Botanika Labor

Anna Bárdics

How did Botanika Labor come about, and what made it different from the very beginning?
Botanika Labor is located in a building that is over 100 years old and surrounded by a garden with mature trees. The idea was to create a relaxing, meditative space inside that reflects the greenery of the garden outside.

What part of the day, the space, or the creative process do the people who work here enjoy the most?
I love the mornings, when the sun shines through the windows. But Botanika Labor is also a magical place. Somehow, you leave your worries and stress outside and become calm within. I’ve noticed that people really do become more relaxed during their time here. I believe it’s because of the environment and the creative workshops we offer.

If someone walks in for the first time, what should they absolutely not miss?
People are always taken aback by the fragrances when they first walk in. As a candle-making studio, our shelves are filled with fragrance oils, scented candles, and diffusers, so Botanika Labor always smells wonderful.

What is an interesting challenge that has made you rethink something about the project?
Product development has been a constant learning process. I never run out of ideas or new workshop concepts, but not every concept connects with the audience. That challenge has taught me to be patient and considerate, and to accept that sometimes an idea is too early or simply doesn’t work. I try to validate ideas earlier and let my audience’s feedback guide the direction of new products.

What influence, idea, or reference continues to guide what you do today?
My credo is that every detail contributes to the overall experience. Although candle making is traditionally seen as a craft, I don’t position it that way. I see my workshops as immersive scent experiences, where visual aesthetics, atmosphere, and the careful selection of fragrances are just as important as the candle itself.

Choosing each scent has become a ritual, and I’m constantly inspired by brands and creators who approach their work with the same level of intention and attention to detail.

What place, project, or person has inspired you lately, and why?
A recent trip to Paris was incredibly inspiring. Visiting the Fragonard Perfume Museum gave me a deeper understanding of the history of fragrance, from raw materials and the art of perfume making to how perfume evolved from a luxury reserved for a privileged few into something that became part of everyday life. It reminded me that scent has always been a powerful way to tell stories and create emotional connections.

I’m also continually inspired by Maison Margiela’s Replica collection. I love how each fragrance captures a specific place, memory, or moment in time. That idea, that scent can instantly evoke emotions and take us somewhere else, strongly influences how I think about my own candles and the experiences I create.

If your space could invite anyone to collaborate for a day, who would it be, and what would you do together?
I’d choose Rezeda Ceramics, a ceramic artist who uses plants to decorate her ceramics. Her aesthetic aligns beautifully with Botanika Labor. We’ve built an ongoing collaboration around the idea of creating objects with a long life.

Together, we host workshops where participants first make a handmade ceramic vessel, then return to fill it with a scented soy candle. Since the candles are made with biodegradable soy wax, the ceramic vessel lives on long after the candle is gone. I also offer her handmade ceramics in my studio as candle vessels. I love how our collaboration brings together craftsmanship and sustainability.

Is there an object, corner, or detail in the space with a story that few people know about?
One of the details in the space that carries a special story is an old chest of drawers where I keep many of my candle-making tools: wicks, pipettes, labels, and colourants. It has been in my family since my grandparents’ time. Unfortunately, it was too large to fit into my home, so for years it was forgotten in a basement, collecting dust.

When I was creating Botanika Labor, it became one of the central pieces of the space and actually inspired much of the retro interior design. It means a lot to me that an object connected to my childhood memories has found a new purpose and become part of the creative process again.

If this project were a city, a book, or an album, which one would it be, and why?
If Botanika Labor were a record, it would be something calm, atmospheric, and slightly nostalgic, like the music of Balthus. I often listen to it while working in the studio because it helps me enter a more creative and focused state.

For me, Botanika Labor is not only about making candles, but about creating a mood: a space where small details, scents, memories, and emotions come together. Like a piece of music, each fragrance tells a story and creates an atmosphere that can transport you somewhere else.