Some people are visually stimulated, others roused by touch. For me, arousal springs from the airy scents of a passerby’s perfume: splashes of Moroccan rose water, jasmine stirred over a hot summer breeze.
Nothing get’s me going like a bottle of santal – sudden hint of cardamom, twist of amber and brightest iris: careening through the crowd, exposing itself on just the slightest shift in the air. What a sensation! To recognize, and be recognized by just the tip of the nose.
Sure, we’re in the business of beautiful things, exotic textiles, those endlessly charming ceramics with their little fingerprint indentations marking their maker. But c’mon, at the end of the day, we’re all animals compelled to action, first and most passionately by that mysterious old factory (olfactory system).
The enigma of arousal is but one mystery to the climax of live.
In the words of an old friend, I follow my nose, wherever it goes.
As an added bonus, here’s our list on the effects of fragrance.
Scents to Relieve Anger: Chamomile, Jasmine, Patchouli, Rose and Ylang-ylang.
Scents to Relieve Anxiety: Bergamot, Cedarwood, Cypress, Frankincense, Hyssop, Lavender, Marjoram, Myrrh, Neroli, Orange, Peach, Rose, Rose Geranium and Violet Leaf.
Scents to Increase Confidence: Frankincense, Jasmine, Patchouli and Sandalwood.
Scents to Ease Depression: Bergamot, Clary Sage, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena, Neroli, Orange, Petitgrain, Rose Geranium, Sandalwood, Tangerine and Ylang-ylang.
Scents to Improve Memory: Bay Laurel, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon and Rosemary.
Scents to Ease Sorrow: Clary Sage, Cypress, Fir, Marjoram, Rosemary and Sage.
Scents Used as Aphrodisiacs: Jasmine, Rose, Sandalwood, Vanilla and Ylang-ylang.
Scents to Invigorate and Overcome Fatigue: Angelica, Benzoin, Camphor, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove Basil, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Lemon, Peppermint, Pine, Sage and Spiced Apple.
Scents to Deal with Stress, Nervous Tension and Insomnia: Bergamot, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Cloves, Frankincense, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Myrrh, Neroli, Nutmeg, Orange, Petitgrain, Rose, Sandalwood, Sweet Melissa, Valerian, Vanilla, Violet, and Ylang-ylang.
Scents to Calm Irritability: Chamomile, Neroli, Rose, and Rose Geranium.
«The Binding of Jowa» tells the story of a 1100 year-old legendary perfume, purely extraordinary, formulated by emperor Ninmyō.
TOBALI, new perfume brand reinterprets this perfume in the form of an eau de parfum and candles. TOBALI has chosen the theme « hidden beauty ». The hidden beauty, a mysterious beauty, such as the moon’s spectrum or in the shadows, the appeal expresses itself when hidden. For every perfume two opposite aspects coexist, such as « Seductiveness and Intellect », « Strength and Affection» or «Elegance and Insanity ». 5 symbolic characters that highlighted Japanese history inspired TOBALI for its 5 perfumes, and 5 emblematic Japanese landscapes for its 5 candles. Furthermore, the allied design of different contrasts from the sacred color, white, and the visuals captured by the huge photographer Nobuyoshi Araki gives TOBALI an unparalleled identity. TOBALI unveils itself for you.
Oh, estate sales. At their best hit-or-miss, at their worst, total duds. Which is why we’re thrilled to share our recent finds, as discovered in the storage unit of an antiquities dealer. Buried deep within we uncovered a gorgeous collection of pristine rugs, purchased in Turkey in the 1970s. And if that’s not enough, they’re nowhere available to you.
These are investment pieces, the sort of accessory which is at once artful and collectible. The sort of rugs which become heirloom emblems and which distinguish thoughtful interiors from the same ole’ hum-drum mainstream.
All pieces are one of a kind, from the various tribal peoples of Turkey and Anatolia.
What’s up mothers, lovers, and all you Coveteurs! We’ve compiled a collection of irresistibly delicious Mothers Day Gifts for yours truly – be-still-my-heart!
Featuring Sierra Winter’s statement “Mama” necklace among a collection of covetable ceramics, must-have jewelry, and choice vintage.
This year it’s all about stating your love with iconic, timeless, and delightful accessories.
Ever on the prowl for fresh minds, we set our eyes on the Philadelphia-based Nicole Cole. She’s one of those creatives who bring thoughtful action into a cookie-cutter world, an interior designer who provides time and time-again unique solutions to design questions. Her look? Soft, beautifully-curated, and admirably mindful. Nicole’s style is one you’ll remember. I’m grateful she has family in Kansas City, that we get to visit when she comes to town and that I can call her a friend in real life, not just online! I’m happy to share her story with you along with her gorgeous master bedroom and her design process.
