Charlotte Semler – Verden
When thinking about the scents and products for our spaces we wanted to ensure that they had a real connection to nature as that really was part of the core of Paradise Farm. We also wanted Restaries as a brand and as a mindset to be as sustainable as possible. Not only does Verden have nature at its core, it also has a beautiful aesthetic (no one wants an ugly bottle) and glorious scent. As you enter the Cider store you will be greeted with Herbanum: the purifying, botanical essence of fresh herbs and wild grasses, then in the bathrooms you will bath in D’Orangerie: an uplifting, bright infusion of citrus and orange blossom.
We sat down with Founder Charlotte Semler to talk about how she created the brand and what is important to her.
How and why did you start Verden?
VERDEN was inspired by the focal role of nature in my Danish childhood memories. I returned to my childhood beach house after decades away and realised that it was the immersion in unchanging nature – water, landscape and fragrance, as much as the endless summer light – that brought me back to happiness. VERDEN roots itself in natural fragrance to reconnect you with happiness in every moment of self-care.
How were the scents chosen?
We only work with natural fragrances. We are always trying to capture a particular moment in nature. The VERDEN scents are all different but interconnected - for example they all have woodsy and earthy base notes.
Why are scents important for relaxation?
Fragrance can positively impact our well-being by influencing both our mental and physical health. Psychologically, certain scents such as citrus - which can be found in our D’Orangerie fragrance - can uplift our mood and reduce stress, promoting a sense of happiness and relaxation. By carefully selecting and using fragrance in your home you can really foster a sense of comfort, happiness, and relaxation. Scent is a powerful trigger for memory also, so when those positive feelings are tied to fragrance, you can take those through to your everyday moments and rituals.
What rituals do you follow?
I am a big believer in breathwork and I have made it a habit to at least start and end my day with a breathwork session. Mindfulness and breathwork are such powerful ways to reconnect with yourself and bring a sense of calm and contentedness, this forms part of Verden's holistic approach to wellness so we actually built a free breathwork app so we can pass this on to whoever needs it. I also can't go without my morning matcha and a bowl of Skyr!
What from nature inspires you the most?
The way everything else falls away when you focus on the immensity of the natural world. It shows you your own insignificance and that’s profoundly grounding.
Apart from Paradise Farm where is your most relaxing place to stay?
In my beach house on the wild Danish coast. It’s minimalist and immersed in nature. It’s where the idea for VERDEN was born.