Charm: Home Sweet Home

Dear Reader,

To-day I would like to write to you about the fragrance of your home. In earlier posts, we have discussed finding your signature fragrance, which is something special for you. Now let's discuss making your home special for others. There is nothing worse (save a woman with no stockings) than to be greeted at the front door of someone else's home with an unpleasant fragrance emanating from the abode rather than a pleasant smile by the hostess. Open that front door, dear, and it is all over. When something like that happens, it prevents one from wanting to enter, no matter how charming your hostess "appears" to be (of course if she were truly charming, there would be no issue here). Here are some "tips" for your home so all of your guests will find you and your domicile lovely and charming:

1. Always keep your home clean, including all upholstery, linens, and clothes. If your home is clean and in order, the likelihood of some odiferous waft arising is lessened. If you do not have a maid to do your daily washing of clothing, send out or keep a laundry hamper available that can be tightly closed until you can get to it.
2. Despite how aggressive one may be with housekeeping, it is always important to "air" one's home at least three times a week, despite the weather. In nicer weather, keep those windows open at all times, even in the evenings. You need not fear intruders as long as your gardener is on site. Otherwise, open the windows on the upper levels only at night.
3. Find a way to bring fresh, pleasing scents into your home. Fill your rooms with the fresh fragrance of freshly cut flowers. Do not use air freshener (ever) or scented candles. These are artificial enhancers and are surely used by those who otherwise cannot keep their homes fresh by the means I have suggested above. In a previous post, I warned against wearing synthetic fabrics of any kind. The same applies in the arena of home freshening.
4. Pleasing scents from the kitchen are also a tempter to the olfactories. Have your cook bake fresh bread and cakes daily. Offer them to your callers with tea and you will have an enchanting afternoon.

I hope these tips have been of help to you, dear. Keep your home fresh and your spirits will be uplifted. You will never fear answering the door again!

Until next time...

HF

Do you have a question for Mrs. Fillmore? Please send an email to hildegardefillmore@hotmail.com.