Photo by Danny Fulgencio
Photo by Danny Fulgencio
The row of candles and small wooden boxes that line the fireplace mantel of neighbor David Davis’ Lakewood home is hard to miss. As is the delicate yet distinct aroma wafting through the hallways of the historic home.
Davis founded Belladonna, a luxury fragrance company, in his home, which is also where he creates and tests the candles, diffuser oils and bath salts.
He got the idea from a friend who makes soap. Although he didn’t want to copy his friend by also making soap, the process of mixing fragrances intrigued him.
Davis’ mother, Donna, who is the brand’s namesake, suffers from Alzheimer’s, so Davis especially liked the fact that it allowed him to work from home.
“My mom is the inspiration,” he says. “Alzheimer’s runs in the family, so I knew it was coming, and I knew I would need to make some changes. I needed something that would keep my interest and challenge me, but that I could do here.”
He started dabbling in it about four years ago, but it was more difficult than he first anticipated to perfect the fragrance mixtures.
“Imagine trying to create a gourmet meal with no recipe,” he says. “That’s very much what it was like.”
But, as they say, practice makes perfect, and Davis eventually mastered the technique and created a line of fragrances for every season and preference — floral, woody, fruity, confection and citrus.
About two years ago, he began selling his products. He primarily sells them online and at Talulah Belle on Abrams in Lakewood.
Davis’ background is in graphic design, which he put to good use designing an elegant logo and unique packaging. Boring ol’ wrapping paper or gift bags wasn’t good enough for him. Instead, each piece comes in a handcrafted wooden keepsake box, which Davis designed and builds himself.
Learn more at www.belladonnaluxury.com.
