What if fragrance were considered as carefully as lighting, architecture or the objects in a room? Exploring the art of scent curation in galleries, creative studios and thoughtfully designed shared spaces.
The things we notice, and the things we feel
Walk into an art gallery and you might immediately notice the light.
Perhaps it falls softly across a white wall, revealing the texture of a painting. Perhaps the room is almost empty, allowing a single sculpture to hold your attention.
In a design studio, it might be the materials that catch your eye. Samples of beautiful paper, pieces of wood, ceramics, fabrics, objects collected during travels.
And in a creative office, perhaps it's the bookshelves, the music or a long communal table surrounded by interesting people. Every detail tells us something about the character of a place.
But there is one element we rarely speak about when designing interiors.
The air itself.
More precisely, its fragrance. What happens when we begin to consider scent not simply as a pleasant addition, but as another creative material?
Scent as an Invisible Element of Interior Design
Artists, architects and designers have always worked with more than objects.
They work with light, proportion, texture, rhythm and negative space. They understand that what we leave out can be just as important as what we include.
Fragrance presents an interesting possibility because it exists somewhere between the physical and the intangible. We cannot see it, yet we can experience it. And unlike a colour or an object, a fragrance can awaken associations that are deeply personal.
The smell of a forest after rain. A familiar flower. Old wooden furniture. The warmth of vanilla.
These impressions can add another dimension to how we perceive our surroundings. Imagine a contemporary interior filled with natural materials and soft daylight. A fresh, green fragrance might complement its openness. Warm woods and resins could introduce a sense of intimacy. Something bright and citrus-led might create an entirely different impression.
Nothing visible has changed.
Yet the experience of the space may be different.
This is the idea behind what I call emotional architecture: considering not only how a space looks, but also how it feels to experience it.
Fragrance can become part of that design language. Not necessarily as a permanent presence, but as something chosen with care and intention.
Scent in Art Galleries: Beyond the Visual Experience
An art gallery is one of the most fascinating places to explore the relationship between fragrance and space.
Traditionally, galleries have focused primarily on the visual experience. White walls, carefully controlled lighting and minimal distractions allow visitors to concentrate on the artwork. And often, that is exactly as it should be.
But what if a particular exhibition invited us to experience something more?
Imagine an exhibition exploring forests, memory or the relationship between people and nature. Could a carefully considered fragrance become part of its narrative? Or an exhibition dedicated to craftsmanship, natural materials and the passing of time.
Might the aromas of woods and resins offer another way of engaging with those themes?
Scent has already found its place in contemporary art, where artists and curators have explored fragrance as a medium of expression, memory and interpretation.
The possibilities are fascinating.
But fragrance should never be introduced automatically. A gallery is a carefully controlled environment, and some artworks and collections require strict conservation conditions. Smoke, airborne particles and fragrance residues may be inappropriate, particularly around sensitive materials. Any proposed fragrance experience should therefore be discussed with the gallery team and, where relevant, conservation specialists.
Perhaps the most interesting solution isn't to fragrance the exhibition itself. It might be to create a separate, optional sensory experience connected to its themes. A small fragrance discovery session. A conversation about aromatic materials and their histories.
An invitation to experience how botanical notes might relate to a particular artistic idea.
Something that enriches the exhibition without interfering with the artwork or imposing fragrance on every visitor.
After all, the art of curation lies in knowing not only what to include, but also what to leave untouched.
Creative Studios: Spaces That Express a Point of View
There is something wonderful about entering the workspace of a creative person. An architect's studio. A small design agency. A ceramics workshop. A photography space.
These environments often reflect the sensibility of the people who work there. The objects, materials and references tell a story about their approach to design.
Fragrance could become part of that expression.
An architecture studio inspired by natural materials might be drawn to woody or green compositions. A graphic design studio with a playful, colourful identity might prefer something bright and expressive. A ceramics workshop could find inspiration in earthy, botanical or resinous notes.
The intention isn't that every studio should have a signature scent. It's that fragrance can become another medium through which creative people explore atmosphere.
Perhaps during a private presentation, a carefully curated event or an occasion where the sensory experience is part of the creative concept. The fragrance might complement the materials on display. Or introduce an unexpected contrast.
