There are few things I love more than a good home fragrance, candles in particular. When summer comes, however, a reed diffuser or room spritz can feel like a lighter, less wintry option. Whatever fragrance you find yourself drawn to, you’ll find an abundance of beautiful choices.
Max Benjamin Coffee and Tea Diffusers (€24.95): Tea and coffee lovers alike will appreciate the clever blend of fragrances in these diffusers. My favourites are the Lime Flower and Lavender Tea, and Victorian Earl Grey versions.
Diptyque Interior Scent in Gingembre (€46): Some fragrances are so perfect they don’t need to be mixed with anything else. This light, crisp room spray gives a quick, hot burst of gingery warmth, then dies down into the freshness of newly cut ginger. Obviously avoid this one if you’re not a ginger fan.
Molton Brown Pink Pepperpod Home & Linen Mist (€30): This classically androgynous fragrance is now available in a home and linen mist, which can be lighter than a candle for summer. Sharp and warm, it’s a perfectly comforting home fragrance for those who don’t like florals.
Jo Malone London Green Tomato Leaf Home Candle (€55): The Summer Afternoon Collection by Marthe Armitage (who is an artist and wallpaper designer who has been living in London for 60 years) is the home collection of the summer. Pay particular attention to the Red Roses Drawer Liners (€44 for four) and the Tomato Leaf candle in limited edition packaging, which is nothing short of sublime.
Bog Standard Linen Candle (€16.95, from bogstandard.ie): Irish company Bog Standard’s Linen candle is lovely. Nothing screams of summer like fresh washing on the line, wafting its scent at you. This candle brings that olfactory experience into the house.
NEOM Feel Refreshed Reed Diffuser (€46): If you're in need of a lift, then you need this. Sun-baked lemons and freshly cut basil pop from this diffuser to bring summer bashing its way merrily into your home. It cheers me every time I pass it.
L’Occitane Winter Forest Home Perfume (€22): This smells of Christmas trees, which might distress some people during summer. However, it’s one of my all-time favourite scents in the home, and I’ll take it any time I can get it. There are lots of other options in the range – Verbena is particularly crisp and summery.
Rathbornes Wild Mint, Watercress and Thyme Luxury Candle (€54): The name of this candle is enough to evoke the tangy, grassy, herby fragrance that wafts from it. The whole house hums with the tart green scent of summer. This one is special. It also comes in a travel size for €19.
LAURA'S PRODUCT OF THE WEEK - Cloon Keen Atelier Antique Library Candle (€40 from Brown Thomas): Another fragrance which might be considered wintry, this antique library candle is inspired by Trinity's Long Room. Sit in with this, a cup of tea and a book on a summer evening, and you'll see that this warm, buttery and comforting candle shouldn't be limited to winter.
