Late last year, we moved into our forever home: The Ponderosa. The name started out as a joke because it felt so big compared to the little houses and apartments we've lived in around the world. The name just stuck! I’ve cherished the travels we’ve had as a family, but I always dreamed about setting down roots someday with a grown-up, family home. I feel incredibly lucky to be here.
We renovated an old Spanish Colonial house in the Valley, and contrary to what everyone told me about a major renovation, I enjoyed every minute of it! And why not? I finally got to pick out every paint color, tile, and surface, not to mention every stick of furniture with the help of my friend, Designer, @beckiowens. The visual part of design is fun, but people often forget about one crucial aspect: Scent.
After looks, scent is the second thing people will notice about your home. That’s why real estate agents often tell people to bake cookies during an Open House! It’s incredibly powerful and strongly shapes the way you (and others) feel about your space. We’re not having a lot of guests over these days but building an active Home Fragrance “menu” is crucial to my idea of comfort.
A beautifully scented home is just like a good wardrobe: it’s layered. As soon as I get home (or come downstairs from the Studio) I light a scented candle to signal the end of a working day. If we’re having people over (remember those days?) I light a few candles at least 30 minutes before they arrive, to allow the scent to “bloom” and create an atmosphere.