The right candles, room sprays, and diffusers can enhance the atmosphere of any room. When selecting a fragrance, aim to select a scent that pleases your nose and suits a certain purpose in the room. This helps guests and family members enjoy the smell and connect it with certain ideas and feelings. Below are several strategies to help you determine the best scents.

How Can You Find the Right Scents for Your Home?

1. Consider the Room

The first consideration should be which room you plan to place the candles, room sprays, or diffusers in. For example, strong scents, such as citrus and peppermint, may be too overpowering for guest bathrooms and walk-in closets because they are enclosed. However, these fragrances are well-suited to open and lively areas, like hallways and living rooms. Smaller rooms can be elevated with fresh, subtle scents, like spring rain, cashmere, and floral aromas.

Also, consider the type of room. Kitchens have a variety of smells because of the food you cook, so floral or perfume-like fragrances tend to clash. Food-related scents, such as spices, herbs, fruits, vanilla, and honey, blend well with existing aromas.

2. Think About the Mood

Next, think about the type of atmosphere you want to create, as fragrances are excellent for setting moods. Lavender, eucalyptus, and lilac create a relaxing ambiance for a bath, while rose and jasmine are perfect for a romantic dinner. For more energizing scents, go with cinnamon, citrus, and ginger. If your goal is to mask odors, lemon and cedarwood are strong scents that can transform the smell of a room.

3. Select the Category

After picking the room and reason for your candle or spray, select the scents. There are four main fragrance types to choose from: floral, woody, fresh, and exotic. Most people have their own preferences and gravitate toward one or two of these categories.

Floral scents tend to be soft, clean, and calming, and they include gardenia, rose, and peony. Fragrances in the woody category, such as balsam and pine, are warm, earthy, and cozy. Fresh scents like bergamot and citronella are bright and energizing. The exotic scents, including vanilla and nutmeg, bring to mind luxury, comfort, and indulgence.

We've gathered together a 5 tips to inspire your creativity for decorating your outdoor spaces with ease.  When it comes to your garden, for some of you it's your happy place, a place for peaceful getaways and a place for your mind to unwind.  With all the extra time you've spent at home, you deserve to spruce up your space this summer.

1. Add a bit of sound and beauty with wind chimes

Let the sound of hand tuned Corinthian bells get you in the mood to unwind in your garden.  Adding beauty and sound could change your whole outlook on the day by putting you at peace early in the morning. 

2. Harness a little wind energy by adding a garden spinner. 

Just watching the wind turn your spinner is can be truly mesmerizing. These colorful metal spinners can show you which direction the wind is coming from, add some form and color, and show you approximately how windy it is all by just looking watching it spin. With many different sizes and designs, they add a bit of personal style to any outdoor space. From bright blues and pinks with butterflies, to red, white, and blue simplicity, you can really choose a look that fits your personal style.

3. Garden Mailboxes

A fellow garden lover once suggested a unique idea to me. She holds all of her gardening tools protected near her garden, in a beautifully hand-painted mailbox.  With Treehouse Gift & Home Local Artist, Scott Archer, you too could order a hand painted floral mailbox/garden toolbox. (Plus it gives you another

reason to plant around the garden mailbox!)

4. Add lights

No garden decorating project is complete without a bit of old fashion mood lighting! Adding lighting right really will transform your garden sanctuary from just pretty to truly beautiful. Try adding garden string lights over a pergola or trellis, or glass solar lanterns and torches.  Adding light can create a cozy ambiance to any outdoor space. Edison style garden light bulbs are my personal favorite. We even have some solar powered string fairy lights in store. Better yet, even the thriftiest decorators will find a variety of price points available for adding outdoor lighting. 

Staking solar lights along your outdoor walkways and shining them up at nicely groomed bushes and trees can really transform your outdoor space. Try a realistic looking solar flame behind colored art glass for a classy artsy and fancy feel.  For more lighting inspiration, combing through Pinterest could inspire you to jazz up your outdoor lighting.

5. Add a bird bath or fountain

With a touch of water, you'll start to attract all sorts of garden friends and listening to the birds chirp and sing could add a whole new element of enjoyment to your yard.  If you enjoy the relaxing sound of flowing water, adding a beautiful dripping fountain or floral fountain can really enhance your enjoyment of your garden and outdoor spaces.  In Wisconsin, our summers and fall are the time to make the most of the nice weather days, and anything that allows you to enjoy that space more is worth it!  Adding a colorful glass bird bath or a beautiful dripping fountain could just be the change your garden needed to become your outdoor sanctuary. 

