The first time I ever offered candles through Little Grey Farmhouse was back in 2018. At the time, the world of candle making felt completely inaccessible to me. The equipment, the formulas, the technical side of it all felt intimidating, and certainly not something I thought I could do. I found someone lovely and local who knew what they were doing and asked them to make them for me.

What I did feel confident about, though, were the scents.

going with your instincts

I spent an absurd amount of time choosing them. What felt like the right balance of offerings. What inspired me. What smelled like home. Scents are such a personal thing. They’re deeply subjective, tied to memory and preference in a way that’s almost impossible to explain. We all like different things.

Personally, I’ve never been drawn to very sweet scents. I tend to prefer things that feel fresh, organic, simple. So I went with my gut, as I so often do, and chose the ones I loved and felt classic to me. Because let’s be honest, no matter what you do, you can’t please everyone.

branching out

Over time, I decided to take the plunge and make my own candles. I invested in the equipment, the supplies, and the time. Most things I learn come through trial and error, but candle making was surprisingly intuitive for me. I took to it right away.

That said, the world of fragrance is endless. Truly endless. And for someone who prefers calm and simplicity, it can feel overwhelming fast. I’ve always gravitated toward small, curated collections rather than trying to be everything to everyone. I’d much rather something feel personal than exhaustive.

Over the years, that’s how the collections evolved. A bakery collection inspired by that side of the business, which is still going strong. A summer kitchen collection inspired by the freshest seasonal bounty. And always a small run of fall and Christmas scents that capture the feeling of the season.

there’s a reason things become the classics 

What I’ve learned about myself along the way is this. I like scents that are simple and pure. One or two main components that feel honest and clear, rather than complex blends that try to do too much.

In the winter months, when things tend to slow down, small businesses do a lot of planning. I was sitting down to map out the candle lineup for the year ahead and started making a list of what felt essential. The scents I couldn’t imagine not offering.

And then I noticed something.

I was basically recreating that very first list from 2018.

I’m all for growth and personal development, but there’s also something to be said for knowing who you are. Some preferences stay remarkably stable over time. Part of knowing yourself is recognizing that, and honoring it instead of constantly trying to reinvent the wheel.

returning to the start

My candles have always sold out, which tells me something else too. There are others out there who share my preferences. Who like things that feel classic, calm, and a little understated.

So this year, I decided to bring them back. The scents that started it all. Not because nothing has changed, but because sometimes you get it right the first time.

The Little Grey Farmhouse signature candle collection is available now under candles.