CRAVE

In his novel Time Regained, Marcel Proust wrote that, “An hour is not merely an hour; it is a vase filled with perfumes, with sounds, with projects, with climates.” It’s not only a sentiment that illustrates how the passing of time is enriched by scent, mood and memories, it is also the inspiration for an ultra-elegant way to fragrance your home. Parisian perfumers Diptyque - the purveyors of exquisite, artisanal scents - have created a diffuser so beautiful it could easily qualify as a work of art. A world away from the supermarket plug-in, think of it as pure perfume over eau de toilette.

Working with design studio R’Pure, the Diptyque Hourglass gently disperses fragrance around the room using a wick that runs between two glass bulbs. Chosen specially for their skill at creating packaging that balances simple shapes with meticulous attention to detail, the studio sculpted the glass to be soft, curved and sensual, so it fits and feels perfect in your hand every time you turn it over. And unlike a candle that disappears as it releases its scent, the egg-timer mechanics are meant as a reminder of how time is a never-ending cycle.

The fragrance itself is the sublime 34 Boulevard Saint Germain, chosen with good reason. With notes of blackcurrant and dried fig leaves, moist mosses and milky woods, it’s a fresh, green and spicy scent that’s impossible not to fall in love with, whatever your perfume preferences. It only takes twenty minutes for the liquid to move between the bulbs, but that elegant aroma will grace the atmosphere around you for hours. And if you’re working to Proust’s time scale, just think how many blissful experiences you’ll be able to fit in…

The Diptyque Le Sablier Hourglass Diffuser costs £100, refills £34. See the Diptyque website for more details and to purchase.

The Diptyque Hourglass diffuser…