For more ideas, come visit the professionals at Treehouse Gift & Home! You'll find benches, stakes, solar lanterns, wind spinners, bird baths, birdhouses, bird feeders, wind chimes, and more.  Give us a call at 608-433-7896 today or drop by 9546 E 16 Frontage Rd, Onalaska, WI. 

Every year, Father's Day falls on the third Sunday of June; this year, people throughout the United States will honor their dads on June 20. This day is your opportunity to celebrate a husband's or father's contributions to the family. A thoughtful gift is a wonderful way to express your appreciation and love while also giving him something he'll use over again. Here are some ideas to get you started. 

What Are Some Gift Ideas Your Dad Will Love This Father's Day?

1. Sports Memorabilia

If your dad or husband is an avid sports fan, buy him a piece of memorabilia or a decoration for his favorite team. A flag or a back-lit wall plaque is great for an office or man cave. If he is always spending time with the family dog, buy the furry family member a jersey so the two can match on game day.

2. Bible Cover

For the father who is always thumbing through his Bible, a cover is a perfect gift. This protects the book and keeps it in good condition—especially if he carries it with him. Covers come in a variety of designs, and picking one in camouflage or his favorite color allows the Bible to reflect his personality.

3. Beverage Chiller

Buy beverage chillers for the dad who likes to enjoy cold refreshments. These stainless steel cubes are cooled in the freezer. Your husband or dad can place them in a drink to keep it cool without watering it down the way traditional ice cubes do.

4. Best Dad Ever Keychain

A "Best Dad Ever" keychain shows just how proud you are of your father, and he'll be reminded of that appreciation every time he uses his keys. The added size also makes it easier to locate a set of keys, which is ideal for a dad who is always misplacing his.

5. #1 Father Travel Cup

A travel cup with a handle and secure lid makes taking a hot or cold drink on the go even easier. They are designed to fit most vehicle cup holders, making them perfect for commuters. A "#1 Father" ceramic travel cup is a daily reminder of how much his family appreciates him!

Picking out a Father's Day present is easy at Treehouse Gift & Home in Onalaska, WI. Our locally owned and operated gift shop has a wide selection of items for every type of man, so you're sure to find something your dad or husband will love. We also offer online ordering and convenient shipping to make shopping as seamless and stress-free as possible. Start browsing gift ideas on our website, and call (608) 433-7896 to have your questions answered by a friendly team member. 

Come watch Scott Archer, our newest local artist, show you how he paints on Terra Cotta Pots Saturday, June 5th from 10 am - 2 pm! We're excited to have such a talented artist with such giftable painted terra cotta pots, painted birdhouses, and a painted mailbox. 

Scott started Dakota Brushworks in 1995, doing much of the same floral

photography.  He recently semi-retired and has had more time to appreciates the brushstrokes and process to create a fine piece of art. Terra cotta pots can make great birthday gifts, housewarming gifts, thinking of you gifts, and more! We hope you can come watch him paint and shop his collection of art!

If you own a Vera Bradley® bag, you know these accessories have intricate, colorful patterns. Maintaining these beautiful and high-quality bags takes special care, as they can use several materials in their construction. Here are some strategies to help you clean your favorite purse, backpack, or luggage.

How Can You Maintain a Vera Bradley Bag Properly?

1. Check the Care Label

Most items, including Vera Bradley bags, have a tag inside with care instructions. This can tell you whether to hand- or machine-wash it, as well as what temperature the water should be. Some items indicate to dry-clean only, and some can burn if you try to iron them. Generally, you should hand-wash Vera Bradley items in cold water, but some are machine washable. Then, after washing the bag, leave it in a well-ventilated area so that it can air dry. If you are using a washing machine to clean it, close the zippers and buttons first. 

2. Keep Materials in Mind

One of the most significant factors in caring for a Vera Bradley bag is the material that it uses. For example, you cannot wash leather and performance twill as easily as fabric, and you must spot-treat these accessories. Also, avoid washing bags with cardboard bases because this can destroy the backing and contribute to mold growth. Likewise, performance twill and leather can lose their texture and form when wet.

3. Spot Clean Carefully

For small issues on your bag, use a nonbleach laundry pen or a mild solution of vinegar and water to remove stains on accessories that you cannot wash. If the stain is stubborn, apply a drop of detergent or dish soap and let it sit for 30 minutes before proceeding. Then, rub the pen or solution onto the spot, being careful not to get the bag too wet or soapy. Next, use a damp cloth to remove the residue. Lie the bag flat to air dry.

If you’re looking for a new Vera Bradley bag for yourself or a friend, visit Treehouse Gift & Home in Onalaska, WI. Since 1988, this gift shop has been one of La Crosse County’s best sources for religious gifts, candles, rugs, kitchenware, and home decor. Call (608) 433-7896 to speak with a friendly team member about your needs.