Review of By the Fireplace by Pia Pedersen

I was there! Norway, winter, open fireplace. Antlers on the stone walls; huge, cozy sofa; small rugs on the wooden floor. Snow falling outside the windows. Bowl with chestnuts on the coffee table. Tea with rum and brown sugar. Tired from the day outside spent skiing… Oh yes, I remember. I was there back in early 2000. I am a huge fan of the concept that Maison Margiela has. Making scents that are supposed to bring us back to a certain place, situation or feeling. We already know how powerful the memory of scent is. Therefore it makes really good sense to try and create fragrances that feed this memory. Building bridge between our own memory and our noses. Genius! Even though this fragrance has a loud smoky note, I still like it. The smoke hits the nose from the very second I spray, but it is never overpowering or cloying. Some smoky fragrances can knock me out or even be repellent. This balances so well. The nice orange blossom and later the chestnut smooth out the fragrance and makes it both sweet, smoky and a bit spicy. By the Fireplace is my ticket back to the many times I have been to Norway during winter. Therefore it stays in my collection, though I do find it a bit difficult to wear.