From Tom Ford’s ‘Lavender Palm’ to the Beekman Boys latest whipped body cream, lavender has been a favorite scent in these parts, particularly when summer comes streaming in through the sun-filled days. This year I planted a number of new lavender plants near the pool, where the heat stays close to the concrete, and the silvery foliage soaks it all in. The bonus is the scent that arises when one brushes past the leaves and flowers.
That scent finds its way into just about everything these days, and not all of it is done well. Like my friend JoAnn, I’m very particular about the lavender products that find their way into our home. Only the true lavender scent – simple, not too sweet or cloying, with just a hint of the medicinal – is what we seek. Far too often products contain vanilla or some other addition that mars the rustic essence of true lavender. When done right, however, it is a fragrance that signifies peace and relaxation – and is usually used to bring about better sleep.
In these photos, a lavender candle burns in our attic loft in the midst of a minor make-over for the space, lending positive vibrations for a summer on the distant horizon.
