About Kay
About Kay
A Life Guided by Scent, Place and Wellbeing
Boardwalk Essences is the life practice of Kay Scrimshaw, an artisan creator of botanical attars, aromatic formulations and wellbeing blends based in Albany, Western Australia.
From her small ocean-facing studio, Kay works with botanical essences, native plants and traditional aromatics to create experiences that reconnect people with the restorative qualities of place.
At the heart of every creation is a simple belief: landscapes have the power to influence how we feel. The stillness of a forest, the spaciousness of the coast, the resilience of open country, the comfort of familiar ground beneath our feet. Through aroma, these qualities can accompany us wherever we may be.
This philosophy forms the foundation of Boardwalk Essences:
Essence of Place
The transformative influence of place, distilled into essence.
A Path Rooted in Nature
Kay's journey began in the English countryside, gathering herbs with her Irish grandmother; an early introduction to plant lore, sensory awareness and the healing traditions passed between generations of women.
Her path continued in New Zealand through her work with The Body Shop, before ultimately finding its deepest expression in Western Australia.
Here, among ancient forests, wildflower country, rugged coastlines and expansive inland landscapes, Kay discovered the profound influence that place can have upon wellbeing. These experiences shaped not only her understanding of botanicals, but her appreciation of the ways nature can soothe, restore and replenish the human spirit.
Over decades of study and lived experience, her work evolved beyond aromatherapy into a broader exploration of aroma, place and wellbeing, guided by whole plants, traditional methods and the quiet intelligence of the botanicals themselves.
Her attars and extraits are a natural continuation of this lifelong devotion.
An Aromatics Lineage
Kay's work is grounded in the classical aromatics tradition, particularly the teachings of Valerie Ann Worwood and other pioneering practitioners who viewed essential oils not simply as ingredients, but as companions for emotional, sensory and personal wellbeing.
Rather than following trends or commercial fragrance conventions, her approach honours the character and gifts of each botanical. This perspective continues to inform every Boardwalk Essences creation, from aromatic wellbeing blends to artisan attars and perfumes.
Each formulation is crafted with care, intention and respect for the plants from which it is born.
Daily Rituals
Kay began developing her botanical formulations in Perth around 2008, working closely with a respected dermatologist. During this time she created a collection of preparations including her Cell Regenerating Serum, Muscles Rub, Healing Balm, Nourishing Body Oil and Lip Balm, many of which became enduring favourites among clients.
Following her move to Albany, a collaboration with Solaris Cancer Care brought these formulations into a new setting. Clients responded warmly to their gentle effectiveness, and from 2019 to 2023 Solaris formally endorsed a number of her products.
Today these trusted creations form the Daily Rituals Collection, continuing a long-standing commitment to simplicity, purity and natural integrity.
A Practice of Belonging
Boardwalk Essences is founded on the belief that aroma can reconnect us with the qualities that nature awakens within us.
Whether inspired by forest, coast, bloom, wood or open country, each creation is an invitation to pause, reconnect and experience something of the restorative influence of place.
Every detail, from the choice of botanicals to the language, imagery and packaging, is shaped with this intention in mind.
The breath of the land, distilled into essence.
"When people breathe in these creations, they're experiencing a little of Western Australia itself."
— Kay
Kay is recognised as a
Friend of The Guild of Natural Perfumers,
reflecting her commitment to traditional, 100% natural botanical perfumery.
