“The Scented Room” by Barbara Milo Ohrbach

Just because a book is old and out of print does not negate its value. I have a well worn copy of Barbara Milo Ohrbach’s The Scented Room I’ve treasured for decades now. Ms Ohrbach was the owner of a fabulous New York City shop Cherchez I loved back in the late 80s. Her keen eye for style spurred a string of books—others that I also purchased. But it was The Scented Room that I favored most and served as my inspiration for my wedding giveaways. I still cherish its ideas, photos and pages of how-to’s.

Its double-page photos of ideas of all kinds of beautiful things to make with dried flowers and herbs are timeless. As I revisit the book, I get just as excited as I did back then. If you’re in search of DIY condolence gift ideas, what better than a handmade dried flower funeral wreath, a bed sachet, a posy, a box of potpourri, scented pillow or a ribboned pomander. Her book gives delicate directions on everything from working with scented flowers to how to grow, dry and store them. It would be safe to say that something scented for someone terminally ill or healing from grief is the ideal personal condolence gift.

Sweet posy ideas

Barbara Milo Ohrbach also gives instructions on a variety of floral waters. Reuse a small bottle that is not threaded at the top and buy a cork to fit at any local hardware store. Decorate the bottle neck with a beautiful ribbon and be sure to add some petals or herbs of its scent to float in the water and voilà! – you have a DIY condolence gift. It’ll specially send a new dimension to a friend or family member’s day.

Boxes of potpourri

Here’s an excerpt of her recipe for Herbal Water:

“You can use this recipe for making any fragrant flower – or herb-scented water you prefer. I tried it just the other day using dried chamomile flowers, and the results were marvelous.

24 ounces (3 cups) distilled water

2 ounces (1.4 cup) vodka

1 ounce dried chamomile flowers, or any flower petals or herbs whose fragrance your prefer”

Funeral or memorial wreaths

This book may be old but with Amazon today everything is still accessible. If you love these images, you’ll love the book and get as inspired as I still do!

If you love books with illustrations or full color pages to inspire as much as I do, check out some of my past favorites:

• Jane Packer: “Flowers, Design, Philosophy” to inspire a memorial service flowers.
• Gwen Frostic: “To Those Who See” my most treasured bereavement gift book.