At Home with Emily L'Ami

Welcome to the latest installment of At Home, our series dedicated to spotlighting the sanctuaries of the most captivating figures in design and wellness. This edition invites you into the Pasadena haven of Emily L’Ami, the visionary perfumer behind BODHA. Born in New Zealand and having honed her craft in Sydney, Emily now finds calm in the midst of LA’s hustle and bustle, never compromising on her holistic approach to health and beauty. Each corner of her Pasadena home reflects that philosophy, featuring natural elements and spaces dedicated to finding peace.

Follow along as we explore the tranquil escape where Emily crafts her globally celebrated scents.

Photos by Megan Cullen | Shop the look: Sequoia Washable Organic Cotton & Wool Throw

Thank you for welcoming us into your home. Please tell us a bit about yourself and how you spend your time.

I'm a perfumer in Pasadena, Los Angeles, living with my husband Fred and our dog Licorice. My days are spent in our scent studio working on BODHA, our meditative fragrance brand. I design the scents, Fred, who also runs a design studio, creates the packaging, and Licorice provides the love & stress relief.

How does your home reflect your personality?

I'm always trying to nurture a sense of sanctuary within myself, and our home is an attempt to create a physical manifestation of this. The colors and textures are soft & calming; you can see plants and trees everywhere you look, and it always smells good.

What inspires you most when creating your ideal spaces? Is there a process you follow?

When creating anything—a space, a product, or even just a dinner with friends—I think about how I want people to feel. Then, I take the feeling and map out how to bring that to life through our senses—the colors, textures, sounds, and scents.

Do you feel your space is driven more by aesthetic or function?

Function is the invisible guiding thread guiding the design of our space. Beauty is essential; it sparks the heart and draws you in, but function creates timelessness & longevity.

Can you tell us the stories behind some of your favorite things in your home?

I love anything from friends or travels, but my favorite thing is a big piece of art in our bedroom by a New Zealand artist, which was a wedding present from our guests.

Which Coyuchi piece do you gravitate toward the most?

I love having people over for a meal so the Sonoma Textured Napkins are a personal fave. The colors go with everything & bring a little pop to the table. You can never have enough nice napkins!

What steps have you taken to make your home more sustainable? And why is sustainability important to you?

Sustainability is important to me because it makes sense—if something is healthier for the earth, it will be healthier for us, too!

In our home and studio, we've opted for natural paint and wax finishes, natural materials like linen, cotton, and wood for our furnishing, and a garden of California natives to support the local birds and bees.

Shop the look: Sonoma Textured Organic Napkins

How do the realms of design, food, and entertaining intersect in your life?

They're all opportunities to show a little care and leave someone feeling better than before. People can sense the intention behind something. They might not be able to put their finger on it exactly, but we all know the difference in the quality of the feeling.

What are your must-do daily rituals and why are they important to you?

I always start the day by lighting some incense and bringing a pot of coffee or tea back to bed to enjoy the morning for a minute.

In the evening, I light a candle (we're about to release our first candle collection!) and take a moment to sit quietly—maybe watch the trees outside, maybe do a few rounds of deep breathing—nothing big or complicated, just a time to reconnect with myself and feel at peace before going to bed.

And lastly, please describe your style in 3 words.

Natural, peaceful, refined.