Sometimes, the most interesting creative choices are the ones that invite us to experience something familiar in a different way. Of course, an everyday working environment is different from a private event.
The comfort and preferences of colleagues should always come first. Creativity needs room to breathe. Sometimes quite literally.
Shared Workspaces: The Beauty of Consideration
Coworking spaces, meeting rooms and shared creative environments present a different challenge.
Unlike a private home or personal studio, these are places used by people with different needs, preferences and sensitivities.
A fragrance one person finds beautiful might be distracting or unpleasant to another. Some people are particularly sensitive to scents, while smoke can aggravate respiratory conditions. This makes fragrance a matter of hospitality as much as aesthetics.
Before introducing scent into a shared space, it is worth considering who will experience it and whether the environment is appropriate. For many offices and coworking spaces, burning incense simply won't be the right choice.
But that doesn't mean fragrance cannot become part of a wider creative conversation.
A private event with an optional fragrance presentation. A small workshop introducing the art of natural perfumery. A carefully organised sensory discovery experience in a designated space, with appropriate ventilation and consent.
These possibilities allow people to engage with fragrance voluntarily, rather than introducing it into an environment where others may prefer unscented air.
Because good design is not about imposing an experience.
It is about creating something that respects the people who encounter it.
Fragrance as a Design Material, Not Just Decoration
What interests me most about scent in creative environments is the idea of treating it as a material in its own right.
We already understand how different materials influence an interior.
Oak has a different character from walnut. Linen feels different from velvet. Natural stone introduces another quality than polished metal.
Fragrance has its own vocabulary.
Citrus can feel bright and expressive. Woody notes may suggest warmth, texture and depth. Green compositions can evoke natural landscapes. Resins may introduce richness, complexity or a sense of history.
Of course, these are not fixed emotional rules.
People experience fragrance differently, and those individual associations are part of what makes scent so interesting. Thinking about fragrance in this way invites us to become more curious. Not simply asking whether something smells beautiful, but considering what it contributes to the larger composition of a space.
Would it complement the materials? Would it add another dimension to the experience? Would it make sense in that particular context? Or would the space be better without it?
These are creative questions, not simply fragrance decisions.
How to Decide Whether Incense Suits Your Space
Before introducing perfume incense into an art gallery, creative studio or shared environment, I believe it's worth asking a few important questions.
What is the intention?
Are you hoping to complement a particular exhibition, express the character of a studio or create a sensory experience for a special occasion?
Fragrance should have a reason to belong.
A beautifully designed space doesn't necessarily need another element. Sometimes, scent can contribute something meaningful. Sometimes, the existing atmosphere is already complete.
Who will experience it?
Visitors, colleagues and clients may have different preferences and sensitivities.
One person may love woody fragrances, while another prefers fresh, floral compositions or no fragrance at all.
A beautiful sensory experience should be considerate, never imposed.
Is the environment suitable?
Burning incense produces smoke and airborne particles, even when the incense is made with natural aromatic materials.
Ventilation, fire-safety rules, building policies and the objects within the space must all be considered.
In galleries with sensitive artworks, burning incense may be entirely inappropriate.
In shared offices, open flames or smoke may be prohibited or simply unsuitable for the people working there.
These practical considerations are part of responsible scent curation.
Can the experience be optional?
Perhaps fragrance could be explored in a separate area, during an organised event or through an individual scent discovery experience.
This allows visitors to choose whether they would like to participate.
In some environments, a smoke-free method of presenting fragrance may be preferable, subject to the venue's requirements and visitors' preferences.
Would the space be better without fragrance?
This is perhaps the most important question.
Not every environment needs to be scented. Sometimes, the absence of fragrance is exactly what allows a space to feel complete.
Thoughtful sensory design is not about adding more. It is about choosing what belongs.
A Different Approach to Japanese-Style Perfume Incense
At sense • studio • amsterdam, I create Japanese-style perfume incense inspired by traditional incense craftsmanship and the art of fine perfumery.
I develop my own fragrance compositions using nature-derived aromatic materials, including essential oils, botanical extracts, precious woods, resins and naturally derived aromatic isolates.