Hi, I’m Nicole! Interior designer, and owner of Vestige Home, a design studio that focuses on creating spaces that are interesting, engaging, and encourages people to live well. My greatest joy is helping clients create homes that are thoughtful, functional with a style that makes them feel like their home is a sanctuary.
My day to day is always different and can range from floor planning a 3-D model of a space, to selecting materials and finishes, to checking in on the construction of a project on site with contractors and trades, or I might be wading through the piles receipts and invoices that always need to be attended to 🙂 How would you describe your style?
I like so many different things it’s hard to say for sure, but I can broadly describe my personal style as modern colonial with a strong nature influence. I love historic homes and we are currently in the process of renovating our 1940’s stone house in Philadelphia, there are deep windowsills, large moldings and high ceilings which I think make the perfect backdrop to more modern elements. But I am not afraid to throw a primitive colonial period piece into the mix though. I think that all interior design should have a little tension and mixing periods and materials is a great way to achieve that. I also grew up with antiques (often accompanying my mom to the shops) and pieces from the past still influence me today.
What are you passionate about and why?
I am passionate about helping better people’s lives and love their homes. When I was growing up, my dad was in the Navy and so we moved every couple of years. Despite these frequent moves, my parents still took the time to try and make whatever house we were in feel special and personal, which I think made us feel safe in what could be a bit of a tumultuous life starting over every couple years. This experience strongly influenced my desire to do work that helps people to live better lives. Having a home that functions well for you and your family and makes you feel happy and calm every time you walk in the door can extend to improving so many other areas of your life as well.
Show us What You’re Coveting
What’s on your wishlist right now?
Blackbird Incense We bought some of this incense at Coveted Home on our last trip to Kansas City and we are addicted! My husband lights it almost every evening when we settle in to watch our favorite TV show and says it reminds him of when he was a little boy in church. As much as the visual of an interior play to our senses, the scent is also an important consideration in setting the mood.
Vintage Pottery I’m always on the hunt for good pottery whether newly made by a local artist or a vintage piece with an unusual glaze or form. I display them as part of a larger grouping or our old butler’s pantry (used as a display case). This vintage tall jug caught my eye – the narrow, skinny form and the single squiggle line down the middle. Perfect for a fireplace.
Silk & Wool Throw Another gem from the Coveted Home, this throw is one of my favorite pieces in our living room. It’s sustainably made and pairs perfectly with our linen lounge chair
House Tour + Q&A
Credit: Rebecca McAlpin 2018
Jaclyn: You recently moved into a new home, and I’m so excited to see how it evolves. Your master bedroom is stunning! It looks like the first space you completed is the master. In my experiences, people often start with the living/dining/kitchen. Why did you choose to design this room first?
Nicole: Thank you! We knew the renovations were going to be a long term project. In other homes we have renovated we usually take a year or two to get things the way we want (mostly because we moved around frequently for my husband’s job). With this house, we intend to stay here for a while, so we really want to take our time, see how the spaces function for us and save money before making any big decisions.
Credit: Rebecca McAlpin 2018
We wanted to ensure we had a sanctuary where we can go to while other parts of the house being renovated. Since we have a large bedroom with a fireplace and reading area, we started here. It’s also more secluded from other areas of the house so I didn’t have to think as much about how the design would impact the rest of the rooms, as compared to something like the living or dining room open to other rooms. It was also one of the less expensive rooms to do and we were able to do all of the work ourselves which helped to save costs since we have expensive projects like central A/C and hardwood floor refinishing that we are planning on tackling pretty quickly.
Credit: Rebecca McAlpin 2018
Jaclyn: What was your design process like for the master bedroom: Did it come together quickly? Exactly how you envisioned? Did you run into any problems? Anything you would do differently?
Nicole: The design process what much like the process I use for my clients. I put together a mood board and a 3D model of the space and laid out a floorplan. I thought about what the different functions we would need in the space were and ensured that the design would support those needs.
The room came together very quickly as I did it as part of the One Room Challenge, which is a six week design challenge. I did some of the planning in the weeks beforehand so we could order materials and furnishings, but it was a very quick process overall.
Credit: Rebecca McAlpin 2018
The room came together just as I envisioned. The biggest challenge was getting it together on the short timeline. During the process I was continuing to work on client projects full time, as well as move into the new house, so there wasn’t a lot of time to spend on the actual work on the bedroom except for late evenings. It was a very stressful and sleepless time, but it felt really good to have a finished space that I am proud of.
After 6 months we still love it and it functions really well for us. I’d like to add is a sliding or pocket door on the closet so that we can utilize the interior of the closet more efficiently, otherwise, we really love the room!
Jaclyn:What area will you be working on next?
We’ve been slowly tackling our kitchen as part of a “mini-makeover” until we do a full renovation in a few years. We’re having the hardwood floors refinished next month and I’m hoping we can have space completely in the next 6 weeks or so. Our back deck and garden are also on the list since we can get outside and enjoy the warmer weather!
