About Gabrielle Johnson
When shopping finally becomes an Olympic event, editor Gabrielle Johnson is pretty sure she’ll take home the gold medal for Canada – after inquiring about the availability of other colours (lilac? chartreuse?) and politely requesting a discount. Every week, she shares a glimpse into what’s on her style radar.
Now Smell This
life/style Toronto
(Jul.27.10)
Ahhh, summertime. What's not to love? Sunny, hazy afternoons in the park; long, lazy evenings on the patio; that funky smell emanating from the kitchen, where you left those bananas sitting on the counter while everyone was away at the cottage... Summer is heavenly, but hot weather has a sneaky way of amplifying household odours. Sometimes cleaning alone isn't enough to banish unpleasant scents — especially if pets are involved — so I rely on home fragrances to keep my space smelling fresh and yummy year-round. Here are some of my favourite finds:
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Lampe Berger personal air care system
Sharing a home with two cats (and a husband who cooks with copious amounts of garlic) means I need a product that actually eliminates odour, instead of just covering it up. The Lampe Berger range of air purifyers (starting at $40) not only destroy airborne bacteria and make stinky scents disappear, but they're available in countless styles that are pretty enough to display in every room of the house.
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Scented candles
For creating romantic ambiance or a chilled-out mood, scented candles can't be beat. I'm always enticed by the limited-edition scents from Banana Republic (last summer's Beach House is still a favourite), and Anthropologie always has a fab selection — I'll be picking up the Backyard Bouquet Candle ($32), which comes in its own cute printed-canvas bag. |
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Fragrance diffusers
If you spend a lot of time away from home, a fragrance diffuser is the perfect no-fuss option. Unlike candles and the Lampe Berger, diffusers can be left unattended and they'll release pleasant scents for up to three months. The Anglophile in me loves Crabtree & Evelyn's summery Carleon Cove fragrance ($40), which "captures the essence of the English seaside in a bottle." Sold!
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Air fresheners and room sprays
In spots where candles and fragrance diffusers wouldn't be practical (like closets), a scented spray can come in handy. Some products definitely smell better than others, though, so don't be afraid to try a few different varieties until you find one you're happy with. Febreze's Hawaiian Aloha Air Refresher ($5) doesn't quite take me back to my honeymoon in Maui, but it does make the bathroom smell nice.
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DIY linen spray
Once you've got the kitchen, bathroom and living room smelling lovely, it's time to focus on the place you rest your head (and nose) every night: the bedroom. Soothing lavender linen spray feels deliciously indulgent and will help you fall asleep, too. Just grab a spray bottle and add one teaspoon of lavender essential oil to four cups of filtered water. Shake well before using and enjoy those sweet dreams.
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