As a design lover, I’m constantly inspired by Bali’s unique blend of art, architecture, and natural beauty. Living in Bali sure has its perks, especially for my work. More often than not, my work revolves around showcasing spaces that evoke emotion and tell a story. I discovered that creativity to tell a story extends far beyond what mere eyes can see.
I’ve always loved fragrances, and I have my favorite go-to fragrances that I use on me, as well as in my home and office. A scent that tells ‘it’s me’ and my story. I found a place where I can craft my story through scent: a perfume workshop at Our Projects in Pererenan.
Our Projects is a place where artistic expression goes beyond the visual. It took me on an immersive journey of the senses. This hands-on experience not only deepened my appreciation for fragrance but also taught me how scent, much like design, can shape the atmosphere of a space.
The workshop was held in a beautifully designed studio that mirrored some of the very principles I admire in interior design—thoughtful attention to detail and embracing natural materials. From the moment I stepped into Our Projects, I was enveloped by the warm ambiance of the open-plan design. With its organic textures and inviting atmosphere, the space provided the perfect backdrop for our creative exploration.
Our instructor, an expert in the art of perfumery, began by introducing us to a wide variety of fragrances—from fresh citrus notes to deep, woody undertones. I was struck by how each element had its personality and how these fragrances could be blended to create something new and unique, much like how the interior designers I admire can carefully combine textures and colors to form a cohesive interior.
What stood out to me the most was the intricate process of creating a balanced fragrance. Similar to designing a harmonious living space, perfume creation requires a careful understanding of proportions. We learned about the three essential layers of fragrance—top, middle, and base notes—and how these layers work together to build a scent that evolves. The exercise of blending oils was akin to finding the right balance in a design composition, where each element must complement the other to achieve something truly special. As I mixed different oils, it was fascinating to see how small changes in ratios could transform the entire fragrance, turning it into something more complex and refined.
Through this hands-on experience, I began to understand how a long-lasting fragrance is much like a well-designed space—it leaves a lasting impression long after it has dissipated. The right blend of scents can stay with you, subtly enhancing your mood and environment, just as a thoughtfully designed room continues to influence your emotions even when you’re no longer inside it. By experimenting with various combinations, I learned that the key to a lasting fragrance is finding the right balance between freshness and warmth, lightness and depth, in much the same way that I consider the interplay of light, color, and texture when designing a home.
By the end of the workshop, I had successfully created my signature Sheila scent—an uplifting mix of citrus and wood, with a hint of jasmine to ground the fragrance. This scent, crafted by trial and error and gradually refining the fragrances, felt like an extension of my personality. It was a powerful reminder of how creativity can transcend disciplines, and how each new medium—whether it’s perfume, interior design, or architecture—can offer new ways to engage with the world around us. Leaving the workshop, I felt inspired to incorporate this new sensory element into my design work, adding yet another layer to the spaces I create. The scent, like design, can transform an experience, and I’m excited to explore how I can blend this new craft into my projects here in Bali.
