For us, home is built through familiarity, rather than ownership. It’s the scent that greets you when you walk through the door; the cup you use every morning; the food kept in the cupboard and the objects that carry a story unique to you.
We started Earl of East from a shared interest in scent – and the rituals that shape everyday life. Over time, the brand has grown into a wider exploration of home, memory and the objects we choose to live with. That’s where the idea began for our new book, Home For Now, which looks at homes created with intention – despite the impermanence of renting.
Whether you’re in a long-term rental, a temporary set-up or always on the move, there are a few simple ways you can create that sense of home – without too much fuss or renovation.
This selection brings together products from makers we admire, alongside a few Earl of East essentials that we use everyday in our own lives. Each one can bring atmosphere, personality and ritual into your space, for instant comfort, wherever you are.
The Mood Lighting
Lighting is one of the quickest ways to transform the atmosphere of a rental without making permanent changes. We love Josh Page Studio’s Acid Table Lamp for its sculptural form and playful electric-blue details, as well as the fact that it can move with you from one home to the next. £595, Josh Page Studio
The Morning Brew
A familiar morning ritual can make a new place feel like home very quickly. We start every day with coffee, and the nutty, chocolatey character of Canyon Coffee’s The Alentejo roast is exactly what we want to drink – usually from the colourful Peter Shire mugs we bought at their Los Angeles cafe. $20, Canyon Coffee
The Home Mist
Scent is one of the quickest ways to make an unfamiliar space feel like your own. Greenhouse was one of the first fragrances we created for Earl of East, and its notes of vine tomato leaf, parsley seed and basil instantly bring freshness to a kitchen or living space. £26, Earl of East
The Go-To Snack
A home starts to feel lived in when the kitchen cupboards contain things you genuinely look forward to eating. We discovered Rooted Fare while spending more time in the US and now seek out this rich, nutty Crunchy Black Sesame Butter whenever we visit. $15, Rooted Fare
The Personalised Pet Bowl
Home needs to work for every member of your household – pets included. Piper, our six-year-old French bulldog and unofficial third founder of Earl of East, is currently coveting one of Henry Holland Studio’s personalised ceramic bowls. Admittedly we may be projecting some of that desire onto him. From £125, Henry Holland Studio
The Coffee Cups
Commune Design has long been a reference for us, from its work on the Ace Hotels to the way it showcases artists and makers in its wider world. These JB Blunk cups, created in collaboration with artists Tyler Cross and Kyle Lypka, are exactly the kind of small, characterful objects we love. They are useful, sculptural and easy to carry from one home to the next. $340 for four, JB Blunk at Commune Design
The Self-Care Essential
Feeling at home is as much about personal ritual as interior decoration. Our Shinrin-Yoku All Over Oil can be used on the body, through the hair or added to the bath, bringing a familiar and restorative scent into even the most temporary space. It’s now also available in this travel size (as opposed to the original 300ml bottle), so even a hotel room can feel like home. £28, Earl of East
The Calming Incense
A repeated daily ritual can bring a sense of calm and familiarity to any home. Our Shinrin-Yoku incense is made for us in Tochigi, Japan, using our fragrance oil blend and water from the maker’s own spring. Its grounding scent creates an immediate pause in the day. £28, Earl of East
The Bathroom Upgrade
Bathing as a ritual is important to both of us, and switching up your towels is one of the simplest ways to make a rental bathroom feel like your own. We love Baina for its generous texture and considered colour and pattern, particularly this Celeste and Chalk organic cotton set. AU $519, Baina
