A Fragrant Journey: The First Perfumed Homes

At Hassett Green, we believe fragrance has the power to transform any space — to comfort, inspire, and make a house truly feel like home. Our passion for scent goes beyond the present moment; it’s rooted in history. Humans have been scenting their spaces for thousands of years, and each culture added its own touch of artistry and purpose.

So, take a fragrant journey through time — and discover how the simple desire for a beautifully perfumed home began.

The Smoke That Spoke to the Gods

Long before sprays and candles, the very first perfumed homes were filled with the sweet smoke of frankincense and myrrh. In ancient Mesopotamia, families burned these resins believing the rising perfume carried their prayers to the heavens.

Perfume began as something sacred — but its comforting scent soon became part of daily life. The same fragrances that pleased the gods also made homes feel pure, peaceful, and alive.

Perfume Along the Nile

In ancient Egypt, fragrance became an art. Egyptians created kyphi, a luxurious blend of honey, wine, myrrh, cinnamon, and juniper berries. Burned in temples and palaces, it was said to relax the mind and purify the air.

At royal feasts, guests sometimes wore scented wax cones that melted slowly in the heat, perfuming the air for hours — an early form of elegant home fragrance.

Greece and Rome: From Ritual to Refinement

The Greeks and Romans transformed scenting the home into a symbol of refinement. Wealthy Romans sprinkled rosewater on floors and scattered petals through their villas. Emperor Nero was even said to perfume his banquet halls with mists of saffron and rose oil, ensuring every moment was touched by fragrance.

Perfuming the home had become a mark of culture and grace — a tradition that still inspires us today.

Herbs and Pomanders: The Medieval Home

In medieval Europe, fragrance took on a more practical form. Homes were refreshed with herbs like lavender, rosemary, and thyme, strewn across floors so that every step released a clean, green scent.

By the Renaissance, pomanders — ornate spheres filled with clove, amber, and musk — were hung in rooms to purify the air and lift the spirit. Even in challenging times, fragrance remained a symbol of comfort and wellbeing.

Through every era, one thing never changed: the human desire for a beautiful, welcoming home filled with scent.

Fortunately, You Don’t Have to Go Through All That Trouble

Today, creating that same sense of warmth and elegance is effortless. With Hassett Green’s collection of fragrance oils, reed diffusers, scented sachets and more, you can fill your home with timeless aromas — inspired by nature, crafted with care, and designed to linger beautifully.

Try our Hassett Green Just Lavender Reed Diffuser — a modern echo of those herb-strewn rooms of the past, offering calm and serenity with a single, graceful fragrance.

Because while our ancestors burned, melted, and scattered, all you need to do is uncap, place, and enjoy.

Explore more timeless fragrances in our Home Fragrance Classic Collection.