Botanical Perfumes
The Art, History, and Craft of Traditional Perfumes
Perfume has shaped human culture for millennia—rooted in the traditions of India, Arabia, Egypt, and Ancient Greece. Across cultures, plant extracts have been cherished for their healing properties and the exquisite fragrances they inspire.
What Are Attars?
Attars are traditional Arabian and Indian perfumes derived from natural sources such as flowers, herbs, and spices. Crafted using ancient methods like steam or hydro distillation, attars are often alcohol-free and aged in sandalwood or clay. Their depth and purity have made them a revered form of fragrance for centuries.
Similarly, early European perfumes—especially those created by Italian artisans—relied solely on pure botanicals for Parfum and Eaux Florale.
The Craftsmanship of Botanical Essences
Traditional perfume-making involves several steps:
- Extraction of essential oils through distillation
- Aging to allow the oils to deepen and harmonize
- Blending by skilled perfumers to create balance and resonance
- Bottling in vessels that reflect the artistry of the culture
Boardwalk’s Contemporary Interpretation
Boardwalk Essences honours this lineage while offering a modern, place-based interpretation. Kay Scrimshaw crafts parfums de extrait—20% concentration blends in jojoba oil—designed for gentle, lasting wear. These are not attars in the traditional sense, but they carry the same reverence for natural ingredients, emotional clarity, and ritual.
“The breath of the land, distilled into essence.”
— Kay Scrimshaw
Attars & Botanicals in Modern Times
As interest in natural and sustainable fragrance grows, pure botanicals have found a new audience. Boardwalk Essences offers small-batch blends that speak to place, presence, and care—inviting wearers into a ritual of belonging.
Kay Scrimshaw BA, Founder, Boardwalk Essences
