the nose generates an impulse that passes straight to a section of the brain known as the limbic system which plays a major role in controlling mood, memory, behaviour and emotion? It is often regarded as being the old, or primitive, part of the brain because this same system was present within the brains of the very first mammals. It is understood that this is what makes our sense of smell the most sensitive and emotionally responsive of all of our senses.
Fragrance manufacturers focus heavily on the link between scent and emotion: they work hard to link their fragrance to any one or set of feelings from desire, to power, to vitality, to sensuality, and more. Therefore, it is sensible to deduce that the same can be said of choices we make about scent in our homes.
Scented Candles for the Entrance Hall
I remember when we first moved in to our house that it took me weeks to feel like I was at home. Every time I opened the door and stepped in to the hallway it smelled like the previous family still lived there. It is impossible to qualify what that smell actually was, it was not unpleasant in any way, it just didn’t smell comforting or welcoming to me, and it certainly didn’t smell like home. When you come home after a day at work, there is nothing more comforting than opening your own front door and feeling at ease and welcome and able to be you in your own space. Therefore, bearing in mind what was said above about the connection between scent and emotion in the limbic brain, there is nowhere more important to consider fragrance than your front hall.
However, bear in mind that visitors to your home also need to find your home welcoming and a comfortable place to be and therefore I would highly recommend that although your chosen home fragrance should be a favourite of yours, it should definitely not be strong or overpowering in order to remain light, airy and palattable to everybody.
I recommend ‘Peony Blush’. A fruity floral fragrance with top notes of peony and red apple, followed by hearty notes of rose, jasmine and carnation. The fragrance is completed with soft notes of violet and plum and rich notes of musk and dry amber. Peony Blush is light, airy and welcoming.
Scented Candles for the Kitchen
I love cooking, and while cooking I love the smell of what my taste buds are looking forward to eating later. However, after I have eaten my meal nothing bothers me more than the smell of stale cooking, the lingering scent of curry in the air the next morning when I come down for breakfast.
So for the kitchen I recommend ‘Wild Mint and Eucalyptus’. Wild Mint infused with a hint of white tea, mingled with freshly picked eucalyptus leaves. Fresh and cleansing, this super-strong home fragrance has a high Essential Oil content which is great for overcoming strong odours such as cooking smells.
Scented Candles for the Bathroom
When it comes to bathroom scent, there can be a lot of affinity with kitchen fragrances and most will be quite interchangeable. However, where I prefer my kitchen to be very fresh and cleansing, I like my bathroom to smell more warming and cosy, while still clean. I find that the perfect fragrances are zesty with just a little bit of spice.
I recommend ‘Lemongrass and Ginger’. Top notes of tangy lemongrass, Sicilian lemons and juicy limes lead into a heart of spicy ginger root and grated nutmeg, a hint of refreshing eucalyptus. Base notes include patchouli and creamy vanilla. There is something both refreshing and relaxing about this scent which works perfectly for a space that, well, you want to smell refreshing and relaxing!
Scented Candles for the Living Room
In our home the living room is a grown up space as we are lucky enough to have a kids playroom for them to spend their time in. However, even if the living room is a family room in your home, it is unlikely you would be burning candles until the kids are in bed at night and you’re relaxing on the sofa with a glass of wine in hand. So, for me, the perfect scent is something that is relaxing, grown up, gender neutral.
Enter, ‘White Musk and Amber’. Oh my goodness, this is absolutely DIVINE!
Top notes of Bergamot and Geranium that lead into a heart of Jasmine, Lily and Amber with base notes of vanilla, Musk and Sandalwood. Even Damon loves this candle, it reminds him of a good aftershave, and so it is absolutely perfect for a common space.
Scented Candles for the Bedroom
Although I dream of duvet days that I can spend lying in bed, eating popcorn and watching Grey’s Anatomy box sets, realistically who has the time to do this? Especially if you work, have kids, or are house proud. The time I spend in my bedroom is spent sleeping (or trying to), getting ready/dressed in the morning, and…well, you know! 🙂
So, for me, a bedroom fragrance should be relaxing, luxurious and just a little bit sexy. I would highly recommend ‘Black Pomegranate’, another amazing gender neutral fragrance. Top notes of Plum, Pomegranate and Rose with a deep heart of Patchouli and cedarwood, and base notes of Musk and Amber.
All recommended home fragrances are from Orchard Cheshire where you can use my personal discount code EMMA15 for 15% off of their range.
About Orchard Cheshire
Orchard Cheshire (click here for website) was founded with the idea of helping clients by creating candles that reflect who they are and what they believe in. Their products are:
- 100% soy wax
- EU manufactured fragrances
- Phalate and paraben free
- Suitable for vegans
- Cotton wicks with linen stability threads
- No additives, dyes or glittery bits
- 100% recyclable packaging
- 100% paper labels
- Honey jars and tins are reusable