A reporter for the SF Chronicle visited me for an interview a few months ago, and she’s written a lovely article about Sonoma Scent Studio that is in this weekend’s Home and Garden section. The freelance reporter, Sophia Markoulakis, is a great writer and a real people person; she did a wonderful job tying together the personal and perfume sides of the story with the home/garden aspects. A photographer visited two weeks ago to take pictures for the article. You can see that it looks like fall here now with the trees dropping their leaves and the garden at season’s end (Sophia came earlier when it was much warmer, hence my quote about loving the late summer sun).
I want to mention something about myself that is in the article but that I’ve not brought up on the blog before. Years ago I had a spinal injury in a riding accident, and although I was not paralyzed, I currently use a wheelchair. My Dad is a retired architect and designed my cottage to be wheelchair friendly when we built it in 2005; it works great for me and is a perfect spot for me to live.
The article ends with a quote about how much I enjoy the scent memories that many customers share with me via email after they receive their orders. I really do treasure the emails I receive and love the chance to connect with people all over the world from my little corner here in Sonoma!
I’m still working on the new scents. I added pages for the first two all-natural blends so that people can see what is coming, but it will be a bit longer before they are released.
28 comments
Oh, Laurie! You didn’t provide a link but I found this article, and its accompanying photos, and I must tell you how absolutely lovely you are! You and your property … just gorgeous. Your father is obviously hugely talented, too.
Kudos to Sophia Markoulakis on writing such a softly revealing article about you!
“…softly revealing article…” – what a perfect phrase, Suzanne.
I thought so too. 🙂
Ooops, I forgot to check that link, lol. Thanks for reminding me! I was trying to get all the other details right and missed that. The link is fixed now.
And thank you, Suzanne, for the sweet comments. 🙂 Yes, my Dad did a great job with the design; we only had 1000 square feet to work with, and Dad’s design made it feel and work much bigger. My parents were kind to share their property here with me. It is a really special spot. Glad you enjoyed the article!
Great article, Laurie, and well done!
I was just thinking that the photographs makes your house seem Much bigger than its 1000 sq ft. The credit definitely goes to your dad for creating that image. The wrap around, wheelchair friendly deck helps to expand on that impression as well. You are certainly blessed.
I just took a look at the revamped fragrance page – Love the improvement!
a;)
Thanks, Ann! The deck is wonderful; the back has the trees/hills view, and the front has my little garden view. I sit on the porch a lot to test scents. One thing the article didn’t show was the window walls in the living area and bedroom. They really bring the outdoors in.
Thanks about the fragrance page!
Congratulations on the article, Laurie, and the photos are beautiful. I like this different angle on your work.
(And thanks for commenting on my new Facebook photos – I yelled at my family, “Guys! Come see! LAURIE ERICKSON likes our pictures!”)
Lol! Those were great pics of you and your family! Looked like a beautiful spot for your photos too. Thanks, Dionne!
I loved the article and learning about your life. You are quite an inspiration!! I live in Florida and love to smell the orange trees in bloom when I go to the jazz festival in the spring. Your Jour Ensoleille’ comes the closest to that experience that is possible. It is my favorite of all of your scents. I have bought many other orange blossom fragrances but none of them can touch what you have created! God Bless YOU !!!
Aw, thanks so much, Sherri! Glad you’re enjoying JE! The scent of a group of orange blossom trees in bloom must be fabulous! I’ve only smelled a few blossoms on a small tree, but a group of them in full bloom would be awesome.
What a wonderful article about you and what you do!! I have been a fan of yours probably very close to when you started and I love your fragrances. I’m really excited about the Naturals and can’t wait to try them! I have been a tester in the past for you so keep me in mind. You are truly gifted with a very kind heart Laurie.
Beth 🙂
Thanks, Beth! I’ve appreciated your testing help over the years very much! And I still want to get back to the white floral project!
