August 06, 2007

A Home That Is Pleasing To All Of The Senses

Having a home that is well pleasing to my family and friends is very important to me. I want people to feel a sense of peace and pleasure when they enter my home, not only by what they see, hear and taste, but also what they smell. I think of all the senses this is one of the most important because it is usually the first impression guests will have when they enter your home. When you think about it, doesn't every home have it's own "scent?" If I were blindfolded and walked into various friends and families' homes I am sure I could tell you which home I was in just by using my sense of smell.
It is my fondest wish that people will always think of my home in a pleasing manner. Our home is also home to three cats, so consequently we have a very "active" litter box;o) YUCK! As much as I love my kitties I detest the "scent" they leave behind. Believe me when I tell you, that is the LAST thing I want people to think of when they think of visiting my home. In a different season in my life I also had dirty diapers to contend with, dirty little boys, dirty dogs, etc..... you get the picture! Can any of you relate?? No matter what season we are in we all have different challenges plus we all want to have a lovely scented home! All this got me to thinking about the ways in which I try to bring pleasant scents in to our home. The following were just a few ideas I have incorporated in our "place called home."
My favorite way of having a clean smelling home is to open up my windows and let the fresh air flow through. Unfortunately, with temperatures hovering near the century mark right now that is not going to be happening around here ;o)

I love using cleaning products that have "fresh" smelling scents such as lemon and orange. They not only clean your home but also make it smell fresh, too!

I always like to have a candle burning on our entry table ~ it is the first "scent" impression guests will have when they enter my home.

Fresh flowers not only look lovely, but smell lovely, as well!

In the kitchen I like to have a bowl of citrus fruit ~ oranges and lemons smell so clean and fresh!

There is nothing like the smell of bread baking or . . .

yummy treats awaiting to be eaten!

In the bathroom a small candle and delicate potpourri are wonderful ways to freshen up the room.

My laundry room is where the litter box is so this room needs special attention. I love using the Mrs. Meyers lavender dryer sheets because it makes the whole room smell lovely.

A tea cup filled with dried rose petals leaves a delicate scent in my bedroom.
A tart warmer is an excellent way to scent almost your whole house. It isn't as dangerous as burning a candle and it is more effective in scenting a room, in my opinion. I am displaying my two favorite scents here ~ buttercream and macintosh. Mmmmm!!
I hope that some of these ideas will help you to have a "scentsational" day in your "place called home!"

13 comments:

Kimberly said...

I've got the bread rising in the kitchen right now. I love the smell of the bread as it bakes. The fresh aroma fills our home and makes it so welcoming for when Sweetheart returns from a long day of work.

sheila from life @ #17 said...

thanks for the reminder...I tend to let lighting up a nicely scented candle fall by the wayside when summer rolls around...but I should start back doing that so everything smells extra-nice when DH & DS come home in the evening :)

Paula said...

Lovely home! Thanks for the ideas!!

Karen said...

All of these are my favorites, too! I like to leave a good first impression, especially now that we are showing our home.

Paula said...

You know me and my love of candles. :)

It would be so nice to visit with you in your comfy home and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere. ;)

Blessings,
Mrs. C

Kelli said...

So many wonderful ideas, Susan! Thank you! I love the smell of homemade bread and candle tarts are yummy too!!
Hugs,
Kelli

Monica Wilkinson said...

Lovely ideas! I always think when my husband comes home - I love it when something is freshly baked or cooking for dinner as I picture that being an inviting fragrance when he walks in the door!

Monica Wilkinson said...

PS: Yes, that Mitford Days event looks SUPER fun and amazing! My Mom and I did go there about a year and a half ago and we agreed that it may be too crowded to go during a big event. But, after looking at their schedule and what they have planned?! It looks SO fun!

LBP said...

What a great post. Nothing is better than the smell of fresh bread baking.

candy said...

HI Mama P,
I love this post!!!

Hugs,
Candy
:)

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

What great ideas, Susan...thanks for sharing!

Jodi said...

What a wonderful collection of ideas to scent our homes. I was just thinking yesterday how lovely the home smelled as my daughter was baking macaroons! It made our home smell like love! :o)

Mimi said...

Great ideas.

After having a house empty of cats for a bit -- something that we've never had in almost 26 years of marriage, we have a new kitten again. I'm a little sensitive lest this cause cat odor.

Your suggestions for having a fragrant home are inspiring. I love Mrs. Meyer's lavendar spray cleaner. Here, some of Mrs. Meyer's products are a bit pricey for my regular budget. But, I do love to work her spray cleaner in as I can.