Each fragrance has its own character.
Goldrise explores bright citrus and soft florals, with a luminous, expressive personality.
Heartwood brings together warm woods, delicate rose and aromatic resins, creating a more intimate and layered composition.
Stillbreath explores fresh greens, forest woods and earthy nuances inspired by the natural world.
Velvetglow offers comforting warmth, soft vanilla and rich balsamic notes.
Each composition is translated into perfume incense through its own formulation.
The slender sticks are handmade in small batches in Amsterdam, without a bamboo core. The aromatic mixture forms the stick itself, slowly releasing fragrance as it burns. A full stick burns for approximately thirty minutes and is accompanied by a small handmade ceramic holder.
I love the simplicity of the object.
A slender stick. A beautiful fragrance. A little piece of craftsmanship.
But simplicity doesn't mean incense belongs everywhere. Its use should always be appropriate for the setting, with attention to ventilation, fire safety and the preferences of those present.
For me, the pleasure comes from choosing the right fragrance for the right moment. Not from filling every space with scent.
A Small, Intentional Experience
Imagine a creative studio hosting an intimate evening dedicated to natural materials and craftsmanship.
Guests arrive to find beautifully arranged samples of wood, botanical extracts, ceramics and fragrant resins.
Perhaps there is a conversation about the relationship between nature and design.
How materials develop their character. How traditional crafts influence contemporary objects. How fragrance can be constructed from aromatic ingredients, just as an interior is composed from different materials.
Guests who wish to participate might explore several fragrance compositions through a carefully prepared, optional scent presentation.
No need to fill the room with fragrance. No need for an elaborate performance. Simply an opportunity to discover something interesting. To smell a material they might never have encountered before. To learn about the history of an aromatic resin. Or to recognise how a fragrance can evoke a particular landscape or memory.
This is the kind of creative exchange that interests me.
Fragrance as a starting point for curiosity, conversation and appreciation.
Not simply as decoration.
Perhaps the Future of Design Is More Sensory
We are increasingly aware that the environments we inhabit influence our everyday experiences.
We pay attention to lighting, acoustics, natural materials and the relationship between our surroundings and how we feel.
Fragrance deserves a place in that conversation. Not as something every environment must have. And certainly not as a substitute for thoughtful design. But as a creative possibility.
Something that might complement an artistic idea, express the personality of a studio or introduce another dimension to a carefully considered occasion.
For me, the most interesting question is not how to make every space smell beautiful. It is whether a particular fragrance has something meaningful to contribute. And perhaps that is where scent becomes more than decoration.
It becomes part of the story.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scent in Creative Spaces
Can fragrance be used in an art gallery?
Fragrance can be explored as part of an artistic or sensory experience, but its suitability depends on the venue, artworks and visitors. Galleries with sensitive collections may need to avoid airborne fragrance and smoke altogether. Any proposed scent experience should be discussed with the gallery team and, where necessary, conservation specialists.
How do you choose a scent for a creative studio?
Begin with the identity of the space and the experience you want to create. Consider its materials, lighting, architecture and overall atmosphere. A fresh green composition might complement a contemporary interior, while woods and resins may suit a warmer setting. The preferences and comfort of everyone using the space should always guide the decision.
Is incense suitable for coworking spaces and offices?
Burning incense is generally not suitable for occupied shared work areas, particularly where people have different fragrance preferences or respiratory sensitivities. Building rules, ventilation and fire-safety restrictions also matter. A separate, optional fragrance discovery experience may be more appropriate than scenting a shared office.
Can perfume incense be part of an exhibition or private event?
In an appropriate venue, perfume incense may be considered as part of a carefully planned sensory experience. Organisers should first confirm that burning is permitted, that smoke will not affect artworks or sensitive objects, and that guests can choose whether to participate. Where incense is inappropriate, fragrance can still be discussed or presented through other suitable methods.
Exploring fragrance for a creative space?
If you're a gallery owner, curator, architect, interior designer or creative professional interested in the possibilities of scent, I'd love to hear about your ideas.
Discover the sense • studio fragrance collection or get in touch to explore whether fragrance could become a thoughtful part of your space or event.