Annique & Ernesto
Journal
Trudon has long held a special place in the world of considered interiors and in the homes and studios of the creatives we admire most.
To celebrate this connection, we sat down with three of our favourite people in the industry—designers and makers whose taste we trust—to talk about the Trudon scents they return to, and the role fragrance plays in the spaces they create and inhabit.
First is Annique Heesen, founder of Gezellig Interiors in the Bay of Plenty. Annique launched her studio at 21, arriving there by way of graphic design, psychology, and a famously persistent internship pursuit that took her through the doors of both Homestyle magazine and Città. An unconventional path — and it shows in the best possible way
The name says it all. *Gezellig* (heh-SELL-ick) is an untranslatable Dutch word that captures something like cosiness, togetherness, and the quiet joy of a life well-lived: candles on a cold evening (her favourite being Ernesto), loved ones around a table, a book by the fire in the rain. It's a feeling, and it's exactly what Annique designs for.
Working across New Zealand and the South Pacific, her approach is deeply personal; creating homes that reflect not just who her clients are today, but who they're becoming. Every space is a story, every object chosen to enrich the lives of the people who live there.
"I believe a home should tell a story and speak to the soul."
Annique is one of those rare creatives whose values show up in every detail of their work—it's a privilege to have her in our world.
Below is a Q&A we did with Annique to further understand her relationship with scent, in particular Ernesto by Trudon.
Is there a scent that reminds you of home?
Not one particular scent - it depends on what’s happening at home. Sometimes it's the smell of rain in the forest nearby, sometimes it's lavender in the evenings. During the day, it could be food cooking or the kids baking. Our house always has a hint of cedar from our open fire in winter.
Is there a particular moment or ritual in your day when scent plays a role?
Scent really is woven into so many moments of my day. I'm very scent-focused, so one of the first things I do in the morning is open all the windows and doors and let the fresh air in.
I usually wake up before the kids and my husband and I will light a candle or some incense, then sit down and read my book before the day begins. Early mornings, I always start our Moka pot on the stove with freshly ground coffee - you just can't beat that smell or the whole experience around it. The sound of it bubbling away, our whistling kettle... it’s a whole thing.
In the evenings, I often come home and turn on essential oils right away to create a peaceful, calm space to wind down. In our studio, we’ll always have either a candle or diffuser incense burning. I feel like it elevates the space and the experience for anyone who visits.
What drew you to Ernesto?
My family and I love travelling to Italy. I have Dutch and European heritage, and Ernesto reminds me of walking down Italian streets, with all the beautiful scents wafting from the people around me. I’m constantly wanting to stop people and ask what perfume they’re wearing. Ernesto brings me right back to that feeling. I’m also a big reader, and it has the kind of scent you can imagine burning in an old bibliothèque. It’s a classic, old-world fragrance that I never tire of - always beautiful, rich and deep.
Trudon Scent Profile – Ernesto
Head Notes - Bergamot, Grapefruit, Rhum
Heart Notes - Oak Wood, Clove, Labdanum, Patchouli
Base Notes - Tobacco, Amber, Leather, Moss
Ernesto is Trudon’s most iconic fragrance, inspired by the spirit of revolutionary Havana. Rich notes of leather, tobacco, rum and oakwood evoke the atmosphere of a grand hotel lounge, where cigar smoke lingers and stories unfold late into the evening. Bold yet refined, Ernesto captures the romance, intrigue and adventure of Cuba’s golden age.
Discover Trudon available online now & in our Auckland & Christchurch showrooms.
