2Note - Clean, Botanical Fragrances in the Old Port
Submitted by Jessica Tomlinson on Fri, 07/06/2007 - 9:13pm.
Recently, I went to a dinner party where I met the owners of 2 Note, a botanical perfumery in Portland. While I am not a perfume kind of gal, I was intrigued by this concept of handcrafted scents made with natural ingredients. A few weeks later, I headed down a cobblestone alley in the Old Port where Carolyn Mix and Darcy Doniger have transformed their Wharf Street space into a store that could be dropped into any metropolitan area and stand on its own. I am always amazed that Portland can support such niche boutiques.
My first impression walking through the iron gates and into the store: it smells but it doesn't stink. It's not that assault that you feel when you walk past the perfume counter at a department store or get the hug from Aunt Millie that stays with you for hours. It smells clean, natural and calming.
The floors and the ceilings are wood; the walls are brick and covered with artwork made from sheet music. The name of the store comes from the relationship between music and scents (both of the owners are musicians). Fragrant compositions are traditionally described in notes like those on a musical scale and the artistry lies in blending notes to create a symphony of scent.
In addition to perfumes, 2 Note carries massage oils, bath salts, lotions and body butters. The fragrances come from the oils of grapefruit, basil, lime and sage to name a few. All their offerings are original creations hand crafted in small batches by Carolyn and Darcy. Darcy also does the design and packaging, an extension of the simplicity and elegance of their products.
Carolyn was extremely helpful in leading me through the nine offerings they have constructed in perfume oils and solids for men and women. I was immediately struck by how distinct each smell was and how different they smelled once applied. I also could not believe that the one I liked had hints of patchouli. I hate patchouli. I went to a hippie college and there was a low grade patchouli fog that penetrated the entire campus. I have since learned that there is such a thing as good patchouli, which is used as a natural fixative in botanical perfumery, and it is not particularly distinguishable.
In the end, I chose a scent made of grapefruit, blood orange, neroli and jasmine. I also picked up a foot scrub made with Dead Sea salts, french lavender, sweet orange, and yes, patchouli.
When I left, I felt like I had been transported in space and time. With the warm woods of the store, the amber bottles with wax stamps, the handmade products and the storefront down a cobblestone alley, I imagined it could have been Paris in the 1800s.
2 Note
41 Wharf Street
Portland
www.2noteperfumery.com
The floors and the ceilings are wood; the walls are brick and covered with artwork made from sheet music. The name of the store comes from the relationship between music and scents (both of the owners are musicians). Fragrant compositions are traditionally described in notes like those on a musical scale and the artistry lies in blending notes to create a symphony of scent.
In addition to perfumes, 2 Note carries massage oils, bath salts, lotions and body butters. The fragrances come from the oils of grapefruit, basil, lime and sage to name a few. All their offerings are original creations hand crafted in small batches by Carolyn and Darcy. Darcy also does the design and packaging, an extension of the simplicity and elegance of their products.
Carolyn was extremely helpful in leading me through the nine offerings they have constructed in perfume oils and solids for men and women. I was immediately struck by how distinct each smell was and how different they smelled once applied. I also could not believe that the one I liked had hints of patchouli. I hate patchouli. I went to a hippie college and there was a low grade patchouli fog that penetrated the entire campus. I have since learned that there is such a thing as good patchouli, which is used as a natural fixative in botanical perfumery, and it is not particularly distinguishable.
In the end, I chose a scent made of grapefruit, blood orange, neroli and jasmine. I also picked up a foot scrub made with Dead Sea salts, french lavender, sweet orange, and yes, patchouli.
When I left, I felt like I had been transported in space and time. With the warm woods of the store, the amber bottles with wax stamps, the handmade products and the storefront down a cobblestone alley, I imagined it could have been Paris in the 1800s.
2 Note
41 Wharf Street
Portland
www.2noteperfumery.com
The views expressed on this Web site are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the views of Down East Enterprise or its employees.
- Jessica Tomlinson
- Login or register to post comments