Laurie what a great article and LOVE the pictures =) Now I can finally put a face to the name! I admire all that you do and envious of the beautiful home and work space your father had created for you. Cheers to on-line fragrance community and I look forward to smelling these all-natural creations~
Thanks, M! I’ve been shy about posting pics, but SSS will be 9 years old this Feb so it seemed time, lol. Definitely cheers to the fragrance community! Such a great group we have!
Laurie, I have been away from the computer for a few days and stumbled upon the article at 5am this morning long before I got to your blog just now.
And here I was thinking I was the first of your fans to read the article 🙂
From (finally!) seeing your picture I must say you are as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside.
I am so excited about your natural project and I am crossing my fingers that I will be able to purchase a bottle for myself for Christmas (so please hurry 🙂 !!).
Like Sherri, JE is my all time favorite fragrance EVER and as I mentioned before that would be my “stranded on a deserted island one bottle only” perfume. I am also crossing my fingers that one of these days you will make an all natural rendition.
Your house and surroundings are gorgeous…and you are truly blessed to have such a great Dad!
Let’s hope all us Northeasterners stay safe and dry for the next few days!
Laurie, keep doing what you do…you are the best!
Thank you, Brie! And, lol, I’m trying to get two of the naturals out before Christmas. I’m waiting on my organic alcohol delivery while I work on the formulas.Glad you enjoyed the article!
My thoughts are with the northeasterners in the storm’s path right now. I have so many friends in those areas and hope the storm is not as bad as feared. Stay safe! Thanks for stopping by Brie!
We’ve already communicated about the article – which was great! – but I wanted to express publicly how much I value your friendship, your marvelous creations, and your inspiration. Blessings to you, dear one.
Blessings to you too, rapple! I’m lucky to have your friendship! Very glad that fragrance led our paths to cross.
Congratulations.
I wish You all the best. Very positive, atmospheric place.
Greet You warmly 🙂
Thank you, Roza! I have been meaning to email you. Just sent you an email. Hope all’s well! Thanks for stopping by and for the good wishes!
Lovely article about you, Laurie! We already know how wonderful you and your scents are, of course. 🙂
Thanks, Elizabeth! Glad you liked the article! It’s helped me connect with a few more local fragrance lovers, which is great.
Laurie: Congrats on the great article! You deserve as much recognition as you get!! XO XO. Today I was raking the Sandy blasted down branches off my driveway as it began to snow. The only fragrance perfect enough to wear for this is Tabac Aurea. Take care!
Thanks, Ann! Hope you came through Sandy well. It’s pretty early for snow!
Yes, we are OK, but there is a lot of spill over into PA from New Jersey and New York, and many people are coming up here to get away or get gas. About half our people up here don’t have power – we’re OK at our house though – very lucky for us. It may seem early for snow, but we normally get snow in October up here!
I’m dying for the release of your natural scents. Love the new pages for them! I am having a lot of difficulty with my lungs right now, bizarre coughing fits, and they just feel unhealthy, so I am avoiding all synthetics right now, even if it’s a minor amount. I’m desperately seeking good 100% natural alternatives. There aren’t many that smell good. I found one company that has not disclosed to me how they are getting natural musk and civet…natural does not mean cruelty is acceptable. Until they answer me, I won’t buy their product.
Your fragrances are marvelous! I already know I will love all three! Thank you for tapping into the natural market.
Hi Elizabeth,
I’m not using any animal musk or civet in the natural scents. The only animal product I’ve used so far in my line is beeswax, which may not be appropriate for most vegans but doesn’t have the animal cruelty issues that deer musk, civet, and beaver castoreum do. Things like ambrette seed and angelica root are good plant sources for musky notes. A company should be able to tell you if any animal products are used and identify those for you.
Glad you’re looking forward to the natural collection! It’s nice to have some natural scent options that are softer than mixed media but still smell like perfume rather than aromatherapy. That’s my goal anyway! 🙂
Hope you’re feeling better soon!
[…] you read the SF Chronicle article and my blog post about it last fall, you’ll remember that I crushed a vertebra in an accident years ago and had […]