My favorite form of shopping therapy has always been purchasing perfumes and candles. There's just something about a gorgeous scent that's pure escapism. And just as relaxing, while there are certainly some pricey fragrances available on the market, these small indulgences don't have to be a big hit to my budget.
Right now, I'm enjoying designer Barbara Barry's home fragrance collection, which comes in four unique scents designed to suit four separate rooms in your house (powder room, dining room, bedroom, and living room. It also doesn't hurt that all of Barry's products are gorgeously packaged and feature Barry's own watercolors of her own furniture (including the amazing bracelet chair). My favorite product is the bedroom linen spray which is a wonderfully soothing combination of vanilla and nutmeg. The scent instantly perks up my sheets, even if they aren't straight out of the dryer.
Prices range from $30 to $34, which is a steal considering the sheer enjoyment I get from Barry's scents. And so, while I may not be able to afford Barry's scallop pendant that I've been coveting (let alone her design services!) for the cost of a dinner out I can add just that extra little something to my bedroom (or powder room or living room...).
While I'm at it, here are a few more gratuitous shots of some of Barry's design work. While Barry is an unapologetic devotee of neutral color palettes, her use of textures, an interesting mix of modern and traditional design and bold shots of metallic make her rooms far glamorous and very, very rich.
Photographs courtesy of Metropolitan Home and Barbara Barry.
