2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
With the onset of autumn, flowers and plants wither, but you so often want to preserve their beauty in winter. To do this, you can stock up on dried flowers and create wonderful compositions from them that will remind you of the past summer. But it is even better if you manage to preserve not only the plants, but also their aroma. Then the autumn composition will not only decorate the interior, but also fill the air in the room with a pleasant smell
Potpourri is a French word meaning assorted. They are called compositions of various fragrant plants, aromatic oils, spices, and other aroma magic. All this is placed in beautiful glass containers or baskets and is used to decorate and flavor the room. However, such wonderful interior details can be made by yourself.
What is potpourri made of?
First of all, you need to find flowers that look good when dried. It can be calendula, geranium, lavender, larkspur, peonies, carnations, millennials and, of course, roses. In combination with them, all kinds of cones, leaves, petals and chips look great. Moreover, unusual lacy leaves of fragrant geranium or viburnum will look best in a potpourri. Don't forget about edible ingredients like cloves and cinnamon sticks, dried peels of oranges and lemons.
Ready-made potpourri mixes are available in stores. But during the purchase they need to be carefully checked, because they are often scented with not very high-quality fragrances. It is best to collect all the ingredients yourself and dry them on your own, because it does not take much time and effort.
Essential mixes for making potpourri
The difference between potpourri and conventional dried flower compositions is its unique aroma. Nowadays it is not a problem to purchase essential oil. There are a great many of them. Moreover, aromas can be combined with each other, creating something unique. To do this, you can mix several essential oils in an ordinary glass bottle. In order for them to fully give off their scent, roll the bottle between your palms.
In addition to the oils, the potpourri mixture must include retainers. They are able to increase the duration of the smell, and besides this, do not allow it to disappear. Oils from sandalwood, oakmoss, patchouli, benzoin, cedarwood, frankincense, myrrh have excellent fixing properties. Chestnuts, anise seeds, nutmeg, and grapefruit zest are often used as an aroma enhancer.
You can choose some exotic scent, or the scent inherent in your garden. It all depends on your personal preference.
Get down to business
It is not recommended to use metal utensils when making a potpourri. It will most likely change the original scent by reacting with the metal. It is best to use a glass or ceramic container. It is desirable, of course, that she be beautiful.
Stir cooked leaves, flowers and all other materials. Place a few drops of your chosen or mixed essential oil in this mixture. Place the lid on the container. It is advisable to leave it for a few days, in which case your potpourri will be saturated with aroma. If the smell isn't strong enough for you, don't be afraid to add some more oil.
We decorate
Potpourri is a wonderful thing to decorate your country house or apartment. You can simply place the container on a table or bookshelf. And if you are fond of needlework, then do not be too lazy to sew a small cotton bag and fill it with a fragrant mixture. However, if you are not friends with a thread and a needle, then this is not a problem. In any store you can buy a ready-made bag. These bags can be hung all over the house. For example, over a lamp shade, where, under the influence of heat from a light bulb, a potpourri will exude a subtle aroma. In the bathroom, your craft will help get rid of the unpleasant smell of moisture. Many housewives put these bags in a box where bedding is kept, or in closets with things.
It should be borne in mind that when using the best aromatic oils, the aroma will begin to fade over time. But this is not a problem - it can always be refreshed and intensified with just a few drops. Better to make a new potpourri next year.
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