Home scents Part I - Santa Maria Novella, Diptyque, and Muji

As the days get colder and colder, my favorite thing to do on a weekend is to curl up on the sofa, have a warm cup of tea, and read a good book. What's essential to the whole ritual, however, is to make sure I'm surrounded by the scents that are soothing, relaxing and helping me to ease into the mood. I have tried and tested different home scents, from the scented candles, home diffusers, to home sprays and incense. Here are a few of my favorites that have become an integral part of my daily life.

Muji ultrasonic aroma diffuser. I've owned this for over five years now. Still works like new and I know I should probably get a bigger one, now that I think about it, but honestly the size of this one doesn't really bother me. I usually leave it in the entry way corner which adds some perfect light and scent when you first enter the home. My favorite essential oil to use is the Aesop Isabelle Oil Burner Blend which combines spearmint leaf, sage leaf and rosemary leaf. Super calming and gives the room a nice cooling scent. 

Santa Maria Novella Potpourri. I've bought boxes of the Santa Maria Novella Potpourri for... I'd say years, before I actually started using them. Why? Because I couldn't find anything that I love to put them in! My original thought was to get a vintage silver plate to house them....but I've been searching for years and still haven't found one that I like. So when I finally discovered Santa Maria Novella had opened up a store with full line of products in New York, my heart almost exploded. I picked up this super simple ceramic plate from the SMN store - I think the plate was supposed to be used for soap or something. Sometimes the simplest thing is the hardest to find. It fits perfectly with the potpourri that has been made using the same method and recipe for over three centuries. The mixture of buds, leaves, and flower petals typical of Tuscan hills now gives my home a distinct aroma and brings me back to a century old apothecary like no others. 

Diptyque scented candle. This one needs no introduction. It has appeared in many of my interior photos. I'm not a floral scent lover, so naturally, my favorite scent of Diptyque are Figuier, Santal and Baies. Either woody or fruity, depending on my mood, Diptyque has accompanied me through many nights and days as a loyal friend.  

Eames Lounge Chair Wood

This one needs no introduction. Eames chair at its best. When I first moved in to my current apartment, I was looking for a single sofa/chair for the living room. Given the limited space that I have (which, is pretty much the theme for all NYC apartment, isn't it?), I had my eyes on this Eames Plywood Lounge Chair. Being one of the world's widely recognized and highly coveted chairs, the chair itself is a piece of art. I especially love the grains of the plywood, the simple design that connects the seat and the backrest with a spine, and the low-slung seat. Hailed by Time Magazine as the Best Design of the 20th Century, the chair continues to be an icon of Modern Design. 

My favorite thing to do when I'm lounging at home, is to sit on the chair, next to my fig tree, with a cup of coffee and a good book. It gives you a slight sense of ritualization that you feel like your day has become a little brighter and you are a little calmer despite the busy world spinning around us. 

Stendig Calendar

When I first saw this simple, classic and yet shockingly beautiful calendar, I immediately thought, I need this in my life, right now. It's an art by its own and is perfect to decorate your wall with. After doing some research, it came at no surprise that the Stendig calendar is the only calendar in the design collection of the Museum of Modern Art. It was designed in 1966 by Massimo Vignelli. After 48 years, it still exemplifies the perfect modern graphic design. 

When I finally got my hands on this highly sought after piece (it's gone very fast, so place your order early for the next year!), I couldn't help but to praise its simple and classic design. It really molds into your interior decor and still has this quiet and compelling quality that draws your eyes to it over and over again. I hang it above my dining/working table, so now, every time I look up and see it, my heart is filled with content and happiness.