So we’re into fragrance. We talk about it a lot. We think it’s underrated both in the home and on your person (not your person, I’m not saying you, personally smell funky). Scenting is the final flourish of personal style. You pop on your perfume or light that candle and it says, ‘lean in, this is my vibe’. But we’re also mega-geeks and we’re fascinated by the intersection of the senses. Does our aesthetic taste carry through to other areas? Well, we decided to find out and in the absence of a fully working laboratory and a host of human guinea pigs we decided to zone in on one thing. We roped in a few Instabuds and the olfactory adventurers at Penhaligons and set them quite the challenge. Using only images from our subjects’ homes, Penhaligons had to drill down to what each account’s perfect home and personal fragrance would be. And you know what? 10s, 10s, 10s across the board – every scent selection was perfect, which is possibly helped by the fact everything that Penhaligon’s puts out is heavenly. Read on for a little a little lowdown on what everyone got, and try out fragrance profiling for yourself, right here.
This post is part of a paid partnership
Jazzierere’s Opulent and Moody Mansion
Jaz‘ home is all dark and sumptuous colours, crammed with art and curios in every corner. There’s something genius about her space, with its breadth of styles that all come together against those dark walls, and Clandestine Clara is the perfect scent to match it. Rebellious, contradictory and unconventional, it has notes of rum, amber and patchouli with a touch of cinnamon musk. The perfect opposite to her Blenheim Bouquet Candle. Crisp as fresh laundry, this absolute delight is an invigorating daytime cocktail of citrus oils, spices and woods. Timeless, just like Jaz’ home.
The House That Black Built’s Monochrome Magic
Guess what Chelsea’s favourite colour is? It’s red! Only kidding, it’s very much black, and her penchant for clean lines, monochrome and touches of classic gold and pink make her home the perfect masculine-meets-feminine mix. Like staying in an awesome hotel, only better. Penhaligons matched her with their stone-cold classic scent, Halfeti. Spicy, sweet and very grown-up, it has notes of leather and nutmeg sitting on a base of vanilla and sandalwood. Her candle? Smarkand, which not only has a sensual blend of spices and amber, rich sandalwood and warm vanilla as a scent, but comes in a chic black and gold votive as well. Living. The. Dream.
Heart Zeena‘s Pink Paradise
Zeena‘s home is a little corner of London stuffed to the rafters with joy. Soft textures, rose tones and a touch of vintage style, she plays with pastels and pinks like nobody’s business. Enter Duchess Rose a fun and frivolous scent with notes of rose and zesty mandarin with a darker base of musky wood that keeps it mysterious and grow-up. Then Penhaligons sent her on a journey through the East Indian Spice Route with the Malabah candle with its citrus, rose and spices. Tap the link to have a look at the packaging too – could it be any more perfect for her home?
Pebbles and Peanuts Effortlessly Excellent… Environment
Natasha has a thing with monochrome. More than a thing – she lives it. Her home is all bright space and elegant lines, with Crittall that just won’t quit (seriously, go check out those windows). So it stands to reason that Penhaligons matched her with a fragrance that’s hella modern with a touch of spicy intrigue. Changing Constance has notes as diverse as tobacco, vanilla, pimento and salted butter caramel, and its warmth matches Natasha’s home perfectly. Then her Quercus candle is an uplifting blend of lemon, lime, bergamot, jasmine and amber, which is fresh as the breeze through that Crittall.
Almost Everything Off Ebay’s Cornucopia of Colour
Robyn isn’t a complex character – she likes everything extreme. Her house, her clothes, her hair, her rollercoasters. Her home is all dark tones and fantasical flourishes so something big and bold with plenty of perfumey punch is what she’s after. When she read that Blazing Mr Sam was based on someone who ‘spends freely, lives fast and talks loudly’ she knew Penhaligons had cracked it. Full of cardamom, black pepper and patchouli it was right up her street. And the lines ‘reassuring, warm, sexy and deep’ could be her Blind Date about me pick up line. Add to that the sandalwood, clove and vanilla of the Samarkand candle with all the churchy drama that a diva of Robyn Jade Donaldson’s magnitude could ask for and you’ve got one happy bunny!
The Crap Flat’s Natural, Neutral Nook
Giving ourselves a pat on the back for winning at those alliterative titles. But back to it. Emma’s crap flat is a cosy little space full of cuddle-me textures and minimalist vibes. She’s all about the details, and on her grid you’ll find a lot of curious pieces and lively captions, so it makes sense that Penhaligons sent her The Ingénue Cousin Flora. When you look online, the notes underneath say, ‘Innocence is a virtue, but crime pays’, which she’s taking as a tribute to her surface calm and ludicrous captions. And then the Iris Prima candle is a nod to her more classic side, created as it was, in partnership with the English National Ballet.