We’d love to hear what you think about Nicole’s work! Be sure to comment below, and if you dig what we’re dishing out –lifestyle and design inspiration, the odd recipe here and there, music reviews, and travel guides– be sure to subscribe!
Interior designer and self-proclaimed modern bohemian, Carmeon Hamilton represents everything we adore in the design scene and we’re so thrilled to feature her this session.
That does it, these pieces need to go and we think you have just the space! Our annual flash sale is back and this year we’re talking everything from rugs to original paintings, hand-thrown ceramics, all those objets d’art we love to admire, all for ridiculously low prices. Just in time for Spring decoration.
2: Sign in at 3pm Thursday, March 14th as the sale goes live.
3: To claim an item simply send a message with the item, your email and shipping instructions if applicable
4: We will issue a paypal invoice that must be paid within 30 minutes, items will not be held
5: There will be 2 prices: one that includes shipping and one for local pick up, please indicate in your comment if item needs to be shipped and provide address (some large items will be local pick up only)
Can we talk about etiquette and manners on social media? Instagram, in particular, is such a new platform, it seems like people forget there is an actual person behind each account and need to be taught how to behave here. I witnes a lot of bullying in this space (not on our page, luckily!) In design it is really easy to critique, and flippantly leave a comment about what you don’t care for in the image. This is rude and unnecessary and most of the time is going to have a huge impact on the person on the receiving end. A good rule of thumb: would you say this to their face? If not, don’t leave it in the comments. Does it contribute to the conversation in a thoughtful and engaging way? If not, don’t comment. what motivates someone to leave snarky/rude comments about other people’s homes or lives could be a myriad of reasons, but how should we respond to them? I’ve watched the bullied turn around and become the bully, striking back at those who made rude comments. And I’ve watched the bully than being bullied by multiple others defending the bullied. What a vicious cycle ? If you see something you don’t like, keep scrolling. No need to leave a comment that could ruin someone’s day. If you see someone leaving nasty comments, call them in gently, by reminding them to use their manners on social media. Maybe even send them a private message to start a discussion instead of shaming them publicly in the comments. I’ve got a few other topics under the umbrella of social media anomalies i want to discuss in future posts. Let me know your thoughts in the comments or tag someone that will appreciate this message. Sending you love if you’ve ever been bullied and if you’ve been the bully, here’s to doing better from here on out ❤️ xx, jj
Atelier Oblique is a fragrance house established in Berlin in 2015 and wholeheartedly dedicated to traditional scents. Developed in the centre of the perfumer’s art – Grasse, in the south of France – and composed only using the finest traditional ingredients, Atl Oblique’s scented candles are classics of our time.
MEET THE MAKER: MARIO LOMBARDO
Mario Lombardo is one of the most well-respected designers of our time and has influenced the national and international design scene for many years. His work is considered groundbreaking, demonstrates social relevance, and has been honored on hundreds of occasions with national and international awards as well as a monograph. From the outset, his work has playfully overcome stylistic boundaries and has performed a balancing act between different, seemingly mismatched, disciplines, creating new contexts in language, space, aesthetics, and materials. As a designer, Mario Lombardo has helped shape the style of an entire era, placed a focus on experimental and craft activities in the age of digital aesthetics, and has breathed new life into print media. It is a passion for craftsmanship that continues to this day. Clients including KaDeWe, JOOP!, Rosenthal, Mercedes-Benz, Absolut, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and others have gladly placed their trust in his work.
Did you know that Shopping online you can chose local pickup? — and be sure to let us know if you’d like complimentary gift wrap!
This is it. The Holidays are here. Wherever this finds you, out on the road, roaming those halls with cheer or what have you, remember this, that life is always better with Hot Buttered Rum.S
Hot Buttered Rum
Ingredients
1.5 oz Aged Rum
.75 oz Honey syrup
.5 oz Lemon Juice
2 dash Angostura bitters
Hot water to top
Butter cube
Instructions Blend all ingredients with hot water. Enjoy
Instructions Blend all ingredients with hot water. Enjoy
Here’s the thing, like it or now, the Holidays are are short few aways and closing in fast.
We hope all of you are well out there and want to give you, our readers, our dearest supporters a heads up about the upcoming sale on holiday goods…
ALL HOLIDAY will be marked 15% OFF beginning Saturday. And it only gets better. As the days go by, we notch away at our calendars, the 25th closing in fast, but as the time draws closer so too the discounts — growing steeper, deeper, and more delicious with every day.
But don’t let that keep you from snagging those last minute gifts. We are fully stocked. What you see is what you get and it’s going quick!
So hurry in or place those orders (guaranteed shipping up until Dec. 18th.)
